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Warrior Soul Last Decade Dead Century Review by Greg Olma The old saying "timing is everything" rings true for this album in 1991. Warrior Soul was a couple of years too late to hit the big time. Grunge was working against them at that point. This type of rock n metal was labeled "old fashioned" by the MTV's of the world. It's too bad because Warrior Soul should have been given more of a chance than they got. Lyrically, the band was right on the money, singing directly to the disenchanted youth of the time. George Bush Sr. was in office and Kory Clarke made no bones about how he felt about that. Musically, Warrior Soul falls somewhere between Guns n Roses and LA Guns. They have the no holes barred attitude of the Guns n Roses' and the catchy hooks of the Sunset Strip bands. The great thing about these small boutique labels like Escapi Music is that they pick up hard to find titles and re-release them (usually in expanded form). 3 live tracks are tacked onto the album. Given that there is another Bush currently in office, this reissue holds just as much relevance today as it did in 1991. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2006 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review

I See The Ruins The album starts off with a track that is very political and very angry. It is considerably melodic metal but also has a nice Saxon Power And The Glory era groove to it.

We Cry Out Retro is the name of the game for this tune. The vocals have a late '60's/early '70's vibe that really works for this rocker.

The Losers Hands down, this is the best song on the album. It is almost a ballad but not in that wimpy power ballad way. There is some really nice guitar work from John Ricco on this cut. This is a call to arms for all the losers and geeks of the world.

Downtown This track has a heavy beginning that reminds me of the "Peter Gunn" theme but then turns into a Sunset Strip rocker that has the feel of an LA Guns number.

Trippin' On Ecstasy Some trippy guitar work is used throughout this cut. It's not a bad tune; it's just kind of repetitive. Aside from "Four More Years," this is the weakest track on the album.

Four More Years This one is basically sound effects with just spoken words over it. It is very political (as the title would suggest) but it is more spoken poetry than a song.

Superpower Dream Land If you took Motorhead and slowed them down and threw in a bit of LA Guns, you would get "Superpower Dream Land." It's one of the better tracks on this CD.

Charlie's Out Of Prison This track has a great social commentary on the US and how people are pushed to violence. It comes as no surprise that the lyrics are put to the heaviest music on the disc.

Blown Away A mid paced rocker with a nice groove is the best description for this political cut. The lyrics give a very bleak look at the USA.

Lullaby This is the second "ballad" with a great vocal by Kory Clarke. It's a moody piece that is definitely one of the high points on this reissue.

In Conclusion Another mid paced rocker finishes up the album proper. John Ricco has a really good guitar solo at the end of this song.

Charlie's Out Of Prison (Bonus Live) The track is very bootleg sounding. It is really drum heavy with the guitar too far back in the mix but the song is played with a lot of spirit.

The Losers (Bonus Live) This is taken from the same show. The studio track is really great and somehow they top it in the live setting. There seems to be more passion in the vocals and the song is extended for another 3 minutes.

I See The Ruins (Bonus Live) Although these 3 bonus track sound like bootlegs, they carry with them a sort of old school charm. Hearing the songs in a live setting makes you wish you had seen them in concert back in the day.

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