Showing posts with label 1986. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1986. Show all posts
06 March 2010
TRAD. METAL REVIEW - Bonfire - Don't Touch The Light (1986)
I've heard some of this band's previous incarnation, CACUMEN, and that is even better. Raw heavy metal. It appears when they changed their name to BONFIRE they went for a more commercial-traditional sound.
Price Paid: $3.60
The Players:
Claus Lessman (Lyrics)
Hans Ziller (Music)
What Is It?
A German hard rock/Traditional metal band that started as a heavier band (Cacumen), but went for a more glam-ish sound when they released this album in 1986. Don't let that throw you off, because they didn't move too far from awesome.
Does It Suck?
No. It is a very, very Scorpions-esque album that explores a heavier realm with harmonies, upbeat tempos and heavy guitars. The vocal harmony choruses are much like Klaus Meine, but in a more polished vein. The entire album sounds very smooth and decently polished. The songs are all written in a typical lens, but they certainly sound different than what popular American bands were doing at the time. I find the album consistently satisfying..and I can't find anything wrong with it. After listening, it's apparent that they have a "style", but what's wrong with that?
The only "weak" thing about this album is the first side - it's decent, and "Starin' Eyes" is my favorite song from the album, but the rest is pretty mediocre. The second side just sounds deeper and more developed. I laughed when I heard "SDI" - it was obviously written in response to Reagan's "Star Wars" program. Favorites from the second side are "Hot to Rock" and "Don't Touch The Light", where the band's heavy side comes in, but I recommend the more ballad-y rest of the second side as well.
Recommended Tracks:
"Starin' Eyes"
Entire second side
Wrap-Up
Great metal, written in the heat of the cold war...The Scorpions comparisons could go on and on, but it's also obvious that Bonfire has their own charm. Not a traditional metal masterpiece by any means, but quite enjoyable for those who love vocal harmonies, great guitar work and well written metal. Overall great stuff. Recommended. 8/10.
02 February 2010
HEAVY METAL REVIEW - Slave Raider - Take The World By Storm (1986)
I have to review this album before I go insane.
Let's hear it for the local boys!
Price Paid: $3.00 (can you believe it? That was in Nashville, but recently back home I saw a copy for $14. Insane!)
The Player:
CHAINSAW!!
What Is It?
Many listens later and I have absolutely no clue. I love this fucking album because the SONIC FORCE has the capability to ROCK THINE FACE OFF, but you're puzzled as to how exactly it's done the whole time. I'll get to that later. It is a heavy metal album in a very pure sense. This band apparently played clubs all around my state and had a cult following. I first heard of them when my dad's friend mentioned them to me once - later I found Take The World By Storm on tape and then on a trip found the vinyl version of the album. I was mystified. How could such great metal come from the frozen bowels of my grim, frostbitten state?
Does It Suck?
Oooohahahhohohoh NO. I'll be honest, I had this album pegged as another shallow venture into the intricacies of "Rockin'", "Love" as manufactured by the media and so on....however it became clear that this album is worth much more than that. The album is almost frustrating in its mystery. The first side goes by like one would expect, judging by the album cover. A few favorites were pegged, including "Backstabbin'" and "Long Way From Home". Sounds like a lighter version of WASP.
The second side starts out with samples of old politicians talking about nuclear war. Then, the RIFF. You're looking at the song "Survival Of The Fittest" and it KICKS ASS. It is obvious that the band did away with everything associated with the first side. Next, "The Devil Comes Out In Me" slightly harkens back to the glam stylings of the first side, but with a razor edge. Finally, "The Black Hole". I cannot describe such devastating heavy metal. It ventures into the realm of progressive metal, because of the many twists and turns the song takes. It even steps into a slightly speed metal vein in parts. The song ends with a glorious instrumental section and you're left sitting and drooling. The solos and pure riffage are enough to make you bang your head into the wall. What puzzles me so is the absolutely obvious transition from the first side which represents all things glam, to the second side that descends into pure chaos. I like both; It is just one puzzling feature of the band...
Recommended Tracks:
"Backstabbin'"
"Survival Of The Fittest"
"The Devil Comes Out In Me"
"The Black Hole"
Wrap-Up
Very enjoyable. The second side always has me headbanging relentlessly. Has overall a unique sound, comparable only to WASP or in places Motley Crue. Let's just say I'm proud to come from the same state as SLAVE RAIDER! This deserves an 8/10 easily.
Let's hear it for the local boys!
Price Paid: $3.00 (can you believe it? That was in Nashville, but recently back home I saw a copy for $14. Insane!)
The Player:
CHAINSAW!!
What Is It?
Many listens later and I have absolutely no clue. I love this fucking album because the SONIC FORCE has the capability to ROCK THINE FACE OFF, but you're puzzled as to how exactly it's done the whole time. I'll get to that later. It is a heavy metal album in a very pure sense. This band apparently played clubs all around my state and had a cult following. I first heard of them when my dad's friend mentioned them to me once - later I found Take The World By Storm on tape and then on a trip found the vinyl version of the album. I was mystified. How could such great metal come from the frozen bowels of my grim, frostbitten state?
Does It Suck?
Oooohahahhohohoh NO. I'll be honest, I had this album pegged as another shallow venture into the intricacies of "Rockin'", "Love" as manufactured by the media and so on....however it became clear that this album is worth much more than that. The album is almost frustrating in its mystery. The first side goes by like one would expect, judging by the album cover. A few favorites were pegged, including "Backstabbin'" and "Long Way From Home". Sounds like a lighter version of WASP.
The second side starts out with samples of old politicians talking about nuclear war. Then, the RIFF. You're looking at the song "Survival Of The Fittest" and it KICKS ASS. It is obvious that the band did away with everything associated with the first side. Next, "The Devil Comes Out In Me" slightly harkens back to the glam stylings of the first side, but with a razor edge. Finally, "The Black Hole". I cannot describe such devastating heavy metal. It ventures into the realm of progressive metal, because of the many twists and turns the song takes. It even steps into a slightly speed metal vein in parts. The song ends with a glorious instrumental section and you're left sitting and drooling. The solos and pure riffage are enough to make you bang your head into the wall. What puzzles me so is the absolutely obvious transition from the first side which represents all things glam, to the second side that descends into pure chaos. I like both; It is just one puzzling feature of the band...
Recommended Tracks:
"Backstabbin'"
"Survival Of The Fittest"
"The Devil Comes Out In Me"
"The Black Hole"
Wrap-Up
Very enjoyable. The second side always has me headbanging relentlessly. Has overall a unique sound, comparable only to WASP or in places Motley Crue. Let's just say I'm proud to come from the same state as SLAVE RAIDER! This deserves an 8/10 easily.
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