#39 - Top of 2018

Warkings - Reborn (Napalm Records)

Warkings is an international melodic power metal band which has released its first full length album in 2018, "Reborn". It initially received some negative publicity due to the heavy promotion it received by Napalm Records, the Manowar inspired album cover and the choice of the band members to remain anonymous by wearing masks and using different names such as the Viking (bass), the Spartan (drums) and the Crusader (guitars). Since the release of their first single (Gladiator), the lead singer Tribune was been identified as Georg Neuhauser, lead vocalist of Serenity. However, the album has had a more positive response once people started to have a listen and now it has been hailed one of the better albums of its genre for 2018! The record kicks off with the super-catchy and quick-paced "Give Em War" which has a great sing-along chorus (which is the case for most of the songs), followed by  the heavier "Never Surrender". The more theatrical "Hephaistos" and the instant-hit "Gladiator" which follow are definitely two of the highlights of the album as they both have riffs and lyrics that are meant to make an impression. "Holy Storm" showcases some great guitar work while "Battle Cry" has a more melodic chorus (despite the ultra-manly heavy-riffed intro of the song). The blasting "Fire Falling Down" leads to "Sparta", perfectly blending clear with growling vocals. The album wraps up with "The Last Battle" which has an amazing guitar interlude and the melodic/acoustic "Die Flut" which is entirely sung in German adding. A very promising debut, that despite the, perhaps needless, theatrics succeeds in delivering a great melodic heavy metal output.


92.5/100

Below are the official music videos for "Gladiator" and "Sparta".