Satan-Life Sentence

Listenable Records
2013

When I first heard that a new Satan album was on it's way in 2013 I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas to finally arrive! As "Siege Mentality" (a teaser single that was released ahead of this album) had left me longing for more this new disc I knew that this "Life Sentence" was going to be good. I just didn't think (or even dare to dream) that it would be this good! When it did finally show up in my mail-box (thanks to some friends/tape traders from over in Europe) it blew away all my preconceived notions. If you're younger though you might be asking what's so special about Satan? Well, ask any N.W.O.B.H.M. fan to name some of their favorite artists of said genre and chances are pretty good that Satan would be mentioned. In fact, "Court in the Act" (Satan's 1983 album) is considered to be one finest album's to come out of that time period! What's more it's especially easy to see/hear the correlation between Satan's sound on their debut album and what would end up being called Bay Area thrash. Band's like Metallica and Megadeth owe a huge debt to Satan as their early proto-thrash sound would go on to be one of the defining influences of America's thrash scene. While the group did release a slew of other recordings (incl. the sophomore follow-up LP "Suspended Sentence")  nothing has ever compared to that first album. Blame it on line-up changes or lack of a clear focus, but, whatever the case, while their debut-album was sensational the follow-ups were only solid. On Satan's "Life Sentence" we're treated to the same line-up that was in place for "Court in the Act" and, without blowing too much smoke up in the air, the results speak for themselves. With "Life Sentence" I have another album to add to my best of list for 2013 and, if I so desired to do such an article at the end of this year, I have an album worthy of the "come-back album of the year" award! That says a lot as there has already been a slew of killer albums released by veteran acts of the eighties. Of the ten cuts there's hardly a dud to be found as Brian Ross (who sang on "Court In The Act") and company play with the same killer instinct that made "Court in the Act" such a masterpiece to begin with! In a way "Life Sentence" picks up where "Court in the Act" left off and, as you listen to these 10 cuts in all their glory, you can't help but take notice that this is how heavy metal/thrash metal sound always sound. As it borders on thrash "Life Sentence" would be an easy sell to both young and old metalheads alike. The music is a million times more impressive then what passes for power metal/thrash these days as these gentlemen know exactly how to craft heavy, memorable metal. "Life Sentence" is metal done right and whether you're a fan of old or someone just starting to get interested Satan & the whole movement this is a must-own. This one is simply killer folks.

Still "single" Saturday "singles"

A slew of new singles have found there way into my inbox as of late as well as news about new singles. Rather then review them one at a time I should I'd just throw everything out there and give you my brief opinion on them. As for the title? Well, I used it once before and it's a bad pun even if the sentiment still rings true.



U.D.O.-"Metal Machine": This is the new single off of "Steelhammer" due on May 21st. It should be showing up on radio shortly. If the rest of the album is as good as this new single then 2013 should be a very good year for metal fans!

Satan-"Siege Mentality" Single: This is off of "Life Sentence" due April 29th in the UK and May 21st in the US. If you think I'm excited about this new album you have no idea! Satan are nwobhm legends and "Siege Mentality" is simply sinister and sweet. Of all of the new singles this is hands down my favorite and the album that I am most looking forward to hearing in 2013!

Airbourne-"Live It Up": "Black Dog Barking!", which will be Airbourne's third studio album, is due out on May 21st as well. More AC/DC love out of these lads. It is what it is. Not bad, but it sounds an awfully lot like "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)"....or at least the opening does.

Mind Assassin-"Mind of Caesar": This is the first single from this New York, NY heavy metal band that features Bob Mitchell of Sleepy Hollow fame on lead vocals. While there is no label information yet fans should expect some cool heavy metal/power metal if this new single is any indication. With Bob sounding as excellent and epic as ever this should be another good LP to look forward to!

Black Star Riders-"Bound For Glory": Boy, am I ever glad these guys didn't decide to release new music under the Thin Lizzy name. That would have been so wrong! "Bound For Glory" is the first single for the forthcoming album, "All Hell Breaks Loose", and features rock that wouldn't be too far out of place next to Thin Lizzy and the sort. With Ricky Warick on lead vocals the band looks to take what Thin Lizzy started and build upon it (or something like that). While it's a bit too formula for my tastes it is a solid enough rock number and I wish these guys the best.

So, there you have it. These are some of the singles that have shown up and, over the next week or two tops, I should expect that more will show up. At least that's the latest rumblings.

Satan-Court in the act

Metal Mind

1983/2009


The NWOBHM included plenty of bands all emerging in a fairly short period of time. Of course with the market being flooded like that there was inevitably only room for a few bands to really achieve massive success. Satan were a band with plenty of ideas and talent, but unfortunately it didn't lead them to fame and fortune. They were fronted by former Blitzkrieg vocalist Brian Ross at this time. The music isn't completely removed from other acts of their time. There are definitely some similarites to Iron Maiden and Diamond Head. The production on this album isn't the best because there is a dull quality to the sound in places. That does not really matter though because Satan play an instantly likable style. They play with an energetic passion greater than many other debuts of the time. Guitarists Steve Ramsey and Russ Tippins support one another and they masterfully forge their way through some very diverse and challenging passages. The guitars are a huge plus on this release. Satan let loose some occasional bursts of speed and they do it with ease. However their real legacy is the impact and influence they have had on power metal. It's easy to hear the roots of that metal sub-genre on this album. This is quality hard hitting music that is as good today as it was twenty-six years ago. Satan would became Blind Fury for the next release before coming back to the name Satan again in 1987. Not a band that received a great deal of fanfare, but "Court in the act" is certainly worth hunting down.