A Reasonable Guide To Horrible Noise

TKO • Below The Belt LP

2011-11-20T11:37:00.000-05:00

Roadrunner Records 1986
I was super stoked to find this, the last missing piece for my TKO collection, last weekend. Now, it seems to me that TKO was a band that never had it's stars align, because they released some top-notch records, but were largely ignored by the record buying public. 1979's Let It Roll was chock fulla slick, fantastically written and executed 70s Rock and 1984's In Your Face is hands down my favourite "commercial" Metal record ever. Having loved those records so much, I was worried that Below The Belt wouldn't live up, and in some ways that concern was justified. Album opener "Beware The Hunter" is overly commercial and sounds painfully dated (Simmons drums do not belong on Metal record folks), but thankfully things take an upturn thereafter. That big 80s production unfortunately remains, but the songs improve greatly, and all the hallmarks of a great TKO record are present: Brad Sinsel's gritty streetweary vocals and memorable, catchy, well written tunes. For the most part Below The Belt sounds like an overproduced version In Your Face, which does dull the immediacy of the music, but hey, I'll take what I can get. The only other slight drawback is that Adam Bomb's ultra-flash guitar playing is conspicuously absent, but again, beggars can't be choosers.
DOWNLOAD: TKO-BelowTheBelt.rar (77.34 MB)

BORN TO METALIZE LP

2011-11-14T12:00:00.007-05:00

Megaforce Records 1984
Don't let that piece of shit cover fool you... Born To Metalize is a completely kick-ass comp featuring four NJ/NY Metal bands, all of which, with HADES being the only exception, should have gone on to bigger and better things. Oddly enough, HADES is the only band that actually did manage some modicum of success, but more on them later. After a cornball intro, THE BEAST get the ball rolling with 3 straight ahead high energy tracks. I love the vocal delivery! Really excellent stuff, and a tough act to follow for Bayonne's SNEAK ATTACK... fortunately they're able to hold their own with a slightly more typical sound for the era replete with screeching vocals, soaring whammy-bar leads, and laughable lyrics ("Sneak Attack" is so homoerotic it's ridiculous!). Simplistic and direct in their approach, TORTURED DOG keep the quality high in spite of tracks filled with the most generic riffs you can imagine... and somehow it's endearing. Thankfully HADES wrap things up quickly with only 2 tracks (all others contribute 3) of overwrought, melodramatic Metal. These guys clearly took themselves way too seriously, and are a bit of a buzz-kill considering the other 3 bands came to party with lunkheaded, good time tunes. Not a bad band, but they are definitely the weakest link on Born To Metalize, and the singer's Paul Di'Anno impersonation is a bit too blatant on "Rogues March". On the whole, highly recommended listening.
DOWNLOAD: BornToMetalize.rar (78.69 MB)

HERETIC • Burnt At The Stake EP

2011-11-01T11:36:00.005-04:00

Thunderbolt Records 1984
Heretic. Burnt at the stake. Sounds pretty heavy right? Well don't get your hopes up, cuz like the majority of NWOBHM acts, HERETIC's presentation was much more sinister than their actual sound. Opener "Water Of Vice" starts things off in fine form with a riff similar to WITCHFINDER GENERAL's "Requiem For Death", but things quickly become more lightweight with each passing track. Solid guitar work and solos reminiscent of early 80s, Snowy White-era, THIN LIZZY are the saving grace here, and weak vocals are the major stumbling block. Still, it's a fun light hearted romp if yer up for it.
DOWNLOAD: Heretic BurntAtTheStake.rar (33.1 MB)

SHINE • Powertime Demo

2011-10-30T13:15:00.003-04:00

Private/Indie 1997
The three years between THE OBSESSED's Church Within record and Wino's return with this here SHINE demo seemed interminably and painfully long. The resurrected and revived OBSESSED held so much promise, only to fall apart yet again, and I feared the worst after their premature demise. Crazy rumours about Wino abounded... he was a destitute drug addict, even that he was on the lam (!?!). Whether or not any of them were true was of no consequence when the ad for Powertime popped up in the back of Metal Maniacs. I hastily sent my money away to the address provided, but ended up waiting over a year for the demo to arrive. There was some sort of shady snafu with the guy who was handling their distribution, but all was forgiven when it finally arrived. OK, on to the music... Wino fans will recognize these 3 songs from the first SPIRIT CARAVAN record (SHINE were forced to change their name to SC due to another band with the same moniker), but I have yet to confirm whether or not these are the same versions on Jug Fulla Sun. They're very similar, and maybe were just remixed, or rerecorded... who knows. Powertime sees Wino at the top of his game, and everything we loved about the OBSESSED is present: Wino's powerful trademark vocals, his fantastically twisted leads, and riffs and vocal melodies that bore their way into your subconscious. Anyways, it seems that pretty much everyone loves Wino, so that description served no purpose as you likely already know what you're in store for... just download and enjoy.
DOWNLOAD: Shine Powertime.rar (27.44 MB)

LANKHMAR • Prejudiced Demo

2011-10-19T18:37:00.012-04:00

Private/Osmosis Records 1989
Some decent late 80's Québécois Thrash on offer here from Montreal's LANKHMAR... who would later drop the H for the much catchier LANKMAR. Don't ask. Musically Prejudiced is fairly typical of the time: a blend of Bay Area and mildly technical Thrash, sounding a lot like TESTAMENT and at times fellow Canucks M.A.D.. Lyrically LANKHMAR did not have the goods, but their musical chops more than make up for it, and the production is outstanding to boot. All in all a very cool download.
DOWNLOAD: Lankhmar Prejudiced.rar (46.59 MB)

BANSHEE • Cry In The Night

2011-02-27T17:27:00.005-05:00

Metal Blade Records 1988
This slab, just one amongst many of Metal Blade's long forgotten one-off releases, is actually pretty dece. BANSHEE dealt melodic Metal that covers a lot of varied bases, from OZZY's riffy early solo outings, to RUSH ("I Believe" sports a blatant rip-off of "In The End" from Fly By Night), to MAIDEN and EXCITER on the title track. Totally solid band, great vocals and guitar playing, and heavy yet catchy tracks - you can't really go wrong.
DOWNLOAD: Banshee-CryInTheNight.rar (45.58 MB)

FAST • Leather Boys From The Asphalt Jungle LP

2010-09-06T13:22:00.008-04:00

Recca Records 1981
I was struck by the Blade Runner/SIGUE SIGUE SPUTNIK aesthetic of Leather Boys From The Asphalt Jungle and just could not pass it up. I knew nothing about FAST (or THE FAST as they're alternately known) before finding this slab, and internet searches don't yield much more information. It'd seem that FAST was a 2-man punk/rock/funk art project with the seediest sides of New York City as both it's backdrop and subject matter. Most songs juxtapose urban life with the wilds of the jungle and the survival of the fittest in both. I can't directly compare this to anything, but it's got a sorta poppy Punk/Glam Rock feel with some funky Disco tinged bass lines. Definitely an interesting and fun listen!
DOWNLOAD: Fast-LeatherBoysFromTheAsphaltJungle.rar (45.68 MB)
PS: The guitar sound on "Ride On The Wild Side" is killer!!!

EASTERN FRONT: LIVE AT RUTHIE'S INN 2LP

2010-08-29T14:27:00.003-04:00

Eastern Front/Restless Records 1986
An absolute stone cold classic here! Live At Ruthie's Inn is chock fulla some of Thrash Metal and Hardcore's finest, live and in their nascent prime. The first record is live from the Eastern Front (which I'm assuming was some sorta festival held at Ruthie's in '85) and includes VIOLENCE, LAAZ ROCKIT, DRI, RAW POWER, HEXX, FORBIDDEN EVIL, and a slew of others. The quality is uneven and raw, a fact that only helps to convey the unbridled energy of the era. To further document the Bay Area scene at the time, the second record features cracking demo tracks from DEATH ANGEL, BLIND ILLUSION, SACRILEGE (pre-BC), HEATHEN, RUFFIANS, LEGACY, and a shitload more! I'm not gonna bother breaking down each track as I'm sure it's not necessary... you know that every one of the aforementioned bands rule, and that you oughta download this tout de suite!
DOWNLOAD Pt. 1: LiveAtRuthiesInn-Disc1.rar (79.87 MB)
DOWNLOAD Pt. 2: LiveAtRuthiesInn-Disc2.rar (75.4 MB)

MARTYR • For The Universe LP

2010-08-15T11:51:00.005-04:00

Megaton Records 1985
I've said it before, and I'm sayin' it again, the Dutch new some shit about Metal back in the day, and you need look no further than MARTYR for the proof. Like countrymen EXISES, MARTYR deliver complex Metal with lots of disjointed time and tempo changes yet they retain a driving aggressive feel throughout. MAIDEN definitely comes to mind with all the gallopy triplet riffs and prominent bass playing, as do Euro Metal obscurios OSTROGOTH and SORTILEGE. This is a very good, and altogether too brief, record.
DOWNLOAD: Martyr-ForTheUniverse.rar (53.1 MB)

PRIMAL SCREAM • Volume One LP

2010-08-08T15:15:00.010-04:00

Mercenary Records 1987
Wow! I had no idea this was gonna kick so much ass! I saw PRIMAL SCREAM around the time this record was released and they failed to make an impression... so I'm very surprised by the quality, musicianship, and songwriting found on Volume One. At times I hear touches of East coast heavyweights WARGASM, AT WAR, and WHIPLASH in PRIMAL SCREAM's sound, but they are in no way derivative or unoriginal, just equally as talented and intense. Unlike many Thrash bands of the time, PRIMAL SCREAM offer more than just yer typical speed and aggression by incorporating classic Metal elements (sporadic "clean" vocals and catchy riffs) and some straight-up Rock guitar playing here and there. Top notch!
DOWNLOAD: PrimalScream-VolumeOne.rar (57.66 MB)

RAZOR • Malicious Intent LP

2010-08-05T10:31:00.008-04:00

Viper Records 1986
Following hot on the heels of 1985's Evil Invaders, the album that is arguably RAZOR's defining moment, came Malicious Intent. The band doesn't stray far from their previous effort's winning formula: Dave Carlo's guitar playing is still tight as all hell, Sheepdog's voice is a tortured howl, and, if you can imagine it, M-Bro sounds even worse! Jesus that guy was a crap drummer. Though all the elements are present (including Mike Campagnolo's moustache) Malicious Intent pales in comparison to Evil Invaders mainly because of a poor production job. Everything is a bit too clean and toned down, which tends to mute RAZOR's viciousness, and worse, it makes M-Bro's shortcomings behind the kit even more obvious. Still, it's a great record, and you'd be well advised to take Sheepdog's advice and turn it up! Turn it up! Louder! LOOUUDDDDDERRR!!!
DOWNLOAD: Razor-MaliciousIntent.rar (67.13 MB)

MICHAEL MONROE • Nights Are So Long LP

2010-08-01T13:39:00.004-04:00

Yahoo! Records 1987
HANOI ROCKS seem to have a polarizing effect on people: you either love 'em or you hate 'em. I think I was in the 6th or 7th grade when I saw Michael Monroe interviewed on a local TV show called The New Music, and ever since I've been firmly entrenched in the love 'em camp. Nights Are So Long was Monroe's first post-HANOI ROCKS solo outting (Night Are SOLO ng... get it?) and it's pretty darn good. Monroe's vocals are stronger (i.e. more in key) than any of his previous recorded output, and the band, though at times sounding a bit stiff, is clearly fulla great musicians (including MOTT THE HOOPLE's Ian Hunter). The bulk of Nights Are So Long is made up of covers by the FLAMIN' GROOVIES, MC5, JOHNNY THUNDERS, and a few written by DEAD BOYS alums Jimmy Zero, Stiv Bators, and Frank Secich, with only one or two crediting Monroe. If you like HANOI ROCKS, you're sure to dig this, otherwise (if my theory holds true) you'll hate it.
DOWNLOAD: MichaelMonroe-NightAreSoLong.rar (63.25 MB)

PROPHECY • Unforseen Future Demo

2010-07-28T19:23:00.004-04:00

Private/Indie 1989
PROPHECY were a buncha righteous dudes from north of Toronto who dealt in chugging mid-paced Thrash that's just on the cusp of Death Metal. Unforseen Future is definitely not the tightest thing yer gonna hear any time soon (sounds like they're barely keeping it together), but there's some cool riffs and great vocals that call to mind Schmier (DESTRUCTION) and Rob from SACRIFICE (especially the high pitched screams that finish off certain lines). "Avoid Death's Call" is still a great song, but honestly, and unfortunately, I got bored quickly with the rest of it.
DOWNLOAD: Prophecy-UnforseenFutureDemo.rar (49.06 MB)

FROM THE MEGAVAULT LP

2010-07-26T08:09:00.002-04:00

Megaforce Records 1985
In 1985, when From The Megavault came out, I foolishly had zero interest in the collection of rarities culled from the Megaforce archives, but today, as I'm sure it did then, it stands up as an absolutely top notch comp. The exclusive tracks from OVERKILL, EXCITER, RAVEN, S.O.D., and BLESSED DEATH all make this essential, with tracks from T.T. QUICK, ANTHRAX, and unknowns MEDIEVAL STEEL and IMPERIOUS REX only sweetening the deal. BLUE CHEER's take on the oft covered "Boney Maroney" is the odd-man-out here, with standouts being the Violence And Force-era outtake from EXCITER and the live RAVEN track. Download with confidence.
DOWNLOAD: FromTheMegavault.rar (64.5 MB)

