WARRIOR SOUL

WARRIOR SOUL
LAST DECADE DEAD CENTURY (1990)
192 KBPS

While the powerful sound may be referred to as "heavy metal" by some, a more accurate description would be "art rock." The songs are built on ideas, themes, many of which include a plethora of irony and sarcasm (which is why the seemingly "upbeat" or angry sound of some of the songs are misunderstood by taking them literally).
The lead singer Korey Clarke has always believed that the musician should be a "shaman" of sorts. "Warrior Soul" definitely embodied Clarke's professional persona because it is inseperable from his own beliefs. This music is not entertainment, it is meant to make you think, meant to provoke the listener; thus, I can imagine why, ten years ago when this album came out, I was dumbstruck with its sheer intensity, and, ten years later, none of the songs have lost any of their initial power. For the same reason, this is why the band, although successful among the rock scene, was so misunderstood.
I also find that Clarke's messages (the songs are meant to give the listeners a "mission" of sorts, very admirable), are applicable to both the past and present, although I can also add that his songs were prophetic in many ways; however, in this truly decadent day and age of Britney Spears et al, and gangsta rap, such messages will clearly be lost. (I think the generation he referred to is now grown-up; I am among this generation). As I mentioned, the songs are clearly prophetic, and Clarke was ahead of his time. The symbolic "ruins" around us, and the virtual "wasteland" he sang about ten years ago are all around us.
As for the musical part of Warrior Soul, I can only say that the songwriting, lyrics, and performance are nothing short of amazing. Listening to this album over and over again for ten years and not finding fault with it is proof that this is a true classic. Take in note that I am a classically trained musician. People like us don't normally "take" to mainstream or rock music too easily.

1. I See The Ruins
2. We Cry Out
3. The Losers
4. Downtown
5. Trippin' On Ecstasy
6. Four More Years
7. Superpower Dreamland
8. Charlie's Out Of Prison
9. Blown Away
10. Lullaby
11. In Conclusion