Frankly said, I had no expectations about what the solo project of Warrel Dane would sound like, but the first encounter with “Praises to the War Machine” really gave me shivers. I am not sure what to begin with. Mr. Dane has always been a mysterious and introvert songwriter, though he is concerned mainly with political and religious issues. Somehow he has always managed to add some intimate feelings to his lyrics in Nevermore. It seems that he has felt free to show all of his potential in his solo album and he has absolutely made it. First of all, this record gives us a really simple and purposive riffing, straight, thoughtful and touching, ready go get us back twenty years ago when heavy metal was heavy metal. Guitar structures are absolutely unpretentious, a thing I cannot regard as a flaw in any way, but it is rather a living proof how simple music can be really moving and impressive to the mind. It can even be viewed as an original tribute to what heavy metal is all about. Melody and melody again is the trademark of this record. It is the same with drums and the rhythm as whole - simple, mid-tempo and meaningful, perfectly fitting to the guitar work. And above all this is the singing of Warrel, making it really hard to be objective in reviewing one as emotional and personal music as Dane’s is. Apart from the amazing instrumental work, it is the lyrical and vocal atmosphere that makes this album so moving and admirable. It is nearly impossible to talk about the subjective conceptions that music and words harmonically develop through the album. Sure they are to be personally listened to, apprehended and enjoyed. It is even the beginning when Mr. Dane is singing, “Is it insane to think the world / Could change / Just look at how far / We have fallen,” that we already know this record is going to be a special one. It is interesting that here we have no dissonances in his singing (as it is in Nevermore), which, in my opinion, gives an even more enjoyable feeling to the songs. In conclusion, Warrel Dane’s work on this masterpiece is appreciable - very sincere and personal - and at the same time definitely socially concerned music, sober and direct adequate to our reality, ready to ask questions not everyone would. And all this supplemented with brilliant guitar melodies, touching solos and a thick and thoughtful uncompromising rhythm. A masterpiece for the heavy metal scene - not more, not less.