| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Armand John Petri |
| Record Label: Pure Metal | Country Of Origin: UK |
| Year Released: 1988 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 8 | Rating: 70% |
| Running Time: 31:40 |
Force 3 debuted on Pure Metal Records in 1988 with its first and only album Warrior Of Light. While the ‘futuristic soldier wielding a glowing sword’ cover art is eye catching, and the album features its share of strong material, production is murky, packaging limited to a two sided fold out insert and songwriting inconsistent. The UK based power trio traces to founding member and lead vocalist/guitarist Charlie Wilson, whom gained initial renown for his work with bluesy hard rock and metal act 100% Proof in which he recorded two albums: self-titled debut came out in 1981 (via Myrrh Records) and sophomore effort Power And The Glory two years later (S.B. Record Company).
Outside of that little is known about Force 3 except in 1987 it independently released a two-song demo entitled Opposing Forces in addition to placing the Warrior Of Light title track on the 1988 The Axemen compilation. The group broke up in 1990 subsequent to having performed with Leviticus and Bloodgood and seeing Warrior Of Light reportedly sell a respectable 30k copies. That said, according to an archived interview with Wilson at Cross Rhythms magazine from 1994, Force 3 reformed and recorded a demo entitled On The Right Track described as ‘commercial rock and AOR’ or more specifically that included ‘acoustic guitar along with heavy rock’.1
Warrior Of Light, however, heads in a completely different direction as a musical continuation of 100% Proof derivative of straightforward hard rock but not without forays into high-energy heavy metal and occasional progressive overtures. Hence, opening cut “Heartbeat”, which represents a three-minute adrenalin rush of striking mid-paced riffs and magnetic hooks helping set the enlivened tone to follow. Wilson builds upon the charged backdrop with his unflinching mid-ranged vocal abilities.
“Trouble In The Streets” ensues of similar form and quality. Also three minutes, it ups tempo with a higher velocity configuring as an intensely charged mindset and every bit consuming melody coalesce to make an inciting statement not unlike early Bride. Andy Jackson emboldens the instigative emotion with his detailed drum rolls and fills. Lyric snippet:
There’s a peal of thunder
People face the sky in awe and wonder
What is going on
People crying please tell me what’s going on
Some say He’s the Son
The Son of who tell me what’s going on
Who is the Son
People praying please tell me who is the Son
“Wondering” backs from some of the inherent energy and hooks to the first two but is still solid. It approaches from a laid back if not reserved inclining, rooted in the group’s bare bones hard rock vestiges but further upholding bluesy aspects. Wilson, for instance, skillfully decorates the song with his earthly licks and chops.
“Golgotha (He Is Risen)” is first of two cuts to touch upon the Force 3 progressive side and hint of the brilliance exuded by Wilson penned 100% Proof Power And The Glory cuts “Don’t You Know” and “Lost Soul”. Song opens its first three minutes in dramatic fashion in line with songs subject matter, demure as quiescent guitar coerces the affecting initial five verses with outbursts of rhythm guitar and bluesy soloing in between. A crescendo is reached as impetus detonates, with C.B. Bennett’s bass solo leading way to the explosive “He is risen’ refrain continually repeated over the final incandescent three minutes. In the end, what we have is nothing less a song of the year candidate for 1988. Lyric snippet:
It is finished is the might cry
As God’s own Son is left to die
The wounds and holes where once they bled
Now are still my Saviour’s dead
Three days in a borrowed tomb
His body lay was not consumed
For when the rock was rolled away
Nought was found by the sunlight’s ray
He is risen, He is risen
Follow up cut “See The Light” revisits the vibrant hooks to “Trouble In The Streets”. It literally flies its three minutes, approaching speed metal with electrifying rhythm guitar hammering in and out of the mix over explosive drum rolls, as Wilson lends some lower register unease to his delivery. Interestingly, there is also a slight bluesy bent to the song serving to brace the venturous melody.
“Miracles” is first of two songs in which I skip. Not that it is terrible, but rather it fails to do anything for me due to a bare bones if not plain feel in which the catchy riffs and hooks to albums better material fail to materialize. The ‘believe in miracles’ refrain, for instance, borders on the repetitive. That said, the Force 3 instinctive heaviness and bluesy vibe asserts all the same. Lyric snippet:
I believe in miracles
For the change in my heart
I believe in miracles
It’s a miracle I’ve got a new start
For my life had run down
Things didn’t seem to go right
But then something happened
I’ll tell you I’ve reached a new height
I pass on “Don’t Give Up” for the same reason. It takes an upbeat hard rock form, but otherwise fails to generate the overriding hooks and energy to entice long term, with upshot a landscape on the tedious side. I do enjoy, however, the bluesy guitar leads to the mid-point instrumental run.
Album reaches its apex with its dynamic progressive based closing title track. “Warriors Of Light” opens its first seconds to Gregorian chanting ahead of rhythm guitar abruptly pummeling into the mix, gist a spiritual warfare battle anthem theme realized in which Wilson sings with heart, soul and passion. The exulting refrain demands immediate attention, as does the closing two minute instrumental passage to run the gamut from the expedited to trudging doom like (Wilson shreds with the best of them). Lyric snippet:
The gates of hell shall not prevail
Against the Sons of Jesus
They crumble and they rot
With the force of Him who freed us
Warrior of light
Destroy the force of darkness
Warrior of light
Destroy, Destroy
It deserves note that “Warrior Of Light” was re-recorded by Treasure Seeker as part of its 1998 covers album A Tribute To The Past.
I like six of the eight songs on Warrior Of Light, which translates to a solid but somewhat inconsistent album. That said, albums better material is fantastic - “Heartbeat”, “Trouble In The Streets”, “Golgotha (He Is Risen)”, “See The Light” and “Warrior Of Light” all represent choice examples of the groups aligning hard rock with high energy and at times progressive metal. Wilson all the same proves a sound vocalist and guitarist, while Jackson and Bennett provide solid rhythm section support.
At this point, next logical step is to reissue Warrior Of Light subsequent to a much needed re-mastering to bring production up to modern standards. Include a multi-page mini booklet home to vintage band photos, concert flyers and details write-ups from band members not to mention the Opposing Forces and On The Right Track demos as bonus material.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Heartbeat" (3:09), "Trouble On The Streets" (2:49), "Wondering" (2:55), "Golgotha (He Is Risen)" (6:08), "See The Light" (2:58), "Miracles" (5:02), "Don’t Give Up" (3:01), "Warrior Of Light" (5:34)
Musicians
Charlie Wilson - Lead Vocals & Guitars
G.B. Bennett - Bass
Andy Jackson – Drums
References
1. Anderson, Matt. “Force 3: The New And Improved British Hard Rockers”. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
