Defyance-Voices Within (2014 Re-Release)

Minotauro Records
2014

Originally self-released in 1992, with a 4-track self-recorded/self-titled (as Defiance, the first spelling before the apparent switch) demo having proceeded it by three or so years, "Voices Within" was the first "full-length" recording from Knoxville, Iowa-based Defyance. It's also the first of three new Defyance re-releases from the fine folks at Minotauro Records that I plan to cover (the other two being 1996's "Amaranthine" and 1999's (quite-brilliant) "Time Lost"). Formed by three teenagers in 1985 (guitarists Brent Scott & Marcus Peterson and drummer Doug Beary) and initially going by the (rather unfitting) name Fallen Angel, Defyance found two like-minded individuals to fill out their ranks in vocalist Brian Harrington and bassist John Parrish. Before long the group recorded their first demo, off of which three tracks ("Gypsy", which was an early favorite on local rock radio, "Love's a Bitch", and "Rebel Without a Cause") have been plundered for this collection. The forth track off of said demo was "Second Death", but seeing as the song was included on "Voices Within" we are treated to that version instead. And speaking of which, this is the first time that "Voices Within" has been made available to the public on CD! While there was 300 copies of "Voices Within" released on cassette and 30 copies did show up on CD in 1993 (as special gifts to a select number of people who requested them-both the original cassette and original CD are no doubt highly sought-after collector's items!) this really is the first time that the majority of Defyance fans will get the pleasure of hearing both the demo and "Voices Within". Considering the fact that both sets of recordings were made on a shoestring budget it is all the more impressive how well these songs have held up! Especially seeing as it is the 25th anniversary since this Iowa band first released a self-financed tape back in 1989! Since I'm approaching this first Defyance review of three from the view-point of someone previously familiar with their work (or at least the recordings after "Voices Within"!) it's easy-enough (especially in hindsight!) to hear this band's roots and then envision how this band was able to (naturally) evolve. While I don't want to give away too many spoilers here, let's just say that this young band would eventually reach the stand-point in it's (as far as I'm concerned far-too short!) career where all that was righteous about progressive metal came poring out of their hands! On these tracks the foundation is there although (enjoyably enough!) most of these tracks come across more like straight-ahead hard & heavy metal like the (early) Mötley Crüe-infused rocker "Devil's Daughter", "Goodbye" (with it's simply enjoyable Randy Rhodes' inspired guitar playing this one is nice even for a slower cut!), "Rebel Without a Cause" (solo Ozzy influence?) and "Gypsy" (more Rhodes' like guitar playing!). The power ballad "To Your Heart" actually recalls Queensrÿche at times while both "I Burn for You" and the excellent (religious-themed) "Second Death" sound as if they come from the all things loud & proud (Fifth Angel, Ozzy, Judas Priest, Accept, Iron Maiden and Grim Reaper) school of rock! All of these tracks, yes, even the early demo cut of (raw-rocker) "Love's a Bitch", show the promise of what's to come from this one-time heavy/power metal act that (like fine wine) simply got better with age! You can find out more about this re-release at Minotauro Record's website below or at the official website of Defyance right here: http://www.defyance.com/

http://www.minotaurorecords.com/

Steel Prophet-The Goddess Principle (LP Re-release)

Pure Steel Records
2014

Originally released in 1995, which (as previously mentioned) was a fateful year for yours truly, "The Goddess Principle" helped set the stage for L.A.'s Steel Prophet and their long-running reign atop the power metal  scene. Or at least in regards to the quality of one's product if not necessarily the quantity sold. Years before the band would emerge from cult status thanks to 1999's legendary "Dark Hallucinations" (although they still seem to be sadly overlooked by many when it comes time for discussions as to who reins supreme within the ranks of exception power metal!) the band, which was/and currently is lead by the Bruce Dickinson-like vocals of Rick Mythiasin (Mystic-Force, Agent Steel (live), ex-Taraxacum, ex-Masters of Metal, ex-Pantera, ex-New Eden, ex-Redemption, ex-All in Vein, ex-Mythiasin, ex-Psycho Twin), released "The Goddess Principle" and now (in celebration of the band recently signing on to Pure Steel Records) it will be seeing an LP re-issue. Limited to a mere 500 copies, which seems far too little an amount for a classic release like this one, "The Goddess Principle" is a must for fans of power metal and/or heavy metal collectors! Mixing in elements of (early) Fates Warning and Queensrÿche along with the likes of Iron Maiden and Metal Church this release is enduring thanks in no small part to it's epic embrace of U.S. power metal at a time when U.S. power metal was not in vogue. While we wait to see where Steel Prophet goes from here this is a good re-release that shows us exactly where it is they came from and why they are still so important to today's scene!

