Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Dane, Warrel
Label: Century Media
Release: 2008
Warrel Dane is a seriously big name in metal, with one of the best and most unique voices the genre has ever produced. He already proved with the legendary Sanctuary that he’s one of the mightiest vocalists metal has to offer, and with Nevermore, who rose from the ashes of Sanctuary, he only cemented that reputation. After a twenty-year career, during which the two cult Sanctuary albums and the discographic gems of Nevermore proved he can be mentioned in the same breath as names like Dickinson, Halford or Tate, Warrel now steps out with his solo debut, Praises to the War Machine.
Every Nevermore fan surely pricked up their ears when the first rumors of a solo record surfaced, and was just as worried when Dane revealed who he’d be working with. Most of the material was written with the help of Peter Wichers, former Soilwork guitarist, and let’s be real, Peter doesn’t come close to Nevermore’s main “axeman” Jeff Loomis. But luckily Dane wasn’t aiming for yet another Nevermore record, and that’s not really the point of a solo album anyway. Compared to Nevermore’s technical masterpieces, Praises to the War Machine is like Mozart’s opus up against Barbie Girl… but no biggie, this time the music serves as a platform for the phenomenal Dane, with the guitars in particular lending generous help with melodies and harmonies. It’s most audible on the slower, calmer tracks and the ballads and half-ballads, where the guitar lines blend superbly with Warrel’s mighty voice. Wichers’ limited chops show on the faster, more aggressive tracks, where he offers nothing mind-blowing and stops at simple down-tuned chords and metalcore breakdowns. But once Dane soars over those chords, the shortcomings are quickly forgotten, even though the rhythm section is pretty mediocre too. The instrumental mediocrity is rescued on Messenger by another outstanding solo from Dane’s Nevermore bandmate Jeff Loomis, while on The Day the Rats Went to War James Murphy (Death, Testament, Obituary) shows off his sweeping skills. But the album’s real strongest suit is the incredibly powerful, deep and above all deeply personal lyrics. Dane already proved himself an outstanding lyricist in Sanctuary and Nevermore, but this time he’s poured his most personal and introspective thoughts into the words. The lyrics touch on everything from losing faith (When We Pray), turning to drugs and religion (Obey), depression (Let You Down), Dane’s fantasy woman (August), self-destruction (Your Chosen Misery) and losing trust in the state (The Day the Rats Went to War), while Brother has the most personal lyrics Dane has ever written, about his relationship with a brother he no longer speaks to. This Old Man is another autobiographical ballad, about Dane’s childhood memory of a lonely old man who used to tell him stories. Dane also included two covers that, much like Nevermore’s covers, are true masterpieces; with the goth classic Lucretia My Reflection Dane tips his hat to Sisters of Mercy, while he pulls the obscure Paul Simon track Patterns out of mothballs.
Like I said, Praises to the War Machine is an instrumentally mediocre record, but this time the instruments serve one of the mightiest voices in metal. Dane simply shines, whether it’s aggressive, powerful lines, epic Nevermore-style choruses, or calmer, reflective and emotionally charged moments, where Dane may feel most at home this time around. If you expect the technical perfection that Nevermore deliver from Praises to the War Machine, you’ll be disappointed, but if you’re after top-notch vocals from one of today’s best interpreters, you’ll be very happy. Praises to the War Machine isn’t a perfect record, but Dane can proudly place it right alongside the Sanctuary and Nevermore catalog.
Lineup
Warrel Dane – vocals
Peter Wichers – guitar, bass
Matt Wicklund – guitar, bass
Dirk Verbeuren – drums
Production
Peter Wichers
Tracklist
1. When We Pray 03:38
2. Messenger 03:59
3. Obey 03:14
4. Lucretia My Reflection (Sisters of Mercy cover) 04:38
5. Let You Down 03:54
6. August 03:48
7. Your Chosen Misery 04:10
8. The Day The Rats Went To War 03:37
9. Brother 03:24
10. Patterns (Paul Simon cover) 04:01
11. This Old Man 03:43
12. Equilibrium 03:53
