Mercyful Fate - Melissa (1983)

I love the groove of the opener, it's almost a backbone bordering on normality, a bit of swagger which hides the ominous and evil soul of King Diamond's peculiar posse. You'll either love or hate the vocal delivery, but will simply have to marvel at some of the musicianship on offer. 'Melissa', in all its formidable black glory is often considered one of metal's finest records, and as a debut this is certainly one of those records to be cherished, but depending how you stand with the high-pitched vocals. Many have classed this as true black metal, a world away from Venom and their alcoholic rumble, this is almost clean-cut in its execution but the theatrics were even more dramatic than the UK trio. When I first got into metal I thought the mastermind behind it all, the masked in make-up master King Diamond, was a bit of a joke, but his impact on metal is without question, and when you hear some of the tracks on 'Melissa' you'll be left daubed with the Devil's mark. Grotesque, bewitching, wicked and downright devilish in its delivery, 'Melissa', despite its twiddly structures and immense shredding, is a mini-metal masterpiece. Thirteen-year old's everywhere were conducting rituals at the foot of their garden as the record faded into the blackness like a spooky will-o-the-wisp. Melodrama and fiery mayhem rolled into one.

8/10

Devastation - Signs Of Life (1989)

A sneakily good record this one. Upon viewing the sleeve you may expect something a little more dense sounding and deathly, but Devastation play a style of thrash akin to Evil Dead. Chugging, heavy, fast with a hardcore-style vocal delivery. The mid-section of 'Eye For An Eye' brings to mind the moshing prowess of early Anthrax, 'Desolation...' begins with a Slayer-style riff, and the title cut has elements of Metallica in its riffage. So, you know that Devastation play thrash metal, and quality it is too, something very cult about it, although the drums are a little left behind in the whirlwind. Whilst these Texan's don't have the spite of Violence, I'd sit them the Bay Area combo and Dark Angel, which is a pretty high compliment. A bit of a gem this one, and yet it doesn't try hard to be anything different from an aggressive thrash album.

7.5/10

Kreator - Coma Of Souls (1990)

When Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax and Metallica hit the big time, there were several bands loitering in the shadows who made for far more wholesome listening, and Kreator were one of those acts, proof also that Europe produced the more authentic thrash assault. I was already a huge fan of Kreator when they battered by eardrums raw on 'Pleasure To Kill' and 'Terrible Certainty', but just as Coroner matured through weirdness, Kreator grew into a strong and technical band. 'Come..' may lack the overall spite of say 'Extreme Aggression', and the pace often slows here, but it's still an album that marches into the brain leaving a terrible scar. More melody on offer but still some truly terrifying thrash work-outs, Mille on fine form as usual, his gravelled delivery biting at the flesh as Frank Blackfire whips us into a frenzy. Kreator were probably the most straight of all the finest Euro thrash acts, Voivod and Celtic Frost of course often took eerie steps into avant-garde landscapes, but with Kreator you kinda knew what you were going to get, but were still blown away by the music. Solid as a rock, riff after riff, Kreator will not let you down.

7.5/10

Heavy Load - Stronger Than Evil (1983)

To say a bad word against these true metal warriors would surely curse me forever more. Thankfully, bad words do not escape my lips as Heavy Load once against batter the senses, raise their swords and rise above metal melancholy with their brand of searing, epic metal. These Swedes are simply top class heavy metal warlords, although I've read elsewhere that the band weren't taken too seriously but those Spinal Tap goofballs never had the ability to churn out molten metal like this. Thin Lizzy legend features on the title cut and also 'Free', opener 'Run With The Devil' is a monster of a cut, Ragne Wahiquist is a great metal frontman, big on the voice, backed by the battalion of his brother on drums, and the heavy guitars of Eddy Malm and bomber bass of Ragnesjo. People have often mocked Manowar for their dramatic style of metal, but Heavy Load strip back the sensationalism and simply play it straight, passionate about what they do. Just like Cirith Ungol, Heavy Load drift into a magical land of wonder, darkness and monsters, leaving the chest pounding metaller more than happy with the purchase, and another cover to die for.

8/10

Helloween - Walls Of Jericho (1985)

I recall this band being heralded as the next big thing, and these German rockers certainly enjoyed some solid success. The cover of this record certainly earned it some Brownie points, and although the record starts in silly fashion, once it gets going it turns out to be a decent thrash record. Helloween were often described as a potent force resembling Iron Maiden, and their album covers most certainly appealed to many young metal fans. I admit to never being the biggest fan, but 'Ride The Sky' and 'Gorgar' are reasonable uptempo tunes, although there are some frailties in the vocal delivery. 'Murderer' is complex and galloping, complete with thrashy chanted chorus, but much of what's on offer is colourless, despite its speed and cheery disposition. Overlong as a debut album, and at times painful vocally, but always intellectual. Helloween were certainly different from many other European acts, and this reputation was bolstered even further by the next two albums from the 'Keeper Of The Seven Keys' saga, but I find the gothic groans and speedy greyness slightly dull.

6.5/10

Bang Tango - Psycho Cafe (1989)

Bang Tango were a league away from the status of Guns 'n' Roses and I must add that if anyone wants to check out a cool rock 'n' roll band, then instead opt for vocalist Joe Leste's Beautiful Creatures. However, Bang Tango deserve inclusion for their sleazy strut which was kinda like a homage to the whiskey 'n' shagging of LA Guns and Axl's boys. Unfortunately, this rather watered down imitation leaves me not only unfulfilled by yearning for more ballsy rock. Vocally Leste is Ax's distant cousin, the music attempts some kind of pompous and authentic groove but often fails to deliver. As debut albums go, and in the wake of other similar acts such as Faster Pussycat, making greater headway, 'Psycho Cafe' was lost in the crowd of tattooed love boys and sweaty Hollywood rockers. 'Psycho Cafe' isn't a lost gem, but merely a rather dated record from a good time in metal.

6/10

Exumer - Possessed By Fire (1986)

Absolutely brilliant thrash metal Exumer, alongside Exciter remain one of those thrilling yet underrated acts who probably shoulda made it bigger. 'Possessed By Fire' matches Metallica's 'Kill Em All' and Slayer's early efforts for speed, precision and unfaltering energy. Blessed with a cool album cover, 'Possessed...' is a frantic, chugging, pummelling and talented record with some great guitar work, crashing drums and vicious vocal attack. 'Fallen Saint' is a classic thrash record, a catchy riff, venomous chorus, this is up there with Metallica's 'Seek & Destroy' for intensity, and much of the album truly rips. To be filed alongside the already mentioned Exciter, and Nasty Savage, as a band who always lurked on the edge of brilliance but never quite reached the pinnacle, but then again, that cult status makes such acts far cooler. Gaze at the cover and thrash yer arse off...

8/10

Cirith Ungol - Frost & Fire (1980)

Storming the skies like a gloomier Judas Priest, Cirith Ungol are one of those metal acts you should pray will sound like their album covers suggest. And indeed they do. Stomping like some mad jester, Ungol play a magical style of energetic metal bathed in Medieval glory and ruinous atmospheres. From the opening war cry of the title cut, to the frenzy of rattler 'I'm Alive', and the dark groove of 'A Little Fire' you can't deny the power metal possesses. This is music for the darkest hours, to be played by candlelight so that the listener can be transported to another place of mysticism. 'What Does It Take' has an almost funky organ strut as it opens, rambling like some sleazy Alice Cooper number, and the album closes with the seemingly live 'Cirith Ungol' a true doom number reeking of Sabbath feedback and brooding atmosphere. Cirith Ungol are true heavy metal.

8/10

Demon - The Unexpected Guest (1982)

As a kid I always expected these guys to be as dark as their name suggested, and the covers were often quite bewitching. 'The Unexpected Guest' at times offers that kind of dark magic so prominent back in the day, 'Don't Break The Circle' is a superb slab of mystical rock, and the story continues into 'The Spell'. Although I never owned a Demon record as a kid, I can see why they would've appealed to any naive teenager. In fact, '...Guest' is quite a rocking record, some superb and atmospheric guitars on 'Total Possession', 'Strange Institution' slows the pace and album closer 'Deliver Us From Evil' rather disappointingly lets the listener know that Demon aren't evil after all!!

'The Unexpected Guest' is a solid ball of often fiery rock which, although lacking the weight of full-blooded metal, has enough going for it to make a far more worthwhile listen than say Saxon at times.

7/10

Deathwish - Demon Preacher (1989)

A nice little record(their second) from these Brit thrashers. Enlivened all the more by the respectable cover of Sabbath's 'Symptom Of The Universe'. Deathwish emerged at a time when the UK thrash scene was being well represented as the likes of Acid Reign, Slammer, Hydra Vein, Toranaga, and Re-Animator hit the scene. I was quite a fan of this kind of band, championing such efforts among local friends who were more interested in Iron Maiden. 'Demon Preacher' isn't the most riveting of records, but it's the kind of record you just take for what it is, a solid, straight forward thrash album with a slightly obscured vocal delivery.

6.5/10

Mutilator - Into The Strange (1988)

Beginning like some progressive rock album, these cult Brazilians soon quicken the pace with 'Vanishing In The Haze', a muffled tumultuous brand of deathly thrash. This is the band's second record, reminding me of a sharper, less talented Possessed as they speed through eight grim tracks for thrashers only. There is an underlying talent here though, although Mutilator would never be fit to lace the boots of early Sepultura, they still have enough energy to compete in the thrash market. One thing I will say, and which is reflected in the album title, is that the band, and all credit to them, have sought to diversify from the usual bland thrash around at the time. Although the music is far from original, it's nice to hear these young guns trying their hand at slower passages, but keeping the overall sound reasonably aggressive.

6/10

Mournblade - Live Fast, Die Young (1989)

Saw these Brits supporting Motorhead in the '80s on the back of 'Live Fast...', their second record. Reasonable New Wave Of British Heavy Metal act who seemed a little out of place by the time they got off the ground. With thrash, funk, alternative metal and death metal all around them, it's no wonder they dissipated rapidly. Mournblade provide a shambling, scuffling rock 'n' roll strut bereft of any real identification. Although the band have alot of history, it doesn't shine through on the record. 'Burning Ambition' with its psychedelic drool offering the best angle of the band, alongside the slightly more edgy and robust 'American Dream'.

Vocally the stupidly named Drunken Mullett is a pale wraith of a vocalist whose rambles are often indistinguishable against the sleazy plod of the music. When you consider that around the same time bands such as Saigon Kick, I Love You and Mother Love Bone were breaking through, Mournblade seem more than derivative in their skeletal shaking.

6/10

Virus - Force Recon (1988)

Uk hardcore thrash, included because I was mesmerised by the cover artwork. What lies within isn't too disappointing either, albeit rather basic. Eight tracks on offer, 'Testify To Me' and the slow chug of the title cut provides enough basement quality for any mullet-headed teenager. All kind of rushes past without getting its hooks into you but as a young metaller, it was this kind of record that made vinyl collection's more noteworthy. Unless of course you spent your time buying bog standard metal available in every store. picking up 'Force Recon' is one of those guilty pleasures, because you know it's not gonna be great to listen to, but no-one else at the time locally would've had the balls to buy it...

6/10

Living Death - Metal Revolution (1985)

Cool European thrash metal, cool album cover, cool vocals, cool guitars. Maybe I like this band ? Nothing overly fancy, I just dig the obscure nature of these kinds of bands, the searing intensity of 'Grippin A Heart' (strange title for a thrashy kinda band), but I'm sensing an almost sickly glammy feel among that speedy noise. Something peculiar about Living Death, but again, that could be me! 'Ruler Must Come' reminds me of the strange highways created by early Mekong Delta, somehow catchy and sneering. I could listen to this type of odd metal for ages. It's not unpredictable in its nature, it just seems to fill a gap between standard theatrical metal and mid-paced thrash.

