THE WARRIORS
"Genuine
Sense of Outrage" (Victory; 2007)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
It is often the vocals that ruin many a great hardcore album. The throat-shredding growls lead to unintelligible bursts of anger that, while sometimes entertaining, too often detract from the song's overall effectiveness.
Such is not the case with The Warriors' "Genuine Sense of Outrage." Oh, don't get me wrong. The vocals here are intense and furious. They're raw growls of hard-assed emotion. But they fit the music better than too many other hardcore albums in which the music and the vocals seem to be parts of different songs. The vocals on this CD seem more genuine, more authentic.
The songs are fast-paced and quick; the longest track runs just over three-and-a-half minutes and it's by far the longest track on the CD. The guitars often crash with a controlled cacophony and sometimes scream like they're being tortured. The drums and bass are like pounding hammers against the flesh of your brain.
It's been said elsewhere that "Genuine Sense of Outrage" is somewhat more "accessible" than previous records by The Warriors due to this being their Victory Records label debut. I don't know if that's true or not. But I do know that listening to this album is an instantly and completely engrossing and compelling experience that will leave you exhausted by the time it's over.
"Genuine Sense of Outrage" was produced by Cameron Webb (Motorhead, Social Distortion) and features guest vocals by Lou Koller of Sick of It All, Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid and Motorhead's Lemmy.
The Warrors: Javier Zarate - guitar; Marshall Lichtenwaldt - vocals; Matt Anderson - drums; Charlie Alvarez - Guitar; Roger Canero - bass.
For more information, check out http://www.thewarriorz.com.
"War
is Hell" (Eulogy; 2004)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
The Warriors are a young hardcore band from the sticks of California who have benefited from learning the ways of hardcore by listening to incendiary outfits like Cro-Mags, Earth Crisis, and Sick of It All, while throwing some more mainstream aggro rock into its mix for extra flavor.
The result is the 10-track "War is Hell," an angry yet anthemic collection of staccato rhythms, chugging guitars, and some of the most over-the-top screaming vocals heard in hardcore in a long time.
If Snapcase met Terror at a Rage Against the Machine show, you'd get songs like "Ripped to Bone" and "Transistor," - tracks ripe with hardcore scorn and ridden with metallic contempt.
A righteous debut, The Warriors are still at the learning stage, yet "War is Hell" finds the band creating its unique niche amongst the pack already. This is a trait that young bands seldom have these days, and an indication that the career may be a long and successful one.
For more information, check out http://www.thewarriorz.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.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 30 Sep 2024 15:31:17 -0400.
