Accept - restless & Wild (1982)

These German metallers didn't start off too good but by album four they were putting out a noise which all metallers back in the day would've craved. Imagine AC/DC meeting a volcano, and you'd have some idea of Accept's style of rock 'n' roll metal. 'Balls To The wall' was a very classy follow-up, but the dirt, grime and punishment dished out by 'Restless...' enables it a points victory. More than solid, straight from the soul and simply raging like a wild beast. Udo's vocal attack is fiery to say the least, the grooves are huge, the musicianship tight and inspiring metallers across Europe. 'Fast As A Shark', 'Shake Your Heads', 'Flash Rockin Man'...flames are burning bright in the darkness of the metal vacuum. Accept remain a strong act in the field, constantly producing fine metal, but during the early '80s when Satan beckoned, these German rockers pulled no punches. they may not have had the image of some bands, but their craft was admired, and their ability to write headbanging anthem one after another in such a stylish and hammering way, has kept them in good stead ever since.

Of course, even if bands of this ilk are able to continue to produce the goods, then great, but us traditionalists will always look back at the good old days and point out such monumental recordings which acted as guiding lights of the genre.

8/10

Fates Warning - The Spectre Within (1985)

Very good album for its time, and even today, Fates Warning were lumped in with the thrash lads, but what this band do actually do is write progressive metal. Think of a mix of Queensryche, Maiden, Priest, Rush, with a thrashy edge - huge cult act, although sales certainly didn't clock up for this type of techno-metal. Often alienating for your average metalhead, soaring vocals, cleverly constructed tracks, riffs and solo's all over the place, kinda like sitting in a dark room of cold steel walls. To some this is bewildering, perplexing yet brilliant..others may find it uneventful, self-indulgent and tricky. I'm not sure where I stand, it's not got the appeal of say Watchtower or Cynic, and I've never been a fan of Rush, Queensryche etc, but like Progressive Rock in the late '60s and early '70s, Prog' Metal is an acquired taste, but if you can sit through the twelve-minute 'Epitaph' then maybe this is for you. For me, I'm always searching for sex or Satan on a record.

6.5/10

Voivod - Nothingface (1989)

After the strange plateau of 'Dimension Hatross' comes another slice of Voivodian freakiness. 'Nothingface' continues in the vein of the previous record, the inclusion of Pink Floy's 'Astronomy...', an inkling as to what world's these band are aiming to conquer. How Voivod have evolved is truly incredible, their punky brash thrash now morphing into a weird psych machine. The clattering, jerking groove of 'Unknown Knows' has a funky flavour, and the robotic spasms of of the title cut will leave the headbangers retiring to their bedrooms defeated. Immense, cutting, shifting awkwardness, making Voivod one of metal's most original acts of violence, easily able to create bizarre soundscapes and concepts which in our reality have no right to exist.

'X-Ray' is film noir meets techno suspense, these guys were alterno-metal even before Faith No More decided to rip up the rule book. Soaring choruses portraying purple clouds of Lovecraftian monstrosity. Voivod, one moment punky, the next funky with a blend of '60s surrealism, and that shuddering bass of Blacky still evident as Away patters the skins. If you were there back in the thrash days, you'd appreciate Voivod's alarming progression...no such form could stand still or remain within a genre, but in doing so they've constructed a weird planet for themself, and although many have attempted to take the ride, it remains the most awkward of journeys for those not in the Voivid bubble. It must be said also that Voivod boast possibly the best album covers in metal...created of course but drummer Away.

8/10