Warlock Burning the Witches is the debut album from German Metallers Warlock. Warlock are most famous for having the ultra gorgeous Doro Pesch up front, which from the start gained them some level of attention in the metal scene. This one from 1984 has some strong Judas priest vibes with some very 80s sounding traditional heavy metal. Doro’s vocals are right up front in the mix, and at the time would have been stand out for being one of, if not the first metal vocals performed by a female. The songs are solid and opening track “Signs of Satan” gets things going with an anthemic, fist pumping slice of metal. The second song “After the Bomb” keeps things kicking along nicely. The songs stick in your head rather well too, once you hear this you can’t get the songs out of your head. There are some great guitar solo’s and well this would have been shred head heaven in the 1980’s coming out at a time when there was no MEGADETH or HALLOWEEN. “Dark Fade” and “Homicide Rocker” keep the Priest vibes going with some very solid rockers and then the haunting power ballad “Without You” to close out side one.
Side 2 kicks off with the same high energy that the first did with “Speed Racer” another killer chorus. Warlock are another band that makes me wish there was more hours in the day to listen to endless heavy metal. “Burning the Witches” and “Hateful Guy” are both solid efforts especially for this late in the album. “Holding Me” finishes out the album in great style a solid slower Heavy metal effort but very easy to get lost in.
Overall great album and every song is great. There’s no filler on this one and definitely worth a listen not only if you like traditional metal but just great metal in general. This album certainly transcends the genre.
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