THE RUNAWAYS • Young And Fast LP

2010-07-25T09:43:00.012-04:00

Allegiance Records 1985
It was safe to assume that this record would suck, but nothing could have prepared me for how utterly and hilariously bad it really is. In spite of 23 musicians and 5 different vocalists being credited, Young And Fast features none of the original RUNAWAYS, and was clearly an attempt, by the ever unscrupulous Kim Fowley, to cash in on the name and further defile the RUNAWAYS' legacy. The words to explain just how terrible this record is simply don't exist. To say that the lyrics sink sub-moronism to new lows and that the music and melodies are childish, superficial, and painfully bland is only scratching the surface. The songs range from hamfisted SUZI QUATRO-ish Glam Rock (sorry Suzi), to synthesized 60s girl group pap, to pseudo-urban electro pop and fuck knows what else. There is no question that this is THE worst record I've posted and possibly the worst record I've ever heard, and I strongly advise that you do not download it unless you've got an insatiably morbid curiosity or are in search of a good laugh.
DOWNLOAD: TheRunaways-YoungAndFast.rar (59.64 MB)

LEATHER ANGEL • We Came To Kill EP

2010-07-24T13:19:00.009-04:00

Miami 1992 Records & Tapes 1983
When putting together an all-girl Rock band, I'd imagine that the vocalist position would be the easiest to fill (followed by the bass player perhaps), as strong female vocalists are not tough to find in the 80s Metal milieu (Lee Aaron, Dawn Crosby, Betsy Bitch, Doro Pesch, and on and on). It's slightly confounding then that vocalist Terry O'Leary is LEATHER ANGEL's weak link. She comes across as a second rate Cherie Currie, her vocal shortcomings heard clearly when she gets into the higher register (particularly during "Under Your Spell" with her falsetto sounding more like Kate Bush than any kinda leatherclad angel). Generally We Came To Kill comes across as an even lower rent, latter day (read: more Metal) RUNAWAYS... the band even referring to themselves as the Queens Of Leather, a possible nod to THE RUNAWAYS' Queens Of Noise nick. Maybe not mandatory, but definitely a fun listen in spite of the cringe worthy "Whole Lotta Love" cover.
DOWNLOAD: LeatherAngel-WeCameToKill.rar (42.28 MB)

WÜRZEL • Bess EP

2010-07-17T12:28:00.006-04:00

GWR Records 1987
When MOTORHEAD expanded into a 4 piece in 1984 I was convinced that Würzel was the superior player in the new-look twin-guitar MOTORHEAD. Honestly this was based on little more than the fact that he looked the part (being an ugly motherfucker who might have given Lemmy a run for his money), because I still don't know who's playing what on those Burston/Campbell records. I have an inkling that Phil Campbell was responsible for those crazy half-cocked wah solos on Rock 'n' Roll, but again, that's just speculation. So, it seems that Würzel felt the need to spread his wings, step out from the shadow of Lemmy, and put out this here EP, the oddly titled Bess. Thankfully he did, because none of the 4 tracks on Bess would have been suitable for his day job. "Bess" is a slow bluesy instrumental that fails to excite and as such is an odd title/lead-off track. "Midnight In London" and "People Say I'm Crazy" are both up-tempo rockers, the former recalling the NWOBHM... with a slight whiff of DEF LEPPARD detectable. Würzel's got a good voice, with a gruffness and edgy incompetence that helps to elevate the fairly standard music on offer. Bess wraps up with another instrumental guitar showcase that meanders through Rock and some mild touches of Jazz (fretless bass solo anyone?). It's an interesting listen, but that interest will likely only extend to MOTORHEAD diehards.
DOWNLOAD: Wurzel-BessEP.rar (23.44 MB)

VYPER • Afraid Of The Dark EP

2010-07-09T08:27:00.010-04:00

Greenworld Records 1985
Shockingly, I didn't hate this record! One look at the shoddy cover and sketchy band members and I was convinced that a torrential shitstorm was about to ensue. Granted, I went into this with extremely low expectations, and VYPER woulda had to suck some serious balls in order to meet 'em. It's like when you went to see Twilight and came out fully entrenched in Team Edward... not that that's happened to me... but, uhhh you know what I mean. Anyways, Afraid Of The Dark serves up 4 moderately heavy slabs of commercial Metal with "Time Flies" being the heaviest, most OTT and fulla manic guitar histrionics. The lyrics are suitably abysmal and just the title of "Daddy's Girl" should be enough to give you an idea of where these dipshits were at. But again, on the whole, not as bad as you might assume.
DOWNLOAD: Vyper-AfraidOfTheDark.rar (27.26 MB)

HAWK • Hawk LP

2010-06-27T09:53:00.015-04:00

Metal Method Productions 1986
Perhaps not the most triumphant return after such an extended break, but whatever... it's Doug Marks motherfucker! Yeah you remember. He's the dude who used to advertise his Metal Method guitar technique in the back of Circus and Hit Parader (or whatever other glossy 80s American Metal rags would have 'im) along with his ear shattering pal Jim Gillette (NITRO). Apparently not content with creating a basement army of pimply faced pseudo-shredders, Marks decided to ply his trade with a real band... the hackneyed HAWK. More than just platforms for endless shredding, the songs on Hawk are fully realized, if unmemorable and chock fulla run-of-the-mill riffs. Marks' solos are often buried under gobs of reverb and delay... but let's be honest, no one really wants to hear his mindless wanking anyways... am I right? More notable than Marks himself is that erstwhile G'N'R drummer Matt Sorum plays on this, HAWK's only release until last year's posthumous Let The Metal Live.
DOWNLOAD: Hawk-Hawk.rar (76.05 MB)
PS: Metal Method still exists. Buy yourself a DVD. Thrill your friends. Make your parents proud. All courtesy of Doug Marks and Michael Angelo Batio.

CELTIC FROST • July 4, 1986 Toronto, Canada

2010-04-20T12:57:00.010-04:00

Bootleg 1986
So the DESTRUCTION bootleg spawned some comments re: CELTIC FROST at the World War III festival... unfortunately I don't have a copy of that, but I do have this, from a year later, when FROST toured in support of the To Mega Therion record. I didn't record this, but I was there, and had my puny teenage mind sufficiently blown! It was my first Metal show: CELTIC FROST, VOIVOD, and SLAUGHTER... it couldn't get any better! SLAUGHTER actually scared me, VOIVOD were beyond phenomenal, and you can hear CELTIC FROST for yourself. The quality is shit, and if it hadn't been requested I wouldn'ta posted this... but it was, so I am. For the diehards!
DOWNLOAD: CelticFrost-July4-1986.rar (92.5 MB)

DESTRUCTION • Live At World War III LP

2010-04-01T12:10:00.009-04:00

Old Thrash Records 2010
I couldn't resist buying this record even though I knew it was gonna blow. Who gives a shit though... it's DESTRUCTION at World War III! Hadta have it! The WWIII festival is one of those fabled shows that I'da given my left nut to see. In November 1985 not only DESTRUCTION, but VOIVOD, POSSESSED, CELTIC FROST, and NASTY SAVAGE all descended upon Montreal's Paladium for one of the best line-ups ever! Anyways, I kinda remember a videotape of this floating around, and I'm certain that said videotape is the source material for this boot. Of course it sounds like total ass, but it's cool as shit, and is infinitely better than the SODOM boot I posted way back. After a couple of songs the guitar becomes audible so at least you can decipher what the fuck is going on. If you don't download this, you know the punishment... death, death, DEATH!
DOWNLOAD: Destruction-WorldWar3.rar (66.47 MB)

To open or not to open... that is the question

2010-03-15T12:15:00.005-04:00

I kinda hate finding sealed vinyl, cuz of the eternal internal debate of whether or not it should be opened. This weekend at a local flea market I had the good fortune of happening upon this rare Canadian gem... sealed (and at a great price). Normally not an issue, I'd tear that shit off post-haste and slap it on the wheels of steel ASAP, but this one could possibly fetch a pretty penny, and so I'm torn. Though I didn't buy it with the intention of reselling (never do), the option is always there, and that shitty shrink wrap that is undoubtedly warping the virgin vinyl inside would definitely add to the asking price. My instinct tells me to crack it open and enjoy all the metallic wonders of OVERLORD, but there's that goddamn little frugal voice in my head telling me to leave it as is. If only it weren't sealed: I'd be rockin' it right now... and you'd be downloading it... and we'd all be happy.

RHETT FORRESTER • Gone With The Wind LP

2010-03-08T10:42:00.009-05:00

Bernett Records 1984
I'm not all that familiar with Rhett Forrester. I know he replaced Guy Speranza in RIOT, but I like early RIOT so much that I've never been willing to hear anything after Fire Down Under (even though I own the Forrester-era records). Plus there's the whole Rhett Forrester/Rhett Butler Gone With The Wind thing - all a bit hokey if you ask me. But, I've sat on this record long enough and I figure it's time to take the plunge. Right off the bat this is much heavier than expected, the title track and album opener is a double time kick square in the nuts. The record carries on in similarly triumphant chest thumping fashion for it's entirety. Forrester's got a great voice, much like Blackie Lawless with a touch of David Coverdale thrown in for the more soulful bits. Good record, even if "Assume The Position" would make El Duce blush, and the drums are grossly over processed... these things can most likely be overlooked.
DOWNLOAD: RhettForrester-GoneWithTheWind.rar (72.33 MB)

GEISHA • Phantasmagoria LP

2010-03-06T10:54:00.010-05:00

Heavy Metal Worldwide 1987
Sometimes when you buy an album you have the good fortune of finding an unexpected surprise inside. Could be coloured vinyl, a poster, hand transcribed listener lyric sheet (kinda like winning the lottery in my opinion), or promo material. With this one I found a mini GEISHA promo package... just a brief bio and a buncha reviews, but it's always fun to read the hyperbolic nonsense record companies spew to pump up their second rate bands. According to the supplied info, GEISHA were on the verge of taking over the world and becoming the next big thing... or the next WRATHCHILD to be specific (aim high boys!). Anyways, someone failed to instruct the intern at the record label to not include the negative reviews... cuz at least 50% of 'em are less than flattering (ooops). I on the other hand think this is a pretty decent slab. Commercial and lunkheaded though it might be, it's still heavy and fun, and reminds me of SPELLBOUND's fantastic Breaking The Spell LP or a heavier RATT... making the phantasmagoric title and cover art a bit misleading. Mildly interesting factoid: GEISHA axe slinger Pete Blakk would go on to join KING DIAMOND for the Them, Conspiracy, and The Eye records. Oh shit... even cooler, vocalist Yenz Cheyenne (aka Jens Arnsted) was the singer in BRATS with Michael Denner and Hank Shermann! (thank you Encyclopaedia Metallum)
DOWNLOAD: Geisha-Phantasmagoria.rar (61.32 MB)

MIDAS TOUCH • Presage To Disaster LP

2010-03-05T21:07:00.000-05:00

Noise Records 1989
Sweden's never been known for it's prodigious Thrash output (neither in quantity nor quality), and save for AGONY and MIDAS TOUCH I couldn't name another band off the top of my head. Retro-Thrash the Swedes are all over, but back in the day they were a bit lacking. Presage To Disaster is decent, but MIDAS TOUCH were not breaking any new ground by sticking to formulaic pseudo-techno-Thrash that was popularized and running rampant in America. "When The Boot Comes Down" is the standout here, as it's a bit slower, more melodic, and a touch more trad Metal than the remainder of the record. I expected this to be better, and though kinda cool, it still falls a bit flat.
DOWNLOAD: MidasTouch-PresageToDisaster.rar (67.09 MB)

SEDUCER • Seducer LP

2010-02-27T10:34:00.014-05:00

Universe Productions 1983
I don't know what the eff is going on, but I don't hate this record! I was sure it'd suck based on the band's tracks from the Holland Heavy Metal comp (even though they were better than SAD IRON... that ain't sayin' much!) and this righteously bad band photo (I can hear the guy up front now, the one who looks like Tony Orlando: "Hey guys check it out, I got this awesome goldtop Les Paul to match my gold lamé pants"). SEDUCER ain't Metal by any stretch, so if you can't stomach straight up Rock I'd move along and avoid this one. Imagine classic high octane TED NUGENT played at half time and with a quarter of the energy. Throw in a tiny bit of Southern Rock, some Russ Dwarf vocals, and a track that sounds like THE EAGLES' "Life In The Fast Lane", and you might be starting to get the picture. Yeah it's not great, but I expected much much worse.
DOWNLOAD: Seducer-Seducer.rar (60.91 MB)

STATORS • ...Never Too Late LP

2010-02-26T09:40:00.011-05:00

Axe Killer Records 1985
One night at work, being beyond bored, I decided that come hell or high water I was going to solve one of Metal photo mysteries posted over at the always entertaining Test Your Metal blog. I literally spent hours researching and cross-referencing bands, photos, labels, discographies, and finally my hard work paid off... in spades! No, not really, but I did discover that the band in the cornball photo was France's own STATORS. And so it is that I felt overly acquainted with a band I'd never heard when I happened upon this record a couple of days ago. I can happily report that their wacky band photos are no indicator of the cool NWOBHM styled tracks STATORS have laid down here. I really dig the French vocal inflections (reminds me of the mighty SORTILEGE), and the well written songs are chock fulla interesting riffs and great lead breaks. I certainly did not expect to enjoy this record as much as I do. Good stuff, definitely worth a shot.
DOWNLOAD: Stators-NeverTooLate.rar (62.88 MB)

COBRA • Warriors Of The Dead LP

2010-02-19T10:18:00.001-05:00

Criminal Response Records 1985
Technically this might not be an Ebony release, but surely Criminal Response Records was some sorta subsidiary or off-shoot, cuz this reeks of Ebony, and more specifically: it sounds like Ebony (i.e. like complete shit). However, much like they did on their Ebony debut, COBRA try their damnedest to overcome the crippling effects of a third rate production job by whipping out a serious collection of hefty, aggressive, NWOBHM killers. Manic off-the-cuff solos and loads of cool riffs are what make Warriors Of The Dead, and though lacking, the production is much better than Back From The Dead.
DOWNLOAD: Cobra-WarriorsOfTheDead.rar (54.58 MB)

