They sure as sh*t wouldn't. As I said, without their controversial image, there would be NOTHING to seperate them from tons of other Metal bands and there especially wouldn't be anything to make them "stand out" of the mass. It's the only thing that makes them "interesting" and "special" in some way. The fact that they don't sell sh*t in the US (where they dress and behave normally) and do sell quite a lot in Europe (where they pull off "the full monty") kinda proofs that, don't you agree?
There's a saying: "EVERY publicity is GOOD publicity." That obviously includes the bad one (like a ridicolous image), too.
Would you also believe that KISS would've gotten as far as they came (or even farer) WITHOUT make-up and Gene Simmons flying, spitting blood and breathing fire on stage (the breakdown of the whole KISS-merchandise-machine during the 80s kinda says it all... the fact that the financial success returned with the make-up and reunion even more...)? Would Alice Cooper have had even greater success in the 70s had he just cut that "psycho-stuff"? Would you say that ANY Black Metal Band would sell better if they'd sing about love and friendship and get some decent looks? Would a "band" like Rockbitch be of any interest if they'd stop fistf*cking each other on stage (yes kids, they actually really do - did? - that...)? GWAR without slaughter, carnage and weird sexual activities on stage and record? Would The Who have become one of the most influential rock acts if Roger Daltrey would've only sung stuff like "I love you, baby. Yeah, yeah, yeah" and Pete Townshend and Keith Moon would've ended the concerts by shaking each others' hands instead of beating the sh*t out off their instruments?
(BTW, I'm not at all ranking Manowar along those greats - well, cut Rockbitch out as well there
- they're just examples for the influence of "image" or "concept" on success)
I guess you get the point.
Oh, and their image was NEVER "awe inspiring" and was never meant to be. It was part of the travesty LOL What do you think why Ross the Boss (the guy who FOUNDED Manowar) left the band at some point? Because the rest of the guys started to take the parody serious.
