Musical Style: Power Metal	Produced By: Harry Witz
Record Label: Intense / Retroactive	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 1991 / 2019	Artist Website: Sacred Warrior
Tracks: 9	Rating: 90%
Running Time: 42:34

Name a band with a better four album run than Chicago, Illinois based Sacred Warrior between 1988 and 1991.  Starting with 95% graded - and our 1988 album of the year recipient - debut Rebellion, Sacred Warrior introduced its classic US power metal sound in which high end and soaring vocalist Rey Parra helps invite the group’s comparison to contemporaries Queensryche, Fates Warning, Crimson Glory and Recon.  Also of high regard is follow up effort Master’s Command, rating nearly as high at 90% in upholding the Sacred Warrior dark but sophisticated take on the form, and third album Wicked Generation, 85% reviewed as the groups overall heaviest and lone conceptual release in dealing with the sensitive subject of child abuse.

Which leads us to the prime Sacred Warrior swansong effort Obsessions, an every bit laudable work that maintains the power metal mindset but also distances from its predecessors in separating as both the group’s most commercial and overall progressive effort.  It also reveals turnover in the Sacred Warrior lineup, with departed keyboardist Rick Macias replaced with second guitarist John Johnson, whom rounds out the guitar team with vaunted founding member Bruce Swift.  Group intended such a move to add more muscle to its sound, but alas, it did not translate in the studio in that unfortunately production gaps prevented such goal from realizing.

Enter the spring of 2019 Retroactive Records re-issue to Obsessions, with re-mastering (courtesy of J Powell at Steinhaus) providing a needed element of polish to result in the more pronounced low end (resulting in thicker and firmer bass) and added guitar boost (further presence and edge).  Removed in the process is a good measure of thinness holding back the original.

Also improved upon is packaging, home to a 16-page mini booklet exclusive to vintage band photos, write-ups from Jonathan Swank of Heaven’s Metal magazine and John Johnson in addition to an excerpt from the original Heaven’s Metal review (issue 33, January/February 1992).  Cover art improves as well in that the band logo now follows the same fade from lighter to darker blue font as the albums title.

For those wondering, Rebellion and Wicked Generation each received the Retroactive re-issue treatment (again, Steinhaus re-mastering) in the spring of 2019.  Master’s Command also was re-issued but by Roxx Records in the spring of 2017 (re-mastering courtesy of bassist Steve Watkins).

Album opens to three of its more commercial tracks in “Wings Of A Dream”, “Sweet Memories” and “Turning Back”.  “Wings of A Dream” realizes as classic melodic metal, revealed as up-tempo manifest with its uplifting and spirited demeanor but also engaging in terms of the avid rhythm guitars and all the impassioned hooks you could ask.  Parra soars with his silky smooth and classic tenor delivery.  Lyric snippet:

When daily life is more than I
Believe that I can handle
I have a God that sees through
If I give my weaknesses to him
He gives his strength to me
Faithfulness He`ll always prove

“Sweet Memories”, first of two well-conceived ballads, revels in deft melody.  It opens calm and serene to distant keyboards and life like bass, increasingly gaining momentum until breaking out for the quintessential refrain to repeat the songs title in imploring fashion: ‘Oh, sweet memories, oh, sweet memories…’  Reticent vocal melodies build upon the enamored scene.  Lyric snippet:

You always took the time to spend with me
That`s how you taught me right from wrong
I remember all you`ve done for me, you done for me
When I needed you yeah you were there

When it seems the scars of time would never heal
I know you were by my side, your love was real

Oh, sweet memories

“Turning Back” maintains the ballad like form but in the heavier and bluesier package.  The acoustic guitar to start lends a medieval quality as the song flows through its affable opening verse, perfecting an ardent feel as high-reaching guitars step forward for the second and bolster the wistful refrain to divulge every but as much melody.  “Turning Back” returns to a medieval, acoustic bent for its final seconds.  Lyric snippet:

Like a trip on a dead end street, my life`s coming to an end
Your love has no meaning now `cause I`ve gone astray
Lost alone in time, I now see what I have done
What I`ve attained and what I`ve left behind

There was a time when I used to smile to your name
Your face couldn`t wait to see
And every time I`d hear your voice I`d rejoice

Sacred Warrior reveals its indicative heavier side moving ahead, beginning with albums progressive based title track.  With drum solo opening to give way to flashy guitars, “Obsessions” settles into a mid-paced groove as the groups assailing rhythm section - attributing to the involved timekeeping of Tony Velasquez - affiliates with ample doses of laudable vocal melodies.  Curtly done refrain strikes and batters with the best of them: ‘Blinding obsessions! Blinding obsessions!’  Instrumental sound remains a Sacred Warrior focal point as Swift cuts loose with a heated lead guitar stretch.  Lyric snippet:

As the dollar exchanges the hand of many
There lie the poor who dream of having enough for today
The rich control the government, while the gangs control the streets
It`s hand against the sword till the strong take out the weak