DRIVE • Characters In Time LP

2010-02-05T11:43:00.009-05:00

Rampage Records 1988
Based on the shoddy album cover, I assumed that DRIVE were gonna chauffeur me through the dim, well worn streets of generic, cliched, low-rent Metal straight to the heart Boredom Town... population: me. Thankfully messrs. Chavez et al. had no intention of treading that unfortunate path. Characters In Time may be ensconced in that abysmal cover, but the grooves contain top-notch modern Metal (by late 80s standards) that rivals OLIVER MAGNUM, bests WARRIOR, and is akin to a heavier QUEENSRYCHE. Mildly technical, highly melodic, vocally harmonized, and always engaging, DRIVE's debut may have taken the fast lane to the delete bin, but it's definitely worth a kick at the tires.
DOWNLOAD: Drive-CharactersInTime.rar (79.73 MB)

VICIOUS CIRCLE • Take It 12"

2010-01-23T11:29:00.007-05:00

Noise Records 1984
When I picked this outta the rack I thought to myself: "Whoa! that Australian hardcore band put out a record on Noise!?! They musta really fucked up!", but calm yourself, cuz this most definitely ain't that band - these guys are German through and through. VICIOUS CIRCLE remind me of TYRAN PACE 'cept a bit less heavy, and a bit less PRIEST-y. The biggest similarity is in the soaring high pitched vocals. If Ralf Scheepers is a dead ringer for Rob Halford, then this dude is a dead ringer for Scheepers. It's a sorta... well... it's a vicious circle isn't it (sigh). The thing that really sold me on this is that it's produced by Horst Müller who did early DESTRUCTION and SODOM records... but please don't expect VICIOUS CIRCLE to sound anything like that.
DOWNLOAD: ViciousCircle-TakeIt.rar (22.5 MB)

LADY KILLER • Lady Killer LP

2010-01-20T11:06:00.003-05:00

Allegiance Records 1983
As far as I'm concerned, this is what real Metal sounds like! The production is raw, and the sound: heavy and aggressive. The band lays it down like their lives are depending on it, tearing through all 9 tracks with aplomb and youthful exuberance. Sounding kinda like a punky EXCITER, I guarantee that New York's LADY KILLER laid waste to every other pimply faced Metal band in the boroughs. Unfortunately this was the only release they were able to squeeze out before disbanding... but maybe this is enough.
DOWNLOAD: LadyKiller-LadyKiller.rar (70.76 MB)

BLACK ANGELS • Hellmachine LP

2010-01-10T12:32:00.010-05:00

Bellaphon Records 1982
When you see a band photo like this, you might be tempted to think: leather, studs, big medallions, too cool for shirts... these guys have gotta be heavy, but look closer... there's one too many dudes in this band! 6 guys is always bad news. It means that there's at least one superfluous member who more than likely plays keyboards. I suppose there's a chance that the extra guy is a second drummer or percussionist (also an indicator of diminished heaviosity), or a third guitarist (in the case of MAIDEN, a guy who's probably unplugged and just prances about), or worst of all a horn player (thankfully DJs aren't something you have to worry about with a record of this vintage), but generally the sixth man is stuck behind a keyboard. Such is the case with BLACK ANGELS. In this scenario, the best you can hope for is a DEEP PURPLE sorta thing, and I suppose that's the best comparison I can make for BLACK ANGELS' brand of keyboard laden, 70s Rock. Unfortunately I've yet to hear a band that could match the hugeness and aggression of Lord's keyboard sound and playing ('cept for URIAH HEEP maybe). So despite the low rent album cover and misleading band photo, Hellmachine really ain't heavy at all. It's pretty cool, and the band is more than able, but it's nothing to write home about.
DOWNLOAD: BlackAngels-Hellmachine.rar (74.04 MB)

HARDWARE • In Cold Blood EP

2010-01-08T11:29:00.008-05:00

Steamhammer Records 1985
Fuck yeah! This is what I hope every record I buy is gonna sound like: bad-ass Speed Metal that's aggressive yet still somewhat melodic with memorable riffs that aren't sacrificed for the sake of speed. The vocals are raspy and at times approach LIVING DEATH abrasiveness, but never become quite that annoying, and like most German Speed Metal there's no mistaking the ACCEPT influence. Total bummer that I'm just hearing HARDWARE now, but it's better late than never. Top notch German Speed... you can't go wrong.
DOWNLOAD: Hardware-InColdBlood.rar (36.38 MB)

THE COCKNEY REJECTS • The Wild Ones LP

2010-01-06T13:04:00.012-05:00

A.K.A. Records 1982
I seriously questioned myself after picking this one up. I probably paid twice what it's worth (thank you Ric's Recollections), but was intrigued by a few things: a) the title grabbed me cuz of the THIN LIZZY connection, b) I'm a sucker for band photos on album covers (don't ask me why), and c) what the fuck were THE COCKNEY REJECTS thinking!?! As a kid I loved those Greatest Hits records, and still sorta regret selling 'em in order to purchase Metal records, but this is clearly not the same band. I wasn't sure if they were taking the piss, or if this was for real... 3 of the songs have Rock in the title, it's produced by Pete Way, no boots or braces anywhere in sight. Clearly the boys were influenced by the NWOBHM and it works for them. They crank out 9 tracks of pure knuckleheaded Rock, that's at times reminiscent of TANK, AC/DC, AEROSMITH, and THE KINKS even, but never shows any hint of the band's not so distant past. This ain't no "Flares And Slippers"! There's no denying it - I love this record, which means I can no longer turn my nose up at Quiet Storm or The Power And The Glory when I come across 'em in the dollar bins.
(For a good time) DOWNLOAD: CockneyRejects-TheWildOnes.rar (68.17 MB)

GILGAMESJ • Take One EP

2010-01-02T10:42:00.010-05:00

Rave-On Records 1984
The most awkward band name of all time! It was really bothering me, and so I had to find out just what the hell Gilgamesj meant - thank you Wikipedia. Gilgamesj (or Gilgamesh) was an ancient Sumerian king rumoured to be two thirds god and one third man. The ancient Dutch band GILGAMESJ, on the other hand, are two thirds deriviative and one third adequate. Take One isn't likely to knock you on your ass, but it's got some decent hard rockin' moments along with some blatant rip-offs (that opening riff is way too close to something - not sure if it's ACCEPT, or TANK, or what). Not nearly as killer as other early Rave-On releases (MERCYFUL FATE, SORTILEGE) but still cool, and the album cover rules.
DOWNLOAD: Gilgamesj-TakeOne.rar (32.37 MB)

FALLEN ANGELS • Fallen Angels LP

2010-01-01T13:07:00.007-05:00

Fallout Records 1984
Maybe my expectations were a bit too high for this record, but can you blame me? Knox from THE VIBRATORS backed up by HANOI ROCKS' rhythm section... sounds perfect right? But perfect it ain't. When I ripped this I thought it was awful, but subsequent listens show that it's not terrible, just lacklustre. It reminds me of those late JOHNNY THUNDERS records, you know the ones, where he's just going through the motions in a stupor and the results are completely uninspired and kinda depressing. THUNDERS fans eat that shit up regardless of quality, and I'm sure HANOI ROCKS and VIBRATORS fans will do the same with Fallen Angels. As an added bonus, I'm pretty sure that Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy make guest appearances billed as The Cosmic Ted and The Flashing Psychedelic Kid. And here's something I never thought I'd state: the sax solos are the highlight of the record (courtesy of Monroe).
DOWNLOAD: FallenAngels-FallenAngels.rar (72.94 MB)

Top 3 of 2009

2009-12-31T10:26:00.013-05:00

Last year I could only come up with a list of 3 records that were released in 2008 that I actually purchased and/or enjoyed, so this year I'm going to honour that tradition with another measly list of 3. To be honest, I've got a brain like a sieve, and any record that came out 8 months ago that I might've liked has already been long forgotten. So 3 it is!

ZOMBI • Spirit Animal
Relapse Records
Without a doubt the best thing Relapse has ever released. Layers upon layers of keyboard driven 70s horror soundscapes and Kraut Rock meanderings create an ambient, moody, scary record that I can't get enough of. Think: GOBLIN, TANGERINE DREAM, RUSH, and John Carpenter movie soundtracks. I'm confident that the MAJEURE record is going to be spectacular too, but I haven't even had a chance to crack the plastic on that one.

THE DEVIL'S BLOOD • The Time Of No Time Evermore
Van Records
After all the teasers released by TDB... finally a full length to sink yer teeth into. Much like ZOMBI, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD are all about atmosphere and a haunting aura, 'cept instead of keyboards, they layer harmonized and reverb drenched guitars and vocals over 60s-style Rock meets MOTORHEAD. This didn't blow me away like Come Reap did, but I'll take what I can get!

AT WAR • Infidel
Heavy Artillery Records
This one was a toss up between WHIPLASH and AT WAR, but Infidel has edge over Unborn Again. While both are great returns to form, AT WAR were able to retain more of their initial energy, and sound - this coulda come out a year after Retaliatory Strike and it woulda sounded exactly the same. Yeah there's lots to question re: AT WAR's politics and gun toting, pro-war stance, but somehow it just makes them more likeable. Not because I agree... but God love 'em for being so damned American!

Top 10 Downloads of 2009

2009-12-31T10:22:00.001-05:00

These are the albums, posted during 2009, that were most downloaded. Excellent selection of titles, but of course, as with last year, I recognize that the more recent posts haven't had as much time to be downloaded... tough shit for them!
1. TKO • In Your Face: Ah yes... this was the discovery of the year for me! Easily my favourite record/post of the year. Yours too evidently.
2. BRATS • 18th January 1981: Essentially a MERCYFUL FATE record... not surprising it had the shit downloaded outta it.
3. FAITHFUL BREATH • Gold 'N' Glory: Killer head gear.
4. CRACK JAW • Nightout: German Metal - almost always a safe bet.
5. BLACK SABBATH • Born Again Unmixed: Crushing alternate version of the mighty Born Again.
6. MOTORHEAD • BBC Sessions: Duh!
7. NIGHTWING • Black Summer: Love that album cover, and the songs are cool too.
8. VILLAINS • Drenched In The Poisons: Good record, even if it's not "hispter or darkthrone clone bullshit".
9. SORTILEGE • Metamorphose: One of my Euro-Metal faves. Glad to see the French version was grabbed over the English.
10. MX MACHINE • Manic Panic: Not sure if people downloaded this cuz they liked it or cuz they hated it... whatever, I thought it was good.

LOUDNESS • The Birthday Eve LP

2009-12-28T16:20:00.005-05:00

Nippon Columbia Company 1981
Probably the most well known of Japan's 80s Metal exports, Osaka's LOUDNESS started life as more of a 1970s guitar hero tribute. VAN HALEN being the most obvious influence, but there's an undeniable Uli Jon Roth/SCORPIONS feel, blatant RUSH style Prog passages, and some bits of LED ZEPPELIN thrown in to complete the unholy Classic Rock mélange. LOUDNESS is very much Akira Takasaki's band; his guitar playing is technically beyond reproach, but also tasteful and widely varied... so good it almost makes you forget about those annoying vocals. Thunder In The East is the only other LOUDNESS record I've heard, and by that point they were fully ensconced in the sheen of big budget American production. The Birthday Eve is more raw, stripped down, and classic in feel and approach, with the only hints of full blown Metal found in Takasaki's playing and the high register vocals. Decent record, but mildly annoying, and I can't quite put my finger on why.
DOWNLOAD: Loudness-TheBirthdayEve.rar (74.18 MB)

TARGET • Master Project Genesis LP

2009-12-20T11:23:00.013-05:00

Aaarrg Records 1988
Holy shit this is a good record! Herky-jerky technical Thrash that not only sounds like, but is equally as good as, and better in some cases, than Cracked Brain-era DESTRUCTION, OBLIVEON, M.A.D. and ARTILLERY. Trust me, I'm not being overzealous or hyperbolic, this album is that good (yeah I know Cracked Brain kinda sucks, but whatever). Not only is there the modern cyber-techno Metal replete with harmonized R2-D2 guitar solos, but there's a healthy dose of straight ahead Thrash so things don't become so abstrusely angular that you can't even wrap yer head around it. Steve Gray's vocals are excellent, and help to elevate TARGET above all the aforementioned bands with regards to melody and accessibility (excepting ARTILLERY perhaps). This is one of the best Thrash records I've posted. Download at will.
DOWNLOAD: Target-MasterProjectGenesis.rar (68.73 MB)

GUITAR PETE'S AXE ATTACK • Nitemare LP

2009-12-11T11:24:00.011-05:00

Napalm Records 1986
GUITAR PETE'S AXE ATTACK has gotta be one'a the worst band names of all time. It's just so fucking stupid... AXE ATTACK is par-for-the-course for mid 80s Metal: dumb but not overly moronic, but any of the potential menace conjured up by AXE ATTACK is lost when Guitar Pete decided he should become the band's namesake. What's more, the guy ain't no guitar wizard... just yer typical axe slinger - I guarantee that on any given Friday night in 1986, you coulda thrown a rock in L'Amours and hit an equally competent guitarist. OK enough about the name. Much like Pete's guitar playing, the music on Nitemare is standard at best. Not super heavy, commercial but not overly so, just middle of the road American Metal. Nothing really jumped out at me as being spectacular or gawdawful... meh.
DOWNLOAD (only if you've got the bandwidth to spare): GuitarPetesAxeAttack-Nitemare.rar (70.37 MB)

JINGO DE LUNCH • Cursed Earth EP

2009-12-05T16:51:00.011-05:00

Bonzen Records 1988
Wow, this record is blowing my mind! JINGO DE LUNCH really got it right... heavy, hard-assed Rock informed by Punk or maybe Hardcore. As an example of just where their heads're at, there's THIN LIZZY ("Cowboy Song") and BAD BRAINS ("Pay To Cum") covers, and there's not a tongue in cheek anywhere to be found. The sound is huge, almost SACRILEGE-ous; the drums are massive, but the female vox are much more melodic than Tam's. A couple of the more metallic riffs remind me of SACRILEGE too, which is weird, because on the surface the two bands have little in common. "Pay To Cum" is on the record at the wrong speed, so I've included a proper, 45 rpm version as well as the original... because I care. Get this!
DOWNLOAD: JingoDeLunch-CursedEarth.rar (40.66 MB)

