METAL EDGE
PUSHEAD
enun
VENOM
"At War With Satan"
Neat Records LP
Snazzy packaging adds to the de-
monic cleem of Venom's third LP
release, where the satanic madness
continues in growling overdoses
Turn down your fright light and melt
to the archaic structure of this ear
piercing onslaught. Loud drumming
stands out as relentless guitar work
hacks away chords of black fero-
cious metal. A very booming sound
mists through as this three-piece re-
mind you of their allegiance with
Satan, evident in the lengthy title
cut, as it curls your spine with rap-
tures of volleying savagery and vic-
lous assaults of brutal axe destruc-
tion. Venom's strength exists in
their uncompromising sound and
this vinyl cleaving is the charge of
Lucifer's legion. Dooming and un-
conditionally powerful, "Al War With
Satan is the band's exalting finest
yet.
CLOVEN HOOF
Neat Records LP
Grisly hacks of demonic moans
arise from damnation, with overpow
ering satanic darkness shadowing
over the entire concept of Cloven
Hoof. As if unveiled in the gates of
hell, grim musical abduction steams
through the mist and bleeds out fiery
guitar whines and grinds. But not the
common black metal mold, more of
a haunting persuasion that captures
its victims. Resembling a sound
close to Rainbow and the new
metal driving sound, Cloven Hoof
front across a strong British appeal
with a screaming, chanting vocalist
as wild, brastly guitar leads and
neckplay scorch heated action. A
strong professional sound for dark
angels, with lots of skulking endur-
ance evident in "The Gates of
Gehenna, "Return of the Pass-
over," "Nightstalker," and the AC/
DC-ish "Crack the Whip. Tor-
mented mortal souls, is the sacreligi-
ous sign of Cloven Hoof for you??
"Detestation"
City Rocker Records LP
Metallic hardcore from Japan,
punching powerful urgency with
compelling force. A raspy guitar
combustion that rumbles in its grind-
ing onslaught of chaotic chords and
sonic pile-driving leads, pushing
forth a high electrical current of in-
sane rhythms. Harsh crackling voc-
als growl out some savage voice de-
structions, bringing the entire en-
semble to a raw, relentless attack of
some brutal riffs, Gism squirt their
sound between Discharge and
Slayer, thrusting a barrage of full-tilt
berserkness into the vigor of their
music. Banzaiii! No. 303 Aota Bid...
3.1.9, Koenji-Kita, Suginamiku,
Tokyo, Japan 166.
LIZZY BORDEN
"Give 'Em the Axe"
Metal Blade Records 12"
Galvanic seizures of high velocity
metal in the tradition of Judas Priest
or the Scorpions. High pierced out
vocals cry forth from amidst a
punching power driven axe barrage,
led by Tony Matuzak and Gene
Allen. Gushing electricity jolts out
four courageous slashes featuring a
cover of Blackmore's "Long Live
Rock 'n' Roll Overall compositions
are well delivered with solid drum-
ming and bass plucking, but strength
lies in the burning of the strings in
fiery stamina, tight licks in wailing
combat. Has the feeling of early
Kiss, but with Lizzy's screeching
vocals, surging the structure outward
oz
"Fire in the Brain"
Combat Records LP
TT QUICK
Avalanche Records LP
Jaw snapping havoc that thrusts a
warrior's approach to axe grinding
seizures and high pitched squeal-
ing. TT Quick launch a tremendous
flow of mean aggressive string com-
bustion that provides a nitro-laced
sound with heavy bass drives, yet
leaves a forceful front marched di-
rectly into the nervous system. A
wide variety of explosive riffs with
major focus on David Dipietro's fre-
netic guitar showmanship that ig
nites the blasting powder for this
gigantic eruption. A fluid exceptional
approach.
WITCHKILLER
"Day of the Saxons"
Metal Blade Records 12"
Canadian headbanging with the
usual vibrant potential punches and
Machine gun drilling with dynamic hollowed guitar leads. Similarities to
results. Oz compel a steamy pit full
of vigorous assaults, that engage in
metallic warfare with strong har-
monious effects. Cranked up guitars
bite down hard in intense authority,
hitting firmly with high voltage wail-
ing to bluesy pluckings. Symbol
lashings are very prominent to add
spice to this urging sound, with solid
bass drum smashings, and easy
verses that are catchy and picked up
fast for your own sing-along enjoy-
ment. Opening cut Search Lights
has that non-resistant effect of
sheering iron exhilaration that licks
while it bites. A very inspiring debut.
