Cult Of The Fox-By The Styx

Pure Steel Records
2018

Formed in early 2007 (and previously known as Cross Bow from 2000 until 2007), Cult Of The Fox is a heavy metal band from Sweden that is fronted by Magnus Hultman (ex-Nexus). The forthcoming "By The Styx" is the third full-length album from this (vintage metal-leaning) traditional heavy metal band that just so happens to feature bass guitarist/well-traveled musician Peter Svensson (Assassin's Blade) within it's ranks. Guitarists Erika Wallberg (Void Moon) and Fredrik Theander round things out as far as the stringed instruments are concerned while drummer Daniler Fritze (ex-Nexus) bashes the hell out of his kit in grand fashion! That's the full studio line-up when it comes to this 11-track LP. Preceded in life by 2013's "Angelsbane", this well-produced album clocks in at nearly forty two minutes. That's forty two minutes of straight-ahead/no-nonsense heavy metal from a band that I am just now being introduced to. As far as first impressions go, Cult Of The Fox sells true heavy metal as well as the next guy...only quite a bit better. Having gone into this review blind (aka: I listened to the album before reading over the promo) I could have almost believed this to be a German heavy metal band, style & substance (as well as aggressive lead vox!) reminding me of the best parts of said scene! That is a compliment as far as I am concerned. For what it is worth, Cult Of The Fox should make the Swedish metal scene proud as this is some smashing steel that these five musicians have laid to tape! Slightly-rough and raw (again in all the best ways humanly possible!), "By The Styx" is tried and true heavy metal with an epic metal theme. Even if it isn't new ground that they are breaking, Cult Of The Fox is punchy and filled with determination on their new album. For fans of straight/no chaser heavy metal that is something to celebrate no matter the occasion!

