Warhorse:
Paul Di´Anno – Vocals
Hrvoje Madiraca- guitars
Ante Pupačić Pupi – Guitars
The core of this band and its founders are Paul Di’Anno, vocals, Hrvoje Madiraca, guitar and Ante Pupačić Pupi, guitar.
Paul Andrews, a British singer better known by his stage name Paul Di’Anno, began his nearly half-century-long career explosively with Iron Maiden, with the EP ‘The Soundhouse Tapes’, and the albums ‘Iron Maiden’ and ‘Killers ‘forever cemented the foundations of the new wave of British heavy metal. With timeless hits like ‘Iron Maiden’, ‘Remember Tomorrow’, ‘Running Free’, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Killers’, ‘Wratchild’, Murders in the Rue Morgue’, ‘Purgatory’, etc., they influenced numerous musicians and bands and were responsible for the creation or development of many subgenres in metal music.
Paul Di’Anno is known as a vocalist who has a huge number of albums and other releases behind him, either as a solo artist or a member of bands such as Gogmagog, Di’Anno’s Battlezone, Praying Mantis, Killers, Rockfellas, Architects of Chaoz or Warhorse. In all his incarnations, Paul always knew how to find a way to the fans, with numerous hits and uncompromising singing, which is confirmed by his successful career and furious live shows around the world.

On to the review: I have to admit here and now that I was never much of an Iron Maiden fan, but that is not compulsory! I was a little unsure of what to expect with this one, as it has been a decade since DiAnno released an album. However, I have been dipping into a great book recently called Iron Maiden-The Paul DiAnno Years. At £50- it wasn’t cheap, but it is really well written and has great pictures of the early years. It also places Di’Anno’s “debaunched” and drug-fueled period lifestyle at the time behind his firing from the band. This is echoed in Di’Anno’s autobiography, “The Beast,” which is a far from comfortable read. The way that he was with women while on drugs was a difficult read for me, and I know that honesty was great, but as a woman myself, the read was unpleasant. Violence, drugs and groupies are in abundance. I was hesitant when Benny asked me to review this as a consequence. Remember, we are a Christian group of music lovers here at the magazine; that is a caveat to what we do. I have a very high level of tolerance on the whole; groupies are largely neither here nor there for me, but violence against women is something I really do draw the line on. To answer the question, why did I read it then? I write and live for music, and I believe you look at something and make your own mind up first where possible.
So, although I am currently on my holidays, doing the art galleries and cities of Northern Spain, this one appearing in my inbox was one I was unsure over whether I wanted to cover. However, I do appreciate Di’Anno’s vocals on the early two Maiden albums, so I decided to opt for some last night listening and a review. And anyone who reads my reviews here (or Lorraine’s) knows we cover music that we are happy to recommend to listeners; but we are always open and honest with you.

On to the album: 10 songs, standing at just over 37 minutes, so it brings in the tracks fast, short and hard.
Paul DiAnno’s Warhorse, with Madiraca and Pupi.
Tracklisting:
Warhorse” (A. P. Pupi, H. Madiraca) gets the show on the road. We have a great opening, horses, fast guitars, pumping fists and some slick melodies in the mix.
“Get Get Ready” (H. Madiraca, A. P. Pupi) keeps the music pumping and the heads shaking. I’m listening to this in my hotel room late at night, headphones on and my little one is asleep. This track is all about the thunder and lightning raging and asks if I’m ready to rock. I’m actually more ready for an iced coffee and a turn-up of the air conditioning, but the sheer enthusiasm of these rockers is infectious! The hotel room may well see the floor shake. The track reminded me of Saxon.
“Go” (A. P. Pupi, H. Madiraca) presents a deeper shade of darkness. Di’Anno delivers a strong vocal performance, giving it his all. Not sure if the track breaks new ground, but it certainly blows the headphones! Teaming up with those Croatian musicians, Madiraca and Pupi, has also given DiAnno an injection of
‘Stop the War” (H. Madiraca, A. P. Pupi). I liked the sentiment, but I was not a fan of the track as a whole; it was very much a paint-by-numbers rock track. I note that the drum sound from Petar Šantić was great, and there were some more than decent guitar riffs too.
“The Doubt Within” (A. P. Pupi, H. Madiraca) is an interesting track, switching moods and containing this big chanting chorus. I enjoyed the strong riff, and the vocal performance was one of the best on the album. At the half-way house of the album, it closes side ‘A’ of the vinyl, I’d guess (although I am streaming it).
“Here Comes the Night” (H. Madiraca, A. P. Pupi) I liked this one. A strong introduction, it takes us into the full moon and attacks the listener with everything the band can throw at those speakers. It has a commercial feel to it that makes it one rock radio could pick up.
“Tequila” (Chuck Rio) Hmm! This one has that oh-so-well-known riff that you instantly know and then I was singing away to it in my head. The whole song is a load of fun, it may not win awards, but it is absolutely having a blast.
“Forever Bound” (A. P. Pupi, H. Madiraca) changes direction and brings us a ballad, albeit a ballad that switches from some guitars to the wall rock mid-section. It has some background vocals here that assist the tone of the piece; the guitars deliver the business and it shows the desire Di’Anno still has to make waves.
“Precious” (Martin L. Gore) continues to rock, but the vocals are more melodic and sensitive and the subject matter is delivered in a clear and experienced vocal showing the vocal dynamic at Di’Anno’s continued command.
“Going Home” (H. Madiraca, A. P. Pupi) finishes with a blast. Do not ever count Di’Anno out! This guy will continue to set down markers for those following his horse, and that horse is truly flying still.
Overview: Di’Anno has had some major health issues recently (nearly killed from sepsis in 2015), and he has had to perform from a wheelchair due to knee difficulties. I know he considered retirement. But the hunger and the ability that are derived from four decades in the business don’t count for nothing. As an album, it probably won’t make huge inroads into the charts, but it should attract rock and metal radio and seems to have brought out a range of largely positive reviews. Me? I’m pleased he’s back, doing what he does best. It’s a strong, hard-rocking album that won’t change the world but will make his fans very happy. I also think that the person who inhabits the autobiography “The Beast” has matured and reflected.
Standout tracks: “Warhorse” and “Here Comes the Night.”
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Produced and arranged by Pupi and Madiraca
You can stream the album here
Review by Stevie Ritson
Guest Musicians:
Becky Baldwin (Bass Guitar on songs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9)
Petar Šantić (Drums on songs: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10), (Bass guitar on song 10)
Joe Lazarus (Drums on song 1)
Andro Banovac (Backing Vocals on songs: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Danijel Stojan (Drums on song 5)
Nikolina Belan (Backing Vocals on song 9)
Recorded in Studio Pupi
Except Drums in Studio Deva, and drums in song Warhorse – Barnyard Studio
Mix: A. P. Pupi
Mastering: Dado Marušić Deva
Except Going Home and The Doubt Within- Ante Pupačić Pupi
Photography: Dado Marušić Deva
Except Madiraca´s b/w by Nikola Brnaba
Album Cover Art / Logo Design: J.M. Navigator