To me, the name WARHAG is kind of misleading and sounds more like a brutal death band than a melodic metal
Band. But no, this is classy metal that features Kurt Phillips of Witchkiller, a fact that the band does not use to
Promote themselves (for which I give them great respect). Anyway, this debut demo/EP seems to be a Preliminary release for a forthcoming full-length disc from this Canadian outfit. . .After a brief intro, opening cut “Rage of Angels” kicks in as an excellent melodic metal track in the vein of classic Maiden or Priest, with powerful vocals and guitars demanding immediate attention. . . “Into the Castle” is. . .a quietly infectious track with a medieval flavor and haunting female background vocals from bassist Joy Toyota-Phillips. Indeed, judicious use of her crystal-clear voice is a great addition to several of the tunes. The EP also includes a well-done “new” version of the Witchkiller classic “Day of the Saxons” [called “Saxons Return”], a track that won’t be on the full-length record. Overall, this is very good stuff and a very compromising beginning. The EP is limited to 500 copies, so interested metalheads should contact the band about availability.

Chris Kells
Heavy Metal Forces
5312 Fairmead Circle
Raleigh, NC 27613
USA



WARHAG belong to the category of the few bands that are able to compose classic heavy metal without sounding old and dull. Having their main influences to N.W.O.B.H.M. and especially to SAXON and IRON MAIDEN with their mini cd they are presenting us five classic heavy metal hymns plus one intro. The vocalist is amazing reminding me of the JAG PANZER singer, the huge Harry Conklin. Although I mentioned all the previous bands, don’t you ever get the idea that WARHAG copy, but they also add their personal style (the use of female vocals in some songs is very positive). One band that will quench the thirst of all the classic heavy metal headbangers. All the five songs of this mini cd are amazing (Allow me to say that they could become all time classics). You have nothing more to do than BUY OR DIE!

*9/10 Nick “William_Kidd” Parastatidis
BEHIND THE VEIL WEBZINE www.veilgr.cjb.net 



This Canadian band shows clearly how devoted they are to traditional and pure Heavy Metal. From the first song, ”Rage of Angels”, which is also a killer track, it is clearly proved that WARHAG love Heavy Metal in its purest form. The guitars are sounding like they were recorded in England, in the bright N.W.O.B.H.M. period, something wonderful for my ears, while the atmosphere is quite intense, with some acoustic parts to fill the sound and present a quite “eerie” image sometimes. “Into the Castle” and “Sinister Grip” can also be enjoyed by any fan that denies to listen to all those Nu-Metal stuff (when will this nightmare end???)! This mini-CD is limited to 500 copies, something that means that you should be fast on this one! Note also that there’s a cover of Witchkiller’s (Kurt Phillips, the guitarist of WARHAG was a member of Witchkiller!) “Day of the Saxons”, which is renamed by the band to”Saxon’s Return” and will not be featured in their forthcoming album.

Dimitris Starakis
Magic Starlight ‘Zine and Radioshow
Epimenidou Marouli 36
Gr-74 100 Rethymno Crete
Greece-Hellas


Warhag - "Sinister Grip" EP review - Russ Smith from Black Tears Distribution. www.blacktears.oskorei.net

With a name like Warhag I was not expecting the harmonious acoustic intro of "First Nation", nor the finely crafted set of memorable tunes that assailed me through this EP With a name like Warhag, I had expected some kind of furious thrash assault. So, shock over, what do Warhag dish up for the metal community? Well, the guitars are sweet and harmonious, never getting too intense to negate the mellow feel of the vocals, which come across like Chris Goss from Masters of Reality.

The closest they come to a full out metal attack is on "Saxon's Return", a reworking of the Witchkiller 80s classic "Day of the Saxons", which boils and bubbles like the original and punches a fist in the air with bravado. It is not surprising that this version has the vibe of the original, as guitarist Kurt Phillips used to be a member of the foresaid band.

Throughout the other songs you'll find plenty of superb guitar solos, some NWOBHM elements and some close harmony male/female choruses, especially on "Rage of Angels and "Into the Castle".

Warhag are very much in a traditional Metal vein, though with their own feel and identity. I can see many NWOBHM and early 80s Power Metal fanatics eating this up. All in all, a portentous offering for the upcoming full length release. Check it out.

Cool EP and good comeback. . .you remind me of N.W.O.B.H.M. a bit and some more rocking US Metal bands. Good beginning. The songwriting is awesome, the melodies are so haunting.

Sascha Maurer
www.metalprovider.com
www.sacred-metal.de


Tracks “Rage of Angels”, “Into the Castle” and, of course, “Saxon’s Return” are all excellent traditional power metal songs. . .[and] promise of great things.

