Don't know how I managed to miss Warmask from Maryland, especially since bassmeister Lou Strachan is in the band. Sometimes though great bands pass you by simply because you're not paying attention for whatever reason. This is rectified now however as I finally got my hands on their self-titled debut from 2018. And man, I'm definitely making up for lost time and then some!
Didn't know what to expect which made the first spin even more exciting. After all, it's a situation which is wide open and no preconceived ideas get in the way. Holy hell, that initial spin, the initiation rite into this band's sphere blew me away! Their no-nonsense, in-yer-face heavy ass metal with some healthy doses of Motörhead and doom added as extra spicing is deliciously great. In a time and age with the huge influx of music we have, which is almost smothering everything, it is extremely hard to rise above the throng. Warmask are part of that small percentage who have that extra and therefore stand above the rest. Listen to this CD and you know what I'm talking about.
Opener ‘The Art Of Hypocrisy’ is crushing in its no-nonsense and unforgiving attitude and approach. Building in intensity gradually by the time it’s over you are spent in the best possible way. ‘Sin America’ flies out of the starting blocks. It is heavy as hell yet full of great hooks which grabs you by the balls and holds you there. This is metal at it’s very finest! ‘Weather The Storm’ follows and has a very nice doom-feel mixed with bluesy undertones until about halfway through when Warmask’s excellent metal kicks in during the blistering solo.
‘No Turning Back’ retain the same tempo as ‘Weather The Storm’ but has a more metal/punk touch to it. Again the solos are great, as is the twin-axe work. ‘The Stand’ ups the ante being faster and neck breaking than the rest and I’m immediately transported into the throng in front of the stage going nuts to this band. Absolutely fantastic! Oh I lied, by the way. Closer ‘World Decay’ is just as fast and intense as ‘The Stand’. This feels like Motörhead and early The Hellacopters had a bastard child, and a badass one at that!
Warmask which is Matt Gamble, lead vocals and guitar, Jo Koffee, lead & rhythm guitars and backing vocals, Louis Strachan, bass guitar and Chris Petro, drums & percussion, have something great going on here. Apart from writing great songs full of poignant social commentary, the musicianship is impeccable. The dual guitars from Koffee and Gamble is sharp, on point and very, very good which lifts these already great songs even more. But we can’t forget the crushing rhythm section of Strachan and Petro. They keep it all together so effortlessly and perfectly but not only that. The guys step out of the box a lot and let it rip which expands the music even more. Like I said earlier, Warmask passed me by for many years but I am so thankful they are here now because I need them in my life. As does the world of heavy music. These guys stir it up and keep others around them on their toes and I love that. So please, Warmask, bring us more great music!
-Swedebeast
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