PREDATOR • Easy Prey LP

2009-12-04T09:42:00.007-05:00

Metal Blade Records 1985
Universally accepted as one of the worst album covers of all-time, the cover shot makes it next to impossible to take this record seriously. However... musically PREDATOR is in keeping with Metal Blade's collection of half-assed Metal bands that were only able to eke out a single release (THRUST, WITCHKILLER, 3RD STAGE ALERT, DEMON FLIGHT, BLOODLUST, etc.). That is not to say that Easy Prey is a bad record, in fact it's more than decent, and PREDATOR "mastermind" Jeff Prentice is a fantastic guitar player whose virtuosity keeps things interesting. Kinda like Chicago's THRUST, without the high-pitched vocals and hate-on for posers. More enjoyable than expected, and as far as I'm concerned, the album cover's stupidity is more endearing than off-putting, so it's win/win.
DOWNLOAD: Predator-EasyPrey.rar (81.08 MB)
PS: Sleazegrinder tracked down Jeff Prentice and conducted a great interview re: the album cover, and ramshackle nature of the band, album, and everything PREDATOR

AXTION • Look Out For The Night LP

2009-12-03T08:52:00.002-05:00

IRD Records 1985
Within the realms of Metal, this is as diametrically opposed to BLESSED DEATH as you could possibly get, so if yer lookin' to have yer nuts crushed, this ain't the one to download... but if you're up for some middle of the road Hard Rock/commercial Metal you're in luck. Look Out For The Night starts off kinda limp wristed, but gradually develops into a pretty decent platter. Yeah it's tame and generally lightweight, but the boys get the lead out on a few tracks ("Fury Of The Tempest", "Your Number's Up", and the title track), and there's enough hard rockin' attitude and cool guitar bits to make it worthy of repeateded listens. Slightly reminiscent of SINFUL, it's sorta second rate, and a bit demo-ish in the production department, but that's never stopped me before... it ain't gonna stop me now.
DOWNLOAD: Axtion-LookOutForTheNight.rar (77.51 MB)

BLESSED DEATH • Destined For Extinction LP

2009-12-02T09:55:00.008-05:00

Roadrunner Records 1987
I had the pleasure of seeing these dudes a couple of times in the late 80s, and I hated them! The guy's non-stop, ear-piercing wail was infuriating, their slobby biker image was irksome (at the time I prolly woulda preferred if they were in jammer shorts or some bullshit), but what I really didn't like was that they made me wait for the other bands on the bill: AT WAR... and more importantly WHIPLASH! The photo on the back of this record irritated me... in a nutshell, I disliked everything about BLESSED DEATH. Even today I debated buying this slab for all the aforementioned reasons, and many others, but I swallowed my pride and returned home with a goddamn BLESSED DEATH record. I was right about the air-raid siren screams (they never stop!!), and he seems to have little sense of time, rhythm, or song structure, but as a band BD are absolutely crushing. Thrash that is almost a precursor to Death Metal; complex, relentless, and really just heavy-as-fuck. OK... I like BLESSED DEATH... there, I said it... are you happy now?
DOWNLOAD: BlessedDeath-DestinedForExtinction.rar (62.52 MB)

QUICK CHANGE • Circus Of Death LP

2009-11-25T10:50:00.008-05:00

Roadrunner Records 1988
Yet another band I don't remember ever hearing about back in the day... but based on the band photo it's easy to understand why someone might ignore, or attempt to expunge all memory of QUICK CHANGE. Said photo had me convinced that this record would truly suck, but thankfully my expectations weren't met. Circus Of Death is fairly typical of what was happening in late-80s Thrash, there's a bit of a skateboard/Crossover vibe (maybe it's just that goddamn flipped up hat) and a distinct Bay Area influence... kinda like a less manic, less intense VIO-LENCE, with vocals that are not unlike Sean Killian's or Russ from FORBIDDEN. Lots of Thrash bands, INDESTRUCTIBLE NOISE COMMAND for instance, were unable to write songs that didn't bore the shit outta the listener with 500 generic riffs strung together for interminable amounts of time - not so with QUICK CHANGE. The songs are concise, heavy, and surprisingly good. A Neo-Thrash fan's dream!
DOWNLOAD: QuickChange-CircusOfDeath.rar (72.58 MB)

TOX • Prince Of Darkness LP

2009-11-18T11:18:00.012-05:00

Samel Records 1985
Although the album title, cover art, and even band name, all exude a certain aura of heaviness, Prince Of Darkness is, not surprisingly, not the heaviest slab of molten balls-to-the-wall Metal ever made. A quick glance at the song titles made that abundantly clear, but it certainly didn't stop me from from giving TOX a chance... and I'm glad it didn't. What TOX lack in heaviness is made up for in classy Hard Rock hooks and memorable NWOBHM-style jaunts... think DEEP PURPLE or THIN LIZZY-ish 70s Rock melded with ANGEL WITCH and the mild Prog tendencies of NIGHTWING. The somewhat cheeseball, yet oddly spooky title track is a stonecold classic, and begs to be covered by THE DEVIL'S BLOOD. Welcome to the sorcery!
DOWNLOAD: Tox-PrinceOfDarkness.rar (70.11 MB)

THOR • Only The Strong LP

2009-11-12T10:29:00.005-05:00

Viper Records 1985
In keeping with HEAVY LOAD's viking heritage, artwork, and whole "Heathens From The North" vibe, I've decided to post a record by someone who thought he was a viking. He's definitely from the north, but he got the hemisphere wrong, and I dunno how his buxom bedmate, Pantera, fits into the whole Norse pantheon, but whatever... that's just splitting hairs. He thought he was a viking god and who am I to say he's not - it's totally possible that Thor is Thor, and in the mid-80s he came down from Valhalla to rock we wee mortals. Surprisingly (to me at least) he did a bang up job. Only The Strong may be the most clichéd Metal record of all time, but it's a hard rockin' good time, and "Thunder On The Tundra" is as majestic a Metal anthem as you're ever likely to hear.
DOWNLOAD: Thor-OnlyTheStrong.rar (70.36 MB)

HEAVY LOAD • Metal Conquest EP

2009-11-05T16:53:00.008-05:00

Thunderload Records 1981
OK, so I'm showing up to the party a little late... but I partially blame you, dear reader. I bought this record in April '08, and, like some kinda jerk-off, let it sit in amongst all the crappy records I've amassed (and posted), and you.... you just sat by and let it happen. A simple email or comment: "Hey dipshit, post that HEAVY LOAD record" woulda sufficed, but nothing. And so it is that you're complicit in my negligence and ignorance regarding Sweden's mighty HEAVY LOAD. If you have even a passing interest in Metal, I'm confident that you're gonna drop a heavy load of yer own whilst checking out Metal Conquest.
DOWNLOAD: HeavyLoad-MetalConquest.rar (37.72 MB)

TANK • Crazy Horses 7"

2009-11-03T11:42:00.005-05:00

Kamaflage Records 1982
TANK are, in my opinion, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the greatest band of the NWOBHM era. I hesitate to lump them in with the masses of NWOBHM bands, as they undoubtly transcended the limitations of the genre and the scene... that is until the Brabbs bros. left and everything went to Hell in a hand-basket, but during their early days (read: first 2 records) they were untouchable! "Crazy Horses" is an alternate version of the Osmonds' classic (?) found on TANK's sophomore outing Power Of The Hunter, and the phenomenally titled "Filth Bitch Boogie" is a non-LP b-side. These have probably been tacked onto the end of CD re-issues, but in case they haven't, here they are in their infinite glory. Hold on to your toupees!
DOWNLOAD: Tank-CrazyHorses.rar (13.31 MB)

SOUND BARRIER • Hollywood 12"

2009-10-14T10:42:00.011-04:00

Metal Blade Records 1986
As requested, here's SOUND BARRIER's take on the THIN LIZZY classic "Hollywood (Down On Your Luck)" from the latter's 1981 Renegade album. Renegade was by no means the highlight of LIZZY's career, there's a couple of decent songs ("Angel Of Death", "The Pressure Will Blow"), but the Gorham/White guitar duo was uninspiring and the weakest of LIZZY's legendary guitar combos. Much the same can be said about SOUND BARRIER's pairing with Metal Blade Records. After their stellar debut on MCA, and the raucous Born To Rock EP, the mighty SOUND BARRIER found themselves on a label whose roster was generally populated by one-off Metal bands of varying and questionable quality... certainly not the most illustrious company for a band of SOUND BARRIER's caliber. They delivered the Speed Of Light record which included "Hollywood (Down On Your Luck)", a tribute to Phil Lynott who passed away earlier the same year. As they did with "Born To Be Wild", SOUND BARRIER are able to make the song their own by adding interesting, tasty flourishes, but unfortunately the production is weak, flat, and sounds little better than a demo. This woulda kicked mucho ass if it sounded even half as good as their earlier records, but still, it's a great song, and any THIN LIZZY cover is OK in my books.
DOWNLOAD: SoundBarrier-HollywoodSingle.rar (13.79 MB)

THE BONELESS ONES • Skate For The Devil LP

2009-10-11T10:52:00.011-04:00

Boner Records 1986
VERBAL ABUSE's "Ratt Pakk" got me to thinkin' about another song of the era and genre that I love equally as much: "I'm A Skater", which you can hear on this righteous slab by Bay Area skaterock mofo's THE BONELESS ONES. Much like V.A., THE BONELESS ONES dealt in a Metal/Punk crossover, but while the former pontificated on everything from killer rats to chicks who piss themselves, THE BONELESS ONES' lyrics deal almost exclusively with skating; from skating in the name of Satan, to longing for skate Betty's, to losing friends to spills, and just generally getting rad. I don't personally give a shit about skating, but you gotta admire their dedication! All the dudes in THE BONELESS ONES are adept musicians, but Luke Skeels' guitar playing is the most outstanding - the metallic riffs, and his searing leads steal the show. The bass and guitar trade off on "I'm a Skater" is simple, but extremely effective, and stokes me out every time! Get it.
DOWNLOAD: BonelessOnes-SkateForTheDevil.rar (58.08 MB)

VERBAL ABUSE • Rocks Your Liver LP

2009-10-10T09:57:00.010-04:00

Boner Records 1986
Yeah yeah I know... I've heard it a hundred times: "Their first record is better", "It's not the same band", "They went Metal", blah blah blah and boo-fucking-hoo. You know what, that first record ain't got "Ratt Pakk" on it, and for that sole reason this record is superior. I first heard the track in question on CKLN's Aargh Rock back when this came out, and since then it has remained one of my all time favourites. Rocks Your Liver is Crossover. Kinda like THE ACCUSED without the extreme throat torture. Yeah there's Metal riffs, rockin' solos, some ridiculous lyrics, etc. but to me this still has a definite hardcore feel to it: ultra high energy, the band delivers every track with reckless abandon, and the sound is more akin to an 80s hardcore record than anything Metal. There's loads cool songs and killer riffs on VARYL, but it's Scotty Wilkins' vocals that really do it for me. This record rules, and if yer skeptical, just download it and check out "Ratt Pakk", it'll kick yer balls off!
DOWNLOAD: VerbalAbuse-RocksYourLiver.rar (64.38 MB)

UNCLE SAM • Heaven Or Hollywood LP

2009-10-07T11:29:00.001-04:00

Skeller Records 1987
Best album cover ever? OK maybe not, but you gotta admit that it's pretty great, and if cover art is supposed to be intriguing and memorable (and it is) then Heaven Or Hollywood is an undeniable success. Unfortunately I think more people are familiar with the cover than they are with the rawk laid down by these four Rochester reprobates. For instance: I was under the mistaken impression that UNCLE SAM were a questionable Southern Rock/Metal mash-up, but this is pure and simple Garage Rock in the smacked out vein of JOHNNY THUNDERS and THE JONESES. The vocals are snotty, the guitars reverb drenched, and the attitude is pure Punk Rock... really not what I expected based on the group shot, and all the press they received from Metal journos back-in-the-day. Gotta say that I'm pleasantly surprised. This is rough and tumble cock rock the way it oughta sound - no big budget West Coast sheen here, just bare bone Rock stripped down to it's core.
DOWNLOAD: UncleSam-HeavenOrHollywood.rar (65.53 MB)

INDESTRUCTIBLE NOISE COMMAND • Razorback LP

2009-10-05T11:29:00.004-04:00

Giant Records 1987
Found this one buried deep within the nether regions of my LP collection. Don't remember where, when, or why I bought this, but at some point I felt compelled to part with some hard earned cash in order to walk away with this slab. I do recall a pretty big stink about how great these guys were supposed to be when this, their debut, was released, but I can't say I understand why. By '87 the market was flooded with johnny-come-lately Thrash bands, and every new record was touted as the greatest thing since Bonded By Blood, but trust me, this ain't even close. Musically Razorback is typical Thrash, but the vocals are weak and uninspired, and the production leaves a lot to be desired. It's not terrible, it's standard and predictable, and as far I'm concerned that's worse than being crap... at least you remember crap. This is very reminiscent of the majority of stuff churned out by British thrashers in the mid/late 80s... yeah it's that bland, and life is just too short for generic Metal.
DOWNLOAD: INC-Razorback.rar (91.75 MB)

STEELER • Strike Back LP

2009-10-04T10:47:00.008-04:00

Steamhammer Records 1986
Not to be confused with Yngwie's early outfit, this STEELER hailed from Germany and were first called SINNER (evidently they had a tough time finding an original name). I think guitarist Axel Rudi Pell is considered some kinda guitar wank hero... maybe not on par with Yngwie, but of course according to Yngwie no one is. Strike Back is standard fare for mid-80s German Metal: the quality is high, the band tight, it's aggressive yet commercial, and there's the mandatory nods to ACCEPT. Dunno what else to say really... this is a totally solid record - exactly what you expect from der Vaterland. If you dug CRACK JAW and SPELLBOUND you'll prolly dig this one too.
DOWNLOAD: Steeler-StrikeBack.rar (70.15 MB)

