Apocrypha - Area 54 (1990)

Another techno-metal masterpiece from the enigmatic Apocrypha. These guys were typically underrated, bordering on thrash and power metal - constructing tight rhythms and unusual dynamics in their quest for mystical lands. Not sure how well these guys sold, but it's certainly a riveting listen, the band effortlessly shifting between melody and complexity, the title track a prime example of their obscure teachings, mainly in the form of Tony Fredianelli's intricate leads and Steve Plocica's almost serene vocals which sweep over proceedings like some black swan. 'Catch 22' showcases the bands ability for crushingw eight, the track lumbers with its immense chugging dynamics whilst 'The Power Elite' is more of a straight heavy metal track, featuring a sneering vocal and dominnant bass courtesy of Breck Smith. This is the sort of album I would've lapped up all those years ago, Apocrypha's album covers and deep layers of sound drawing in the listener, just a shame these guys never really made an impact, because tracks such as 'Terrors Holding On To You' are formidable in their presentation, quizzing the audience with its mesmeric musicianship. Great stuff then, and great still today.
8/10

Evile - Enter The Grave (2007)

Well, this was the album that had the new thrash fans on the block salivating, Evile, alongside Municipal Waste being held responsible for the new wave of thrash currently bombarding our ears. Of course, if you never grew up in the '80s or were completely unaware of the history of thrash, then you might find Evile's debut album a real punishing experience, an eye-opener in fact, but for me there's nothing here that I haven't heard before. The usual Slayer, Metallica, Testament, Exodus blah blah blah rants become all too predictable once we've reached the third track. Sure these guys are accomplished musicians, but if this had been released back in the mid '80s then Evile wouldn't have been heralded as thrash kinds whatsoever - this is your usual chug fest with archetype thrash lyrics and hints of Anthrax mosh, but vocally it's a rather dire affair, Matt Drake does nothing for me amidst the formulaic weight. I guess this opus came out at the right time, and tracks like 'Thrasher,' 'Burned Alive' and 'Killer From The Deep' have the childish charm of retro bubblegum, but there's a distinct lack of spite let alone originality here. I'm sorry but if you can spend an hour listening to 'Enter The Grave' then you clearly haven't got anything else decent in your record collection. More recently born thrash-heads will find the Evile experience a wet dream, but for me it's a tried and tested affair that sounds no better than Xentrix, Deathwish, Toranaga etc, who, decades previous had already trodden this same path, and failed.
6/10

Sodom - Epitome Of Torture (2013)

I'm thinking that alongside Darkthrone's 'The Underground Resistance' this could well be the album of 2013. Sodom parting the waves with their gritty thrash attack, partnered in crime by the recent Destruction avalanche that was 'Spiritual Genocide.' Angelripper and co' are back at full throttle, slashing flesh with their barbed wire assault. Never have I heard a band so refreshed, and yet nodding to the old school with such violent delights as 'S.O.D.O.M.' 'Shoot Today...Kill Tomorrow' and the ear-splitting 'Invocating The Demons.' This is a ferocious album that showcases the talents of new drum machine Makka, alongside guitarist Bernd 'Bernemann' Kost who literally owns this record with some of the most aggressive and punishing guitars I've heard this side of World War II! This is truly a formidable opus, Sodom showing no signs whatsoever of letting up in their quest for world domination. However, the band aren't afraid to throw on a sprig of melody too, album opener 'My Final Bullet' has a hint of Euro-Goth, particular in that infectious chorus, but from here it's hell for leather as the band crash and smash their way through twelve tracks of brain-battering thrash, proof that the old school kings are still the leaders of the new school.
8.5/10

Secrecy - Raging Romance (1991)

