Warrel Dane - Praises To The War Machine review
| Band: | Warrel Dane |
| Album: | Praises To The War Machine |
| Style: | Gothic metal, Gothic rock |
| Release date: | April 29, 2008 |
| A review by: | Dream Taster |
01. When We Pray
02. Messenger [feat. Jeff Loomis]
03. Obey
04. Lucretia My Reflection [The Sisters Of Mercy cover]
05. Let You Down [feat. Chris Broderick]
06. August
07. Your Chosen Misery
08. The Day The Rats Went To War [feat. James Murphy]
09. Brother
10. Patterns [Paul Simon cover]
11. This Old Man
12. Equilibrium
Warrel Dane is a name to which fans of the US Thrash Metal band Nevermore bow to, and for good reasons. He is clearly one the greatest Metal singers out there with his trained voice and aptitude at raising the emotional bar album after album. So when Warrel released his first solo album, I had to check it out.
Teaming with Peter Wichers [guitars/bass, also the producer, Soilwork], Matt Wickland [guitars/bass] and Dirk Verbeuren [drums, Soilwork/Scrave and a renowned session drummer], Warrel Dane created a fantastic album much in the same musical style as a Nevermore album with a more personal touch. Yes, Jeff Loomis and Chris Broderick helped out with a solo each, but apart from that one stint, Praises to the War Machine does not have that Nevermore trademark guitar sound. Talking about guests, how about living legend James Murphy [ex-Death, ex-Testament] soloing on 'The Day the Rats Went to War'?
But the musician names set aside this first solo album is an out of this world collection of diverse songs, featuring Warrel's voice at his best, in all its nuances. A melancholic feeling flows through the compositions; with thought-out lyrics and a level of passion expressed by a singer rarely reached. The opening song 'When We Pray' does not give listeners the complete picture of this album, but gives them a handful to handle from the get-go. From the distinct vocal prowess and heavy guitar riffs to poignant lyrics, this one is overall a striking song. And the album unravels and does not let go from that point onwards.
While I don't want to spoil all the surprises, a great cover of The Sisters of Mercy 'Lucretia My Reflection' from the album Floodland adds even more value to Praises to the War Machine. Dane managed to capture the spirit of the original song while giving it his personal touch. The same remark applies to the other cover song of the album, a new take on Paul Simon's 'Patterns'.
With Travis Smith masterful mind crafting once more a fantastic artwork, and a concept inspired by the one he did for Nevermore's Dead Heart in a Dead World, this album gets all the points on presentation. The production is flawless, on par with Nevermore albums for that matter.
While some of you might be missing Jeff Loomis trademark guitar sound, Praises to the War Machine is a killer album in all aspects. Warrel Dane more than proves his point with this album. Whether it is through an "in-your-face" track or a smooth ballad Dane floors listeners with his vocal abilities laid down on stunning compositions. This is the best surprise of the year so far for me.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 10 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 10 |
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Written on 18.10.2008 by
Bringing you reviews of quality music and interesting questions such as: "A picture is worth a thousand words. How many words is a song worth?" I have only got so much patience and skills, you do the math. |
Comments
Comments: 24
Visited by: 334 users
| corrupt With a lowercase c Admin Posts: 3568  |
Damn, I had already finnished my own review of it and was just working the details. You beat me to it  But I agree with almost every word, although my rating would have been around 8.5. I don't appreciate the song patterns though, it doesn't really fit into the album's context. Anyway, very well written review, I enjoyed reading this. And it even make me reach for the album once again. Absolutely gorgeous.
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| =maD.Doc:. Melodeath Master Posts: 386  |
Demonic Tutor, just saw something that I hook up at, Peter Wickers, if it is the Soilwork guitarist you really mean his name is Peter Wichers (with an H not K). Otherwise, great review! Got me somewhat interested, will check this album out when I have the time!
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| METAL! Posts: 63  |
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
I know I am swimming against the stream here but this was a very disappointing uninspired bland album. Warrel is capable of so much better stuff than what he delivers here. Songwriting is subpar here as well as his vocal delivery. A crying shame. Totally doesn't live up to the hype. Now if you don't mind I'll get back to the Sanctuary and Nevermore albums instead.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| corrupt With a lowercase c Admin Posts: 3568 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 19.10.2008 at 00:20 Boy, you do have a thing with poor Warrel these days. Don't like his album, don't like the Nevermore DVD... But I can understand what you mean. I was disappointed too at first. But once the image of a Warrel outside the context of Nevermore and Sanctuary settles, it gets to show what it truly is. Give it another try in a few weeks, and mind that he really wanted to do a gothic influenced, soft album. Comparison to his other work doens't do it justice.
