| Musical Style: Power Metal | Produced By: Sacred Warrior & Dave Jahnsen |
| Record Label: Intense / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1989 / 2020 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 49:09 |
There’s something about ‘Ryche influenced power metal that makes hard music devotees go weak in the knees. Perhaps it is the high-end and at times operatic lead vocals not unlike those of revered Queensrÿche front man Geoff Tate. Maybe it is a technical proclivity rooted in the power metal aesthetic that also suggests of light progressive bearings. It might also be a high level of musicianship found in a guitarist both melodic and searing, intricate double bass drummer, bassist that lays the detailed low-end foundation and keyboardist that underscores but not to a fault.
With Sacred Warrior, it is all of the above in light of its dark but sophisticated take on the power metal form. Arising out of the late eighties Chicago, Illinois metal scene, Sacred Warrior recorded a pair of demos prior to landing a deal with Intense Records, which led to its 1988 debut full length Rebellion. Rebellion rates with my favorite albums from the eighties, with unrivaled power metal anthems “Rebellion”, “The Heavens Are Calling” and “Stay Away From Evil” playing no small role in this regard and helping lend to a well deserved 95% Angelic Warlord review. Yet, Rebellion did not come without its share of diversity in the form of not only traditional metal and speed metal, “Master Of Lies” and “Children Of The Light”, respectively, but also ballad based territory in “He Died” and the bluesy leanings to “Famine”.
Sacred Warrior followed up in 1989 (also Intense) with sophomore effort Master’s Command, which while not top heavy with as many great tracks, potentially delivers greater continuity from further building upon the technical power metal laced with light progressive themes (in my opinion either way). Yet, Sacred Warrior also refuses to be pigeonholed either in that it is still not afraid to branch out and delivery variety, as found in moments touching upon melodic metal, worship metal, instrumental hard rock and even thrash. Regardless, Master’s Command proves a logical jumping off point for the group in terms of the heavier sounds to 1990 follow up effort Wicked Generation and that more progressive on swan song offering Obsessions from 1991.
Master’s Command first saw re-issue in 2017 by Roxx Records in the digi-pak format with re-mastering attributing to bassist Steve Watkins. A second Gold Disc Edition re-issue from the fall of 2020 on Retroactive Records features re-mastering by Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) and layout and design from Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal graphics). Whereas Master’s Command did not sound bad in its original Intense incarnation, Retroactive re-mastering brings it up to modern standard with a much-needed dose of polish. Difference could not be more night and day, with low-end standing out with greater forward presence and guitars delivering added punch and bite. Packaging also receives a significant upgrade in the form of a multi-page booklet home to lyrics in an easy to read font, montage of vintage band photos and two versions to cover art (original and gold bordered). A cool Sacred Warrior trading card adds further value!
Immediate impression from the albums opening title track is how Sacred Warrior’s ‘Ryche influenced power metal designation is aptly earned, at least when factoring the silky smooth and effortless delivery to front man Rey Parra. “Master’s Command” otherwise proves resolute in its mid-paced facets, starting to a spacey keyboard solo prior to impelling through its verses to an unequivocal guitar presence while lightening as airy backing vocals adorn the resplendent refrain. The ‘Command’ is to love one another:
How can you say to me that you love me
Yet have so much hate for your brother?
Don't you know that the law says we're murderers
If we hate one another?
Why can't we forgive one another
And learn to be just like I AM
Why don't we just love one another
And do as the Master commands?
“Beyond The Mountain” ups tempo in taking a more melodic approach. Sleek and fluid but not forsaking the Sacred Warrior propensity for the assertive, the song sets an elevated tone with its assured riff pedigree and demeanor that impresses of the enlivening. Drummer Tony Velazquez puts on a literal clinic with his technical abilities, the kind of which helps him to rate with my favorite timekeepers of the period. Lyrics talk of persevering in the faith:
So many times you feel
You're left alone just standing
Well let me say that's nothing new!
The righteousness displayed
By Christ they all rejected
They hated Him and they'll hate you!
So count it joy
When you are headed for the wall
And just remember He's the meaning of it all
Beyond the mountain, is the place for you and me
“Evil Lurks” is this reviewer’s choice track. The song ups the heaviness in reflecting a darker ambience, even from how it flows through its thickly done verses to decided bass but also precise in terms of the palatial feel to its intricately woven refrain. Guitarist Bruce Swift proves aptly names from the fleet soloing he cuts loose with at the midway point and over the final minute.
