October 31-Metal Massacre 31

Hell's Headbangers
2016

It is November 2nd and I am now two days late with this piece. I had every intention of posting this review on Halloween, but sometimes life....well, it just gets in the way of things. Actually, is it life that's the problem or is it my demonically-possessed home computer? Whatever the case, October 31 has a new album out and I couldn't be happier! Seeing as I've covered this traditional heavy metal band plenty of time over the years I won't go into any long winded bits about the who, what and where of October 31. That's not to say that stuff isn't important, but it kind of takes a backseat to matters when you are talking about a new October 31 disc that is all covers! Yes, you heard me right. Named after the Metal Blade Records' sampler series that started it all(!),  "Metal Massacre 31" is nothing but cover songs from one band that sure as hell knows how to pull them off! As a long time fan of King Fowley (Deceased, ex-Doomstone, ex-Abominog) and company I have enjoyed the numerous tributes that October 31 has dolled out since first forming in 1995. On their very first demo, 1996's "Voyage to Infinity", this Virginia-based metal band covered the Warlord classic, "Child of the Damned". From there we heard cover songs from Witchkiller, Lizzy Borden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Uriah Heep, and even Mötley Crüe! The thing is those were just cover songs on official October 31 releases. This band has also appeared on tribute albums to Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Riot!  So, yes, October 31 obviously has no problems as far as paying tribute to other artists. All of which brings us straight back to this wicked awesome /must-have recording. Due out on November 25th, "Metal Massacre 31" is made up of cover songs that are exclusive to the Metal Massacre series. Or at least the first seven volumes! Starting off with Death Dealer's "Cross My Way" (from Metal Massacre IV), October 31 covers both "well-known" bands from the series (Omen, Tyrant, and Hallow's Eve) and some of more obscure ones (Aloha, Final Warning, Titanic, and War Cry). There's Demon Flight's "Dead of the Night" from the first Metal Massacre compilation and the aforementioned Hallow's Eve from Metal Massacre VI. Along with "Heavy Metal Virgins" by Aloho and Tyrant's "The Battle of Armageddon" you get to hear October 31's take on Omen's "Torture Me" and they even cover Sacred Blade's "The Alien"! Over the course of this 30 minute plus album, October 31 ultimately pays homage to ten bands. Whether it's power metal bands like Titanic ("The Awakening") and Final Warning ("the Warrior") or just the plain old fashioned thrash of Omen, October 31 gives it a go with plenty of gusto to spare! At the end of the day that is really what I love about this classic band. Just like every other recording that October 31 has laid to tape, "Metal Massacre 31" is as fun as it is technically sound. The album is spiked with adrenaline and King Fowley's enthusiasm is as contagious as it has ever been! For October 31 fans this one is a given!!!






PS: If you've never heard October 31 before then this cleverly-titled album is as good a place to start as any. Available for pre-order by heading here, "Metal Massacre 31" goes a long way towards showing the heart and soul of this highly-energetic traditional heavy metal band. Lead by the one and only King Fowley, October 31's inspired brand of fist bangin' metal was built by heavy metal fanatics in order to serve other heavy metal fans. While it's true that King Fowley's vocal delivery might not suite all taste buds, October 31 as a whole is just way too much fun to pass up! All of the musicians in October 31 love what they do and that kind of epic enthusiasm  is sorely missing in the today's heavy metal scene.







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Free Metal Monday: Hells Headbash Part 2

Hells Headbangers has this awesome 30+ track compilation available for free and you can you can find it here. Along with music from some of my key faves like Acid Witch, October 31 and High Spirits this utterly wicked comp. includes unreleased upcoming tracks from Satanic Warmaster, Profanatica, Abysmal Lord, Archgoat, Nyogthaeblisz, Bonehunter, Demonic Christ, Embalmer and Evil Army! All of which just makes me say "Wow!" as this is one rage-worthy download if ever there was one!! And yes, I do love that cover artwork!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

