Through the Gates of Hell! Metal Compilation Albums

[Trollheart]

I did this some years ago and thought it would be fun to revive and continue it. Basically I listen to a metal compilation album, give you my verdict on the songs/artists, tell you what I can about them and where, if anywhere, they are now. These are NOT reviews, just a basic few comments on each track, and videos where available, as they are not always. It's more a fun thing than a review thing, but feel free to comment or join in if you wish. Some of these artists will be well known, some less so, and some perhaps not at all. Some will have gone on to greater things, others may have gone on to a successful career in insurance or something. If I can find out what happened to them, where they are now, I'll note that.

Tracks will be colour-coded to show what I think of them at a glance. The key is:
Red = Terrible. Hate it.
Orange = Decent, not bad but could be a lot better.
Brown = Meh
Green = Good or maybe even very good
Blue = Killer! Love this!

If you wish to suggest comp albums for me to look at, go ahead but bear in mind they MUST be compilation albums of tracks by DIFFERENT artists. So no Metallica's greatest hits or anything like that. Also, I'll make no promises: this first series has like thirteen volumes, so it's going to keep me busy for a while. Mind you, I'm not saying I'll stick with this till I get through all thirteen; I may mix it up. We'll see. As usual, my rules and intentions are about as rigid as a weak jelly, so let's get going.




Metal Massacre Volume I, released 1982.

Track one: "Chains Around Heaven" (Black'N'Blue)

Yeah, about that: Black'n'Blue are probably most famous, like it or not, for having at one time had future Kiss lead guitarist and manager Tommy Thayer among their ranks. Though they are still around, having released a total of five albums since 1984, their last effort was in 2011.

The track: It's a decent uptempo song, with a nice hook, but I don't feel it's anything special. They supposedly had an "in-your-face" sound. Well, maybe you had to see them live to appreciate it. Still, it's a good enough song.

So where are they now? Still around, though as I said their last album was in 2011 with nothing heard of them since, though they did play live gigs in 2013.

Track two: "Live for the Whip" (Bitch)

Yeah, about that: You have to admire a female-fronted band who just say fuck it and to hell with convention and caution. Bitch used S&M themes in their live shows, incurred the wrath of PMRC and Tipper Gore, were ironically kept in the news by the same self-styled do-gooders, aiding the sales of their second album, but later toned their set and their music down, changing their name to Betsy, for the lead singer, Betsy Bitch, nee Weiss.

The track: Faster and punchier than the opener, and Betsy's a decent (though not fantastic) singer. The BDSM overtones of the song are perhaps a little cartoonish, but at least they garnered them some controversy when released. No publicity is bad publicity, right?

So where are they now? Still going, after a rather long hiatus. Officially their last album was 1998, with some live performances in the intervening years, but last year they returned as a full band and played a live date in April, with a two-day headlining festival gig lined up and a new album due soon.

Track three: Captive of light (Malice)

Yeah, about that: Malice hailed from Portland, Oregon, and immediately drew comparisons to Judas Priest, which was not helped by the fact the one of their two guitarists looked just like a certain KK Downing! They survived though, and supported Motorhead, Alice Cooper and WASP, even Slayer on tour, though the last did not end well.

The track: Got a good boogie rhythm to it, kind of reminds me of early Diamond Head. Vocalist has that Eric Adams kind of operatic scream at times. It's okay but again nothing eye-opening.

So where are they now? Malice released two albums in the late eighties, plus an EP in 1989. Other than it was compilations until 2012, when they recorded four new songs to go with yet another compilation. So technically they're still around, though not much seems to have happened over the last three years.


Track four: "Octave" (Avatar)

Yeah, about that: I can find nothing about this band, who unfortunately chose a name that about twenty other bands, spread across the world and working in various sub-genres from thrash to doom, also chose. Not to mention a small, little-known movie...
The track: It's an instrumental. It's metal. It's not bad.

So where are they now? Not a scooby doo pal!

Track five: "Death of the Sun" (Cirith Ungol)

Yeah, about that: Possibly one of the very earliest doom metal bands, Cirith Ungol were formed in 1972 but survived without any major backing from a label for eight years, only releasing their debut album in 1980. They lasted till 1991 and released four albums, changing their original doom metal approach to a more progressive one as the years went on.

The track: Right away, this is the first track that has stood out for me. The high-pitched, almost screamed (but still intelligible) vocals, the almost seventies hard rock sound, the dark guitars, the pace of the music, everything marks this band out as one to watch.

So where are they now? After four albums Cirith Ungol split, and in 1998 founding member Jerry Fogle passed away, leaving other founder Greg Lindstrom playing with his new band, Falcon.

Track six: "Dead of the Night" (Demon Flight)

Yeah, about that: The only things I can find out about Demon Flight are that a) they came from LA and b) they released one EP in 1981 before splitting up.

