Warkings: Revolution

There's always been cashgrabs and cynically assembled "supergroups" in rock music. The metal scene never really had the clout or mainstream appeal to make these kinds of efforts profitable or successful, so we've lucked out in the past. Oddly, these kinds of acts have been picking up steam over the last decade or so, spearheaded by some of the scene's favorite record label whipping boys; Napalm, Frontiers, and AFM records specifically. The former most of these is the provider of our topic in this particular review, Warkings' new album Revolution. Napalm know exactly what they are doing with a project like this, and it's hard not to smell the avaricious stench that wafts from it.

Napalm Records gained popularity at the start by promoting and working with bands in the (then) exploding folk and power metal subgenres. Warrior culture, war paint, mjolnir necklaces, spiked armbands, and hurdy gurdies abound; it's fun stuff and before every single band in the scene got signed it was a great time for the genre. Now, even though the popularity of folk metal has largely waned the flood of bands dressed as vikings and fur-clad wanderers has continued thanks to "bands" like Warkings. Crafted by record label execs in a boardroom (or a break/lunch room), this is a 4 piece outfit that plays bare bones and uninspired chuggy power metal with all the subtlety you'd come to expect from 4 grown ass men dressed as ancient warriors from different cultures and places in time.

The Viking (bass), the Spartan (drums), the Crusader (guitars), and the Tribune (vocals) are your dollar store multi-tool dejour on your journey through the mediocrity that is Revolution. All the songs here are about legendary or historical warriors of olde, as one would expect. It's all very pandery thematically, and musically these songs aren't memorable save for a few bits and bobs. The Tribune (Georg Neuhauser) would be the only member of this act that followers of the scene would recognize, as he's the vocalist of the generally excellent symphonic power metal band Serenity. Sadly, Warkings' very bare bones riffage and song structures have none of the dynamics and infectious melodies of the Tribune's other band, so that's a bummer.

Revolution has a few things about it that aren't insulting or lackluster, though. The song "Sparta pt. II" has some neat mediterranean melodies and instrumentation that at least keeps things interesting until the irredeemable chorus starts up and makes you want to throat punch someone. The vocals, and indeed all the instruments are all competently performed, not like it particularly matters when you won't remember a single song or melody once the album's 41 minute runtime expires. But hey, credit where due, the Warkings are competent instrumentalists at least.

Not much else to say about this one. Revolution is exactly what you'd expect; a shallow cash grab built solely to profit off of a fanbase that is predisposed to love anything with swords. I'd like to think we are smarter than that and can see a soulless and creatively bankrupt turd like this one without much hesitation. Avoid and buy Serenity's Death & Legacy instead if you want some historical power metal that will do something for you.

Tracklist:
1. We Are the Fire
2. Sparta, Pt. II
3. Fight
4. Spartacus
5. Kill for the King
6. Deus lo Vult
7. Ave Roma
8. Ragnar
9. By the Blade
10. Where Dreams Die

Added: December 17th 2021
Reviewer: Brandon Miles
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 759
Language: english

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