Apocalypse - Apocalypse (1988)

Apocalypse was a Swiss thrash metal band formed in the early/mid '80s touring with high-profile acts such as Metallica when they were getting their music act together back in Switzerland. They recorded two full-length albums, this one (self-titled) and 'Faithless,' both of which are considered rare, thrash masterpieces by many fans.

Now, this album is certainly very nice. The guitar riffs and solos are speedy and heavy while the vocals are . . . different, compared to many high key-hitting metal vocalists from this time--yet vocalist Carlos Sprenger didn't have that thrash voice either. It's different, and it can easily be likable or turn you off from the actual music. If it happens to turn you off by any chance, listen to how great the music is in general--it's fantastic! Like I've said, the solos are speedy and heavy and the drumming is actually very nice. This album is certainly melodic in some senses that -might- leave you wanting more. Check them out.

LINEUP:
Carlos Sprenger - Vocals
Julien Brocher, Zurich Zurcher: Guitars
Momos Domenjoz: Percussion
Jean Claude Schneider: Bass

TRACK LISTING:
Digital Life - 5:08
A Tale of a Nightmare - 3:31
Crash - 4:29
Fuck Off and Die - 4:39
The Night Before - 4:07
Apocalypse - 4:24
Back to the Fire - 3:19
Dark Sword - 3:40
Cemetery - 4:44

8/10.

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Razor - Evil Invaders (1985)

Here's some more fantastic thrash metal with Razor's second album 'Evil Invaders.' This is an interesting album, certainly, with great guitar solos and a unique-sounding vocalist.

Still alive today (with their guitarist being the only permanent member), Razor has kicked some serious ass in the thrash world and they've been under the surface for too long. 'Evil Invaders' provides some of the heaviest, fastest, and most intense speed tracks to date (Iron Hammer, I'm pointing at you) with some gnarly bass you hear from beginning-to-end. In ways, I hear some Lemmy and hardcore influence in the vocals and it wins me over easily if not for the riffs. Despite the okay production, you truly hear some intense, raw, ass-kicking intensity that truly defines thrash metal as a whole. You will enjoy this album easily if you're into raw thrash.

LINEUP:
Stace McLaren: Vocals
Dave Carlo: Guitars
Mike Campagnolo: Bass
Mike Embro: Percussion

TRACK LISTING:
Nowhere Fast - 4:26
Cross Me Fool - 3:13
Legacy of Doom - 3:22
Evil Invaders - 3:49
Iron Hammer - 3:38
Instant Death - 2:57
Cut Throat - 4:11
Speed Merchants - 3:45
Tortured Skull - 5:35
Thrashdance - 3:19

Final thoughts on Razor's 'Evil Invaders': With an interestingly enough raw feel, this is some true in-your-face thrash metal with high influences in its speed metal feel. If you're into Lemmy-esque vocals and intense guitar solos and just general thrash metal, you need this staple. 8.2/10

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Helstar - Burning Star (1984)

If you ask any speed metal fan (They still exist!) what one essential album would be, one of their answers will probably include Helstar's first album, which is 'Burning Star.' As a speed metal classic, they aren't exactly mainstream when you hear of the term 'metal' at all, but they have all of what you wish for in a great album: Fantastic vocals, insane guitar solos, and awesome production not to mention some nice drumming. It sounds, and IS, a true '80s speed metal and certainly obligatory.

With 8 tracks of pure ass-kicking metal, all of the songs have their own theme and it doesn't have any form of repetition in the songwriting whatsoever--and they're all enjoyable. The album starts with 'Burning Star,' the album's name and it has a memorable opening riff that eventually introduces the drumming with some dark--yet high--vocals. As it goes on, it closes with 'Dracula's Castle,' a soft-sounding acoustic song that turns out to be a typical speed metal song that is remarkably interesting.

LINEUP:
James Rivera/Bill Lionel: Vocals
Larry Barragan: Guitars
Tom Rogers: Guitars
Hector Pavon: Drums
Paul Medina: Bass

TRACK LISTING:
Burning Star - 3:50
Towards the Unknown - 4:44
Witch's Eye - 3:03
Run With the Pack - 6:38
Leather and Lust - 3:26
Possession - 3:28
Shadows of Iga - 4:59
Dracula's Castle - 4:51

Final thoughts on Helstar's 'Burning Star': It's an essential speed metal album, what can I say? If you enjoy Agent Steel or are starting with metal at all, this band and album is a great way to start. Excellent guitar solos, riffs, and high, dark vocals. 8/10.

