Customer Reviews

Best of Warlord

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

OK, so it took years for Warlord to release a full-length LP. For those keeping count, there was the original EP with seven or so songs, a couple of vinyl extended singles, a Metal Blade demo appearance ("Mrs. Victoria") and a "live" fanclub-released performance video that was anything but live!

Never mind all that. Throughout all these releases, bandleaders Bill Tsarmis (aka "Destroyer") and Mark Zonder (aka "Thunder Child", who later went on to Fates Warning) were the only constants. But what constants they were! The comparison one might make is what Ozzy's Randy Rhoads-era might be like if King Diamond wrote the lyrics. This is proto-neoclassical, power metal at is most melodic, soulful finest.

Not to be confused with the white-metal band that now bears its name, the original Warlord put out some of the finest, most heartbreaking examples of metal guitarcraft ever committed to vinyl. When one contrasts the level of songwriting and performance ability from Bill & Mark against their seeming inability to tour and manage their careers, all one can do is cry.

FIVE STARS.

WARLORD are one of the underrated metal bands of all time. I don't know for what reason they stopped playing, however they left a legacy of great memorable songs of which I'll name few. To begin with, WARLORD display a very vivid yet heavy metal. Their riffs are among the heaviest and in my opinion easily comparable to those of Black Sabbath. Just listen to 'Deliver us from evil' and you'll know what I'm talking about. Heavy, mean yet so melodic. That's what WARLORD are all about. If you listen closely you'll hear the bass and find out how good the bass lines (in all the songs) are and how 'wicked' the bassist is. And then there's the drumming which is one of the most solid and best drumming I've ever heard in my whole life. Again check out 'Deliver us from evil'. WARLORD also wrote some great ballads, 'Winter tears, will surely send your heart shivering and fill your eyes with tears (if not then maybe a bit close to that !). I can continue this review forever and talk about all the songs on this cd (maybe you'd like that) but if I do so then you'll loose the sensational feeling of hearing songs that will echo in your ears for a long time so I'll leave all the pleasure to you and I'm telling you, you won't regret buying this cd. I listen to it almost everyday and as a matter of fact I'm playing it right now. So do yourself a favor and GET IT NOW! Thank you.

"The Best of Warlord" is one of those CDs that few heavy metal fans know about, but every serious one should own. All the original EPs are now out of print, and this album contains the best versions of all the songs they ever recorded, so this is the only Warlord album you need. It's impossible to pick a best song because they are all so good. I've had this for almost a year and it NEVER gets old.

I just got this CD recently, although having heard all the songs before elsewhere. I love it, everything is great. it's got everything from Deliver Us EP (Almost in Order -- Deliver us From Evil, Winter Tears, Child of the Damned[This ver is from "And the Cannons of Destruction have Begun"]), Penny For A Poor Man, Black Mass, and Lucifer's Hammer.
It includes the Metal Massacre III masterpiece, Mrs. Victoria, The awesome instrumental in the form of "MCMLXXXIV" (That's '1984', btw, if you dont know numerals), and the original version of Child of the Damned and the newer version of Lucifer's Hammer from "...And the Cannons of Destruction have begun".
I do think the booklet was a bit lacking. However, It is a Best of CD though, so it doesnt really matter. This is a great compilation. i only wish they'd have put a few more things on there (the other ver. of Deliver Us from Evil, and "Hands And Feet(ThunderChild's Farewell)", and the "Ending" from "...And the Cannons of Destruction have begun".)

All in all, i reccomend it 100%. It's one of those albums that grows on you, too. It never gets old (hasnt for me anyway), and provides some awesome listening...

This album by warlord, is one of the best albums in metal history. The music is perfect, and the riffs unbelievable. Really the riffs are incredible. Simple and perfect. The album has many ballads and very good "fast" songs. The drummer is one of the best feature of this album. The guy plays is magnificent. Its classic 80s metal, a kind of soft-power metal. If you like metal, hard rock or rock just buy the album now. No kidding, this is a true masterpiece.

if you happen to see this or any of there other stuff you should buy this right away, this tape will not disapoint you at all it will make you hungry for more. i have been listening to them for quite a few years now an i still cant put it down thats how good they are

When i first heard Warlord i was amazed by the skills of Bill Tsamis(Guitar) and Mark Zonder(Drums).I immediatelly bought "The Best of Warlord" which is a great compilation because it contains almost every song Warlord ever recorded!

I was not disappointed at all because all the songs are really good especially "Deliver us...","Black Mass",Winter tears" and "Lost and lonely days".

Bill Tsamis playing is very passionate and accurate and his compositions are first class while Mark Zonder is one of the best metal drummers ever.

Warlord were a really unfortunate band because they appeared at the music scene in a bad time and place and were playing a euro-metal style that wasn't trendy at the time in L.A.
But now this compilation is a great tribute to this great band and is recommended to all epic hard rock - metal fans.

Warlord is one of those little known bands who should have garnered more respect. This CD combines songs from several EP's and Albums into a retrospective. The style here is progressive, melodic heavy metal and it is incredible. Standout tracks are "Winter Tears", "Lucifer's Hammer", "Child of the Damned" and "Penny for a Poor Man". The vocalist, at least on the earlier material (i.e. "Deliver Us From Evil" Ep) is very melodic which contrasts very well with the heavy rythym and guitar riffs. The guitar playing is very solid with good solos. The songs are well constructed and are very good for the time. It is a shame that they never really got the attention that they deserved. Metal fans who appreciate early Judas Priest, Savatage or Diamond Head will love this CD. At least they did give us Mark Zonder, who now plays drums for Fates Warning.

what can i say? not much was done by this group, but what they did is all great.a must buy!for metal fans of all ages.also pick up the new cd rising out of the ashes. 5 stars for both.iron maiden,hollween,hammerfall,accept,and many more bands that you like. can add this GROUP to your list. boy what i missed in the early 80's.was a great fine.....

If any band best captures the spirit and energy of the early `80s West Coast heavy metal scene, it has to be the enigmatic power metal band Warlord. Led by guitarist William J. Tsamis (a.k.a. Destroyer) and featuring future Fates Warning drummer Mark Zonder (a.k.a. Thunder Child) and a series of vocalists going by the moniker Damian King, Warlord took the NWOBHM sound and added their own spin, from aliases to epic themes to dramatic stage shows and videos, all with a fantastic dark energy and atmosphere. More than any other band, Warlord played a key role in developing the American power metal style.

Unfortunately Warlord's output didn't follow the conventional pattern. They had essentially one proper album (And the Cannons of Destruction Have Begun) and a host of demos, EPs and appearances on Metal Massacre compilations. Metal Blade's Best of Warlord collection remains the best way to experience Warlord's unique brand of heavy metal. It collects the best available material from the various Warlord releases in one place, including multiple versions of the classics "Lucifer's Hammer" and "Child of the Damned" as well as essential Warlord songs like "Deliver Us From Evil" and "Penny For a Poor Man." The only downside is that the audio quality is not so great. The songs have been cleaned up a bit, but they still sound a bit rough.

If you're into the classic `80s metal sound - whether that's NWOBHM or American metal or European power metal or all of the above - you simply must have some Warlord in your collection, and The Best of Warlord is really the only option. Unfortunately the collection is long out of print and fairly expensive to track down. This band's material really deserves a second look in the form of a comprehensive, remastered box set. Someday perhaps...