HELLION RECORDS
The German label
HELLION RECORDS has been releasing quite a lot underground
(mostly) US Metalalbums, and I thought it was time to do some
sort of special on this small label, which by the way is also
responsible for organising every year one of the biggest Metal
events in the world: WACKEN OPEN AIR! Anyway, below are not all
their releases reviewed, but 7 of their catalogue, for a full
list of releases and more info on any other underground Metal
release go to their site at: http://www.hellionrecords.de
EXILED
EXILED (HELLION RECORDS)
Without a doubt, the American band EXILED stands for high class
80s US Melodic Metal, which reminds me a lot of WARLORD. Their
same titled CD on HELLION RECORDS contains 8 tracks, with a
playing length of only 35 minutes, but what you get is very
impressive Melodic Metal from start to finish. Songs like
Fighter planes, On the edge of sadness,
Night stalker and Locked in a cell are
lovely pure 80s US Melodic Metal of a very high level. If bands
like JAG PANZER, HEIR APPARENT, WARLORD etc. are your kinda
bands, then this EXILED is must to check out, but the band
recently released a new CD, so also read that review below.
(Points:
8.5 out of 10)
EXILED FORTUNE TELLER
(HELLION RECORDS)
The band from Phoenix, Arizona, USA returns with a new CD, which
has a very nice extensive booklet, just like most other HELLION
RECORDS releases, and everything seems to sound quite well.
EXILED is playing Classic 80s US Metal, with a strong Power/Speed
Metal approach, so fast songs with melodic vocals. When you put
this CD on, its like your stepping into a time machine and
head back to 1986 when this kind of Metal ruled the underground
scene of both America and Europe. This is definitely a must for
fans of HELSTAR, AGENT STEEL, METAL CHURCH, VICIOUS RUMORS...
Highlights on the new EXILED CD are The blade of
death, Internal disorder, May you wake in
your grave and Fortune teller. Concluded, get
this CD asap if youre into classic 80s True Power Metal!
(Points:
8.5 out of 10)
K-OCTAVE OUTER LIMITS
(HELLION RECORDS)
Out of North Carolina, USA comes K-OCTAVE and their CD on HELLION
RECORDS is filled with high class 80s Melodic US Power Metal a la
HEIR APPARENT, SAVAGE GRACE, LEATHERWOLF, JAG PANZER, OBSESSION,
CAGE, EIDOLON, etc. etc. Although only 8 songs are included here,
with a total playing time of 38 minutes, this CD is a must for
fans of classy 80s US Metal, as it is really of a very high
level. The song Authenticate is SUPERB pure 80s
Melodic US Metal at its very best, even reminding of the
first EP of QUEENSRYCHE and very early CRIMSON GLORY. Other
highlights are Outer limits, Descending
existance (fantastic!) and Who laughs last. You
better get yourself a copy of this CD a.s.a.p.!
(Points:
8.5 out of 10)
ROTTWEILER SCREAMS OF THE
INNOCENT (HELLION RECORDS)
This is one of those obscure bands from the mid 1980s. Back then
there were thousands of Metalbands in the USA, most of them
signed to some obscure label, but also quite a lot only managed
to release only a demo. ROTTWEILER is one of those 80s US bands,
whom now finally get something they deserved a long time ago,
namely a decent label release and as we now live in the year
2004, its released on CD. The CD is titled Screams of
the innocent and it contains 13 tracks recorded in 1986 and
a few live bonustracks. Musically this is prime-time classic 80s
US Metal, and opener Exterminator starts the album
very impressive, as this is a killer Metal track a la ANVIL,
RIOT, HELSTAR... Set the world on fire is a bit
weaker, and sounds like a weaker version of PRIEST, but
furthermore this CD contains some great classy Melodic Metal
material, such as Rock N Roll you bring me pain,
Seduxtress from hell and Where I am. This
is another typical 80s US Melodic Metal piece, recommended to
fans of mentioned bands.
(Points:
8.0 out of 10)
VORTEX HAMMER OF THE NORTH
(HELLION RECORDS)
The Dutch band VORTEX recently had 2 of their albums re-issued
onto CD by UNISOUND and now HELLION also released another album
of the band titled Hammer of the north. The album
contains 8 tracks, while this CD also contains 2 bonustracks from
their 2 other albums, and 4 newer tracks as recorded in 2000
under the CD title The mill. It doesnt matter
that much, because just like their other albums, the music is 80s
Metal, but due to the weak lead vocals it isnt that
interesting. In fact, this VORTEX might be one of the most
overrated bands, because they were really not that good. Sure,
instrumental it sounded pretty good, but their lead singer was
clearly the weakest link, and also the songs were not really
good. In the 1980s there were many (and better) Dutch Metalbands,
but VORTEX sadly was just one of those bands (just like IMPACT)
that definitely was nothing special. Only recommended to die-hard
fans!
(Points:
6.5 out of 10)
HEIR APPARENT TRIAD (HELLION
RECORDS)
HEIR APPARENT could have been one of those bigger American acts,
like QUEENSRYCHE, FATES WARNING and CRIMSON GLORY, but instead
they disappeared after 1989 for over a decade. Happily they
returned in 1999 with their album Triad. It was not
really a comeback, as many of the recordings took place in the
late 1980s. Most of the songs can also be found on the
bands 2nd record One small voice, but also 5
new songs are included. Besides, anyone whom never heard HEIR
APPARENT get their chance now, because this is a high class
Melodic (Prog) Metal album in the best QUEENSRYCHE and CRIMSON
GLORY tradition. Songs like We, the people,
Keeper of the reign, Tomorrow night,
Two hearts (AORish ballad), Young forever
and The fifth season are all classic QUEENSRYCHEish
Melodic Metal songs. This band could have easily been up there
with good old QUEENSRYCHE, but it never happened. Fortunately
this CD is available and therefore everyone can hear for
themselves that there were more interesting US bands playing in
the style of
FATES WARNING, CRIMSON GLORY and QUEENSRYCHE. Go check it out!
(Points:
8.5 out of 10)
NOT FRAGILE YESTERDAYS
HEROES
(HELLION RECORDS)
I reviewed one of the NOT FRAGILE CDs a long time ago, but
Yesterdays heroes on HELLION RECORDS is a new
disc for me. I must say that I did not know that NOT FRAGILE
exists for over 20 years now, but apparantly they have been on
the German scene since the early 80s, with even some LP releases
during the beginning. Anyway, this new CD contains 14
tracks, a mixture of older re-recorded NOT FRAGILE originals and
covers of old 70s/80s Rocksongs that inspired NOT FRAGILE one way
or the other. From their own songs I really need to add such
great Melodic (Speed) Metal songs (a la early STORMWITCH/TOKYO
BLADE) like With all my might, Made of
Metal, Hard to be alive and Too
fast. The coversongs are also great and striking are the
ones from SWEET, SLADE, BAY CITY ROLLERS and even JOE LYNN TURNER
FANDANGOs Hypnotized. Without a doubt, a strong
Melodic Metal record in typical German style, although half of
the CD are covers, it all sounds like (for example) a PRIMAL
FEAR, so check it out if youre starting to become
interested!
(Points:
8.5 out of 10)