Ear Danger-Full Blast At Last

Self-Release
2011

Dutch heavy metal band Ear Danger was formed in 1981. By 1982 they would issue their first recording, a four-track release entitled "Demo 1". Two more demos followed in 1983 and in 1984 they were part of a four-way split with Atomic Rock, Scum and Anwar called "Metal Power II". The band's last demo, "Shock & Awe", was (by all accounts) well received (as were all the demos and their appearance on the split) and yet Ear Danger was never able to secure the services of a proper label contract. It certainly wasn't for lack of trying or (for that matter) lack of talent. Ear Danger's brand of heavy metal was well written, played and extremely potent. It was traditional heavy metal of the highest from. And above all else it was fun! So, what happened to this Dutch act that they are just now releasing a proper full-length recording? Perhaps part of the problem might have been that Ear Danger was plagued by an ever changing lineup. For whatever reason they were never able to nail down that one perfect line-up that might have put them over the top. Even though the Netherlands had produced quite the lot in regards to good heavy metal (off hand bands that come to mind are Hammerhawk, Dark Wizard, Bodine, Angus, Highway Chile, Allied Forces and Martyr), one of their best in Ear Danger remained unsigned and sadly mostly unknown. Hopefully this new LP will show the masses why Ear Danger did and still does deserves more recognition. For those in the know Ear Danger were Dutch heavy metal legends so this album is long overdue! This vinyl only release contains 9 tracks of enjoyable heavy metal in it's most pure of forms. If memory serves me correct it is limited to just 300 copies and the material in question is collected from their demo period as well as brand new material recorded just for "Full Blast At Last". As a sign of just how good this band is the new material blends together nicely with the older material giving "Full Blast At Last" this absolutely perfect flow. For those who are curious here is how the album breaks down, track by glorious track, and I must give special thanks to my friend Strappado for providing me with all the proper information needed so that we can all see where everything fits in the grand scheme of things.

1. Belzeebubs Friend (originally on the Demo #2, 1982)
2. Assassin (originally on Shock & Awe, Demo 2007)
3. The Battle (not on any other recordings)
4. Thousand Days In Sodom (originally on Demo #3, 1983)
5. Hellish Wings (originally on Shock & Awe, Demo 2007)
6. Children of the Sun (not on any other recordings)
7. Burn at the Stake (not on any other recordings)
8. King of the Midnight Fire (originally on Metal Power II, Split EP 1984)
9. Shock & Awe (not on any other recordings)

With the line-up of Ivo Metz (guitar), Leon Lohmann (guitar/vocals), Dick Vijgen (drums) and Matt Verschoor (bass/backing vocals) perhaps now Ear Danger can finally get the proper press and respect they duly deserve. If there is a down moment to be found in "Full Blast At Last" it is the limited quantity. While I can understand how the cost of producing CDs verses the actual profit to be made from sales is slim the fact remains that here is an album that should be heard by more people. This one is every bit as good as the new releases by Hell and Bitches Sin if not better! At only 300 copies though it is sure to sell out and then how will a new generation of heavy metal fans get a chance to listen to this killer classic? Maybe with luck it will eventually be re-issued to CD or offered as a digital download. In the meantime if you want to own a piece of heavy metal history in the making then I'd highly urge you to pick this one up a.s.a.p! "Full Blast At Last" is another album of the year contender. Yes, it is that damn good! Even if it does sell out (and frankly I'm sure it will) and they don't re-release it then let's at least hope that "Full Blast At Last" encourages some label to pick up Ear Danger so we can get more new material from them. How great that would be! Find out more about the band and how you can pick up this killer heavy metal album at the link below.


http://www.eardanger.com/

UPDATE!

It turns out that "Full Blast At Last" was released on CD and is now available as a digital download! May the gods of metal be praised!!!!!