Killer Khan-Global Killer

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Killer Khan is one band that should need no introduction. That is if you consider yourself to be any kind true metalhead! I mean after all this is the same incredible group that gave us the album "Kill Devil Hills"!! Our longtime readers might recall that I first covered this classic metal release in a Forgotten Gems feature back in 2012. Originally independently-released way back in 1999, "Kill Devil Hills" proved itself worthy of high praise and worship thanks to it's slick combination of eighties metal, hard rock and doom. With the Ozzy-like vocals of lead singer/guitarist Killian Khan merely serving as the sweet and delicious icing on top of one hell of a flavorful cake(!), "Kill Devil Hills" became a hidden gem for everyone who came across it and naturally that includes me. "Kill Devil Hills" has become a mainstay in my home and to this day I still enjoy it for what it represents. And that is real heavy metal for real heavy metal fans! When it comes to this criminally-underrated band from Mooresville, North Carolina we're talking about everything that there is to love about tried and true heavy metal wrapped up into one neat and tidy package. It's all there from superb performances to catchy material and whether you recognized it or not this four-piece has always been right there in the front genre since first coming together as Holy Moses back in 1994! Eventually that band evolved into Killer Khan and then Killer Khan gave us "Kill Devil Hills". And because of how solid that album actually was it would only be a matter of time before some label would come along and see fit to properly re-issue it. Put out in mid-April of of 2015 by Heaven and Hell Records, "Kill Devil Hills" went from being a hidden gem to an album that was finally in the spotlight (and rightfully so as this was a place where it had always belonged!). Thanks to it's remastered sound and the inclusion of two additional bonus tracks in "Abomination" and "Iceman (Part II)" the re-issue of Killer Khan's debut album hit the scene like a ton of bricks. Along the way it also managed to pull off the impossible. Somehow the Heaven and Hell Records version of "Kill Devil Hills" improved upon perfection! The new and improved album was everything that longtime fans of Killer Khan could have hoped!! Not only did it sound great, but it looked great too! As far as Killer Khan fans were concerned everything was right with the world and just how it should be. Killer Khan was finally getting the proper recognition that it deserved and everyone would see this group's back catalog for. And that is an amazing collection of material that is simply not to be missed! But then came the news that Killer Khan was back and working on a new album. And suddenly I found myself laying there in bed with a burning question all but eating me up inside. "How in the world can anyone expect Killer Khan to top that great re-issue?" I asked myself. "Had they painted themselves into a corner?" I wondered. These questions and so many more keep creeping up on it. Would "Global Killer" prove to be a comeback album for this North Carolina four-piece or was the magic all used up by now? To be honest I thought the worse. Even after "Global Killer" dropped I wasn't ready to try it out. Honestly I waited a good while until I check out. Thankfully all it took was one listen to opener to "Prowess of the Night" and I had my answer. Killer Khan was back! And not only were they back, but they were back with a fiery vengeance!! On the fittingly-named "Global Killer" the guys in Killer Khan meant business!! There would be hell to pay for all those who had forgotten their name. For band-mates Killian Khan (vocals, guitar), Ron Dalton (guitar), Brice Sandahl (bass), and Jody Rumple (drums) this new disc would prove to be a lightening bolt straight into the faces of the unbelievers! What "Global Killer" represents is simple enough even if you can't put it in exact terms that are easy to understand. This album is another great mixture of all the things that make Killer Khan the unreal act that they are. It's eighties metal. It's hard rock/heavy metal. And it's doom. "Global Killer" is Killer Khan doing what they do best and that wonderful concept keeps everything flowing along nicely until the very end of "Playful Dead". On their third full-length Killer Khan cranks out highly memorable metal that is once more perfectly-flavored by those great vocals of Killian Khan. I once wrote how much Killian Khan reminded me of Ozzy (or at the very least his illegitimate offspring!) and while I still stand by that concept there is a brief side note to add. Here on "Global Killer" Killian Khan sounds more mature. Like many of us he has added a few more miles on his voice with the passage of time. Obviously he isn't the same front-man as he was on "Kill Devil Hills", but trust me here when I say that's good. The maturity in his voice actually works towards the overall appeal of this new album as it gives everything a more natural and real vibe. It's as if the front-man isn't afraid to admit that not only has he grown as a musician, but as a person. And while he might be older he has way more experience under his belt. In the end it just gives the material on "Global Killer" a more realistic feeling. In that regard credit must also be given to the album's overall production. Thankfully Killer Khan's new album isn't over-produced. "Global Killer" feels like a metal disc should. It's tuneful in just the right places while it is also open enough so that raw appeal of heavy metal is able to come through nice and loud. Each and every part of this new album works. In a day and age when heavy metals albums can sound way too glossy I cannot even begin to tell you how nice that is! Not once does "Global Killer" shy away from the fact that it is there to deliver an ass kicking. It doesn't let up on sonic assault or pull away from the raw metallic energy that fuels it. Instead "Global Killer" is as rebellious and destructive as it wants to be. Whether you are a fan of this great group or not that is something to celebrate. Needless to say I love this album and highly-recommend it.....