7/10

Chainsaw - Hell's Burnin' Up (1985)

I think I drew the cover when I was 13!! Chainsaw are one of those short-lived yet wholesome metal acts who provide enough juddering menace and wailing to deserve inclusion. Strangely, the more you listen to the German speedsters, the more you get to appreciate the fury of this record, from the title cut, to the buzz of 'The Dungeon' with it's almost black metal gurgling, to my fave cut, 'He Knows You Are Alone'. Slightly dodgy production but what do you expect, it's 1985, you can smell the leather, and whilst this bunch of cavemen may look like an assembly of uncle's, the music is to be respected for what it is, skeletal, beer-swigging, burning thrash.

7/10

Jag Panzer - Ample Destruction (1984)

Superb heavy metal, blessed with a great cover, and bestowing a cool, doomy heavy metal sound. The band are still hanging ion there releasing worthy albums, but this debut is an essential purchase, nine tracks of solid metal. Metal very much of its time, but having that basic yet magical ingredient to cause a major spark. You can never truly put your finger on why these kind of bands are able to create such volcanic metal and albums like this are hard to come by. Sure, countless bands try their hand at the imagery, the beefy, power metal riffs and lordly vocals, but so many fail at the sincerity. Priest managed such heated fury with 'Painkiller', but what makes 'Ample...' much more potent is the fact it was released so many years previous.

Mark Briody can be thanked for the merciless guitar, electrifying riffs backing Harry Conklin's warlord yelps which sail across the horizon like hordes of wildebeests. 'Warfare' is first class metal, 'Harden Than Steel' throbs and writhes like an angry dragon, and 'Reign Of The Tyrants' gathers momentum like a tidal wave, frothing blackness as it devours the land. This is what proper heavy metal is all about, no fakery, just simple yet astoundingly effective music. It's amazing how albums like this stand the test of time and then some, even wiping the floor with so many modern imitators. Although 'Ample...' has long been discontinued, get a copy by any means necessary...

8/10

Energetic Krusher - Path To Oblivion (1989)

I had this on vinyl and haven't got a clue what happened to it. Reasonable death/thrash from the UK, speedy riffs with a hardcore edge, gruff vocals, you know the score. Worth inclusion as it's one of those forgotten records from the murky past of metal. 'The Blast', 'Thrash Ritual' and 'Brain Damage' are rather formulaic workouts, bruising, raging, imagine a faster Bolt Thrower without the gloom. The band were short-lived and split soon after...

5.5/10

Halloween - Don't Metal With Evil (1985)

As a thirteen year old metal fan wanting to be in a band, Halloween would have been the type of sound I'd have come up with, because that's what this act sound like. Imagine a group of teenagers, hungry for the Devil, fuelled by the fire, wanton to purge and pillage their local village, maybe Halloween would be the product of such dark dreams. Terrible album cover, but you can feel the heat of the fire within from this Detroit band. Good quality heavy metal, 'Busted' goes straight for the genitals, all guns blazing, and this doesn't let up for the duration of the eleven cuts. The great thing with Halloween is that they live up to the expectation of being an image based metal act. Legend has built strong over their underground stage shows, and lyrically the horror content is backed by some great music. It's nothing out of the ordinary, just sold rock. 'Trick Or Treat' conjures images of leafy suburbs and kids adorned in ghostly vestments, and the riffs which scuttle at a hefty pace paint the pictures metallers want to see.

I'm sure such an album would have been lapped up by the innocents and condemned by the critics, the title cut, complete with backwards message seems to be a warning NOT to mess with the Devil, but like Crue's 'Shout At The Devil' it would no doubt have been misinterpreted as more black witchery, from a band who probably just set out to have fun. The track actually remains a underground metal classic.

