Warrior Soul - The Joint, London (UK) - 02 June 2019

This was the second of these private gigs thrown by Warrior Soul at the recording studio The Joint that I have attended (the first having been for the penultimate album 'Back On The Lash' last year). Tonight's guests were press and record company execs and the occasion was the release of the band's tenth studio album 'Rock 'n' Roll Disease', a veritable punch in the face and incredible as a release from a man who has been in this industry for so long.

The absolute truth is that Kory has not lost his fire in the belly. The fact that he played for well over two hours also spoke volumes that he still has the stamina of a man decades younger and still enjoys performing high energy Punk Hard Rock. The fact that everybody stayed to the end when we all had other things to go to also speaks volumes at the immense entertainment value and magnetic nature of the performance. Even then not everybody's favourite songs were played, such is the quantity of quality material in this bands history and still we were sorry that it had to finish at some point, long though it was. I half joked with his wife that next time they should have an after-party too.




While the band kicked off with new tracks 'Up The Dose' and 'Rock 'n' Roll Disease' and continued with tracks from the album before last 'American Idol' and 'Back On The Lash', it was a set that reflected the whole of the band's career, including the still appropriate 'Punk And Belligerent' which made an early appearance.

The informal nature of proceedings allowed Kory when he was unhappy with one element of the sound to down tools and take on the role of sound engineer, directing everyone to "drink heavily, I'll be back". While it was slightly strange to have such an interval it added to the feeling that we were private guests in an "at home" style party and such slightly eccentric behaviour was quaintly endearing. Indeed, he was good as his word and he was back with 'Bombs Away' and 'Generation Graveyard'. During 'Love Is A Drug' he sat down for dramatic effect. Pointing out he's been doing this for thirty-five years we were treated to 'Jump For Joy', the heavy riffs still blowing our minds.

At this point we started to go a bit off-piste. Despite complaints from Danish guitarist Dennis Post that suggestions were not on the set list, Kory with only slight consultation with others in the band proceeded to play what he fancied. To his credit Dennis caught up instantaneously when told the key. Kory even launched into songs suggested by the audience, announcing "I don't even know if I remember the words". Somehow everyone seemed to pull it out of the bag and the anarchic kind of crazy unpredictability only added to the experience. There was time for introductory anecdotes such as the time Kory was prevented from flying by Swedish policemen with Uzis for being too drunk in an airport. Kory feigned outrage when Christian Kimmet got too close to his centre stage spot and called off a song 'I've Got The Rock' to restart it with the drummer without asking Kory first. I must admit I wasn't sure the latter was necessary, but it all added to the fun.




On the home straight we got 'Salutations From The Ghetto Nation', a deliciously bluesy version of 'Losers' and finally 'Love Destruction', although Kory asked "didn't we already play that?" and the loud "no" from the audience showed that not only were they paying attention but they were gagging to hear that track. Apologizing that playing it so many times in the past he forgot, Kory was still raring to go as his wife, giving him meaningful stares, gently broke the news that we were out of time.

Charismatic and still striking, I only have to look at my photographs to appreciate the Rock star style Kory still possesses, which demands all the attention in the room wherever he goes. If you ever get an invite to one of these events for Gods sake go. A totally special and unforgettable experience. Get it while you can.

Review and photos by Dawn Osborne