Conan Inspired Bands!

When I think Conan inspired bands, Manowar immediately comes to mind. There are though several other bands out there that prefer a little Hyboria with their havoc.

I’m quite sure it was CROM! Reader Vengeance Is Mine that brought the U.S. band CROM to my attention....thanks Vengeance!

Their music (which I’ve heard described as thrash/sludge with a grindcore touch) isn’t really my cup of tea, but their merchandise is oh so Crom-worthy! Check out these skateboards, tees, and album art from CROM by CROM!

Next up, the German band CROM, who I affectionately refer to as "Euro-Crom" to differentiate them from their U.S. counterparts...

Now Euro-Crom is more to my taste (and perhaps yours, if you like your metal both majestic and melodic), but I didn’t find a lot in the way of merchandise…their album covers and interior art, though, are without a doubt Conan inspired!

Note that these following pics are the work of talented Belgian artist Kris Verwimp, whose got a lot of barbarian friendly artwork going on over on MySpace (HERE)!

And here’s a Canadian offering, the loud and proud Omega-Crom, who’s CD and tour flyer definitely have a Conan connection!

Finally, our good friend Marek told me a bit about a band from Poland, Iuvenes, who’s album "Riddle of Steel" pays tribute to our favorite barbarian!

Marek’s even gone to the effort of sending me the lyrics for the song Riddle of Steel, so if this kind of thing “loosens your loincloth”, then take a gander…

Iuvenes
Riddle of Steel

Intently I watch
The sacred fire on my
Weather beaten face
I feel it's glow
My hand gives steel
The shape of the sword
That will turn my son
into a hero
Scops will praise him in
their legends
Bards will praise him in their songs
Eagles will wield it
To high skies
The day has come for
My son to learn
The riddle of steel
The day when his fate is done
When the heritage is
Given to him
I swear by all our gods and by their
Holy laws that I shall obey the
Discipline of steel whose
Secret i've learnt from you your words
Will make me strong should weakness
Or doubt arise I turn my eyes
To the overwhelming majesty
Of the snowy peaks stabbing gloomy
Clouds my fathers sword in my hand
The blood sears in my veins
By my heritage by my legacy to you my father
I swear to guard the secret of steel that
Fills warrior's heart with might
Oh father that called me to this
World should this be your will
I'll obey
This proves how worthy I am
Oh my ancestors glory and fame
Thunder behind me glory ahead
Nothing can drag me away from the gods' path
Shown by my father for I am the man
Whose heart is the heart of steel

Yah, this post is a little off topic, but I spent quite a bit of time researching this stuff, so...my apologies Reis!