Best known for her years as lead vocalist for
Warlock,
Doro Pesch left that West German gothic metal outfit in the late '80s to pursue a solo career. While
Warlock (a band lyrically along the lines of
Iron Maiden,
Grim Reaper, and
Helloween) embraced fantasy-oriented gothic themes,
Doro's solo albums took a slicker, more commercial arena rock approach and pretty much avoided references to witches, demons, or evil spirits.
Doro, the rough-voiced singer's second solo project, isn't in a class with
Warlock's albums, but the material is generally decent and satisfying.
Doro brings plenty of spirit to hard rock that ranges from the ominous "Something Wicked This Way Comes" and the frenzied "Broken" to the power ballad "Rare Diamond" and an inspired cover of
the Electric Prunes '60s psychedelic classic "I Had Too Much to Dream."
Gene Simmons of
Kiss served as executive producer. ~ Alex Henderson