Matthias Steele-Question of Divinity

Minotauro Records
2016

For our readers who might not be familiar with the name, Matthias Steele is a power metal/thrash band that hails from Rhode Island and was formed in 1985 by three high-school friends (bassist/vocalist Tony Lionette, drummer Nino Trovato and original guitarist Todd Gencarella). Early on the band drew it's influences from thrash and epic power metal (or more specifically American power metal of the eighties!), the NWOBHM scene, and bands such as Cloven Hoof and Tyrant. Judging by their forthcoming album here not much has changed in that regard, but we'll get back to that notion shortly enough! First things first and that's the last of this ever so brief history lesson. Having formed in the mid-eighties (or as I like to refer to it "The height of the heavy metal fever!"), Matthias Steele spent it's formidable years playing throughout Rhodes Island and Connecticut before releasing their highly-regarded self-titled demo in 1987. With a new line-up in hand (guitarist John Erkan and drummer Jay Jordan were eventually replaced  Todd Gencarella and Nino Trovato) the band would go on to release their full-length debut album, "Haunting Tales of a Warrior's Past", in 1992. A stone cold hit in their stomping ground of Rhode Island, Metal Mark actually covered "Haunting Tales of a Warrior's Past" back in the day (or at least in 2012) and (incidentally ladies and gents) Minotauro Records will be re-releasing Matthias Steele's (must-own!) first album in the near future. And with bonus cuts to boot! But anyway, back to today's short lesson plan. Plagued by line-up changes over the following years the band soldiered on before settling on their most consistent  line-up to date with bassist/vocalist (and sole original band member) Tony Lionette joined by drummer Nino Trovato and guitarist Jami Blackwood. In 2007 this line-up recorded "Resurrection" and that same chemistry-laced trio is responsible for the metal madness that is "Question of Divinity". Now over 30 years old (with the band having celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2010 with a special show in their hometown of Westerly) Matthias Steele sounds remarkably fresh and energetic on their forth release to date.! In truth theses recordings are from studio sessions that took place in 2009 and 2010 at Redbone Recording in the group's hometown of Westerly, Rhode Island, but still, "Question of Divinity" is a damn fine metal album from start to finish! As previously mentioned, Matthias Steele takes it's cue from thrash and epic power metal as well as the NWOBHM scene. On "Question of Divinity" though we're also treated to the experienced sounds of one savvy band that knows a thing or two about traditional/classic heavy metal, eighties metal (think Judas Priest meets Metal Church first two albums) and even progressive power metal! And thanks to hard work of Shawn Allen* these various recordings have a distinct vibe about them that makes the album sound both classic and slightly modern. In addition to the eight (head bang-worthy) studio tracks on "Question of Divinity" there are two bonus live tracks from the band's aforementioned 25th anniversary show. The first one is called "Worthless Soul" and it is an unreleased song from guitarist Jami Blackwood. A great number in it's own right, "Worthless Soul" will be properly put to tape on the inevitable follow-up to "Question of Divinity". "Supersonic Man" is the other live track and this great number comes from the band's 1987 demo. Both tracks show what the band is capable of when playing out live and with Minotauro Records set to re-release both "Haunting Tales of a Warrior's Past" and "Resurrection" maybe just maybe this under-appreciated metal trio will finally get the proper respect that they so rightly deserve!


* Shawn Allen engineered and co-produced the material on "Question of Divinity" with  the band members themselves. Prior to these sessions he worked with Matthias Steele on "Resurrection".

Hibria-Hibria

Test Your Metal Records
2015

Formed in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul in 1996, Hibria is a heavy/speed/power metal band that is fronted by Iuri Sanson and influenced by groups as diverse as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Pantera and even Deep Purple! In 1997 Hibria released it's first demo entitled "Metal Heart" and since then the group's ever-expanding catalog has grown to include one other demo, a single, a split release, a live album, a video, and a handful of full-length studio albums!! The self-titled "Hibria" is actually album number five for this Brazilian band that also features guitarists Abel Camargo & Renato Osorio, bassist Benhur Lima, and drummer Eduardo Baldo. It follows 2013's "Silent Revenge" and with 11-tracks in all it offers more than enough metallic thrills to keep your blood pumping and your heart racing! Custom-crafted and geared towards fans of (uptempo) heavy/power metal and (aggressive) technical speed metal, "Hibria" is a nice way to get your rage on without having to even step foot outside! This one is nice and heavy and it's got wicked leads, catchy choruses and everything else that you love about tried & true classic heavy metal. "Hibria" is well-worth tracking down and in case it isn't obvious enough this CD comes with my highest recommendation! 

Killer Khan-Kill Devil Hills (2015 Re-issue)

