Shoot Rey Parra up with 1,000 cc's of passion and subject Tony, Rick, Bruce, and Steve to electric shock for hours and...what do you get? You get Sacred Warrior's new album.
Gosh, it doesn't seem like a year since Sacred Warrior's hot debut album was released. This band of hard working headbangers is heavier and faster this time around. "Master's Calling" rocks!!!
Sacred Warrior has their own style. It's a sincere compliment to mention their similarities at times to such veterans as Dio and Iron Maiden. Musically, they stand up to 'em, if not over them. Lyrically, they communicate life-changing power!
One of the tunes here is one that they played at Cornerstone '89 with Vengeance. Guess who makes a guest appearance on vocals here? That's right, Roger Martinez shares about half the verses in "Arise".
There's a hot instrumental where the band struts their stuff...lots of tight, speedy rhythms and impressive drumming.
"Beyond The Mountains" features more of Tony Valesquez's drumming (It's all over the place!). There's a memorable hook in the chorus. "Beyond the mountain/ the place He waits for you and me/ Beyond the mountain/ it's the place I wanna be...It's the place for you and me."
There's another really commercial song that states "I must be in paradise."
The token ballad this time is softer and comes off less dramatic than "He Died". It ends with some good jamming.
"Holy, Holy, Holy Lord" is on this album! Praise God! Hallelujah! Worthy is the Lamb! Praise Jesus! Hail to the King! Praise His Name! Worship Him! Hallelujah! Jesus is Lord! Bless You Jesus! You are worthy of all praise and glory! It is great to have some real live worship at full volume on tape.
This album has a few rough edges, but it captures the intensity of Sacred Warrior. Overall, I like what I hear. I don't think they've really topped their debut effort, but who could anyway? It's hot.