Review WARRANT “The Speed of Metal”

The German metal band Warrant, not to be confused with the US glam rockers of the same name, are releasing a new album called “The Speed of Metal”. Founded in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1983, it is hard to believe that this is the band’s third album.

After launching the debut album “The Enforcer” in 1985, the first era of Warrant ended the same year. The band reunited in 1999, and their sophomore record, “Metal Bridge” was released in 2014. Eleven years later, the third album, “The Speed of Metal”, will be released, and the artwork features the executioner, a recurring theme in Warrant’s cover art.

The album contains ten songs, one of which is a cover version and another a re-recording. Since the album also contains an intro, we are treated to seven new metal blasts from the power/speed metal force.

Contrary to the title, the album doesn’t start with an up-tempo blast. “Blood Moon Prelude” is an acoustic intro, and the first metallic blast comes with “Cut Into Pieces”. Warrant’s sound very much refers to the eighties, and with “Cut Into Pieces”, they have put a more conventional song at the top of the tracklist. The following, “Demons” is more of a blast. It is faster and, although it has a good melody, the song exudes power. “Falling Down” is a traditional headbanger, but more standard than innovative.

“Windy City” is the cover version I mentioned earlier. Originally by The Sweet, this interpretation is more metal, and showcases the band’s rock roots. This is a nice version before the acoustic guitar introduces “Cry Out” The song evolves into an energetic metal track, and “It’s Up to You” reminds us of earlier times. Warrant recorded the song in 1999 for a demo, and it is this re-recorded version that evokes memories of the beginning of their second era.

The closer, “Scream for Metal” is a dramatic shift in gears for Warrant, bringing the album to a blasting finale. It is a full-speed conclusion of the album that brings underground metal from the 80s to the plate, showcasing a range of influences from that era. “The Speed of Metal” is an album that certainly has some good moments, and it is the passion for this kind of music that drives founding member Jörg Juraschek and bandmates. However, “The Speed of Metal” ultimately offers little more than well-executed standard metal without any notable highlights.