Warbringer
Waking into Nightmares


4.0
excellent

Review

by HenchmanOfSanta USER (32 Reviews)
May 10th, 2009 | 59 replies


Release Date: 2009 | Tracklist

Review Summary: In a little over a year, Warbringer have improved from just a solid band to a premier thrash revivalist act. But they still lack originality.

Revivalism is nothing new in music. Blues revival artists have existed since the 1960's. "Retro" is often a term of endearment for bands of all types. But in the past few years, some of these revival movements have become oversaturated with uncreative bands rehashing each others ideas to make something ultimately boring, monotonous and dated on release.

One of the more notable retro movements has been in thrash metal. As teenagers of the 90's and the "aughts" have discovered alternatives to top 40 radio, budding metalheads have gone time and time again to many of the same albums: Metallica's Master of Puppets and Ride the Lightning, Megadeth's Rust in Peace, Slayer's Reign in Blood, etc. These influences are present all over the place. Even if they aren't straight thrash, bands like Trivium and Machine Head have risen to the top of the metal mainstream. But even below them, bands that spurned Metallica and Megadeth for Exodus, Destruction, and Kreator are re-creating the old-school's knack for non-stop musical assaults and violent live shows.

One of the most recent members of the scene is Warbringer. Their 2008 debut, War Without End, made a splash in the metal world that was often divisive. While some labeled them as a boring clone of thrash legends, others simply didn't care. The songs were loud, catchy, and most of all, fun. I tended to agree with the latter.

To be fair, Warbringer are not a very unique band. The closest you can get to calling them original is saying that they combine Bay Area thrash with the German sound. But what does that really say? I think it means that thrash is as stagnant a genre as it ever was, and that what it comes down to now is pure entertainment value.

After a tour with Exodus, Warbringer have gotten guitarist Gary Holt to produce their sophomore outing, Waking Into Nightmares. It turns out that getting your album produced by one of your heroes may have brought out the best in this band.

On that note, the production is one of many reasons why this is a big step up from War Without End. Whereas WWE's vocals and guitars sometimes drowned out everything else, all of the instruments here have room to breathe. Most noticably, bassist Ben Bennett is loud and clear on every song. This is especially true on the instrumental, Nightmare Anatomy, where he lays down some incredible licks.

Drummer Nic Ritter is also improved here. With the more open production, he shines much more than before. His fills are much more noticable than before, and he shows that he is a more than capable thrash player.

Vocalist John Kevill sounds pretty much exactly the same as he did before. A classic thrash screamer with little variation, except for some shockingly heavy sections in "Shadow From the Tomb," where he does a semi-death growl. The band does have even more gang vocals than on the debut, but the choruses are less integral to the sound then they were before.

But the biggest improvement? The riffs. John Laux and Adam Carroll had a few good leads on the debut, but now they have bring at least one awesome riff to the table in every song. It is in this department where Warbringer transcends being just another thrash band and becomes one of the most promising new bands around. It may take a few listens before you're getting them stuck in your head, but the riffs on this album are far more satisfying than anywhere on WWE.

Overall, Waking Into Nightmares is not something you need to go out and buy immediately. If you think you know everything you need to know about thrash, you don't need to get it. And if you're a novice, pick up some classics first. But if you're just looking for a fun, moderately short (40 minutes), satisfying listen, then get this album. You won't be disappointed.



Recent reviews by this author
Electric Wizard DopethroneEntombed Left Hand Path
Dead Kennedys Fresh Fruit For Rotting VegetablesNeil Young After the Gold Rush
Lucifer's Friend Lucifer's FriendThe Allman Brothers Band Idlewild South
user ratings (225)
3.8
excellent
other reviews of this album
chrisggib (3)
Warbringer deliver a satisfying thrash assault that will please fans, but covers no new ground. Not ...



Comments:Add a Comment 
BallsToTheWall
May 10th 2009


51625 Comments


New Warbringer already? I suppose I wiill check this out. Nice work.

Zoo
May 10th 2009


3759 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I thought this was pretty boring. They've definitely improved, as you said, but not that much in my opinion.

KYZAR
May 11th 2009


513 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Sweet i love new thrash, sounds real good.

Dethtrasher
May 11th 2009


2211 Comments


Wow, I need this shit.

ZombieMetalhead
May 11th 2009


46 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

the drumming on this album is INSANE

Phantom
May 11th 2009


9010 Comments


INSANE

Willie
Moderator
May 11th 2009


20316 Comments


budding metalheads have gone time and time again to many of the same albums: Metallica's Master of Puppets and Ride the Lightning, Megadeth's Rust in Peace, Slayer's Reign in Blood, etc. These influences are present all over the place. Even if they aren't straight thrash, bands like Trivium and Machine Head have risen to the top of the metal mainstream.
I wouldn't exactly refer to Machine Head as "budding metalheads" since their founder/vocalist/guitarist was in both Vio-lence and Forbidden.

HenchmanOfSanta
May 11th 2009


1994 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Good catch. I didn't realize Machine Head were formed in 1992! I just needed another blatantly thrash-influenced band and didn't want to go into more metalcore.

south_of_heaven 11
May 12th 2009


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I like the more messy feel of "War Without End" tbh

BallsToTheWall
May 12th 2009


51625 Comments


Has anyone here heard Enforcer?

south_of_heaven 11
May 12th 2009


5614 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I've heard their name mentioned before over on TU but never looked into them.

BallsToTheWall
May 12th 2009


51625 Comments


Yeah, they're like speed metal/heavy metal/thrash from Sweden. Their myspace didnt sound bad but the band looked 17 and wore obnovious headbands. I suppose i'll get it and review it regardless to break away from my recent b.m trend.

bigguy69
June 1st 2009


199 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Severed what huh?

Possessed
June 3rd 2009


37 Comments


this is borring as hell what a waste of time the only thing i like about these guys is their logo nothing else

gaslightanthem
June 3rd 2009


5208 Comments


STOP RATING EVERYTHING 1 OR 5 IDIOT

HenchmanOfSanta
June 4th 2009


1994 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Honestly, boring albums don't warrant a 1. It has to at least be very unpleasant.

HenchmanOfSanta
June 4th 2009


1994 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Oh, wait, he gave every Deicide album a 5. Are you bored by exciting things and excited by boring things?

Hopig213
June 5th 2009


4 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This album is great, it adds something new to the Re-thrash scene.

I love those guys especially the vocals of John Kevill.

chrisggib
June 27th 2009


18 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

according to wikipedia, those heavy vocals on "Shadow from the Tomb" were done by the bassist, Ben Bennett

HenchmanOfSanta
June 27th 2009


1994 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks. I was trying to find if there was a guest spot somewhere but Metal-Archives had nothing on it.



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy