ANCIENT ALBUM REVIEWS **Hail Our Forefathers!**
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RAVEN - "Live At The Inferno" 1984 Double LP Raven are an enigma, I sware there are as many rabid, dedicated fans as there is staunch detrators. I am guessing this is partly due to the vocals as they ride the line between deep and soaring and high, pitched screech/whine. I've always got into their stuff, well the early material anyways. For an '80's live record the sound is very good, I can almost feel the sweaty heads bangs and spiked fists pump! A Raven trademark as well always was excellent guitar leads, speedy riffs and catchy choruses. Who else could make the chorus live of "Crash, Bang, Wallop" not sound cheesy? Best tunes on this stellar slab are "Mind Over Metal", "All For One", "Tyrant Of The Airwaves/Run Silent, Run Deep", "Let It Rip", "Wiped Out", & "Break The Chain". I know that is a lot of tracks but all the material is good and don't forget this is a double album.
CHASTAIN - “Ruler Of The Wasteland” 1986 LP Some may at least at first thought view this as an odd pick, as David T. Chastain is primarily known as a guitar hero fret shredder with his band and solo project. “Ruler Of The Wasteland” for me is David’s finest hour and most consistent balls out heavy metal record. This represents probably the most successful attempt in my opinion of balancing guitar virtuosity/technibility with pure and catchy power metal ever! Eat your heart out Malmsteen. You cannot help but tap your foot while banging your fist against your leg while you belt the lyrics to songs like “Ruler Of The Wasteland”, “Children Of Eden”, and “The King Has The Power”. I enjoy at least to some degree most of Mr. Chastain’s releases but “Ruler Of The Wasteland” is his true crowning achievement!
SANCTUARY - "Refuge Denied" 1987 LP This is a fabulous record! It's sad to see what Warrel Dane (vocals) and the other ex-Sanctuary members are putting out these days w/ Nevermore. Sanctuary on the other hand were one great heavy/speed metal band that had some tasty metal music that drilled it's way into your skull with amazing proficiency. You will probably never hear Warrel hit these graceful siren highs (almost King Diamond-ish) ever again! "Refuge Denied" also had it's fair share of smoking guitar solos and addictive strange song structuring. "Battle Angels" holds as a song I can proudly hold high as one of the most triumphant metal anthems ever!!! I end with a lyrical quote "Hail to the gods!…the slaughter is on!".
TT QUICK - "Metal Of Honor" 1986 LP Here is a very overlooked band & a classic platter. Although they did have a couple songs that could be called heavy rock such as "Hard As Rock" and "Glad All Over". "Metal Of Honor" is driving, heavy as fuck metal riffed numbers with super distinctive dirty, rasping vocals such as "Child Of Sin", "Hell To Pay", "Front Burner" and the stand out commanding "Metal Of Honor" title track. Search this out, you won't regret it!
HALLOWS EVE - "Tales Of Terror" 1985 LP Fast and furious triumphant and pummeling all aptly apply as they are fluidly executed finessing extremity. "Tales Of Terror" is a crushing battle axe swing of hell fury attack honed to perfection by the legends known as Hallows Eve. I have a live video bootleg of this band from 1986 and it and they slayed live commanding and filling the rabid crowd with true spirited metal pride!! This album contains some of the heaviest, catchiest metal of the time and nowhere is it better displayed on the epic thrashing tracks like "Plunging To Megadeth", "Hallows Eve", & "Metal Merchants". This is how speed/thrash was meant to be! Classic with a capital 'C'!!!
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