California Metal
California Metal Volume II
Hard-Rock Rendez-Vous
Metal Hour: German Metal Tracks No 4
Moose Molten Metal Volume 2
Satan's Revenge 1
Satan's Revenge 2
WAPP: New York Rocks 1983
WBAB: Homegrown
WBAB: Son Of Homegrown
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
More Updates
A bunch of local mixed genre compilations this time, some from Sweden and some US radio comps as well:
Elva Band
N.J. Rock
Projekt 12
Skånsk Rock I & II
WEBN Album Project 4, 5, 6 & 7
The X LP
Elva Band
N.J. Rock
Projekt 12
Skånsk Rock I & II
WEBN Album Project 4, 5, 6 & 7
The X LP
Friday, November 20, 2009
Updates
Recent additions to the encyclopedia:
California's Best Metal
Chicago's Class Of '87
Descarga Norte
Dynamic Artists Rock Vol. I
Maple Metal
Metal Madness
Metal Nacional Vol 1
Monsters Of Rock USSR
Motor City Rocks II
Posloucháte Větrník 1
Rockový Maratón 2
Underground Resistance Volume I
California's Best Metal
Chicago's Class Of '87
Descarga Norte
Dynamic Artists Rock Vol. I
Maple Metal
Metal Madness
Metal Nacional Vol 1
Monsters Of Rock USSR
Motor City Rocks II
Posloucháte Větrník 1
Rockový Maratón 2
Underground Resistance Volume I
Friday, November 6, 2009
The Great Olde Metal Compilation Encyclopedia
You may be wondering why I haven't posted any updates for the past few months. Well, maybe not, but in case anyone is having withdrawal symptoms from a lack of obscure metal compilations, fear not! I have been busy working on a joint project with The Corroseum which has finally been launched. I present to you: The Great Olde Metal Compilation Encyclopedia!
It is a work in progress, so expect to see a few more entries added every 1-2 weeks. I will post updates here. In the future I may also use this blog to do special features highlighting certain bands, countries, etc.
Please enjoy and let us know what you think, either here or at The Corroseum forum.
It is a work in progress, so expect to see a few more entries added every 1-2 weeks. I will post updates here. In the future I may also use this blog to do special features highlighting certain bands, countries, etc.
Please enjoy and let us know what you think, either here or at The Corroseum forum.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Live: A Week at the Bridge E16 (1978 Bridge House Records)
This week's episode of Metal Lessons Radio is focusing on metal clubs. I will be on briefly, though I did not record an official segment of The Keir Factor for this show. Anyway, I thought I'd do a quick review of this album which was recorded live at a rather famous English pub. The album consists of one full length LP and one 12" record with 3 tracks on it, and was released in a gatefold sleeve.
Most of the music is blues rock or classic rock covers, but there are two bands which stand out. First is Dennis Stratton's old band, Remus Down Boulevard. Sounding a bit like Thin Lizzy, it is not exactly NWOBHM (call it proto-NWOBHM if you will). There is an interesting interview with Dennis here where he talks about this album and his days with Remus Down Boulevard. Iron Maiden played at The Bridge House many times from 1976 – 1979 (despite what Dennis says in the interview) and Steve Harris used to go there to watch RDB play. That is how he met Dennis and asked him to join the band. Listening to these two tracks with their excellent guitar harmonies and solos, it is easy to hear why.
The other, less interesting, band are the Roll Ups who feature Lea Hart (later of Fastway) on vocals. They play a funky brand of 70s hard rock that reminds me a bit of Angel. Here is the complete tracklist:
1-1. Roll Ups – "Everybody's Gotta Have a Hero"
1-2. S.A.L.T. – "It Hurts Me Too"
1-3. S.A.L.T. – "Hipshake"
1-4. Filthy McNasty – "Move Over"
1-5. Filthy McNasty – "Fire Down Below"
1-6. Gerry McAvoy Jam – "Walking in the Sun"
1-7. Remus Down Boulevard – "Only for You"
1-8. Filthy McNasty – "Can't Get Next to You"
1-9. Roll Ups – "Hand Shandy"
2-1. Jackie Lynton's Happy Days – "You Don’t Have to Pay"
2-2. Gerry McAvoy Jam – "Walkin’ the Dog"
2-3. Remus Down Boulevard – "Gunrunner"
Available Formats: Originally vinyl only, reissued on CD (and still available from The Bridge House online store).
Value: $20-30
Most of the music is blues rock or classic rock covers, but there are two bands which stand out. First is Dennis Stratton's old band, Remus Down Boulevard. Sounding a bit like Thin Lizzy, it is not exactly NWOBHM (call it proto-NWOBHM if you will). There is an interesting interview with Dennis here where he talks about this album and his days with Remus Down Boulevard. Iron Maiden played at The Bridge House many times from 1976 – 1979 (despite what Dennis says in the interview) and Steve Harris used to go there to watch RDB play. That is how he met Dennis and asked him to join the band. Listening to these two tracks with their excellent guitar harmonies and solos, it is easy to hear why.
