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

Intruder - Escape From Pain (1990)

Nashville's Intruder released four full-length studio albums and this five-track EP, and boy were they underrated considering their talents. This is technical, yet fluent thrash high on melody and reminding me a lot of Metal Church circa 'Blessing In Disguise' especially with Jimmy Hamilton's vocal attack. It's cut-throat metal that slices the vein with cold steel aplomb; musically it's so tight, often easing between the gears and blending power metal, classic metal and token thrash but with such glossy, professional effect. There are some superb numbers on this album, my favourite being 'Kiss of Death' featuring the twin guitar assault of Vinett and Messick who were true masters of their art, but one just cannot ignore the orgasmic none-minute title track with its barrage of Pieroni drums and those stunning riffs. A fine thrash metal band who offered technical prowess and so hard to choose a favourite out of their recorded efforts.
8/10

Transgressor - for The Scapegoat (1992)

One cool album and they were gone. Tokyo's Transgressor were old school doom/death metal that quite morbidly combines deathly speed with guttural and stuffy gloom. 'Ether...' sits at the opposite end of the scale to Church of Misery, and has more in common with late '80s and early '90s death metal than anything Sabbathesque, but that doesn't stop this album from being a real menace to society, particularly in the Autopsy-styled chugs and gurgled, guttural vocals. The likes of 'Limbless Doom' melt together that varying pace to give off a real foul air of doom, but for the most part 'Mortal Agony,' is of that Autopsy nature, the sort of stifling sound that after just one listen you'll be scraping it off the bottom of your shoe. A gritty, almost fuzzed out guitar sound is accompanied by embryonic drums, surely making Trangressor's only full-length journey one to find. Great album cover too.
7.5/10

Dementia - Recuperate From Reality (1991)

Clearly emerging when it was a tad too late, Chicago's Dementia still had time to introduce us to their slab of thrash metal. Certainly nothing new to the scene, this is the type of record you listen back many decades later and realise it's far better now than when you originally heard it. Sadly, the record is let down by the tuneless vocals but musically it's very much of the classic thrash vein, aping the likes of Metallica - Mike Walz often attempts a James Hetfield type of growl, and the riffs are pretty generic but like all '80s styled thrash there is something rather charming about this, but in 1991 this would have sounded extremely dated. The other main issue for these guys being that there are about another twenty or so bands from around the world with the same moniker - woeful album artwork to match, but tracks such as 'Insane' despite their Metallica obsession are still very much of the thrash blend we all know and love.
6.5/10

Exterminio - s/t (1988)

Obscure Brazilian thrash, Extermino - despite suffering from a rather awful drum sound - puked out this corker of a debut album back in '88, but it was only known to die-hard fans of the thrash scene. There were so many cool South American bands back in the mid to late '80s, and Extermino were one of those. As a band, the vocal sound is quite dry and raspy, but effective for a thrash record, and then there's that bubbly bass and some pretty twisted riffs and even with a vicious speed this still offers some super-dry melody, particularly on the likes of 'Ordem E Progresso'  and the swirling solos of 'Vencidos'. Again, the album does suffer from a weird drum hiss but it's still a worthwhile addition to any collection that leans more to blackened death/thrash.
7/10

Doom - War Crimes (Inhuman Beings) (1988)

When it comes to rattling crust-punk with a message, then Doom's 'War Crimes...' has to be one of the best records out there. These guys are somewhat of cult status - hailing from the streets of Birmingham, UK, the same fetid air that spawned Black Sabbath to name but a few. Somehow I always coupled this bunch with that early Napalm Death line-up, although there was more of a punk element to Doom. Even so, this is one grey, fuzzy, dank and often abysmal record that has stood the test of time and rightly so, because the earthy vocal drool of Jon Pickering, coupled with the dirty bass and crusty guitars means that this album sums up late '80s Britain with that hardcore sneer. When I first heard this record it was a time when acts such as Unseen Terror, Electro Hippies, Extreme Noise Terror et al, were doing the rounds - combining that punk ethos with basement speed. Certainly not metal, or well-produced, but that's the point!
8/10

Impact - Take The Pain (1991)