Mmm, the only way I can loosely describe the wonder of Secrecy is by saying they are melodic techno-thrash. So many influences come to mind upon spinning this obscurity - Secrecy are the sort of bacnd who were clearly ahead of their time, too cool for school with their refreshing and often jagged sound, perked by the ever-flowing vocal swoon of Peter Dartin. These German metal-heads have a strong power metal feel, mixing the cold steel splendour of Accept, Helloween, with a slightly doom-laden, Gothic feel - think Stillborn combined with King Diamond, and a hint of Euro thrash. Each track on offer is a technical groove that's not all too hard on the ears, the vocals tend to give the whole album a dreamy feel, even if at times they seem at odds with the musicianship, but I'm guessing that's the wave of complexity shining through. Thirteen tracks on offer, most of them given rather overlong titles such as 'To Mind's Borderline (This World's Wisdom Reprise)' and 'Embrace (The Greatest Gift, Part 1)' but it all adds to the almost sullen mystery of it all. When the band do thrash out, it's never more than a sombre crunch, but this darkly tinged metal fest is worth picking up if you're after something a little different, but it'll take a few spins to register. The epic 'Masquerade' is worth the price alone.
7/10

Bloody Hammers - s/t (2012)

Now here's an album you must here. It seems that over the last few years there has been a revival in '70s influenced rock with many doom style bands paying homage to old horror films and novels. For those of you who dig bands like Ghost, then you'll dig Bloody Hammers too, although they are a different brand of occult weirdness. These US doomsters aren't just obsessed with the Sabbath trip, if anything Bloody Hammers (great cover guys) are a melting pot of rainy '80s Goth (Bauhaus), '80s doom (Pentagram),and a bit of crusty punk - but given a more sinister edge by the almost narrative style of vocal by Anders. I much prefer this style of doom to Electric Wizard and those other gluey dope-influenced acts - this has a real occult edge to it, particularly on the creaky haunted house weirdness of 'Witching Hour' and 'Black Magic' which are both wondrously catchy in their oaken horror. To some extent this is far more simplistic in its approach, and whilst heavy it doesn't opt for boring the listener to death, instead Bloody Hammers act as some spooky soundtrack to all those Dennis Wheatley albums of yesteryear - but again, there is a strong Goth influence here, check out the creeping 'Say Goodbye To The Sun' and the organ drenched 'Fear No Evil'. I can't recommend this fuzzbox of a record enough but it may not appeal to all.
8/10

Armored Saint - Raising Fear (1987)

Another truly underrated band - the first batch of Armored Saint records should be owned by everyone who calls themself a headbnager. 'Raising Fear' is the bands fourth opus if you include the self-titled raging demo. John Bush of course went on to join Anthrax but it's in Armored Saint that he really shines. These guys are a full-on, white knuckle ride of a heavy metal band, the kind of act who never let their fans down, constantly churning out balls out metal. Randomly pick out any of the eleven tracks on offer and you won't be disappointed - the title cut features a killer riff from Dave Prichard (R.I.P.), this metal is up there with Priest, Maiden, but they never got the success they so rightly deserved. Just check out the dynamics of 'Saturday Night Special' and the epic 'Isolation,' a power metal classic. Armored Saint are simply a smoking hot metal band, and no review can really do their fiery brand of metal any justice, so track down the records and rock out.
8/10

Witchkiller - Day of the Saxons (1984)

Obscure EP from a band with a great name - this is very much sword and sorcery heavy metal, chest pounding, swords, axes, dungeons, war, dragons and shields, and yet somehow in its formulaic presentation this is fantastic metal. These guys formed in '81, and hail from Canada, although there is a slight European feel to proceedings, maybe it's the vocal delivery - particularly on the title track - from Domenic Sciascia. Sadlt, apart from this EP and a couple of demo's the band did fuck all else, and so drifted aimlessly into the void of 'cult', but what they left behind is still a good, iron-clad effort. Of the five tracks on offer it's 'Riders of Doom' which stands out with its atmospheric intro, but each track is mystical dose of metal for the purists. There were hundreds, if not thousands of bands like this back in the early to mid '80s, but a majority of them were pretty good, and the delightfully named Witchkiller came armed to the teeth and ready for battle.
7.5/10

Vicious Rumors - Welcome To The Ball (1991)

