I am pretty sure that this is the correct title, and that it is a double disc set, but it was sent to me to download as two separate albums, with different but related covers, with one called ‘Forever Warriors’ and other ‘Forever United’. It is now 35 years since her live debut, which is one reason why this has been released as a special set, and while I have 19 songs apparently there are another 6 available as a bonus. As it is, this is already pretty special, in no small part because she has brought in former Warlock guitarist Tommy Bolan, who also contributed to the highly acclaimed album ‘Triumph And Agony’ in 1987. On “If I Can’t Have You, No One Will” she duets with Amon Amarth bellower Johan Hegg, and I think it is quite safe to say that at points he was well outside his comfort zone!

Songs such as “All For Metal” are going to be new anthems, while “Bastardos” shows that she has lost none of her venom. It is apparent quite quickly that this is quite possibly the strongest set she has released since the very early Warlock days, as the passion and hunger is back while the vitality and presence of her live performances has been captured in the studio. There is a cover, on here, and one that does need calling out as it is quite superb. That cover is a slightly speeded-up “Don’t Break My Heart Again”, and she has taken the mantle from Coverdale as Doro has brought her voice to bear and this song is now very much hers. Fans of Doro are going to flock to this (I note it hit #4 on the German charts), while this will also bring in those who have no inkling of what she has been doing for so many years. Here is yet another metalhead who is refusing to rest on her laurels and instead is releasing some of the finest music of her career. Superb.

Rating: 8/10


https://www.doro.de/
https://www.nuclearblast.de/en/