Description

Black vinyl 7” with insert. Limited 350 copies

Legendary US Metal band Warlord was formed in 1981 by Mark Zonder and William J. Tsamis. One year later, in 1982, the song Lucifer’s Hammer (based on a novel by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle) appeared on the prestigious compilation album Metal Massacre II. This resulted in a deal with Metal Blade Records, with Warlord recording their debut mini-album. Deliver Us was released in 1983 and is today considered as the blueprint for what was later to be called Epic Metal. When William J. Tsamis passed away, the underground scene took a substantial hit. Warlord was highly unique, and he was the captain of that ship. Mark Zonder and some people close to Bill, decided to keep the flame alive and work on some leftover material (they were allegedly slowly working for a new album) and some old demos from the 80s that never saw proper closure. This vinyl single features Conquerors that was one of Tsamis final compositions and they even managed to use some of Tsamis demo guitar in the recording with the help of todays technology. This track leans more into the European power metal scene, utilizing major scales and uplifting choruses, which I imagine are a hit or miss to most of their older fans. Warlord always had that kind of ethereal and brooding melancholy in the majority of their songs, and the power metal escapades in this tune are not really in line with this. Buts its an uplifting tune that bursts with energy. The Watchman on the other hand shows an artistic weight and once again youre proved what a band Warlord was with their skill level to compose songs like this. Overall you will be surprised that after 34 years into their storied career, US heavy metal veterans Warlord are able to show such an admirable perseverance. They really do channel their friend’s legacy with this single.

Track list:
1. Conquerors
2. The Watchman