| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1995 / 2021 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 49:08 |
Ordering information - e-mail: rob@redlightband.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/redlightpartyrock
A foundation of the eighties, a dab of the nineties, melodic songwriting and faith based lyrics? That’s a great way to get our attention! Referencing Warfare and the multifarious sounds to its aptly entitled 1995 independently released debut full length The Battle. Multifarious from how Warfare brings an element of variety to its songwriting, with musical moments diverse as hard rock with a Southern edge, acoustic rock in varying forms (ballad to worshipful to heavier rocking), blues and even some down tuned nineties elements. Regardless of style, everything is exceeding well performed in that Warfare structures its material with strong melodies to hold up under repeat play and backs it with able musicianship and sound production.
Good news is that despite being an out of print and hard to find collectors item for decades, The Battle was re-issued on CD by the band in 2021 with a pair of demo bonus tracks. Warfare offers further detail regarding The Battle title in the digi-pak liner notes:
“Life itself is a constant battle, a struggle through day to day living. Daily we are confronted with choices, choice which will effect the outcome of battles we face. There are many mediums which offer solutions, from the media, politicians and leaders, to friends and family. But theses solutions are temporal, God offers a solution as well, but His solution is eternal
“He sees our battles, struggles, our victories and defeats, and He is willing to stand in the midst of this if we allow Him to - but the choice is ours to make. This recording reflects not only the battle but most importantly the victory for all those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Album opens to “Can’t You See”, a catchy, mid-tempo hard rocker with a bluesy Southern vibe reminiscent to .38 Special. It exudes ample amounts of guitar driven fortitude, which stands alongside the indelible hooks to set the commercial tone. Song asks questions:
Are you lonely?
Are you looking for love?
Are you lost with nowhere to turn?
But also provides answers:
Open up your heart to the King
True love you will find
Can’t you see you’ve been forgiven
Can’t you see you’ve been redeemed
“Deliverer” is first of several acoustic derivative tracks, a Warfare specialty. It takes a ballad-based approach, transitioning its span between acoustic affections (over a ground of heartening bass) and strident rhythm guitar (further building upon the founding melody). Emotional guitar leads carry the instrumental interlude.
“Guide Me” approaches from a front to back acoustic basis in backing from the heaviness of predecessors but within a similar overriding melodic framework. Song impresses of the deep, haunting and moody, emanating of the profound as guitarist and front man Robert Brannon reflects upon God’s will with his at times smooth, classic tenor and others lower register and raspy vocal abilities:
Help me Lord see clear where you are leading…
Could it be that I am here to stay
Could it be that I was meant to go
Could it be that this was meant to be
Could it be that this was meant for me
I pray to God let Your will be done…
Southern influences return in form of the moving guitar leads to grace the final seconds.
“He” reveals a worshipful acoustic slant, gradually drifting its first three minute calm and graceful to layered vocal melodies and AOR twinges only to take off at once in up-tempo fashion as sleek rhythm guitars burst in to speak of the undisguised. Standing out in the process is albums translucent production to emphasis equal parts breathing bass and categorical drums to complement cleanly mixed lead guitar.
“Final Days” takes an assorted stance in maneuvering its distance between moments both calm and churning: melancholic passages aligning with reticent guitars trade off with crunching mid-paced excursions central to some of albums most pronounced guitars. As its title implies, song takes of the End Times:
Now you see the end is near
With people walking all around
With their hearts full of fear
Can’t you feel it
It’s in the air
Oh, can’t you see it
It’s everywhere
Oh, don’t you know it
It’s in the Word
He’s coming back again
And you know my friends
It’s the final days…
“Lukewarm” with its Die Happy signatures is this reviewer’s choice cut. Prodigious doses of lower register groove combines with an obstinate guitar inclining to bring to mind the song “Cage” off the groups 1992 self-titled debut (I know it is coincidence but similarity between both songs in terms of riffs and melody is haunting). Mix in underlining suggestions of blues and commanding rhythm section performance, noting drummer Gary Forbes and bassist Richard Welzant, and the picture is complete.
I also values bluesy hard rocker “Take Me Higher”. I sense hints of M Pire and Red Sea, as found in the soulful vocals and grainy and down to earth sensibilities wrapped in a package of heavier rocking guitars. It is chorus, however, that sets it apart with a distinct catchiness raised up by light vocal melodies. What we have is a song of victory:
Satan is a liar
He wants to pull you in
Just call on Jesus’ name
Take me higher, Lord
Take me higher
Than I’ve ever been before
Can’t you feel it
You receive it in your soul
Let His spirit take you
Let you take you higher
Said dab of the nineties manifests on “Father”. Song resonates of the low key and bottom heavy, trending darker musical territory by reflecting upon the reticently ballad-like and passionate refrain plea of ‘Father, you know that I love You / Father, I keep my eyes upon You’. Impression is of a song basic in structure without coming across simplistic, with the forthright melody tying everything together.
Demo tracks feature a different lineup in that joining Brannon and Welzant is second guitars Michael Marino and drummer Scott Cunningham. Yes, they are a bit rough production wise (compared to the album tracks) but are musically solid all the same. “Been Set Free” is a gutsy mauler with metal edged guitars and heavy set backing vocals, while “Let It Out” trends more melodic territory to reinforce the up-tempo mirthful alongside a mid-point breakdown carried by accapella vocals.
Warfare and its debut release The Battle is a hidden gem if there ever was one. Album stands out with its consistent songwriting in featuring eight equally good songs (and two solid demo tracks) backed by able production and musicianship. I also appreciate how the group is not afraid to extend its songwriting into five to six minute territory. Yes, you will find some variety songwriting wise but everything is capably written and performed regardless of style. Faith based lyrics bring added value. If you missed out on Warfare back in the day or a fan of any styles upheld, then The Battle re-issue comes strongly recommended.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Can’t You See” (4:32), “Deliverer” (6:09), “Guide Me” (5:34), “He” (5:06), “Final Days” (5:54), “Lukewarm” (5:01), “Take Me Higher” (3:51), “Father” (4:19), “Been Set Free” (demo) (3:46), “Let It Out” (demo) (4:56)
Musicians (The Battle)
Robert Brannon - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Richard Welzant - Bass
Gary Forbes - Drums
Musicians (demo tracks)
Robert Brannon - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Michael Marino - Guitars
Richard Welzant - Bass
Scott Cunningham - Drums