Denis Gulby
Sentinel Steel
www.sentinelsteel.com


I did get the WARHAG CD. . .I enjoyed it. It was a lot less power metal, more melodic old school. . .which is fine with me.

Russ Smith
Black Tears Distribution
btears@aol.com
 

The material is killer! The Songs are KILLER and sometimes remind me of Warrior.

Holger Andrae
www.underground-empire.com
www.powermetal.de
Check out both these websites for an upcoming WARHAG interview!




The WARHAG CD screams and rips, the way true metal should be played. I play this CD every day (not lying). I love the song “Into the Castle”, I know all the lyrics to it already. Plus, bringing the Witchkiller song, [“Saxon’s Return] “Day of the Saxons” was brilliantly played by all themembers. I would have to say I am the biggest fan, and I will support the WARHAG movement till the end. If you guys need any help I will be there. U guys and Girl Keep the

Metal Health Alive!
Karl Blanchette


The CD is pretty good man!! First track is a smoker! Looking forward to the full length man!

King Fowley
Singer for “October 31”




I. . .like the songs very much, with my faves being “Rage of Angels” and “Into the Castle”. The songs, especially those two, are memorable and have great choruses. There is definitely a Witchkiller vibe in the songs, though still a bit different from Witchkiller. The lyrics don’t stray too far away from the lyrics of Witchkiller, which is cool. The singer does have an excellent voice. . .I would definitely like to hear more WARHAG songs as this demo has whetted my appetite.

Eric Stavinski
P.S. I totally agree with Laurent. ( See Snakepit Magazine #9 Review above)
The demo got better each time I listened to it. Actually, I still listen to it quite a bit. . .


I have received the mini CD already and I like it very much. I am missing a bit of the aggressivity from the original Witchkiller line up, but I like the singer very much. Looking forward to the full album!
Marc Sehland



WARHAG
Sinister Grip
(Self financed)
After their recent promising demo, Canada's WARHAG delivers here their first six track CD which features not so surprisingly all the demo tracks ("First Nations" an acoustic intro, "Rage Of Angels" a medium paced Heavy Metal track played the old way, "Into The Castle" a rather calm and ultra catchy track which succeeds in capturing the mood of the listener as it features a killer vocal performance from Kyle Skhörtche- I just wish the guitar sound could have a bit more of a sharp sound and "Sinister Grip" which brings you in to a dark and doomy Metallic journey which soon turns into a somewhat fast and ultra heavy number typical of the '80s- excellent!) and also two other tracks, "Mean Mouth", an annoying number which goes nowhere really (the only flaw of that release in fact) and a rendition of the legendary "Day Of The Saxons" from Kurt Philips old band, WITCHKILLER, retitled "Saxon's Return", an excellent new version which features a killer rhythm section courtesy of Joy Toyota and Kevin MacEnchern. Definitely an essential item for early '80s traditional H.M. lovers and proof that there's life after WITCHKILLER! Expect their first album soon but more on that later. You can get this CD for 10 US $ plus 4 US $ (inc. ship/handle). Make money orders payable to Kurt PhillipsNOT Warhag (DO NOT SEND CASH) at: 3745 Salloum Rd.- Kelowna B.C.- Canada V4T 1E4.

Laurent Ramadier

Yeah if you want put our web address: www.truemetal.org/snakepit/


WARHAG is Kurt Phillips’ new band and this five-song recording is their first effort. . .This stuff is simply excellent! Excellent melodic metal music all the way. The [CD] starts with “First Nations” as an instrumental melodic intro and “Rage of Angels” comes to your ears, a damn great melodic tune with excellent vocals courtesy of Kyle Sckorche; the chorus just kills! “Saxon’s Return” – this re-worked Witchkiller tune just blows away the original one which was mostly played by the last Witchkiller line-up. Forget the old lame version, here’s the real version! Then comes “Into the Castle” which starts with a riff as strong and as heavy as any old Witchkiller song, but it finally becomes another very melodic but very well-penned track! Once again the chorus is just excellent! It shows Kurt is not a
newcomer and that he knows where he wants to go in delivering such accessible yet not wimpy songs. The [CD] ends with “Sinister Grip” which starts also with a melodic feel, but in the middle of the song comes a heavy riff that totally reminds us of old Witchkiller with more great vocal lines. Well keep in mind that this band has not much in common with Kurt’s previous outfit, but WARHAG can please you as much if you’re looking for extremely well-penned melodic metal.
Laurent Ramadier
Snakepit Magazine #9 2001

P.S. I totally agree with Laurent. The demo got better each time
I listened to it. Actually, I still listen to it quite a bit. . .
Eric Stavinski