It`s all a competition to see who will get the bigger bite
Men driven by obsessions , the more they get the more they want
To have it all, they gotta see the plagues upon the wall

“Kamakazi” revels further in the progressive.  It kicks in at once in ominous fashion to brazen overtures and churning low end, emanating a more up-tempo focus driving ahead as a galloping riff mentality meshes with all the technical time signatures you could ask.  Heavier tinctures to play up added drum facets trade off with those melodic to find the Sacred Warrior backing vocals again play a melodic role.  If Theocracy decided to cover this on its next album, I would not complain.  Lyric snippet:

So many people get into religion because they want to get freed
But there are those who are out to forsake you
And bent on making you bleed

Don't believe them they'll tell you one thing then turn it around
Don't receive them they're father Satan is pulling them down

Kamikaze you think that you know but you're lost
You're lost in a world of your dreams
Kamikaze your life's not your own it's been bought

In reflecting upon the commercial aspects to the albums opening tracks and heavier form of those that follow, “Remember Me” impresses as a combining of power and melodic metal.  Mid-paced and driving from the start, it gives prominence to a caustic lower register bent - verse sections mirror the doom-like - but it also divulges ample engaging qualities, referencing the catchy refrain that further build upon the heaviness.  In the end, what we have is a brilliantly executed example of prime Sacred Warrior at its best.  Lyric snippet:

You're a man who`s done no wrong
Yet everyone despises you
Yes crucify the king of the Jews
For my crimes I`ll do my time
I dared to cross forbidden lines
When you leave here let me follow

Please remember me

I tell you the truth
Today you`ll be with me in paradise 

“Fire From Heaven” separates as straightforward and no-nonsense power metal.  It slowly fades in to feedback prior to tirelessly powering ahead, brimming of fortitude and intensity but also allowing one of albums most arresting guitar sounds as Sacred Warrior makes an astringent musical pronouncement.  Instrumentally, “Fire From Heaven” finds dual leads and harmonies carrying the relentless way.  Lyric snippet:

Fire, fire falling from heaven, burning up everything
Sea to sea, nothing can stand in the way of the judgment
When it begins with godly desire

Fire, fire, righteous and holy, Wiping out all the intended disease
Will you be part of this massive destruction
Or will you be saved from this terrible siege ?

“Temples On Fire” ensues in similar musical vein in taking energy to the next level.  With drum solo to start, the song rumbles ahead to churning guitar walls in emanating the vivacity to approach speed metal in allowing added deft guitar work and equally skilled timekeeping focus.  Similar to “Fire From Heaven”, it is not albums most melodic but holds up equally with its unremitting power.  Lyric snippet:

There is no power that can overtake the blood, he shed on Calvary
A sinless lamb who was led to the slaughter
Freely gave His life for me, out of love He took my place
And now, now I can cry

This temple`s on fire
Oh He`s taking me higher
This temple`s on fire
It burns with a godly desire

Album closes to one of Sacred Warrior’s finest cuts ever in “Mad Man”.  A return to the progressive, “Mad Man” effectively fills out its six minutes in starting to acoustic guitar and choral vocals prior to taking an imposing mid-paced bent impelling forward.  Catchy rhythm guitars set the demonstrative tone in speaking of the stately and bold, with a contrasting quality conceded from how the group’s ever present layered vocal harmonies elevate the lofty melody to take command.  Acoustic guitar returns for the epic instrumental interlude.  Lyric snippet:

Step by step he crawls inside you and turns your insides out
As you allow him, he will overtake you
You have two ways to choose, but you`ve broken all the rules
And now you need someone to save you

Now you know you can be free, truly free
`Cause He is calling out to your name
Why don`t you see that He is the healer

Determining the best Sacred Warrior album proves problematic.  Yes, each one separates with its unique qualities, although I trend towards Rebellion in featuring (what in my opinion) is the best combination of production and songwriting on a Sacred Warrior album.  Whereas I could not argue with anyone choosing Obsessions as best overall, I find it to give prominence perhaps the group’s finest songwriting effort, keeping in mind production comes into question.  Re-mastering to the Retroactive re-issue, obviously, improves upon this, and when further factoring the enhanced packaging, it comes highly recommended for fans of not just Sacred Warrior but the power/progressive genres in general.  Similar to my reviews of the Rebellion and Wicked Generation re-issues, I strongly encourage picking it up before it (again) goes out of print.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Wings Of A Dream” (4:48), “Sweet Memories” (4:31), “Turning Back” (4:11), “Obsessions” (4:46), “Kamakazi” (4:49), “Remember Me” (4:40), “Fire From Heaven” (4:16), “Temples On Fire” (4:03), “Mad Man” (6:13)

Musicians
Rey Parra - Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift - Guitars
John Johnson - Guitars
Steve Watkins - Bass & Keyboards
Tony Velasquez - Drums