"Thunder And Steel Down Under"-A Tribute To Riot

Skol Records
2015


It's another fine Metal Monday so check this one out my friends and fellow metalheads. It's way past the point of being long-overdue, but Skol Record's "Thunder And Steel Down Under" is the first ever Riot tribute album. The fact that it has taken so long to put one together is wrong on so many levels, the least of which is A) how universal Riot's form of U.S. power metal is and then (as heard on this limited edition CD) B) how easily it lends itself to being covered. Thankfully this 14-track compilation not only addresses this gross negligence, but it does so in grand fashion and with the exact kind of style and grace befitting of such a classic band as Riot! And speaking of classics, "Thunder And Steel Down Under" features more than a few golden gems from Riot's amazing back catalog and they are given the royal treatment by many a great band that has already been featured here on Heavy Metal Time Machine! We're talking about the likes of Crystal Viper, Night Demon, October 31 and Rocka Rollas  (to name just a few) and here on the limited-edition "Thunder And Steel Down Under" these four bands join up with ten other great artists in order to pay homage to one of heavy metal's true unsung heroes! Obviously not all tribute albums are created equally and compilations in general can be so hit or miss. We all know this to be a sad fact of life. But again, we are talking about Riot and if any band has a back catalog that is perfectly suited for covering it would be this one. And it should go without saying, but on "Thunder And Steel Down Under" the list of bands that Skol Records assembled for this project is impressive. Besides those mentioned we have Savage Master, Attacker, Dexter Ward and Axel Rudi Pel (again just to name a few!) and it all adds up to one album that was so damn-near perfect that I had to stop and ponder the fact on more than one occasion! So, without further adieu let's jump right into this Riot tribute album! Produced by the one and only Bart Gabriel (Sacred Steel, Crystal Viper, Jack Starr's Burning Starr), "Thunder And Steel Down Under" is indeed a rare specimen in that it offers a tribute album that is actually worthy of the band of which it covers! Crazy right? Well, as strange as that sounds its the truth. We start things off with Ferdy Doernberg's brief instrumental take on "Soldier" before we are bowled over by Axel Rudi Pell's version of "Warrior". So far so good right? It only gets better friends as "Fire Down Under" sounds great in Attacker's hands! Already we see how right Riot's music can sound in the hands of those who share a true love and appreciation for the band and their remarkable brand of traditional and power metal! It should be noted at this point that income from the sale of this special album will be given to Sir Tony Reale (father of the late Riot guitarist and founding member, Mark Reale) so we're talking about great metal music for a great cause! It's win-win time all around! But anyway, Walpyrgus is up next with "Outlaw" and if you haven't figured it out for yourself by now let me just say again how well-suited this band is in regards to being covered! Wow. Riot is really something in regards to their back catalog and how many killer songs they have and it's a treat to hear how easily it transforms into straight-ahead metal and heavy power metal/thrash! When we are talking about Riot we are talking about the kind of traditional heavy metal  band that should be huge! Their form of power metal is absolutely slamming and yet it's so well-written and constructed that it can be turned on it's head and still sound fantastic! Few bands can stake that kind of claim, but then again Riot is in a league of their own. All of which begs the question why it hasn't happened sooner? Why has it taken so long for this classic American band to get a tribute album all their own? I wish I knew. Anyway, Savage Master is on board now with "Swords And Tequila" and it's at this point that we hear one of the only so-so tracks on the compilation. It's not that Savage Master is bad or anything. In truth I happen to love the band and their debut album received high marks for all of us here at Heavy Metal Time Machine. Even so I will admit that their cover of "Swords And Tequila" sounds coldly hollow when compared to the original. And that's a shame as "Swords And Tequila"is an absolute classic in it's own right. But hey, they can't all be winners right? From Savage Master we turn to  the neoclassical style of Angelo Perlepes' Mystery. I enjoyed their cover of "Sign Of The Crimson Storm" as it has a Dio flair to it. Next up is October 31 and they take on "Loanshark". Now the guys in October 31st are no strangers when it comes to cover songs so finding them on a Riot tribute album isn't all that surprising. What is surprising though is how little their cover of "Loanshark" sounds like the original. It's more of a punk thrash take on Riot and depending upon whether you are a fan of October 31or not you will either love it or hate it. I like it quite a bit as it is different in a good way and it offers a unique perspective of the music of Riot. From there we are served up one choice cover after another from band's here in the U.S. and bands from over in Europe. To save a bit of time and space the remainder of this tribute album looks something like this:

Alpha Tiger- "Flight Of The Warrior" (A solid cover that is a nice mix of flash and fury)
Stallion-"Rock City" (Good even if it can't touch the originals appeal)
Rocka Rollas-"Riot" (Nothing fancy or anything it's just the Rocka Rollas doing their thing)
Evil United-"Altar Of The King" (A Straight down the middle of the road shooter that hits it's target dead on)
Night Demon-"Road Racin'" (One of my favorite Riot numbers done by one of my favorite new bands)
Dexter Ward-"Running From The Law" (Totally kicking cover choice done right)
Crystal Viper feat. Todd Michael Hall-"Thundersteel" (A nice way to end this tribute)

As they are all really good covers there is no reason to get too technical about each track. Still, highlights for me (band-wise) would have to be: Rocka Rollas, Evil united, Night Demon and Dexter Ward. Especially Night Demon. Their cover selection has always been a guilty pleasure of mine so having one of my new favorites cover one of my old favorites was simply cool. And that's really what this tribute album is all about
when you get down to it! "Thunder And Steel Down Under" is all about a great group of bands and artists (both new and not so new) coming together to celebrate one of metal's finest bands and the life of one of it's finest members (Mark Reale). If the actual music isn't enough to sway you though then consider the fact that this compilation comes packed with a nice booklet with notes from each band. Consider it a little bonus if you will. In the end "Thunder And Steel Down Under" makes up for a great deal of lost time. It addresses a  gaping hole that previously existed and it honors not only Riot, but the bands that Riot influenced. As it is limited to a mere 1,000 copies I would definitely recommend that you not wait too long to buy this fantastic CD. It's worth every penny and it's for a good cause. What more could a Riot fan ask for?

October 31-Bury The Hatchet

Hells Headbangers
2014

Due for release on October 14th, "Bury The Hatchet" is the forth full-length album from heavy metal legends October 31. It's also the group's first full-length album since "No Survivors" and that particular disc came out in 2005! So yeah, it has been nine years since we last heard from King Fowley and company. That's nine LONG years and about eight too many if you ask me, but hey, it's better late then never! And man, is it ever good to see October 31 return with a thunderous record like this! Joining King Fowley (vocals/drums) here on "Bury The Hatchet" is ex-Overlord guitarist Brian "Hellstorm" Williams and bassist Jim Hunter of While Heaven Wept and Twisted Tower Dire. As per usual King Fowley (also of death thrashers Deceased) fills in the spaces with his perfectly-suited voice and fantastic drumming while the "string" section here is nothing short of spectacular! "Bury The Hatchet" finds October 31 rampaging through thick waves of traditional (head banging!) heavy metal and speed metal while rolling out the same (Read: Always Awesome!) kind of monster riffs and fanatical drumming that the band has become known for! For fans of October 31 the wait will have been worth it as "Bury The Hatchet" continues this band's crusade to bring traditional heavy metal back to the spotlight. With a total of ten tracks and a run-time of nearly 42 minutes, "Bury The Hatchet" is classic metal for the modern age. For those who love straight-up, fist-bangin' and head thrashin' METAL it simply does not get better then this!

Free Metal Monday: Hells Headbangers-Compilation vol. 7

Home to such acts as High Spirits, Witch Cross, Tiger Junkies and Midnight (all of which, besides being  fave moments of mine/bands we've covered here at HMTM, are included on this wicked awesome digital compilation!) Hells Headbangers is a label that covers a lot of ground (genre-wise) not only with it's roster of artists, but on track-wise on "Compilation vol. 7". This freebie is simply the latest cool compilation from this very cool label and besides the already mentioned four acts this 21-track release features the likes of October 31, Children Of Technology, Nunslaughter, Cemetery Lust, Evilnight, Nocturnal Graves and Zemial! You can find it here: http://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com/album/free-compilation-vol-7  and, if that's not enough excitement for you, you can preview/download the previously released compilations here: http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/freeoffers.asp

