LAMENT - DEJADOS ATRAS (Left Behind)

Scorching metal from the land of Mexico come long time metal veterans Lament. Roxx Productions has pressed up a limited run of 300 copies of Laments current release entitled Dejados Atras (Left Behind).

Lament has offered up a mix bag of melodic Death Metal but there are also tracks of solid melodic almost power metal like elements with progressive touches. The guitar solos are extremely melodic with an almost Iron Maiden feel, just listen to Break The Spirit of Death for a touch.

The vocals are guttural throughout and the lyrics are in Spanish. That may or may not be a detriment to some. The guitars are loud and multi tracked.  At times the sound may seem a bit raw but know this everything is evenly spaced and separated in the mix.

For the most part the riffs are solid, almost Sepultura like at times.  However I hear a lot of European metal riffage and arrangements as well.  At times it’s truly a mixed bag here.

I did find it somewhat hard to engage the music on a lyrical level because they are sung in Spanish. Again for some that might not be an issue but it did make it more challenging for me.  Not all the lyrics were printed in the inlay card but those that are there were helpful.

This is solid offering of melodic death/neo power metal.  Those of you who enjoy your metal more extreme should find this to your liking.  For myself I was left wanting something a little more engaging to my mind and my ears.

6 axes

TAKER - IT IS FINISHED

Taker was one of the best unsigned Christian METAL bands of the 80’s.  With the arranging and melody of say an Iron Maiden or Queensryche but with the ball busting rhythm section of Armored Saint or Judas Priest.  Roxx Records has presented us with an anthology of material entitled It Is Finished.

When Taker first appeared on the musical radar in 1987 tastes were starting to swing toward a more commercial, poppy form of metal that was more radio friendly.  While listening to this collection one must wonder what record execs were wondering back then, because Taker flows with melody and hooks galore. Instead we were given stuff like Tempest or Scarlet Red.

This fourteen track release features 10 tracks with four songs offered in different versions.  Their original four song demo which just blew everyone away at the time of its release is up first and if the vocals of Kevin Potter don’t knock your socks off your dead. So much power and control it’s criminal that his vocal contributions aren’t better known and credited. Robert Bussey’s melodic guitar work is tremendous and his rhythm tone is pure metal.

The first four songs Open Your Heart, He is The Light, Yesterday Today and Forever, 11o’clock News scream of sheer metal power. Now I’m not writing about some screamo down tuned excuse of schlock, but quality crafted compositions that are memorable.  That vocal at the end of He is The Light still gives me goose bumps; it would give Mike Lee or Bruce Dickenson a run for their money. Bussey’s guitar work on Open Your Heart shines like the proverbial oncoming train in a dark tunnel.  Bassist Danny Wilkinson and drummer Charlie Osterhoudt lock together like welded pieces of steel. This demo was originally called the Matthew 11:12 demo.

Living by Faith appears twice, one being a live practice version that has wonderful sound quality. This practice session was in preparation for their support appearance on the first White Cross east coast tour. There is so much energy and drive here that it overshadows the studio version which appears later.  This is the kind of gem I love to find, one that would be forever buried unless the artist was confident in the performance and to that end there should be no doubt. Potter’s vocal is simply unbelievable.

Look into His Eyes originally appeared on the White Throne Invasion tape.  Good luck finding one!  This version is pure old school American HEAVY METAL.  Just amazing with the clarity that some remastering can do to help the quality. The guitar is heavy, loud and driving. Another find of incredible value that demands head bangers from all over just raise an open hand and bang thy head.

Two re-recorded versions of He is the Light and Open Your Heart appear here. These tracks along with Look into His Eyes were recorded for Image Records in late 1987. For a possible album release but alas nothing came of it. However they are here for our enjoyment today.

The next tracks Living by Faith, Yesterday Today and Forever are newly remastered versions of the tracks from the East Coast Metal compilation. Having played them back to back that would be my hunch and these tracks sound splendid. Ballsier and with more energy than I remember. Remastering does do wonders does it not?

Lastly their final EP entitled Blood appears here. At this point vocalist Kevin Potter had left and been replaced by Rob Kreiner. His vocal style was complementary to Potter’s just doesn’t resonate as well with me. The songs themselves almost feel more progressive in a Fates Warning, Crimson Glory fashion while still retaining their pure metal roots.

Sound quality throughout is really good, yet don’t expect it to sound like something recorded last week. The newly mastered versions are more than acceptable which is very surprising.  Two thumbs up from me.

There was a limited bonus edition of 100 copies which included a bonus live disc. That issue has already sold out, so you’d better grab one of the standard issues, which I believe are also going to be printed in limited supply.

Fans of old school metal must get this release otherwise they’re gonna miss out on one of the surprise releases of 2014.

9 axes

DELIVERANCE - HEAR WHAT I SAY!