Now here's a band who belong to every metal collection - I've only covered one VR album so far, that being the superb 'Soldiers of the Night,', and 'Welcome...' is as equally stirring. Extremely underrated band these guys, and strangely it's this sort of stuff - however mesmeric - that seems to be hardest to find nowadays, especially on vinyl. Vicious Rumors prowl that murky landscape between thrash and power metal,and are mde all the more grittier by Carl Albert's fiery rasp - imagine a melting pot of Exodus, Savatage, Overkill, old Helloween, Meliah Rage, Metal Church et al, - now, that's not to say that VR sound like any of these guys, far from it, but when you hear the thrashy chug of 'Abandoned' or the mystical flutterings which open 'You Only Live Twice' you'll appreciate the metal magic of these guys. Hard to believe VR formed in 1979! These guys are the sort of musicians who'll never let you down, the vocals just soar above the fiery guitar work and hammering drums, the short sharp shock that is 'Ends of the Earth' is a true battering ram of a thrasher with an epic power metal edge, whilst 'When Love Comes Down' as all the sultry magic of a hair metal ballad with Thorpe and McGee's guitar trickles, and the climax these guys build to is just spine-chilling. Vicious Rumors are a true heavy metal band, and there's nothing more you can ask for.
8/10

Lita Ford - Out For Blood (1983)

Lita Ford came on the scene with The Runaways, but when they folded she embarked on a solo career - opting for the heavy metal route, 'Out For Blood' was her debut opus. The original cover - as depicted here - showed the blonde bombshell standing in front of a huge spider's web and with blood dripping from her guitar - the replacement cover was more drab, but still showed the metal queen in all of her leathery splendour. 'Out...' is probably Lita's best album because as the '80s moved on, she, like so many other bands, succumbed to the sultry highs of MTV, and her sound softened despite the fact the hits got bigger. Right from the blocks 'Out...' is a solid metal album, opening with the rattling title track which features a killer guitar chug and Lita spitting venom. There's nothing sultry about this barnstormer of a track - the video was killer  too - showing Lita in not much more than a leather bikini shredding the hell out of her axe. Elsewhere it's all pretty much decent albeit run of the mill metal, but the album has such a bite that one has to be moved by such studded mayhem. 'Stay With Me Baby' has more of a glam rock stomp, as you'd kinda expect considering her Runaways background, but 'Just A Feeling' shows a more subtle and bluesy side, Lita's voice is like silk on this one, and it builds really well but for me it's the mid-section of the record that really kicks hard, 'Die For Me Only' and the strut pop of 'Rock n Roll Made Me What I Am Today' aren't exactly classics, but they have a bubblegum charm, even if they're less harmful than the opening track. Overall 'Out For Blood' is a nice '80s metal gem, from a woman who adorned the walls of many a metalhead.
7/10

Virgin Steele - s/t (1982)

Laughably epic from its fantastic artwork to that unbelievable entrance to 'Minuet in G Minor' which leads us to the full on metal madness of 'Danger Zone,' this Virgin Steele making their entrance to the world, wings aflame, swords held high, and chariots burning. Has there ever been a more epic metal band? Probably not, but this isn't just about bombastic barbarianism, this is full on heavy metal magic, carved from deep within the depths of time where not many dare to tread. David De Feis is ringmaster extraordinairre, conducting this psycho circus with a mere wail from those expanding vocal pipes, evoking images of lost lands and frothing seas and great creatures of all kinds. Behind him sits the axe-wielding Jack Star who has probably slain many a serpent with that guitar, and the warlord drums of Joey Ayvazian just add extra booming thunder. Take your pick of any of the ten tracks on offer and you'll still stand agog at this metal feast, whether it be the Gothic gallop of 'Children of the Storm,' or the drum lead 'Pictures of You' (although this track is slightly out of place amidst the mossy masterpieces) with its wonderfully executed solo, it doesn't matter - Virgin Steele are Virgin Steele - a muscular behemoth of a band who eat trolls for breakfast, and dragons for lunch. 8/10

