Doro: Warrior Soul

Doro is back four years after 2002's Fight. She's released several compilation albums and did a massive tour where she also played some of her classics with Warlock in the interim (including a show at Wacken). There was talk about Warrior Soul being a return to her earlier, heavier roots, but truth be told, this album is just another addition to her trademark solo career.

With a solid lineup and various guests, Warrior Soul is mostly a midtempo record, so don't go expecting a very heavy, guitar-laden effort. That said, there is plenty of guitar work that should please Doro's earlier fans, but the production dictates a more vocal-driven album through most of its course. Actually, this is perhaps the first Doro album where her vocals are mixed so up front. Everything in the music is of secondary importance to her vocals, even though there are some serious rockers in the form of "You're My Family" and "Strangers Yesterday", both still marked effectively by today's modern soundscapes. The songs both begin with atmospheric keyboards and then feature Doro's vocals almost in a capella style. Then Joe Taylor lays down some groovy hard rock guitars, utilising some nice blues licks and opting for lengthy shred guitars. Unfortunately his guitar work is obscured by the loud vocal mix (which I assume was a conscious effort on Doro and the producer's parts). There are 80's-styled big, sing-along choruses with the one in "Thunderspell" being truly awesome. With the arrival of the title track, the album loses most of its pace (not that anything was utterly fast to begin with) and puts Doro's ballady material under the spotlight, still employing some bluesy axework. "Heaven I See" is the expected power ballad from Doro, starting slowly with acoustic guitars and getting wilder towards the end. I'm not sure about the motives behind "Creep into My Brain", but except for a live setting, I don't think this is among her best songs. Way too modern-sounding and upbeat for my and many older fans' tastes, the song does feature a full bass bottom from Nick Douglas, but aside from that it's a just a call-and-response type of thing with the guitars hitting a chord and then Doro singing her part. The true ballad "Above the Ashes" will secure itself a place for any future ballads compilation Doro or her company may have in mind, but it is the amazing "My Majesty" where Doro comes really close to rocking out hard. Amazing vocals, slightly accented but very aggressive, forceful bass, pummeling drums, and a brief yet effective guitar solo. The German acoustic ballad "In Liebe und Freundschaft" (which would translate as something like "With Love and Friendship") is a love ballad, yearning for the loss of a lover. By the way, I've always liked Doro's vocals, and never really understood people who constantly complain about her heavy accent. It's true that she has a very pronounced accent, but that mostly comes through when she speaks during live shows. Other than that, she always sings like that, including in the rocking "Ungebrochen", another German song.

Doro fans have been waiting for this album for so long, and I doubt they will be disappointed. I just don't think this is a return-to-form in any way. Not that it has to be, but I'll still forewarn those who were expecting otherwise.

Track Listing

1. You're My Family
2. Haunted Heart
3. Strangers Yesterday
4. Thunderspell
5. Warrior Soul
6. Heaven I See
7. Creep into My Brain
8. Above the Ashes
9. My Majesty
10. In Liebe und Freundschaft
11. Ungerborchen
12. Shine On

Added: October 7th 2006
Reviewer: Murat Batmaz
Score:
Related Link: Doro website
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Language: english

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