Great Metal Albums of 1987: Warlock- Triumph and Agony

There are two ways I can speak about three or four of the songs from Warlock’s 1987 album, “Triumph and Agony.” The first was when my sister sent me one of the many heavy metal compilation tapes she would send me in the late 80s and early 90s. Four of the songs from the album made it onto her tape and those four songs gave me an indication of how good an album this was. Those tracks were “All We Are,” which is the best known song from the album, “I Rule the Ruins,” “Kiss of Death” and “East Meets West.” The second way came about the two times I saw Doro at Bloodstock. In 2010, she sang “All We Are” and “I Rule the Ruins.” At Bloodstock 2018, Doro sang those two songs again plus “East Meets West.”

“All We Are” not only received limited airplay on US radio but got on the rotation at MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball. It also opens the album well. “I Rule the Ruins” is a classic melodic metal song. I love how smoothly she sings the title at the chorus. While “Kiss of Death” didn’t get played either time at Bloodstock, it is in no way a lesser song. The song opens with a wolf howling followed by light strumming of the guitar before it goes into full metal swing with some crunching guitars and Doro showing her vocal range. It also has an interesting bass line when it goes back to the slower second verse only for the power to return at the chorus and then a blistering guitar solo. However, the song of the album for me and is “East Meets West.” There’s not much to the lyrics but then the line, “When east meets west, there’s gonna be one hell of a mess” kind of sums up what the song is about. The very frightening thing is that with what is going on in the Ukraine, these lyrics could prove prophetic. Lyrics or not, what makes the song for me is that newly added guitarists Niko Arvantis and Tommy Bolan solo their way all through the song, great stuff.

Doro on the Sophie Stage, Bloodstock 2018

Now let’s talk about the other tracks on “Triumph and Agony.” The actual length of “Three Minute Warning” is less than what the title suggests but it is a good bridge between “All We Are” and “I Rule the Ruins.” But the hidden gem for me is the haunting power ballad that is “Make Time for Love.” Shoot me for not remembering this track when I posted my top 30 power ballads a few years back. “Make Time for Love” is a true power ballad in every sense.

It would be a major mistake to assume that the final four songs from the album are filler. “Touch of Evil” opens with some foreboding sounds with drumming by guest drummer Cozy Powell. The song accelerates to being the closest Warlock comes to speed metal on the album, though that doesn’t stop the guitar solo fills from keeping up. After the audience cheers giving it a recorded live effect, Doro’s vocals make “Metal Tango” live up to its name. Again, some good guitar work here and the rhythm section makes themselves known on this one. “Cold, Cold, Cold” is a true power metal track, definitely one to bang along to. That brings us nicely to the closer, “Fur Immer,” which is German for forever and it’s sung in the band’s native tongue at the beginning but sung in English at the chorus. Very interesting and it works. It is more a ballad with the piano and the clever drumming in the background but a cool guitar solo rips in the middle.

Track Listing:

1. All We Are
2. Three Minute Warning
3. I Rule the Ruins
4. Kiss of Death
5. Make Time for Love
6. East Meets West
7. Touch of Evil
8. Metal Tango
9. Cold, Cold, Cold
10. Fur Immer

Warlock

Doro Pesch- vocals

Niko Arvantis- guitar

Tommy Bolan- guitar

Tommy Henriksen- bass

Michael Eurich- drums

Additional Musicians:

Cozy Powell- guest drummer on “Touch of Evil”

Rudy Richman- guest drummer

Sterling Campbell- guest drummer

Unfortunately, “Triumph and Agony” would be the last album made under the name Warlock. By 1988, Doro was the only original member of the band and the band’s ex-manager would sue for the rights to the name. Thus the name Doro was born but that’s another story. Still, this was a great album for them to go out on.

Next post: Shok Paris- Steel and Starlight

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