GOTH REVIEW - The Danse Society - Heaven Is Waiting (1984)

I wasn't wrong about having a lot to review...but I was wrong about having the free time to review albums! Blame college.

Price Paid: $3.60

What is it?
The sophomore album from British post-punkers The Danse Society. I bought it because I had no idea what it was, and boy was I in for a surprise. I still remember the day, going alone to my local Cheapo store...flipping through records...most remarkably, remembering the pleasing scent of my black skinny jeans that day. Strangest thing, I'll always associate that with this record. In any case...It's an incredible release to say the least. Apparently The Danse Society have put out several albums and even a new one this year. I'm kicking myself for not having checked out their latest right away. On the whole, it seems, they're a top-shelf goth band lost in the fog of semi-obscurity only created by time.

The Rundown:
The first few days I had this album, it must have gotten a healthy 10 plays on the ol' turntable. Maybe it's just my attraction to the style, but everything about this record is perfect. Creative, yet tasteful synthwork. Dark, brooding, yet melodic vocals. Beautiful guitar work with a plethora of different tones. Solid, confident bass playing, and satisfying drum tracks.

The record is so damned catchy to those familiar with it, but not in a "pop" way. It oozes with familiarity. I'd even go so far as to say it's like a record I heard in another life and then rediscovered in the here and now. The record's sound evokes an image of people who've seen a few things, been a few places. People that know what the dark is, yet they've a tendency towards sometimes danceable beats and fairly conventional song structure. It's a real record.

The album gets morbid with tracks like "Angel" and "Come Inside" - it's a stretch, but one could argue that it's similar to Christian Death meets The Cure. Like some electronic bands, what this record has going for it is the awareness of layering and overdubs. In any given song there are several complex parts, but they're never played all at once. It's such an expertly composed release in that way. Throughout, there's usually a sequenced synth rhythm/track in the background, keeping everything together. A perfect fusion of electronic and organic music.

Recommended Tracks:
All

Wrap-Up
If anyone asks me why I collect records, I'll always point back to this one because it's a perfect example. Going to the shop, find some obscure album, and it turns out to be the best Goth/Postpunk album I've ever heard. I can't even try to do it justice, so go have a listen. I'll be on the lookout for the rest of their albums for sure. Flawless. 10/10.

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.

NWOBHM REVIEW - DARK HEART - SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT (1984)

http://metal-archives.com/band.php?id=13332

Price Paid:
$4.00

What Is It?
A NWOBHM album released just as the movement was in major decline, arguably the "Last" year of it. This album often sounds to me like an English Mercyful Fate. Being that Mercyful Fate is my all time favorite band along with Judas Priest, this is a very, very good thing. The record exudes heavy metal. More specifically, Honourable English Metal. For country and king!

Does It Suck?
HELL NO. Let me just put things in perspective for you. When someone says "Metal", this album is what I think of. This record is "Writing A Great Metal Album 101" and here's why:

-Catchiness.
-Skill.
-Songwriting ability.
-A focus on the MUSIC!!

Recently I have come to a conclusion regarding those qualities. If they're all there, they equal more than the sum of their parts. Moreover, with this particular record, you'll notice how light of a touch the instruments have (the lead tone sounds like a Strat through a Blues combo) but yet it is very "Heavy". This is a phenomenon through which the aforementioned qualities, if all present, make the album exponentially heavier.

This album has very few flaws. The main thing it has going for it is the dramatic, "classic" metal aspect that Mercyful Fate employed. In this sense it is done right, and WELL. The only flaws this record has are minute. When I first heard the title track, the vocals were a bit tough to get used to, as I could tell the vocalist could sing but he was choosing not to - after a few listens, I realized it fits. Also - some songs drag on a bit, but usually the length is justified with a new riff or solo anyways. That brings me to my next point - I LOVE SOLOS! Hate to compare it to MF again, but there you go - the solos are plentiful and nicely executed. The rest of the band is also great, but it's hard to notice them when you're paying attention to the song - they are so well arranged and written!