Heaven and Hell Records
2015

There are some reviews that just about write themselves and then there are other times where you find yourself struggling to even come up with a proper opening. There is no need to guess where this one sits in the grand scheme of things as it's now taken me well over an hour to even get this far! And that was after coming back to do this review for the third time!! I'm just not sure if I can come up with right choice of words to fully convey the importance of this album. Truth be told I've covered Killer Khan's full-length debut in the past. As you can see here it was once a part of my Forgotten Gems series and now I'm tasked with talking about this re-mastered and expanded re-issue. Honestly I feel as if everything I said back then (which was March 29th, 2012 to be exact) still rings true with the only real difference between then and now being a more-improved sound and the inclusion of two bonus tracks. Otherwise this is still one of the best damn (true) heavy metal albums that you can have in your personal collection. Let me say that again so that it's perfectly clear to everyone. As far as true blue this heavy metal gems go it does not get any better then this 1999 album! Originally self-released back in 1999, "Kill Devil Hills" was Killer Khan's full-length debut and thanks in no small part to this band's particular choice of influences it ended up being a timeless example of classic/traditional heavy metal at it's purest and most sincere form! But first a brief history lesson is in order. Formed in 1994 and initially known as Holy Moses (under which name the band issued two full-length albums-one in 1995 and the other one in 1996), Killer Khan was based in Moorsevile, North Carolina and lead by vocalist/guitarist Killian Khan. As mentioned "Kill Devil Hills" was the first album that this U.S. metal put out under the name of Killer Khan. Technically-speaking it's also the only album that "Killer Khan" issued in their brief existence as the follow-up album, 2001's "Rock 'N Roll Forever", was originally released in 1996 while the band was still known as "Holy Moses"! Confusing as that may be there should be no confusion as to the strength of this album!! Killer Khan's classic sound & style drew it's inspiration from the eighties U.S. metal scene of old as well as bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and (Ozzy-era) Black Sabbath. With a lead vocalist who could have easily slid his way into into a Ozzy Osbourne tribute band (see my previous review for more on this tidbit!) and a backing band that was well-regulated and fine-tuned to near perfection this traditional heavy metal band released one of those rare A+ recordings that every self-respecting metalhead should have already had in their collection! If you didn't have it before now then you absolutely must pick up this stone cold gem now that it has been re-mastered and expanded! Hell, even if you already have this album in collection I would still suggest buying this version as it has a much-improved sound and it tacks on two excellent bonus cuts in "Abomination" and "Aceman (Part II)"! Sure enough this is the same album that I fell in love with all those years back only this time around it's even better! "Kill Devil Hills" has definitely stood the test of time and thanks to Heaven and Hell Records it is getting a new lease on life! As this is a limited run though I would I act fast while it is still available. With only 500 copies it is sure to sell out and once it's gone it's gone! For fans of Killer Khan this is a must buy, but it also comes recommend to fans of eighties metal, N.W.O.B.H. and of course Black Sabbath! 

Free Metal Monday: Angel Sword-The Midwinter Tapes

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Formed back in 2010, Angel Sword is a heavy metal band from Helsinki, Finland. The group's first release, "Where We Are Going You Cannot Come", came out in mid-December of 2010 and that demo was followed by the 2013 EP, "Ripping the Heavens". While their name didn't ring any bells at first the artwork of "Ripping the Heavens" did and upon hearing the group's latest release I was immediately taken in and transformed by this band's sharp mixture of traditional heavy metal, N.W.O.B.H.M. and thrash! The band, which is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Jerry Razors*, guitarist/backing vocalist Sylvester Shredder bassist Eviltaker and drummer St. Peter, "worships the heavy metal gods of old, fallen into slumber decades ago and now angered by the polished plastic sound of modern metal" and that ideal is never more evident than on a track like "Midnight Survivor". With just four songs this EP is obviously a tad short, but there is still more than enough heavy metal love to go around as evident by the sweet "Heavy Metal Night"! With it's cool chorus of "It’s all good, it’s alright heavy metal binds us all tonight" we are reminded of the brotherhood that is metal and how this bound is stronger than steel and eternal! Opener "Lords of Thunder" sets the pace nicely with it's rock-infused take on N.W.O.B.H.M while the EP's last cut, "Break The Chains", makes you long for the old days when heavy metal was more about the sound and message and less about selling out and making the cover of Rolling Stone magazine!

It's hard to forget artwork like this!

Since 2010 Finland's Angel Sword have been waving the old-school flag proudly and from the looks and sounds of things they don't have any plans to suddenly stop this wonderful cause! You can read more about this band on their Facebook page and you can download this one for free by heading here. Angel Sword is oddly unsigned, but based on the strength of music like this that shouldn't be the case for too much longer!



*With a nice punk snarl and a voice that channels the greatness that is the one and only Lemmy, Jerry Razors is about as close as you can get to having the perfect front-man for this kind of old-fashioned goodness!

