Forgotten Gems-Blacklist

Based in Texas (and not to be confused with the countless other bands that adopted this particular moniker), Blacklist was a power/thrash metal band that was active during the nineties. Influenced by death metal, thrash, and the groovy hard & heaviness that is Pantera, Blacklist began life as a high school metal outfit before going on to self-release two underground gems, "Put to Rest" and "From Down Below"* (1996 and 1999 respectively). Released on cassette tape in 1994, "Total Control" was the group's first studio recording and it came out while the members were still in high school! Both "Put to Rest" and "Fire Down Below" were graciously sent to me on CD by drummer Todd Jara. Blacklist was rounded out by bassist/vocalist Bill Hall and guitarist/backing vocalist Micheal Allen. Of the two I actually prefer "Put to Rest". While 1999's "From Down Below" is more technical and complex (which is actually a good thing-musical growth being essential for any metal band, no matter if they are old veterans or new to the game with only a couple of releases to their name), the raw edge of "Put to Rest" is nothing short of infectious! With that being said, both albums are stone cold brutal in their own right. Blacklist was all about the heaviness...broken bodies in the pit merely a side effect. There are moments on "From Down Below" that express a love for "...and Justice for All"-era Metallica and post-1991 Sepultura (IE: beautifully-written melodic moments that give the listener a much needed breather between the thrashers), but overall these three fine gentlemen were trying to keep metal mean & mighty during a time when grunge was trying to exterminate all things hard & heavy. Having lived and breathed the scene back then, bands like Blacklist fought the good fight in a battle that they just couldn't win. Here in 2018 we should continue to shine a bright light on these forgotten heroes. It might be small comfort to the band members themselves, but Blacklist is another one of those underground bands that I would love to see get the grand treatment...if I only had the funds to start up my own label. The fact is there are far too many great bands out there that didn't get the proper recognition that deserved they in the first place. With their sick mixture of thrash metal, power metal, death metal, and (face smashing!) groove, Blacklist had a sound that stands the test of time and is quite marketable. I could easily see these albums being re-released by a label like Divebomb Records. I might just have to send a suggestion their way. In the meantime, Heavy Metal Time Machine will continue it's mission to share underground/hidden albums with all of our readers.




*I'm not sure where the closing sample comes from on this disc, but I am always on the lookout for the future ex-Mrs. Andrew Davis...

Forgotten Gems: Rubber Whips-Die Suckers

Self-Release/Independent

For those of you who might be new to Heavy Metal Time Machine, Forgotten Gems is normally a place where we cover heavy metal albums that slipped by us unnoticed and/or recordings that we think deserve more praise than they originally got. Today's band easily falls into both of those categories. Falling somewhere in-between raw heavy metal and late eighties/early nineties crossover, "Die suckers" is a wicked five-track demo from Rubber Whips that I won on Ebay. Packed with muscle and a fair share of metal madness, "Die Suckers" absolutely slays everything in it's sight! Not for a minute do I regret shelling out my hard-earned cash for this tape. The only thing that bothers me is the mysterious nature of this group. Other than the fact that it came in a larger collection of tapes that he picked up from Europe, the seller had no information at all about the demo. Looking online has been no help. The only thing that you will find is a picture/mention of the cassette tape on Ebay. Seeing as that listing is the one that landed in my lap, Rubber Whips remains one big mystery! I don't know the band's line-up, where they were from, or even the year when this came out! Talk about frustrating!! Seeing as I have hit a dead end, dear readers/fellow metalheads I need your help. I am looking for any information that I can find about this band and/or this cassette tape. Thank you all in advance...

Forgotten Gems: Shokker-Shokker

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Out in 2015 but just now finding it's way to my ears, today's offering is technically a tad bit young to gain admittance into the halls of Forgotten Gems. Be that as it may, Chicago's Shokker* seems poised to break out in a BIG WAY! Or at least they will after their full-length debut drops!! It's due sometime later on in 2017 and if it is anything near the excitement of this self-titled EP....well, fans of true heavy metal are going to be insanely stoked! As for the who, what, and where of this four-piece band? It is Illinois to be precise.   Active in one form or another since 2011, powerhouse vocalist Rachl "Raxx" Quinn now leads the charge and she is f**king fantastic in that role! Casey Tremont (guitar, vocals), Jorey Guillermo (bass), and drummer Dan Dash perfectly back her up on this 3-track EP (the band's first "official" release. The three track are "Adrenaline", "Midnight Sun", and "Turn Around And Run". That middle one is my favorite. As strange as this no doubt reads, "Midnight Sun" reminds me of M.C.'s "Looks That Kill" under the following set of circumstances: (with Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept, UFO, and Dio all serving as the influences) Nikki Sixx realizes from the start that Mick Mars isn't going to take them anywhere. In his place comes this blazing hot young guitarist with MAD skills. After re-working the song into a eighties metal masterpiece, Vince Neil is cut and in comes one of the all-time best lead singers. Having blown apart the studio with her sensational voice, Rachl "Raxx" Quinn and that amazing guitarist (Casey Tremont) leaves Nikki and, song in hand, time-travels to the present. In need of a killer lead singer and a guitarist that can melt speakers with his blazing hot licks, Shokker's rhythm section welcomes the pair into it's inner circle. They re-work the song in question to show off their own sinsational style and out comes "Midnight Sun"!  In my imagination that is how Shokker came up with the song. The key word there being "song". That is only one of the three jams on this EP. For the four members of Shokker influences range from Van Halen, Kix, Thin Lizzy, and Ratt all the way up to the N.W.O.B.H.M scene of old (Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Saxon, Diamond Head, Tokyo Blade, Jaguar, White Spirit, etc.). The better parts of eighties metal seems to glue it all together, but in no way, shape, or form is Shokker living in the past! This Chicago metal band most definitely has a modern edge about it. We're not talking about modern metal. We are talking about lively music here. It's as fresh as if it was just plucked from the garden this morning! One can only imagine how good this lot is up front and personal. This EP is the next best thing. Finger's crossed here obviously, but good god above(!) I hope the band's new album is the heavy metal debut album of the year! Only time will tell....      