The track: It's interesting again, with a kind of doomy/prog feel to it, wailing vocals which are certainly different (think a toned-down King Diamond perhaps) and it sounds like they could have been onto something. Pity they didn't stick at it.

So where are they now? All indications are that they split after this EP, though there is nothing to definitively confirm this. Still, with no output since 1981, I don't see them returning over thirty years later!

Track seven: "Fighting Backwards" (Pandemonium)

Yeah, about that: Originally formed as Demon in 1977, they changed their name but still managed to pick one that has since been copied by a dozen bands. They hailed from Alaska, of all places, and released three albums before splitting in 1988.

The track: Again, we're looking at more hard rock than heavy metal here, the likes of Zep or Free, with a hard buzzy guitar and a very decent vocal, but I guess they failed to make the big time. Sounds like they had some real talent though.

So where are they now? Split after three albums, in 1988. Don't you pay attention?

Track eight: "Kick You Down" (Malice)

Yeah, about that: The only band to feature twice on this volume.

The track: A whole lot better than their other effort. This has real bite in it, and you can see in this case why it was chosen to be included.

So where are they now? See above.

Track nine: "Hit the Lights" (Metallica)

Yeah, about that: Anyone who needs background on Metallica can just get the fuck out now! Go on, turn in your leather jacket and your laminated pass!

The track: An early effort from the LA giants, which became the first track on their first ever album. If you've heard Kill 'em All you know what to expect. If not, then remedy this oversight immediately.

So, where are they now? One of the biggest and richest metal bands on the planet, that's where!

Note: This first volume was actually released in three pressings, apparently, almost identical each time, but there were slight differences, with tracks included on the other pressings that are not on this, the third one. So I'll just quickly address those now.

On the first pressing, the Black'n'Blue song is replaced as the first track by this, which I find about a thousand times superior. Why they changed it for later pressings (dropping the Steeler track completely) is beyond me.

Track one (First pressing): "Cold Day in Hell" (Steeler)

Yeah, about that: Steeler were a band who started off against the odds, as a metal band born in Nashville, the spiritual home of country music. Although they gained moderate success they only ever released the one album, and their main claim to fame is that they once had guitar supremo Yngwie Malmsteen in their lineup. Steeler are said to have been very influential to many metal bands, probably mostly thanks to the Y-Man and his incredible style of shredding.

The track: Has a great bite about it, and even though Malmsteen had yet to join at this point, you can hear the pretty superb guitar work that marks this out as something special. A lot of power with a stomping kind of bravado, and a pretty catchy hook in the chorus, even if to me it does sound like "Holiday in Hell"!

So where are they now? Only three or four months after Malmsteen joined, he left, and due to constant lineup changes the band folded in the summer of 1983. Founder Ron Keel went on to form the short-lived Keel, while Yngwie, well, we all know what happened to him.

On the first and second pressing, there are ten tracks, the fourth (that instrumental) being pushed down to fifth by the inclusion of this, much more important song.

Track four (First and second pressing): "Tell the World" (Ratt)

Yeah, about that: Well I think we all know who Ratt are? Out of the cellar? Invasion of Your Privacy? One of the big glam metal acts of the eighties, they're still around. Hide the cheese!

The track: Ratt were always a cut above the rest, and with the likes of Motley Crue and Quiet Riot led the glam metal revolution of the early eighties in LA. You can see on this why they've stayed the course and weathered the passage of time. Unknown and unsigned when they recorded this originally, it ended up on their greatest hits album ten years later and gave them a title for a later compilation in 2007. The swagger and sass evident even in this early track shows what a big name this rodent was going to be.

So where are they now? Still around, and going strong.

[Trollheart]

Metal Massacre II, released 1982

Yeah, two albums of unsigned bands in the one year. Metal Blade were busy in '82!

Track one: "Lesson Well Learned" (Armored Saint)

Yeah, about that: Armored Saint went through some lineup changes, including one forced upon them when their guitarist died from leukemia, and another when vocalist John Bush joined Anthrax, and in fact they disbanded in 1992, reformed in 1999, went on hiatus in 2001 and finally reformed again in 2005. They have released eight albums to date.

The track: The production is terrible, but the rawness kind of adds to the song's appeal. It's a good rollicking rocker, driven on powerful guitar and with a strong vocal.

So where are they now? Still around, still recording.

Track two: "Mind Invader" (3rd Stage Alert)

Yeah, about that: Oddly enough, these guys seem to have released just one EP in 1984, which did not have this song on it. They were another band from LA.