JADE • If You're Man Enough LP

2009-10-03T10:25:00.008-04:00

Roadrunner Records 1985
This is a surprisingly decent record from a band that had the deck stacked against them: a) they're Canadian b) female vocalist (when combined with point a) generally results in dismal middle-of-the-road Rock a'la TORONTO, or HEADPINS, or even LEE AARON) and c) the production combines not only a drum machine, but one'a those abhorrent Rockman direct guitar pieces of shit that were so overused in the 80s. So with all that as a starting point, If You're Man Enough isn't as terrible as you might expect. OK, so it's not exceedingly heavy and it leans towards the Hard Rock end of the spectrum, but the songs are well written and catchy, there's some decent riffs here and there, and Sweet Marie Black's got a great voice. If the production wasn't so thoroughly second rate this'd be a damn good record.
DOWNLOAD: Jade-IfYoureManEnough.rar (72.36 MB)

CYCLONE • Brutal Destruction LP

2009-10-01T13:06:00.010-04:00

Roadrunner Records 1986
I distinctly remember this record being released, there was a bit of hype and favourable reviews, and I always wanted to hear it... but was it worth a 23 year wait? Highly doubtful. These mustachioed mutherfuckers certainly weren't breaking any new ground, sounding very much like yer standard second generation American Thrash band. In fact, they're deadringers for Cleveland's DESTRUCTOR... 'cept a bit sloppier maybe. The vocals are uncannily similar to Dave Overkill's, and I was waiting for every next song to be "Iron Curtain" or "Pounding Evil"... but no. Brutal Destruction might not be the most appropriate title, but CYCLONE do deliver 8 decent, if generic, tracks of American come Belgian Thrash. I seemed to enjoy this record more by the time the second side was underway, so maybe it's a bit of a creeper. Forget retro-Thrash and get some of the real deal... or an old Belgian facsimile of the real deal... or something like that.
DOWNLOAD: Cyclone-BrutalDestruction.rar (59.18 MB)

DYOXEN • Apocalyptic Dreams Demo

2009-09-16T11:34:00.020-04:00

Private/Indie 1987
I found DYOXEN's First Among Equals record disappointing when it was released - today I don't remember why exactly, but I'm sure it's got something to do with being one of those "I only like the demo" guys that Metal Inquisition despise so much. Sorry, but it's true - this, the notorious London ON thrashers' first demo, is pretty damn killer and a superior offering to their 1990 album. After an unintentionally PILEDRIVER-esque intro and obligatory instrumental time-waster the band finally gets to the good shit: 4 tracks of tight, moderately complex Thrash that's not unlike Boston's mighty WARGASM, and thanks to Michael Scott Saunders' vocal lines and tasteful guitar playing, there's even some hint of melody amongst the intense thrash'n'bash. Excellent stuff - highly recommended.
DOWNLOAD: Dyoxen-ApocalypticDreams.rar (36.73 MB)

S.D.I. • Satans Defloration Incorporated LP

2009-09-06T11:45:00.005-04:00

Scratchcore 1986
You'd be well advised to down 3 or 4 steinkrugs of Krombacher (or your bier of choice) to get yourself in the mood for this 'un... it might also give you some insight into the minds that created this brazen masterwork of mindless Metal. Only an excess of booze could explain why S.D.I. were content to record the same song over and over again 10+ times. There's little variety on Satans Defloration Incorporated: simplistic, fast riffs that border on Punk over a barrage of non-stop double bass drums that plow through every song. Only "Bloodsucker" and "You're Wrong" break the pace, and as a result are the most memorable tracks on this slab. This record is exactly what I've come to expect from a second rate German Speed Metal... it's more fun than it is evil, and more ham-fisted than technical, but it's still a good time... and after that many steins, who gives a fuck! It's Metal for christsake!
DOWNLOAD: SDI-SatansDeflorationIncorporated.rar (67.29 MB)

MX MACHINE • Manic Panic LP

2009-08-31T08:42:00.004-04:00

Restless Records 1988
An old friend of mine used to rave about this band, and how great this record was, so I figured "What the eff... I'll give it a shot". I expected typical late 80s Bay Area style Thrash, but am happy to report that that ain't what MX MACHINE were all about. Manic Panic is essentially a Crossover record, but instead of blending Hardcore and Thrash, MX MACHINE combine straight-up Metal, with a touch of MOTORHEAD's Rock/Punk/Metal, and Hardcore-ish vocals and lyrics. Unlike most bands of the era, MX MACHINE weren't about speed for speed's sake, as most of the songs pound out at a moderate pace that never even approaches Thrash or Hardcore tempos. Even without a reliance on speed, this is still a high energy, aggressive collection of good ole kick-ass. Judging by the sticker on the cover "No Glam Fags" was supposed to be their theme song or some shit, and though it's plainly un-PC, it's more imbecilic than it is offensive; the intro is completely unfunny, and the song itself isn't nearly as good as the rest of the record. On the whole though, Manic Panic is damn good... and surprisingly so!
DOWNLOAD: MXMachine-ManicPanic.rar (57.29 MB)

Heavy Metal Records • Webster NY

2009-08-29T21:10:00.031-04:00

75 W Main Street
(585) 872-4129
Ever since I saw the Heavy Metal Records guys at the Buffalo Record Show in April I've been jonesin' to check out the store, so with fresh new passport in hand I headed down Rochester way.‎ Thankfully the shop does not disappoint - it's tiny, but absolutely packed to the rafters with Metal! There's a veritable fuckload of CDs, DVDs, LPs, and t-shirts... and good shit too, not yer run-of-the-mill crap. Vinyl prices are more than reasonable, with most used records coming in at $5 and new releases at $20 (with a few up to $25). I could have easily spent all the cash I had at Heavy Metal Records, but while I was in Rochester I had a few other places to check out, so I had to restrain myself... next time I won't be so frugal (or I'll bring more money). Yeah this place rules! Here's what I picked up:

• METAL INQUISITOR "Doomsday For The Heretic" LP: Heard a song on Ian Christie's Bloody Roots radio show and loved it.
• SAVATAGE "Sirens" LP: Fuck yeah! The original Par pressing! This made the whole trip worthwhile.
• CAULDRON "Chained To The Nite" LP: I didn't love what I heard from this, but that album cover is so goddamn great that I figured it deserved a chance.
• HERETIC "Breaking Point" LP: I think the selling point on this one was that Kurdt Vanderhoof produced it... and if that ain't weird, I don't know what is.
• RAVEN "Life's A Bitch" LP: Lately I've been having a hard time remembering just how bad RAVEN's post-All For One records were... so I picked this one up as a reminder.
• HOLOCAUST "The Nightcomers" LP: No need to explain I'm sure.
• OVERDRIVE "Metal Attack" LP: I haven't heard Swords & Axes in years, but I remember digging it, and I'm sure I'll dig this one too.

There was a ton of other great records that I had to pass on, but I will be back. In fact, I'll be back soon because Bob, the owner, is having a series of huge blow-out sales. Every Saturday starting Sept. 12 'til the end of the year, he moves piles of CDs, records, DVDs, and t-shirts into the hallway and everything is $5!!!!! So yeah, you can bet I'll be back for that.

Next up was the infamous House Of Guitars. It had been about 18 years since I was last at HOG, and evidently very little has changed. The place is still jam packed with guitars and amps, and what an impressive selection it is. The thing that bugs me about HOG is the way they just kinda pile the guitars upon each other inside the display cases. When buying a guitar, I prefer if it hasn't been crushed by 12 others guitars for past 24 months... I guess I'm just anal like that. Right, so in the basement of House Of Guitars is a warehouse sized room full of CDs, t-shirts, and a few remnants of their formerly glorious vinyl collection. It's such a fucking mess that I got fed up after 5 minutes and left cuz there's absolutely no rhyme or reason to the records they've got left

I whipped by The Bop Shop for a quick boo at their Metal section (which is decent) but was more intent on getting to The Record Archive before they closed. My whole interest in Rochester record shopping was piqued by Seriah Azkath, who mentioned that The Record Archive was tits... and he was right. There's a load of Metal records, and it's not the kinda stuff you'd normally come across. Again I could have blown a shitload of money, but the realization of how much this trip was costing me began to sink in, so I showed some restraint and only bought:

• LADY KILLER "Lady Killer" LP: Another awesome score! This one alone woulda made the trip worthwhile, but SAVATAGE trumps it.
• RAVEN "Stay Hard" LP: More research material for my How Hard Did RAVEN Really Suck? project. I have a feeling it's not quite as hard as I thought when I was kid.
• ROCK GODDESS "Rock Goddess" LP: Never seen this one before (always the Hell Hath No Fury album), but it's produced by Vic Maile which usually indicates quality.
• SATAN JOKERS "Trop Fou Pour Toi" LP: French Metal en français! Digez vous?

If yer on the hunt for Metal records, Rochester, and Heavy Metal Records in particular, is a sure bet!

VICTORY • Culture Killed The Native LP

2009-08-28T08:10:00.013-04:00

Rampage Records 1989
Another of Herman Frank's post-ACCEPT bands here... and as usual this pales in comparison to his work with Udo & Co. For the sake of comparison I went back and relistened to HAZZARD (Frank's first band after his stint in ACCEPT) and though it's still a disappointment, it's better than Culture Killed The Native. Where Hazzard is a decidely German record, filled with great riffs in the tradition of ACCEPT (surprise, surprise), this is a very American sounding record. The production is slick, the choruses are hugely overblown (and they all sound exactly the same), and it often reminds me of CRÜE's Dr. Feelgood. Vocalist Fernando Garcia is a dead ringer for SOUND BARRIER's Bernie K. - same voice, same phrasing, similar melodies... but somehow this guy is annoying. A coupla songs storm outta the gates with aggressive riffs and that big sound, but they limp across the finish line, burdened by heaps of reverb and choruses that are too massive for their own good. It's not as if this is a "bad quality" record, as all the players are able and the sound is decent, but unfortunately the songs are gratingly commercial. First HAZZARD and now this... that's two strikes for Frank, and I'm not about to give him a chance for a third.
DOWNLOAD: Victory-CultureKilledTheNative.rar (72.82 MB)

CRACK JAW • Nightout LP

2009-08-19T12:41:00.006-04:00

Steamhammer Records 1985
More awesome Germanic Metal for y'alls! Nightout is fulla anthemic tracks that combine heavy riffs with accessible vocal melodies, making CRACK JAW slightly more commercial than the majority of their mid-80s cohorts. The guitar playing is fantastic, so if the vocal poppiness starts to grate on your nerves, the tasteful and moderately technical playing of Holger Eckstein will be a welcome distraction. Album closer "Seven Days Of Wonder" features some excellent harmonized galloping riffs, and is an epic, classy way to wrap up the record. Solid band, good production... a quality release in every respect, even if it's not the heaviest of all time.
DOWNLOAD: CrackJaw-Nightout.rar (66.9 MB)

L'AMOUR ROCKS LP

2009-08-16T12:06:00.013-04:00

Mercenary Records 1987
L'Amour Rocks features 8 bands who in '87 were all in their infantile demo stages - some would later become fairly well known, while most others were destined for obscurity. This is a surprisingly solid comp, and save for THE BOYS' track there ain't a stinker in the whole bunch. Here's a breakdown:
WRATHCHILD: Not the UK glamsters, but WRATHCHILD AMERICA, before they were forced to tack on the AMERICA. Great double-time Power Metal that reminds me of EXCITER - what ATTILA wished they sounded like.
MATRIARCH: More Power Metal that seemed ripe for Metal Blade's picking... but I don't think these guys did much after this.
JETT BLAKK: Along with WRATHCHILD, JETT BLAKK are the standouts... pretty surprising too, considering their band photo. Straight ahead Thrash with a bit of a Crossover feel - check the full on S.O.D. mosh part in the middle. The guitar player ended up in over-the-top glam act PRETTY BOY FLOYD.
LETHAL AGGRESSION: Now for some real Crossover. Apparently these guys are still at it... that's dedication!
ATTACKER: These guys had already been on, and been dropped by (presumably), Metal Blade by the time L'Amour Rocks was released. Impressive! Great track though.
HALLOWEEN: Snapped this record up cuz of HALLOWEEN, but unfortunately this track pales in comparison to the stuff on their phenomenal Don't Metal With Evil debut of 3 years earlier. Still cool though.
MEANSTREAK: I always thought MEANSTREAK were more of a Thrash band, but "Lost Stranger" is straightforward Metal with a kinda generic Rock feel... not spectacular, but a totally decent offering.
THE BOYS: The most commercially viable band on L'Amour Rocks, and also the most boring and predictable.
DOWNLOAD: LamourRocks.rar (52.07 MB)

The Vinyl Obsession • Markham ON

2009-08-14T22:01:00.023-04:00

4560 Highway 7 East, Unit 900
(905) 479-2400
http://www.thevinylobsession.com
Today I headed up to what seemed like the goddamn North Pole to check out a new record shop in the outer limits of the GTA: The Vinyl Obsession. It's always risky making these long treks cuz it can be, and often is, all for naught. You arrive at a dank-hole-in-the wall just to find a "Metal section" full of well abused RAINBOW and MOXY albums... not the case with today's little foray into the godforsaken no man's land of Markham, ON. Apparently I have the Metal equivalent of gaydar, cuz within seconds of walking into the place I had pounced on the Metal vinyl like a fat kid on a Smartie. It was a respectable size, wasn't tucked into the dingiest corner of the shop, and contained lots of decent records - not too shabby! Straight away I noticed that the prices were a bit outta whack: generally overpriced considering that most of the records are simply in average shape... maybe only 3 or 4 mint records amongst them. Thankfully the owner, David, was not opposed to me suggesting what the records were really worth (or at least what I was willing to pay for 'em) and so I left with a handful of cool titles:

• HUSTLER "Now Or Never" LP: The band photo sold me, cuz the album cover stinks! 4 bad-ass French dudes lookin' like they're ready to fuck you up... '85 style.
• WARLORD "Thy Kingdom Come" LP: Believe it or not, I'd never seen this record before. Couldn't get away from that damn Cannons Of Destruction thing when I was a kid, but this one... never.
• BLACK SPOT "Flaps Down" LP: Never heard of these dudes, have no idea what they're about, but judging by the cover shot they're a Metal band (even though this kinda whiffs of Grunge or some kinda late 80s Alternative snooze-fest).
• VECTOM "Rules Of Mystery" LP: I feel like I should be more familiar with this band, the name rings a bell, but nothing concrete springs to to mind. Certainly looks to be good.
• L'AMOUR ROCKS Compilation LP: HALLOWEEN is on it and that's all I needed to see.
• ADAM BOMB "Fatal Attraction" LP: The guy rules on that TKO record, and just days ago I read a big thing on him on sleazegrinder.com, so I hadta have it.
• STEELER "Strike Back" LP: Still haven't listened to their first album... ooops, mistook these guys for Yngwie's old outfit - this is an altogether different band.
• VICTORY "Culture Killed The Native" LP: Another of Herman Frank's post-ACCEPT projects, and even though I didn't care for HAZZARD, I decide to give this one a go.