Recommended Tracks:
-"Shadows Of The Night"
-"Dangerous Games"
-"Don't Break The Circle" (different song, but it still reminds me of DEMON!)
-"Shout It Out"

Wrap-Up
Highly, highly recommended. It is a shame they didn't put out a follow up record - such is the quandary of the NWOBHM. Every dynamic of classic and melodic heavy metal is explored on this record, and while not intending to smash you in the mouth (by any means) it tells us how to write a heavy record without resorting to that approach. Some songs are a little forgettable, but the rest are so damn catchy, and in some places, progressive. (I couldn't believe I had forgotten about this amazing record when I pulled it out...) Great for NWOBHM fans especially. My rating: 8.5/10

TRAD. METAL REVIEW - WILD DOGS - MAN'S BEST FRIEND (1984)

Youtuber (mikejrgb):"Man these guys suck. This is one band that had 1 good album [reign of terror] then decided to come back and do more shows?...."

"Matthew T."
"yeah but we sucked in front of a bunch of people
there is no new music... those reign of terror fans will be dissapointed that there are no skinny glam fags but this has always been my band....i owulda been skinny too but they didnt share their cocaine...i prefer beer... it keeps my erections coming and going....
you can grow up if ya want,, ill keep nice and immature...cmon this guitarist blows jeff outta the door...the original guys dont understand motorhead"

I wanted to post this dialogue between some youtuber and the original vocalist for this band, because it gave me greater respect for him. I love when old school metal bands have members that are 100% active on the internet. You get to know what went on...




(Click for larger image)

http://metal-archives.com/band.php?id=1568

Price Paid For Album:
$2.90

The Player:
Matthew T. McCourt

What Is It?
A burnin' hunk of 1984 US HEAVY FUCKING METAL! After reading that Youtube comment I felt a little reluctant to say this, but...judging by the pictures on the back of the album, the guys from Halford's wet dreams got together and formed a band! Seriously, Matthew T. looks like Rob plus give or take 150 bills. But enough about that. They have the standard awesome spiky metal attire for rocking people's faces off circa mid 80s, and Deen looks ready to join a black metal band. I was trying to figure out what to categorize Wild Dogs as... and a youtuber said it best - "the perfect mix between Saxon and Motorhead". Although it leans toward the melodic side of things, Man's Best Friend is a solid chunk of heavy metal.

Does It Suck?
No, and as a matter of fact every time I listen to it, the album grows on me exponentially. The vocals are great, and Matthew sounds just like someone else, but I can't put my finger on it...All I know is, I certainly wasn't expecting great Saxon-like vocals from such a huge guy. I mean, he's built like a brick shithouse! The guitarist, Jeff Mark definitely shines on this album with some (mainly) typical solos, but his rhythms are standout for mid 80s traditional metal. Deen Castronova (who appears to have played with EVERYONE) is a decent drummer, and stands out on the faster tracks. Danny Kurth, the bassist, is...a bassist. This record can overall be compared to a rougher and tougher "White Wolf". (Too bad there aren't any album cuts on YT. That'll have to change...).

I'll be honest - when I first saw the album, I was expecting, however unreasonably, an album of brutal proportions (the cover is a dude getting MASSACRED by a wild dog!) - after I looked at the back, I realized it was unrealistic but was pleasantly surprised with how it sounded without being "brutal". It does have a heavier side to it, however, on tracks like "Livin' On The Streets" and "Believe In Me". "Livin'...", The opener, within a few seconds blew me away with the drum fill and wrenching riffage. The album proceeds to kick some ass - but every time I listen it seems over way too quickly.

Wrap-Up
Let me just say this...at this point it looks like $2.90 was a STEAL for this album. I look forward to many future listens. A Motorhead with a few coatings of glam actually came out sounding pretty damned good (to MY ears). The songs are really catchy and sometimes "nasty"-heavy. This solid album deserves a solid 7.5/10 total from me. Recommended.

HEAVY ROCK REVIEW - BOSS - STEP ON IT (1984)

Ahh 1984.