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Fatal Violence - Ashes Tell No Tales - Compilation (2008)

Fatal Violence . . . ahh. This is certainly a band I'm sure you have not heard of, although once you hear them, you'll probably remember them easily. The riffs are SICK and the vocals are high and heavy! Although the drumming needs a little work, this compilation of Fatal Violence's greatest works remastered from their '80s demos is certainly a keeper; That's for sure.


This thrash/speed metal band formed in Illinois in 1985 right before thrash metal was reaching its prime state. Vocalist Doug Trevisan and bassist Rob Charrier were originally in the band Enforcer, although neither did this band or Fatal Violence ever release their demos into full-length albums, which is a shame considering these two bands have incredible talent. Regardless, we have this compilation album and we're all happy.

This album starts with an eerie, space-y introduction and soon fades into lightning-fast soloing as the lead vocalist eventually lands his banshee singing into such a masterpiece of a song. In the later tracks, his voice takes on a thrash-y, harsh style that is easily in the same tier as vocals from bands such as Metal Church or maybe even Helstar. Get this if you're a fan of either one or even Agent Steel, for that matter!

LINEUP:
Doug Trevisan: Vocals
Dave Enlow: Guitars, keyboard
Rob Charrier: Bass
Mike Paulson: Drums

TRACK LISTING:
Intro - 1:13
Faces of Death - 4:26
Terror on the Horizon - 3:46
Ashes Tell No Tales - 4:45
Cause for Deliverance - 4:55
Eye of the Storm - 5:31
Violence is Golden - 4:20
Sonic Freeze - 4:04
Fusebox - 5:31
Cyanide - 5:27
Friday the 13th - 7:06
Shades of Sam - 5:32

Final thoughts on Fatal Violence's "Ashes Tell No Tales": This is a nice little metal gem I'm sure you'll enjoy if the sound of Metal Church mixed with Helstar and Agent Steel sounds like a nice combination. Consider this a compliment because it is. 8.75/10.

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Megadeth - Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! (1985)

I don't care what anybody says; Megadeth's debut album "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" is definitely the best album from them. Despite poor production due to money usage on drugs (Which doesn't really matter--it's solid regardless), Megadeth pulled through with it and made one of the most solid thrash gems out there.

After Dave Mustaine gets kicked out of Metallica sent on a Greyhound bus to L.A., he forms Megadeth declaring he "wanted blood. Theirs," and that he "wanted to be faster and heavier than them." Surely enough, it's proven here. (Compare Metallica's first album, 'Kill 'Em All,' with Megadeth's 'Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!' There's a vast difference.)


The album starts with an eerie piano piece faded out rather quickly to insane shredding by Dave Mustaine on the first track "Last Rites." Lyrics of relationships, thrashing, falling in love as an auto mechanic, being a hitman, the perspective of a religious figure, a Nancy Sinatra "cover," and far more are bound to be found in this album and it's an interesting mix, I tell you. The drumming is superb, Dave's shouting and aggressive "heroin-fueled-rage," as I call it, is beyond extraordinary, and the insane bass makes this album so successful in my eyes, that any thrasher needs this album as soon as possible.

LINEUP:
Dave Mustaine: Vocals, Guitars
Chris Poland: Guitars
Gar Samuelson: Percussion
David Ellefson: Bass

TRACK LISTING:
Last Rites/Loved To Death - 4:40
Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! - 3:06
Skull Beneath The Skin - 3:47
These Boots - 3:41
Rattlehead - 3:43
Chosen Ones - 2:55
Looking Down The Cross - 5:05
Mechanix - 4:22

Final thoughts on Megadeth's "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!": All I can say is . . . get the album. There's nothing more I can generally say about it. My favourite tracks off this album would easily be 'Last Rites' and 'Mechanix.' If you have the chance, hear the "remastered" version of 'These Boots' with the censorship--it's actually quite hilarious. 9.5/10

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