I always used to think that German techno-thrashers Helloween were called Hallowen and was always disappointed by their lack of ominous imagery, but with Halloween, you'll be reaching for the dvd player and putting on 'Trick Or Treat' after this. Good stuff...

7/10

Watchtower - Energetic Disassembly (1985)

I can see the metallers cowering...their headbanging, fist-pumping antics excluded from the realm of Watchtower, who, with their extremely complex array of intricate metal, would've only attracted a scant few. There are grooves on offer, even a Judas Priest type of searing metal, but deep within the trenches of their sound you can pick out those awkward soundcapes and ethereal, entangled webs of craftsmanship. 'Meltdown' alienates itself with its wild trajectory's, a kind of hyper Voivod as it creates around it another world, a dimension of fluent yet alarmingly brilliant and discordant strangeness. Watchtower have never been part of anything, inhabiting some concrete, spacious, and minimal vacuum that many of us have to wrench from the back of our matter. Of all the metal bands to exist, not many continue to defy the laws of science with their sound, and this record, from way back still remains an unfathomable experiment. The vocals of Jason McMaster are screeches, high-pitched echoes through some technical tundra backed by the occasional chug yet frequent trickle of guitars courtesy of Billy White. I've seen this kind of musicianship described as "bionic rhythm" and that's reasonably accurate. Bleak in its icy technique, yet genius in a way still difficult to grasp. To call Watchtower thrash would be an insult, this is simply vibrant yet isolating music long before the likes of Dream Theatre tried similar advances.

Many will find such metal as irrelevant to a mundane life, those chosen few who are able to lend an ear, will find themselves taken to another place.

8.5/10

Warfare - Mayhem Fucking Mayhem (1986)

This is more lie it! Thunderous, black 'n' roll from this vile chimera of Venom, Motorhead, Celtic Frost and any other nasty punkoid frenzy you can think of. For me, this is traditional black metal, catchy, angry, and played for real. Riding high on the back of Sodom with its dank and rusty assault, this is one hell of a cult act who at the time would've no doubt alienated music critics, but years later this kind of sound, courtesy of Neat Records, sounds surprisingly fresh in its hideous form, even the cover of The Kinks 'You Really Got Me' is a messy triumph! However, it's the cursed chug of 'Projectile Vomit' that stains the skin, and 'Atomic Slut' stomps in like some garage Venom. Warfare took no prisoners, and it's this kind of filth and fury that created black metal, not a bunch of kids in corpsepaint. Just ask Fenriz...

7/10

Powermad - Absolute Power (1989)

This Minnesota four-piece did little to separate themselves from the huge crowd of thrashers swamping the scene in the '80s, but they can claim some fame, after appearing on the soundtrack to David Lynch's masterpiece, 'Wild At Heart'. Musically however it's reasonably bland thrash that got left behind. Ten tracks of standard chugging, screeching and mostly melodic Bay Area inspired drudgery with a pale vocal delivery courtesy of Joel DuBay, who does little to extract Powermad from bring a watered down Exodus et al. Check at the UK's Slammer for similar thrashing, although they did it far better.

5/10

Paradox - Heresy (1989)

Peculiar, thoughtful and breezy openings with the acoustic intro, and then a s0lid wall of metal which reminds me a little of Mordred's classic 'Falling Away', before melting into a melodic chug. This German act only released a clutch of albums, but the burning thrash of this opus makes it my favourite, a good, crunchy record that takes alot from the Bay Area scene in the US. The more I listen to the record though I'm reminded of early Mordred, via 'Fools Game' with those jerking almost soulful riffs, the chanted choruses, and the almost funkiness of the melodies. Vocally it's all rather bland however, 'Search For Perfection' is pure Mordred, a huge amount of familiarity in the chorus, whilst 'The Burning' again builds slow acoustically. Although rather formulaic throughout and distinctly American, 'Heresy' is a very good record mainly because of it's catchiness, and for what it lacks in originality it makes up in energy.