If The Vinyl Obsession is able to maintain a selection of titles this varied, and have a steady flow of new ones regularly coming through the door, it will surely become the go-to place for used Metal.

D.C. LACROIX • Crack Of Doom LP

2009-08-13T07:30:00.005-04:00

Black Dragon Records 1986
D.C. LACROIX were the best band on Ever Rat's dismal Metal Meltdown 2 comp, but on their Crack Of Doom debut the band seems unsure of whether commercial party anthems or straight ahead Metal is their forte. They tend to flip-flop between, and/or meld the two, with mixed results - not surprisingly they're at their best when sticking to the metallic vein of "Black Leather Monster" or the ANVIL-esque title track. Vocalist Sylvie Lacroix sounds a helluva lot like Doro Pesch, but as a band D.C. LACROIX is little more than a glorified bar band. They come across as an Everytown, USA cover band that decided to try their hand at Metal, even though it's not what they would naturally play and is totally foreign to them. I might be way off base, but that's what it sounds like. I am, however, gonna give this one a few more listens cuz I have a feeling it might be a bit of a creeper.
DOWNLOAD: DCLacroix-CrackOfDoom.rar (65.75 MB)

Niagara Records • St. Catharines ON

2009-08-12T11:16:00.008-04:00

377 St. Paul Street
(905) 228-0036
So it would appear that there's now 2 vinyl shops in St. Catharines... could things be looking up for the armpit of Ontario? Don't get too excited - Niagara Records is a bit of a dump, but there is a crapload of records in the decently sized shop. Generally the quality is below average, but I'm sure there's some gems tucked in amongst all the typical $1 bin records. The Metal section (yes they actually have one) is a bit underwhelming with it's abundance of ZEBRA, HELLFIELD, and ALCATRAZZ records, though I did find DC3's "The Good Hex" as well as a Y&T single, and a couple of standard Glam Metal slabs. First time I checked out Niagara Records they had JAG PANZER "Ample Destruction" under glass, as if they were preserving some hallowed artifact... and they wanted $30 for it in spite of the obvious wear... pass. These days a HEATHEN single or the crappy post-COCKNEY REJECTS "Quiet Storm" LP are the best you're gonna find. This is the kinda place I go to pick up records that I don't really care too much about (RATT, JETBOY, etc.) or when I just gotta buy something.

T.N.T. • Deflorator LP

2009-08-09T10:10:00.001-04:00

SL Records 1984
I ripped this record ages ago, but didn't really have much to say about it... and not surprisingly, I still don't. Deflorator is packed with nine decent AC/DC influenced rockers that have a slight Metal edge, and thus sound a helluva lot like KROKUS (so much so that I was convinced that these guys were Swiss). If you dig the SAMAIN record I posted yesterday, you're sure to enjoy this one too - it's rock solid from start to finish, and though it's taken a really long time, has grown on me steadily.
DOWNLOAD: TNT-Deflorator.rar (69.61 MB)

SAMAIN • Vibrations Of Doom LP

2009-08-08T10:23:00.011-04:00

Roadrunner Records 1984
Moustache Metal ran rampant in the mid-80s, but it was nowhere more present than in der Vaterland. 4/5 of SAMAIN carry on the long and strong German tradition of fuzzy facial appendages by proudly displaying their soup strainers on the back cover of Vibrations Of Doom: a generally innocuous blend of ACCEPT-ish pounders and mid-tempo rockers that recall Deutcshe Deflorators TNT. This is middle-of-the-road Metal that's very reminiscent of KROKUS... you know: it's cool, but it's not mindblowing by any means, and is generally forgettable. VOD does have it's moments, but there's a definite shortage of excitement ("Giant Man" or "Gonna Swing My Chariot" being the possible exceptions), as none of 'em really get the heart pumping. Maybe I can't fully appreciate it cuz of my lack of facial hair, but still, this is an above average record that warrants a few more spins and perhaps a few less shaves.
DOWNLOAD: Samain-VibrationsOfDoom.rar (70.73 MB)

CRUCIFIED • Infliction Of Pain Demo

2009-07-29T15:10:00.010-04:00

Private/Indie 1990
These guys were a Thrash band from the small town I grew up in, and to be totally honest, I always thought they were a complete pile of shit (even when I played with them for a Summer). So I wasn't expecting there to be anything redeeming about this demo when I decided to revisit it, but I was wrong... sorta. CRUCIFIED deliver Bay Area influenced Thrash that borrows heavily from METALLICA and FORBIDDEN, and though it's not terribly original it's got a certain bargain basement appeal. Some of the solos are blatant rip-offs of Kirk's Kill 'Em All leads... which themselves , as we all know, are blatantly ripped off... and I dig it. Unfortunately all the songs tend to drag on, and they each become tedious at around the 3:30 mark. Though generic, and not terribly memorable, this demo isn't as godawful as I expected, and the "Symptom Of The Universe" cover is cool.
R.I.P. Enzo
DOWNLOAD: Crucified-InflictionOfPainDemo.rar (63.36 MB)

TKO • Let It Roll LP

2009-07-21T09:02:00.007-04:00

Infinity Records 1979
I'm still shocked by how much I love TKO's In Your Face record. I've listened to it pretty much every day for the past 3 months, and still I can't get enough. Not only was the band that recorded Let It Roll almost completely different, but their sound shows little similarity to the over-the-top Metal of In Your Face. This, the band's debut, is a somewhat standard 70s Rock affair that would sit well amongst the Classic Rock radio staples of CHEAP TRICK, FOREIGNER, APRIL WINE and BOSTON... at times it even hints at FLEETWOOD MAC of all things (check the guitar melody on "What In The World" for proof). The songwriting is great and completely memorable, and Brad Sinsel's voice is a stonecold classic, but this lacks the energy, the manic guitar histrionics, and the Metalness (for lack of a better word) that I love so much about In Your Face. Still, I've become such a Sinsel fan that I'll take what I can get. Let It Roll? Sure, why the Hell not!?!
DOWNLOAD: TKO-LetItRoll.rar (64.72 MB)

WITCH • The Hex Is On EP

2009-07-20T09:20:00.005-04:00

Axe Killer Records 1984
This record is hilarious. Take a look at that cover shot! Who knew that J Mascis could look so good in a pair of fishnets, knee-high boots, and 12 pounds of make-up!?! What? This isn't the DINO JR. mainman's new band! Fuck... duped again! I thought that Punky Peru or Peter Wabbit mighta been J's nom de plume. Oh well... instead of yet another Stoner Rock rehash, these SoCal misfits serve up a steaming pile of Metal Blade-ish tracks that could easily be mistaken for KRANK or some other forgettable Glam cum Metal outfit on the label's mid-80s roster. Much heavier than the band's image might suggest, The Hex Is On is balls out (literally) Metal with just enough sense of melody to tinge the proceedings with a touch of LA sleaze - kinda like a dingier Too Fast For Love. Surprisingly good, even if that ain't J wanking away on the solos (yeah yeah I know he plays drums in WITCH).
DOWNLOAD: Witch-TheHexIsOn.rar (34.01 MB)

LORDS OF THE CRIMSON ALLIANCE • S/T LP

2009-07-19T11:33:00.011-04:00

Grudge Records 1986
Right off the bat yer gonna be struck by how bad this sounds (drum machine, direct guitars, piss-poor production, etc.), and so it might take some patience to fully appreciate this hallmark of delete bins everywhere... patience that I'm not even sure I have. LOTCA is just such a bizarro record that I'm at a bit of a loss. High pitched vocals sail over galloping riffs that together weave the most clichéd tales of dragons, dungeons, and sorcerers you're ever likely to hear. A record this misguided is such a rarity that you gotta love it because (and in spite) of it's innumerable woes and shortcomings. The songs are kinda cool, and given the chance this record might grow on you, but the production is a seriously hard pill to swallow. Too bad this wasn't recorded by a proper band, in a proper studio... coulda been legitimately cool instead of being an odd and mildly humourous curiosity.
DOWNLOAD: LordsOfTheCrimsonAlliance.rar (66.69 MB)

MAD BUTCHER • Metal Lightning Attack LP

2009-07-18T10:09:00.011-04:00

Earthshaker Records 1985
Presumably named after DESTRUCTION's early ode to perverted purveyors of pulverized protein, Germany's MAD BUTCHER are Speed Metal simpletons who, in spite of their name, share little in common with Germany's finest. Instead, MAD BUTCHER are more akin to fellow NRW meatheads EXPECT NO MERCY in their no frills high-speed Heavy Metal attack that verges on Thrash, but falls just short of the requisite heaviness, aggression, and sheer sonic violence. Having said all that, Metal Lightning Attack is a likeable lighthearted romp through the well tread paths of second rate German Metal, and though I'm sure you've heard it a million times before, it's still fun as Hell.
DOWNLOAD: MadButcher-LightningMetalAttack.rar (71.53 MB)

Ric's Recollections • Mississauga ON

2009-07-11T09:46:00.018-04:00

321 Lakeshore Road East
(905) 891-1523
http://www.ricrec.com/
Not to be confused with Ric's Collectibles (which is on the opposite end of the city, as well as the opposite end of the spectrum with regards to cleanliness, price, and Metal sections), Ric's Recollections is a tidy, if small, high-end vinyl aficionado's haven. Don't get me wrong, I've had many successful trips to Ric Collectibles, but my last venture out there left me emtpy-handed and full-walleted, while Ric's Recollections has left me penniless and heavy with Metal. The guy working, whom I can only assume was Ric himself, seemed reticent to direct me towards the "good" Metal, and had me sort through the generic Rock section for upwards of 20 minutes before making me aware of the 2 bins hiding underneath a rack. There I discovered quite the impressive selection of NWOBHM, and Euro-Metal, unfortunately I also discovered the unconscionably high sticker prices that are tacked onto every record that even begins to approach semi-rarity (I absolutely refuse to play $25 for a Banzai pressing of any record!). So, though there were at least 15 records I'd love to have in my collection, it'd be a cold day in Hell before I paid $300+ for 'em. Haggle though I tried, Ric is unflinching and nearly unbudging in his prices, and so I only left with these:

• RAZOR "Malicious Intent" LP: This is the lone missing link in my Sheepdog/RAZOR collection. Happy to find it, and it didn't break the bank!
• MAD BUTCHER "Metal Lightning Attack" LP: Looks cool as shit!
• FALLEN ANGELS "Fallen Angels" LP: Just found out about this record/band a coupla weeks ago. 3/5 of HANOI ROCKS and Knox of THE VIBRATORS... how could that be bad?

Good shop, and I will definitely return, but it'll have to be when I'm in a particularly bounteous mood.