 Deliverance has created a long legacy of world class metal music.  Many will choose to remember only their second release Weapons of Our Warfare as the bands musical highpoint. While Weapons is worthy of being remembered and honored to call it their sole watermark would be to do their entire catalog an injustice.

The depth and variety of material Jimmy P Brown and company have amassed over the years is quite amazing. That doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone who was a fan had to enjoy or love every release but at least it had to be recognized that there was genius to their musical madness.  Not to be boxed in or typecast as just a speed metal outfit, JPB often would make the distinction that Deliverance were SPEED METAL not a THRASH BAND. 

The variety of heavy styles from albums such as River Disturbance or Stay of Execution and Assimilation is quite extraordinary.  Not many artists have built up such a following while branching out into other styles of metal.  When their fourth album Stay of Execution was released I was profoundly puzzled at the time, “What the blazes is this???”  I considered myself a die hard fan but from that point I was lost.  2009 I had the opportunity to revisit (why so long? That is another story for another time!)  I revisited a lot of the missed catalog and found gem after gem, my favorite being River Disturbance.  Point being life changes and what moves us and reaches deep into our soul musically does as well.

So with that being said let’s focus on their recent albeit final release entitled Hear What I Say!  If indeed this is the final Deliverance album than it’s an exceptional way to say goodbye to the loyal fan base.  Is it heavy? Yes just as heavy as any of the previously mentioned albums without reservation.

Annals of Subterfuge pays complete homage the big D’s true speed metal period and an homage it is!! The drumming is some of the finest along a brilliant melody and riff package that just crushes ones senses into pulp. Speed metal at its finest!!  Angst delivers a strong Testament’esque feel with a fabulous groove until a brilliant side step break hits and I can see the windmills and headbangers going berserk!!

Hope Lies Beyond is an epic song that soars above the clouds with a memorable melody.  The lead guitar work of Mike Phillips is wonderful.  This track is a mood piece that relishes in its dynamics and Jimmy pours out his heart. However I found that the following song being the albums musical apex, Detox is a butt kicking track that thrives on its own violence.  The riff is sheer 90’s brilliance and as it devolves into a Marilyn Manson or Rammstein like romp that digs into your brain and will have you hitting replay for YEARS to come! 

Nude starts with some excellent rhythmic percussion from Jayson Sherlock and drives this sledgehammer full speed ahead.  No it’s not a speed metal song, but the force of this composition with its multi layered arrangements (straight out of River or Camelot) is pure 70’s worship.  Passing delves into a full tilt metal song that would’ve been comfortable on their previous release As Above So Below or even Stay of Execution.

A Perfect Sky is a pure acoustic track that maintains the feel and passion of every album released before (except perhaps Assimilation).  A pseudo old school Queensryche feel emanates as a point of reference but this track is pure Deliverance.  Thank you JPB II.

Where Eagles Dare is a cover of the 1983 track from Iron Maiden’s Piece of Mind and a great cover it is. The musicianship is superb and is a perfect tribute to perhaps the most influential heavy metal band of all time.  The lyrics are based on the thriller staring Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton.  One of my favorite Maiden tracks ever and this version is exceptional.  Brutal guitars and head smashing drums that should make Maiden proud.

I really found that the production elements are very strong, the guitar tones are brutal and the drums sound fabulous. The vocals are processed but the effect works perfectly. Jimmy’s vocal is still strong and is not hampered by this processing. 

As a quick aside if anyone complains that this album isn’t “heavy enough for them” please just take your pouty lip and go home!! Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion but not to point of ad nauseum. Not every old school D track was a barn burner, even many of their heavier songs were mid tempo (Slay The Wicked or 23 come immediately to mind).  This album reeks of world class songwriting.  Not simply a rehash of what came before but a culmination of a career without parody. 

Hear What I Say! Is one of the best albums released this year.  Fans of heavy metal will want to grab this one.  Leather jackets aren’t optional and neither is the heartfelt appreciation that this writer has for Deliverance and their willingness to allow us on their journey through life. Roxx Records has a monster on its hands! This album is nearly a 10……  9.5 axes……

9.5 axes  (9 axes posted... i don't know how to put a 1/2 guitar!)

  

VENGEANCE RISING - HUMAN SACRIFICE 25th Anniverary Picture Disc

Vengeance Rising’s Human Sacrifice is the greatest Christian Thrash Metal album ever recorded. I realize it’s been said before and more than once by me.  However not only was it the first of its kind but the reality is, it was (and still is) an epic release!

            Roxx Records has undertaken a special release in time for this landmarks 25^th anniversary.  A full on picture disc limited to only 300 pressed!! Whenever I hear the magic words “only so many pressed” I get nervous because I know that many of you, like me, are collectors who really want the coolest stuff and believe me this is one of the COOLEST!! There are some other goodies that come with this including picks, stickers.