*Be mindful of the spelling there folks because you are going to want to follow up on this posting.

Forgotten Gems: Lucy Brown-Lucy Brown

Released in 1991 on Megaforce/Atlantic Records, with producer Joe Blaney (Soul Asylum, Jack Bruce, Children, Bernie Worrell, Donna the Buffalo, The Beautiful, etc.) twisting the old knobs (or whatever you choose to call it kiddos!), "Lucy Brown" was the first major label release from the D.C. interracial "funk/metal" band of the same name. Originally formed in 1987, with lead vocalist/bassist Scott Llewellyn, guitarist Luis Peraza Jr. and drummer Chris Neuberg (reportedly) all serving as the founding members, Lucy Brown first hit the scene in 1988 with an entirely different self-titled affair. From what I've been able to gather (or per Wikipedia if you will!) that release was issued thanks to the Washington, DC-area label T.O.G. Records. Whether the bands first LP was/is as straight-up dope as this one happens to be is anyone's guess (or at least my guess as this is the only Lucy Brown album that I've had the pleasure of adding to my personal collection!), but for my money this little beauty (released during the heyday of the whole funk rock/funk metal explosion when bands like 24/7 Spyz, Living Colour, Red Hot Chili Peppers and (of course) Faith No More where busy ruling the top of the charts!) is TOTALLY where it's at! Unlike those mentioned acts Lucy Brown was more rock then metal. As the site AllMusic puts it (and they really hit the nail on the top of the head with this one!) Lucy Brown drew from "everyone from Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix to Sly Stone and Funkadelic" with equal access given to punk, classic rock, pop, soul and (naturally) funk! With this 1991 album the band added on a baritone lead singer in Gene Hawkins (R.I.P.) and with Llewellyn being able to full concentrate on (slap-heavy, drop-dead groovy!) bass riffs the band cut their path through and album that is more slick and damn stylistic then anything from the camps of 24/7 Spyz, Living Colour or Faith No More! While bassist Scott Llewellyn would leave the band in 1992 (he was replaced by Jon Papazoglou) Lucy Brown would muster one more (supposedly excellent!) recording in the form of a 1993 EP ("Five Dogs Dead") the group's long-term plans were derailed by the passing of Gene Hawkins in 1994 (his life was sadly cut w-a-y too short as a result of a heroin overdose). This 11-track LP stands as a monumental piece of funk-heavy rock and roll and as a lasting legacy to a band that (unfortunate as it may just be) few have ever heard of. Easily picked up on Amazon or Ebay from less then $10 (a total steal if you ask me!) "Lucy Brown" is a rock-steady, soulful, funk-filled and downright emotional ride which, for those looking to add something more dynamic to their life (only without necessarily indulging in thrashing guitars), seems like a surefire winner!

Forgotten Gems: Möwer-Bastard Bröthers

Cruel Noise Records
2012

Stop me if you've heard this one before. First, a punk rock band from Pittsburgh (featuring two brothers in Craig and Sean Simpson) discovers that yes, it's alright if you play crazy fast (thanks in no small part to stumbling upon D.R.I.'s classic album, "Crossover"). Afterwards, no doubt through divine inspiration (because after all, Lemmy is God!*), said band is introduced to the almighty Motörhead and, one quick name change later, Möwer is born! "Bastard Bröthers", which was recorded at the Grease Diner, is actually Möwer's second release and (in all seriousness here folks!) it's a gloriously sleazy ride towards rock and roll damnation! It can be checked out here:http://mower.bandcamp.com/album/bastard-br-thers and I just want to give a quick thank you/shout out to the site Rust Belt Hammer ( http://rustbelthammer.com/) which I recently discovered. Covering music from my general part of the country, Rust Belt Hammer actually interviewed this crazy Penn.-based punk n' metal act which is how I was able to gather so much "back-story" on these brothers and their "Sex, drugs and rock n' roll" lifestyle! The groovy "Bastard Bröthers" is available as a digital download (the price is only $1!) and/or on cassette ($4!) so if you've every wanted to know what Motörhead would sound like if they were a Pittsburgh punk n' metal act now is your chance!

*If you've never seen it then check out the movie "Airheads"!

Forgotten Gems: Defiant-Can't Give It Up

I've got the fabulous site Boneyard Metal to thank for this discovery. Released in 1985 on the (fun-named) label Rad Elmo, which may or may not have been a homemade record label of the band's own making, this five-track EP was most-likely only released on vinyl. Featuring Sylvia La Mar on lead vocals, with Kenny Williams (guitars, keyboards), Tracy Wright (bass) and Clark "Moose" Johnson (drums) rounding things out, this was the one and only "official" release from this Hollywood, California act. Mind you that's if you don't count the group's self-titled cassette demo from 1987. That's neither here nor there though when we're talking about this heavy rock-leaning act with sultry and seductive lead vocals!  This female-fronted heavy metal act, which should not be confused with the other Defiant that hailed from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and released "Hear The Laugh" in 1995, gets extra points for Sylvia La Mar alone....even if the rest of the band members present here were no real slouches either!Maybe this one is not up to the standards of similar-themed hard & heavy acts of the mid-eighties (or for that matter some of the female-fronted rock and roll artists that were shinning on a spot-light on how well the leading ladies of the time could compete with their male counterparts!), but as a stand-alone piece it's a fun EP with straight, no-filler numbers and smoking hot lead vocals! Definitely worth downloading if you're into female-fronted heavy metal or the more rock-oriented sounds of eighties metal!

