Metal Anarchy

To the casual observer, Warfare's second album, 1985's Metal Anarchy, would seem like nothing more than a carbon copy of their first. But the welcome presence of heavy metal icon Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister in the producer's chair was just the first of many subtle difference-makers on hand. Besides putting his personal imprint on the material by giving it a distinct crunch and Motörhead-like echo, Lemmy may have also had a hand in helping Warfare fully embrace their metallic tendencies while putting their punk rock habits behind them once and for all. Its two-faced title may have hinted otherwise, but the lyric choices and consistently ferocious attack inside were dead giveaways to this new focus. Borrowing a page from Accept's book of tricks (their classic tune "Fast as a Shrak," to be precise), Warfare kicked off Metal Anarchy with a misleading snippet of the Sound of Music soundtrack before rudely interrupting it with their most vicious thrasher yet, the apropos-named "Electric Mayhem." Ensuing standouts like "Death Vigilance," "Living for the Last Days," "Military Shadow," and the title track never waver in intensity, yet they remain surprisingly accessible thanks to their clear, uncomplicated arrangements. All of which helped ensure that Metal Anarchy would go down as Warfare's finest LP, but would also make it an impossible act to follow. [The 2007 U.K. edition included bonus tracks.]