Tyran Pace - Long Live Metal (1985)

One can only be moved by this slab of molten metal. This has a strong Judas Priest and Accept fell to it, opener 'Shockwaves' is a real denim n leather fist-pumper that rattles along at quite a pace. This slab of a record should please anyone who likes their metal powerful, relatively macho and anthemic. Vocalist Ralph Scheepers is a poor man's Rob Halford, but it's still gripping metal that ploughs a fiery path particularly with the twin guitar attack of Kaufmann and Rapallo. 'Red Sweat' 'Law And Order' and the likes are pretty blunt messages, all delivered with fury and savagery. It's the kind of album that sums up mid '80s Euro metal, and I'm not gonna argue with this beast of a record, although I'm sure Judas Priest might have something to say about it! 7/10

Hallows Eve - Death And Insanity (1986)

These guys seem to have been around forever, and you know by the title this is going to be another thrash fest of the highest order. Hallows Eve never scaled the heights of so many otjer US thrash acts, but they always released solid thrash records. 'death...' was the bands second opus after the basement feel of 'Tales Of Terror.' Eleven tracks, opening withe the super-charged title track, boasting tight musicianship and those clear-cut vocals of Stacy Andersen. The most impressive aspect of the record however being the guitars of David Stuart and the raging bass of Tommy Stewart. This is refreshing in its sound, sounding far newer than it actually is, 'D.I.E.' is a real chug fest for the moshers whilst the bizarrely titled 'Attack Of The Iguana' is a 2 1/2 minute face meltter featuring some truly jarring guitars. Hard to say whether this is Hallows Eve's best opus, but thrash fans most certainly will not be disappointed in this. Extra half a mark for the dodgy cover. 7.5/10

Intruder - Live To Die (1987)

Intruder released a batch of records in the '80s, I believe this was their first of a trio of albums. This is an eight track opus that effortlessly combines technical speed metal with the more rawer aspects of Nuclear Assault, especially the varying vocal talents of Jimmy Hamilton. Arthur Vinnett is an accomplished guitarist who sews the tracks together, forming a formidable partnership with bassist Todd Nelson and stick beater John Pieroni. Favourite track on offer here is 'blind Rage' with its chants and Anthrax-style melodies, particularly the vocal delivery in parts. There were so many US thrash acts in the '80s it was difficult standing out from the crowd and a majority of bands were just happy to thrash along at their own pace. Intruder were one of those bands, and although they may have lacked identity I'm finding records like this still pack a punch decades later. Thrash on... 7/10

Picture - Eternal Dark (1983)

Metal heads used to feed off this type of imagery. 'Eternal Dark' (fantastic record name) is a cool obscurity that brings to mind the balls out metal sound of Accept. This is an album of great melody, ten solid tracks boasting killer melody and bewitching vocals that slip from high pitched crytal clear wails to a lower, deep-end snarl. Pete Lovell is the archetype '80s metal frontman, backed by the searing hot guitars of Van Manen and Van Jaarsveld. The title cut kicks things off, a dark, brooding riff monster whilst the wickedly titled 'Griffons Guard The Gold' is a kick ass stomper that sees drummer Laurens Bakker shine with that stabbing plod. Hard to believe this is the bands fourth opus, these Dutch veterans certainly never got the credit they deserve, because 'Eternal...' is for the most part a mid-tempo affair that consists of some great guitar melodies (check out the groove of 'Make You Burn') and a handful of more epic rockers, especially 'Battle For The Universe' which has a NWOBHM feel. Unleash the dragons... 7.5/10

Fact - Without Warning (1985)

German metal from the mid '80s that sounds exactly as you'd expect it to - 'Fight For The Metal' features a killer riff, thumping drum plod and mid-tempo heartbeat and then that snarling vocal growl. I know very little about these guys, but if I'd found this gem back in the day I'd have felt it was money well spent. 'Get Ready To Win,' 'Hear The Devil Crying' and 'Dressed To Kill' are more than adequate rockers and I'm more than happy to hear this type of vocal attack. Good, solid metal that has a hard edge. 7/10

Wrath - Insane Society (1990)

Nothing like a dose of obscure old school thrash. No thrills but this goes straight for the throat, cool chugging riffs, jarring structures, a solid jabbing bass and snarling sneering vocals. This is the band's third opus, and as far as I'm aware the first to feature Kurt Grayson on vocals. I've read numerous reviews of this opus which have slagged it off, stating that it's 'failed thrash', but just because it didn't sell millions and may lack the professionalism of a majority of bay Area acts, doesn't mean it's a flop. 'Insane..' is a good listen and would appeal to any thrasher. If one can imagine a slightly weaker Testament, especially in the vocal attack, then you'll be half way there. It's nothing fancy and the tracks fit by without any real effect, some may call it boring, but there are some bands who simply just want to thrash, and Wrath are one of those. Blessed with a spooky cover, 'Insane...' may be rather standard to some, but I've heard far worse. 6.5/10

Thunderstick - Beauty And The Beasts (1984)

Well, this record had all the imagery of something pretty sinister. For the most part this lives up to expectation, 'Beauty...' being a rather rollicking listen that combines the classic New Wave Of British Heavy Metal sound and an almost sleaze-edged vocal display courtesy of femme fatale Jodee Valentine. The band were known more so for including drummer Thunderstick (ex-Samson skin basher), a masked menace who gave the album added flavour with his mysticism. Overall though it's a melodic affair that effortlessly fuses a Maidenesque gallop, and poppy edge, particularly on cuts such as 'Rich Girls' with its infectious, albeit odd chorus, whilst 'Heartbeat (In The Night)' speeds things up. A lot of this NWOBHM is pretty strange stuff, often quite creaky in its nature, and Thunderstick are typical of the era, providing the listener with a few Gothic ramblings alongside a more innocent groove. 7/10