Valkyrian Music

Doro
Raise Your Fist
Released: 19th October 2012
Metal
Released via Nuclear Blast

Since the beginning of her career, Doro has gone fought and won every battle in the metal scene, eventually gaining her the unofficial title of the Queen of Metal, as well as influencing several bands in the process. With a vast and extensive discography already under her belt, Raise Your Fist, which features the likes of Lemmy (Motorhead) and Gus G (Firewind), is the latest chapter in the German singer’s legendary career.

Raise Your Fist In The Air starts the album with a powerful sound and take no shit attitude. Belting out punchy riffs and domineering vocals, the track is unrelenting from beginning to end while Coldhearted Lover lashes out with a slow, more frozen sound (pun not intended). Unsurprisingly, Doro’s vocals adapt well to the lyrical change of sound, still belting out powerful vocal sections that are really emphasised by the guitar stylings of Bas and the subtle keyboards of Luca. Some of the lines that Doro belts out are more than memorable.

Rock Til Death thrashes about with the hard rockin’ party feel while still blasting out the hard-hitting sound that has become associated with Doro’s music. I’m left with mixed feelings about the ballad track It Still Hurts. While being an enchantingly performed piece, Lemmy’s vocals just don’t seem to sound right with the soft, emotive sound of the song om the first few listens but after a while, Lemmy’s vocals really do grow on you during this track. Moving on from the slower, softer sounds, Take No Prisoner bursts in, wielding around an old-fashioned, antagonised sound which will no doubt go down a treat with fans of NWOBHM bands such as Judas Priest. The use of sirens in the song add that a certain prison-break feel and mysticism to the song as well.

Grab the Bull (Last Man Standing), which features Gus G, carries on the aggressive tone of the previous track but at a slower pace – And it still packs more punch than a leather belt across the face. Gus’ part on the album throws in a crisp, clean bit of metal, contrasting well with the raw, callous sound of the song. Engel (German for “Angel”) has all the makings for an instant classic ballad, soothing and seductive vocals and a magical piano medley. The use of German lyrics add a touch of untamed power to the sound, echoing well throughout the song. The contrasting use of keyboards and guitars do a lot to enchanting the listener as well, throwing in a certain despair that add the emotion to the lyrics and really make the vocals stand out.

Freiheit (Human Rights) continues the use of German lyrics – The track overall requires a couple of listens before you can really appreciate the composition and beauty of the song though it may be a little soft for those that are wanting something heavier like Little Headbanger (Nackenbrecher) which unleashes a fury of guitars and violent drums topped with belting vocals and face-melting basslines. Doro’s vocals morph into something more furious sounding for Revenge, dancing well with the storming guitars and raging drums. It certainly is one of the stand-out tracks on the album, crashing back and forth like a vehement ocean.

Free My Heart is a drastic change in pace and sound from the previous song, calling back the docile elements while still echoing its own grand, majestic sound complete with with powerful, grandiose keyboards and vocals that really pack a good walloping. Victory sounds like a good ol’ fashioned anthem of victory, really displaying some of Doro’s vocal talents before the album ends with the acoustic whisperings of Hero, another powerful and emotive track that is a fitting tribute to the late, great Ronnie James Dio. The guitars and keyboards call out beautifully, reflecting the emotions in the lyrics while at the same time screaming out with an epic sound.

It’s not hard to deny Doro’s title as the Queen of Metal and by the sounds of Raise Your Fist, she’ll be holding onto her crown for a long time to come. The album is one to write about about, with some memorable anthems and more emotion invoking tracks, so get ready to Raise Your Fist!

4.8/5

Nico Davidson

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This entry was posted on 11th October 2012 at 6:19 pm and is filed under Review with tags Doro, Firewind, Gus G, Judas Priest, Lemmy, Motörhead, Nuclear Blast, Ronnie James Dio. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.