ANTHRAX
"Fistfull of Metal
Megaforce Records
Maniac metalers who hunger for
the driving command of beast lad-
den speed progression apparent in
the raw quickness of Metallica,
Slayer or Exciter, then feast your
watery fangs on Anthrax. Thunder-
ing out of New Jersey, the rapid
cleaving hacks of colossal abun
dance from this five-piece maraud-
ing slaughterhouse drives reckless
abandon into extreme overfed slay-
ings Frenzied guitars, stabbing
bass hooks, and scraping drum
beats explode in an energetic beset,
led by the crazed, harsh shrieking of
vocalist Neil Turbin as Anthrax boil
over with "Metal Thrashing Mad,"
"Panic," "Death Rider, and a ber-
serk cover of Alice Cooper's "Tm
Eighteen. Builds as it grows, a
titanic release.
W.A.S.P.
"Animal (F-k like a beast)"
Music for Nations 12"
Los Angeles kerranging on an
English label, with skillsaw croich
blood ripping on the B-gore flick type
sleeve. Two blood curling songs on
this 12" crimson scorcher which are
a good dose of flailing guitars, hack-
ing out momentous punctures of
cranium crunching fury. Has that all
familiar rumpa tumpa beat, while
hatchet singeing vocals screech out
in agony as a unique crooning
chorus adds a bold back-up. Has the
potential to be a major hit following
the success of Motley Crue, espe
cially the flip cut, "Show No Mercy,"
watch for more from the blood splat-
tered antics of W.A.S.P.
the Scorpions or Iron Maiden, has
electrifying jousts of proceeding pow
er with galloping melodies inflamed
at enjoyable diversities. Strong
musicianship with upfront singing in
harmonious assaults. Potential for
the metal masses
TROUBLE
Metal Blade Records LP
Trouble roars into metal demen-
tia with this, their first vinyl LP.
Sounding very eerie and mean, with
an emphasis on a bassy sound.
Trouble reminds one a little of
Venom and a slower Exciter al-
though they appear to be a full
Christian
fledged
metal unit.
Trouble has a moving black metal
(or maybe they call it white?) beat
that a lot of bands strive for, but can't
quite achieve. The guitars and
drums mesh very clean and clear,
literally shoving you around. The
vocals growl from low, throaty sere-
nading to higher intensities. "Bas-
tards Will Pay is a classic metal hit
that welds a nasty look on the face
and sets the head a-bobbing. As a
matter of fact, most of this powerful
record displays that ability. This is
pure power metal, something to
check out, if you crave intensity
SLAYER
-Mike Matlock
"Haunting the Chapel"
Metal Blade Records 12"
Wicked! Rampant metal waging
havoc with juicy string bites and
quick drum slashings Slayer's sec-
ond release continues the iron mad-.
ness they brought to the forefront.
Delivering it hard and heavy, black
and rapid, pushing a tremendous
steadfast endurance with all the
right punches and exceptional de-
liverances. Definitely a record to
loudly play as the speakers melt in
the chaotic sound of frenzied leads
by ferocious axe men Hanneman
and King, and the awesome blitzing
of storming vocals, hailing a majes
tic assault of dooming speed metal.
"Captor of Sin," "Chemical Warfare,"
and the title track all run amok with
sheer exhilaration and total domina-
tion. Brain mashers, head bangers
and fist clenchers, this is the record
to drive you into oscillation, as
you're piled upon the stage in whirl-
ing fury! Exceptional.
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UNDuotes from the JND
Burning and burning, the ears are still burning
after this long month's worth of assaulting.
nerve-scraping musical notes. Agent Orange
have fallen through with the traditional hotel-
room-thrashing after their powerful set at The
Mabuhay Gardens where they topped a bill
above Soldiers of Fortune and an "all-girl"
band from L.A., Wednesday Week (with a
killer-looking bass player). Á.O. set was
demolishing, despite singer/guitarist Mike
Palm's knee injury in which he alternately
claims that he "ouched it" while skydiving or
running (make up your mind, dude!). But the
energy didn't stop there, after some brain-
bouncing between M.Fo and A.O. manager
Steve Levesque, a case of Heiny was acquired
and the madness was resumed in room 318 at a
nearby hotel, where no less than 41 heads
bopped and annoyed the building. Two of the
heads hailed from the THRASHER staff. There
was a big shaving cream fight, and M.Fo broke
a lamp (the kind that are glued to the table
between two beds in hotels)...A little added
A.O. overkill has them going back into the studio
to work on their new album, which is to be
produced by Dan Van Patten whose credits list
some top 40 bands like Berlin, Big Country
and Vanessa (whoever she is)...Ex-Birthday
partier Nick Cave made a recent sweep of
California doing some hellacious dates in L.A.
and at San Francisco's I-Beam where he
delivered, what looked like a painstaking
performance. As is traditional with every "hip"
performer that passes through these parts, he
was doused with the "near-religious
THRASHER paraphernalia... The legendary
band Black Flag has once again resurfaced in
California, and have been doing dates up and
down the state, Berkeley, Monterey, Fresno,
San Diego and in Phoenix, AZ... for upcoming
show information call 213-372-1848. Some new
releases from B.F.'s label SST include double
albums from the Minutemen, titled Double
Nickels on the Dime, and Husker Du's Zen
Arcade. Also out is Surviving You Always from
Saccharine Trust and Saint Vitus' new LP. Be
on the lookout for these and two (count 'em)
soon to be released LPs from Black Flag,
Family Man, a spoken word/instrumental LP,
and Slip It In....
