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Review Summary: Epic metal so irrelevant it just might become timeless. Even at their prime, back in the middle 80s, Warlord seemed irrelevant in a way to the contemporary metal scene, and they surely remain irrelevant today. Warlord’s epic metal doesn’t sound bloodthirsty and confident like Manowar’s, nor does it sound relentless and aggressive like Omen’s, they haven’t mastered the technology the way symphonic acts like Rhapsody have, and they definitely can’t be vaguely described as powerful, fast or heavy. As is the case with both of their previous albums and their legendary “Deliver Us” EP, The Holy Empire is nothing if not melodic, sentimental epic metal. Warlord’s music is driven by axe man Tsamis’ beautiful guitar work, not only because his harmonic leads flow nicely in a way that they mostly function as riffs, replacing the latter, but also because there is an astonishing melodic sufficiency to his guitar lines, given that he treats them as parts of bigger, symphony resembling pieces, using keyboards to highlight the band’s symphonic element. Tsamis’ compositional work, together with Zonder’s skilful performance, which puts a whole new perspective on epic metal drumming with his jazzy/prog improvisations, make up for what could be seen as Warlord’s permanent problem; the absence of a strong vocalist. Damien King III is far from what a power metal singer should sound like, but in the end, Warlord’s elegies need an actual singer less than they need an Adams-like screamer.
Indeed, “Glory” and “Father” have an emotional depth not heard since Parallels-era Fates Warning and clearly don’t need aggressive vocals in order to shine. “70.000 Sorrows”, a longer, more standard epic metal track about an internal conflict between good and evil (as seen through the eyes of a Christian such as Tsamis) is really touching, and the 13-minute title track is glorious and cathartic. Inevitably, heavier tracks, like "City Walls of Troy", which sounds like a mix between Rainbow and Sabbath, and "Killing Zone", which is the closest Warlord get to playing classic power metal, are a minority, even though they are equally effective and not a bit less noble than the rest. In fact, that negligence for more energetic songs that would stand next to (their 80s classics) Child of the Damned, Aliens and Mrs. Victoria is something Warlord must reconsider, should they decide to release another record. Not that this makes The Holy Empire any less important to their small, patient fan-base. Warlord are still about evoking sentiments of grandeur and nobility, and that mission is accomplished. And sure, their music sounds as irrelevant as always. So irrelevant it just might become timeless.
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Album Rating: 4.0
well, emotional value 4.5
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παμε ρε τρελλλεε, warlord!
great review bud!
this is epic stuff which I probably need to dig more
| | | Album Rating: 4.1
POS because you mentioned Manowar in your review! Just kidding, this is a great review.
Excellent album, musically and lyrically it's awesome. I don't want to take anything away from the singer, but can you imagine the outcome with Dio in vocals?
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Τι έχουμε εδώ, Ελληνικό συνέδριο επικού μέταλ σε αλλοδαπό ιστότοπο? :-D
I will pick this up the first chance I get.
Kudos for writing this lostforwords, will read the review later.
Edit:
Some suggestions:
Warlord seemed irrelevant in a way to the contemporary metal scene, and they surely remain irrelevant today
Warlord seemed irrelevant with respect to their epic metal contemporaries, whereas they surely remain as such nowadays, as the epic metal scene is further spread to metal sub-genres other than "classic" '80s metal.
As is the case with both of their previous albums and their legendary “Deliver Us” EP, The Holy Empire is nothing if not melodic, sentimental epic metal
In accordance with the band's highly esteemed back catalogue, Holy Empire is, if anything, melodic, sentimental epic metal.
Warlord’s music is driven by axe man Tsamis’ beautiful guitar work, not only because his harmonic leads flow nicely in a way that they mostly function as riffs, replacing the latter, but also because there is an astonishing melodic sufficiency to his guitar lines, given that he treats them as parts of bigger, symphony resembling pieces, using keyboards to highlight the band’s symphonic element
Warlord's music is mainly driven by the beautiful guitars of axeman and band co-founder Bill Tsamis. His harmonic leads flow nicely, while they also work as rhythm guitar riffs. Apart from the 6-string melodies, the album's symphonic aura is further enhanced when needed, with the use of keyboards.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Χαχαχα, η πλάκα είναι που οι Αμερικάνοι θεωρούν ανεξήγητο το κόλλημα που εχουμε οι Έλληνες μ' αυτούς! Παρεμπιπτόντως, 3/3 κριτικές από Έλληνες στο Holy Empire
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Γουστάρω να γράφουμε ελληνικά και οι άλλοι να μην καταλαβαίνουν τίποτα.. κλασικοί Ελληνάρες χαχαχα...
Not a fan of epic metal but it's a nice album. I think that epic metal fans will love 'the holy empire'
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
παιδιά το καθήκον μας το κάναμε! Οι warlord δεν πρέπει να έχουν πλέον κανένα παράπονο από τους Έλληνες! Και οι υπόλοιποι έχουν μια κριτική για κάθε γούστο!
;-)
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
also pos from me for Manowar, Rainbow references and critique on singer
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
"I don't want to take anything away from the singer, but can you imagine the outcome with Dio in vocals?"
That would have been something else. Dio had the best articulation in heavy metal and he was one of the few able to sing both in a softer and a more aggressive tone.
Thanks guys, I know it's an honor to spell out the word Manowar, hahaha!
Btw, I really enjoyed The Holy Empire, even though I have a feeling it is somewhat closer to Lordian Guard than to early Warlord
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Παρεμπιπτόντως, 3/3 κριτικές από Έλληνες στο Holy Empire
Και ο warlordfun Έλληνας είναι? Αυτά είναι..
I think Dio's vocals would elevate any record, even if it was raw "4-channel sound production" black metal.
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Όλοι μαζεμένοι βλέπω αλάνια!!!
Pos'd.
| | | Album Rating: 4.1
Ούτε σε review των Rotting Christ δεν έχουμε μαζευτεί τόσοι Έλληνες! 100% Ελληνική συμμετοχή στα σχόλια.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Να ρωτήσω σαν βλάχος τι είναι το pos που γράφεται όλοι ? :P
| | | Album Rating: 4.1
Κανένας βλάχος φίλε μου. Είναι απλά όταν κάνουμε κλικ στην επιλογή Yes που βρίσκεται στο τέλος του κειμένου όταν μας αρέσει μια κριτική. Pos από το positive ή neg από το negative.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
αχά! Ok then!
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Ωραία φώτο... Ritchακος!
| | | Album Rating: 4.1
Μεγάλο κόλλημα ο Blackmore λέμε...
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χαχαχα! απιστευτο thread
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In the link below, there are videos from the band's recent live concerts in Greece:
http://www.metalhammer.gr/magazine/hammer-tv/4289-warlord-athens-gagarin.html
Deliver Us - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqlOS0u8KcE&feature=player_embedded
Black Mass - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbop04fnBVU&feature=player_embedded
Mrs. Victoria - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JFAXBYs-A4M
Penny For A Poor Man - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yskVPC95yhc&feature=player_embedded
Soliloquy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRtNQ5GF7sg&feature=player_embedded
Glory - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH_xtuuI1WU&feature=player_embedded
Pan's Labyrinth + Tsamis speech + Father - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnTaEQJUTTs&feature=player_embedded
Winter Tears - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_1OkhiFa_uo
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
XAXAXAXAXA, ellinares theoulides, to Gagarin to exoun kanei gipedo!!!!
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