Dogbane-When Karma Comes Calling

Heaven and Hell Records
2015

"When Karma Comes Calling" is the latest release from Greensboro, North Carolina metal band Dogbane. At just under 36 minutes it follows the group's sadly overlooked debut album, "Residual Alcatraz", and it once more finds this largely unknown New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal act channeling the spirits of many a great doom and N.W.O.B.H.M. band that came before them. Four or so years removed from "Residual Alcatraz", "When Karma Comes Calling" was recorded and produced by Dogbane bassist Kevin Davis and the rest of the gang at Studio 5 in Greensboro, NC. Lead as always by the Rob Halford-esque voice of Jeff Neal (ex-Steelwolf) and featuring guitar performances from Jeff Rinehart and Mitchell Allred that should make fans of Trouble, Pentagram and Black Sabbath weep with joy, Dogbane is about as close as you can get to having the perfect combination of doom metal (Witchfinder General, Trouble, Pentagram, Black Sabbath, Witchfynde, The Obsessed, etc.) and classic metal/N.W.O.B.H.M. (Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Satan, Pagan Alter, Manilla Road, Brocas Helm, Savage, Motörhead, Saxon, Thin Lizzy, etc)! With drummer Jerry Cloer (Crucifice, ex-Rictus Grin) rounding out the line-up, Dogbane is one traditional/doom metal band that deserves every bit of good fortune that could possibly come their way. For a band that was formed way back in 2010 it is a little bothersome that Dogbane are not more well-known within the metal community. Hopefully this spirited follow-up to "Residual Alcatraz" changes all of that as Dogbane is far too good to be kept under wraps for any longer! Mastered by Gary Long (King Diamond, Solitude Aeturnus), "When Karma Comes Calling" picks up where this band's debut album left, but for comparisons sake let's just say that album number two from these North Carolina merchants of metal would get a ***** rating if "Residual Alcatraz" was a *** release. In other words, "When Karma Comes Calling" has the same calling cards but it is a more focused and mature affair. But, you don't have to take my word for it. Right now (and mind you this is for a limited time only so go here right now!) you can download "When Karma Comes Calling" for only $1! You heard me right friend. For only one measly dollar you can pick up a digital copy of this killer album so that you can see what all the fuse is about for yourself! And let's face it, $1 is literately a steal for an album like this! Especially seeing as (heavy metal-wise) "When Karma Comes Calling" is (if nothing else) a straight-shooter of an album where speed rock ("Warlord") gets the same kind of special treatment as a slow, Black Sabbath-like number does ("Devil by the Horns"). That means whether you are a fan of Trouble of Tytan there's just got to a better than 50-50 chance that at least one song on this one dollar download should appeal to you. Although I've got to think that more than a few of you will appreciate this band's doom metal approach to traditional heavy metal. Need more info on Dogbane? Be sure to check out the group's Facebook page then and we'll you're at it be sure to snag a copy of "Residual Alcatraz"!

