Album Review: Doro – Conqueress – Forever Strong And Proud (Nuclear Blast)

Emerging from the explosion of heavy metal that began in the early ‘80s, Doro Pesch has been tireless in her devotion to the metal cause for four decades. In 2023, she celebrates 40 years of active service, with the brand-new studio album ‘Conqueress – Forever Strong And Proud’. It will be released as a 2CD digibook with 36 pages, including 5 bonus tracks, via Nuclear Blast on October 27th, 2023.

Doro Pesch, a name that should no introduction for any self-respecting fan of heavy metal. Her mark on the scene has been immense and with this celebratory album, she shows that it’s far from the end of the road for her heavy metal ways. Hitting anthemic highs, delivering heavy groove head-bangers, soaring vocals, guests a-plenty, some fun covers, and heavy metal familiarity that will put a big smile on a wide array of faces.

There’s a lot to sink the teeth into here, and it starts off very strongly with the energetic pairing of Children of the Dawn and Fire in the Sky. Doro is sounding great, and backed up by a very capable band.

How about Living After midnight though? It doesn’t get more iconic than this. The legend that is Doro with the legend that is Rob Halford, duetting on the legendary Judas Priest song, Living After Midnight. It couldn’t go wrong, and it doesn’t. A pair of stunning voices taking the track in a more modern direction, all while staying totally true to the core head-banging infectious nature of the original.

It won’t be the last time we hear from Rob Halford on this record either, but first, it’s high-powered bangers like All for You, Lean Mean Rock Machine, and I Will Prevail. Before Sammy Amara from the German rock band Broilers, joins Doro on Bond Unending. A catchy track that sits on the calmer side of rock, with sweet lyrical content, and a chorus that proves to be a bit of a singalong.

For the most part, the album doesn’t have much in the way of filler, and every track excites in one way or another. From the peppy and riffy Time for Justice, to the cinematic ballad that is Fels in der Brandung, the power-driven focus of Love Breaks Chains, and the groovy head-banger that is Drive Me Wild. Doro is still killing it here.

As the record reaches its latter stage, Rise ups the energy with a blistering showcase of instruments and Best in Me shows off the continued strength in Doro’s vocals. Here, she sings isolated through parts, which really emphasises just how impressive her range still is, 40 years in.

There’s one more heavy metal epic in the form of Heavenly Creatures, before Doro hooks back up with Rob Halford for an outrageously good cover of Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart.

For many, that will be more than enough, but CD2 offers up an additional five tracks. Five more bangers that include the rousing Horns Up High and a wicked cover of Metallica’s The Four Horsemen.

It’s one hell of a celebration, one hell of a release, and one hell of a statement from Doro Pesch. She’s still going strong and the proof is this album.

Doro – Conqueress – Forever Strong And Proud Track Listing:

1. Children of the Dawn
2. Fire in the Sky
3. Living After Midnight (ft. Rob Halford)
4. All For You
5. Lean Mean Rock Machine
6. I Will Prevail
7. Bond Unending (ft. Sammy Amara)
8. Time for Justice
9. Fels in der Brandung
10. Love Breaks Chains
11. Drive Me Wild
12. Rise
13. Best In Me
14. Heavenly Creatures
15. Total Eclipse of the Heart (ft. Rob Halford)
16. Warlocks And Witches (Intro) (Bonus Track)
17. Horns Up High (Bonus Track)
18. True Metal Maniacs (Bonus Track)
19. Heart in Pain (Bonus Track)
20. The Four Horsemen (Bonus Track)

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