Believed to be one of the hardest metal albums to get hold of, Impact's 'Take The Pain' may have a poor album cover but it's a cracking old school thrash record which combines clinical speed that one would associate more with late '80s Euro thrash, but there's also am hint of Slayer in the melodies. There's nothing fancy about it but if you like all manner of thrash bands ranging from Dark Angel to Coroner then this should appeal. The riffs cut deep to the bone, just check out the assaults of the title track, the superb groove thrash of 'In The Flesh' and the vicious 'Kill On Kommand' featuring explosive drums. 'Take The Pain' contains all the ingredients to make this a cult thrash opus.
7.5/10

Wild Dogs - Man's Best Friend (1984)

One of the best '80s metal bands you've probably never heard. Wild Dogs were also responsible for the fantastic 'Reign of Terror' opus but this one also boasts those volatile vocals and searing hot guitars which have a dark, thrashy edge. Wild Dogs formed in the early '80s and they are one of those bands whose members are probably best known for their work with other bands, for instance, Jaime St James of Black n' Blue fame was in the band as was Deen Castronovo who went on to work with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne. Anyone wanting to hear what real '80s metal sounded like should check out this brilliant record which boasts the likes of 'No Stoppin' and the frothing opener 'Livin On The Streets'.

This is a real slab of a heavy metal album, and even when the melody drops in there's a real lethal edge to the whole affair an Matt McCourt's vocals really do get the blood rushing through the veins. You've just got to own something as bold and brassy as this, because whether you're a fan of dense-sounding, sinister, razor-sharp guitars or just like to smash your house up to real, panting metal, then 'Man's Best Friend' is a record they will bring out those primal instincts. Top stuff.
8/10

Steelover - Glove Me (1985)

Okay so the album title is rather...er...uncomfortable but if you fancy a shot of female-fronted Polish metal then this obscurity has just got to me for you. Steelover may not have had the money to employ a decent cover artist, but they more than make up for this with their hot, driving heavy rock which comes spitting out of the traps with the rowdy 'Forever' and then rarely lets up the pace. It's an oily ten-track affair including a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Hey Tonight' but the pop-tinged grunts of 'Give It Up' (which somehow has elements of Kiss's 'Lick It Up') really get their rusty hooks in. It's a meaty affair, mainly in the vocal department which are relatively gritty over those hooky guitars. Quite a rarity this one, but it's worth getting hold of.
7/10

Tension - Breaking Point (1986)

I knew fuck all about this band when I first heard 'Breaking Point' but this is a corker of a record that is a fine dose of almost technical heavy metal mixed with thrash overtones. Hard to believe these guys started out in the late '70s but if you hear this opus you'll notice a few progressive moments, some great and often complex guitar pieces and some nice vocals which combine classic metal strains with crystal clear thrash melody. Sadly, 'Breaking Point' for all of its joys was to be the only album by this American act but the likes of 'Wrecking Crew,' 'Metal Paranoia' and the likes are right up there with some of the best mid '80s metal albums because this effortlessly fuses together epic metal with speed metal and a strong NWOBHM feel, again, those vocals really stand out - in fact this record has so much going for it. It's pure metal, through and through but also has so much in common with the late '80s thrash scene that spat out such talented bands as Toxik, but 'Breaking Point' is such an underrated record, one that boasts a number of catchy grooves - the most infectious being opener 'One Nation.'

A really superb record that would've lasted the test of time if enough people had been lucky enough to hear it!
8/10

Armed Forces - Let There Be Metal (1984)

As far as obscure '80s metal goes Armed Forces' 'Let There Be Metal' is up there with my favourites. As a record this 5-track mini-LP has everything a an '80s metal should, from those blistering yet basement guitars to the epic warrior-styled vocals. There are anthems galore, pounding melodies, driving guitars, crashing drums and a sturdy bass - and fans of Manowar will no doubt lap up the chest-pounding glory of it all. The title track alone boasts fiery vocals which work as high pitched yelps and more formulaic rasps, but amidst the slight hint of cheese there is some excellent guitar work - and no-one can argue with a guitarist called Tommy Bolan (not to be confused with glam god Marc Bolan or ex-Deep Purple fretster Tommy Bolin), but those of you who lap up straight up metal will find much to dribble over with the blazing 'The Nightrider'.