October 31-Meet Thy Maker (2014 Re-Release)

Hells Headbangers
2014

Originally released in 1999, and serving as the full-length follow-up to the October 31 album "The Fire Awaits You", "Meet Thy Maker" is a case study in how take something that was good (ie: This band's already distinct take on horror-themed traditional heavy metal) and make it ever better! This sophomore release saw the band, which was lead as always by Deceased's King Fowley (vocals and drums), add a rhythm guitarist to the fold by the name of Kevin Lewis (Cryptameria, Nailhead and Overlord). The "two guitar attack plan" allowed for more versatility all-around out of October 31 and it certainly seems as if it helped to light a creative fire under guitarist Brian "Hellstorm" Williams because his lead solos here are nothing short of bad ass! With bass duties being taken care of once more by Jim Hunter (While Heaven Wept, Twisted Tower Dire) this new four-piece brought a shit-load of enthusiasm and energy to the party making the difference between album number one by October 31 and album number two stick out like a sore thumb! Things get turned up to 11 (I love you Spinal Tap!) as King Fowley takes his boys on a journey into the heart of darkness all while tearing the f**k out of anything and anyone that comes in their way! These four gentlemen serve up a huge can of whoop-ass by means of this wicked combination of "Killers"-era Iron Maiden,  "Painkiller"-era Judas Priest and"South of Heaven"-era Slayer! If all of that sounds cool on paper just wait until you get a load of it in live, dripping buckets of blood baby, color! If the original album wasn't cool enough (I mean, it came with a snapping Saxon cover in the form of "Power and the Glory" folks so what more could you ask for????) this upcoming re-release will also feature bonus material including the group's 1998 EP, "Visions of the End"! That alone would make this re-issue a real treat (especially as this bunch pulls off a smashing cover of  Lizzy Borden's "Give 'Em the Axe" on said EP!), but then you also get the following bonus material as well:

1)"When Darkness Covers the Sun" (which was recorded during the sessions for "Meet Thy Maker" and is one fiery slab of primitive heavy metal goodness!)

2) A 1997 demo version of "The Chosen One" 

3) A 1999 demo version of "Meet Thy Maker" with Chuck Parsons on lead vocals (Very cool and gritty version to boot!)

4) A live version of "The Chosen One" from 2000 with Shawn Pelata on lead vocals (Again, a cool version that is raw, but real and very METAL if you know what I mean!!!)

So, what it all comes down to is this. With this upcoming 2014 re-release of "Meet Thy Maker" Hells Headbangers has delivered the goods as far as choice bonus material and this is a MUST OWN for fans of October 31! With a new album also scheduled for 2014 it looks as if good things are in store for King Fowley and his crew although (and I hate to say this as I am really starting to dig this group) the chances of October 31 suddenly having a breakout moment are probably slim. This sort of heavy metal comes from the heart and is wicked cool, but let's face it today's kids just don't seem to be all that interested in "normal" heavy metal anymore. Instead of having it served straight-up it has to be mixed with this or that which is a shame as October 31 has so much to offer metalheads who like their metal with muscle and menace! Still, I'll keep on shouting from the rooftops about this kind of traditional heavy metal until my dying day because it's in my blood and a band like October 31 fills me with warm feelings! Yeah!

October 31-The Fire Awaits You (2014 Re-Release)

