WARFARE
A Conflict Of Hatred
(Dissonance Productions)
39:51min

WARFARE is an old and underrated Speed Metal band from the North of England. They were formed in 1982 by Paul "Evo" Evans (drums and vocals) with the intent to play a raw mixture of dirty Punk / Rock and British Heavy Metal. That’s how WARFARE sounded in their early years and it’s what they do still play nowadays. Take the rawest bands from the NWOBHM, acts such as VENOM, MOTÖRHEAD and TANK, then mix them with the dirtiest names from the Street Punk and UK ‘82 scene (CHARGED G.B.H., DISCHARGE, early THE EXPLOITED and THE VARUKERS). “A Conflict Of Hatred” is their fourth full length album, originally released in 1988 and recently reissued by the British label Dissonance Productions. This is a very enjoyable album: 11 tracks for almost 40 minutes of violent and filthy old school Speed Metal. This is a real boon for headbangers with many catchy riffs and a nonstop D-Beat drumming. The production is noisy, harsh and has a very strong British feel with an ultra rough guitar distortion in the vein of the second wave Punk and early VENOM. The lyrics deal with war, horror, violence and anarchy. Evo’s vocals are one of the highlights of “A Conflict Of Hatred”: a raucous mix between Cronos and Dan Beehler from EXCITER. Ok, this is not a piece of technical virtuosity nor a polished release for refined ears. On the contrary, this is loud, fast and brutal Speed Metal, the way it should be played. Yes, if you’re into the rawest Metal / Punk sound from the ‘80s, this band is addicting (what I personally find really fascinating about this particular WARFARE album is the fact that not even the occasional use of a saxophone did hurt the band’s gruff material in any way – Frank). Last but not least, in 1985 WARFARE had the chance to open for METALLICA at the Hammersmith Odeon, but, since the management asked them to pay, the band rioted in protest, played in the parking lot and vandalized the whole area. In conclusion: pay to play sucks, WARFARE rules! More information at: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010703193337, label contact: www.dissonanceproductions.co.uk

Rick Peart

Rick Peart

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