Forgotten Gems: May-Linn's "May-Linn"

Uninspiring name and album art aside, Belgium's May-Linn's lone 1988 album is about as fine of a traditional heavy metal/power metal release as there is! Or at least in regards to one that you've probably never heard of before. Initially this unassuming 8-track release was issued on Shark Records, but thankfully a CD version was released by No Remorse Records in 2010. Opening with the cut "Soldier", which is about as close as one can get to real power metal while still waving the banner for homegrown heavy metal, the release works it's way through one track after another of solid heavy metal while lead vocalist Steen Nielsen breathes life into cuts like "Joey Don't Care", "Breakout" and "Dangerous Games". This Forgotten Gem can be looked at as a great snapshot of the late eighties power metal scene especially in regards to what was going on in Belgium at the time. Along with the likes of Ostrogoth, Crossfire and Warhead this is one of my more favorite "under the radar" type bands that most collectors probably know of, but probably not casual listeners. As a straight-up eighties power metal/eighties metal release this one is hard to pass up and seeing as it can usually be had for under $20 it's one album that I like to recommend for those looking for something new from heavy metal's heyday. The only draw-back to this release (or rather to the 2010 re-release by No Remorse) is the bare-bones booklet. Make that more like a simple inlay as there is literally nothing to it! That's a small nit-pick item though and in no way should it sway you away from adding this golden nugget of eighties metal to your personal collection!  

Forgotten Gems: Force-Set Me Free...From This Pain Inside My Head

I really toyed with the idea of covering this one and done release by the UK's Force as part of my "N.W.O.B.H.M. Wednesday" series. Especially as the oddly-name Force (formerly know as Cryer) were (technically) a part of the movement and the nine-track "Set Ne Free..." was released on Heavy Metal Records*. But, strip away the totally misleading cover art (which likely mislead more then a few lost souls into thinking that this was some sort of wicked heavy metal) and the uninspiring and grotesquely overused moniker and at the heart of it all was a band that (seemingly) aspired to play a 70's progressive rock/melodic hard rock version of American AOR! Given all of that one would imagine that "Set Me Free..." proved to be a major source of disappointment for N.W.O.B.H.M. fans back in the day. Even when you look at this band as a continuation of  the UK's Cryer** (who were more in line with the likes of Deep Purple then Deep Machine!) an album like "Set Me Free..." seems to be more pomp then stomp! And yet (and I'm sure you could see this one coming from a mile away since I've choose to cover this gem and all) there is just something about this early eighties rock album that just does it for me. Lead vocals on "Set Me Free..." were provided by Graham Careless (who still looks to be in the business of rocking out!) and there's something comfortable and familiar about his delivery that puts the listener at ease. He proves equally capable of delivering hard rock numbers like opener "King's Fury" as he does a ballad like "Hesitate" (reportedly a leftover Cryer number). How (or for that matter why) he wasn't tapped for bigger and better things after the demise of Force is one of life's great mysteries. But anyway, backing this superb vocalist up on strings was guitarist Gary Chapman, guitarist Stu Clarke and bass player "Fez" Ferriday. Music-wise these three gentlemen did wonders on cuts like the aforementioned "King's Fury", "Time Is Right", "Footsteps" and "Don't Throw My Love Away". Prior to actually hearing this 1984 release I had read various points of reference ranging from the likes of Dream Theater, Rainbow and Deep Purple to bands like Styx, REO Speedwagon and Supertramp! Even fellow N.W.O.B.H.M. bands like Saracen, Limelight, Solider and Legend have been mentioned in passing when it comes to this UK act. The truth falls somewhere in between I'm afraid so warnings must be issued on the part of this one and done LP. Unless you are willing to expand your mind to the possibilities that a 70's hard rock-leaning, keyboard-heavy (courtesy of one Mr. Pete Wayne with drummer/percussionist Roger Whitehouse rounding out this six piece UK act) progressive rock band with AOR on their mind can work within the confines of a (slightly) N.W.O.B.H.M.-like atmosphere then this one is going to crash and burn right after takeoff. However, if your taste in music is rather colorful and varied (thus leaving you with an open mind and a love, like yours truly and in relation to this article, for everything from Styx to Shiva) then an album like this should leave you with a happy heart! Admittedly the album can be a bit jarring as Force did choose to move all over the map on "Set Me Free..." and that was sometimes just during the course of one song! Take the cut "I Want To See You" for example. The keys suggest an almost Kansas-like band, but then the guitar solos kick in and you find yourself on the receiving end of some gritty, N.W.O.B.H.M-infused 70's heavy metal! Crazy stuff right? Still, it does kind of work so who am I to argue with the direction of Force on said song? And really, other then the album's closing number, "Hold On To Your Love" (which seemed to be Force's attempt to write a radio rock standard, but is instead directionless & commercialized fodder), "Set Me Free..." is track after track of highly versatile rock/hard rock/heavy metal which is (damn right!) enjoyable! This is an album to be heard in it's entirety and one in which it's best to put on the headphones and just slip away. While it's never been released on CD*** you can get a nice digital download off of iTunes which, while not as good as a CD copy (or for that matter a mint LP copy of this gem!), is still a solid investment and one I'd encourage all 70's hard rock, prog rock, (early) AOR and yes, even N.W.O.B.H.M. fans(!), enthusiasts to consider! 

*While not as prolific as Neat Records this N.W.O.B.H.M. label did release material from bands such as Dragster, Handsome Beast, Twisted Ace, Shiva, Bitches Sin, Jaguar, Quartz, Satanic Rites and even Witchfinder General! Not to mention they released the two Heavy Metal Heroes compilations.

**In 1980, when they were still known as Cryer, the band members released a 7" which was called "The Single" (I know, really adventurous title there right? Although my friend Strappado's site does makes mention of it also being known as "The Visionary"). Also, Cryer appeared on 1980 "Brute Force" compilation with the track "Day To Day" which also appears on "Set Me Free...".

*** Who knows who has the rights to all of this, but wouldn't a re-mastered/expanded CD offering of this album be a good idea? If you added all of the Cryer material and had a nice booklet filled with pictures, lyrics, expanded liner notes and even a brief bio you'd be looking at a sure-fire collectors item!