The track: A much better track than the first one, with elements of Sabbath, Rainbow and Uriah Heep in it, great guitar work and what sound like keyboards. Really strong and powerful vocal. Fun fact: two ex-members of Steeler, whom we met on the first volume, played with 3rd Stage Alert. Actually one of the best tracks I've heard on either volume to this point.

So where are they now? Well, they were talented, good songwriters and a cut above anything else here, so naturally they split and were never heard from again.

Track three: "Rivit (sic) Head" (Surgical Steel)

Yeah, about that: Well, when all you can manage in two years is to release two demos, one of which contains ninety percent of the other, don't expect stardom to come knocking on your door. It didn't.

The track: I guess it's sort of early thrash, which is odd when you see a picture of the guys, who are serious poster boys for hair metal! Not too bad a track but a little hard to take the tough-as-nails lyric seriously when you can see who's singing!

So where are they now? Split up I guess. Never even got an album out.

Track four: "Shadows of Steel" (Obsession)

Yeah, about that: Seems Obsession are famous for bringing to fame vocalist Michael Vescera, who went on to head up such bands as Loudness and Dr. Sin, and worked with Yngwie as well as getting into production. They've also provided songs for various slasher movies, including the third instalment of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The track: Interesting echo effect on the vocals. Reminds me of an early Iron Maiden, though a bit more polished. I can see why Vescera was highly sought after as a vocalist.

So where are they now? Still going, having released their last album so far in 2012.

Track five: "Sceptres of Deceit" (Savage Grace)

Yeah, about that: Not a whole lot of interest I can tell you about Savage Grace, other than they once employed Randy Rhoads's brother on vocals and that their original vocalist and guitarist, and founder of the band, disappeared "mysteriously" before they reformed in 2010.

The track: Decent song, but the vocalist seems to be straining a little? Nothing overly special about the song, but it's not crap either. Holy shit! Is there a woman joining him or is his range actually that wide? Maybe I should rethink my idea on this track.

So where are they now? After the disappearance of Chris Logue, the co-founder of the band, they decided to carry on with a new vocalist, but their last real album was out in 1986, so whether you can say they're still around technically or not I'm not so sure.

Track six: "No Holds Barred" (Overkill)

Yeah, about that: Right. You're joking, yes? We all know who Overkill are.

The track: It's a little raw compared to the kind of thing they would later do, and to be honest listening to this you actually can't get the same idea that you did from the likes of Metallica and, later in this series, Slayer. It's a good song but I feel it's a little below par.

So where are they now? Still going, with their last album, their sixteenth, released last year.

Track seven: "Lucifer's Hammer" (Warlord)

Yeah, about that: Anything you need to know about Warlord, see The Batlord, if you can find him. He loves them.

The track: Despite Batty's enthusiasm and his belief that they would be right up my alley, I couldn't get as excited about Warlord as he did. I thought what I heard was okay but not remarkable, and it just did not impress me. Here, it just sounds like a sub-Gary Moore song to me. Okay but again nothing special. This would later appear on their debut album, Deliver Us, released the next year.

So, where are they now? Warlord were another band who suffered from ever-fluctuating lineups, and disbanded in 1986, with a brief reformation in 1997 and then in 2011 they reformed properly, releasing a new album in 2013. Point of interest to no-one but me: Shadow Gallery guitarist Gary Wehrkamp is now playing bass for them.

Track eight: "Such a Shame" (Trauma)

Yeah, about that: Trauma's claim to fame is that they once numbered Metallica bass player Cliff Burton (RIP) in their ranks. They seem to have had a stop/start career, being around since 1984 but only releasing one album until this year, when they released their second, making a thirty-one-year gap between the two!

The track: They've been compared to Maiden, and I can see the similarities. Impressive guitar work.

So where are they now? Have no idea where they've been for three decades since their debut, but now apparently they're back with their, um, second album...

Track nine: "It's Alright" (Dietrich)

Yeah, about that: Again, nothing much I can tell you. They had one demo and one EP and that seems to have been about it for them. Oh, they were presumably named for guitarist and founder Brad Dietrich.

The track: Sounds like they had some talent too. Good rocker with an impressive vocalist. Not the most imaginative of lyrics, but you can't have everything. As indeed, they did not.

So where are they now? Split up, it would seem. Very little information on them.

Track ten: "Inversion" (Molten Leather)

Yeah, about that: Can't tell you a thing. No information at all.

The track: Good song, not as bad as some of the ones here. Odd how they didn't survive.

So where are they now? Search me, but as there's zero information on them around the interweb, I assume they never made it and split up.

Track eleven: "Kings" (Hyksos)

Yeah, about that: I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume they were Greek, or had some Greek members? No, from LA. And given the fact that both guitarists were Gonzaleses, I'd think more Spanish than Greek. Other than that, can't tell you much except they cut one album in 1982, and this was on it.

