This great, under-appreciated band from the 80s is back, and Rob Rock is guesting as lead vocalist. The band's quasi-spiritual lyrics come as close to taking themselves seriously as can be without being ridiculous science fiction. Man against machine is preached to a decaying culture, as well as a rallying cry to unify — "Reach for the light . . . ten thousand years of war and tears, a legacy of fear / Killing in the name of God never asking why / Can we rise above the lies, can we break the chains / The flame that burns inside will show us the way." Like many a metal band in the mid-80s, these lyrics will have many asking questions and making claims to its meaning. We can assume, however, that Rob Rock's involvement brings a Christian influence to the band's affairs. His influence on the music, of course, is phenomenal. This guy marries the power of Dio and the melody of James LaBrie like no one else — truly a world class vocalist. Guitar wielding band-mates Joe Floyd and Mick Perez lay down some very mean guitar lines — from classical flamenco (the instrumental "Insignificance") to furious in-sync minor chording that's as clean and fast as your old guitar heroes of the past. I happen to prefer this band's style of composition over Impellitteri's, as it leans more towards power metal than just gratuitous noodling. It's true (that) the band isn't breaking new ground here (and it's been heard before), but the significant news is that Warrior isn't falling down in their efforts. They are successfully accomplishing the task of blowing their audience away.
