Bloody Mary - s/t (1985)

Murky metal from the pit of the mid '80s, perfect for a night by the decomposing corpse. Bloody Mary are one of a few bands to adopt this moniker but certainly one of the best, due to the obscure vocal sneers of Michael Parma, who, alongside Klaus Schierling provides the less harmful guitars, but it's still basement underground metal at its finest, propelled by the wailing fires of 'Night of the Devil' and the blazing 'Don't Fear The Night' and 'Just Need The Dark'. Full-on archetype metal to frighten the school teachers and give you an aura of eternal fire as you join the minions of Hell in your quest for metal mayhem.
7/10

Fact - As A Matter of Fact (1984)

Probably one of the '80s finest, rip-roaring metal moments although not many would have appreciated this gem of a record born from the wastes of Germany. The vocals alone make this opus worthy, Fact being a searing, roaring beast of a machine fronted by Reent Froehlich who is backed by the guitar guns of Michael "Metal Micky" Otto and Patricia Huth. This is some record, born from the same fires that spawned the likes of Priest but more so Accept, because this at times borders on burning speed metal, all guns blazing, wings flapping and fire-breathing...this is a really forceful record that never lets up until the embers of 'Hard Times' have rested in the darkness. Album opener 'Marauder' is such a buzzing, shredding, maniacal face-melter that one can only smirk at its intensity. A complete and utter tour de force of an opus, a must-have....blistering.
8.5/10

Jade - If You're Man Enough (1985)

A nifty slab of hard rock metal featuring a cool cover showing the band in all their frilly, pompous glory. This is white hot Canadian metal with a NWOBHM edge and some excellent guitar work from Pat Belrose, although vocals, when in high swing were a touch grating - but thanks Peter Rieker anyway! 'If You're...' is still a good melodic metal album with cuts such as 'Timeless' being energetic rockers but there's a nice subtlety to this record too, as the likes of 'Instruments of the Night' drifts by. A forgotten gem and one worth tracking down in the racks.
6.5/10

Mistreated - One More For The Road (1987)

A rather crisp, rich and sugary slice of American rock featuring a number of bubblegum-rock anthems such as the infectious strut of 'It's Getting Better.' Mistreated were a one album entity who vanished off the face of the earth with this reasonable pompous platter. The six-piece (including a harmonica player!) were very much of the glam variety, particularly with Matthew Basson's hair-lacquered vocal pout and the zany albeit not too harmful guitars of D.C. and the delightfully named Julius P. Ulrich III but these guys cold sure right a mean ballad ('Close to You') although they were happy to slap occasional meaty offerings too, such as the superb powerhouse that is 'Destroyer' and the energetic 'Decide.'
7/10

Bloodlust - Terminal Velocity (1988)

This is an EP from the Californian thrashers, and a barn-stormer of a release it was - featuring just four tracks, and running for under 20 minutes, this was a real slab of beefy, often speedy thrash with Steve Gaines at the vocal helm spewing out the lyrics in classic thrash style. Several line-up changes from the 1985 debut but this still makes for a frothing lesson as the likes of 'City of the Forgotten' zip by with razor precision. Not overly original, but thick in its sound and catchy too just a shame this was the last musical composition the guys put out. A real cult thrash gem.
7.5/10

Taurus - Signo de Taurus (1986)

Translated as 'Sign of the Taurus' this 1986 debut album is another fine example of cult Brazilian thrash that was overlooked as Sepultura carved their way into metal history. These guys released three decent albums at the tail end of the '80s and then returned rather lamely in 2010, but for fans of speedy, although not ultra-heavy thrash, this is a good record which if anything is let down by the low-budget production and rather poor vocal attack of Otávio Augusto. Even so, it makes for a pacey listen but it does lack in the technical department and doesn't appear as innovate or memorable despite some nice riffs. Taurus weren't as volatile as Mutilator but I'd still recommend an album like this to those seeking a glimpse into the Brazilian thrash underground.
6.5/10

Mutilator - Immortal Force (1987)

Nothing beats taking a trip back into old school thrash/death metal, and Brazil's Mutilator were responsible for some classic blistering metal, particularly with their 'Into the Strange' opus and this brutal affair, their debut opus. Sadly these guys only released two albums but it was great while it lasted, giving us kids a deeper understanding of underground thrash/death metal as they churned out numerous classic, evils-sounding riffs which would no doubt go on to influence the likes of Darkthrone. 'Immortal Force' is a fantastic, ear-shredding platter with elements of old Slayer, and while it may not be original or particularly memorable at first - often due to its speed - it's still engrossing minor-classic which spear-headed the Brazilian scene alongside Sepultura and the likes, and there are still some superb riffs thrown in there, especially on that opening 'Memorial Stone Without A Name'. As a track it pretty much sums up the Mutilator sound with its hardcore, punkier leanings as well as that speed and sporadic measured moments, but overall this is a must have thrash-fest for any serious fan of extreme metal.
8/10