Warmen - First of the Five Elements (Reissue)

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Some musicians need to express their personal ideas on side projects to not become really depressed. Speaking the truth: it must be a kick in the balls to never have your compositions and own ideas used, isn’t it? Imagine such thing a band with a huge agenda of shows and tours. This is what WARMEN can be said on its past 9not now anymore), as this reissue of “First of the Five Elements” depicts. The name of Janne Warman will always be related to CHILDREN OF BODOM, for he spent more than 20 years with the band. And it can be said that he wanted to express his deeper and melodic ideas with WARMEN, a band with a more Finnish Power Metal approach, rich in melodies and hooks, good technical level (without boring exaggerations) with excellent rhythmic contrasts and charming choruses.

On this album (originally released on 2014 via crowdfunding through the platform PledgeMusic, which ceased operations shortly afterwards), the band hadn’t a fixed vocalist, so they had a helping hand of the guest friends Pasi Rantanen (of THUNDERSTONE) on tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11; Jonna Geagea (female vocals) on tracks 3 and 9, and Alexi Laiho (of CHILDREN OF BODOM and BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT, and who is gone now) on tracks 5 and 12. The sonority of “First of the Five Elements” works in a very good and smooth way, because everything sounds defined, clean in their due places, even keeping some organic elements. And by the way, the instrumental tunes that were chosen are really excellent.

On the songs, the musical work of the band really sounds solid and expressive, with many moments when the hearer becomes entangled by the songs’ appeal. But for those that aren’t introduced to the album, the better moments for an introduction are “The Race” (a crushing weight comes from its instrumental parts, a remarkable chorus is presented, and the vocals are really excellent), “The Red Letter” (a more tender, but yet heavy song, plenty of excellent melodies and with lovely female vocals contrasting with the brutal crush of the guitar riffs and arrangements), “Suck My Attitude” (a Power Metal song improved by very good harsh vocals, with excellent rhythmic parts of bass guitar and drums), “When Worlds Collide” (here the experimental use of some keyboards parts are fitting perfectly in the melodic sheath of the song), “First of the Five Elements” (in this instrumental song, the band shows a more technical approach, with elements usual to acts as SONATA ARCTICA and STRATOVARIUS, but in a very personal and Progressive way), and “Anger”. But the personal versions of the band for “Like a Virgin” (an old MADONNA song, here in the presence of stronger guitar parts) and “Man Behind the Mask” (of course everyone knows that it’s an old ALICE COOPER, here in a apotheosis of weight and aggressiveness) are really great.

As the band is preparing to release their new album, “First of the Five Elements” serves to tender the anxiety of the fans. But it will present the younger fans to WARMEN’s music as well.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 10
Memorability: 9
Production: 9