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DORO
Forever Warriors, Forever United

Nuclear Blast (2018)
Rating: 8/10

At the age of 54, Doro Pesch, the reigning queen of metal, is showing no signs of slowing down. Doro has been a warrior for the cause since 1980 when she joined Snakebite, her first band, and then went on to form Warlock in 1982. She became the first woman to front a metal band at the Donington Monsters Of Rock festival in 1986, and scored a hit with ‘All We Are’ from Warlock’s fourth record Triumph And Agony in 1987. Two years later Doro would lose a legal case regarding rights to the Warlock name (and merchandise), thus kick-starting her solo career.

Fast forward to 2018 and Doro drops her 13th full-length album to date, and let me reassure you, the first lady of metal hasn’t lost a step. In fact, she’s back, stronger than ever.

Forever Warriors, Forever United is a big record that makes an even bigger statement. Not only is it classic heavy metal in its purest form, it’s also an oath of allegiance to the genre itself. It’s a reminder that the “glory days” of metal are gone for some bands, but not for Doro and crew; that era never ended, it just got more fun. Doro waves that banner high and proud on songs like ‘All For Metal’, ‘Soldier Of Metal’, and ‘Blood, Sweat And Rock ‘N’ Roll’. These are anthems and reminders of who we are and how we live as metalheads.

What connects you with this record is how genuine it comes across. Forever Warriors, Forever United is Doro pulling out all the stops and allowing herself to be vulnerable to the world; not afraid to bare her heart and soul through song. Anyone who’s followed Doro since her days with Warlock knows that she has sacrificed a lot personally and professionally for her art, and you can hear that pain and loss reflected on ballads ‘Lift Me Up’ and ‘It Cuts So Deep’. Clearly this isn’t lip service nor patronizing the fans, it’s a heartfelt gesture from her to us. It’s a part humble “thank you” and part “let’s rock!”

Standout tunes ‘Résistance’, ‘Heartbroken’, and ‘Love Is A Sin’ rock the Forever United disc. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Doro’s cover of Motörhead’s ‘Lost In The Ozone’ as well. However, my personal favourite of the two discs is Forever Warriors which features the songs I mentioned earlier as well as a Whitesnake cover, ‘Don’t Break My Heart Again’.

One of the more unique and talked about songs on this record is the Lizzy Borden-esque ‘If I Can’t Have You – No One Will’, which features Doro and Johan Hegg from Amon Amarth and may be one of the best duets I’ve heard in years, albeit an odd pairing for sure. The chemistry here between Pesch and Hegg borders on the psychosexual, wrapping itself around the music and creating an atmosphere of moody, uneasiness that you can’t turn away from.

In addition to the aforementioned, look for guest appearances by the likes Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake), Tommy Bolan (Warlock), Mille Petroza (Kreator), Chuck Billy (Testament) and the late Warrel Dane who contribute to the fist banging ‘All For Metal’. If you haven’t seen the video for this song, then check it out – it’s a who’s who of heavy rock.

Forever Warriors, Forever United is solid 80s metal. The fact that it sounds as good as it does without treading into formulaic territory, is all down to Doro and how talented she is. This two disc set is the culmination of a career dedicated to living this life loud and proud. It offers up different perspectives of metal and succeeds in a grand manner; a true masterpiece and probably Doro’s best record to date.

Theron Moore

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