Can't say that I've ever heard of this New Wave of British Heavy Metal band, but let's thank Metal Mind Productions for once again bringing back to life another rarity from the vaults. Originally released in 1984 on Roadrunner Records, the self-titled debut from Spartan Warrior is highly indicative of what was coming out at the time. Stylistically similar to other acts of the era such as Diamond Head, Saxon, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and possibly even a bit of the Scorpions, Spartan Warrior played capable metal, long on catchy songs, solid guitar work, and melodic vocals. In fact, after a few listens, I'm really surprised this band didn't rise above the underground, as songs like "I'm On Heat", "Black Widow", "Son of a Bitch", and "Mercenary" had all the elements that other, more popular acts, used to their advantage to gain popular acceptance. Gotta love the swirling dual harmony guitar lines of "Sentenced to Die", and Dave Wilkinson's high pitched waling on the heavy rocker "Hanging On" brings to mind a young Vince Neil from Motley Crue. Saxon fans especially will love the metal anthem "Broken Promises", a tune that reminds quite a bit of their earlier work, mixed with a bit of Diamond Head's flair for the dramatic.
Pretty solid stuff all around, as Spartan Warrior delivered their NWOBHM style with a touch of the glam feel that was just starting to gain a hold in the US. Pretty bare bones packaging from Metal Mind on this one, housed in a digipack with a booklet that just contains an essay on the band. Since I've never had the opportunity to hear the original release, I can't really comment on the remaster job here, but nevertheless it's a pretty smokin' sounding CD, far from original, but noteworthy for the time period and should be of interest for those seeking rare NWOBHM recordings from the early 80's.
Track Listing
1. Assassin
2. Black Widow
3. I'm On Heat
4. Son of a Bitch
5. Sentenced to Die
6. Hanging On
7. Mercenary
8. French Girls
9. Broken Promises
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