"It's [William J. Tsamis'] music being kept alive"

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If you blinked in the early '80s, then you might have missed WARLORD. They were conceived in 1981 by drummer Mark Zonder (A-Z, SLAVIOR, ex-FATES WARNING) and guitarist William J. Tsamis. As with a handful of unsigned Metal bands of the day, WARLORD managed to get one of their songs, "Lucifer's Hammer" on the underground tape compilation Metal Massacre II in 1982.

While WARLORD managed a record deal with that appearance, the band would only go on to release two albums, and never tour. By 1985 the band had dissolved. In 2002, WARLORD reunited for Rising Out of The Ashes with HAMMERFALL vocalist Joacim Cans helping out. The band even managed to play their first live gig at Wacken Open Air of all places.

2013 saw the release of The Holy Empire, followed by a killer live recording Live In Athens 2013 featuring what would be their most solid and dependable vocalist to date, Giles Lavery (DRAGONSCLAW). Sadly, guitarist William J. Tsamis passed away in 2021. Tsamis had expressed to both Zonder and Lavery before his passing that they should keep WARLORD going without him.

On May 10, 2024, WARLORD will release their latest album Free Spirit Soar through High Roller Records. The 10 track album features music culled from Tsamis' unfinished and unreleased material. Free Spirit Soar stands as a tribute to its founding guitarist. Teaming up with drummer Mark Zonder and vocalist Giles Lavery are guitarist Eric Juris (CRYSTAL VIPER), bassist Philip Bynoe (A-Z, SLAVIOR), and keyboardist Jimmy Waldo (ALCATRAZZ).

I had the chance to catch up with drummer Mark Zonder. Together we break down the history of WARLORD and its co-founder William J. Tsamis. Zonder also discusses their latest album Free Spirit Soar, the current band's plans for live performances, whether this reactivating of WARLORD is a curtain call or a new beginning, Zonder's A-Z project, its newest members, how far along their sophomore album is, and much, much more.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWarlord

Related content:

2022 - MARK ZONDER (A-Z) interview HERE
2022 - A-Z - A-Z review HERE