The track: Another decent rocker, even if the vocalist's range is a little screechy for my tastes. Nice kind of progressive feel to it in the later minutes. Pretty good actually; really improves in the latter half.

So where are they now? Again, I assume they're split up but I can't confirm.

Track twelve: "Heavy Metal Virgin" (Aloha)

Yeah, about that: Bit of confusion here. Metal Archives says they worked under the name Vixen from 1981-82, then changed to Aloha and became Hawaii from 1983-1986. If they changed their name so much it's not that surprising they had no chance to make it. Looks like they got out two albums under the latter name though, which is more than they managed as Aloha!

The track: Well it's the only one on the whole compilation to feature a female vocal, which is interesting in itself. Lisa Ruiz has a decent voice, though it doesn't knock me over.

So where are they now? After three years under the name Hawaii it seems they ran out of names and decided to call it a day.

[Trollheart]

Metal Massacre III, released in 1983

Track one: "Aggressive Protector" (Slayer)

Yeah, about that: Come on, everyone knows Slayer.

The track: Again, it's well known as one of Slayer's first, found as a bonus track on their debut EP, Haunting the Chapel, 1984

So where are they now? Other than losing Jeff Hanneman to cirrhosis of the liver, Slayer are still one of the loudest, fastest and aggressive metal bands in the world. They recently released their twelfth album.

Track two: "Riding in Thunder" (Bitch)

Yeah, about that: See volume I

The track: It's ok. Plods a little, hasn't got the same energy as "Live for the Whip" on the first volume. Vocals are a little weaker.

So where are they now? Again, see volume I

Track three: "Tyrant" (Armageddon)

Yeah, about that: Another band who chose a nmae used by many other bands, some of which are American, so it's virtually impossible for me to find out any information about them, as all the bands bearing that name that I've come across have been, well, not this band.

The track: This has a lot of promise. Big slow blues-style grinder, with a hint of doom metal in it, and the vocalist is well suited to that sort of metal, mostly snarling the words out. Gorgeous little bassline there near the end, leading a smoking blues break to fade.

So where are they now? Could not tell you.

Track four: "Piranhas" (Medusa)

Yeah, about that: California band, chose another name that has been well used, even by a British NWOBHM band, which confused me at first. Released one EP and one demo.

The track: Short, fast and unremarkable. Meh.

So where are they now? Just a guess, but I expect they went their separate ways after failing to achieve fame and fortune.

Track five: "Bite the Knife" (Test Pattern)

Yeah, about that: No information of any kind I'm afraid

The track: Now this is just brilliant! Old school, no-nonsense, heads down metal with a killer guitar solo. Sweet.

So where are they now? Probably disbanded, though I can't say for certain

Track six: "Blitzkrieg" (Black Widow)

Yeah, about that: Oddly, I thought I knew (of) this band, but there is nothing on them, other than a much later band called Black Widow USA, who are definitely not these guys.

The track: Powerful guitar assault in the Maiden/Helloween vein, seems to be an instrumental. Only the second we've had in this series so far.

So where are they now? Shrug.

Track seven: "Mrs Victoria" (Warlord)

Yeah, about that: See volume II

The track: Much better than the other track. Very progressive, has a great melody, strong vocals and some really nice keys. Crazy ending.

So where are they now? See volume II

Track eight: "Let's Go All the Way" (Virgin Steele)

Yeah, about that: Everyone knows who Virgin Steele are, right?

The track: Slightly retitled for the Guardians of the Flame album to "Go All the Way".

So where are they now? Still churning out superior power metal albums, with their thirteenth out this year.

Track nine: "Fire and Wind" (Sexist)

Yeah, about that: Although not too much is known of them, they do seem to have had both Jake E. Lee and future GNR axeman Gilby Clarke in their ranks. Only released one demo but oddly this was not on it.

The track: Not bad at all. Some nice vocal harmonies, good heavy feel without being blisteringly fast or too aggressive. Twin guitars work well.

So where are they now? Changed their name to Letchen Grey, released one EP in 1986 and promptly buggered off.

Track ten: "Hell Bent" (Znowhite)

Yeah, about that: In seven years together they only managed one solitary album before splitting up and becoming various other bands.

The track: The shortest track on any of the compilations so far, at one minute and forty-nine seconds. Also the fastest (yeah, even allowing for Slayer!); almost punk, in a way.

So where are they now? Looks like they split up after their one album in 1987.

Track eleven: "The Kid" (Marauder)

Yeah, about that: Nothing I can tell you really.

The track: Bit basic really, nothing special.

So where are they now? Dunno.

Track twelve: "Fist and Chain" (La Mort)

Yeah, about that: Again, no information.

The track: It's all right. Powerful but nothing to write home about.

So where are they now? As a band? Gotta say, dead. Sorry.