Star Star - Love Drag Years (1992)

Now, I'm always waffling on about albums that came before or after their time, and one such record is this. Star Star's 'Love Drag Years' was the perfect mix of sleaze, pop and glam - in fact it was such an infectious record that I'm rather concerned that no-one really knew fuck all about them. Taking the swagger of the New York Dolls, the bounce of the Ramones and the sleaze of Faster Pussycat. Typically lipstick-ridden and dishevelled, and fronted by the sickly sweet tones of one Johnnie Holliday, it was simply an album that should have come about five years previous because in 1992 that fetid grunge stink wafted over our towns and removed the last stains of metal from our souls. Considering these received some excellent reviews in the music press, the marrying of punk and glam was probably seen as too synthetic for a time when it was 'cooler' to wear slacker gear. But this is a cracking sleaze-pop-punk opus that goes for the early Alice Cooper-styled sneer whilst bringing with it some bubble-gum ditties to match. If you're looking for criminally ignored band's then Star Star are right up there. Whether in the form of the Bolan-esque hum of 'My Little Cuisinette' or the trash n' roll attitude of 'Science Fiction Boy,' these guys coulda been the next Guns n' Roses but just like The Throbs they didn't have enough behind them to rattle the grunge generation.
8/10

Keel - Lay Down The Law (1984)

As debut albums g this is one of the finest in metal history and the cover isn't bad either! Fist-pumping metal it most certainly is; the sort of studded tumult that band's to this day are still trying to replicate, but often fail miserably. Featuring the distinctive vocals of Ron Keel - who had featured for Steeler the year previous - 'Lay Down The Law' boasts nine tracks, only one of this is a major let-down, that being the cover of the Rolling Stones' 'Let's Spend The Night Together', but everything else is pretty emblazoned with that signature Keel sound ranging from the explosive opener 'Thunder & Lightning' to the pounding melody of the title track. Some excellent axe-work here to from Marc Ferrari.
7.5/10

Steeler - s/t (1983)

A solid heavy metal album which featured the noodling talents of guitar masturbator Yngwie J. Malmsteen who overplays himself to death on this opus which is fronted by Ron Keel. The album also features Rik Fox on bass and Mark Edwards on drums. It's one of those straight down the line metal tear 'em ups that I'd recommend to any denim-clad metal-head especially if you're young and you want a history listen regarding what albums from the early '80s you should own. Admittedly, the likes of 'Hot On Your Heels' can be deemed a tad self-indulgent as far as Malmsteen goes, especially when you consider he was only nineteen at the time, but the album also boasts the excellent 'Cold Day In Hell' which kicks the record off. The album is robust and the sort of platter you'd associate with the rise of the genre.
7.5/10

Various - A Taste of Armageddon (1989)

I've always been a huge fan of heavy metal compilation albums, especially those leaning toward the thrashier side of things. 'A Taste of Armageddon' was a bit of an obscurity in the sense that it featured ten band's who had yet to be signed to any label, and despite the quality of acts on this record I don't think hardly any of them got snapped up after this. Quality naturally varies throughout, as does the production but of all the tracks it's Wreckage's 'Dogs of War' which sticks in the head despite being a rather formulaic plodder but the chorus suggests a band with some talent for writing hooky songs.

Most of the tracks on offer are listenable with Treason and Deviant being probably the best bands on Side One, and Metal Messiah being the best of Side Two but each act ranging from Snyper to the rather wobbly Warpspeed are essential listening. Compilation albums were a great way of being introduced to unknown bands, especially those of British blood.
7/10

Desecrator - Subconscious Release (1991)

Hard to believe that this British death metal release was so overlooked back in good ol' blighty in 1991. Due to a clogged scene and hordes of band's scrambling for Dan Seagrave's masterful artwork, Desecrator got left by the way side but it's wasn't for the want of trying because this is a fine slab of guttural death metal. Fuzzy, down-tuned guitars, miserable low-end vocals and some truly catchy segments make this an essential purchase for anyone who collects old school extreme metal. Extremely heavy throughout one cannot argue with the no thrills joy this opus brings whether in the form of 'The Suffering' and its blustery intro, the squalid 'Repressive Acceptance' or the silted glory of 'Ineffectual Condition,' this is one death metal that decades later still rumbles the knee-caps and I can't recommend this concrete slab enough. So if you like chunky death metal that's not too technical but the likes which will fill your ears with dirt then grab hold of this.
8/10

TNT - Tell No Tales (1987)

As far as melodic yet shredding metal goes, TNT are right up there with the best. A fantastic band who released a clutch of albums yet should've been bigger if they hadn't had such lovely hair!! Despite the bubblegum pomp that immediately meets and greets your ears, beneath the fuzz and hairspray there is an incredibly talented metal band who somehow made it through the '90s and were still active up until recently. These Norwegians were masters of their trade, especially guitarist Ronni Le Tekrø who was a mighty axeman and whose sharp licks walked hand in hand with Tony Harnell's high-pitched yet effortless wails of joy. 'Tell No Tales' was such a joyous record to behold combining strong wafts of melody to the point of pop-edged kookiness ('Listen to your Heart') but when the band got serious (the title track) they nailed it. The quartet could certainly right a hit too, '10,000 Lovers In One' a prime example of this type of happy-go-lucky yet astute metal. These guys formed back in 1982 - 'Tell...' being their third full-length release and one that should be in your collection.
8/10