Hells Headbangers
2014

With October 31 becoming a part of the Hells Headbanger family (which sure seems like a match made in heaven doesn't it!!!!) fans and collectors alike will soon be treated to deluxe re-reissues of the group's first two albums. Released back in 1997, "The Fire Awaits You" was the first full-length release from October 31 and it officially introduced the band's distinct take on all things heavy and loud  to a scene that (at the time) had no idea what was awaiting them! For the most part the heavy metal community did embrace the band back then and, as far as debut albums go, "The Fire Awaits" shows a band that was good, but had much more to offer in the years that would follow. If nothing else this album, which was recorded at Oblivion Studios in Upper Marlboro, MD in the spring of 1997, showcases the "humble" roots of King Fowley (vocals, drums and keyboards) and company as they created their own brand of horror-themed heavy metal by combining elements of speed metal, traditional heavy metal, N.W.O.B.H.M. and horror punk together! Standing beside King Fowley (also of Deceased) and his commanding vocal delivery are guitarist Brian Williams and bassist Jim Hunter. Collectively they make an imposing terror trio and while this album isn't quite up to par with October 31's excellent sophomore release ("Meet Thy Maker") it's still a fun album to put on in the background for when you find yourself in a "metal mood"! As an added bonus this re-issue comes with the group's 1996 demo, "Voyage to Infinity" (which included a cool cover of  Warlord's "When Darkness Covers The Sun"), and features two additional covers in the form of  "I Don't Know" by Ozzy Osbourne and "Public Enemy Number One" by Iron Maiden. All three covers are interesting as they are not just cookie-cutter copies of the originals. Instead each track offers something different as October 31's unique take on the who traditional heavy metal sound is itself different! My only gripe with these covers is the Iron Maiden choice. Choosing a number from "No Prayer for the Dying" makes little to no sense as King Fowley would have destroyed life itself if he would have tackled something from any of Iron Maiden's first seven albums! Instead October 31 covers a Iron Maiden track from the nineties? What gives? It's a minor complaint I admit (OK, it's a stupid complaint I realize!), but that would have really made this album just shred! All in all though this is a nice re-release from the fine folks over at Hell's Headbangers and, knowing the company and their top-notch work, one would imagine that the package will be as cool as usual. As the two re-issues are not due out until the end of January everyone should be by that point (somewhat) recovered from the usual Christmas overspending so I do suggest snagging and bagging this one! Is it as good as the follow-up full-length? No, not really. But as far as horror-themed heavy metal goes it's hard to go wrong with October 31! The band is really a one of a kind outfit and given the various elements that get added into the mix here it's all rather infectious. Obviously the band's many choices of covers over the years (October 31 has also covered the likes of Saxon, Judas Priest, Overkill, Mötley Crüe and Lizzy Borden in their time together!) provide an indication as far as what awaits the listener when you crack open one of their CDs. Even then imagine listening to a band like October 31 and (also) uncovering the likes of Paul Di'Anno-era Iron Maiden and the Misfits! For October 31 it's all about taking those various influences to a place where originality springs forth from inspiration and in a manor where it can be no one else but this Arlington, Virginia act! So, even if this one is a tad "rough" around the edges it's still a different creature altogether and proof that even if you were a little late to the game (Fowley and his band-mates hit the scene in 1995) you can still be outstandingly original!

October 31-Gone to the Devil (7" EP)

Hells Headbangers Records
2013

With a new full-length album in the works for Virginia's October 31 (yes!) this 2-track, 7" EP, which features a pretty sweet cover version of Uriah Heep's "Too Scared to Run"!, should have fans worked up in anticipation for the group's long-awaited return! As this is the first new recordings from King Fowley and his cohorts in eight long years, it's comforting to know that this heavy metal collective stills sounds hungry. Formed in 1995, and still featuring the distinct lead guitar playing of "Brian "Hellstorm" Williams,  October 31 looks as if they have found a wonderful new home with Hells Headbanger Records. Judging by the picture below this 7" EP, which features a "Throw your horns in the air like you just don't care!" title cut that is pure heavy metal gold!, is a must for fans and collectors alike! I mean that thing looks awesome right? And the band's first new material for their new label really is as cool as the artwork for this 7" EP. It's a win-win situation for October 31 fans! And speaking of their new label, Hells Headbangers Records is also re-releasing the group's first two albums with a shit-load on bonus cuts on both of them! Sweet right? Hopefully within the next week or so I'll review both of those, but in the meantime I simply cannot recommend "Gone to the Devil" enough! Anyone who likes their heavy metal a little crazy, but with a totally kick ass, fist bangin' delivery should dig these two tracks and everything that October 31 stands for! You can pick up "Gone to the Devil" at the link below.

http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/october-31-gone-to-the-devil.asp