R.U.G. • Deathly Fighter Anthology LP

2009-07-09T08:47:00.013-04:00

GISM Appreciation Society 2009
I bought this record in spite of having already downloaded everything that's on it, ages ago, from another blog... which, evidently, is where the bootleggers got their material too. I did a quick search and have read many complaints about this record, and everything I've read is correct: this LP was made using mp3s as the source material (the quality is not good), and the pictures are all pixelated (clearly they were found online and blown up for the cover art). However, when I buy bootlegs, I buy 'em for collectability and not for quality or even playability necessarily. Sure, good quality is appreciated, but it's certainly not expected, cuz you never know what you're gonna get. So, what you have here is the RANDY UCHIDA GROUP's Deathly Fighter 7" from 1984 and six live songs that were downloaded as mp3s, pressed on to vinyl, purchased by me and converted back into mp3s... are you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'? Yeah... if you really, really wanna hear this shit, you'd be well advised to find the original mp3s and avoid the generational loss of vinyl and re-encoding. My personal experience with this record is this: I didn't really care for this stuff when I first downloaded it, but after investing my hard-earned cash in this boot, and giving it a proper listen, I've realized just how great the Deathly Fighter single is. Musically R.U.G. sounds like a slightly more metallized G.I.S.M., but the vocals are the big difference. While Sakevi had one of the most tortured vocal styles ever, Ronny Wakamats of R.U.G. is yer typical Metal vocalist: high pitched with mildly annoying overuse of vibrato. The star of this record is Randy's guitar playing - it's instantly recognizable and as infectious as ever. I can't say I'm disappointed with this record... it is what it is.
DOWNLOAD: RUG-DeathlyFighterAnthology.rar (62.81 MB)

EXODUS • Strike Of The Beast 2LP

2009-07-08T09:43:00.007-04:00

Imperial Records 2007
This is a beautiful package: 2LPs (one black, one green), high quality pressing, nice design with full colour insert... top notch in every way. Strike Of The Beast contains EXODUS' 1982 Demo and the Turk Street Demo (1984) plus a barely intelligible 1985 radio interview. I've heard the '82 demo before, and most likely have it on an old cassette somewhere, and this sounds pretty much how I remembered it - like a 9th generation cassette copy. It woulda been nice if they coulda found a cleaner version of these tracks, but that gripe is minor when compared to how great the songs are. Less manic and violent than they would soon become, the '82 demo sees EXODUS treading a more trad Metal path... and it's fantastic. Hard to imagine Baloff as a conventional Metal vocalist, but here's the proof. The Turk Street Demo sounds live, more like a rehearsal, but the quality is good, as the band tear through largely instrumental versions of most of the Bonded By Blood record (perfect for your next Thrash karaoke party!). We all knew that HEATHEN borrowed heavily from EXODUS, but check out "Strike Of The Beast" - it sounds exactly like the first HEATHEN record... I'd even swear it's Lee Altus playing the plentiful leads. This album is so heavy that when I opened it the records flew out and chopped a poser's head off at 20 yards (or something like that - anyone remember the original quote?) You're gonna wanna download this lest you be the poser at the receiving end of a vinyl decapitation.
DOWNLOAD: Exodus-StrikeOfTheBeast-Pt1.rar (53.22 MB)
DOWNLOAD: Exodus-StrikeOfTheBeast-Pt2.rar (57.43 MB)

RUNNING WILD • Metal 'til Death - Live 1983 LP

2009-07-01T20:22:00.013-04:00

Bootleg 2009
This record had the potential to be the biggest pile of shit ever committed to wax (next to SODOM's Pretenders To The Throne that is). I mean c'mon, a bootleg of a RUNNING WILD show from '83 - that could be bad. Thankfully this is a pretty decent offering. Rock 'n' Rolf and Co. storm through 9 pounding Metal anthems including "Chains And Leather", "Walpurgis Night", and "Genghis Khan" from their early records, and a bunch that never made it to official release. It's an audience recording, and it doesn't sound good by any stretch, but what it lacks in fidelity is made up for in exuberance and sheer spunk. The band sound like they've got their shit together - tight and pretty damn professional, and the crowd clearly loves it, chanting along throughout most of the show. I definitely don't consider myself a RUNNING WILD diehard, but I still enjoyed this immensely and will be digging out my copies of Branded And Exiled and Gates To Purgatory tout de suite!
DOWNLOAD: RunningWild-MetalTilDeath.rar (69.65 MB)

SACRILEGE • Early Demos LP

2009-06-30T11:29:00.011-04:00

Bootleg 2009
Lately I've amassed quite the collection of bootlegs, so in my next few posts I'm gonna attempt to weed through a few of 'em. First off is the mighty SACRILEGE. Early Demos contains, as the name implies, SACRILEGE's first 2 demos from November '84 and February '85 respectively. Cool to hear the band progress over a scant 4 months from crusty Punks to crusty Metal loving Punks. If you like SACRILEGE then you know what's in store: oppressively heavy Metal/Punk combining equal parts DISCHARGE and TROUBLE, and fronted by possibly the best female vocalist ever. SACRILEGE get my vote for having one of the heaviest and most distinct guitar sounds off all time - absolutely crushing! Right... so if, like me, you've resorted to buying AFTER THE BOMBS records to fill the void, and to get your SACRILEGE fix, you'll be plenty chuffed to hear this one. The real deal!
DOWNLOAD: Sacrilege-EarlyDemos.rar (46.07 MB)
PS: Forgot to mention how amazing the song "Out Of Sight Out Of Mind" on Early Demos is. It's reminiscent of "The Price Of Silence"-era DISCHARGE, and is very different from the version found on Behind The Realms Of Madness.

TORCH • Torch EP

2009-06-23T10:25:00.005-04:00

Tandan Records 1982
Good goddamn! This kicks so much ass I'm not gonna be able to sit for a week! TORCH deliver aggressive NWOBHM inspired Metal that reminds me of TYGERS OF PAN TANG a lot, and I detect a bit of PRETTY MAIDS in the mix too. 3 of the 5 tracks clock in at around 3 minutes and are short sharp shocks that don't mince notes or words. TORCH don't fuck around. Their purpose is clear: kick the shit outta the listener with high-octane Metal, and leave 'em wanting more. Metal the way it's meant to be played I tells you.
DOWNLOAD: Torch-TorchEP.rar (32.41 MB)
PS: This guy has some sick live TORCH videos from '85.

Downtown St. Catharines Record Show

2009-06-21T12:53:00.011-04:00

Market Square
King/James Streets
Didn't expect much from the St. Catharines show, but I ended up walking away with some decent stuff. Nothing gobsmaking, but still good considering the locale. Actually, the location of this show is awesome. It's not in a dingy basement, but instead an open air market with tons of natural light and fresh air... nice change. Anyways, enough bullshit... here's the stash:

• HELLION "Postcards From The Asylum" EP: Hard to believe, but I've never actually heard a HELLION record... seen 'em hundreds of times, but always passed. Musta been in a good mood today.
• APOCRYPHA "The Forgotten Scroll" LP: It's on Shrapnel, but you never know... it might be good.
• LEATHERWOLF "Street Ready" LP: Guaranteed to be good!
• LEATHERWOLF "Leatherwolf" LP: How many fucking records do these guys have called "Leatherwolf"!?! At least 3 by my count.
• EASTERN FRONT: Live At Ruthie's Inn Comp LP: Killer record! My old friend Metcalf had this one back-in-the-day. Half live and half demo recordings by luminaries such as: HEATHEN, LEGACY, RAW POWER, BLIND ILLUSION, D.R.I. and lots more.
• HOLY MOSES "Finished With The Dogs" LP: So lame that I'm only buying this now - better late than never.
• VICIOUS RUMORS "Digital Dictator" LP: Damn! Didn't notice that this one was on Shrapnel too... oh well.
• D.C. LACROIX "Crack Of Doom LP: Their's was one of the few good tracks on the Metal Meltown comp I posted way back. Looking forward to this one.
• LEATHER ANGEL "We Came To Kill" EP: I bought a lot of chick Metal today... this, D.C. LACROIX, HELLION, HOLY MOSES, and I almost grabbed the second BLACK LACE record before I ran out of dosh.
• TORCH "Torch" EP: I have a few TORCH records, but couldn't tell ya one thing about 'em... I think they're Scandinavian... OK so I lied.

Not bad eh? And to think I almost passed on this show, assuming that like most things St. Catharinesian it would be dismal and depressing. I never get used to being wrong.

MACHIAVELLIAN REGRESSION • Demo '89

2009-06-16T11:22:00.014-04:00

Private/Indie 1989
I have absolutely no recollection of how this demo came into my possession, or if I'd ever even listened to it, and after hearing it today that makes perfect sense... cuz Murder Of The Unborns is so utterly unremarkable that it's rendered completely forgettable. If an unfunny rehash of the DAYGLO ABORTIONS sounds appealing to you, then MACHIAVELLIAN REGRESSION'll be right up your alley. It's weird, cuz this seems like the kinda stuff that should be, or least attempt to be, funny: there's the Cretin-ish vocals, and silly Punk cum Rock tunes, but the humour that made the DAYGLOs so outstanding is conspicuously absent. It's possible that this shit is hilarious, and the jokes are way over my head, but I kinda doubt it. For me, this lacks that certain je ne sais quoi, but if you're up for some second rate Québécois Skate Thrash/Crossover then by all means download!
DOWNLOAD: MachiavellianRegression-MOTU.rar (33.07 MB)

THE ROCKING DILDOS • On Speed LP

2009-06-11T12:17:00.007-04:00

Osmose Productions/Kron-H 1997
In the late 90s Thrash Metal made it's first resurgence, it's first attempt to reanimate it's Death Metal ravaged carcass. Not surprisingly these gasps of renewed life sprang forth from Scandinavia mainly, and were fostered in large part by France's Osmose Productions. There was BEWITCHED (Sweden), INFERNÖ (Norway), GEHENNAH (Sweden), and the oft mentioned, but veiled in obscurity and seeming secrecy, THE ROCKING DILDOS from France (and Finland). I kinda assumed that this band never really existed, but lo and behold I stumbled upon the On Speed LP at Hits & Misses last week. Despite being lumped in with the aforementioned bands, THE ROCKING DILDOS, unlike their labelmates, were less of a Retro-Thrash (as it was called back then) rehash, instead churning out the ever popular D-Beat, mixed with some healthy doses of straight up Rock action, and a hint of Black Metal. Add lyrics that are both an homage to, and an attempt to outdo, the mighty El Duce, and you've got a pretty lethal combo. Nothing to be taken too seriously, just GTs all around.
DOWNLOAD: TheRockingDildos-OnSpeed.rar (64.41 MB)

OZ • III Warning LP

2009-06-10T09:33:00.007-04:00

Combat Records 1984
Imagine, if you will, a bleak and desolate world in which OZ's 1983 sophomore outing Fire In The Brain doesn't exist. This world, so devoid of warmth and joy is little more than a living Hell. It's here, in this godless realm, that OZ's III Warning is considered a good album, because the undeniable greatness of Fire In The Brain has left a void, and isn't looming over it, casting an oppressive shadow that few follow-up records could escape. Life in this alternate reality is grim, so you turn to III Warning for comfort, it's cold, but it's something. The brutish and neanderthaloid pound of opener "Third Warning" gives you hope for greater things, new vistas of Metal opportunity, but your hopes are senselessly dashed by the time you reach the naff "Rock 'N' Roll Widow" at the end of the first side. Sure there's sparse flashes of greatness here and there, but they're few and fleeting, and you're left with the sinking feeling that things ain't gonna get any better. Your mind wanders to an unreal place, a new and better world, where OZ's full potential is not only realized but cherished and revered. With a jolt you wake from your nightmare, dopey and dazed. "Phew! Only a dream", you think to yourself as you reach for the only thing that will erase that horrible place from your memory... Fire In The Brain.
DOWNLOAD: Oz-IIIWarning.rar (64.9 MB)

KILLER DWARFS • Killer Dwarfs LP

2009-06-02T11:33:00.012-04:00

Attic Records 1983
So we all know that "Heavy Mental Breakdown" rules... right? Well, whether you do or not, you need to download this cuz take my word for it, it does! Back in the day the video was on regular rotation up here in Canada, and it's left an indelible mark on me... and prolly most other Canuck metalheads around my age. Listening to this record for the first time in years, it hit me like a ton of bricks - KILLER DWARFS were the Canadian RIOT. It's spot on - similar lyrical themes (gambling outlaws who live to Rock!), and musically both are top notch, classy Hard Rock/Metal. Add in some Geddy Lee-ish vocals, a bit o' TWISTED fuckin' SISTER, and the slightest amount of RAVEN and you've got a damn fine combination. Great record, straight up and down - and those zebra guitars are pretty bad-ass too!
DOWNLOAD: KillerDwarfs-KillerDwarfs.rar (69.61 MB)

CORTINA DE FERRO • Temple Of The Darkness LP

2009-05-31T13:24:00.012-04:00

Studio Cortina de Ferro Corporation 1993
I don't really know what to say about this craptastic offering from Brazil's CORTINA DE FERRO because I have no points of reference for this. I guess it'd be considered Power Metal, or maybe Melodic Metal or something along those lines. The major difference being that modern Power Metal is invariably over-produced, sterile and mechanical while Temple Of The Darkness is painfully under-produced, flat and weak sounding... but I'm not sure which is worse to be honest. Plus the keytars (yup keytars!) are overbearing, cheesy, and completely distracting. Highlights are André Luiz's blatant Yngwie-isms and the mistitled PRIEST cover: "Breaking In The Law". This is thoroughly amateurish stuff, but still kinda interesting due in equal parts to it's rarity and it's cluelessness. Enjoy?
DOWNLOAD: CortinadeFerro-TempleOfTheDarkness.rar (62.25 MB)

CASTLE BLAK • Another Dark Carnival LP

2009-05-29T13:06:00.005-04:00

High Dragon Records 1987
This record was intriguing for a variety of reasons: 1) the front cover features some sorta apparitional kabuki pirate, 2) instead of A and B sides Another Dark Carnival's got Slut and Balls sides, and to top the whole packaging fiasco off, 3) there's a track called "Glory Hole"... now I ask you, faced with this inescapable awesomeness what was I supposed to do, not buy it? Given the band's name I expected CASTLE BLAK to be Metal... real Metal, maybe even a bit Thrashy - apparently I shoulda looked more closely at the band photos! These guys really suck, and I mean hard. Commercial and wimpy, bland and completely devoid excitement or any sense of urgency, this is commercial Metal at it's worst. If this had come out in 1981 it might have been excusable, but to think that these dipshits were peddling this pap in 1987 is laughable and offensive. One final note: as if abusing us with their own songs wasn't enough, CASTLE BLAK decided to include a couple of covers. KISS's "Do You Love Me" is an apparent attempt to fully realize the song's crap quotient, and "Some Kinda Of Wonderful", popularized by GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, is possibily one of the worst songs, and cover choices ever. What more can I say to dissuade you from downloading this?
DOWNLOAD: CastleBlak-AnotherDarkCarnival.rar (75.75 MB)

CHROMIUM DIOXIDE • Issue #1

2009-05-26T08:37:00.010-04:00

Stumbled upon this, my new favourite Metal mag, at Hits & Misses yesterday. Chromium Dioxide is a comic/Metal magazine par excellence that combines 3 of my favourite things: Metal, art, and humour (think Metal Inquisition 'cept these guys actually like Metal). CD1 features 36 glossy pages of old school and re-issue reviews, lots of great artwork, super classy design, and interviews with TALON, CAULDRON, and Jeff Young (MEGADETH). This's gotta be the best looking, and one of the most entertaining zines I've ever come across, and these dudes love their old Metal as much as I do. If you dig the stuff I post here at ARGTHN, then you'll love Chromium Dioxide! I highly recommend that you track yourself down a copy... if not, don't be surprised if Vert, Knarrenheinz and Uxumer Guy show up at your front door and attempt to force your head even further up your own ass!
Check it out here: http://www.chromiumdioxide.com/

