Category Archives: WARHORSE
WARHORSE – Red Sea
Red Sea, Warhorse’s second album, would appear in early 1972, and shows few of the wounds that its rushed completion must have inflicted…The band’s songwriting was, if anything, even tighter than it had been the first time around. Again the Deep Purple comparisons are valid, but again, too, Warhorse’s own unique identity is stamped across the record…
…for anybody looking to broaden their Metal horizons a little with a classy vintage act whose name isn’t splashed across a few million denim jackets, Warhorse and Red Sea are ready for you…
Dave Thompson, “Goldmine” 26.2.99
It is a bit more progressive, in stylistic terms, than its predecessor but retains every ounce of heaviness. For the best evidence of this just take a listen to “Back In Time” which includes yet another one of Ashley Holt’s patented pre-metal screams.
“On The Record” Music America magazine
In many ways the music is just as innovative and forward looking as other bands with a similar approach from that era, such as Purple and Black sabbath…it is actually very pleasant listening and would appeal to fans who still enjoy those bands’ music from that era…
Bernard Law, Wondrous Stories (November 1999)
This medium hard rock UK quintet…reminds of a late sixties raw American style rare Earth/Guess Who/Band/Lemon Pipers via the soulful lead vocals but also with splashes of thee early ’70s Uk progressive hard rock scene a.k.a Deep Purple/Jethro Tull/Caravan via the backing…certainly worthy of investigation… there is a certain freshness here that other progressive classics of the time have lost…Highly recommended.
Zabadak
…Nothing fancy, just no-nonsense guitar-driven numbers…bolsted by a string of bonus tracks.
Hartlepool Mail (February 2000)
…an ultimate hard rock group…with exciting, vibrating instrumental-approach with lots of keyboards and full-hearted vocals.
Psychedelic, No.9 (December 2001)
Warhorse’s music is very close to the music that Deep Purple created…with guitar-and-organ-driven heavy rock.
Greger Rinnqvist
If you’re a fan of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath or Uriah Heep, you need to hear Warhorse. This reissue is a gift to all fans of early hard rock, done English Style. Done right
www.classicrockmusicblog.com (February 2009)
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WARHORSE – Warhorse
…in November 1970, a new album came along that you just knew was destined to fulfill every last vertiginous criteria for which Vertigo was renowned. It was by Warhorse, and boy, it was heavy!
The fun faded in on neoclassical Hammond organ, a dark lilt that sounded as though it was recorded from an immense distance – so immense that when the rest of the band burst in, just under a minute into the melody, even the phonograph needle jumped in shock…
The connection to the Purple family tree remains most people’s immediate introduction to Warhorse today…contemporary reviews would most commonly compare Warhorse to labelmates Black Sabbath. In fact modern ears will discern more resemblance to (Nick) Simper’s old buddies in Deep Purple…almost everything that Purple would accomplish on 1971′s Fireball and beyond was already in place in 1970, courtesy of Warhorse…
Dave Thompson, “Goldmine” 26.2.99
Angel Air continue to release material by ‘obscure’ artists, all superby packaged with extensive sleevenotes explaining what great controbutions these acts have made to rock history…The surprising aspect of this release is that the music is rather good.
Warhorse’s debut LP mixed lots of Hammond organ and drum rolls with both rough and operatic vocals Five bonus tracks (four live) and copious sleevenotes from Simper complete the package. ‘Red Sea’ continued the formula, with plenty of fuzz guitar anfd keys, plus a more melodic approach than some of their contemporaries. Yet more unreleased live and demo tracks are again included…it’s easy to see why these original LPs have such a hefty price-tag.
Joe Gleesin, Record Collector (January 2000)
In a brief, four-year existence, they released two albums imbued with a zestful spirit of the age, yet also ahead of their time. The self-titled debut (originally released in 1970) is especially impressive, showcasing some monumental strokes of near genius, while there’s enough fire and passion on “Red Sea” (1972) to suggest their demise was premature.
Both albums have bonus tracks and are worthy of a place in any Classic Rock reader’s collection.
Malcolm Dome, Classic Rock (January 2000)
…Not only for nostalgic value or family tree ties, these albums would, and should, sit next to your Purple collection, excellent stuff, and once again thanks to Angel Air
SC Rocks(April 2000)
Contained on this, the group’s debut and neonate form, are every snarl, swagger and pose of the hard rock generation and it is time that the rock and roll history books recognize such facts…There are ample liner notes and photos that serve as a guide through the life and times of the group…The history is great but the music is what makes this an absolutely essential addition to your collection.
“On The Record” Music America magazine
The music is early 70′s heavy rock with acid guitar work mixed with lots of Hammond organ…The album is as good as the early Deep Purple albums and should be a part of any Classic Rock and Deep Purple fan. This is essential stuff.
Greger Rinnqvist
A period piece, redolent of rock of the day, with those last demos and a live track amongst six bonuses, this is an enjoyable and nostalgic canter back to hard rock heyday. ***½
Peter Muir www.getreadytorock.com (November 2006)
Posted in WARHORSE, Warhorse
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