Ear Danger-Warrior Soul

Emanes Metal Records
2014

When it comes to my love of Dutch heavy metal band Ear Danger and their new sophomore recording I feel the need to thank a fellow blogger and friend for guiding me their way. That individual happens to have a sensation site which everyone should check out here:  http://strappadometalblog.blogspot.com/#axzz37jnrjpa8. Of course that is AFTER you read through this brief write-up on Ear Danger's powerhouse of a release! And when I say powerhouse that is exactly what you get with "Warrior Soul"! For a band whose origins trace back to the early part of the eighties and whose founding members (bass guitarist Matt Verschoor and drummer Dick Vijgen) are (likely) old enough now to be grandfathers this new release isn't just "loud and proud" it's EPIC! With vocalist/guitarist Leon Lohmann (Schraapstaal, Blackbird (Nld), ex-Knights of Insanity) and guitarist Ivo Metz on board the two founding members cranked things up a notch or two and with a renewed sense of youthful energy laid ten power metal tracks down on tape. Of the ten tracks found on "Warrior Soul" eight are brand new while the remaining two tracks look to be re-recordings of older numbers ("Bound by the Law (Of Heavy Metal)" comes from 2007's "Shock and Awe" demo while "City of Fire" appeared on Ear Danger's "Demo 3" from 1983). All ten numbers gel together seamlessly and with the group obviously focused on improving their songwriting fans will be treated to track after track of majestic rockers! This one starts off with the title cut and from that point forward it is on with new cuts like "I Am Your Enemy", "On The Run", "Crusader" and "To Live Is To Fight" making me fall in love with this classic heavy metal band all over again! I first covered this Dutch outfit back in 2011 with their last album "Full Blast At Last" (http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Ear+Danger-Full+Blast+At+Last) and on "Warrior Soul" it's the same great band only better! The metal on display here is relentless with lead solos that simply rip the fabric of time and space in half! I can't say enough good things about Ear Danger's new disc as this album perfectly represents everything that I love about heavy/power metal. The vocals are gripping and the guitars really do fizzle. And naturally the rhythm section is tight. With those two fine veterans (Matt Verschoor and Dick Vijgen) not only anchoring everything in perfect fashion, but providing a HEAVY backdrop to this whole affair an album like "Warrior Soul" should find plenty of respect and admiration with the metal community. For Ear Danger it's all suddenly becoming a reality and for this band who were criminality overlooked the first time around "Warrior Soul" is a full-on statement that you're never to old to start over! "Warrior Soul" is available to purchase here: http://www.emanesmetalrecords.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=7590 and for more information on Ear Danger be sure to head here:  http://www.facebook.com/eardanger

Andy's Top 30 Heavy Metal Album Reviews of 2011

This year I have decided to do things a little different for my 2011 best-of. Instead of risking a list that would just be a mirror image of Metal Mark's I have decided to post a best-of based solely on my own album reviews. In other words these are the best albums I reviewed personally over the past year with some notes here and there just to keep things interesting. Obviously it is no particular order. Enjoy.

1)Ichabod Crane-Brimstone (Local hardcore, metal, thrash mash up band does good)

2)Bloodbound-Unholy Cross

3)Conflicted-Never Be Tamed

4)Totimoshi-Avenger (Weird and yet so powerful)

5)Ear Danger-Full Blast At Last (Just one of many older bands to grace my list)

6)Hell-Human Remains (What a great year it was for older heavy metal bands!)

7)Exxplorer-Vengeance Rides An Angry Horse (Power metal from the masters!)

8)Death Mask-Sitting In The Dark

9)Satan's Host-Celebration: For the Love of Satan (Re-recorded and re-worked classics!)

10)The Approach and The Execution-The Blood March (Protest The Hero meets Iron Maiden?)

11)Ana Kefr-The Burial Tree (II) (The new face of black metal!)

12)Junius-Reports from the Threshold of Death (Majestic and stunning!)

13)Mockingbird-Mockingbird

14)Bitches Sin-The Rapture (NWOBHM greats return!)

15)Thurkills Vision-For The Sleeping (Modern metal done right!)

16)Priscilla-Eight Lives Gone (Sleazy industrial trash metal?)

17)Times Of Grace-The Hymn Of A Broken Man

18)Praying Mantis-Metalmorphosis 30th Anniversary Special Edition EP (More great NWOBHM!)


19)Sign Of The Jackal-The Beyond (Limited Edition EP) (Horror movies, heavy metal and a female vocalist? Oh yeah!)




20)Voivod-Warriors Of Ice (A live album that showcases just how good these guys are)




21)Deadiron-Deadiron (More local metal like Iron Maiden meets Bay Area Thrash with an Ohio touch!)




22)R.U.S.T.-Forged in the Fire of Metal (Classic heavy metal from a new band. What is not to love?)




23)Benedictum-Dominion (The best in female fronted heavy metal)




24)Saxon-Call To Arms (Welcome back mates!)




25)Megadeth-Thirteen (Maybe Bay Area Thrash isn't dead?)




26)Dexter Ward-Neon Lights (Some of the best heavy metal out there!)




27)Skull Fist-Head öf the Pack




28)Killing Joke-Live at Hammersmith Apollo (Another excellent live album from a classic band!)




29)Slander- Careless Talk Costs Lives (Seriously good metal from a newer NWOBHM act)




30)Riot-Immortal Soul (American heavy metal at it's finest!)

All in all a pretty good year for heavy metal. Lots of local acts proved worthy of praise while plenty of older bands put out new albums that were just killer. There was great releases in straight up heavy metal, thrash, modern metal and black metal. Hopefully 2012 will prove to be as good!