I remember The Warriors from around the year 2000, when I was really into albums like The Full Monty, Noizy Bollox, Bad Guys, and A Cross To Bear. Back then, though, I knew almost nothing about the band itself. I had never come across any information about their origins or history. In 2009, I picked up Unite The Scene, but after that the band more or less disappeared from my radar, only popping up occasionally here and there.

It wasn’t until Paul from Aggrophobie sent me this EP that I finally started digging deeper into The Warrior’s history. I was surprised to discover that they have released more than ten full-length albums, but even more shocking was learning that the band’s story goes all the way back to 1981 and that the original line-up emerged from the ashes of The Last Resort. I also had no idea that musicians such as Roi Pearce, Daryl Smith, and Arthur Kitchener had all been part of the band’s history, while Graham Saxby has remained its driving force throughout the years.

One of the biggest strengths of this EP is the excellent historical booklet that comes with it. It covers the band’s origins, addresses the controversies surrounding those early years, and places everything into its proper historical context. For listeners who weren’t around at the time, it’s a great way to understand what was happening on the British Oi! scene. That alone gives this release considerable historical and collector’s value.

Musically, the EP features two tracks: Horror Show and Wicked Woman. Both songs originally appeared only on the compilations Oi! Oi! That’s Yer Lot! and United Skins. The recordings feature Arthur Kitchener, C. Duggan, and Roi Pearce, with J. Fisher also playing on Horror Show.

Both tracks are exactly what fans of early-’80s British Oi! want to hear. Roi Pearce’s unmistakable vocal takes centre stage, backed by a raw, stripped-down production that gives both songs their unmistakable punch. Horror Show is a perfect singalong anthem and the kind of track that belongs in any classic Oi! DJ set. Wicked Woman is slightly more melodic, occasionally leaning towards rock ‚n‘ roll, while still remaining firmly rooted in raw Oi!. Both songs are tailor-made for DJ nights and sound just as effective today as they must have over forty years ago.

The release itself also deserves a mention. Aggrophobie is a sublabel of Aggrobeat Records, a label best known for contemporary ska, rocksteady, and reggae releases. It’s great to see them investing in archival projects like this as well. This is exactly the kind of release that deserves support—not only because of the music, but because it helps preserve an important part of the scene’s history for future generations.

TOP TRACK: Horror Show