XXI Century Blood (2017)
With XXI Century Blood, The Warning announces they’re here to stay, taking an explosive leap forward from the promise of their debut EP. Released in 2017, Daniela was 17, Paulina 15, and Alejandra only 12—a strikingly young trio delivering rock with a level of sophistication and grit usually honed over decades. This album is a deep dive into personal and social struggles, showcasing a jump in both production quality and artistic maturity.
The opening track, XXI Century Blood, makes an instant impact, launching with an incredible guitar riff and infectious shuffle on the drums that locks you in right from the start. The solo is cinematic and dynamic, and the chorus harmonies hit deeply, wrapping around lyrics that question and confront political corruption and technological addiction. “Politicians trying, but we know they’re lying / Every truth has been sold,” Dany sings, voicing frustrations that feel as urgent as they are timeless. This track is a signature moment for the band, declaring they’re not just making rock—they’re making statements. Perhaps even … a Warning.
Shattered Heart brings a bit of Pacifica’s vibe but with a heavier edge. There’s a driving bassline, and Dany’s vocals take center stage, delivering emotional grit with polished intensity. Her voice has grown into a powerhouse, making every word of the catchy chorus resonate. Lyrically, it dives into the painful experience of heartbreak with lines like “You’re just a liar who survived the fire” and “You cut too deep, left me here to bleed.” It captures that raw pain, with sentiments that feel real and relatable—going through heartbreak, but finding strength in the journey.
Survive has Paulina leading the way with her vocals, accompanied by Dany on the verses. The track opens with an old-timey vocal filter, with piano driving the dynamics. It’s an anthem in its own right, bringing bouncy energy through its keys and drums, punctuated by a percussive finesse that’s impossible to ignore. This song confronts toxic relationships, emphasizing the power of self-worth with a mature self-awareness. In Paulina’s voice, the message hits hard: “These people aren’t worth it, and you can survive without them!” It’s a relatable anthem, encouraging resilience, with a bridge that’s both grungy and danceable, making it impossible not to let loose.
Wildfire begins softly, with delicate vocals that soon ramp up into a powerful track driven by guitar. While the chorus may feel slightly familiar, the music’s dynamism more than holds your attention, keeping the track compelling. Paulina’s military-style drumming adds a strong backbone to the song, making it enjoyable even if it’s a bit lighter than others on the record.
Black Holes (Don’t Hold On) brings a more introspective energy. Paulina leads with vocals that pull listeners into an emotional space, delivering a busy piano and a heavy-hearted theme about internal darkness and the self-awareness to protect others from it. With lines like, “Don’t hold on, I got nothing left to give / and the venom starts to swallow me whole,” it’s a ballad both haunting and beautiful. The sense of self-reflection in this track is deeply impressive—proof that their sound is as thoughtful as it is intense. I’ve since watched them do this live online to see how it’s progressed over the years and this song is truly something special. Wow.
Our Mistakes stands out with its acoustic ballad feel, and while there’s a hint of that Disney-rock sound, here it works well as an observational feature rather than a critique. The chorus calls for a sing-along, with memorable riff transitions that bridge chorus and verse seamlessly. Dany delivers lyrics that speak to the tough choices in love, as she sings: “It’s a dilemma, between my heart and my head.” This track captures the rawness of navigating difficult relationships and the tension between reason and emotion. “I’ve always believed there was no one for me, that’s why I won’t leave / They say love never dies, but every time I try, you end up making me cry” – Again Dany is conjuring up relatable feelings and the experience of sticking with someone we know isn’t right or good for us. You can put everything into a relationship, but if it’s not matched and returned, it’s not meant to be.
In When I’m Alone, the cinematic guitar and bass riffs drive an introspective yet singable chorus, with Dany’s vocals embodying the emotional weight of masking inner pain. This song confronts the experience of hiding one’s struggles behind a brave face. It’s deeply relatable and raw, painting a picture of vulnerability and frustration that resonates.
Runaway injects chaos into the record, but it’s chaos in perfect control. This is an explosive track, from the anthemic sound to the sheer energy that commands you to move. The bass and drumlines pulse through with infectious energy, and Dany’s vocals hit each line with passion and intent, proving the band’s ability to thrash out a full-bodied, high octane rock hit.
Unmendable adds vocal inflections that feel reminiscent of Metric’s Speed the Collapse or Bastille’s Laura Palmer, blending alt-rock melodies with a heavy, pulsating rhythm. The song explores themes of broken promises and fractured trust, giving off an angsty, fiery edge. It’s a bit of a finale in its own right, almost like a nod to Rush with its grand, sweeping dynamics.
Copper Bullets amps up the double kick drum and delivers a guitar-forward punch that speaks to life’s illusions and pressures—how perfection on the surface can often hide inner turmoil. This theme hits especially hard in the context of relationships, hinting at how they can shatter under hidden weight.
In Show Me the Light, Paulina’s vocals take us into a contemplative space that feels like a continuation of Black Holes. Here, Pau’s voice is powerful, and her emotive delivery shows impressive growth since Escape The Mind. The solo from Dany is subtle yet rich, reminiscent of, my favorite, The Division Bell by Pink Floyd, each note lingering with meaning. There’s a sense of hope and support in the lyrics—a message of light found in love and mutual strength. How support and love can lift you up into the light and rebel against the dark inside.
The live sessions Exterminated and River’s Soul bring a gritty, raw energy to the album’s close. Exterminated serves as a grunge-inspired preview of their sophomore work, featuring a sharp, punchy solo. River’s Soul rounds things off with a classic 80s metal riff that strikes nostalgia without sacrificing the band’s unique touch.
XXI Century Blood solidifies The Warning as a trio that’s not just riding on potential—they’re owning it. The album is powerful, ambitious, and brimming with thought-provoking lyrics, emotional depth, and head-thrashing instrumentals. At such a young age, they show a maturity and artistry that mark them as serious contenders in rock. This album isn’t just a promise for what’s to come; it’s a declaration that The Warning is already here, loud and undeniable.
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Highlight Songs:
XXI Century Blood
Shattered Heart
Survive
Runaway
Show Me the Light
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Own it. Unreal work of art.
