RAZORExecutioner’s Song Viper (1985)Rating: 9/10 This Canadian quartet caused quite a stir with the release of their self-financed Armed And Dangerous mini-album, and now the band are back with a six-year recording deal with Viper Records, the new 100% heavy metal label launched by Attic Records. Executioner’s Song features 11 killer tracks, of which four […]

HEXXNo Escape Shrapnel (1984)Rating: 8/10 Formerly known as Paradox, Hexx hail from San Francisco, but unlike many of the thrash bands coming out of the Bay Area recently, these guys opt for a more accessible form of metal; more in the Black Sabbath / Ozzy Osbourne / Dio mould. But don’t dismiss Hexx as mere […]

FIONAFiona Atlantic (1985)Rating: 7/10 The Fiona in question is Fiona Flanagan, another female vocalist in the Pat Benatar vein. Looks wise, Fiona kills. Music wise? Well, I think she has the voice, but I think maybe the material in places could be better. That’s not to say that there aren’t any high spots on this […]

SAVAGE GRACEMaster Of Disguise Black Dragon (1985)Rating: 9/10 The newly launched French based Black Dragon Records have certainly come up trumps with their first release. Master Of Disguise is Savage Grace’s second vinyl offering and a vast improvement on the band’s The Dominatress EP. They have brought in a fine Dio-inspired vocalist in Mike Smith […]

VENOMPossessed Neat (1985)Rating: 8/10 Venom have for so long been the trend setters for many up-and-coming bands of total noise destruction, whether it be black metal, power metal, death metal or just plain heavy metal. But recently I’ve felt that many of the students have been beating their tutors at their own game, by releasing […]

CHASTAINMystery Of Illusion Shrapnel (1985)Rating: 8/10 Apart from Warlock and Acid I can’t say I go a bundle on female fronted metal bands. However, Chastain seem to be another exception to the rule with the powerful Dorothee Pesch / Jody Turner raunchy vocal style of Leather, who was formerly with Rock Goddess clones Rude Girl. […]

ANTHRAX – Anarchy In The USA Bernard Doe Metal Forces, Issue 10 (1985) Anthrax (l-r): Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Joey Belladonna, Dan Spitz and Frank Bello Pic: Geoffrey Thomas European headbangers have heard very little of Anthrax since the release of their superb debut album, Fistful Of Metal, early last year. Following a successful US […]

HAWAII – Life Goes On Steve Hammonds Metal Forces, Issue 10 (1985) Marty Friedman It’s been a long time since anything has been heard or seen of Hawaii. But now the band are back with the release of a new EP entitled Loud, Wild and Heavy. You may remember that a couple of years ago […]

SOUND BARRIERBorn To Rock Pit Bull (1984)Rating: 8/10 LA’s Sound Barrier were the first all-black heavy metal unit to get a major deal. It’s a real shame they lost it, because what material I’ve heard from their debut, Total Control, convinced me that they really did have something. Still, the guys have now bounced back […]

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