Like many people my first exposure to Ohio's Damien was through Headbanger's Ball in the form of their video for the title track of their first album "Every dog has it's day". I bought that cassette not too long after seeing the video. It's classic style metal with a definite Judas Priest influence as well as some Maiden, Dio, Scorpions and others tossed into the mix. The twin guitar attack was tight, the vocals were strong and the rythm section was affective. It wasn't particularly new in any way, but it was done very well. It was 1987 and at that time I think was being pulled in different directions with the hair bands like Poison, Motley Crue and the like taking the radio play and much of the spotlight while thrash was dominating the underground and many fans of heavier metal weant in that direction. So bands like Damien who were in the middle had some trouble finding an audience. Two years later "Stop this war" was released. I bought it (yeah, on cassette again) and it was of similar style, but even better. The style was slightly more varied and direct. They got some play on Headbanger's Ball again, but still never got very far. A shame because they were a powerful band playing real metal. They came back with "Angel Juice" in the mid-90's but I have still never heard it. After that they broke up, but reformed a few years ago for some reunion shows. The first two albums were re-issued on CD on Power Play records a few years ago too. That was my re-introduction to them because I didn't play cassettes any more. Hearing them again on CD let me know just how much I liked this band. Nothing special perhaps, but still very enjoyable metal.
http://www.myspace.com/damienlives06
http://www.powerplayrecords.com/
I always preferred every Dog over This War, but both are good albums. I've owned the CDs for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteI first bought "Every Dog ..." cassette at a bargain store for 50 cents in the early 90's. I loved that disc. I even ripped the tape to my computer and burned it to a disc so I could extend its life.
ReplyDeleteIt was actually your blog that turned me onto Power Play records and I bought both CD's from there.
I still prefer "Every Dog..." but "Stop This War" was good too.
I haven't heard their 3rd album either, but I'd like to some day.