7/10

Kraken - Kraken (1983)

Great band name, yet I know little about this super little band. I'm aware of a Columbian act from the '80s, yet this is a Canadian sect, but this is a record that needs checking out. Imagine a doomy Judas Priest, strong vocals, gloomy riffs, classic heavy metal pounding, anthemic yet at times sombre in its epic nature. One moment a St. Vitus thud, 'Blitzkrieg' is catchy yet ominous, rising like some uncoiling serpent. 'Burn With Burn' hits the hurdles hard, taking ground with it as it gallops, and judders to a rattling halt, and the badly titled 'Sleazy Easy' begins slow and ponderous like a rehearsal, bringing to mind Zeppelin at their most subtle before spiralling into a kaleidoscope of guitars, and again, I can't help but think of a more melodic St. Vitus after a few pick me ups! A cracking record that not many metallers will have the joy to own unfortunately...

7.5/10

Gravestone - Back To Attack (1985)

You'd think that with titles such as 'I Love The Night' and 'Wont Stop Rocking' this would be encrusted with cheese. Well, in a way it is, from its fantasy yet amateurish cover art to the screaming vocal attack, this is pure metal Armageddon attempting the serious, and often falling short. However, like so many of these obscure gems, Gravestone succeed in providing a great metal atmosphere amongst the chiming bells, and cardboard tension, especially on 'The Tiger' which sounds like a crustier version of King Diamond. Gravestone weren't new to the game however, the German metallers already having released a brace of obscurities. The more I listen to 'Back To...' I'm worryingly liking the stuffiness of it all. It's not exactly molten metal, somewhere between Fastway's 'Trick Or Treat' soundtrack, and the misleading 'You Are The Sun' which really goes for the throat with its hot musicianship. Fast-forward twenty years for Young Heart Attack to hear a similar searing attack of high energy rock 'n' roll...

7/10

Apocrypha - The Forgotten Scroll (1987)

This is an essential inclusion for the cover alone. I recall seeing this time after time back in the heyday of '80s metal but I was never able to pick a copy up. Thankfully, behind the facade of the mystical imagery lies a very good heavy metal album. Thrash ? At times, especially on the vocal grunts of opener 'Penance', driven by some guitar wizardry (Tony Fredianelli)but the album is more of a power metal trip, relying heavily on a more classic metal vein. It's one of those records something akin to reading a 'Dungeons & Dragons' tome, whilst enshrouding in darkness, the book only illuminated by wavering candle flame and the lights from the stereo. I guess you just had to be there...'Tablet Of Destiny' is a guitar shredders pornography, complex, mystical and classical, 'Riding In The Night' is chest pounding. You can see the armies of warriors seething across the sky, and check out those vocals, boisterous, hairy and proud...this isn't Manowar cheese, but full-blooded power metal perfect for the time. Light the fires and watch them burn in the forest. Gather round dwarves and armoured princes, for tonight we ride into the mists of time...

Produced by Marty Friedman of Megadeth fame, this should please most seeking their own golden fleece...

7.5/10

Razor - Evil Invaders (1985)

Okay, so 'Evil Invaders' may be one of the worst album covers in metal history, but as soon as the opening chords of 'Nowhere Fast' slice through your flesh, and the Slayer-ish buzz lifts you up off the floor, you'll be gagging for more. Released on Attic Records, 'this Razor offering could well have been recorded in stuffy loft, 'Cross Me Fool' has a basement feel, but hurtles at a blistering pace, vocally rather incomprehensible, but this adds to the rusty menace. The title cut is a pounding chug, crashing drums and that cutting riff, whilst with 'Speed Merchants', I think we know what we're gonna get here. A balls to the wall thrash record indeed, Razor were good enough to last several albums and thrashers would have been fulfilled by such energy and reckless abandon.

7/10