/\ (the only vid I found on YT)

http://metal-archives.com/band.php?id=10171

Price Paid: $3.00

The Player:
Who knows

The Players:
Craig Csongrady, Kevin Pratt, Peter Sutcliffe, Scott Ginn, Joe Tatts, and John Dick (additional drums)

What is it?
A metal/heavy rock album by the band BOSS from Australia. Has some NWOBHM influences, by the sound of it. Simple songs, about on par with a friendly version of Def Leppard or White Wolf. They also seem to give off a vibe of their fellow countrymen AC/DC in some parts, but it is not prevalent (that's good, because I despise AC/DC - but enough about me...). EDIT: Well I'll be damned, the bassist played for AC/DC. Anyways, good melodic lines, but the choruses are a little too abundant in places. The back cover is a collage of pictures from backstage at, seemingly one gig or a place they played often. The walls have writing all over them - a source of entertainment.

Does It Suck?
No. It's pretty average - heavy rock with a nice melodic twist. The solos can get pretty wild, which works in their favor, most definitely. The album opens with the sound of construction and jackhammers - on the track titled most aptly "KICK ASS (ROCK N' ROLL)". Fuck yeah. It has its definite heavy or sweet melodic moments, but overall is kind of forgettable. One main thing to note is that the drums were actually recorded with a drum machine - This was cause for some controversy, but I couldn't really give less of a shit. They don't SOUND fake, and don't drag down the album's sound much, if at all. I also remember reading that the record did well in Britain, but not Australia. The drum machine was a turn off to some.

The album can come off as a heavy, wild rock album in parts and a soft melodic one in others.

Recommended tracks:
"KICK ASS (ROCK N' ROLL)"
"ESCAPEE"
"CRY CRY"
"TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT"

Wrap-Up
Meh, pretty average. Definitely has moments of greatness, but they aren't abundant. I originally found this album for $10 and was astounded by the awesome album cover. Later I found it at the same store for $3. I'm glad I waited to buy it then. I would say this record is worth $6-7 TOPS. Notable only for its relative rarity (the "having" is a big factor to me) and varied appeal. I'd give it 6/10 personally, but I know there are some out there who would fall in love with the record - you decide.

TRAD. METAL REVIEW - WHITE WOLF - STANDING ALONE (1984)

The Player:
Hard to say. Everyone does their part - and WELL.

The Players:
Les Schwartz, Don Wilk, Cam Mcleod, Rick Nelson, Loris Bolzon

What Is It?
A 1984 traditional metal album that is a definite gem among mid 80s metal releases. This album was released in 1984, and there can be many encouraging similarities found between this, Judas Priest (for proof, listen to "What The War Will Bring") and Queensryche's releases that same year. These similarities are apparent throughout the album, but only increase its value to me (my favorite Priest album is Defenders of The Faith 1984). Heck, I even drew parallels to Icon and Shok Paris, two of my favorite bands. So, needless to say, I love this album.

Does It Suck?
Totally not. This is an ARTFUL piece of traditional metal at its best. While simple in most of its execution, the songs are drawn out longer and there are many great solos that remind me of Tipton/Downing, and even sometimes Denner/Shermann. The choruses are, in typical 80s fashion HUGE, so no worries here. Adding to the package, the riffage is plentiful and devastating in its deceptive simplicity, for example: "Headlines" - it's really one of those records that makes you wonder, "what the fuck happened to good riffs and songs?". It's that good. The ass-kicking continues over to the B side, although overall I prefer the A side for its utter domination.

A key thing I notice while re-listening to the record is that it's one of the few memorable-yet-not ones I have (including Among The Living, An Overdose Of Death, Rock Hard). Let me explain this term: The album gives you an overall good feeling after listening to it, and you hold the album high in regard. Yet, after a while you forget about it only to rediscover its amazing qualities. This is in NO way a bad thing - it increases your joy when you listen to the record again. One of the many reasons I like Standing Alone. It's a total gem.

Wrap Up:
Overall, these songs sound very smooth yet deadly. White Wolf can write a song like no other - with this album they expand on the genre of traditional metal and take it to a new level. One of those albums you have to hear to make a judgment on, but for me as an early to mid 80s metal lover at heart, it's gold. I give this a solid 9/10 - and you can put it up against practically any other genre with that rating.