Forgotten Gems: Madison-Diamond Mistress

You'll have to forgive me, but I haven't the foggiest idea when or even how this CD ended up in my collection. It just so happened that one day while I was looking for another album to cover for "Forgotten Gems" I came across "Diamond Mistress". Oddly enough the other release that I was looking for (which has now slipped my mind) was from a band from Sweden. Well, maybe that isn't all that odd as Sweden has produced scores of great bands and (indirectly) albums that are worthy of being called gems. But, that's neither here nor there and right now we're talking about the group Madison and this release which was their 1984 debut album. Originally this album was released on Rixi and unlike a lot of other bands that we've covered in "Forgotten Gems" the band Madison released more material after this. The band, which was formed in 1983 when two other acts (Regent and Destiny) merged together, was fronted by well-known Swedish vocalist Göran Edman. Besides fronting Madison on both of their full-length albums (the other one being 1986's "Best In Show") Göran Edman played with Yngwie Malmsteen, Headless, Jayce Landberg, Richard Andersson, Shadrane, Signum Regis, Time Requiem, John Norum, Street Talk, Kharma, Crossfade (EU), XsavioR, Johansson, Mårran, Vindictiv, Brazen Abbot, Karmakanic and Vinnie Vincent Invasion. That's some track record right? While with Madison Göran sounded great. Or at least on their debut album as that seems to be as far as I've gotten with this Swedish heavy metal band. Of course if you've ever heard him sing on any of the countless other albums that he has contributed to then you'll already be familiar with his powerful set of lungs. If not though then this album is as good a place to start as ever as he sounds killer here! In addition to lead vocalist Göran the band featured future Swedish Erotica member Danne "Dan" Stomberg (who wrote most of the music on "Diamond Mistress" album) on guitars as well as guitarist/backing vocalist Anders Karlson, bassist/backing vocalist Conny Sundquist  and drummer/backing vocalist Peter Fredrickson. On "Diamond Mistress", which keep in mind was released in 1983, there are a few ballads ("Pictures Return" and "Changes". Neither of which threaten to ruin the party or anything by the way), but otherwise this is easily one of the better (unknown) examples of  early heavy metal in all of it's beautiful glory! Helping that argument out is one of the finer opening cuts that you could ever hope to have on an album, "Lay Down Your Arms"! This is classic heavy metal in it's purest form and from the album's opener we are treated to an album that moves along at a brisk pace all while reminding listeners why it is exactly that 80's heavy metal still holds a very special place in our hearts! Easily comparable to early Europe, Treat (although Madison is much heavier), 220 Volta, Spellbound (Swedish version), Fate and the like (as well as offering up diverse spots on "Diamond Mistress" that echo everyone from early Mötley Crüe to MSG and even Judas Priest!) the album features so many cool tracks besides just that killer opener! "Sneakers". "Don´t Go" and the title track are all splendid and then the album closes out almost as good as it started with "Turn Me Loose"! "Diamond Mistress" is a bit of a long shot as far as if it will ever get it's proper due respect, but at least it has shown up on CD and isn't all that hard to actually track down! For fans of early eighties metal this one is a must-buy as everything gels together perfectly from Göran Edman's powerful voice to great guitarists who were long on talent! Madison's "Diamond Mistress" might be a mysterious album due to the fact that I have no clue how I came to possess it, but it's certainly not a mystery when I can and will gladly recommended!

Forgotten Gems: Hardware-Heavy Nights

In 1988 the Dutch band Hardware released their lone-album, "Heavy Nights". Issued on Polypoeka, which was a Spanish label, it featured only six tracks but given that it runs 30:35 ("Foreign Skies", for example of a track on this beauty, is seven minutes long!)  it leaves nothing to be desired! Track after track of gem-worthy heavy metal with a gent named Wim Landers acting as the lead vocalist. Leave it to the a place like the Netherlands to give us such a simple and yet brilliant affair and then make it a one and done release! What gives? Here we have a Dutch band that had to sign with a Spanish label? Why? Seems odd right? I mean considering that Holland (supposedly) had more then it's fair share of in-country labels at the time why was a a cool band like this left to fend for themselves? Whatever the case the effect this album has had on collectors and fans alike speaks volumes as to it's lasting impact. The guitarists  for Hardware were Rob Van Lierop and Hans Heeregrave and what's (also) odd in regards to "Heavy Nights" is the fact that it looks as if none of the guys involved with this release did anything else. Metal wise and all. If someone has information about what happened next for any of the five members of this band I would love to hear from you. And speaking of the members, the other two gentlemen present on this release are Erwin Van Turnhout and Rob Hendriks (bass and drums respectively). Otherwise the only another thing I could dig up was this album was recorded at Chateau Studio's Tilburg. That's it. Seeing as I have yet to see a vinyl copy of "Heavy Nights" I can only go by the brief bits of information that I stumbled upon online. You can get a digital copy of this traditional heavy metal gem from Vibrations Of Doom while my personal copy (acquired in a trade) is a bootleg on Hot Metal Records and is packaged with the 1986 self-titled LP from Belgium's Breathless. the downside of my copy is that it's a less-then-desirable rip and yes, it's a bootleg. I'd much rather have a legit release so the band members could get their proper-due.
Get a digital copy here:
http://vibrationsofdoom.com/test/test2/Hardware2.html

You can listen to the album here:
http://www.metal-samples.com/2012/01/hardware-nld-heavy-nights-1988.html

Forgotten Gems: Profondo Rosso-To Live, And Die, In The UK

Neat Records
1996

True to my word here I am covering this UK act's debut recording. Sure enough I covered their farewell LP first, but that was just a case of dumb blind luck. The line-up on this 11-track release remains the same, but this time around (or really how this 3-piece started off rocking and rolling) the song does not remain the same. Green Day, Nirvana and even Bush (yeah, I was stunned too!) all play a part on this release in addition to (as experienced on their second release) the Sex Pistols and The Clash. Elsewhere there's trips taken to far aways lands where the likes of The Buzzcocks and S.N.F.U. roam free and you can also hear how bands like Jane's Addiction served as early influences. Overall the band's debut-album does feel a bit more "raw" and "free", but it's a very accessible collection of tunes nonetheless. This was an album that I played with my teens around and it everyone seemed to dig it. Now that I have these two albums I plan to hunt down the group's other recordings (one EP for sure).

