Skrewdriver, Warlord, LP, green vinyl

Available officially and legally on the original label for the first time in 36 years!

Released in 1989 on Herbert Egoldt's Cologne-based Rock-O-Rama Records label, the album ‘Warlord’ marked an idiosyncratic milestone in the Skrewdriver discography. The sixth Skrewdriver studio album was recorded by Mac (guitar), Merv Shields (bass), John Burnley (drums) and, of course, Ian Stuart (vocals + guitar). Musically, the band was influenced by the epic heaviness of American heavy metal greats such as Manowar. For the choir vocals, Ian Stuart brought in additional voices with Ken McLellan (Brutal Attack) and Paul Burnley (No Remorse) on board, or rather into the recording studio.

Recorded at Bunker Croydon (London), the production fell somewhat short of the three previous Skrewdriver albums (‘After The Fire’, ‘White Rider’ and ‘Blood & Honour’) – the sound is rawer, less polished. It is precisely this edgy touch that makes ‘Warlord’ a special piece in the collection for some today, while other fans criticise its lack of brilliance.

The cover, designed by a Swedish fan named ‘Hasse,’ depicts a Viking warrior (‘Norseman’) and a World War II tank – presumably a German Panther, albeit with technical inaccuracies. In terms of content, ‘Warlord’ covers familiar ground: historical allusions, martial symbolism and themes influenced by both historical and current political developments of the time. This mixture of provocative lyrics, catchy rhythms and heavy guitar riffs is typical of the band's musical direction in the late 1980s. A little anecdote on the side: the song ‘Glory’ celebrates Skrewdriver's first concert in Germany. Ian Stuart and his men performed in front of over 1,000 skinheads in the small town of Nieheim (North Rhine-Westphalia) on 17 June 1989. Those who witnessed this event and are still alive today enjoy a similar reverential status among the younger generation of the scene as grandpa used to have when he talked about the war. :-)

Almost 40 years after its initial release, Rock-O-Rama Records is now bringing ‘Warlord’ back into the arena of patriotic rock music as a limited edition of 499 green vinyl copies. This edition is a must-have for collectors: sought-after, high-quality pressing, rare and featuring all songs! However, two songs had to be adapted to the current legal situation in Germany with minimal changes.

• Strictly limited to 499 units
• Hand-numbered
• Digitally remastered (vinyl mastering)
• Available exclusively on green 12-inch vinyl
• Completely restored cover and back cover design
• 12 songs with a playing time of just under 41 minutes

Get your hands on the original pressing from Rock-O-Rama Records now.