Search - Warhorse :: Warhorse

The Warhorse Wagon

P.S. | Japan | 09/03/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The liner notes credit Warhorse with talent and innovation, saying they were among the Heavy Rock bands of the early seventies and worthy of some credit. When the first album was released under the Vertigo label, the band found themselves being compared to Black Sabbath, also on Vertigo. Heavy guitar aside, however, Warhorse sound nothing like Black Sabbath. As the notes point out, Warhorse had a Hammond organ. In fact, if you want comparisons to contemporary heavy bands of the early seventies I would say look no further than Uriah Heep. There are several instances on this album the Warhorse sound very similar to the Heep, and during one track I couldn't help but think of Vanilla Fudge's album "Renaissance".



Two main differences, however, would be guitarist Ged Peck's playing style, which sounds very much as though he graduated from the Ritchie Blackmore School Of Guitar. The resemblance to Blackmore's style and sound is notable on at least three tracks, especially on "Ritual", which has a guitar solo and rhythm quite similar to Deep Purple's "Wring That Neck" (almost a direct rip-off in one part). It should come as no surprise then to find DP's original bass player, Nick Simper, as the leader of the Warhorse group. Perhaps he just had to have a Blackmore-esque guitarist along with a Hammond organ. The other distinguishable sound of Warhorse is the vocal effort of Ashley Holt. A guy who can scream out notes when he wants to, Ashley Holt has a distinct voice, though not always in a favourable way. On "No Chance" he sounds more like he's half reading, half singing in a bored tone. The lyrics sound equally boring. Ashley Holt generally does not have an exciting voice in my opinion, though when he gets going, as in "St. Louise", he can let it rip.



The album starts off a bit slow, meaning it doesn't seem to do anything exciting or interesting until the third track, "Burning", and then does alright for the next three tracks. My personal favourite is the final track "Woman of the Devil", which actually does sound a little like Sabbath near the beginning. The liner notes suggest the band's lack of success can be blamed on poor timing with record deals and internal problems but to me they just don't sound as exciting as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple or Uriah Heep."

Obscure Heavy Seventies Classic!

Chris Toler | Massachusetts, USA | 10/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A very "PURPLE" album due to the Jon Lord-style, Hammond organ, the Gillan-esque wails of vocalist Ashley Holt, and the presence of former DP bassist, Nick Simper.

Great disc!"

A pleasant war

B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 10/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Warhorse is a really good hard rock band from the early 70's. Some of the guitar soloing reminds me of Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath, while the bluesy solos sound a bit like Ritchie Blackmore.



I think the lead singer is like the guy from the Texas rock band, Bloodrock, who released their first album in 1970 as well. Sometimes he comes off kind of obnoxious, like in "Ritual" where it's REALLY hard getting into those vocals the first time you hear them. With some time and patience however, it all seems to click.



"Vulture Blood" is just a really good heavy rock song with a speedy guitar riff and fast vocals. Good stuff. "Burning" should have been a classic because the vocals are really spectacular, the organ work is just brilliant, and the guitar solos are comparable to Deep Purple (and that's a compliment!)



Overall, just quality hard rock from the early 70's."