Forgotten Gems: Profondo Rosso -Next Stop Neurosis

Neat Records
1997

On more occasions then I'd like to admit or even care to remember, which is to say quite a few times, I've been suckered into buying heavy metal lots or, like in this case, a "NWOBHM" lot. Back before I really knew my way around the Internet (and there was still dinosaurs and dial-up connections) it happened a lot as I would just take sellers at their word. These days I know better and am better prepared to do research before I hit either the "bid now" or "buy it now" button. With this 3-piece act I knew that I was not getting a N.W.O.B.H.M. band. Just because they were signed by Neat Records does not mean that they were some sort of British metal act. About the only thing they have in common with other Neat artists is the fact that they hailed from England! As I got it along with Sweet Savage's "Rune", Wraith's "Schizophrenia" and Slander's "Careless Talk Costs Live" (which I already had in it's re-released version) I didn't much care about technicalities. It's merely that I found it kind of funny how much (and how often) people will try to stretch the movement to cover bands like this. I mean at least Slander gets points for their love and devotion of all things N.W.O.B.H.M.! Anyway, the CD's description did mention how, upon signing with Neat Records, they were (supposedly) assigned ex-Tygers of Pan Tang front-man Jess Cox as a manager. That's interesting stuff if it's true and all.  Formed in 1992, and having a sound that owed way more favors to punk rock then it did heavy metal, the band named themselves after Dario Argento's classic 1975 Italian giallo (which is more commonly know these days as "Deep Red" I suspect). What's funny though is how the name choice doesn't really match up with the music on hand. It's possible that the band, which was lead by vocalist/guitarist John Savage, started out a bit more "edgy", but they are nowhere near as dark as their name might imply! After all we are talking about naming your band after a Italian slash-fest! The name choice aside, we're looking at a band/album that reminded me of everyone from (early) Goo Goo Dolls to the Sex Pistols. With bassist Duncan James Garvey (cool name) and drummer Karl Rouleau (also a cool name) on board we find a really steady power trio that rolls out track after track of punk rock and roll cheesiness! As they shuffle about their business on "Next Stop Neurosis" it's easy to pin-point the many bands that these three emulated.
This Sunderland, N.E. England-based band most assuredly loved the likes of The Clash as much as they did The Who. It's said that the group also owed part of their original sound to other influences like  Swervedriver, Jane’s Addiction, Manic Street Preachers and even Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, but that's less obvious (especially on this disc) then bands like The Clash, Goo Goo Dolls and The Sex Pistols. If I walked away with anything (in regards to the album) it was a desire to hear more from the group. So in a way they did get their claws hooked in me. With their only other full-length album, "To Live, And Die, In The UK", on it's way to me as I type this I guess we shall see if musical consistency was a trait that this band flourished in or not.

Forgotten Gem: Bone Shaker-BANG...You're Dead

Turkey Vulture Records
2007

As of late I've been trying (Yet again for what seems like the millionth time!) to clean out all the nooks and crannies of my CD collection. While shifting through a pile that felt as if it was going to engulf my room (Seriously, where did I get all these CDs come from? Have they developed the ability to breed like rats?) Bone Shaker's "BANG...You're Dead" fell out. Needing a break from the mad disaster that was once my bedroom I decided to slid this disc into my CD player and see what was what with this band. Logically there had to have been some reason that I had the album I figured. But, whether I bought it, traded for it or if it was some random gift I just couldn't recall. Looking over our records here at Heavy Metal Time Machine I do see that Metal Mark actually interviewed this group at one time and may have even reviewed this album! I fully admit though that I was just too lazy to scroll down through all the postings so it may or may not be there*. Not that it matters right? Even if Metal Mark did review this album it's brand spanking new to me so hey, why not do a write-up I figure. What's the real harm? With that said let's see what is what with the guys (and gal!) in Bone Shaker. Formed back in 2006 under their original name Unholy, under which they released the one album "13 Ghosts", the heavy metal band would change their name a year later before releasing this album on Turkey Vulture Records. Opting to take the name Bone Shaker seemed like a wise-call to me as there were/are far too many bands with either the name Unholy or the name Unholy plus something or rather. With the move to Bone Shaker came this album and, seeing as it was the same three members in both bands, the transaction must have gone fairly smoothly. Here the name of the game is heavy metal with chief songwriter David "Gonz" Gonzalez handling both lead vocals and guitars while drum duties are taken care of by Brian DeHarde. On bass/vocals you have Camille Gonzalez. That means you've got a heavy metal combo made up of  either a husband-wife or brother-sister. I'm guessing it's the former. As for what kind of heavy metal you're going to get from this Milwaukee trio? Well, here's a clue. This album features three, yes count them, three songs with hell in the title. You've got "Hell and Back", "Raising Hell" and "Hell Razor"! So, with this band, or rather on this album, you're looking at a heavy metal that is somehow old-school, think W.A.S.P. (only with a bite more of a raw vibe) or maybe older Accept (pre-"Balls To The Wall" meaning with less AC/DC going on), without sounding like an 80's metal album. That might not sound like such a hard feat, but when you've got all these metal tracks with hell in the title (as well as a track called "How we Rock"!), you're just screaming for it to sound like retro "80's metal". If you've confused as to what's the difference between this form of old-fashioned metal and "80's metal" (as a genre) then be sure to click here: http://www.bnrmetal.com/v3/genres/one/8 . If not then just trek on as this 10-track album sounds for all the world as if you've got these three musicians who were big fans of early W.A.S.P. and bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Accept. No doubt they said "Anything they can do we can do to!" and from there it just steamrolled With quality in mind, as this is quality heavy metal if nothing else, the three set out to record "BANG...You're Dead" and, for the most part, they succeeded in creating one of those albums that will appeal to older heavy metal fans. It's really not all W.A.S.P. worship (even if this does sound to me a lot like early Blackie Lawless and company!)or all Accept or what have you. There is everything from Iron Maiden to Kiss to be found within this release. It's just that W.A.S.P. would be my first reference point with Accept and maybe Judas Priest following closely behind. So yeah, it's worth pointing out that while a band like Bone Shaker might be considered to be more of a "new" act then write material that would appeal to fans of "older" metal. If that describes you then Bone Shaker might be worth investigating. Fans of the previously mentioned acts should like this Milwaukee band as well as those folks who enjoy solo Ozzy (more of his earlier material), the heavier side of Twisted Sister (if there really is such a thing!) and maybe even Motörhead! The only drawback to this album is the lead vocals which could be better. Otherwise this album proved to be a pleasant surprise as it reminded me of a time when heavy metal was still exciting. To a point it still is although it's getting harder and harder to find these kinds of bands that want to play no-frills, blue-collar heavy metal without all the flash and splash that comes from having an "image". I close acknowledging the fact that I'm torn between wanting to hear more from this band** (as there is a great deal of potential here ) and the fear that any other material would suffer the same cruel fate as this one (so-so vocals which do little to enhance the cause or advance the band's standing). So this may or may not be my last time hanging out with a "new" Bone Shaker album. Time will tell.