News from Philadelphia (and assorted other
areas...). For a while, summer was looking
pretty grim-the possibility of any "all ages"
shows taking place in Philadelphia seemed
almost impossible: The C.E. Center was under
too much pressure from the neighborhood to
stop doing shows, the Longmarch Academy
was invaded by a booking agent from New York
who made great promises but showed little
support, and plans for a new hall had to be
canned when the insurance fell through. But
success comes to he who waits...and now there
is a new hall doing shows in Philadelphia under
the auspices of Murgatroyd Productions.
Those interested in playing, visiting or just
knowing about the hall and the shows that are
planned can contact Lenny at 1-609-931-7828,
or Christian at 1-215-662-1739. The first show
at the hall did really well and featured, among
others, McRad with a new line-up. Chuck
Treece now plays lead guitar, Zeke Zegar is on
bass, Tristan Reignier handles rhythm guitar
and lead vocals, and newcomer Laurent
Reignier is on drums. Singer Ethan Jarvis is no
longer with the band. They're getting ready to do
shows, and plans are in the works for a
vacation tour"...With a powerful metal edge, a
strong beat and tight melodies that cross all
music definitions, this band creates an intensity
that is as compelling as it is enjoyable... Initial
Attack has been in the studio and are preparing
to release a tape. Their music is definitely worth
checking out-and so is the band... For those
who are interested, the Eastside Club is still
booking. Contact Bobby Startup at 1-215-564-
3343 or send your material to him c/o the
Eastside Club, 1229 Chestnut St., Phila., PA
19107...And speaking of clubs, things in the
suburbs are hopping now that the Underground
has opened up. It's a great place which allows
for a lot of audience contact. Questions and
information: call Mike Y. at 1-215-245-8326...
New vinyl is available from F.O.D....Little
Gentlemen have been in the studio and are
awaiting the release of their vinyl (to be
distributed by Red Records)...Butcher
Brothers are starting to attract a lot of atten-
tion... Kremlin Korps has broken up... Sadistic
Exploits have a new bass player (Brian Lee is
no longer in the band)...From the depths of
Trenton, N.J., there's a band that's got audi-
ences riled up... Mr. Natural have a strong
following in NJ and PA and are looking to move
on. Watching this band is like watching a
"performance" and not just a bunch of musicians
on stage... Reptile House from Baltimore, MD,
are preparing to go on the road for a tour. After
the tour they'll be heading for the studio to work
on a release...Finally there's someone out there
willing to put some alternative videos onto the
TV so we don't have to be subjected to the
sterilized MTV crapola. George Guarino has,
for some time now, been producing his original
TV show called Real George's Backroom. The
show is based around the New York club scene
and usually sticks to original bands (95%), but
features regional bands, video/film/art pieces
and national acts that happen to pass through
town. George sez that he's looking for videos
from bands doing original material. "If it's on "
video, we can use it! Send to Real George's
Backroom, P.O. Box 724, C.P., NY 12065
...The Necros have been on tour all July and
covered dozens of cities like Lexington, Ky.,
Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., Houston, Austin.
and Dallas, Tex., and should be hitting California
sometime this month with tentative Los Angeles
dates: August 3rd and 4th, August 6th in Las
Vegas, and hopefully landing in Northern
California around the 10th. Barry Hensler,
Necro-howler, hints that he and his boys want to
take J.F.A. up on their Skate-Off duel, but the
J.F.A. boys might still be on tour... Speaking of
J.F.A., when last heard from they were sittin' 20
feet from the ocean at their hotel room in Miami.
Yeah, you guys really have it tough. Look for an
upcoming feature, a J.F.A. tour diary written by
Don Pendleton. Early samplings hint that it's a
doozy. Before they finish their tour they will have
traveled up the East Coast and across Canada,
where they will come down for a mega show in
S.F., which might hopefully feature T.S.O.L. and
maybe even a surprise guest from North Dakota
(?) Bow to No Man, Brian Branon's epic 'zine
is finally done and it shreds. It can be had by
writing to a new (wait a month or two though,
Brian sez), P.O. Box 2433, Scottsdale, AZ
85252. They say that they're spreadin' the
ballad of rabbit-man, to enlist tons of young.
dreamy, bright-eyed girls wanting to make like
rabbits. Brian says, "A task which, I am sure
upon completion, will call for complete removal
AND reimbursement for shitlist status." Well,
Brian, we'll see. Oh, and Jojaba's new name is
Ranger! You read it here first... Good of Wendy
O. Williams is back and swingin' with a new
album that is produced by, get this, Gene
Simmons. You know, that guy with the tongue.
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