Ex-singer for German metal act Warlock. Born Dorothee Pesch (3rd June 1964 Dusseldorf, W. Germany).

FORCE MAJEURE (1989) VERTIGO

This was Doro Pesch's first solo-album, after leaving Warlock. Her official website list it as a Doro/Warlock release. Why I'm not sure, because I don't think any of the musicians of this album were from Warlock. It was the first Doro disc I bought, but for some stupid reason, I sold it. The lady's solo-effort is less metal, and more melody. It's not very different from her first band, but I can see why she wanted to release it as something different than a Warlock album. "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" is a good Procol Harum cover. "Bis Aufs Blut" is an acoustic track, sung in German. Doro offers just as much for the AOR/melodic hard-rock fan, as the regular metal fan. Bobby Rondinelli also played with, amongst others, Black Sabbath.

Killer tracks: Save My Soul, Mission Of Mercy, I Am What I Am, Cry Wolf

Here is what a friend of mine had to say about the Doro/Warlock name issue (thanks, Scott): On your Doro review. The reason the first Doro CD ('Force Majeure') is sometimes not listed as her first solo record is because it was not originally supposed to be a solo record. It was to be a Warlock album, but some of the former band members threatened to sue over the use of the name, thus they changed the name to just Doro, since she was the only "original" member left in the band anyhow.

DORO (1990) POLYGRAM/MERCURY

I can't believe that this album was released only a year after 'Force Majeure'. It sounds much more like her latter albums than the metal-light of her first solo-disc. I guess that is the reason why this self titled album is listed as the first Doro disc on the official website. The lady's long time friendship with Gene Simmons also starts here. The bass-player from Kiss is credited as executive producer. He has also written, or co-written, 4 of the 10 tracks on the album. And there is undoubtedly a Kiss-vibe on tracks such as "Rock On", and especially "Something Wicked This Way Comes". "Only You" is a cover of the old Kiss classic. The rest of the tracks sounds more like pop/rock, not unlike what you'd expect from Bryan Adams. Other noticeable musicians: Tommy Thayer is now playing Ace in Kiss. Lanny Cordola also played with Ken Tamplin.

Killer tracks: Rock On, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Alive

RARE DIAMONDS (1991) VERTIGO/PHONOGRAM

All We Are Unholy Love Für Immer True As Steel Beyond The Trees East Meets West (Live) Rare Diamonds (Live) You Hurt My Soul Hellbound Burning The Witches Out Of Control A Whiter Shade Of Pale Without You Love Song

This is an OK compilation CD. Nothing more, nothing less. It's great to have some of her best tracks, from both bands, on one album. One can always debate the actual content on these albums, and personally I really miss "Metal Tango" here. It's great to have another metal album my wife puts on even when I'm not at home! :-)

CALLING THE WILD... (2000) KOCH

A gift from a friend (thanks Scott), and a chance to hear what Doro sounds like nowadays. The album is packed with famous guests, as Lemmy (Motörhead), Al Pitrelli (Widowmaker, Savatage, Megadeth etc.), Bob Kulick, Eric Singer (Black Sabbath, Lita Ford, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Badlands, ESP etc.) and Slash (Guns n' Roses, Slash's Snakepit). The most noticeable guest is Lemmy, as he sings duet with Doro, on 2 ballads he wrote. I believe "Love Me Forever" also has been done by Motörhead, making this a cover-version. "White Wedding" is a bad Billy Idol cover. The rest of the material is very diverse. Most of the songs are quite good, and the album has an overall good feeling. Doro has an unique voice, that might take some getting used to. I would still encourage people to check out her older material first. My wife likes it, though. My version is the US one, and it has a different cover than the European version.

Killer tracks: I Give My Blood (Dedication), Love Me Forever, Give Me A Reason, Alone Again, Burn It Up

FIGHT (2002) SPV/STEAMHAMMER

Another album from Doro was not what I had expected, yet. But since I've been on a little Doro-trip lately, I thought I'd give it a try. The first thing that hit me was how hard the opening title-track was. This song (which was written to a boxing girl friend of Doro), and it's title, is kind off like a thin red thread throughout this entire album. But unfortunately I find Doro's voice to be extremely weak on this particular track. Is she showing signs of getting older? The second track does nothing for me either. But from there on the album really picks up. And it is lifted my numerous guest artists, and guest writers. The song "Legends Never Die" for example is written by none other than Gene Simmons. I bet that the tongue wagging Kiss front man had no problem giving a metal queen like Doro one of his songs. Then you get the eminent Chris Caffery on some track. The Savatage/Metalium/Doctor Butcher axeman doesn't really do much of his appearance, but it's good to know he is there! (ha ha) Names like Pete Steele (Type-O-Negative) and Russ Ballard should also be recognizable. And the iron lady does her little signature German track at the end. All in all a decent album, but not one of her best efforts.

Killer tracks: Descent, Undying, Legends Never Die, Chained

Photo by Håkon Grav (www.photograve.net)

Doro Pesch guest appearances:

U.D.O. - 'Man And Machine'

Powergod - 'Bleed For The Gods: That's Metal - Lesson 1'

Twisted Sister - 'A Twisted Christmas'

Related artists:

Warlock, Black Sabbath, Ken Tamplin, Chris Caffery, Rainbow, Deadly Blessing, Blaze, Frost, Kiss