Virgin Steele - Guardians of the Flame (1983)

These guys have hundreds of albums out now, but 'Guardians...' is my favourite from the power metal band. Ten tracks on offer here, typically '80s but with a mightierpunch than most of the bands around at the time - this is serious, epic sounding metal featuring killer guitars and warrior vocals courtesy of David DeFeis who also provides keyboards and production! This album got a reissue in 2002 and came with a rare EP, but whatever version you pick up, make sure you turn out the lights, light a candle and become absorbed by its atmosphere, because this really would have been a massive step up for us metalheads back in the '80s - sure we loved all the sword and sorcery stuff, but Virgin Steele took their brand of swashbuckling metal to almost progressive levels - just check out the proggy mid-section jam of the title track, or the loping chug of 'Don't Say Goodbye' which has a faint poppy, melodic edge, but always still epic in its approach. Album closer 'Cry in the Night' confirms the epic swoon of it all, it's a wondrously sweeping cut fuelled by a sweet piano and enchanting chorus not too far removed from Queen in its structure. Virgin Steele have always been highly accomplished musicians, and although I've lost track of their releases over the years, this album always stuns the senses whatever mood I'm in. 8/10

Crossfire - Second Attack (1985)

A pretty obscure band who go all guns blazing all through this, their second opus. I don't know much about them, but don't be put off by the cartoonish album cover, this is very much hell for leather thrash metal with paint-stripping vocals by some guy who only goes by the name of Peter! No real thrills, just fast, furious thrashing, blazing solos and crashing clattering drums - the result being a maniacal opus that offers such delights as 'Atomic War,' 'Highway Driver,' and the frothing 'Feeling Down.' Here's a band quite happy to rush full steam ahead and ask questions later. It's a fleeting yet ferocious record that every thrash banger should check out. 7/10

Malice - In The Beginning (1985)

These rockers were one of the most underated metal acts of the '80s, combining Juas Priest style grooves, and vocal shrieks for that matter, with a powerful, cutting edge and speedy delivery. Vocalist James Neal has every right to be compared to Priest's Rob Halford, because this guy can shatter a glass or two, but this is more than just pale imitation. 'Into The Ground,' 'Rockin With You,' 'Godz Of Thunder' et al, are all formidable metal outings and let's not forget the brilliantly titled 'No Haven For The Raven.' Anyone who picked this opus up in the '80s would have been extremely pleased with their purchase, because this band just et their heads down and form a battering ram of a sound, propelled by the twin guitar attack of Mick Zane and Jay Reynolds. The band effortlessly shift between speed metal burning and mid-tempo hammering, and anyone with half a brain can't fail to be moved by the sonic assault of 'Air Attack' or the storming 'Hellrider.' 7.5/10

Letter X - Time Of The Gathering (1991)

It's the sort of metal opus that should've come out about 1988 - imagine a milder Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) on vocals and an almost straight forward, yet steely metal approach musically, and that's what Letter X are about. It's an endearing record that doesn't go for thrills but the songs are more than adequate, and at times weighty (check the title cut). Letter X are a German five-piece, fronted by the bolshy-voiced Martin Obermeier who is backed by the gtwin guitar attack Rudiger Fleck and Joachim Gassman. The band aren't afraid to inject a few keyboards but it doesn't water down the sound - the sultry 'Princess of the Dark' is still a meaty semi-ballad, Martin really was an overlooked metal voice, 'Leather On Leather' being my favourite track on the album wit its burning riff and solid drum assault. Letter X were pretty unknown at the time but it's one of those records that sums of the '80s, and if you can get your hands on it you'll be pleased with your purchase. I believe the band released another opus too entitled 'Born Into Darkness' which came out in 1992 - way out of time. Quality hair metal. 7/10

YLD - Fool's Paradise (1989)

