DORO: Conqueress - Forever Strong And Proud (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In these troubled times, more unstable than ever, it's reassuring to have landmarks, to cling to benevolent beacons. So we know we can count on Doro, who seems to have been there forever, watching over her community, both protective mother and amazon. At almost sixty, she may aspire to a well-deserved retirement, but as a stainless steel metal queen, she continues to preach the good metal word, tirelessly.

Let's face it, even if the ex-Warlock's albums have become rarer over the last ten years or so, their release no longer arouses unbridled excitement. But it's good to see her back, true to herself and to the standards she'll never abandon. With no (un)pleasant surprises, "Conqueress - Forever Strong And Proud" is no exception. Its cover - rather ugly by the way - and its title could be those of any of the records by the German. The ingredients are familiar too, a mix of heavy anthems made for festivals, duets, rock and metal covers, and the inevitable ballad sung in german.

Nevertheless, unlike "Forever Warriors, Forever United" and its unnecessary lengths, this 2023 vintage has at least the good taste to go straight to the point, returning to a menu with welcome energy, both chunkier and more direct, even if not everything is essential. The numerous anthems are embodied by 'Children Of The Dawn', a grandiloquent opener with a steady tempo and a heady chorus, the speedy 'Fire In The Sky', classic but unstoppable, 'All For You', stirring as hell, 'I Will Prevail', sharp and almost thrashy, not forgetting 'Time For Justice' and 'Heavenly Creatures', where the mistress of the house's recognizable voice works wonders.

Doro's long-standing love affair with duets has led her to try her hand at them once again. 'Bond Unending' welcomes Sammy Amara (Broilers) for a harmless result curiously more pop than metal. Her collaboration with Rob Halford on two tracks is more exciting, yet fails to trigger the expected pleasure. Which brings us to the two covers on the album. Inviting the singer of Judas Priest to cover his legendary 'Living After Midnight' (from "British Steel") was an excellent idea, but only his participation really justifies listening to this cover. The cover of 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' is pleasant, but fails to deliver the sparkling performance promised by this firebrand tandem. We prefer the original sung by Bonnie Tyler! As for the obligatory ballad, garnished with slightly pompous orchestrations, 'Fels In Der Brandung' resembles dozens of others, but it nonetheless seduces us with the emotion it exudes.

A few anecdotal songs, mostly packed into its second half, round out this "Conqueress - Forever Strong And Proud", whose assets nevertheless outweigh its liabilities. Which is enough to make this a fine vintage from Doro, a further demonstration of her fierce will to defend the cause, to carry high the colors of a genre that almost merges with her. - Official website

DORO

CONQUERESS - FOREVER STRONG AND PROUD

NUCLEAR BLAST

HEAVY METAL