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artist: Sandstorm
title: Desert Warrior
year: 2021
genre: Heavy Metal
type: EP
label: Independent
language: English
rel. date: 2021-02-26
source: WEB/MP3
quality: CBR 320kbps / 44.1 kHz / Joint Stereo
runtime: 00:21:00
size: 48.1 MiB / 4 tracks
rip date: 2026-07-14
source url: https://open.qobuz.com/album/nr8j720sfswpb
tracklist:
01. Desert Warrior 5:20
02. Eat Me Alive 4:40
03. Evil Wins 5:35
04. Power of the Pyramids 5:25
release notes:
It was but the spring of 2020 when DYING VICTIMS unleashed SANDSTORM's
debut album, Time to Strike, onto the worldwide metal scene. Prior to
that, the Vancouver-based band had self-released the album in early 2019,
and while the initial run sold out quickly, it remained a diamond in the
rough. But indeed, diamonds shine regardless, and soon enough did Time to
Strike's gleam reach all corners of the globe: here was glorious (and
gloriously scrappy) pre-speed/thrash HEAVY METAL in the literally
ancient, sword-wielding style so favored in the early '80s, rendered in
such authentic (and authentically over-the-top) style, you'd be forgiven
for thinking that this was some unearthed relic from the era. Word
spread, and rightly, that SANDSTORM were the Real Deal.
And now, with the imminent release of Desert Warrior, SANDSTORM prove
loudly that they are the REAL fucking DEAL! A swift-yet-generous record
at 21 minutes, the four songs comprising Desert Warrior are thematically
unified by classic late '60s / early '70s sci-fi tropes, and the
power-trio suitably keep the focus squarely on riffs and atmosphere.
Those riffs retain the same feeling as the full-length predecessor -
nothing overdriven, everything moving at a hot-rockin' pace - and where
medieval magick ran riot across a strongly rock 'n' roll backbone, here
do SANDSTORM evoke a strong sense of the epic and tragic. That Desert
Warrior's atmosphere is noticeably more moody takes nothing away from the
metallic heights they reach; if anything, one could liken the mini-album
to ghostly NWOBHM bordering on lonerist AOR, but still with a propensity
to kick out the jams when needed. For proof, see the aptly titled "Evil
Wins" and note the specter of Mercyful Fate floating nearby. Plus, the
band aren't monikered SANDSTORM for nothing: it was about damn time they
did a record called Desert Warrior and made a musical mini-movie of
sorts!
Still obscure and old-school as ever, SANDSTORM etch out an even more
undeniable identity with Desert Warrior. Will you enter the wasteland
with them?