Rough Edge: Warrior CD Reviews

WARRIOR

"The Battle Has Started" (Warrior Records; 2004)

Warrior are just like those guys who showed up at your church every now and then, guitars strung over their shoulders, ready to sing folksy songs to the congregation telling them that Jesus was cool. You know the guys I'm talking about: the ones that got away with wearing jeans and t-shirts to church and whose long, rock'n'roll hair was okay with everyone because they were "entertainers." They were the "rock stars" that your pastors and ministers were convinced made worshipping God hip.

But they were always goofy guys with bubbling personalities and overbearing enthusiasm that somehow made their "hip" message just seem silly.

With black-and-white painted faces and medieval costumes (that make them look a little like Melvin Belli in the classic Star Trek episode "And the Children Shall Lead"), Warrior can't help but seem a little silly even before you slide their CD into your player. The phrase "Great for the Whole Family" printed across the front cover doesn't help a lot either and you might raise your eyebrows even higher at the splashy "Featuring the hit 'I Want a Walmart Girl'" sticker there.

The real surprise, however, will come when you start playing the CD. Because "The Battle Has Started" is a surprisingly strong, if acceptably and expectedly cheesy, collection of 80s style metal. Featuring a number of medium-paced rockers and probably as many radio ballads, "The Battle Has Started" is a return to the heyday of 80s metal, when bands like Winger, Warrant and Slaughter were being played on every radio station in the country. Hell, "I Want a Walmart Girl" might have even become a big radio hit.

Yeah, it's a little different when, instead of chanting "She's My Cherry Pie; Cool drink of water; Such a sweet surprise," Warrior chants, "When you feel God's love - the better high; You will give His love another try." And the religious raps that appear in some songs stand out like a sore thumb. Overall, however, the religious aspects of "The Battle Has Started" are no more annoying or unintentionally funny than any Satan-worshipping band out there.

"The Battle Has Started" is perfect for fans of 80s metal, who don't mind their music laden with a liberal dose of religion.

Warrior: Michael goodnight - bass, vocals; Tad Donley - guitar, vocals.

For more information, check out http://www.iamawarrior.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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