'Let There Be Metal' makes for a riotous listen and is not as basic as you would first imagine. This is a real gem of a record if you can find it, and as it comes wrapped up in macho cover art this is the one that really gets the thumbs up.
8/10

Angel Witch - Frontal Assault (1986)

1986 was a great year for heavy metal and the third opus from Brit metallers Angel Witch is right up there with some of the best. These guys have played a pivotal part in the growth of heavy metal despite never getting the recognition they deserved but one thing you can guarantee with the bands early records is that they are going to be hard rockin' efforts full of majesty and fantasy, and 'Frontal Assault' especially with its U.S. edition of the cover (as pictured) is just perfect for a night in by the black candles. There's an earthy feel to this nine track affair - the vocals of Dave Tattum are pure an fiery whilst the guitars of Kevin Heybourne are bang on the money. It's classic rock with stormy riffs ('Dreamworld') and epic atmosphere. Very much of its time 'Frontal Assault' is at times stuffy but always has meaning, especially when experienced for the first time. One can't argue with the galloping title track or the slow moving 'Straight From Hell.' A decent addition to any heavy metal fans' collection.
7.5/10

Angus - Track of Doom (1986)

These metal-heads may have one of the worst band names of all time but with a cover depicting two centaurs you just know this creaky obscurity is going to live up to expectation. This is 38 minutes of top quality NWOBHM styled metal which goes full-throttle from the first whistle until the last, featuring scorching guitars, racing drums, cool metallic chest-pounding melodies and epic vocals which at times do tend to wobble, but hell, when the guy is rattling on about flying monsters and destruction we can't really argue. Imagine a basement version of Dio but still maintaining that dragon-fire charm which comes to the fore wit the face-melting shredding of 'When Giants Collide' and the smokin' title track. The perfect ingredient when stokin' that bubbling heavy metal fire.
7.5/10

D-Extreme - The Truth Shall Be Told (1991)

Hard-edged political crossover metal was rarely this good, but alongside the equally colourful 24-7-Spyz and Naked Truth, D-Xtreme just never got the attention their lyrics and music deserved. This is a reasonably vocal and violent debut record from this all-black outfit who trade Living Color-styled commentary with spikier menace, resulting in soulful yet gritty thrashing crossover and gritty funk metal that never once annoys like so many other bands did at the time. The track titles speak for themselves with 'Race Riot,' 'The Crackside' and 'Child Abused Kid' so as expected this isn't going to be an easy ride, but the choppy raps, bruising guitars and social commentary deserve your attention. This one slipped under the radar but slots nicely alongside Mordred's 'In This Life', Urban Dance Squad, Naked Truth, 27-7-Spyz, but lacks the fun of say Fishbone, but hey, it can't all be smiles in the ghetto, but this album is a real grower.
7.5/10

Incantation - Onward to Golgotha (1992)

By 1992 I was becoming fed up with metal and all of its nuances but if you were prepared to stick around until 1992 then your life would have been blessed with this bruising death metal experience. Incantation formed back in 1989 but were never really slotted into the 'classic' death metal scene that spouted out such marvels as Morbid Angel, Obituary, Entombed, but as debut albums go 'Onward...' is one of the finest death metal releases that quite literally stamps all over your face - the vocals of Craig Pillard are guttural to the extreme, whilst the twisted guitars hint at the Morbid Angel madness whilst the drums of Jim Roe are simply relentless. This isn't quite up there with Morbid Angel's debut record, but it's still a formidable death metal record that never got the credit it deserved as fellow New Yorker's Suffocation and Immolation seemed to bathe in the limelight.

Although fast in most of its journey this is a very accessible record that reeks of evil, hints at melody and echoes with the sinister. One of the last of the old school tyrants.
8.5/10

Wasted Youth - Black Daze (1988)

Wasted Youth began life as a U.S. punk band but like a fair few riotous acts they decided to crossover into 'metal' territory, and also, like so many other bands, I really think the end result was one of note. Wasted Youth combine raging thrash with a punk attitude, and it's no wonder people have put this album in the same pigeonhole as D.R.I. and the likes, but there's some great melody here, as the band thrash out a decent batch of tunes an adopt a really crunchy guitar sound punctuated with punchy solos. Standout tracks have to be the cool 'Any Gun Can Play' and the hardcore fluster of 'Bucket Head' which features more dazzling guitars.

'Black Daze' is a pacey affair that should appeal to anyone who likes their metal furious but well thought out, because time and time again you'll find yourself marvelling at those superb chords and flashing solos.
8/10