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