| Musical Style: Power Metal | Produced By: Jim Homan |
| Record Label: Intense / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1990 / 2019 | Artist Website: Sacred Warrior |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 46:40 |
Of the four Sacred Warrior albums to have come out on Intense Records, 1990 third full length Wicked Generation takes the most getting used to. Several factors weigh in on this. First, it is a concept album that deals with the sensitive subject of child abuse but from the standpoint of the abused (a young girl) and abuser (her father) in recounting the spiritual journey of both (each come to the faith in the end). Vocalist Rey Parra provides further detail from an interview back in the day, 'There’s a lot of truth and a lot of hurt to this album (but) the thing I believe the Lord wanted us to show is that there are people out there dealing with these things, and we need to know how they feel.’ Cover art depicting the young girl at the time she was being abused mirrors the darker nature to the album, both musically and lyrically.
Second, not unlike many conceptual releases, individual songs do not always stand on their own - a slight repetition rears when listened to separately - but rather hold up best when taken as a collective whole instead. Albums consistency reveals when listened to in this regard. Third, it also separates as perhaps the heaviest Sacred Warrior album in that unlike debut Rebellion (1988), follow up effort Master's Command (1989) and swan song Obsessions (1991), Wicked Generation, in aligning with the onerous nature of the subject matter, does not include any power ballads or songs on the commercial side. Keyboards make nary an appearance. Rather, it stays true to the groups US power metal mixed with progressive leanings (noting influences Queensryche, Fates Warning & Crimson Glory) but giving prominence to the rawer feel.
Those rawer nuances come to fruition in terms of production, which I always have indentified as thin in lacking a needed element of polish. Enter the spring of 2019 Retroactive re-issue of Wicked Generation to feature re-mastering (courtesy of J. Powell at Steinhaus) to provides that missing refinement in question. Gist is a sturdier low end to produce fuller sounding drums (they come off buried on the Intense version) and better defined rhythm guitars (held back by muddiness to the original).
It also deserves note the improved packaging to include a multi-page mini-booklet exclusive to lyrics in an easy to read font in addition to vintage band photos and review from Heaven’s Metal by Joey Knight (Stryken). Cover art upgrades as well in that the Wicked Generation title is now lavender as opposed to blue, while the Sacred Warrior logo might still be in red but features red highlighting
“No Happy Endings” stays true to the theme running through as a haunting opener, somber from how Parra’s silky, smooth classic tenor croon sets the moody tone but also deliberate when factoring Steve Watkins’ muscling low-end bass presence. Otherwise, it proves severely mid-paced, gradually building force through its emotional introductory minutes until the sharply woven rhythm guitars cut in that enforce its pensive remaining distance. Lyric snippet:
A lay awake at night afraid to fall asleep
There`s something in my mind that comes back to haunt me
Tearstains on my face, I`ve cried for you, my tension slowly building
There`s nothing to say, I know I cannot change what I`ve done
There`s no happy endings in this life of madness
There`s got to be something better for me
“Little Secrets” dwells upon the lighter and heavier as another morose piece. It flows quietly its first minute to stilly done harmonies and soaring feedback only to abruptly kick in to driving rhythm guitars that maintain the earnest mid-paced partiality. Tempo does tepidly slow at the mid-point only to regain the turbulent form, but the overall severe focal point prevents it from crossing into ballad territory. Lyric snippet:
I`m so ashamed of what I see every time I look in the mirror
I can`t believe it ... oh no, believe what you`ve done to me
I`ll never be the same, I`m so tired of all your heartless games
You`ve hurt me, you`ve hurt me, you`ve hurt me
Fifteen years later my heart still bleeds
I`m longing for the day in which I`ll finally have peace
You`re a stranger to me, you`re love I never felt
Not so “Standing Free”, a full on metal ballad but unlike “He Dies” (off Rebellion) is not of the commercial kind in that sweeping guitars - to hit quite hard in mirroring the doom-like - urge its length as another mid-paced course is achieved. Refrain belays the ballad affinity in making quite the intrusive statement with its direct allure. Lyric snippet:
I got my back against the wall ...
Nobody can touch me ... no, no
My desire to sabotage my existence
Came to an end when I finally realized
So many things in life accomplished
To let it end in a compromise
I`ll choose to live and tell others of satan`s lies
Three songs in and the Wicked Generation precedent has been set: songs that while not necessarily catchy or melodic but are by no means repetitious either that otherwise work together when taken as a single dose instead.
Album moves on to a much-needed up-tempo track in “Are You Ready”. It sets a vibrant tone its three-minute span, finding guitars powering in and out of the mix to make a smashing statement but also palpitating from the refrain to repeat the songs title in projection filled fashion: ‘Are you ready to be set free? He died for you and me, take His hand and you will see!’ Lyric snippet:
You thought there’d be no happy endings but now you know the truth
There`s nothing left but pride to stop you
The love of God's come through, tonight`s the night for your salvation
You know what you must do, just give your life to Christ
And see his power to renew - Are you ready ?