The Unholy-Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2014


Formed in 2011 by lead vocalist Sara Steel and guitarist Nuno Nightmare (ex-Midnight Priest), The Unholy are a female-fronted traditional/classic heavy metal that  lists the U.S. power metal scene of the eighties as it's primary source of inspiration. More specifically we're talking about Savatage, Riot, (early) Queensrÿche and Vicious Rumors with band front-lady Sara Steel (a class act whose voice has already been compared to the likes of Leather Leone, Ann Boleyn and Barbara Malteze) personally citing the late great Carl Albert (Ruffians, Scratch, Vicious Rumors and Villain) as her greatest influence. Recorded at BPM Studios in late 2013 by Paulo "Paulão" Vieira (Ironsword, Midnight Priest, Ravensire, Perpetrator, etc.) and featuring the three following cuts, "Open The Gates", "She Comes From The Grave" and "Queen Of Thunder", this eleven minute plus demo has become the talk of the town (or if you will the heavy metal community at large and especially amongst critics who already recognize the explosive potential of this Portugal four-piece!) thanks in no small part to the tremendous talent of this Coimbra-based band! Initially released on CD with a limited-run of only 300 copies (with one CD now going for nearly 27 dollars on eBay!) the demo quickly sold out as did the extended-edition vinyl re-release by Underground Power! That particular vinyl version tacked on two rather fitting cover songs in the form of Scratch's "Dying To Live" and Liege Lord's "Rage of Angels" and if it is ever possibly to do so then I hope to add to my own personal LP collection! The thing is that's neither here nor there as once again we have a review where I seem to be getting ahead of myself! So, back to the demo at hand. As it is sold out I found myself turning directly to the band members themselves and they were kind enough to send me the mp3s of "Open the Gates", "She Comes From The Grave" and "Queen of Thunder". On the band's demo the line-up features not only Sara Steel and Nuno Nightmare but bassist Joe "The Lion" Dalton (Midnight Priest) and drummer Alex Animal (also of Midnight Priest). These days it's Dangerous Dave on the drums, but on this three-track demo it's worth pointing out the whole Midnight Priest connection. I actually have Midnight Priest's 2011 self-titled album and I can honestly tell you that the same rhythmic chemistry found on that release is alive and well on this demo! There's nothing wrong with the bass and drums on this 2014 demo and the same thing goes for Nightmare's guitar playing. Musically-speaking The Unholy are right up there with classic acts like Savatage (a huge influence!), Crimson Glory, Taist of Iron, Warlock, Villain, Leatherwolf, Hellion, Chastain and Helstar as well as newer acts like Lady Beast, Sign Of The Jackal, Huntress, Mandrágora and Satan's Hallow. In other words The Unholy are are the best of both worlds (the well-loved and forever-valued old metal scene of the eighties and today's revitalized and hungry like a beast new scene that hell bent for leather at all costs!) while having one not-so- secret tool in it's arsenal that is going to aide them in their hunt for global conquest! And that is the one and only Sara Steel and man alive does she ever have a seriously sick weapon of mass destruction in those raging pipes of hers! The fittingly-named "Open the Gates" finds Sara Steel rushing the stage and from that point forward it's all but "Game over man!" as her voice flat-out kills! As in "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out!" with the wicked guitar work of Nuno Nightmare simply picking off any stragglers! It is little wonder then that this band has already sold out it's physical stock of this metalized demo and has taken to playing some of the biggest gigs of their short band life including the upcoming Keep It True festival! Thankfully there is talk of a full-length album in this band's future especially seeing as this demo left me craving more material from this delightfully dark and deadly-serious four-piece band! The Unholy took me by force with this short but sweet demo and while I can't help but feel as if this Portugal metal band has possessed me internally I'm all but a willing slave now to their terrific take on classic and U.S. power metal!

