Warlock-True as steel

Metal Mind
1986/2011

After the tour for 1985's "Hellbound" Rudy Graf left and was replaced by Nicko Arvantis (ex-Stormwind). Then the band signed with Phonogram and the stage was set for album number three. "True as steel" was released late in the summer of 1986 and this was the first album I heard by them. I can't remember if I heard the whole album or if I saw the video for "Fight for rock" first, but either way I was impressed right away. Dore Pesch's tremendous vocals are the same as during their previous outings, but the music took a slightly more melodic turn. "Speed of sound" is a barn burner and "Mr. Gold" and the title track are spine rattlers for sure. However other songs like "Love in the danger zone" and "Lady in a rock n' roll hell" are a little closer to say Dokken than the Accept/Judas Priest level of heaviness that much of Warlock's previous material was at. However that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. Quite the contrary as the band handles the hard rock approach just as well as they do the metal sound. No filler to these ears and they branch out their style a little more on tracks like "T.O.L". Overall I probably prefer the early material a little more, but this was the album that got their name out there. This was due to the radio/video play for the aforementioned "Fight for rock" plus they played the Monsters of rock festival in Germany opening for the like of Def Leppard, Scorpions and Ozzy. After a tour and some more line-up changes they were on to record their forth and what would unfortunately be their final album. That's a story for another day (hopefully tomorrow). The re-issue includes lyric booklet, band biography and three bonus tracks. A nice package and as with "Hellbound" this album has stood the test of time as well.