WARMEN: THE GENUINE HOLDERS OF BODOM SOUND HERITAGE + HELL ON FOUR WHEELS REVIEW
- Jul 16, 2023
- 4 min read
It’s not a secret that earlier in 2023 a band named Warmen introduced the new band members and even announced the album release. Who would suggest that Warmen now has a great chance to gain even more listeners than ever before?
For those who are not familiar with the band, I’m gonna share some facts about then solo-project now band. Warmen was created as a solo-project of Children of Bodom’s keyboardist Janne Wirman. Warmen was mostly focused on self-made instrumental tracks that sometimes would feature a guest vocalist.
For more than 20 years of existence, Warmen released 4 albums. In 2023, the band announced the new full-length album “Here for None” (released on August 18th) that would feature new band members. Between Janne Wirman (keyboards) and his brother Antti Wirman (guitar), the vocals/guitars duties are now performed by Petri Lindroos (Norther, Ensiferum). The rhythm section of Warmen is taken under the control of Seppo Tarvainen (drums) and Jyri Helko (bass).
The collaboration between Norther and Children of Bodom was on the wishlist of close circles of melodeath fans, who must be triumphing over the two previously released singles from the upcoming Warmen album – “Warmen are Here for None” and the new banger under the title “Hell on Four Wheels”.
Today I would like to share my very own thoughts about “Hell on Four Wheels” that was released on July 14th. It has become the second single from the upcoming album “Here for None” after the tittle song “Warmen are Here for None” release.
“Hell on Four Wheels” intro draws a parallel to earlier COB stuff. I can hear the definite echoes of “I Worship Chaos”, “Hate Crew Deathroll” and other Children of Bodom songs. The guitars here are truly flourishing; they are setting up the main sound characteristics for the song with their first notes arriving. The solid sound they are creating is a reflection of pure death metal (soon to be garnished by melodics), and when it comes for Petri’s screams to join the madness, here it comes…
Since this year, Warmen has become the logical extension of the classic Children of Bodom sound. The uprising keys that are highlighting Petri’s prelude make me remember the intro of COB’s “Needled 24/7”. There, a similar mood was created by the same keyboard sound effect along with a strong opening vocal line featured. It explicates the power, spirit of rebellion and even some horror vibes as long as the keyboards went like the disturbing alarm.
The intense intro is collapsing into grandeur melodic death metal. It feels like ages since I last felt so excited and thrilled about a release. “Hell on Four Wheels” has everything I yearn for – my all-time favorite combination of keyboards and lead guitar led by rhythm section monsters – the darkest and deep bass and blast beats echoing in my heart. My inner world starts fluttering when I hear so enormous piece of music. I still notice close similarities with the structure of “Needled 24/7” – a deathless example of a perfect melodeath song. Although, the lead parts seem to have much in common with “Hate Me!”. It doesn’t really matter. On one hand, it’s useless to compare a relatively new song with the songs from a previous Janne Wirman’s band. In case such considerable similarity is presented here in Warmen, the conclusion of Janne being naturally attached to his genre can be made. He’s a master of melodics who is the driving force of the band.
It’s namely the lead part setting the tone for melodic death metal that Janne Wirman undoubtedly made special with his special approach to songwriting. Although the lead guitar part sounds technically advanced, it can still be easily recognized. Also, it features the same COB “party spirit” that was heard in classic Bodom songs.
When speaking about the verse that catches the harshness of the earlier part of the intro, I recall the basic Bodom verses that are set up the mechanism of extraordinary simplicity and technicality. A verse in such melodeath song is a great way to hang out playing heavy riffs and enjoying yourself. Here in Warmen, the appearance of keyboards is even greater as far as it’s the keys that make transitions between the song parts and inspire other instruments to follow.
The melody of keyboards rises and becomes more intense as it finds its release in the chorus. The chorus of “Hell on Four Wheels” is probably the most epic one I’ve heard this year (at least). Not only does it feature the best elements of the main lead part, but it also hooks the listener in with continuous power and development of lyrics following up the melody changes. The after-scream empowers the effect of the chorus even more and, what is more, we hear the choir’s backing vocals that are back. It was the essential element of Children of Bodom backing vocals performance, and it feels great that Janne decided to keep them in his band as well.
The leads are the heart of the song. Undoubtedly, the keyboards are taking over the song structure, and it’s absolutely fantastic to draw your attention to this instrument. The way the rough and heavy guitars support keyboards makes me remember Alexi and Janne duo that always put the smile on my face.
The transitions in the song structure, unbelievable keyboard-guitar solos and touching elements in “Hell on Four Wheels” create the atmosphere of an epic and powerful song joined the lists of best melodic death metal songs.
WARMEN “Here For None” Track List includes:
01- Warmen Are Here For None
02- The Driving Force
03- A World Of Pain
04- Too Much, Too Late
05- Night Terrors
06- Hell On Four Wheels
07- The End Of The Line
08- Death’s On Its Way
09- The Cold Unknown
10- Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
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