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Pure Steel Records
by Craig Hartranft
09.18.2013
Warrion is the creation of guitarist Ron Ravi Warrion delivering metal in the classic US heavy/power metal tradition with some obvious European and NWOBHM metal overtones. Think a mixture of Virgin Steele, Iron Maiden, Obsession, and maybe some Riot.
To get his vision and band off the ground Warrion has collected some powerful talent in the metal underground. These include vocalist Michael Vescera (Obsession), lead guitarist Tim Thomas (Abattoir, Ex-Agent Steel), bassist Keith Knight (Aska), drummer Rob Brug (Halloween) and guest vocalist George Call (Aska). You may note some similarities in style to Aska.
This is an album that you have to let breathe a little, play it once or twice, to get the best of it. Actually, I didn't think it got musically interesting until the instrumental Invocation and Victim of Religion, maybe the preceding Adversary, but definitely midpoint at the very best. While Vescera is true metal vocalist, he gets a little screamo in those early songs, and the metal is rather conventional. But Victim of Religion, Serpents Fire, and Savage create more interest, but you still might say this all runs together. Earth Fire Water Spirit is a nice acoustic number, but I don't know if Warrion or lead guitarist Tim Thomas is the player. Hydra Reprise is exactly that, a small return to the title track. It's a throw away.
Actually, Victim of Religion and the later Lucifer My Guide may tell more about Ron Warrion than the band or music. He's definitely got a bug up his butt about religion; he doesn't like them. Then there's the pictures of the sordid and ridiculous "satanists" Anton LaVey and Aleister Crowley on his personal Facebook page. Well, that's interesting; there may be one religion he does like.
Otherwise, Warrion's Awakening The Hydra is interesting, sometimes derivative and predictable, classic heavy/power metal. But they're off to a good start.
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Warrion's Awakening The Hydra is interesting, sometimes derivative and predictable, classic heavy/power metal. But they're off to a good start.
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