*After finishing up this review I took the time to go back and dig around in our previous postings. I discovered that Metal Mark had reviewed this album and, in addition to the W.A.S.P. and Accept reference points, he brought up Grim Reaper. I must admit that I didn't hear that as much my first time through the album so I may just have to go back and give it another spin soon!

**The band did release a follow-up album in 2009 called "Union".

 

Forgotten Gems: Dagger-Fate Of A Violent World

North American Music
1994 

Here's an example finding something that you didn't even know you were looking for. While searching for information on Stockholm, Sweden's Dagger (and their "Mainline Riders" 7 inch) for review purposes I came across another Dagger and, what appears to be, their sole release. After I finished up my original review of "Mainline Riders" I turned my attention back to this New York four piece and this 11-track LP. As I was able to secure a used copy for less then a dollar (and what appears to be a signed copy nonetheless!) I went ahead and just bought "Fate Of A Violent World" on a whim. Up front it's obvious why this band didn't survive. Being that it was 1994, when grunge was still golden, this four piece act and their style of music didn't stand a snowballs chance in hell of  being accepted. Why you ask? Was it that it wasn't any good? The answer to that second question is that this Dagger was actually really good and, even more so, there are some cuts on their sole album that are quite catchy and straight-up solid. The problem was that this kind of band, and the honest hard rock/heavy metal to be found on this album, was way out of vogue. Lead by Rob Rage, with some nice and crunchy guitar solos from Steve Anthony, the band existed in-between hair metal and traditional heavy metal meaning they were alienated by both groups. Well, there's that and then theirs the fact that any band that dared to call themselves "metal" faced an uphill struggle. When I first read about this album it came packed with suggestions that the music on hand fell within Keel's territory or even that it might appeal to fans of Blitzkrieg (The California one that was released the excellent "Ready for Action"), Panther and Odin. That was from some of the fine folks over at Heavy Harmonies (one of whom tagged the band as being like Kid Wicked which I'm not completely sold on) and I'll just say that they just about hit the nail on the head perfectly when it comes to "Fate Of A Violent World". This Dagger also reminds me a bit of L.A.'s Lion and also Dorian Grey. The rhythm section on this album was bassist Tony Redd and drummer Woody Stevens and all told this New York act did have some smoking tracks. Cuts like "Face To Face",  "I Am What I Am" and "Live It Up" are actually rather heavy metallic rockers. Then there are cuts like the melodic "Radio City" which are catchy even if there a tad soft. The different feel between these tracks gives this CD a wider sense of appeal as does the combination of "Follow The Leaders" and "In Hell With Glory". These two cuts combine to offer up more of an emotional take on hard rock and it's interesting to note that here you had this normal, everyman group that was stretching their boundaries out into atmospheric rock. It's actually a bit bold for a band like Dagger, but then again you do get the overall impression that these New Yorkers were making music for themselves first and foremost. Without there being any real dubs on Dagger's sole-release this is one of those albums that I will readily check back into when I'm in the mood for hard rock/heavy metal.

 

