Witchkiller - Day Of The Saxons (EP)

This one is for those of True Metal, others can leave the hall. This is galloping war themed heavy metal much in the vein of Omen and Manowar, with a vocalist that sounds much like Dio at times and ill be damned if anyone could ever have a complaint about that. Witchkiller formed in 81, putting out a few demos before being picked up by metal blade to put this out, released another EP the following year and then nothing has been released by them since although they apparently are active and still on the metal blade roster. So if you havent heard this forgotten classic, do Crom proud and do so.


riders of doom

Queensryche - Rage for Order

Queensryche really need no introduction by now im sure. In the early days they were basically considered to be the US answer to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, although after their debut EP they became far less metallic. But what they did remain were great songwriters and musicians, not to mention having one of the most charismatic frontmen the world would ever see, with a range that could match that of Rob Halford. Rage for order would be the bands second full length and one of my personal favorites and ever since i posted the Queen of the Reich Ep i have been listening to this band almost non stop. You may like them, you may not, really i dont care because im too busy banging my head to We are Rebellion.

chemical youth

Jaguar - Power Games

Heres a piece of somewhat unsung NWOBHM. Its no Angel Witch or Cloven hoof, but still an enjoyable piece of speedy melodic british steel. The riffs and solos are excellent, solid rhythm section, but the vocalist was probably the weakest link.


Power Games

Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak

I always thought that out of all the 70's rock bands, Thin Lizzy were among the most underappreciated. Maybe it was their location? I dunno, U2 was from Ireland also and it didnt seem to hold them back. I also thought they were among the most inovative and influential as well with their proto metal style and twin guitar attack, influencing just about every NWOBHM band, as well as Metallica, and even some modern bands (see Mastodon) and others. Fighter/vocalist Phil Lynotts lyrics were poetic and intelligently written blue collar tales of love and hate, he would later succumb to his drug addiction, Thin Lizzy disbanded in 1983.

ill come runnin back to you

Ghost - Opus Eponymous

 

Many of you have probably know about this band, as theyve gotten quite a bit of attention, some cry gimmick, but hey, Fenriz likes them and so do I so fuck off with your oppinions. The members have chosen to remain anonymous, so nobody really knows who they are and thats where the gimmick accusations have came from. As far as the sound, most have compared it to early mercyful fate. I would say thats accurate, just add a splash of early doom and rock, and not to mention the awesome occult lyrical themes. Oh and Lee Dorian also likes them i assume, as they are on his Rise Above label. Fans of Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Mercyful Fate, Black Wido, and Blue Oyster Cult should eat this up.

satan