Stonehenge - Wings of Steel (1986)

The career of these metallers from New Zaland was more of a snippet - and it's no wonder they vanished considering just how many bands shared the same name. Even so, it's quite an obscure little three-track EP that feature some of the murkiest, raspiest vocals I've ever heard, although the music in general is rather dated, even with Medieval overtones on the title track. Hard to find this one which is why I wanted to review it and give it some exposure. I'm still unsure of vocalist Djamil Rodop can actually sing as he's so far back in the mix, and whilst the guitars and drums plod with some intent it all becomes a bit of a haze, but if you happen to come across this platter for cheap then make sure you snap it up.
5.5/10

Proud Existence - The Trail (1984)

Another dose of burning metal from the Netherlands, the poorly named proud Existence were a formidable experience for their short career, just a shame they couldn't keep the metal mysticism up for more than this EP, but again, it's quite murky power metal with a sprig of thrash that comes to the fore on tracks such as 'Castle in Black' which has a real dark atmosphere to it and the riffs are superb. Vocally it's not the greatest but then again, Alex Roest isn't the worst vocalist I've ever heard. Maybe it's my imagination but so much of this stuff has a real stuffy, dense quality often due to low-budget production but I can't knock it - just bang that weary head to the fantastic 'Fast Ride' which features a killer solo and galloping drum. Immense considering it probably sold fuck all. Almost punky and Gothic in its vocals and atmosphere, 'The Trial' is quite a gem.
7/10

Leader - Out In The Wasteland (1988)

Extremely obscure Dutch speed metal with slightly dodgy vocals yet an endless low-budget charm. The only release by these guys, it hurtles by in a flash, but sadly despite the whizzing guitars the vocals are distinctly lacking, often out of tune, giving the album a strange live garage feel. Even so, I'm somehow able to look past the inadequacies and hear a glistening record that is fuelled by those vicious guitars which come courtesy of Oscar Carre and Richard de Jonge. 'Ride the Wind,' 'Shoot to Kill' et al are all ferocious lumps of molten metal played at quite a speed too, so those of you who like a rusty mix of early #80s thrash and N.W.O.B.H.M. should dig into this.
6.5/10

Laaz Rockit - City's Gonna Burn (1984)

I guess all bands had to start somewhere. Laaz Rockit's debut was more of an exercise in vintage '80s metal - far removed from the thrash titans they became a few years later. I still like this kind of burning metal because it's so sincere and stuffy, and the album shows a lot of promise with the cutting riffs and Michael Coons warrior vocals. 'Caught in the Act' and 'Take No Prisoners' are superb little numbers, boasting scorching riffs that would make the band some decent money as they turned into a moshing thrash act, but again, all bands have to start somewhere and you could do far worse than belting out a track like 'Something More'. Very much of its time, 'City's Gonna Burn' is a stab at power metal mixed with more melodic, almost glammed up presence and it works.
7/10

Blade Runner - Hunted (1984)

This is the first full-length opus from N.W.O.B.H.M. band Blade Hunter. Both this and their 1986 album 'Warriors of Rock' are decent efforts but sadly, the only records they made. They began life as White Tiger, but Blade Runner clearly sounds like a more grittier moniker. 'Hunted' is a half-decent little rocker with a poppy edge ('Too Far Too Late') but still contained some excellent riffing and classic metal workouts. The title track is a real clanker of a tune with a great little riff and snarling albeit no thrills vocals from Steve McKay. There's always something rather stuffy about these types of records especially if you can get them on vinyl. 'Looking From The Outside' and 'The Stealer' are equally creaky little numbers. I'd rather listen to a host of this stuff instead of most of today's revival crap. Blade Runner really did rock hard.
7/10

Black Death - s/t (1984)

Blacker and stuffier than Satan's armpit, Black Death were a very obscure '80s thrash/heavy metal band - four black dudes who played dungeon style metal featuring killer underground solos and boasting fiery vocals that were classic in their feel and yet strange in their range, varying from bewitching drool to high-pitched and banshee and then demonic hiss. This is certainly a record worth diffing out because it leaves an immense layer of crust on the speakers such is its basement charm. 'The Hunger,' 'Streetwalker,' 'Here Comes The Wrecking Crew,' all very obscure sounding, badly produced heavy metal warts n' all raging. You've just gotta love something so cardboard in its approach and yet also enchanting in its leathery nuances. This very much an unearthly, lower quality mix of Motorhead, Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden, old Judas Priest, old Metallica - straight up Devil's music from Cleveland.
6.5/10

Skrapp Mettle - Sensitive (1991)

Can you believe that these guys were playing parody metal way before Steel Panther stole the show? Skrapp metal recorded one album - this one - back in '91, and no-one batted an eyelid, I guess that was down to the fact that metal was still in force, and for the most part if you hear this in the distance this sounds like your average metal band. The vocals of Jeff Scott Soto were pretty mercurial, hinting at Whitesnake's David Coverdale, particularly on the swanky swagger of 'Retire or Die,' but elsewhere this is very much comedy metal - yet played astonishingly well...maybe too well? This archetype metal but when you hear the hilarious 'That Load' or 'Spunk' then you know you're in for a hair metal orgasm. All very much tongue in cheek, it's late '80s metal at its corniest but again, the playing is pretty decent but one can only laugh at the lyrics, "Give her a spunk sandwich for lunch..." then we begin to wonder just how Steel Panther got away with it! I guess for SP it was a case of right place right time, because Skrapp Mettle did nothing else after this and faded into the annals of metal folklore, but if you like cheesy metal that doesn't take itself too seriously then give this a spin.
6/10