Sadly some '80s metal doesn't really stand the test of time. There's something so non-offensive about the peculiarly, and irritatingly named YLD (I hate bands who have initials like this as names!). 'Fool's Paradise' is the only record by this band, a straight forward opus that blends melodic, mild metal with a slight swagger. Trouble is, apart from James Bengson's slightly gnarly vocal delivery there's nothing really here to grab hold of. There's a commercial edge to proceedings, tracks such as 'Let It Go' and more so 'So Cute' have an almost irritable quality. At times the band have a slightly sleazy edge but apart from the cool riff of 'Writing In The Sand' it's all relatively harmless, tinged occasionally with keys, it does nothing to make an impression. Distinctly '80s, and for once that isn't a positive thing.
4.5/10

Shakin Street - s/t (1980)

This is a record that has always intrigued me as well as rewarded me with its uptempo groove. The band features the talents of one Ross(The Boss) who went on to flex muscle in Manowar. Shakin Street are a French act who combine melodic rock, punk and New Wave dreams, reminding me of Blondie in parts, especially the vocal of Fabienne, who is a sultry queen who seems at home bathed in the pacy riffs and clattering drums. Album opener 'No Compromise' features a killer melody that is punk at its purest, fuelled by a driving guitar - amazing to think these guys toured with Sabbath and the equally mystical Blue Oyster Cult. 'Solid As A Rock' has a real glam rock stomp to it, particularly with the boyish chants, these guys wold have seemed more at home crossing swords with the likes of The Damned. It's all infectious candy that rocks hard in places, but is made all the more sneering by that wicked vocal sound. This may not appeal to all you metal fans, but like The Ramones and The Dictators, it's the sort of music that is just as wild as anything satanic. Shakin Street offer great bubblegum rock.
7/10

Glorious Bank Robbers - Dynamite Sex Doze (1989)

Now here's one you may not have heard of. The strangely named Glorious Bank Robbers are a Swedish sleaze outfit, who, although lyrically inedpt, play a damn fine rock n' roll groove that is oddly captivating - particularly in the swaggering, whiskey-sipping strut of the title trackwith its 'Sweet Home Alabama' style groove. Lyrically it's pretty atrocious, but there's a backstreet charm about this record which melts together all manner of influences ranging from Guns n' Roses, Hanoi Rocks, to a smore simpler sleazoid approach which hordes of bands adopted once 'Appetite For Destruction' had hit the racks. The band are best when they get their heads down and rock hard, 'Young Alcoholic' is a boozy stomper that would no doubt have influenced some of today's more well known sleaze bands such as Crash Diet. It doesn't win any awards for originality but it has a kick-ass attitude that'll have you reaching for the Jack Daniels. 7/10

Rhett Forrester - Even The Score (1988)

Rhett Forrester has the sort of metal throat that can strip paint and light fires - the former Riot frontman, who sadly passed away a few years ago, was one talented vocalist. His 'Even The Score' opus was pretty basic in its approach, but bolstered by those fantastic screams that gave the music an extra beefy, animalistic edge - just check out the meaty wail which opens the sultry, melodic yet blazing 'Burning Heart.' 'Leading Me On' is equally provocative with its simmering entrance, the track is typical of late '80s metal, but this guy really does nail it with those vocals, because whilst so many lion-haired bands may have failed to have lived up to their manes, Forrester makes sure that his metal is macho beyod the appearance. A highly enjoyable slab of melodic metal. If you dig stuff like Thrasher (who he worked with), and oter driving metal then this is one worth hearing, and for added sauce the album features some killer guitar too. 7/10

Eric Steel - s/t (1984)

Well, Eric Steel isn't the name of one of the band members, in fact I haven't a clue who Eric Steel is, but if you're into melodic hard rock/metal then you'll probably find much to savour with this obscurity. There's nothing flashy on offer here, but you'll certainly be pleased 9or appalled!) by the Kiss-meets- T-Rex groove of 'Lay Luck' with its' '20th Century Boy' aping, and Paul Stanley-styled screams of glam rock delight. I think this hard rockers released a couple of records and fizzled out, but if you like your metal simple, and of little significance then Eric Steel are worth spending a couple of quid on.
7/10