Forgotten Gems: Armageddon-The Money Mask

Retroactive Records 2007 (2 Disc. Collector's Edition)

Originally released in 1989 The Money Mask was the one and only release from Christian metal band Armageddon. Musically in the realm of bands like Metal Church, Armoured Saint, Vicious Rumors and Judas Priest The Money Mask is an incredibly underrated gem of pure metal. Tracks like the title track and "Mercenaries Of Injustice" are not only powerful but catchy as well. Vocalist Mike Vance has one great set of pipes on him allowing him a great range. There are actually three different guitarists who play on this collection (Robby Lee, Charlie Phillips and Phil Zeo) and all are top notch shredders. Bass duties are filled by Dan Wilkinson and the one and only Joe Hasselvander (Raven/Pentagram/cult band Phantom Lord) handles drum work on some of the tracks. The music ranges from melodic metal ("Ship Of Changes" ) to the full tilt speed metal on "(Liberation from) Blazing Wasteland". "We're Outta Here" is heavy thrash (think heavier Metal Church) but with a melodic gang chorus while "Nightlight" is just plain crunchy power metal. Being as this is a collector's edition we are treated to a second disc full of outtakes, demos, unreleased material and a nice little booklet with lyrics and a bio of the band. Remasted in all of it's glory the Money Mask might turn some people off because of it's upfront Christian message. But metal is metal in my book. Especially when it's as good as this is. Despite the fact that the band barely were able to keep it together and were one and done Armageddon's the Money Mask still outshines a lot of the so called modern metal bands. The band's style is just classic and The Money Mask holds up without sounding dated. Copies are easily available on Amazon and Ebay as well as digital download sites like Itunes. Recommended for fans of the above mentioned bands as well as Saint, Barron Cross and Bloodgood.