Albums most aggressive cut is “Bound In Chains”, a heavy hitter that further heightens the guitar driven impetus and aligns it with the forceful low-end presence to match. Despite the emphatic ardor at hand - I can see thrash fans finding “Bound In Chains” of interest - the song avoid repetitive territory from its creative technical underpinnings (a Sacred Warrior staple). Instrumentally, the group continues to put its intricate flair on full display. Lyrics touch upon personal accountability:
Can't they see it's all so clear
They're living a lie
Wondering why, they're searching inside
Days go by still they try, never understanding
That they're just one of many bound in chains
If you choose to live life by these ways
No one else can take the blame
For the pain you're gonna feel
But the truth's within you, crying out
Now how much longer will you live in this darkness
Master’s Command takes a lighter tone for ballad “Unfailing Love”. Starting tranquilly to clashing symbols, the song serenely drifts to affable acoustic guitars and Parra’s genial delivery until it breaks out at the three-minute mark as bluesy guitars step forward to adorn the cordial scene. Added bluesy soloing carries the final seconds. Whereas “Unfailing Love” is very good as far as ballads go, I rate “He Died” slightly higher with its heartfelt emotion and dramatic renderings.
Also of a melodic nature is “Paradise”. The song proves up-tempo manifest, with a rollicking momentum carrying it front to back in trending carefree territory as Steve Watkins provides the melodic bass focus and Rick Macias an airy keyboard essence. Despite trending mellower territory - the group puts its generous vocal melodies on full display - “Paradise” is not afraid to up the heaviness at key moments. The meaning behind “Paradise” is self-explanatory:
For the kingdom of heaven shall dazzle the faithful
It's walls made of jasmines and gold
With sounds of singing angels
Giving praise to His name
And we won't need the sun or the moon
To shine on us
The glory of God gives us light
And the Lamb is our lamp
No darkness will enter our lives
Back to a heavier form with “Uncontrolled”, a bottom heavy mauler that hits hard as it gets with its contentious drum inclining and pummeling riff action throughout. A light progressive facet manifests for occasional calmer passages lightened by acoustic guitar. Swift tops things off with one of his more assertive lead guitar runs.
The guitar heavy momentum carries over onto “Many Will Come”. The song proves galloping in capacity, yielding a muscular form suggesting of the unsparing and swarthy overtures that lend a haunting if not bottom heavy feel. Accordingly, Velazquez sets the standard as it pertains to complex (if not jaw dropping) timekeeping abilities. “Many Will Come” focuses on the source of salvation:
If you believe
That He has come
Back from the dead
To save the souls of everyone
He'll give you life abundantly
And in the Father's hands
That's where we all will be
We will see Him standing
When the rest are gone
He'll be dressed in white
And He will shine
Sacred Warrior delivers the first and only instrumental of its career in “Onward Warriors”. The song reinforces its share of variety, starting to eerie keyboards and doom-like guitars prior to kicking into high gear for the unflinching tempo that carries its remaining distance. Yes, a bit short at just over three minutes but by no means a filler instrumental either.
Album reaches its aggressive apex on “The Flood” as Parra trades off with Vengeance Rising vocalist Roger Martinez. As expected, the song pushes the intrusive boundaries, as Martinez leads the way with his borderline extreme delivery, only occasionally giving way to wailing sirens as Parra lends a contrasting feel with his fitting angelic style. Larry Farkas (also Vengeance Rising) provides the combative lead guitar.
Closing things out is a melodic hard rock cover of the classic hymn “Holy Holy Holy”. Sacred Warrior imbues its signature sublime flavorings to the song, placing emphasis on ample polished vocal melodies but not forsaking its forward aspects as found in the distinct guitars that assert themselves. The upshot is a setting that speaks of the grand and stately.
To say I have a soft spot in my heart for ‘Ryche influenced power metal might be an understatement in light of how Sacred Warrior is one of my favorite bands from the period, and I maintain a strong affinity for Recon, The Sacrificed, early Jacobs Dream and Faith Factor. Whereas Rebellion remains my favorite from Sacred Warrior, Master’s Command and Obsessions (also a 90% Angelic Warlord review) are a photo finish at second and Wicked Generation (85% review) a close third. As for the Retroactive Records Gold Disc Edition, it does the quintessential job with its polished re-mastering and professional packaging. If you missed the original Intense release or are interested in an upgraded version to Master’s Command, then make the Retroactive re-issue a priority purchase. But do not stop with Master’s Command, in that Rebellion, Obsessions and Wicked Generation were previously re-issued by Retroactive in 2019.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Intro” (:33), “Master’s Command” (4:57), “Beyond The Mountain” (4:25), “Evil Lurks” (4:26), “Bound In Chains” (3:45), “Unfailing Love” (5:31), “Paradise” (5:21), “Uncontrolled” (3:47), “Many Will Come” (3:53), “Onward Warriors” (3:13), “The Flood” (4:15), “Holy, Holy, Holy” (4:27)
Musicians
Rey Parra - Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift - Guitars
Rick Macias - Keyboards
Steve Watkins - Bass
Tony Velazquez - Drums
Additional Musicians
Roger Martinez - Lead Vocals
Larry Farkas - Guitars
