Protector - Reanimated Homonculus (2013)

Whilst I try to resist reviewing too many modern albums on this rather nostalgic and often creaky blog, Protector's 'Reanimated Homonculus' (what a title!!) has to be one of 2013's finest thrash moments, showing all the new kids on the block just how to play genuine rip-roaring '80s metal. It's great to have these German thrashers back but boy, I didn't expect their return to be so mind-blowing. This opus even gives classic Kreator a run for its money such is its razor-sharp prowess and sneering arrogance. I've always been a fan of that breakneck style of no thrills snarling thrash but this really is a formidable return to form from a band who've decided not to opt for modern dynamics in their quest for slashing flesh. Whilst the likes of Sodom and Destruction, have kept the earthy thrash flag flying it could be argued that alongside Kreator they've opted for a more accessible sound, but Protector have just gone for the throat with this one, and it's made all the more bone-cracking by featuring original vocalist Martin Missy who simply shreds this time round.

Whilst it may be nigh on impossible to pick a favourite track I'd suggest you lay your flayed ears on tracks such as 'Deranged Nymphomania' or the savage opener 'Sons of Kain.' You NEED to own this uncompromising thrash workout, because if you're a new fan to this sort of stuff then it provides not only a perfect insight into the halcyon days of the scene but also shows how this type of music needs to be played today. Forget trends, this is thrash metal from the start and from the heart.
9/10

Cycle Sluts From Hell - s/t (1991)

These short-lived cult New Yorkers were an all-female combo sporadically and variously back by a number of famed metal musicians, including the likes of Overkill's Bobby Gustafson, among others, but despite being around the '80s they only released one record - this self-titled rocker which somehow managed to combine sweaty Joan Jett-styled innuendo with a goofy White Zombie-meets-Danzig oily sleaze. Hell, any band that can have members called Venus Penis Crusher, Queen Vixen, Lord Roadkill, and Donna She Wolf have just got to be worth the entry fee alone, but for the most part despite the novelty feeling this is still a decent metal album with the likes of 'Conqueress', 'I Wish You Were A Beer' and 'Badass Mama' being the most notable. Perfect rock n' roll for a silly night out, and it's a shame the cult status never propelled them to dizzier heights.
7/10

Avenger - Blood Sports (1984)

Not to be confused with Avenger mentioned elsewhere on this blog, these guys were an influential NWOBHM who most certainly would've inspired countless number of later '80s speed metal bands such is the ferocity of numbers on offer here such as 'Enforcer.' These Brit metallers only release two albums back in the day, and this opus was their first, a mighty fine little gem of a record that boasted some raging numbers such as 'You'll Never Take Me (Alive)' featuring the killer guitars of Les Cheetham and Ian Swift's no thrills but no holds barred vocal attack. A fiery record this that rarely lets up on the pace and even a cover of Montrose's 'Matriach' is given extra full-blooded steel.
7/10

Sortilège - Métamorphose (1984)

This is real hardy, blazing, skin-scorching heavy metal that rises from the mists of France and blows your head off. The magic of these guys is that they were only in existence for five or so years but were responsible for this face-melting opus alongside 1986's 'Larmes de héros'. Sure, the vocals are sang in French but this is such epic sounding fantasy-inspired metal - fronted by the chest-busting vocals of Christian Augustine. All real metal-heads should experience the strutting menace of these guys, because at times it's just such a pulverising experience resulting in such leather-clad gems as 'Hymne à la mort' which is a real ground stomper, and with those Stéphane Dumont leads it's a real metal anthem that just needs to be discovered.

Sortilege were such a cult act, just a shame they never continued into the latter part of the '80s because both of their albums are killer, nuff said.
8/10

The Awful Truth - s/t (1990)

The Awful Truth were a band too clever for their own good, the sort of innovative, at times jarring and confusing 'alternative' metal band who'd have been much more comfortable amidst the later grunge scene, because this self-titled opus just failed to make its mark. Such was the enigma of this band that they only released this opus, their career spanning from 1988 to 1989 although members Monty Colvin and Alan Doss will be more known for their work with the Galactic Cowboys. Even so, it's worth checking out this remotely colourful opus which has so many kaleidoscopic swirls, but also jagged edges, that it can be quite a tough, and yet always engaging listen. Slap on the funk-driven buzz of 'The Circle' to appreciate the bands' many layers which are peeled back to reveal some insane fairground of raging guitars, off harmonies, touches of soul and weird arrangements of a grunge-fuelled nature. I don't know how we even begin to pin down such an elusive record; but the examples of the funk-bass jive of 'Ghost of Heaven' (with its Faith No More-esque effects) and the angry, bruising nature of 'Higher' mean that The Awful Truth are simply typical of these type of bands who turned the metal scene on its head all those years ago but faded oh so quickly. Often so splendid in its dreamy, but juddering quality, the simple truth however is that The Awful Truth are of no fixed abode.
7/10

Vice Human - Metal Attack (1985)

If ever there was an album that suffered from a poor vocal delivery it's this one. Admittedly Vice Human were one of the first metal bands to emerge from Greece but there's just no excuse for the amateurish feel of this rarity which also suffers from naff production and guitars which just refuse to rage. Of course if you do find this going cheap then snap it up, but I really don't think you'll be impressed by the whimpering tones of 'Heavy Metal' but I just had to include this obscurity which was the band's second opus after their self-titled debut. Hard to believe they reformed for 2003's 'Set Me Free' and are still going strong!
4.5/10

Evil - Evil's Message (1984)

This is Danish metal from the obscure netherworld - the sort of gem that every collector prays to find. 'Evil's Message' is an EP that boasts a mystical cover - although it looks like a scene plucked from an early '80s children's television drama - but musically this is an infectious little record that has a strong traditional heavy metal feel, and to sum it up one only has to lend their soul to the fantastic opener - a seven-minute rocker high on melody and rollicking hot-blooded metal. There is always something so genuine about these type of obscure recordings, but this gem has everything - from the catchy rhythms to those simple yet effective vocals of Pearl Angel.

This EP could well be some of the best twenty-minutes of your life, all wrapped up in those guitars which literally smoke and Freddie Wolf's raging drums, nowhere more potent than on the scorching 'Evil'.

Typically creaky and a tad bland at times, but a real slice of vintage.
7.5/10