Warfare was a British thrash metal band formed in the early 1980s. The band was known for their aggressive style of music, raw energy, and intense live performances. Although they never achieved mainstream success, their impact on the underground metal scene cannot be understated. In this web-page, we will explore the history of Warfare, their musical style and influence, and their legacy in the metal community.
Warfare was formed in the early 1980s by singer/guitarist Evo and drummer Shark. The band quickly gained a following in the British metal scene with their debut album "Pure Filth," released in 1984. The album showcased the band's fast and aggressive style, with songs like "Metal Anarchy" and "Electric Mayhem" becoming instant classics.
In 1985, the band released their second album, "Metal Anarchy," which further solidified their reputation as one of the most intense bands in the underground metal scene. The album featured songs like "Burn Down the Kings Road" and "Two Tribes," which became fan favorites and cemented the band's place in the metal pantheon.
Warfare's music was characterized by its raw energy, fast tempos, and aggressive guitar riffs. Evo's vocals were often compared to Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, and the band's overall sound was reminiscent of early thrash metal bands like Metallica and Slayer. However, Warfare had a unique style that set them apart from their peers. Their music was more punk-influenced than most thrash metal bands, and they often incorporated elements of hardcore and speed metal into their songs.
Despite their popularity in the underground metal scene, Warfare never achieved mainstream success. The band's abrasive sound and controversial lyrics made them too extreme for most radio stations and music publications. However, their influence on the metal community cannot be understated. Many of today's most popular metal bands cite Warfare as a major influence on their music.
One of the band's most significant contributions to the metal scene was their role in the development of the crust punk subgenre. Crust punk was a fusion of punk rock and extreme metal that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was characterized by its raw, DIY sound, and politically charged lyrics. Warfare's music, with its punk attitude and metal sound, was a major influence on the development of crust punk. Many of the bands that came out of the crust punk scene, such as Napalm Death and Extreme Noise Terror, cite Warfare as one of their biggest inspirations.
Unfortunately, Warfare's time in the spotlight was short-lived. The band went through several lineup changes in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and by the mid-1990s, they had disbanded altogether. Evo went on to form a new band, The Wild, which continued in the same vein as Warfare, but they never achieved the same level of success.
Despite their relatively short career, Warfare's impact on the metal scene continues to be felt today. Their music and attitude influenced countless bands in the thrash metal, punk, and crust punk scenes. They paved the way for a new generation of musicians who wanted to combine the aggression of punk with the technical proficiency of metal. And while they may not have achieved mainstream success, their legacy in the underground metal scene is secure.
