TRAD. METAL REVIEW - 3rd Stage Alert EP (1984)

Sorry, this was the only track from the EP on YT - but there is another from Metal Massacre 2 that is seen here (below):



BEHOLD, THE RAREST RECORD EVER

Price Paid: $3.60

What Is It?
Some hard rock/metal EP from '84 that doesn't really break any new ground, but is somewhat fun to listen to. I was drawn to it because Ann Boleyn played keyboards on it and Yngwie produced and played guitar on it. I passed it up the first time I saw it, but I got it the second time. I am a sucker for EPs.

Does It Suck?
The songwriting here is the main draw. They aren't remarkably heavy but yet they have some good choruses and their skill shows through. Great riffs and in places, some very good overlaying of chords that add texture. The leads are a bit above average for mid 80s metal, which is refreshing. The only downside are the little things, like the off kilter vocal line in "Steppin' Out", until you hear a chord that puts the vocals in context...otherwise it would have sounded terrible! They can't really be lumped in with anything but Traditional Metal. I hear elements of hair metal and they probably have their fair share of Priest influence as well. The EP concludes with a classical and very nice sounding piece (with Mr. Malmsteen) called "Adagio (For a Dead Soldier)".

Recommended Tracks (too bad they're not on YT):
"The Stranger"
"Steppin' Out"

Wrap-Up
Not much can be said about it....a 5 track EP from '84. Sounds like you'd expect. The band only put this EP out, it appears. Par for the course traditional metal, nothing extraordinary. 7/10.