Soldier – Dogs Of War.

Back in the day when the NWOBHM movement kicked off there was no internet easily available so I had to rely on music magazines like Sounds, Kerrang, Melody Maker, NME, Record Mirror etc. for information. So all i really knew about Soldier was their 45rpm single release Sheralee which caused a bit of a stir at the time but they never got to release an album before they split up in the early 80’s. Founder member and lead guitarist Ian Dick who formed Soldier in 1979 reformed the band with the original line up in 2002 and to use a pun, soldiered on to release an EP called Infantrycide in 2002,  finally releasing their long awaited debut full length album Sins Of The Warrior in 2005.

Following more personnel changes only Ian remains in the band from the original line up and in July 2013 Soldier’s 2nd studio album Dogs Of War was released on Starhaven Records, recorded in Rockingham Studios. There are 14 songs on Dogs Of War and with a running time of 60mins my initial thoughts were it maybe a bit too long but after one play i was proven wrong as every song has the feel of the glory days of NWOBHM but with a modern sheen. Dogs Of War literally kicks off with the title track and is a very strong opener to say the least with a killer chorus. It runs along with a tempo similar to Princess Of The Night by Saxon. It’s an anthem in the making and showcases the soaring, melodic voice of new singer Richard Frost.

I Can’t Breathe is next with a brash twin guitar intro that gives way to heavy riffage backed up by neat, melodic guitar lines with yet another big chorus. Dogs Of War is prime UK heavy metal but with a big slice of melody which is evident in Fireflies, a nice slice of heavy AOR. Other highlights are Lock N Load, another rifftastic number with a Thin Lizzy twin guitar break midway. My personal highlight of Dogs Of War follows, the epic, brooding heavy balladry of Bedlam. At just over 6mins long it rumbles towards a Children Of The Grave like midsection as the song ends in a lengthy twin guitar battle. Forever and No Mans Land are 2 numbers bolstered by Iron Maiden guitar lines, especially Forever with its Heaven Can Wait rhythms.

Dogs Of War finishes with 3 very different numbers. Track 12 is a re-working of Sheralee, a prime example of modern day recording as it sounds huge compared to the original with some intense guitar solos. Crash Course is a heavy chugging instrumental and album closer The Hanging Tree is very laid back, with a vibe like That’s The Way by Led Zeppelin,full of chiming acoustic guitar work. A fine way to close a very impressive album and I’m looking forward to hearing some of these songs live when Soldier play at Brofest #2 in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne between Feb.28th-March 2nd 2014!

 

Band line up for Dogs Of War :-

Richard Frost – Lead vocals.

Miles Goodman – Electric guitar.

Ian Dick – Electric/acoustic guitars.

Alex Smith – Drums.  (now replaced by Tim Churchman).

Steve Barlow – Bass guitar.  (now replaced by Dave Harrison).

 

Album track listing :

Dogs Of War.

I Cant Breathe.

Fireflies.

The Eye.

Lock N Load.

Bedlam.

Demon In The Room.

I Am.

Forever.

Take Me Home.

No Man’s Land.

Sheralee.

Crash Course.

The Hanging Tree.

 

 

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