"Warriors" is the fifth solo studio album by English new wave musician Gary Numan, released on 16 September 1983 by Beggars Banquet Records. This album marked Numan's final release on the Beggars Banquet label.
For the recording of Warriors, Gary Numan retained his established collaborators, including drummer Cedric Sharpley, keyboardist Chris Payne, and guitarist Russell Bell, who had been part of his lineup since 1979. Since bassist Pino Palladino, who had played on Numan's previous album I, Assassin (1982), was unavailable, Numan brought in Joe Hubbard as his replacement. Bill Nelson contributed guitars to the album, which were given more prominence compared to I, Assassin. Numan also enlisted saxophonist Dick Morrissey, admired for his work on the Blade Runner (1982) film score, to play on the album. Morrissey would later contribute to five more Numan albums between 1983 and 1991. Female backing vocals were provided by Tracy Ackerman of Shakatak, introducing a new element to Numan's sound.
During the recording sessions, tensions arose between Numan and Nelson due to differing views on the album's direction and their general philosophies on music. Numan found Nelson's mix of the album to be "too tinny," leading him to remix the album himself and make changes to the track listing. This included demoting "My Car Slides" and "Poetry and Power" to B-sides and re-recording "Sister Surprise" and "The Tick Tock Man." Nelson requested not to be credited on the final album, though his name appeared on the label. Reflecting on the experience, Numan acknowledged Nelson's creativity and regretted their strained relationship, appreciating Nelson's talent despite their differences.
In a 2012 interview, Numan noted the clash of attitudes between himself and Nelson, describing Nelson as "ethereal" and focused on the artful side of music, which contrasted with Numan's own approach. Despite their differences, Numan expressed respect for Nelson's artistry and lamented the lack of rapport. Nelson, when asked in 2021, confirmed that the working relationship had been challenging but held no ill will, recognizing that creative differences had ultimately led to the separation.