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| HardSide Posts: 381 |
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| corrupt With a lowercase c Admin Posts: 3568 |
Try their first albums then, they are much more emotional than their current work.
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by corrupt on 19.10.2008 at 00:26 I have given it a gazzilion tries, cause I truly like his voice. But he is not suited for what he's trying to do here. I didn't want to compare it to his other works, but because this is so subpar you automatically (or at least I automatically) start comparing it to stuff he did well.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| corrupt With a lowercase c Admin Posts: 3568 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 19.10.2008 at 00:30 I hate, when people disagree with me  Maybe it's just not for you then. But don't come crawling back whining when you finally find your way into it 
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by corrupt on 19.10.2008 at 00:34 I doubt I will ever find my way into it since I have truly listened to it at least 50 times.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Dream Taster The Enemy Within Staff Posts: 1337  |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 19.10.2008 at 00:36 Marcel, you are even more messed up than I thought then. Your loss.
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| Carrion Misery Posts: 424  |
Written by HardSide on 19.10.2008 at 00:27 Well, Nevermore is a very sophisticated band (musically and lyrically), so its very easy for one who doesn't listen to well constructed music to say they are a crappy band. Its an acquired taste I suppose. Nevermore aside, I did enjoy Praises to the War Machine and I felt it was a great feat for Warrel Dane. It isn't going to be for someone who is bound to the rageful, aggression emotions, or only wants crazy breakdowns and bust your face open riffs. It is a great piece to appreciate if you're into studying music, vocals and lyrics rather than one trying to be tough with it in their car. Nothing wrong with feeling tough in your car listening to metal at all, but there's no need to criticise great music someone put their heart into. Thats how it goes though. Good review.
---- ? Carrion Misery [url]www.mournspire.com[/url] | Two-Man Death Doom Project Full album streaming
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| TOUGHEST MEMBER Posts: 3629  |
More rock than goth except track 4, Lucretia My Reflection, his voice clearly is not so much goth. I can enjoy the music but because it has progressive and power element influence.
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| ponderer Posts: 153  |
There shouldn't be any obvious comparisons to make if your brain functions normally. This isn't Nevermore, it was never intended to be Nevermore. Solo projects are a reflection of what the person is feeling, and their work outside of the main band. I'm glad this doesn't sound like Nevermore, and I'm pleased to see Warrel doing his own thing. This is an epic offering. 10.
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| Dark Blood The Avenger Posts: 1435  |
Warrel is a great musician. He already proved it in the past, but now it's time for his own project and I think it couldn't have been more perfect than this for the first album. Very good review Olivier, I must agree with it in almost every point (including the rating). Thanks man.
---- It is humanity who must pay homage to the greatness of the Universe... not the Universe to the human narcissism. 
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| misanthroman Account deleted |
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| Landry Posts: 8  |
This album is really awesome! I love the songs August - it's so beautiful - and Your Chosen Misery - even though it's slow, it's filled with emotion. Lucretia My Reflection was a surprise but a good one. The vocals on it is different to what he usually does but it's still part of his brilliance!
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| Arcesse Eum Posts: 268  |
Needs moar Nevermoar - No more solo projects please!
---- As above, so below.
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| Justice Posts: 109  |
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| Throne Posts: 17  |
My personal oppinion, which I am entitled to, is that Dane sounds way better on here than any Nevermore album. And trust me, I have every Nevermore album, and to me it is a frusterating band, I think that he can be overwhelmingly bland sometimes, and then others way too over the top. I don't doubt that he has an amazing voice, I know he has an insane range, but for me, he tries to be all evil sounding in Nevermore, and fails. I know a lot of you love Nevermore, but to me, his note choice is way better on this album.
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| Night Sight Posts: 260  |
I dont like this album warrel dane voice is better in nevermore it is very bad
---- Alone in birth Alone in the darkness Alone in death Alone in the daylight
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| DarkWingedSoul Posts: 1389  |
Heh, reading all the comments i think this album should have a warning note sticker to it saying if u like nevermore or sanctuary u need to forget about that first and than listen to the album
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