1967/ 1976
Difficult for me not love Warlord, one of my all time and genres band, sure one of the Proto Prog Metal bands as Rush, Saga, B.O.C., Deep Purple, Wishbone Ash, Cacophony or Rainbow.
If you know the story Warlord isn't a true band because Warlord was born for a game (If you allow me to use this term) and the correct genre is Rock with tons of high volume. But, for a correct read, Warlord plays pure essence of Heavy Metal... or maybe of music. Strange that only Mark Zonder he continued his musical career after the Warlord, becoming a member of the Prog Metal masterpieces Fates Warning. "Best Of Warlord" is, without reservation, a great compilation: the open door for Warlord world, a medieval world in Heavy Metal.
In general Power Metal and Middle Age are associated. With Warlord or Rainbow kings and castles are materialize before our eyes. With this perception the music of Warlord is a new Spring after a gray and snowy Winter. I'm a White King and you are Black Knight. But I win the duel! This is my description of Warlord's music.
In truth Warlord plays Rock, however. The problem is this, for me. if Warlord was born in first half of 70's Warlord was the best Progressive Rock band. Warlord, unfortunately was born in first half of 80's and for this fact Warlord wasn't associated with Progressive Rock or Progressive Metal. Of course... This isn't a Problem, sometimes the categories exist only on paper. Because Cream of Hendrix are only Blues Rock/ Progressive Blues or Psychedelic Rock but in truth they invent Prog Rock, Hard Rock, Jazz Rock... In good substance Hendrix, Cream or Warlord are only Rock artists or acts.
In musical vision I have this perception. Song for song this is my sentence. I must say that my perception is reinforced. "Penny For A poor Man" is only a pure Classic Rock song, not distance from Rainbow or Wishbone Ash as "Winter Tears" is a song similar to Manowar (as "Lucifer Hammer"). "Lost And Lonely Days" for me with an adequate arrangement would be a perfect Soul Rock song for an immaginary Stax Records band. and "Black Mass" for me is a perfect song for Black Sabbath or B.O.C.!
The sound is artificial? For me this is a peculiarity of Warlord and not a defect. This increases the appeal of the music of Warlord!
In definitive: If you love first full Heavy Metal, Warlord is another band for you!