Really average
I have listened to a lot of metal and this does absolutely nothing for me. I don't understand what everyone sees in this album. Maybe it's the production - all the sounds are smoothed over so much that there is no punch to the guitar, or anything other than Doro Pesch's voice. All We Are is pretty good, but everything else reeks of generic 80's metal - from songs about metal ("Metal Tango") to lyrics like
I have no mercy
I tell no lies
I kiss the strangers
And then watch them die
("Kiss Of Death")
there are a lot better 80's metal albums for your money's worth. If you are a fan of old-school metal or hair metal, and don't mind elements of the other in your music, then give it a listen. Otherwise, pick up something like Powerslave or British Steel for some good 80's metal.
Doro And Warlock Rock
Doro proved that she was and still is to this day a female vocalist to be reconed with. Listening to them back in the 80's was totally spectacular. As for the band outstanding. I just wish the group from triump and agony album would get back together and do a North American tour.
Yes I still live in the 80's but hey that was music. wherever you are Doro , I wish you continued success.
Great import from Germany
Doro is hot and has the best heavy metal female voice around. Bought this CD based on the All We Are video back in the late 80's. She puts Lita Ford to shame. Every song has a great riff to it. Love it and I'm trying to buy the earlier Warlock CDs to compliment this one. Gotta have more Doro.
An awesome release
Forget the earlier stuff, this is where you should start to explore this band, who were before their time in a number of ways. Warlock made one truly great album in their time and this is it.
It's a pity that for this album the band jettisoned their previous long time guitarist Peter Szigeti and had enlisted a couple of North American chaps into the band as this will perhaps diminish it's worth in some eyes. But that would be a pity as it's an excellent, excellent release. Those who flick through my other reviews will note that it's rare for me to give an album five stars but this one deserves it.
A track by track synopsis would be;
All We Are: A real soccer holler crowd effect lets you know this is still Warlock as this is an effect they'd used previously. The track is a great opening cut and a good statement of intent.
Three Minute Warning: This is true metal. What in the 90's and beyond started to be termed power metal. This album does represent the completion of the ideas of the previous album, in terms of it being a serious assault on the charts and the the hard rock scene of the late 80's, but the band could still pull out some serious metal. Doro goes off over a solid metal stomper.
I Rule the Ruins: A more melodic slow cruiser with great vocal lines and melody. The production values on this album are really top notch, sounding like it was recorded yesterday and this helps the band go up and down the gears.
Kiss of Death: More atmospherics with somewhat creepy overtones, but that was on purpose it would seem. A sense of danger and foreboding beyond the ken of many bands at the time who just went for over the top viciousness. Here Warlock uses intelligent lyrics and arrangements to better effect that just going over the top.
Make Time for Love: Ballad #1 for this album. Which is a bit of a respite after you've been clubbed by the first four tunes.
East Meets West: This song gels perfectly. A simple idea lyrically married to an excellent hook. Other reviewers have noted the excellent contribution to this album by one Tommy B on guitar and I'd have to concur. The guys in the band as a unit seem able to play melody or face melting metal with equal aplomb.
Touch of Evil: Another out and out metal track here. Doro coaxing all sorts of banshee wails out of her larynx. The whole thing proceeds to a crescendo of chaos (in the best possible way) that is just slightly reminiscent of the Scorpions tune Virgin Killer - ie the end bit where Klaus Meine really lets go into the upper end of his register.
Metal Tango: A metal track in Tango time. It's the arrangement rather than the fairly simple lyrics that make this track work. Following a full metal racket like Touch of Evil with this tune was excellent track sequencing.
Cold, Cold World: This is almost a ballad, but if you wanted to put it into that category you'd have to call it one of the most bleak ballads out there. Over a slightly understated musical delivery Doro belts out in angst at the injustices of the world rather than plaintively whining about it. An interesting combination.
Fur Immer: Doros solo albums show a penchant for songs performed in her native German. To my knowledge this is the first time she did it. This track must be huge in Germany presumably and despite most of the planet can't understand it's lyrics it's always exhumed for Warlock and/or Doro compilation albums. Which is a pointer towards the effect it has on the listener.
Overall if your a fan of metal, buy this. If your into the wave of female fronted metal acts then buy this. If you love clean crisp guitar heavy hard rock, by this. If your into 80's metal and hard rock, then pick this up. It something that lovers of so many types of metal can enjoy.
One of the best
Doro's aggressive yet melodic vocal approach is strong and she can out-aggress (haha?) male vocalists in metal as well. Warlock is definetly an underrated band! there's so much good stuff on this cd when i heard it I thought this was too good for my ears to hear!! Doro Pesch is one of the best female vocalist ever and she's perfect for metal - specifically the music that she performs. You might also wanna check out her solo band "Doro" but Warlock was definitely worth their existance while they lasted.
You can see a complete list of all Warlock discography, or go back to the Warlock tabs
|
