by Alexandra Mrozowska
– Sr. Columnist —
It seems to be only yesterday that the self-described “lady in a Rock n’Roll hell” – or the First Lady of the German Metal Doro Pesch debuted However, facts are that 2014 marked three decades since the world heard Warlock’s Burning The Witches, the anniversary celebrated by a special show at Wacken festival and two in Dusseldorf. Now Doro’s record label Nuclear Blast comes to the aid of those who neither managed to join the crowd of 85 thousand people gathered in Cologne nor participate in one of the two sold-out gigs in Doro’s hometown by the River Rhine. They become at least partially able to make up for lost time as a special collection of recordings captured throughout the aforesaid three-anniversary shows – entitled Strong And Proud – 30 Years Of Rock And Metal – sees the light of day.
The CD format narrows the recordings down to fourteen songs, the choice of the particular tracks as well as their sequence being certainly nonrandom. Strong And Proud – 30 Years Of Rock And Metal offers an insight into Doro’s catalog as well as her presumed musical preferences – an amalgam of solo tracks, Warlock songs and covers of Rock and Metal classics. And if this fact doesn’t seem to be tempting enough, be sure to check out the list of guest performers, featuring such names as Phil Campbell (Motörhead), Biff Byford (Saxon), Blaze Bayley (ex-Iron Maiden), Joakim Brodén (Sabaton), Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), Udo Dirkschneider or Uli Jon Roth.
Obviously, such a formula is nothing new for Doro and her fans, the majority of them having 2010 box set 25 Years In Rock… And Still Going Strong in their record collection. This fact, however, doesn’t make Strong And Proud repetitive. That is mainly because – similarly to its aforesaid 2010 counterpart – it’s not nostalgia-driven journey through more and less distant past of Doro. It’s a full-blown Metal show to be enjoyed both by a leather-clad crowd at the concert venue and the listener at home – hardly nostalgic at all.
The impression is even stronger with powerful renditions of more contemporary tracks as “On The Run”, “Raise Your Fist” or “Revenge”. Although – differently from their ‘80s counterparts – there’s hardly a “classic” or “cult” status attributed to them, they’re perfect additions to Doro’s live performances. The early period of her solo career is somewhat less emphasized on the album, revisited only by 1989 track “Save My Soul”. On the other hand, Strong And Proud offers a plenty of treats for die-hard Warlock fans. The classic years of the German ensemble are brought back with a total number of five tracks and contemporary edge to each of them, including “Für immer” dedicated to the memory of the late Ronnie James Dio.
Speaking of Doro’s heroes and rocker friends, the choice behind the live covers on the album is equal to the act of tearing the page out of Rock n’ Roll textbook. Even having recorded as many cover versions as Doro had throughout her career, there’s always a risk of the orthodox Iron Maiden or Dio fans finding her raspy voice unsuitable for “Fear Of The Dark” or “Egypt (The Chains Are On)”. But while there is something impeccable about such songs and always will be, the audience’s earsplitting roar towards the end of each and every cover also says a lot.
Out of all scenarios for an artist to celebrate their anniversary, the worst would have been to release another lackluster “greatest hits” compilation, packed tight with the same old studio recordings of songs all listeners know ad nauseam. What Doro chooses instead – not for the first time in her career and hopefully, not for the last – is to mark another important milestone by capturing the bombastic energy and rough edge to her live performance on record. She and her backing band blast through the contemporary songs and Warlock classics, adding a cover version here and there for the sake of variety. But beyond any anniversary connotation and its possible value as a collector’s item in years to come, Strong And Proud is simply a great, well-produced live album. It’s quite certain you’re going to enjoy it even if you haven’t been exactly a fan of this blonde-haired, raspy-voiced German songstress – and if you have, it won’t convince you otherwise anyway.
Genre: Heavy Metal
Band:
Doro Pesch – vocals
Bas Maas – guitars
Luca Princiotta – guitars
Nick Douglas – bass guitar
Johnny Dee – drums
Track List:
1. On The Run
2. Save My Soul
3. Raise Your Fist
4. Fear Of The Dark
5. Revenge
6. Earthshaker Rock
7. Without You
8. Rock ‘Till Death
9. Egypt (The Chains Are On)
10. Für Immer
11. Hellbound
12. Balls To The Wall
13. You’re My Family
14. All We Are
Label: Nuclear Blast
Website: www.doro.de – www.facebook.com/doropeschofficial
Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10