The other, less interesting, band are the Roll Ups who feature Lea Hart (later of Fastway) on vocals. They play a funky brand of 70s hard rock that reminds me a bit of Angel. Here is the complete tracklist:
1-1. Roll Ups – "Everybody's Gotta Have a Hero"
1-2. S.A.L.T. – "It Hurts Me Too"
1-3. S.A.L.T. – "Hipshake"
1-4. Filthy McNasty – "Move Over"
1-5. Filthy McNasty – "Fire Down Below"
1-6. Gerry McAvoy Jam – "Walking in the Sun"
1-7. Remus Down Boulevard – "Only for You"
1-8. Filthy McNasty – "Can't Get Next to You"
1-9. Roll Ups – "Hand Shandy"
2-1. Jackie Lynton's Happy Days – "You Don’t Have to Pay"
2-2. Gerry McAvoy Jam – "Walkin’ the Dog"
2-3. Remus Down Boulevard – "Gunrunner"
Available Formats: Originally vinyl only, reissued on CD (and still available from The Bridge House online store).
Value: $20-30
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Northwest Metalfest (1984 Ground Zero Records)
Since my last review sparked some discussion about Northwest Metalfest, I suppose I should review it. Better late than never, right? This was also put together by Jeff Gilbert (the same guy that did the Pacific Metal Project compilation) but it was released on his own short-lived label. After releasing this and Metal Church’s debut LP, Ground Zero Records would change to C.O.M.A. Records who released a few records including some by bands Mace and Strike below.
I don’t think LP this is as good as Pacific Metal Project, but it is still an important part of the NW scene (I tend to lump the Seattle and Portland scenes together, though as someone pointed out before that is not entirely accurate). One thing that has always puzzled me is this: According to the Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock by Colin Larkin, Sanctuary had 2 tracks on the Northwest Metalfest compilation but they aren’t on my LP. A few websites also state this, including this Polish site which even goes as far as saying that the 2 tracks are "Battle Angel" and "Soldiers of Steel". Could there have been another Northwest Metalfest? Or perhaps these are cassette only bonus tracks? If anyone has any information please let me know!
All tracks are exclusive except where noted.
1. Lipstick – "Daily Ground": Lipstick’s only release is a heavy Motley Crue inspired song. I like the singer’s eccentric vocals, though he does grunt a bit too much. They would relocate to Hollywood soon after this release and disappear amid the crowd of similar sounding bands.
2. Open Fire – "Cry for the Nations": Very good hard rock like 80s Rainbow, with a little bit stolen from Judas Priest’s version of "Diamonds and Rust". They changed their name to Phoenixx in 1986, but never released anything else under either name. Guitarist Phil See has a site here.
3. Koda Kahn – "Fantasy & Science Fiction": Kind of an interesting track, but not great. No other releases.
4. Overlord – "On the Edge": Exclusive track from the band that recorded the Broken Toys EP, which was released in Canada in 1983. It’s a decent sleaze song even if the singer seems like he’s trying a bit too hard (then again, I guess that keeps it interesting).
5. Rottweiller – "Intense as Hell": Rottweiller’s first release starts with a poppy melodic intro, in contrast to the title. It soon transforms into some NWOBHM inspired proto-thrash (sort of like Metallica’s debut). A different version of the song appeared on their 1985 Screams of the Innocent LP. There is a very interesting interview at Metal Forever.
6. Bondage Boys – "The Loser": Their only release, this song features singer Taime Downe (under the alias Vaun Hammer, real name Gustav Molvic) in a surprisingly metal role. Unfortunately, that doesn't make it good. The following year he would leave the band and travel to L.A. to form Faster Pussycat.
7. Sato – "Leather Warriors": One of my favorites from this album (along with Metal Church). This is a great early power metal song with a bit of a German feel (think Gravestone).
8. Strike – "Deadline": Typical rough US metal that was also on their 1984 self-titled LP, though possibly in a different version.
9. Mace – "Marching Sacrifice": This could have been a decent song but it’s a bit too raw for my taste, coming off as crossover when it really shouldn’t. Confusingly, the song is titled "Marching Saprophytes" on the sleeve, but correctly on the center label. This same song was also on Metal Massacre V, but was misnamed again as "Marching Saphroyites". They would go on to release 2 LPs, the first on C.O.M.A. Records.
10. Metal Church – "Death Wish": Metal Church’s first official release, taken from their 1982 Four Hymns demo. They display a somewhat different sound here than on their first 2 LPs. It’s a great song but, as is often the case with major bands on compilations, this does not really compare to their album material.
