Doro Live Reissue Review
Doro
Live Reissue
Rare Diamonds
2026
After years of being out of print, The Metal Queen herself, Doro, is finally reissuing her beloved live album, “Live”. Originally released on VHS, cassette, and CD, this classic performance is getting the deluxe treatment with a CD/DVD edition alongside a limited run of just 500 picture discs for collectors.
Lately, I've found myself reviewing an unusual number of live albums. That's strange for me because, truthfully, I'm not a huge fan of live records outside of a select few artists and releases. Somehow, though, they all seem to be arriving at once. Maybe it's a summertime thing, after all, summer is concert season, and there's no better time to relive a great show from the comfort of your own home.
“Live” captures Doro at one of the most important moments of her career. Fresh off establishing herself as a solo artist, she was proving once and for all that she didn't need the Warlock name to succeed. If anything, this album reinforces what many of us already knew: Doro was the driving force behind Warlock's success. Originally released in 1993 and recorded during the “Angels Never Die” tour, “Live” serves as both a celebration of her past and a statement of confidence about her future.
The setlist is a perfect snapshot of where Doro stood at the time, mixing newer material with beloved Warlock classics that had already achieved legendary status among Metal fans. Unsurprisingly, “Triumph and Agony” receives plenty of attention throughout the set. Every time I've seen Doro live, those songs seem to dominate the crowd response, and honestly, I can't argue with it. “Triumph and Agony” remains one of the greatest female-fronted Metal albums ever recorded.
Of the then-unreleased material, "Whenever I Think Of You" has always stood out the most. It's Doro at her most vulnerable – a power ballad with a strong AOR influence that showcases a softer side of her songwriting without sacrificing any emotional weight. I've always considered it one of the strongest songs from her solo years. To this day, I wish it had received a proper studio treatment. Maybe one day that'll happen.
The Warlock material is every bit as powerful as you'd hope. "Burning The Witches" is ferocious, with Doro sounding like she's commanding an army of demons from the depths of Hell itself. "All We Are" delivers one of the album's most memorable moments; the crowd erupts so loudly at the beginning that you can barely hear her vocals. It's one of those reminders of just how beloved she was, and still is. Then there's "Metal Tango," a song I've always loved, and one that somehow sounds even more captivating in a live setting. Having experienced it in person myself over the years, I can attest that its magic translates perfectly to the stage.
At this point, what can be said about Doro that hasn't already been said? She's won countless awards, shattered barriers for women in Metal, and remained one of the most genuine, gracious figures the genre has ever produced. Through decades of success, she's never lost the warmth, humility, and passion that made fans fall in love with her in the first place. It certainly doesn't hurt that she's also the most beautiful woman Metal has ever produced, but that's just my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.
If you've never had the opportunity to see Doro live, this CD/DVD reissue is about as close as you can get to experiencing the real thing. And for the collectors out there, remember that only 500 picture discs are being pressed. If you want one, don't wait too long.