Second Coming
The second Warrior Soul album to receive the re mastering treatment, 'Drugs, Gods and the New Republic' was originally released in 1991 and found Warrior Soul at their peak. Much heavier and with a fuller production behind it, the second album was vastly superior to the rather disjointed debut or the lacklustre albums that would follow.
The difference between this album and the debut ('Last Decade Dead Century') is quite simply that 'Drugs, Gods and the New Republic' rocks! From 'Interzone' onwards the difference is remarkable, the delivery is so much better, the vocals have real energy behind them and the guitar work is polished and right on the button. Everything that was missing on the first album makes an overdue appearance here, the title track alone (despite bearing a passing resemblence to Jane's Addiction) is just full of great dynamics, the big chorus, the gentle middle eight, the crunching guitar riff and some good harmonies, all previously AWOL are now present and correct.
There really isn't much let up, 'Rocket 88' ploughs along with yet more slick riffage, coupled with growling vocals and some simple but effective keyboards. 'Real Thing' pulls out another strutting riff, as does 'Man Must Live as One' and by this stage it's becoming clear that there are going to be no fillers here. The quality of the musicianship and the much improved production is highlighted on 'Hero' where the bass work in particular comes to the fore, something that never happened on 'Last Decade Dead Century'. The only similarity with that album is that they once again save some of the best moments until the end, final track 'Children of the Winter' has a great lilting riff and proceeds to move through a driven chorus and a solid guitar solo. The album finishes as strongly as it started and if this didn't plant Warrior Soul firmly on the map back in 1991 then it damn well should have!
The only downside is the bonus tracks, as with those on 'Last Decade Dead Century' they are poor bootleg quality audience recordings at best and if anything detract from the impact of the album.