Warkings – Armageddon
Warkings – Armageddon
Napalm Records
Release Date: 04/07/2025
Review by Laura Barnes
8/10
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the differences between high culture and low culture. It’s a distinction that has never quite made sense to me. I have found myself equally moved by X-Men comics and Dostoyevsky novels, and I believe that The Simpsons contains some of the most astute cultural commentary of our times. In my opinion, no pleasure is a guilty pleasure, but there are many metalheads out there that would consider Viking Metal (and other associated Power Metal sub-subgenres – see ‘Pirate Metal’, ‘Samurai Metal’, and ‘Pagan Metal’) to be one of theirs. While Warkings (I keep reading this wrong and I am still giggling like a schoolgirl. Sorry, not sorry – Dark Juan) aren’t strictly Viking-themed, their proclivity for writing catchy bangers about bloody battles and big ass swords means that they will probably fall under that moniker in various points of their life. The cool thing about Warkings, though, is they are 100% committed to the bit. Rather than including an official line-up, their press release describes them as ‘The Spartan’ and ‘The Tribune’, etcetera. Likewise, their music demonstrates an equal amount of dedication – they don’t just slap on a melodic chorus over the Bayeux Tapestry and call it a day. In “Armageddon”, we have a collection of battle ready anthems that go down easy and get your blood pumping.
Despite wearing the moniker of ‘The Tribune’, the voice that greets you in the opening verse of title track ‘Armageddon’ will be a familiar one for many. It is unmistakably the voice of Georg Neuhauser, of Serenity and Fallen Sanctuary fame. Man, does this guy ever take a break? Apparently not, but it doesn’t seem like he needs one. As always, Neuhauser sings his heart out – he soars through the melodic choruses of tracks like ‘Kingdom Come’ and ‘Nightfall’ like the professional he is. This time, however, Neusauser has some help. The band have enlisted Morgana le Fay (a.k.a Secil Sen, of Melodic Death Metal band Thwart) to join them on their quest, and they are giving her a warm and glorious welcome. Her growls give Warkings a much needed fierceness that differentiates them from Neuhauser’s other bands, and her leads on tracks like ‘Circle of Witches’ are reminiscent of NWOBHM in the best possible way.
What strikes me the most about this album is just how great of a live experience it would make. I long to hear ‘Kings of Ragnorok’ and ‘Hangman’s Night’ played in a dark room, with beer in my belly and joy in my heart. With meaty riffs and sing-a-long choruses, Warkings keep things simple but slick. There are a few well worn Power Metal cliches in here, to be sure – do we really need another song about Ghengis Khan, guys? – but I’m having way too much fun to care.
Think about this for a second: when do people enjoy their guilty pleasures? When do people eat cake and dance to ABBA? They do it at parties, on birthdays, at their weddings; they do it on some of the best days of their lives. It’s rare, as an adult, to get the opportunity to play and be silly, but I believe that Power Metal creates a space for adults to play pretend. When Warkings come to town, meet me in the pit – I’ll be the Viking, you can be the Spartan.
TRACKLISTING:
01. To Lindisfarne
02. Armageddon
03. Ghenghis Khan (ft. Orden Ogan)
04. Kingdom Come
05. Morgana’s Incantation
06. Circle of Witches
07. Kings of Ragnarok
08. Call To Arms
09. Troops of Immortality
10. Nightfall
11. Hangmen’s Night (ft. Dominum)
12. Varanasi
13. Here Comes The Rain
14. Stahl auf Stahl (ft. Subway To Sally)
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Laura Barnes and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.