Ostrogoth-Last Tribe Standing

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Empire Records
2015

It has been twenty eight years since Belgium's Ostrogoth last released a full-length album in the form of 1987's "Feelings of Fury". And it has been thirty two years since this old-school heavy metal/power metal band released their classic 1983 EP, "Full Moon's Eyes". Keeping both of those dates in mind, "Last Tribe Standing" could easily pass for a mid-late eighties recording and fool both younger and older metal fans alike! More specifically we are talking about those who have never had the fortune to hear this phenomenal band for themselves, but even then this half-studio/half-live (extended) EP could just as easily sneak into the collections of casual Ostrogoth fans and it would have a hard time being discovered. And that's even with drummer Mario "Grizzly" Pauwels (ex-Hermetic Brotherhood, ex-Shell Shock, ex-Stonehenge, ex-Trash) now serving time as the sole original member! This is one act that has been fortunate enough to not only survive the obligatory line-up changes that come with playing in a band, but emerge from such storms standing just as tall and just just as strong! Of course for Ostrogoth and their fans nothing can ease the pain of losing long-time guitarist Rudy "WhiteShark" Vercruysse to cancer earlier this year. His lose will be felt for a long time to come, but thankfully we have this EP to further remind us of his exceptional skills as a guitarist. Consisting of four new studio recordings ("No Risk Taken", "Clouds", "Return To The Heroes Museum" and "Last Tribe Standing") and a 2014 live performance of the "Full Moon's Eye" EP, "Last Tribe Standing" finds this passionate guitarist joined by not only fellow old-timer Mario Pauwels, but the fresh blood of Dario Frodo (guitars and backing vocals), Stripe (bass and backing vocals) and Josey Hindrix (lead and backing vocals). All three musicians slip right into the fold and without missing a singe beat the modern day version of  Ostrogoth keeps on rocking and rolling! This classic metal band plows right through the crowd with the four studio tracks and four live tracks showing just how little this lot has actually aged! Recorded during the summer of 2014 (and fitting in perfectly with the classic feel of  this recommend recording) the live versions of "Heroes' Museum", "Full Moon’s Eyes", "Paris By Night" and "Rock Fever" make me wish that I could travel to Europe to see this band on stage and in living color! Reportedly this live recording of the "Full Moon's Eyes" EP  featured the same line-up that had been active since Ostrogoth made it's return at Germany’s 2012 "Keep It True Festival". That would make sense as these live recordings ended up showcasing a tight-knit five-piece that knew what it was doing and one that knew how to keep a (hungry for true metal!) crowd happy! Still it's the new studio material that most Ostrogoth will want to know about and rightly so. Quite honestly once "No Risk Taken" kicked in all I could think about again was how classic this band still sounded and how easily this "new" material could have fit with Ostrogoth's "old" material! If you at all familiar with music of 1987's "Feelings of Fury" then that is you're starting reference point as "Last Tribe Standing" comes across as that album's logical follow-up. If you are a new listener though then we are talking about a (rugged) power/traditional metal band whose (heavy rocking and yet otherwise melodic) vintage sound has been carefully sculpted out of only the best  that N.W.O.B.H.M. has to offer (we're talking about pre-1980 bands and albums or if you will the earlier the better!), choice cuts of classic metal and/or eighties metal and (post-Black Sabbath) riff-rocking leads that shoot to thrill/play to kill! Combine all of that loveliness with the heartfelt (and just rough enough to work without sounding scratchy or anything) voice of Josey Hindrix and you have the only and only Ostrogoth. And there really is only one Ostrogoth my friends. For only a band like Ostrogoth could release it's first (official) since 1987 and have the new material on this 40 minute EP sound just as slick as the Ostrogoth of old. This half studio/half live album is as good as it gets for fans of this classic Belgium act as the new material does a remarkable job of tying Ostrogoth's past together with it's present and potential future. If there is a downside at all to be found then it would have to be with it's length as one can't help but wish that there was more cool new studio work to go along with the killer live stuff. It's a small complaint if you really think about it because chances are good that if this EP sells well then this will not be the last that we'll being hearing (studio-wise) from this classic band. Out now on Empire Records (the cult Belgium label and not the 1995 American coming-of-age film that features a memorable {pot-induced} GWAR hallucination scene!), "Last Tribe Standing" is available as a limited-edition 12 inch and on CD. For fans of Ostrogoth this one is a given. But, even if you are new to this classic heavy metal/power metal band and this would be the first release from Ostrogoth that you ever bought I'd still argue that it is worth acquiring. There are few half-studio/half-live EPs out there that are as consistent as "Last Tribe Standing" is and even more so there are few that rock this hard and are this much fun! Simply put this one is a winner and it comes highly rated!

