Brocas Helm - Into Battle (1984)

It's fun metal and nothing more. Vey much of its time, Brocas Helm patrol the same battlefields as the more extraordinary Manilla Road, and less theatric Cirith Ungol. 'Into Battle' lacks the production values to really cause its intended blitz, and whilst the guitars are eager to burst free from the shackles all else ends up in the basement, giving a slight endearing quality. The title track is as good as it gets, a track that boasts some roaring guitars and strong metallic edge but the vocal rasps seem subdued by the smog of the woods they probably recorded the album in. High levels of obscurity choke the life out of the record, making it one of those short lived affairs, although I have to admit to kneeling down at the altar of a stormy track like 'Metallic Fury,' a perfect metal song for nights in the wilderness. 6/10