WARRION is a new exciting project that includes many reputed & high talented musicians and some veterans stalwarts out of the underground American Metal scene, maybe even a so called legend or two, it's also the brain child of Singapore's born Ron Ravi Warrion, a guitarist trained in many bands and studio works from California's Clemente to Pulau Ujong to Chicago.

The entity WARRION is delivering the typical classic US Metal of the best and noble tradition with some obviously influences from Vintage NWOBHM & old school Metal. Think a mixture of classic IRON MAIDEN / JUDAS PRIEST or MERCYFUL FATE's overtones, and maybe some traditional American Metal flavors from ICED EARTH / OMEN / HELSTAR / LIZZY BORDEN or from a softened VICIOUS RUMORS.

In order to fulfilled his dream, Mr. Warrion has shared his vision of the perfect band with the following: once RISING FORCE / REIGN OF TERROR's lead vocalist Michael Vescera (OBSESSION / ANIMETAL USA / ex-LOUDNESS) in his typical high pitch mode, with also the addition of lead guitarist Tim Thomas (ABATTOIR / ex-HIRAX) and also Chris Bennett of WIDOW, the fine drumming is administrated by Mr. Rob Brug (HALLOWEEN), and the transfuses from the mighty ASKA all the way from Texas: 5 strings Bass player Keith Knight and most of all the vocalist, the legendary ASKA frontman George Call (also leading BANSHEE since 2011 and the amazing "Mindslave") that perform his best Dickinsonian tenor vocals on "Victim Of Religion" and "Serpents Fire", their new album also published in Europe by Pure Steel Records, called  "Fire Eater" is in the same unadulterated Metallic vein and is also very much plebiscite by your truly.

What I like it's the complete dedication, the conquering freedom and the revenge spirit of Mr. Warrion, in his uncompromised music of Steel but also in the textual content, like his statement inside the booklet "he who does not have the courage to chase his own dream will always try and find ways to destroy yours. Be wary of these vermins, some are masquerading as your friends and others are lurking in your bloodline!" Pretty realistic and true isn't it?

The story line is also very captivating and intellectually challenging, it's based on a spiritual journey of an individual who travels the astral realm.  Every song in the album expresses his thoughts, visions and progress. Midway through his journey he questions religion, if it is real or manmade? His astral transitions continue to an extended time, where he is unable even to know if he is in the real world or the astral realm. At one point he even begins to question if is his own mind is playing tricks on him? The voice of Michael Vescera is the voice he hears and speaks to during his travel in the astral realm. George Call's character is the voice he hears and speaks to when he transcends deeper into his visions: hence the reason for two singers in the album.

The only issue is that the production isn't completely up to date and it sounds more like a good Demo, the whole playing length of "Awakening The Hydra" is also very short, only 34:11 minutes with three short instrumentals interludes and a reprise of the title track...It also lack a little bit on an atmospheric Epic shuffle, especially with such an interesting conceptual theme.

But you know what? Finally, I don't care, I love it that way, and it's a bloody addictive recording. Screaming US Metal in its most honest approach and with such a bunch of mythical players Ron Warrion can't go wrong, so I'll throwing a good 8 stars for this album.