Trauma-Rapture And Wrath

Pure Steel Records
2015

Best known for being Cliff Burton's band before he went off and joined Metallica in 1983, Trauma is a U.S. power/speed metal band that was originally active from 1981 to 1985 before reforming in 2013. Not to be confused with the dozen plus other bands who have laid claim to the same moniker (or for that matter the other Trauma from California!), San Francisco's Trauma issued it's first recording in 1982 in the form of a three-track demo. While it was really nothing special it is nonetheless worth mentioning that on that particular demo bass duties were undertaken by the late, great Cliff Burton. In addition to releasing the 1982 demo Trauma ended up appearing on the Metal Blade Record's "Metal Massacre II" compilation with the decent enough song "Such a Shame". Two years later this Bay Area band released the full-length debut album, "Scratch and Scream", and while it was a decent enough LP the group's (N.W.O.B.H.M.-infused)  power/speed metal style didn't exactly set the world on fire. Overshadowed by their more successful neighbors the band eventually called it a day in 1985. While another demo cassette did appear in 1984 (one which I have honestly not heard) for Trauma it was all too short of a ride and that might have been the last we heard from the band if not for the folks at Shrapnel Records. In 2013 the band was asked if they would be willing to play out live once more in support of the reissue of their debut album. Quite obviously one thing lead to another as here is 2015 and we are just now getting a good look at the band's proper follow-up to "Scratch and Scream". Seeing as it's been thirty years since this band last released a full-length album you might just be asking if there is a place for Trauma these days. After all a lot has changed since the band first released "Scratch and Scream" and the landscape of heavy metal has undergone far too many transformations.Can a band like Trauma simply walk into a party and shakes things up? Thankfully the answer is a firm yes as "Rapture And Wrath" is not only the proper follow-up to "Scratch and Scream", but a better album through and through! For those of us who were left mostly unimpressed by Trauma's debut album (as I know I'm not alone in feeling that "Scratch and Scream" was merely "OK"*) this new disc almost sounds like a completely different/way more appealing band! While "Rapture And Wrath" sees the return of sole original member Donny Hillier (a high pitched vocalist who was also in Black Sunday Dream) and "Scratch and Scream" contributor Kris Gustofson (a skilled drummer who not only played on "Scratch and Scream", but also plays with the underrated melodic heavy metal band, St. Elmo's Fire) this is really the sound of a completely new band! This is most definitely a band that grew more mature and consistent with time and it is also one that blossomed into a spectacularly fresh unit in the end! It's taken Trauma some thirty years to do it, but they did it all the same! Whether that has anything to do with the stylish playing of guitarist Kurt Fry (guitars) or the contributions of new (as of 2014) and improved bass guitarist Steve Robello** (Dublin Death Patrol, ex-Heist, ex-Rock the Nation (Montrose/Hagar tribute) and ex-Out of Control) isn't so much the question as is where was this band back in the mid-eighties when we really could have used and appreciated them all the more! Maybe it simply is the natural progression of musicians as they age, but lead singer Donny Hillier sounds so much better here as does drummer Kris Gustofson. First off Donny has gone from screeching like a possessed version of Joey Belladonna (Anthrax) to having a voice that is similar to that of Bruce Dickenson! Considering Trauma's long-standing appreciation for band's like Iron Maiden it is a perfect fit here on "Rapture And Wrath". And as for the drumming of Kris Gustofson? One can't help but think that all that time he spent playing in a melodic hard rock band has really paid off. There is a marked improvement in his timing and no matter what type of metal is thrown at him on this 50+ minute recording he is always spot on! Whether it's N.W.O.B.H.M. dressed up as classic heavy metal ("Heart Of Stone" and "Kingdom Come") or a cut that looks to blend the likes of (solo) Dio, Black Sabbath and Pantera together ("The Walking Dead") Trauma's faithful drummer does his duty the best that he can. As this album does flirts with the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Dio it's only natural that a good guitarist is needed to move things along. Here's where Kurt Fry proves his worth. While Trauma's last full-length release required the services of two guitarists the group's latest release shows everyone how less can be more. The solos on "Pain", "The Walking Dead", "Egypt" and "Don’t Tread On Me" are each splendid in their own way as is the nice Metal Church-like guitar work of "Kingdom Come". Fry does well when teamed up with bass guitarist Steve Robello as the pair make for a formidable tag team. While the mix job of "Rapture And Wrath" doesn't always leave the guitarist of Trauma standing in the right light his playing compliments the four-string rocker standing next to him. With these two one side and the vocalist and drummer on the other side you are left with the sensation that here stands a classic heavy metal four-piece band. As it combines a lot of eighties elements the reference to classic heavy metal foursomes seems about right and if you take anything away from this review at all then take that to heart. The new Trauma disc is most-likely to appeal to eighties purists seeing as it wears those influences rather proudly. From the N.W.O.B.H.M. to eighties metal it's all here and when you take into account it's little winks towards older power and speed metal this new Trauma album actually picks right up where their debut left off! It's not without it's faults of course (see the mix job comment) and it's far ways off from being 2015's top heavy metal release (there's other issues with the production and there sure seems to be a lot of re-used riffs between the ten cuts here), but it's definitely a step up from the band's 1984 debut album and it's a real step in the right direction for these San Fran metalheads! I'm actually looking forward to seeing what's next for Trauma because I have this peculiar feeling that should there be a full-length album number three for Donny Hillier and company (and I truly hope there is one) it will be the one to really set Trauma s name in stone!

* See here and the second review here 

**No, we are are not talking about Cliff Burton. The group's current bass player is a marked improvement over "Scratch and Scream" contributor Lucas Advicula and not necessarily Cliff Burton!Just so that we are all clear on that point!