Disciples of Power - Invincible Enemy (1993)

This being the third release from these Canadian death thrashers who rely heavily on technical prowess to communicate to the listener. Think Atheist in parts, and also Obliveon - somewhat of a cult band who reformed in 2002 but who never got recognised. Certainly one of the more interesting thrash albums you're likely to hear and I'd have thought what with the likes of Atheist, Pestilence, Death et al branching off into more complex stratospheres, this sort of album should have been all the rage but as it is it remains an obscurity you must hear. Clinical drumming, rasping vocals - yet those which do not bog down the production, and with the tight production it means that each instrument exists as a separate force that weaves itself through this maze of intricacy; the band shifting through moods; providing darker edges to the classical compositions which melt together mid-tempo thrash, traditional metal and deathlier caress. The title track is mesmerising in its ability to continually transform from one guise to another whilst 'Return from The Gates' is equally stirring. An excellent album for those of you who like thinking man's metal.
8/10

Protector - A Shedding of Skin (1991)

Protector are the sort of thrash band that are a must-have for thrash metal fans and most of their releases over the decades deserve their place on this blog. Incredibly underrated, these guys literally smoke from the vocals to the explosive guitars. 'A Shedding...' is the third studio opus from these German nutcases and at times offers a slightly deathlier grunt mixed with those harsher, seething tones but pick out any track on this twelve-track offering and you'll literally be blown away by the craftsmanship and Kreator-styled mayhem. I don't really know where to start with these guys but whether it's the frantic derangement of 'Mortuary Nightmare,' 'the bruising, throttling 'Face Fear' or my favourite act of battering, 'Death Comes Soon' you can not escape the fury of this band who consistently released potent albums up until the mid '90s and then re-emerged in 2013 with the fantastic 'Reanimated...' platter. Pure thrash to its core, 'The Shedding Skin' is a precise mini-masterpiece and the first to feature Olly on vocals who took over from Martin Missy.
8/10

A.R.G. - World Without End (1991)

This is some truly snarling thrash metal emerging from the deepest recesses of Polish lore. A.R.G. only released a brace of albums, this one being a tad more assertive than the 'Entrance' (1989) debut. Fans of the likes of Kreator will like this record especially the sneering vocals of Tepa Karjalainen but the whole product is delivered in quite belligerent fashion but it's also thinking man's metal too with the epic title track being an in-depth mind blower of varying tempo. The likes of 'Stray Bullet' sees the band in full chugging flow but most of the songs on this obscurity are worthy of any thrashers time. Not a lot more to say about this sort of record but the harsh, almost rugged feel of the production means this opus offers a nice gnarly dose of scything thrash metal mayhem.
7.5/10

Infected - Dark Century (1989)

A long forgotten thrash metal gem; these guys hailed from Switzerland and only released one platter, being this one. Very much politically-minded throughout and featuring vocals which have more in common with death metal, this is still a decent and often technical opus that mixes melody with faster, more aggressive segments. Arguably no thrills in its approach it still strips the meat from the bone with that sniping guitar sound. The drumming is also impressive and features the chap who appeared on Messiah's (also from Switzerland) 'Choir of Horrors' album. As I said, a good enough thrash metal record that should have got the recognition it deserved but how many times do you read me saying that? Either way, if you like dark and often rough thrash metal then this is one worth seeking out.
7/10

Aura Noir - Hades Rise (2008)

Aura Noir are the sort of band who, like more recent Darkthrone ramblings, effortlessly span numerous generations within the metal genre. A tad nastier and certainly with extra sneer than Fenriz and co', 'Hades Rise' is a despicable little offering best experienced on black spinning wax. It' certainly one of the best albums to emerge over the last few decades, having that sepulchral metal charm of so many obscure '80s records and yet with the steely glint to mercilessly scythe its way through the competition in the modern day. Oily, leathery and bat-winged this snarls from beginning to end chugging into effect with the rancid title track featuring its twisted riff injections whilst 'Gaping Grave Awaits' plods into the fray with grim aplomb. Featuring Blasphemer from Mayhem and Danny from Autopsy, 'Hades Rise' is a putrid ten-track affair that couldn't get any blacker or squalid if it tried. Effortlessly unkempt this sounds like it's been recorded in 1985, and that's the biggest compliment I can give to this seething pit of filth.
8/10

Frigid Bich - Tyrants of a Generation (2011)

This opus is a compilation featuring a mix of live and studio recordings from this cult U.S. metal act who disbanded back in the '80s. Although generic in places, this compilation is still a solid offering showing the talents of this rather obscure swashbuckling metal force who really come alive with the thrashin' mayhem of 'The Kids Are Gonna Fight' which has a NWOBHM feel combined with that old, greasy Metallica feel circa 'Kill Em All.' Not the greatest vocalist of all time, this has a loose feel at times but it's still a rollicking listen with the title track and 'We Rule The Night' being the sort of anthem that should stick in the ears for many moons to come. If you like your metal distinctly '80s then you can't go wrong with this slab.
7/10