Manowar has 11 people listed as members according to MusicBrainz, retrieved on 2026-10-08. This article presents the full list of members, their roles, and years active in the band as documented in that database.
Current Members
- Eric Adams – lead vocals, 1980–present
- Joey DeMaio – bass guitar, 1980–present
- Dave Chedrick – drums, 2022–present
Former Members
- Carl Canedy – drums, 1980–1981
- Ross the Boss – guitar, 1980–1989
- Donnie Hamzik – drums, 1981–1983, 2009–2017
- Scott Columbus – drums, 1983–1991, 1994–2008
- David Shankle – electric guitar, 1989–1994
- Kenny “Rhino” Earl Edwards – drums, 1991–1994, 2008–2009
- Karl Logan – guitar, 1994–2018
- E. V. Martel – electric guitar, 2019–2022
Original Line-up
- Carl Canedy
- Eric Adams
- Joey DeMaio
- Ross the Boss
Line-up Timeline
| Member | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Canedy | drums | 1980–1981 |
| Eric Adams | lead vocals | 1980–present |
| Joey DeMaio | bass guitar | 1980–present |
| Ross the Boss | guitar | 1980–1989 |
| Donnie Hamzik | drums | 1981–1983, 2009–2017 |
| Scott Columbus | drums | 1983–1991, 1994–2008 |
| David Shankle | electric guitar | 1989–1994 |
| Kenny “Rhino” Earl Edwards | drums | 1991–1994, 2008–2009 |
| Karl Logan | guitar | 1994–2018 |
| E. V. Martel | electric guitar | 2019–2022 |
| Dave Chedrick | drums | 2022–present |
Line-ups and Albums
This section relates the studio albums released by Manowar to the members active during each album’s release year. The album titles and years are from MusicBrainz as retrieved on 2026-10-08, and member years are matched exactly from the member data.
- Battle Hymns (1982): Members active in 1982 were Eric Adams (lead vocals), Joey DeMaio (bass guitar), Ross the Boss (guitar), and Donnie Hamzik (drums). Carl Canedy had ended membership in 1981.
- Into Glory Ride (1983): In 1983, Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Ross the Boss, and Donnie Hamzik were members. Donnie Hamzik’s first membership period ended in 1983.
- Hail to England (1984): Members in 1984 included Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Ross the Boss, and Scott Columbus, who started in 1983. Donnie Hamzik was no longer a member.
- Sign of the Hammer (1984): The same line-up as for “Hail to England” applies: Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Ross the Boss, and Scott Columbus.
- Fighting the World (1987): In 1987, Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Ross the Boss, and Scott Columbus were active members.
- Kings of Metal (1988): The members during 1988 were Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Ross the Boss, and Scott Columbus.
- The Triumph of Steel (1992): In 1992, Eric Adams and Joey DeMaio were active. Scott Columbus was a member until 1991 and returned in 1994. Ross the Boss ended in 1989, David Shankle was a member from 1989–1994, and Kenny “Rhino” Earl Edwards was active from 1991–1994. Therefore, the 1992 line-up included Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, David Shankle (electric guitar), and Kenny “Rhino” Earl Edwards (drums).
- Louder Than Hell (1996): In 1996, Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Karl Logan (guitar, 1994–2018), and Scott Columbus (returned 1994–2008) were members. Kenny “Rhino” Earl Edwards was not active in 1996.
- Warriors of the World (2002): The members in 2002 included Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Karl Logan, and Scott Columbus.
- Gods of War (2007): In 2007, the line-up remained the same as in 2002: Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Karl Logan, and Scott Columbus.
- Battle Hymns MMXI (2010): In 2010, Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Karl Logan, and Donnie Hamzik (returned 2009–2017) were members. Scott Columbus ended membership in 2008.
- The Lord of Steel (2012): Members in 2012 were Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Karl Logan, and Donnie Hamzik.
- Kings of Metal MMXIV (2014): In 2014, the band consisted of Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, Karl Logan, and Donnie Hamzik.
After 2014, Karl Logan remained a member until 2018. E. V. Martel joined on electric guitar from 2019 to 2022, and Dave Chedrick began on drums in 2022 and continues to the present.
How This List Was Compiled
This list is based solely on the MusicBrainz database, specifically the ‘member of band’ relations for Manowar, retrieved on 2026-10-08. Only individuals with a ‘member of band’ relation were included. Touring, session players, and collaborators without this relation are not part of this list, per the database’s scope. The data reflects exactly what MusicBrainz provides, including exact role titles and years active, with no additions or omissions beyond that source.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many members are listed for Manowar?
- There are 11 people listed as members in the MusicBrainz database.
- Who is listed without an end date?
- Eric Adams (lead vocals), Joey DeMaio (bass guitar), and Dave Chedrick (drums) are listed without an end date, indicating current membership.
- Who does MusicBrainz mark as original members?
- Carl Canedy, Eric Adams, Joey DeMaio, and Ross the Boss are marked as original members.
- Where does this data come from?
- The data comes from MusicBrainz, retrieved on 2026-10-08, and it reflects only members with a ‘member of band’ relation.
Final Thoughts
This list provides a clear and precise record of Manowar’s membership history as documented by MusicBrainz. It offers a factual reference for anyone interested in the band’s personnel changes over the years.
By relying solely on verified data, this article avoids speculation and ensures accuracy in presenting Manowar’s band members and their timelines.
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