Forgotten Gems: X-Sinner-Get It

Pakaderm/A&M
1989

It was sometime between 1989 and 1990 when, for more then a few months (maybe even a year?), I had a change in my conscious and I started listening to nothing but Christian rock and heavy metal. Come to think of it we might be talking about being closer in time to 1991, but so much of my middle to late teenager years have become a blur. It's a lesson for another place and another time kids, but let's just say that treating your body like a guinea pig it's the right way of living. Anyway, it was sometime back in high school when I started getting into the whole "White Metal" scene. As I had loved AC/DC prior to this point I was thrilled to hear that there was this Christian hard rock band that had AC/DC's sound down pat. That group was X-Sinner who, having been been formed in Michigan in 1988 by guitarist Greg Bishop, released this John and Dino Elefante-produced album in 1989. While it's true that the band's sound also borrowed from the likes of Cinderella, Def Leppard ("Livin' On The Edge"), Krokus, Whitesnake and Kix it was AC/DC's trade-mark sound that rang true the first time I put my cassette copy of "Get It" into my Walkman! A big part of that had to do with lead vocalist David Robbins. If you had closed your eyes back then (and didn't know any better) then you would have been forgiven for confusing David Robbins for Brian Johnson. As it wasn't a subtle comparison by any stretch of the imagination it would only have any taken a few turns here or there to turn X-Sinner, who had moved from Michigan to L.A. by the time they signed their first contract, into a secular AC/DC tribute band! Which brings me to my next point. As I, as well as countless other fans of AC/DC, had turned to the group as a Christian alternative to the "Highway To Hell" bunch, I found it funny (Or is it funny sad?) that later on the group (reportedly) tried to wash their hands of the whole Christian and "White Metal" tags. You might say "But, isn't their name "X-Sinner" as in a former sinner?". Well, and again this is something I can't get 100% verification of, it was later on when their drummer Mike Buckner reportedly claimed that they had originally gone for the name Sinner, but then compromised and settled in on X-Sinner. Whatever the case "Get It" was considered a Christian release and it was a well talked about and well-received Christian release. Lyrically it's also very easy to catch what these guys are pitching (even if the pitching often came with some cheesy lines). The 4-piece act, which was rounded out by the effective rhythm section of bassist Ron Kniep and drummer Mike Buckner, would end up getting nominated for a Dove award (kind of like the Christian version of the Grammy awards) and (according to Wikipedia) had three number one singles for this album and five top ten singles. I'm assuming that was on Christian rock radio back in the day, but regardless they were well-embraced by the Christian community. So, when is a Christian band not really a Christian band? That is the question with X-Sinner, but it doesn't matter much when we're talking about this album and it's really cool rock sound. With David Raven (drums) and former Kansas member/producer John Elefante (keyboards) helping out as guest musicians their debut album, "Get It", featured 10-tracks with none of the tracks being anything less then good. Just like some of the bands that these guys drew from early on (especially AC/DC and Krokus) X-Sinner wrote catchy, foot-stomping, "throw those hands in the air folks", rough and ready rock and roll. The guitars leads from Greg Bishop smoked and the band sizzled their way through cuts like "Medicine", "Steppin' On Toes", "Hearts On Fire" and "Livin' on the Edge". In a nutshell the album is a fun listen and it comes across as everyman hard rock/heavy metal. On "Get It" X-Sinner was showing off their love of gritty rock and roll and made no bones about it. These cuts come from a band that played music with some boogie and some drop-dead beats to it. That band changed on album number two though as vocalist Rex Scott (ex-Zion) came into the picture. With a change of vocalists came a change in the sound and even though the new album (1991's "Peace Treaty") was good it just didn't have the same fun and laid back feeling of "Get It". Or at least for me as I do know that there are tons of people who love album number two more then this 10-track debut. While I bought the new album on tape I know I didn't listen to it more then once or twice. It wasn't "Get It", but let's face it there will never likely be another album like "Get It". It was a time and place thing when I, like so many other kids, needed something more positive to focus on. We also needed something that wasn't afraid to show off it's metal muscles and barroom rock mentality. That was the real reason "Get It" appealed so much because it wasn't all glossy and squeaky clean. It sounded like a real rock record from a real rock band. The production, which was unpolished, actually benefited the group as it helped set the tone for X-Sinner's gritty street rock. It stills does. As I'm typing this up I've been llistening to "Get It" and it still sounds good thanks in no small part to John and Dino Elefante's low key "Let's step back and let the band do it's thing" production job. In closing "Get It" is a timeless rock record for me. Even if  I'm back to listening to AC/DC these days, I still think "Get It" is a cool record with lots of crazy hooks and lyrics that stick in your head long after you've played it. It's those gritty Brian Johnson-like vocals that make the album seem like a AC/DC clone and yet it's those same rough vocals that make me want to listen to this album over and over again. So yeah, for a album that I once wore out on tape as a teenager I still listen to it as an adult. Only now it's a digital album that has replaced my old cassette tape! 

Forgotten Gems: Panndora-Heretic's Box

If anyone has noticed, which would naturally mean that my hit count had gone from zero to one or more LOL, I'm actually covering this Brazilian act's catalog backwards. Having reviewed the band's 2012, 3-track EP, "Behind the Crime", earlier this month (link below) I'm now turning my attention to this LP which, in addition to being another self-produced/self-released affair, is the band's sophomore output. Whew, now that we have all of that out of the way let's crack open "The Heretic's Box" and take a look inside. As noted on my previous review of Panndora, which is worth reading if you're interested in the back-story of this all female heavy metal group, these fine ladies are another example of retro-metal worship in all it's glorious colors! The difference with Panndora is that, unlike the bulk of retro-metal bands these days, their sound is more natural and free-flowing. In a way I'd compare them to Ladybeast and The Sign Of the Jackal in that these heavy metal ladies don't try to copy their heroes, but instead take their influences and, in a case of practice makes perfect, rock the living daylights out of them! It's as though Panndora actually know what they like (in this case it's everything from Doro/Warlock to Iron Maiden) and yet they fully understand that being a carbon-copy of those acts is just not cool. How I do wish that more new, up and coming, traditional metal bands would follow suite. While we all love the greats (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, etc.) do we really need 1,000 new bands sounding exactly like them? Even if it's played in sincere fashion it still sucks the air out of an enthusiasm that I might have for one of my favorite genres. Thankfully Panndora really don't sound just like band A, B or C even when they end up covering a particular artist. On this sophomore release the band choose Running Wild as their subject choice and they pull it off admirably. Mark that one down as another influence although fans seeking female-fronted metal should realize that these fine ladies are more of a combination of 80's heavy metal and the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene. It's just too bad that more people haven't taken notice of the talent level presented here, let alone the marketability of this group, as Panndora could prove to much more then this hand-drawn album art might imply.




http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Panndora

Forgotten Gems: Dumpster Juice-That Not So Fresh Feeling

Spanish Fly Records
1993

Dumpster Juice and I go way back. Our history goes back to the days of paper music catalogs and to a day and age where music wasn't just a click away to check out. Back when this album first came out I had nothing to go by except for a small description tacked on under the album's title. I'm not sure if this was actually a catalog put out by Spanish Fly Records or if it was some other kind of catalog. Note that it doesn't really matter as this is what intrigued me (and I'm paraphrasing this): "sounds like a cross between Ministry and Pantera". As such I sent off a money order for this CD and began the long waiting game. Once this CD finally showed up I ran upstairs to my room and threw this in my stereo. I was buzzing with anticipation as I hit play. Then reality gave me a wake-up call. What was placed in my lap was not what I would have called "Ministry meets Pantera" as I expected the industrial leanings of Al's group. Instead this was more thrash-oriented Ministry with Pantera's groove tacked on. I listened to the album once and then promptly traded away my copy. Years later another copy came my way thanks to a garage sale and a "as is" box of CDs (as the whole box was marked with one price) so I ended up with another copy of the album. I'd like to say that I immediately gave them another chance, but this disc ended up shelved yet again. Finally (again, years later!) I pulled this one out to see if anything had changed and to Dumpster Juice's credit they were much more then just a "cross between Ministry and Pantera". This Minneapolis act, who were formed in 1990, are (and pardon my French here) the shit as I finally figured out that Dumpster Juice takes some of the weirder moments of Ministry and yes, the groove of Pantera, but they add on the likes of S.N.F.U., Dayglo Abortions, Butthole Surfers and Sloppy Seconds to give their sound more of a nasty punch! On "That Not So Fresh Feeling" this 4-piece act plays alcohol-fueled garage metal that's every bit as punk as the album cover would lead you to believe! This is not your next-door neighbors heavy metal band as Dumpster Juice proves that cuts like "Wipe" and "Quart Bottle Date" are on the same wave length as Motörhead only difference is these guys you have the ability to cater towards M.D.C. and Jerry's Kids fans as well! Having now been listening to this album every couple of weeks I've finally looked into other albums by Dumpster Juice and have 2 new ones headed towards my mailbox. I'm hoping they carry the same kind of abrasive attitude as this 11-track LP does!

