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Rating: Any metal enthusiast knows that one of the crucial years for the development of this beautiful genre was 1983.
In that year, some of the milestone albums for genres like thrash (Kill 'em All by Metallica), NWOBHM (The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden), power/black (Melissa by Mercyful Fate) were released. Even in the epic field, that year saw the release of a masterpiece: the indispensable debut EP by the glorious Warlord.
While bands like Manowar represented the barbaric soul of epic, or Cirith Ungol the decadent and dark side, Warlord were the heroes of the most lyrical and romantic metal. Drawing inspiration from bands like Rainbow, the composer, soul of the band, and guitarist Tsamis fused medieval-like melodies, power, and an incredible atmosphere in a work that would inspire all the power metal of the following decade (an example above all, Rhapsody).
A timeless guitar arpeggio opens the cult-song of the album "Deliver Us from Evil", and, after the sounds of a storm, the warlike drums of Zonder introduce us to the main guitar theme and the singing of Jack "Damien King" Rucker, in whose lyrics Tsamis highlights his faith:
"One by one, to the swords to the guns, two by two, and away we go, father and son, hear the words we pray, deliver us from evil this day, deliver us from evil we pray".
Even "Winter Tears" is opened by an acoustic arpeggio, but the song is much sweeter and more romantic than the previous one, also thanks to the singer's falsetto voice. In contrast, "Child of the Damned" evokes a more canonical, fast, and powerful American metal sound, but always executed with the usual class. "Penny for a Poor Man" also makes use of the synth, which continuously accompanies both the acoustic guitar of the verses and the electric ones of the chorus; here too the lyrics are very peculiar, centered on the story of an old poor man without friends, who is alone in the cold on freezing winter nights, followed by the beautiful lines:
"Now you say you are a rich man, well show us what you have! If your heart holds any riches, lend a helping hand".
"Black Mass" is the darkest and most obscure song, and in the central instrumental part, Tsamis is the protagonist with his guitar, amidst riffs and solos. With the last song, we return to bellicosity: "Lucifer's Hammer", although it is the shortest on the EP, turns out to be one of the high points of the work, and also for this reason, it is one of the group's most famous tracks.
Every song in this masterpiece has become a milestone of metal, if we really have to find a flaw, it's definitely the limited duration (less than 30 minutes), but the emotions you'll receive from listening will reward you completely.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Child of the Damned (04:04)
You made me see right past myself
well beyond my fears
Realized I'm synchronized
far beyond my years
I'm so geared into them
I serve unto their souls
Now that I'm addicted
my hunger only grows
I'm a Child of the Damned
I follow where I go
Rigging to the cross
as holy as a whore!
I'm just a child of the damned
Witches' coven the time is come
for those sabbatical years
Revelation is the message
for all in all to hear
Prophets slayed mankind arrayed
into a mass submission
Evil's here and the lord of hell
gives you the proposition!
I'm a Child of the Damned
I follow where I go
Rigging to the cross
as holy as a whore!
I'm just a child of the damned
Give away your life's goals
your meaning and ambition
It means nothing to you
after all it's superstition!
Do not be afraid
the world is near the end
Is it better to rule in hell,
than it is to serve in heaven?
I'm a Child of the Damned
I follow where I go
rigging to the cross
as holy as a whore!
I'm just a child of the damned
05 Black Mass (05:34)
on the eve of tribulation
before the morrow's wrath
it was then then that the covens gathered
for the final black mass!
the moon it was full
and the time had come for us all
the sun it was gone
and the people awaited their call
the devil was there
with the fire burning in the air
the demons they danced
and drank from the chalice they shared
nobody cared!
now the evil of man
had passed by the act of lucifer's kiss
and the evil broke loose
from the tombs of hell's fiery abyss
the devil was there
with the fire burning in the air
the demons they danced
and drank from the chalice they shared
now the prince knelt down
for communion of the time that he fast
and the father he blessed
his child with the blood of the black mass!
black mass!
06 Lucifer's Hammer (03:49)
It comes through the heavens, on a mission from hell
A force of destruction, that nothing can repel
A story is born that no one will live to tell
The obliteration of man, now encased in its shell
At the push of a button, we all will go to hell
Who will be left to toll the funeral bell . . .
The Hammer will Fall on you!
The Hammer will Fall on you!
Devastation, destruction of all the nations
Annihilation, clouding of all the skies
Raise the dead from their graves, and throw in yourselves and hide
Save us - from ourselves
Save us - from ourselves
Save us - from ourselves
Save us - from ourselves
Save us . . .
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