Some people ask me why I write re-release reviews – I’m lying, no one asks me anything. I generally answer because it’s an opportunity to talk about a classic album. Well, in general, the re-releases are about classic albums, the ones that hit the spot and the ones that not so much. But, anyway, it’s an opportunity to reopen a discussion about albums we may have forgotten. Not really forgotten, but left behind.
Here we’ve got 2021’s Saber’s “Without Warning,” not really a classic due to the early age, but an album to be praised and remembered. I say it as someone that is hearing the band for the first time, but also, one who keeps tracks of many bands that play NWOBHM nowadays. Believe me, I had my fair share. First of all, when I put the album to play I immeadiately thought it was the real deal. The sound, the energy, the compositions, all of them features in the album told me I was with a band from the 1980s. But I was wrong, Saber are a relatively young band.
“Storm of Steel” has the pleasure of opening the album with all the energetic guitar riffs every song from the 1980’s deserves. The spirit of Old School Heavy Metal is here in the album. Insane guitar riffs with the wondrous voice of vocalist Steven Villa whose voice has a great reach. Guitar duo Joel Dominguez and Antonion Pettinato do everything they learned from the best. That includes lots of melody done in a very competent way mixing the required aggression Metal music needs. I liked very much the tones of the drums of Jesus Delgado. The dude really knows how to be fast with lots of technique. His drumming is one of the things that makes Saber’s music what it is. The precise and prominent bass David Sanchez closes the deal giving the exact heavyness songs need.
As a rising star of this new NWOBHM era of bands, Saber take the lead and teach a lesson on songwriting with the tittle track “Without Warning.” The band knows how to vary its instincts. It’s undeniable “Midnight Rider” has Judas Priest as main inspiration. It’s a track born to be loud as the lyrics say. Again vocalist Steven Villa showcases all his technique and talent. In a glimpse of some kind of deja vu I could somehow hear Runaway’s Cherry Curry singing the chorus. Ah, Metal music is such a wondrous thing. I’d add a highlight to the guitars on “Strike of the Witch” and “Outlaw” and the choruses.
It was good to know “Without Warning,” an album that I didn’t have the change to get know. Same with Saber.
Saber “Without Warning” will be re-released on February 07th via ROAR.
Track Listing:
1. Storm of Steel
2. Without Warning
3. Midnight Rider
4. Strike of the Witch
5. Outlaw
6. Leather Laced Lady
7. We’ll Meet Again
8. Speed Racer
Watch “Without Warning” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!