“Minister By Night” ups energy levels further. This one finds Tony Velazquez bestowing his manifold timekeeping abilities - again, it deserves note the manner in which re-mastering cleans up the low end - while, Bruce Swift cuts loose with a searing stretch of lead guitar. Vocally, Parra lends some fitting grit to his delivery, which contrasts with the velvety vocal harmonies to adorn throughout. Lyric snippet:
We`re out on the front lines, challenging everyone
Surrounded by fruits of sin that consume your daughter or son
We go in after them, they`re in our sights
But that`s our gift in the darkness we`ll shed the Light
I minister by night in a heavenly show
Taking the world to places, places that you would not go
Back the moody-mid tempo with “Miss Linda”. The song begins to several seconds of open-air guitar before transitioning to the assertive riffs to carry its distance - raw and stark but elevated at the same time - as periodic up-tempo outbursts occasionally intervene. Melody all the same is on the haunting side, which lends to the forlorn veneer. Lyric snippet:
They say that you're the lady with the all-seeing eyes
The one with all the answers to my pain and my cries
They say that you're the lady with the all-seeing eyes
But you didn`t have the answer to my pain and my cries
Miss Linda, you`re a lady who`s as lonely as ... I call His name
Speaking of melody, “In The Night” potentially delivers albums most in abundance. It characterizes with its downtrodden tinctures, unveiled in terms of the calmly flowing verse section carried over a rolling drumbeat, but also mirthful aspects, upheld in the playful motivation stirring the flowing refrain. Lone complaint is that I wish the keyboards placed far in the distance received the more prominent mix. Lyric snippet:
If you feel lonely you can count on me
No, you`re not the only one who feels this way
It`s been a long time since we`ve had anything to say
Tell me now, will it always be this way ?
You`ve got me thinkin` someday, we can be the same, no no
Album closes to three of its best in “Warriors”, “Wicked Generation” and “War Torn Here”. “Warriors” is classic Sacred Warrior style power metal, unveiled in terms of the flailing guitars, heavy-set drums and periodic shouted backing vocals, all of which combine to magnify the seeping front to back vehemence. Hooks are understated but bona fide all the same. Lyric snippet:
All around the place tonight, if God would let you see
Legions of angelic hosts they fight for you and me
The battle it is spiritual not of flesh and blood
Not mercenaries out for kicks, they do it out of love
They`re warriors, fighting in the night
Warriors, they stand up for what`s right
Cutting through the darkness and fighting for the light
The victory belongs to God, the battle they must fight, warriors
In slowing tempo and correspondingly elevating heaviness, “Wicked Generation” separates as a classic metal mauler. It sets an imperative tone with its galloping rhythms and towering guitars but at a moments notice allays momentum for melodic passages to see Parra stretch and let loose in near operatic form. Captured in the process is much of the albums melancholic emotion. Lyric snippet:
A simple prayer on Sunday is such a shallow repent
You keep avoiding his love, your nights are better off spent
But deep inside your light still shines
Reminding you each day that Jesus Christ was crucified
For our sins, the price he paid
Your reoccurring sins will lead you to your death
Will you ask for forgiveness with your very last breath
Sacred Warrior reveals its progressive side on closer “War Torn Hero”. Time signatures abound, starting with the slow and driving opening, but also including the crescendo of pounding drums and behemoth guitars to dominate moving ahead. Song proves every bit intricate over its closing minute and a half as heavy-set backing vocals give way to a delicately done bridge ensued by scaling lead guitar. Lyric snippet:
Still on and on and we`re pressing even harder
We`ll never stop until the end has come
To spread the word of righteousness that penetrates the darkness
And sets free the hearts of all men
We can only try so hard to keep you from the burn
Time for you to make a choice which god will you prefer ?
Will you be killed by satan`s lies
Thinking that you`re smarter ?
For hell, no one dies a martyr
With great pleasure, I took opportunity to review Wicked Generation in that I have been waiting an extended period for its re-issue with proper re-mastering. The Retroactive re-issue meets expectations in this capacity in that I have always held Wicked Generation in high regards musically but production left somewhat desired. Hence, how I appreciate hearing the album in such a sonically improved and up to date form! Keep in mind all the same that Wicked Generation is potentially not just the group’s heaviest overall but also darkest and moodiest in light of the conceptual topic covered. Fans of Sacred Warrior and all things power metal are encouraged to pick up the re-issue before it goes out of print.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "No Happy Endings" (5:09), "Little Secrets" (6:15), "Standing Free" (4:57), "Are You Ready" (3:05), "Minister by Night" (3:32), "Miss Linda" (4:50), "In the Night" (5:58), "Warriors" (3:13), "Wicked Generation" (4:44), "War Torn Hero" (4:57)
Musicians
Rey Parra - Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift - Guitars
Rick Macias - Keyboards
Steve Watkins - Bass
Tony Velazquez - Drums
