Black Magic Satellite

Warzaw

Formed in Trondheim Norway way back in 2020, WARZAW have kept very busy over their […]
By Chris Hicklin
March 14, 2022
Warzaw - Black Magic Satellite album cover

Formed in Trondheim Norway way back in 2020, WARZAW have kept very busy over their short lifespan, releasing their debut full length "Werewolves on Wheels" in January of 2021, and following it up already with their latest offering "Black Magic Satellite". The debut album was rooted in a more traditional Heavy Metal sound, but the band have spread their wings over the last twelve months and have expanded their sound quite a bit. The sound retains the fundamental aspects of Melodic Metal, but adds a taste of something more modern, taking in some influence from 80s Hard Rock and 90s Alt Rock and Nu-Metal, particularly in the vocal delivery.

Setting out their stall with a short dual guitar intro, opening track "Santa Mira" doesn't take long to explode into life with breakneck speed riffing and raucous, tight percussive drumming providing a formidable backbone. "Fierce Attitude" lives up to its name and continues the onslaught, but with some dirtier swagger in the guitars. With "Send My Regards" WARZAW show an aptitude for both arrangement and atmosphere, the verses have a laid-back vibe with jangling guitars that could almost be mistaken for keyboards, while the choruses are a joyously sleaze-ridden singalong, the track amounts to far more than this though as there are multiple breakdowns and flourishes which bring the composition to life.

While sporting a crisp 80s Euro-Metal type riff, the vocals on "Lightning from the Sky" come over as a little more up-to-date sounding with hints of Nu Metal, in fact the whole song has a more brooding, angsty tone to it in keeping with the aesthetics of that genre. Not loitering for too long "Circular Talk" brings us roaring back to the good times with grooving riffs accentuated by Dimebag-esque squeals. Admittedly I was expecting something more frenetic from a track called "Machine Gun Fire" which is actually quite restrained, following track "Where the Bodies Are Buried" has far more aggressive rapid-fire riffing, and an absolutely killer chorus that is sure to get the crowds up on their feet and singing.

Taking us into the home stretch they slow things down substantially for the brooding mid-paced "Shot of Poison", while "Pistols of Dawn" and "Altar of Pleasure" satisfy with their dual guitar riffing, despite sticking pretty rigidly to the Melodic Metal script. The LP is rounded off nicely with a relatively lengthy and ambitious Metal epic in "Sabres of Flesh and Blood" which is not the fastest, but probably the heaviest offering. Despite having already done himself proud, Daniel Rønning manages to find yet another gear as he harnesses all his powers to provide a emotive performance that digs deeper than ever before.

For me there is no knockout track on this LP, no song that will has me thinking "this is fresh!" or that will particularly cement itself into my psyche, but what we have here is a well-crafted, good honest Rock and Metal album. It's fairly diverse within the boundaries it sets for itself, with a selection of full-throated Metal tunes, foot stomping mid-tempo swingers and a smattering of balladry. The searing twin guitar attacks of Håvard Alvarez and Trond Jullumstrø are a defining characteristic of the LP, they have put a lot of effort into composing these guitar parts, the two guitarists can trade licks and riffs that playfully intertwine with each other or combine their powers into a expertly harmonised melodic assault. Curiously the bass is also ably handled by Jullumstrø, the band's videos show only two guitarists, so one assumes they are taking out a session player on the road. In any case, the rhythm section is formidable when firing on all cylinders.

Daniel Rønning's vocals are strong and capable, he has a powerful voice with a decent range and lots of rage and gravel. The lyrics are another matter, perhaps English is not his first language (this is an assumption) but the imagery is a little wooden and the vocabulary feels a little awkward. Still, this is a minor complaint overall, the important thing is that Rønning has pipes.

The production is a sturdy affair throughout, the guitars tones are excellent with a muscular sound that really puts some meat on the bones of this album, the drums are punchy with a particularly buoyant snare sound. Highly notable for being an independent release, they really have outdone themselves with the quality of the recording. Get stuck in, this record won't change your world, but it is sure to put a smile on your face.

8 / 10

Excellent

Songwriting

8

Musicianship

9

Memorability

7

Production

7
"Black Magic Satellite" Track-listing:

1. Santa Mira
2. Fierce Attitude
3. Send My Regards
4. Lightning from the Clear Sky
5. Circular Talk
6. Machine Gun Fire
7. Where the Bodies Are Buried
8. Shot of Poison
9. Pistols of Dawn
10. Altar of Pleasure
11. Sabres of Flesh and Blood 

Warzaw Lineup:

Mats Sødahlm - Drums
Håvard Herjuan - Guitars
Trond Jullumstrø - Guitars, Bass
Daniel Rønning - Vocals

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