Metal Reviews

In order not to make too much mess on the forum, I decided to follow Zad and create my own topic for recommendations.

OK.

VAVEL - Vavel (1986)

Great Heavy Metal from Greece. Sounding like mix of Running Wild, Iron Maiden (from SIT era) and early Virgin Steele. The vocals can be a bit cheesy in the beginning, but the music has a nice epic feel. I haven't found samples on the net. The albums is like 8$ (Unisound Records). The whole pressing is hand-numbered. There are 3000 copies worldwide. Vavel had recorded one more album "The Second Death" in 1988, which was released in 2004 I think. I haven't heard it yet, but it's ordered, and I'm waiting for it.

REX INFERI - Like A Hurricane (1988)

Classic Speed Metal from Italy. Something like the first Helloween's LP mixed with US early Speed/Thrash bands, not so extremely happy, without too much nasty melodies, great guitar work and vocals (of Zephyr - the guy sings on the half of tracks).

More to come...

WOW!!! Vavel and Rex Inferi mentioned in the same thread! Well done lad!

Funny thing is, I love both these band's second albums, while I find their first attempts rather mediocre! And also both their second albums hadn't been released when they were recorded, but nowadays! And the third and final coincidence is that I wrote a small tribute on Rex Inferi two days ago for forgotten scroll (www.forgotten-scroll.com , check out the tributes section!). Not to mention I used to work for unisound records a couple of years ago

For those of you that don't know these bands, Vavel's "The second death" is top notch euro power, as is Rex Inferi's "Like a Hurricane" but on the darker side of the genre.

Finally! Somebody who's into classic fuckin' sound! :twisted:

Asgardlord, how about recommending here some nice bands for other users too? We can share the topic and write abotu some interesting stuff instead of mainstream?

Next band to come! Morgana :twisted:

MORGANA - Three Years Of Madness (2005)

The songs which are to be found here come from the unreleased "Lady Winter" (1988). Great, classic Speed Metal with powerful vocals of Roberta "Morgana" Dealude. It reminds me of Lizzy Borden and such stuff. Perhaps the sound quality won't satisfy the "Finnvox maniax" but I assume that classic Metalheads would dig it.

There are some pics of Morgana at my webzine. I'll try to publish the interview in English somewhere.

http://www.gondolin.aplus.pl/index.php? ... 7&Itemid=1

And one more good & forgotten band:

GREIFENHAGEN - Only For The Night (1986)

Interesting band from Austria. I see them as a natural response for Quiet Riot (especially "Metal Health"). Some good & heavy NWOBHM inspired riffs and awesome sing-along choruses. You can check them at Vibrations of Doom (www.vibrationsofdoom.com). Not too demanding, good party rockin'!

This is a really informative topic, I must admit (in great shame), that I haven't listened to neither of these bands, but I'll make sure to check them out! Especially Morgana, since I'm a great fan of female vocals in metal (bands like Black Knight or Malteze are amongst my fave!).

My first contribution to this great topic will be an awesome greek band that just reunited, called Raw Silk. During their "fame days" back in the early 90's they even got some airplay on mtv. Their album "Silk under the skin" is first class poser metal/aor, with great vocals and musicianship. It's pretty easy to find since it's been recently re-released on cd by unisound.

Btw, we should exchange banners on our webzines, I'll add yours as soon as I update!

Oh and btw, eternal respect for the metalucifer banner you have on your webpage! RIDE OF THE CHARIOOOOOTS!!!

As for Morgana. You must try it!

That's great that you are keen on writing here about some classic stuff! Maybe some other users will get infected with the Heavy Metal virus

I'll check Raw Silk in a minute. I'll send you PM about the banners.

Stay Heavy!!! \m/

COBRA - Back From The Dead (1987)

Incredible band from the UK. That's their second effort. Pure Heavy Metal but very catchy! It reminds me W.A.S.P. sometimes. To be honest, It's diffucult to compare this stuff to anything else. Perhaps I should listen to it more. 666/10!!! :twisted:

ZNOWHITE - All Hail To Thee (1985)/Kick 'Em When They're Down (1985)

Two EPs from the American Speed Metal band. Great vocals of Nicole Lee. Dirty, raw & appaling sound, buzzsaw guitars. That's it! It reminds me Venom, Original Sin, Motorhead...Even though it's Speed Metal, it's very catchy, but you must be invulnerable to the shitty sound of the basement

Haha this time I won't agree, I can't say I'm a great fan of any of these two bands! So here's my counterproposal :

Overdrive - On Wizard Ridge

I've been listening to it a couple of minutes ago, top notch nwobhm, with catchy and straightforward (but not simplistic) songs, great guitar leads and melodic vocals. It's been recently released on a greek label (shiva records I think).

Satan - Court in the act

Simply put, one of the most musically advanced records the nwobhm has to offer. High speed and technical, with unique double soloing by Steve Ramsey (skyclad) and Russ Tippins, as well as the great vocals of metal master Brian Ross (blietzkrieg). An ultimate must have (and not hard to find either, it's been re-released on cd by Noise).

I've got Overdrive for a couple of weeks, and I must agree with you. Good stuff although I'm not into NWOBHM so much...

And as for Satan I heard them some time ago, but it wasn't enough so I don't have any personal opion about it.

But I've started to get more into NWOBHM and stuff. I will have albums of CHARIOT and BLIND FURY this week!

Stay Heavy! Up the Hammers!!! :twisted:

I totally agree with you because when it comes to nwobhm, for every great band there's ten tons of punk inspired crap! Although I did get some good stuff from the genre lately, one is the Overdrive cd, the other Virtue's "We stand to fight" single which is a killer! Also look out for the Tyrant vinyl re-issue, it will come out soon on Steel Legacy records.

hey i was wondering if anyone would be willing to send me some songs from some of these bands? i live in america, and absolutely love european metal. but alas, for the most part(especially in my part of the country) this stuff is non existant and really hard to find. if anyone willing to send me some songs by these bands id be over joyed! thanks

The problem with most of these stuff is that it's on vinyl, that's why it's hard to transfer on digital form and share. But p.m. me, and I'll see what I have transfered on mp3 (hopefully I'll find that backup dvd I have lying somewhere!)