Available Formats: Originally released on vinyl and cassette only. Also licensed to Steamhammer and released the following year in Europe, and then in 1989 on CD.
Value: $8-10 (vinyl), $5 (cassette), $20-25 (CD)
I don’t think LP this is as good as Pacific Metal Project, but it is still an important part of the NW scene (I tend to lump the Seattle and Portland scenes together, though as someone pointed out before that is not entirely accurate). One thing that has always puzzled me is this: According to the Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock by Colin Larkin, Sanctuary had 2 tracks on the Northwest Metalfest compilation but they aren’t on my LP. A few websites also state this, including this Polish site which even goes as far as saying that the 2 tracks are "Battle Angel" and "Soldiers of Steel". Could there have been another Northwest Metalfest? Or perhaps these are cassette only bonus tracks? If anyone has any information please let me know!
All tracks are exclusive except where noted.
1. Lipstick – "Daily Ground": Lipstick’s only release is a heavy Motley Crue inspired song. I like the singer’s eccentric vocals, though he does grunt a bit too much. They would relocate to Hollywood soon after this release and disappear amid the crowd of similar sounding bands.
2. Open Fire – "Cry for the Nations": Very good hard rock like 80s Rainbow, with a little bit stolen from Judas Priest’s version of "Diamonds and Rust". They changed their name to Phoenixx in 1986, but never released anything else under either name. Guitarist Phil See has a site here.
3. Koda Kahn – "Fantasy & Science Fiction": Kind of an interesting track, but not great. No other releases.
4. Overlord – "On the Edge": Exclusive track from the band that recorded the Broken Toys EP, which was released in Canada in 1983. It’s a decent sleaze song even if the singer seems like he’s trying a bit too hard (then again, I guess that keeps it interesting).
5. Rottweiller – "Intense as Hell": Rottweiller’s first release starts with a poppy melodic intro, in contrast to the title. It soon transforms into some NWOBHM inspired proto-thrash (sort of like Metallica’s debut). A different version of the song appeared on their 1985 Screams of the Innocent LP. There is a very interesting interview at Metal Forever.
6. Bondage Boys – "The Loser": Their only release, this song features singer Taime Downe (under the alias Vaun Hammer, real name Gustav Molvic) in a surprisingly metal role. Unfortunately, that doesn't make it good. The following year he would leave the band and travel to L.A. to form Faster Pussycat.
7. Sato – "Leather Warriors": One of my favorites from this album (along with Metal Church). This is a great early power metal song with a bit of a German feel (think Gravestone).
8. Strike – "Deadline": Typical rough US metal that was also on their 1984 self-titled LP, though possibly in a different version.
9. Mace – "Marching Sacrifice": This could have been a decent song but it’s a bit too raw for my taste, coming off as crossover when it really shouldn’t. Confusingly, the song is titled "Marching Saprophytes" on the sleeve, but correctly on the center label. This same song was also on Metal Massacre V, but was misnamed again as "Marching Saphroyites". They would go on to release 2 LPs, the first on C.O.M.A. Records.
10. Metal Church – "Death Wish": Metal Church’s first official release, taken from their 1982 Four Hymns demo. They display a somewhat different sound here than on their first 2 LPs. It’s a great song but, as is often the case with major bands on compilations, this does not really compare to their album material.
Available Formats: Originally released on vinyl and cassette only. Also licensed to Steamhammer and released the following year in Europe, and then in 1989 on CD.
Value: $8-10 (vinyl), $5 (cassette), $20-25 (CD)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Pacific Metal Project (1985 Restless Records)
This was a compilation of local Seattle based bands. It also happens to be one of my favorites. Unlike many compilations of local talent that sample a wide variety of musical styles, this one is nearly 100% metal. All tracks are exclusive except where noted.
LP includes insert with band info.
1. Heir Apparent – “Tear Down the Walls”: There were quite a few bands on the Seattle scene that were inspired by Queensryche’s early success, but none match the brilliance of Heir Apparent. Their very first official release is featured here and is one of the catchier tracks from their 1986 Graceful Inheritance LP. This version is slightly different.
2. Myth – “Let Me Hear the Thunder”: Not to be confused with the band from Connecticut (the page on metal-archives is dead wrong), this is the infamous Kelly Gray Myth that once featured Geoff Tate on vocals. His replacement is no Geoff Tate, but he’s still pretty good and actually reminds me of Ann Boleyn despite being male. This is a great song, but it seems to be missing something. Perhaps there are too many keyboards?
3. Mistrust – “Running for My Life”: Mistrust was formed from the ashes of a couple other Seattle based bands. The guitarist and bass player are from Rottweiller and the singer is from Culprit. Decent song that sounds a bit like Metal Church with a hard rock edge. The same version appears on the 1986 Spin the World LP (their only other release).
