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WAR CLOUD State Of Shock Review and Interview


Bombs away! War Cloud is a Bay Area thrash band who honor guitar-driven speed metal licks. Their new album State Of Shock is very much 1983 meets 1914, with eight tracks of old school denim and leather vest worship, and lyrics pertaining aviation and warfare. 

Warcloud photo by Bambie Guthrie
2019 has seen its share of great throwback records spanning genres. The past is alive, and nostalgia is one hell of a drug. Some hit the mark better than others. War Cloud's latest is a direct hit on the mark of vintage Kill 'Em All flavor, with traces of Iron Maiden melodic leads and Mötörhead's punk stylings. Vocalist and guitarist Alex Wein produces a pitch perfect replication of early James Hetfield. The opening track "Striker" sounds nearly identical to Metallica's "Whiplash" in some parts, with their own musical detours along the way.

My main criticism of this work is its tendency to tread familiar territory. As a big fan of these classic metal inspirations, I'm not complaining. But I'm also one to appreciate bands who  find creative ways to branch off from this lineage into their own signature sound. War Cloud still has room to grow still in the originality department.

War Cloud's recent addition of guitarist Nick Burkes, who also shreds in the genre-blending act known as Stonecutters, might be a step toward a more innovative direction.

Overall, War Cloud's State Of Shock is an excellent tribute to the early eighties metal sound. For those who are yearning for something old school, but don't feel like listening to Kill 'Em All for the umpteenth time, this is just what the doctor ordered.

Here's an interview I conducted with Warcloud's Alex Wein over email.
Hell-O War Cloud. How has the tour been? 
Tour has been killer, Rockin’ and rulin’! We are currently on our way to the Netherlands. 

I really dug State of Shock for how old school it sounded. Vintage Kill Em All vibes and almost identical vocals to a young Jaymz. What was the creative process like for this new album? 
After our first record came out we were back to writing. These songs didn’t come easy. I put a lot of pressure on myself to make sure it was higher further faster then the last. We’ve been touring a lot too so some songs were written in the van. 

How do you describe War Cloud in your own words?
70’s hard rock meets early 80’s metal. Denim and leather. Aviation and war. 

What's your favorite song from the new album, and why? 
Means Of Your Defeat because of that supercharged opening riff. 

Tell me about one of your most cherished concert memories?
Our first night of this European tour was an open air biker fest on Lake Como outside of Milan, Italy. We played to about five thousand heads and our set closed with a firework display.

Do you have a favorite underground band to show people, that you know will blow their minds?
To be honest I’m a huge country fan. Ronnie Milsap, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Joe Shaver, Keith Whitley, and all the Outlaws and Highwaymen are part of my daily listening. 

Tell me about the first record to give you a throbbing heavy metal hard on? 
Kill 'Em All made my balls drop, then I picked up a guitar. Of course Saxon, Mötörhead, Maiden and Priest were right behind. 

You recently welcomed Nick from Stonecutters to your band. How did this dangerous meeting come to be?
His girlfriend Bambi, introduced us. I met Bambi when we were on a Midwest tour, she photographed us in Detroit, then next tour jumped in our van and we hit it off. A series of events led to us needing a new git-man, and I knew of Nick through the internet and asked her for an introduction. A couple phone conversations later and he’s rehearsing with us in Oakland. We are very stoked to have Nick in our platoon. 

What else is on the horizon to be excited about? 
After this Euro tour we have a week off until we are back in the studio for a future release to be announced next year along with a west coast tour with Stonecutters in November. 

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