Forgotten Gems: Rellik-Killer

Iron Glory Records
2001

As I was adding this album/compilation to my "Current Playlist" feature for the week it dawned on me that it would make a pretty good "Forgotten Gem" addition. Based out of San Jose, California the band Rellik (not to be confused with the half-dozen other similarly name outfits) was formed back in 1983. "Killer" (which is just Rellik spelled backwards) is a post-breakup compilation album which collected the EP "Remember The Future", which they self-released in 1986, the group's one demo ("1990 Demo") and a few unreleased songs. The group was lead by Mike "Sleaze" Moore and featured guitarist Michael Scott as well as three musicians with ties to cult eighties heavy metal band Tyton (guitarist Kent Robertson, bassist Fabrice Bellini and well-traveled drummer Steve Pelletier*). Musically these guys took the best parts of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden and mixed them with the likes of Exciter and Grim Reaper. While it's not quite as epic as that might sound, as the band does occasional fall into the old sameness trap where some songs blur together and they had that "raw" vibe going for them, the band has a ton of energy and spirit which shines through. Or at least they did at the time. Eighties metal fanatics will appreciate this compilation and it's pretty easy to find on Ebay for a reasonable price. 


* Steve Pelletier is a well-traveled drummer indeed. He's also played with Hellbound, Ikki Crane and Rapid Fire.

Forgotten Gems: The Spades-Learnin' The Hard Way

Go Cart Records
2004

Forget everything you think you know about hard-living, punk-fueled, biker sleaze-rock. The Spades are about to school you in the fine art of all things greasy and grizzly/hard and heavy. This is spit in your face/loudmouth heavy rock born from those who grew up down and out. Straight from the word go the members of The Spades were finding themselves in trouble so it's no wonder that the music here bleeds angst and frustration. Despite the inner-city, anywhere U.S.A. look in their eyes these guys come from across the pound. The Netherlands that is. Yes, The Netherlands. That just goes to show you that growing up down and out doesn't have to be limited to those living here in the States. Not at all. Of course where they come from means little compared to what they can teach you about real punk and roll. For this band it's all about playing pissed-off, mean metal. Let's roll off the obligatory names. Motörhead, Ramones,MC5, Dead Boys, AC/DC, Black Flag and The Hellecopters all resonate throughout this release. Don't let that fool you though. This is the real deal. All of those bands just get smashed together with those results being one bad mother of a rock platter. The Spades are guys straight out of the streets who, having seen their fair share of misery and bigotry, found that they were tired of having to just "fall in line" so they picked up their guitars and played. And play they did. "Learnin' the Hard Way" is 17 tracks of gut-punching mean music. It's not pretty. It's raw and real. It's also hard hitting in a "Open your eyes and see the lies right in front of you" kind of way. I can't and won't pretend like I know what it's like to walk a mile in the shoes of these six guys (Denvis Wankalot - Vocals, Barry Black - Guitar, Tony Slug - Guitar, Enus - Guitar, Dick Spade - Bass and Son Of A Cop - Drums), but I will say that it makes for some killer punk metal/rock and roll!

Forgotten Gems: Blood Of Kings-Blood Of Kings

Self-Release
2011

Is Seattle,Washington becoming the new Bay Area? Hear me out. With some insanely talented young bands (Sword Of Judgement anyway?) calling this coffee central city their hometown it's not all that much of a stretch. The latest group to catch my attention is Blood Of Kings. While they don't need me to serve as a hype machine (their music will do just fine thank you very much!) Forgotten Gems is all about sharing music whether old, or in the case of Blood Of Kings, a bit newer. That's the thing with Blood Of Kings. Yes, they are a "newer" band, but their roots, or as Sepultura put it "Roots Bloody Roots", run deep. Blood Of Kings features two guys who were in H.M.P. (Heavy Metal Poetry) in Pete Yore(bass/vocals) and Eric Jelsing (drums). H.M.P., a thrash metal band, released a full-length album and two EPs. In Blood Of Kings the pair is aided by guitarist/vocalist Nick Paul, formerly of the bands Wolves in the Throne Room and Stormcrow. This 4-track demo cassette was recorded with Greg Wilkinson (Ghoul, Insect Warfare, Saviors, Stormcrow) at Earhammer Studios in Oakland, CA.  Skip past the questionable demo artwork (Not very "metal" looking at all is it?) and you'll find this 3-piece band with an amazingly consistent and mature sound. For their first recording the band is spot on. They fuse old school speed and thrash metal together with elements of traditional heavy metal and US power metal. The closest point of reference would be early Washington State act Metal Church. Take the self-titled debut album from Metal Church, replace the late great David Wayne with a singer who offers up raw, raspy vocals (Not to worry they don't ruin the party) and add a little more of a homegrown/underground appeal and there you have Blood Of Kings. Sure, you might be saying "Isn't this  just another, in the long line of already established young bands, new band trying to copy a style and sound that is historically reserved in it's own time and place?". Is this just another new band that is trying to tap into the energy of the past or are they trying to keep true metal alive? It's more of the latter. Much more. This young band is keeping things old school, but they have forged their own path. The sound is solid like the heavy metal bands of old while maintaining a newer, more modern take on the genre. Armed with a unique sound, and empowered with talent to spare, Blood Of Kings is one band you've got to keep a close eye on. Especially if you love REAL metal. As the band is currently recording their debut full-length album at Witch Ape Studios (with Tad Doyle at the helm), 2013 should be a good year for Blood Of Kings and a good year for those of us that love good speed/power/thrash metal. Be sure to check them out for yourself. 



https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blood-Of-Kings/166688440059586