4. Manchild – “Keep on Believin’”: Fairly typical US metal, it has a decent chorus but overall is too predictable.
5. Ransom – “Throw the Stone”: Some heavy dark sleaze here (sort of like W.A.S.P.) The melody actually reminds me of the self-titled track by Sacred Few.
6. Look Out – “Burning Steel”: This intro to this song is a rip off of “The Lady Wore Black”, but the rest sounds more like something from Canada’s Black Knight.
7. Phaze – “Where Can We Be Alone”: Phaze plays decent but unremarkable heavy hard rock in the style of Dokken.
8. Arson – “Caught in the Web”: An excellent speed metal track, and unfortunately another band who never released anything else.
9. Xinr – “Everpresent Angel”: Now this is the reason I track down all these obscure compilations. Completely unknown band, and one of the most original I’ve heard in a long time. They sound kind of like a cross between Cirith Ungol and Hell. The vocals certainly aren’t for everyone but it’s a great song nevertheless. Tragically, members Tony Saiz and Shaun Tramel died in a motorcycle accident just weeks prior to the release of the Pacific Metal Project LP and the band soon disbanded. Second guitarist Roger DeCarlo went on to join Cruella, but until recently it was thought that no other recordings survived from the original Xinr lineup. Fortunately, Stormspell Records were able to track down the remaining members and acquired the rights to some long lost demos. The CD, Beyond Woodward, was released on December 1, 2008 so get your copy now!
10. D.C. Lacroix – “Rip It Up”: This is the same as the version on their 1986 Crack of Doom LP, but without the brief vocal introduction. Shortly after this compilation was released, the band was contacted by New Renaissance Records to have the song included on their Ladykillers compilation (which I reviewed a couple weeks ago). This inspired the band to move to L.A.
Available Formats: Vinyl and cassette.
Value: $8-10 (vinyl), $3 (cassette)
LP includes insert with band info.
1. Heir Apparent – “Tear Down the Walls”: There were quite a few bands on the Seattle scene that were inspired by Queensryche’s early success, but none match the brilliance of Heir Apparent. Their very first official release is featured here and is one of the catchier tracks from their 1986 Graceful Inheritance LP. This version is slightly different.
2. Myth – “Let Me Hear the Thunder”: Not to be confused with the band from Connecticut (the page on metal-archives is dead wrong), this is the infamous Kelly Gray Myth that once featured Geoff Tate on vocals. His replacement is no Geoff Tate, but he’s still pretty good and actually reminds me of Ann Boleyn despite being male. This is a great song, but it seems to be missing something. Perhaps there are too many keyboards?
3. Mistrust – “Running for My Life”: Mistrust was formed from the ashes of a couple other Seattle based bands. The guitarist and bass player are from Rottweiller and the singer is from Culprit. Decent song that sounds a bit like Metal Church with a hard rock edge. The same version appears on the 1986 Spin the World LP (their only other release).
4. Manchild – “Keep on Believin’”: Fairly typical US metal, it has a decent chorus but overall is too predictable.
5. Ransom – “Throw the Stone”: Some heavy dark sleaze here (sort of like W.A.S.P.) The melody actually reminds me of the self-titled track by Sacred Few.
6. Look Out – “Burning Steel”: This intro to this song is a rip off of “The Lady Wore Black”, but the rest sounds more like something from Canada’s Black Knight.
7. Phaze – “Where Can We Be Alone”: Phaze plays decent but unremarkable heavy hard rock in the style of Dokken.
8. Arson – “Caught in the Web”: An excellent speed metal track, and unfortunately another band who never released anything else.
9. Xinr – “Everpresent Angel”: Now this is the reason I track down all these obscure compilations. Completely unknown band, and one of the most original I’ve heard in a long time. They sound kind of like a cross between Cirith Ungol and Hell. The vocals certainly aren’t for everyone but it’s a great song nevertheless. Tragically, members Tony Saiz and Shaun Tramel died in a motorcycle accident just weeks prior to the release of the Pacific Metal Project LP and the band soon disbanded. Second guitarist Roger DeCarlo went on to join Cruella, but until recently it was thought that no other recordings survived from the original Xinr lineup. Fortunately, Stormspell Records were able to track down the remaining members and acquired the rights to some long lost demos. The CD, Beyond Woodward, was released on December 1, 2008 so get your copy now!
10. D.C. Lacroix – “Rip It Up”: This is the same as the version on their 1986 Crack of Doom LP, but without the brief vocal introduction. Shortly after this compilation was released, the band was contacted by New Renaissance Records to have the song included on their Ladykillers compilation (which I reviewed a couple weeks ago). This inspired the band to move to L.A.
Available Formats: Vinyl and cassette.
Value: $8-10 (vinyl), $3 (cassette)
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