 J Powell at Steinhaus remastered this slab of metal history specifically for vinyl and man does it sound good. The warmth is there with full lower end without sacrificing clarity.  J Powell has an unbelievable ability to make so many of these older releases sound as vital and powerful as ever.  The guitars of Larry Farkas and Doug Thieme on I Love Hating Evil sound just as loud as ever, perhaps even more intense.  Roger Martins bombastic bass delivers the goods on Fill This Place With Blood and Burn with a rich and pulsating dynamic power. Glenn Mancaruso’s drums sound as full and dynamic as ever with a little more punch in the kick drum.

            Revisiting this album in depth after so long is just a reminder to me of what Christian metal was like back in 1987 (a year before this albums release). There was nothing! And I mean nothing in Christian music that competed with the Slayers, Metallica’s or Megadeth’s of the world (let alone the Dark Angel’s or Kreator’s). When people thought of Christian Metal they thought of Stryper and Calling on You or Honestly. Not exactly bang yer head start a pit type stuff.

            Living in the San Francisco bay area during that time I longed for an album I could share with my non Christian friends that was heavy and brutal.  I’d seen VR twice in Southern California and I knew these guys were the real deal. Not only were they one of the tightest bands I’d ever seen, but they MOVED and totally thrashed on stage. It was incredible as I never saw Slayer do that or Metallica or Megadeth (or Testament or Forbidden Evil or Death Angel.)

            When this album came out on Intense in the late summer of 1988 (I bought mine from vocalist Roger Martinez, right out of the box at the beginning of second HIS Festival) it just blew everyone away. I mean everyone; this wasn’t a rehash of old Metallica riffs or a piece of sonic dog doo. This was WORLD CLASS THRASH METAL that was more over the top then most of their secular counter parts.

The ominous intro to White Throne, a pile driving tour de force that is Beheaded, the chunky bob and weave of Mulligan’s Stew, the sonic cacophony that is the instrumental Ascension (which they brought on stage a full group of acrobatic skateboarders at C-Stone in 1990 or was it 89?).

 Human Sacrifice started a movement that was brewing under the surface in Christian music. It stretched the boundaries about a million miles about what defined “Christian” music, let alone metal. These guys did not make a dime for their efforts but instead left a legacy that continues to this day. Every extreme metal act out there with a Christian worldview owes their gratitude to the trail blazers in this genre and like Resurrection Band; Vengeance Rising has that mantle placed on them.

Grab a piece of Christian Metal history and pick up this fabulous picture disc. You won’t regret it.

10 axes (the album itself is a classic)

BOARDERS - R-EXISTENCE Deluxe Edition

It always amazes me when I hear the quality of music put out in the Christian metal marketplace. The vast majority of releases are rather good and by that I mean they are at least of the same quality as their secular counterparts. The tag ‘Christian Metal’ does not mean an inferior product in either the production or talent category. It also doesn’t mean that the lyrical content will be predictable tripe.

A song doesn’t have to be a three minute salvation tract in order to be ‘Christian’ does it? I think not; after all 1 Corinthians 13 is not known as the ‘salvation chapter’ is it. So to those whose view of what constitutes a Christian release is of a very narrow lyrical content probably won’t like this latest release from Boarders. R-Existence Deluxe Edition explores many different topics from a distinctly Christian point of view.

Exploring a wide array of subjects such as lying, standing against the world’s conventions, hatred, social injustice, Boarders opens a wide plethora of intellectual subjects that scream for self introspection. Not your usual fair lyrically, but Boarders seems to be a band willing to take risks. First off they originally released R-Existence as a free download over a year ago. A full complete metal album, free.

Musically R-Existence is a heavier release then their previous The World Hates Me. I was hard pressed to find any AC/DC influence on this album, having said that; the fact that this band used to be a Megadeth tribute band shouldn’t be a surprise after giving this album a spin. The influence of Megadeth is definitely there (think So Far So Good…. So What…. era), but Boarders makes it their own; not just a second rate rip off.

Whether its ripping through such bits of metal whimsy as Signs of Resistance or IV Reich (featuring Annihilator guitar Jeff Waters) or the pounding steel of The Agony of Lying, Boarders delivers a bit of thinking mans metal. I’m still surprised when I hear Lightbringer with its strong harmonies and quoted comments by Martin Luther King, unexpected but definitely a strong moment.

The songs are stronger and rock a bit harder with even higher quality musicianship. This CD release has a better sound quality then the free download, by far; richer sound with greater depth. Not to mention that this deluxe edition has five extra tracks. One instrumental, an acoustic version of the track Pure Gold with female vocals offered by Mariangela Scafati. This Time starts off sounding rather weak but the band delivers a powerful pseudo-ballad moment. Two demo’s from the band previous album are also included Deliver You Back to Hell and For What It’s Worth.

R-Existence is a solid slab of raging heavy metal. Thanks to Roxx Records you can grab this full album with some nice extras. If you want something with more intellectual acumen to go along with your screaming guitars R-Existence is without a doubt an album you must own.

8 axes