NAGY FERO & BIKINI • Hova Lett... LP

2009-05-11T23:50:00.009-04:00

Artisjus 1983
Back when I started this blog I used to do this Greatest Songs Of All Time thing - I've pretty much bailed on that because I couldn't find a reliable free host for streaming mp3s (any suggestions?). One of my first posts was NAGY FERO & BIKINI's "Come Off It!!"... fucking amazing song, but since it's no longer available to you (for the reason stated above) I've decided to post the entire album. Here's what I originally wrote:
In 1984, my sister and I gathered up our cash and sent it away to Reach Out International Records in the Big Apple. I got the BAD BRAINS cassette, NEW YORK THRASH compilation, and WORLD CLASS PUNK (I forget what my sister got... prolly EINSTURZENDE NEUBAUTEN or something). At the time I had a penchant for foreign punk bands that didn't sing in English, and the WORLD CLASS PUNK cassette was chock-full of 'em. My favourite track was by an Hungarian band credited as HOVA-LETT NAGYFERO BIKINI. Well it turns out that the band is actually called NAGY FERO & BIKINI, and their 1983 album is called "Hova Lett...". It took me almost 20 years, but I finally found a copy of this record on eBay, and I couldn't pass it up. NF&B are not really a Punk band, as there's elements of ska, jazz, fusion, rock, metal, new wave, and traditional Hungarian folk (at least that's what I assume it is) all mixed into their sound. This is a bizarre record that truly defies classification. The song that's featured on WORLD CLASS PUNK ("Come Off It!!") is also the best song on this album... which is a bummer, cuz I was hoping for 13 more killer songs in the same vein. "Come Off It!!" is a cross between punk (Nagy Fero's vocals), metal (double bass drums throughout, phenomenal guitar solo), and some kinda fucked-up Japanese-sounding cyber-electro shit (check the drum/vocal breakdown). This song still kills me almost 25 years later! The rest of the album isn't total shit (as I had first thought), and in fact, after ripping it today, it's beginning to grow on me. The guitar player's jazz tinged solos are fantastic, and the ultra-modern Devo-esque stuff at the end of Side 2 is truly bizarre
DOWNLOAD: NagyFeróandBikini-HovaLett.rar (70.21 MB)

MAELSTROM • Fatal Forsight Demo

2009-05-11T11:47:00.010-04:00

Private/Indie 1987
Goddamn MAELSTROM were a great band! Their sound is a taut amalgam of RUSH, MEGADETH, BLIND ILLUSION, HALLOW'S EVE, and WHIPLASH... progressively technical yet violently aggressive. Time changes abound, acoustic and classical guitar interludes add haughty airiness, and crushing straight-ahead Thrash riffs combine in an all-out Metal maelstrom (ha!). How such a heady, talented band sprouts up from such a podunk little town (Port Stanley, ON / Population: 2500 tops) is beyond me. What's even more impressive is the fact that when this demo was released, they were a 2 man band with Bill Johnston playing guitar, bass, and singing (they would later flesh out into a 4 piece). If you dig technical Thrash, you'll love this shit. Anyone got their second demo "Into The Maelstrom"?
DOWNLOAD: Maelstrom-FatalForsightDemo.rar (50.46 MB)
PS: FeatherofHuginn from Behold...The Blogtopus came through with MAELSTROM's second demo "Into The Maelstrom"... I'm checking it out now and it's killer! Same great techno-Thrash, but way better production. Get it here. Thanks a million FOH!

DIAMOND REXX • Land Of The Damned LP

2009-05-10T11:21:00.007-04:00

Island Records 1986
After discovering and absolutely loving that TKO record, the bar for commercial Metal has been raised impossibly high. The result being that records like DIAMOND REXX's Land Of The Damned sound even more subpar and generic than they clearly are. On the surface both bands are very similar: commercial Hard Rock/Metal, kinda glammy yet streetwise and sleazy, and moderately heavy. Dig a little deeper, and these two bands are nothing alike. TKO wrote excellent songs, and performed 'em with aggression and panache, while DIAMOND REXX, wrote derivative and pedestrian songs with moronically dull lyrics. Vocalist Nasti Habits' delivery of said lyrics simply adds to the overwhelming boredom - he's a one trick pony, and the trick sucks. The only enjoyment afforded by Land Of The Damned is in the hilarious group photo and the band members' ridiculous monikers. If I were giving records numerical ratings, TKO would get a 10/10 and DIAMOND REXX a 2/10. Download if you're curious, but don't blame me for the ensuing boredom.
DOWNLOAD: DiamondRexx-LandOfTheDamned.rar (68.45 MB)

DED ENGINE • Ded Engine LP

2009-05-09T12:15:00.005-04:00

Pentagram Records 1985
Not feeling particularly verbose these days, so this is gonna be a short one. East Lansing, Michigan's finest (and perhaps only), DED ENGINE deliver 10 tracks of straight-up, no frills, aggressive, American Metal on this, their '85 debut. Excellent stuff, not awe inspiring or terribly original, just heavy, straight ahead Metal without any fluff or pomp. Download or "Take A Hike".
DOWNLOAD: DedEngine-DedEngine.rar (64.68 MB)

BLACK SABBATH • Born Again Unmixed CD

2009-05-01T11:24:00.011-04:00

Bootleg 1983
Apparently Ian Gillan's response to Born Again went something like this: "I looked at the cover and puked! Then I heard the mix and puked!" Funny... but way off base. Not only is the cover one of the greatest things I've ever seen, but it's perfect for the music contained within the grooves of this monumental record. As far as the mix is concerened, it's sloppy and muddy, but it's integral to the overall menace of Born Again... and this is a menacing record if ever there was one. Oh shit... this ain't Born Again though... it's Born Again Unmixed. I downloaded this from a newsgroup a few years ago, and there was a story about how these were rough mixes that ended up in the possession of Bill Ward's girlfriend at the time. The entire record is here plus an unreleased track called "The Fallen" (rumour has it that there's up to 5 other unrleased tracks that were recorded during the Born Again sessions). Some songs have different guitar bits here and there, different lyrics, and missing vocal parts. "Trashed" has a neat extended bit after the solo, but the coolest thing about Born Again Unmixed is the 9+ minute version of "Zero The Hero"!!! The end of the track is just the main riff over and over again for about 3 minutes... that damned riff could go on for 20 minutes and I'd be happier than a pig in shit. Anyways, Born Again rules, and this is a very cool alternate version of that obnoxiously heavy, and downright scary, record.
DOWNLOAD: BlackSabbath-BornAgainUnmixed.rar (80.37 MB)
PS: Here's a cool link to loads of info about Born Again, including the original picture of the baby used on the cover. Awesome!

TKO • In Your Face LP

2009-04-27T11:01:00.012-04:00

Combat Records 1984
I remember seeing this album cover when I was a kid, and for some reason, over the years, it's really stuck with me - when I saw it yesterday I recognized it immediately, and had to buy it. This is the kinda record I never woulda bought when I was younger, but the aesthetic is so striking that I couldn't pass it up again. The guy on the cover is a weird combination of Billy Idol and Michael Monroe, and there's a topless chick whom he's just knocked out (what!?!). Maybe he didn't actually clock her, it coulda been a technical knock out... who knows. Whatever's going on, it looks sleazy enough. TKO make me wonder why commercial Metal in the 80s had to be so extremely poncey... cuz these guys are commercial, but still very heavy, still Metal, and infinitely better than any commercially viable hair Metal band of the era. In Your Face is a perfect balance of Hard Rock that retains some Metal bite, and every single song is well written, catchy, and memorable. This is a truly great album... sometimes you really can judge a book by it's cover. Download now! Really... I'll eat my shorts if you don't love this one.
DOWNLOAD: TKO-InYourFace.rar (71.72 MB)

Buffalo Record & CD Show

2009-04-26T15:31:00.014-04:00

Leonard Post VFW
2450 Walden Avenue
I've been wanting to check out a record show in Buffalo for a few years now, and today I finally got my chance. Thankfully it happened before the new passport law is in place, and crossing the border becomes a bigger pain-in-the-ass. Anyways, there wasn't a lot of Metal, but what I found was really good quality, and pretty rare at times. There's a store in Rochester (well Webster really) called Heavy Metal Records, and they had a booth set up. Great to see some one exclusively selling Metal... I didn't buy anything from 'em cuz they mainly had CDs, t-shirts, and bootleg DVDs, but still it was nice to see. OK, so here's today's finds:

• MANDATOR "Initial Velocity" LP: Fuck yeah!!!! And for only $30 (actually even less, cuz I bought so much from this guy that he gave me a pretty good deal). Coulda gone home happy after finding this one.
• TARAMIS "Queen Of Thieves" LP: Metal Blade record I'd never seen or even heard of.
• DED ENGINE "Hold A Grudge" LP: Still haven't listened to the DE record I got at the Toronto show... hope they don't suck.
• STEELER "Steeler" LP: Yngwie and Ron Keel... has the potential to be both great and a steaming pile.
• WILD DOGS "Reign Of Terror" LP: Didn't love their first record, but someone suggested that this one was gooder.
• LONDON "Don't Cry Wolf" LP: I was really stoked to find this one! Yeah they're ridiculous, but it's a damn good record.
• OZ "III Warning" LP: Another great find! I don't think it's as monumental as "Fire In The Brain", but I'm sure it still rules.
• DRIVE "Characters In Time" LP: Never heard of 'em... might not even be a Metal band for I know.
• HALLOWS EVE "Death And Insanity" LP: I've never been a big fan of HALLOWS EVE, but I decided to give this one a shot anyways.
• LIEGE LORD "Burn To My Touch" LP: Mo Metal mo problems.
• ARTCH "Another Return To Church Hill" LP: I remember these guys sucking balls, but it was only $3.
• TKO "In Your Face" LP: Awesome album cover and band photos. For some reason the whole package is really appealing to me, and at $2 how could I go wrong!?

There were some other cool records that I wanted to grab, but I had to save a few dollars for Mighty Taco... and I'm still regretting that decision... gotta run!

DISMEMBER • Complete Demos LP

2009-04-25T11:26:00.009-04:00

Bootleg 2008 (I'm guessing)
I'm a bit tipsy right now, so it could just be the booze, but this record is fucking killing me! Three of DISMEMBER's early demos are compiled on this gorgeous coloured vinyl bootleg. 1988's Dismembered demo starts off with the magnificent "Deathevokation" (as heard on the Hymns Of The Dead cassette) and carries on in much the same vein - dingy recording, kinda sloppy playing, and heavily affected and effected vocals. Fucking awesome! DISMEMBER's second demo from '89 is better and even heavier. Finally the Reborn In Blasphemy demo (1991) is heavier still, and kills everything. It's got the full-on Sunlight treatment, and it crushes! Really really great stuff! My only complaint about this record is that they've included an '89 rehearsal in the track listing that's not on the record - a sneaky way to make ya think you're getting more tracks than you really are. A small gripe considering how great what you do get is. Decision: not the booze - this record really is as good as I think it is... hammered or not.
DOWNLOAD: Dismember-CompleteDemos.rar (74.42 MB)

KAZJUROL • Concealed Hallucinations 7"

2009-04-16T11:12:00.004-04:00

Burning Heart Records 1991
I cringe at the first hint of a slapped bass string, and become nauseated when in earshot of someone popping on the bass... maybe it was OK for Bootsy Collins or whoever, but that's about it. I was shocked and dismayed to find that the slap bass pandemic that swept North America in the early 90's also affected our Scandinavian friends. Even the ones who recorded at Sunlight Studios for christsake! With the exception of the brief bass misstep at the beginning of "Dance Tarantella" Concealed Hallucinations is a pretty awesome record. Sounding very similar to Beneath The Remains era SEPULTURA, KAJZUROL ably straddle the fence between Thrash and Death Metal, and are tight as all hell. Not as crushing as ENTOMBED or GRAVE, but more technical with a touch of hardcore... but that might just be because of the CRUDE S.S. cover. Good shit!
DOWNLOAD: Kazjurol-ConcealedHallucinations.rar (18.39 MB)

HAZZARD • Hazzard LP

2009-04-13T13:33:00.009-04:00

Mausoleum Records 1984
This record's got a huge label on the cover stating that HAZZARD features ex-ACCEPT guitarist Herman Frank. Not much of a selling point really, yeah he played on some classic records (Restless And Wild and Balls To The Wall), but I doubt that that information had people rushing out to their local record shop and queueing up for the latest HAZZARD record. Cuz of that sticker I expected this to sound like a decent facsimile of Frank's previous band, and the riffs are pure ACCEPT, but the singer ruins the whole thing with his bland, lackluster delivery. Making things worse are the big radio-friendly choruses and crappy vocal melodies - just wait 'til you hear the chorus on "Killer" ("why oh why" is it so terrible?). It's too bad that the singing is such shit, because the riffs are excellent, and the songs coulda been great with the right vocalist. Unfortunately this combination results in a boring record that certainly won't be getting any more spins from me.
DOWNLOAD: Hazzard-Hazzard.rar (65.83 MB)

MOTORHEAD • BBC Sessions LP

2009-04-06T07:35:00.006-04:00

Bootleg
I usually ignore MOTORHEAD bootlegs cuz they either contain songs that I have countless versions of on re-issue and rarity CDs, or cuz they're live shows that I couldn't care less about. This one, however, caught my eye cuz it's made up of BBC recordings (as the title suggests!?!) that I knew I didn't have copies of, and had never heard before. The sound quality is so good that it makes me think that these are probably available on CD, maybe even officially, but who knows (keeping up with every "new" MOTORHEAD release is something that I gave up on years ago). The '78 John Peel tracks are fantastic and on their own make this worth downloading, but add to that some Ace Of Spades era tracks (not sure if these are from '81 or '82 - the info is misleading) and a couple from the mid-80's Orgasmatron line-up and it all makes for a top notch collection.
DOWNLOAD: Motorhead-BBCSessions.rar (88.02 MB)