The Metal Files

Yes, I said that to her, to her face even.  What a schmuck!  I was 18 and one of the first 5 people in line to see Megadeth, Warlock and Sanctuary(!).  We got there early because we wanted to be on the barricade at the Boathouse for the whole show.  We were so excited to see Sanctuary…getting to see Warlock and Megadeth was just icing on the cake.  But…this whole story is about Warlock.

So there we were in line when a van pulls up and Doro gets out with a few big body guard looking dudes flanking her.  She walks right by us and I was trying to think of something to say.  Being 18, my groin was doing most of my thinking at the time so I said, “Hey Doro!” to which she politely replied, “Jah?!” in her thick german accent.  I pulled the total Butthead moment and said, “uhhhhh…nice ass!”  Instantly in my head I said ‘d’oh!’  A big smile crossed her face and she said, “Oh, tank you!”  Man, I felt like such a dumbass.  I was such a dumbass.

But Warlock kicked total ass that night.  Now if you have known me for longer than a minute, you probably know that I am not a fan of metal bands fronted by women, save a few exceptions.  Warlock is one of those exceptions.

I remember it was right after meeting a former friend from high school in 1986, he introduced me to CK at the Triumph/Yngwie show.  Years later I ended up in a band with CK.  Good times, bad times…but back to Warlock.  So we were at CK’s place and I was flipping through his records and saw Warlock’s first 2 albums, Hellbound and Burning the Witches.  So he put on Burning the Witches and I was digging it.  Instant fan!  I proceeded to go out and buy those 2 on cassette as well as True as Steel a little later.

I remember reading in Circus magazine that they had a new one coming out called Triumph and Agony.  I picked it up the week it came out and loved it.  I still do.  It’s not as raw as the previous 3 albums, but it’s great.  Getting to see that tour was such a treat.  I think there were only a few people there who actually knew anything about Warlock (or Sanctuary for that matter) and we let them know that we were fans.  We were raising holy hell for them and they appreciated it.  Doro made several comments about “this group of guys over here who know what the hell is going on!  All of you should learn how to rock like these guys!”  Sure, cheesey stage banter but to a bunch of 17 and 18 year old fans, it was pretty cool.

I was pretty disappointed when they broke up after that tour.  Doro’s solo albums never did a lot for me but her debut, Force Majeur, was good enough to stay in my collection.

In order from best to worst:

1. Triumph and Agony
2. True As Steel
3. Burning the Witches
4. Hellbound

They played a good cross section of all of the albums in their set.  I was super excited when they went into “I Rule the Ruins”.

Doro has played San Antonio at least twice since I moved here and I should go the next time she plays.  Everyone says she still kicks ass live.

If you can find the Warlock: Live in London DVD, I highly recommend it.