Angel Dust - To Dust You Will Decay (1988)

This is powerful German metal from the late '80s, at times it borders on thrash, especially when the band rise above a gallop - the title cut a prime example of the band in full sprint, raging with heavy guitars and melodic, epic vocals that hit the high notes. The guitars on this record are astounding, check out the riffs on 'Mr Inferno' and the band know how to slow the pace to great effect, 'Hold On' shows subtle touches but still killer axe work and magical lyrics which cast one away to far off mystical lands. Considering their talent, this band were still pretty much overlooked and yet I much prefer this cold steel attack to that produced by the likes of Helloween. Vocally Angel Dust are far stronger and musically more potent. This record occupies the same cold dark corner as Artch and their majestic 'Another Return...' opus, cracking stuff. 8/10