Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Warchild - Preaching To The Converted - 2004 - Self Released

Track Listing1. Life Goes On 2. Nothing To Share 3. Burning Fire 4. The Preacher 5. Son Of The Lies 6. The Dead Zone 7. Theatre Of Pain

It is really a strange concept to hear an Italian band that isn't completely absorbed in keyboards and dragons. Warchild, a young group of Italians, emerges on my section of metal mainstreet in the form of "Preaching To The Converted", a choppy, leather clad piece that combines on the Teutonic heaviness of Germany's street lethal with the progressive elements made famous by Fate's Warning's earlier efforts. This EP actually marks the band's second effort to date, the first being a small release in 2001 called "Theatre Of Pain". Since then Warchild have pretty much become a new band, fronted by brand new singer Francesco Luiso. In all regards Warchild are going to please the average power metal fan. That is the easy part, but for the band I would imagine their goals are to win over the other crowds with their progressive elements.

With strong, fast cuts like "Life Goes On" and "The Preacher" bands like Brainstorm and Warhead come to mind with that faster, upbeat fury found with those particular Germans. Other fast tracks like "Nothing To Share" keeps a mindset closer to Running Wild's catalogue, with those fast twin guitar gallops and the epic chorus structure. Where things get a little more complicated is when the material slows to a crawl, with some mature song structures and songwriting. Choices like "Burning Fire" go a bit more complex with some slower elements mixed in. But for the most part this record just stays right on track, delivering a wallop of a good time with speedy, quick punches from the power metal way of fighting.

And while many may complain of the album's production values, very little negative jeers can be associated with this material. No, by leaps and bounds Warchild really stray from the garage days, instead hellbent on discovering an audience through hard work and perseverence. Thus "Preaching To The Converted" is a small time hit, a pulpit preaching son of a gun that will soon boast a large converted congregation.

Favorite Cuts - The Dead Zone, Theatre Of Pain, Life Goes On


--EC 08.20.05