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On tour in support of their 2017 album, Louder Harder Faster, Warrant made a stop at the intimate Newton Theater in Newton, NJ, earlier this month. Yes, Warrant make new music, not an ‘80s band who just lives off playing the hits. Good for them. And, also one of the few names from the decade (and glam metal genre), whose members are still the original from the classic albums. Guitarists Erik Turner and Joey Allen, Jerry Dixon (bass), and drummer Steven Sweet, are joined by seasoned frontman Robert Mason (ex-Lynch Mob) on vocals who became a member in 2008, before the passing of Jani Lane in 2011. If you have yet to hear Warrant with Mason he is an excellent fit, has the smooth melodic tone of Jani yet his own voice with a little grit he projects often.  

Something these melodic hard rock ‘80s bands don’t often get to do these days is playing a headline set as weekend fly dates are the norm. Scattered throughout their sixteen songs set were two from the new album – rocking title track, the Thin Lizzy-ish groove and melody on “Only Broken Heart”, and the moody “Dusty’s Revenge” from the previous album Rockaholic. They also found a spot to play one from what I feel is in their top three albums, Dog Eat Dog, the headbanger “Hole In My Wall”. Elsewhere, other hard edged rockers where Allen and Turner show their skills; “32 Pennies”, “So Damn Pretty", "Sure Feels Good to Me". Sweet behind the drums is unsung harmonizing a lot with Mason, and Robert also plays rhythm guitar on ballads “Heaven” and “Blind Faith”. If they come to your town check out the down boys and their cherry pie, they always rock the metal at Uncle Tom’s Cabin!