After a wonderful return with last year’s ‘Back on The Lash,’ which bridged a five year gap between studio albums, Warrior Soul proved to everyone that they still know how to Rock and Roll. Of course in an alternate Universe it would be Kory Clarke and co rather than Nirvana who reshaped Rock and Roll.
Opener ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Disease’ picks up where ‘… Lash’ left off without missing a beat. ‘Up The Dose’ bristles with a suitably gritty rolling riff before Kory’s growl bursts in and takes control, it’s a song that has the growl of early AC/DC and a serves as a very nice ‘welcome back’ indeed. The short sharp title track ‘Rock N Roll Disease’ follows and explodes with a nice wail and delivers a similar vibe – this is low down and dirty Rock and Roll of the highest order.
After that ther’s no respite, the explosive opening ‘Off My Face’ continues with Kory growling an opening before the guitars, bass and drums amp it up further like Motorhead in their pomp. Next up ‘Melt Down’ chugs into view and bursts into flame to simmer nicely before the vocal kicks in and stamps all over you; in no time at all ‘Rock On’ grasps you in its bluesier talons and dirty groove, it’s a rough and ready ride with no let up in sight.
By the time ‘War Ride Children’ hits you feel almost cheated that you’re already into the final stretch. It’s a loose and sleazy groove that seeks to meld the energy of Detroit’s dirtiest rock and roll with the bump and grind of the 80’s LA scene that sneered at the glamour of the Sunset Strip.
The album closes out as ferociously and stridently as it began: ‘Going Mental’ as you might imagine has a tale of debauchery to tell, and it tells it at pace with a growl and a groove that just won’t let up. Closing track ‘After The Show’ is the shortest song here and gets right to the point with some righteous guitar and another tale of excess. It’s a great way to leave us hanging.
I complained last time out about one thing only – the fact that ‘Back on the Lash’ contained only nine tracks, well there’s one less here, but like that last album it’s the quality that counts and if Warrior Soul are going to be putting out an album a year I’ll take eight new songs all day long!
With a European Tour in May get out there and see one of the best bands out there and one of Rock’s finest performers in full flight. Raw and raucous Rock and Roll is timeless and Warrior Soul aren’t going away soon. Play this one at maximum volume, if you don’t you’re missing the point completely.