Metal Church-Generation Nothing

Rat Pak Records
2013

Try not to be dismayed by the less than inspiring image that is supposed to pass for "artwork" on Metal Church's upcoming new album. For you see that image, which is honestly more then a bit on the grey and dull side, can in no way, shape or form fully prepare you for what is waiting just outside the door. Should you you decide to step forward and turn that door knob for Metal Church's 10th full-length studio album then it's all over man. Once the album's opening track, "Bullet Proof", crosses that threshold then it's game on and there is no turning back from the epic power metal assault that is "Generation Nothing"! With lead vocalist Ronny Munroe not only back for album number four, but sounding better then ever!, this is the album that many of us have been waiting a long time for! After the mixed result that was "This Present Wasteland" the band, which sounds as if it is is firing on all cylinders, obviously took the time to step back and take stock of who they were and where they wanted to go. The time off has worked wonders as guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof and his band-mates have recorded  an album that pays homage to their past, on more specifically their first two albums, while seamlessly adapting to the current state of power metal and thrash. Unlike some of their contemporaries though (and I'm talking to you Flotsam and Jetsam) the guys in Metal Church have not abandoned their core roots just so they can appeal to some of today's younger metal fans who worship at the altar of "modern metal". No, Kurt and company (Munroe, guitarist Rick Van Zandt bassist Steve Unger and drummer Jeff Plate) opted instead to bring/kidnap "modern metal" to their side of town and indoctrinate it is the fine art of Metal Church worship! So yes, this is the same band that tore shit up on their self-titled 1984 album and it's classic follow-up, and my personal fave Metal Church album, 1986's "The Dark". Only now the band has realized that being older doesn't mean you have to fake it 'till make it or pull a total sell out (cough, cough, Metallica). And it sure as hell doesn't mean that you have to fade off into the sunset without putting up a hell of a fight or two! What I'm talking about is moments like the title track and "Suiciety" where Metal Church has clearly not gotten the notice that some people thought they were dead. I mean crap, listen to cuts like "Jump The Gun" and "Close To The Bone" (where Ronny Munroe pulls of his best David Wayne impersonation) and then try to tell me that Metal Church can't compete! The same goes for the (slow build-up before massive payoff!) track "Noises In The Wall". Bands like Metallica and Megadeth have nothing on these guys! By the time "The Media Horse" closes the gate on "Generation Nothing" I felt spent! For a group that has now been going at it since what, 1980 or something, it's enough that they can still pick up their guitars and play yet alone craft an album so worthy of the Metal church title! Album number ten may not be enough to suddenly shake off the bounds that hold teens captive to modern metal, but it's most definitely an album that will make Metal Church fans remember why they fell in love with this bunch in the first place and serve notice that U.S. power metal like this isn't going anywhere anytime soon!

Warrion - Awakening The Hydra

PURE STEEL RECORDS 
2013

Here's a case where the band name might not ring any bells, but the names of some of the musicians attached to it certainly should! Granted that might not be the case when you look at Warrion's founding member, guitarist Ron Ravi (Who?), but move on past him and you've got the one and only Michael (Mike) Vescera (Obsession/Ex-Loudness/Ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) handling lead vocals! How Ron Ravi (Again, who?) manged to pull that one off I'd really like to know. In addition to Mike Vescera you also have guest vocalist George Call (ASKA, ex-Omen) stopping by to lend a hand on the mic. Between those two vocalists there's very little to critique when you're talking about the front-man position so let's take a peek at the other musicians involved here. This straight-laced U.S. metal band also features lead guitarist Tim Thomas (Abattoir/Ex-Agent Steel/Ex-Steel Prophet), bassist Keith Knight (Aska) and drummer Rob Brug (Halloween/Ex-Damien). Not too bad of a band-lineup is it? While I'd hesitate to say that Warrion has a lot of star-power going for it, as Mike Vescera is probably the only real "star" here, there's still a TON of talent surrounding founding member Ron Ravi! And speaking of talent, it would be so wrong to ignore the contributions from keyboardist Dave Hermien Dufort. He might not provide additional "star power" on Warrion's debut-album, but his skills are just as appreciated. So, do you find yourself now wondering what it is exactly that you get when you combine all this talent? Well, that my friends is the million dollar question isn't it? The short answer to that question would be that when it comes to U.S. metal act Warrion, and their debut-album "Awakening The Hydra", you can expect solid, if nothing overwhelmingly exciting, heavy metal that similar to Mike's other bands. And that is the funny thing about Warrion. Overall this album sounds like a collaboration between Obsession and Loudness while it also bares a very slight resemblance to the likes of Omen. So it is, in a real way, every bit of it's various pieces sewn together. There are some European power metal influences sprinkled here and there as well (as well as other, older U.S. power metal bands then the ones mentioned above), but to their credit the members of Warrion go out of their way to keep things, more or less, original. They also aim for upbeat and exciting U.S. heavy metal with maybe one or two exceptions. And, seeing as it comes wrapped up nicely with a really good production aiding it, it does achieve the desired affects. Warrion are clearly going after old-school heavy metal/U.S. power metal fans with "Awakening The Hydra" and that type of crowd should eat this one up. Whether this is a full-time gig for Warrion or simply a one-time, studio-only deal remains to be seen. For a first draft though this album shows promise so here's hoping that Ron Ravi can keep Warrion going in one form or another!

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. 



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