As the years go by, it becomes clearer that the heyday of metal was in the late 80s and early 90s, before the genre was taken over by groove, nu, rap, death, and everything else that I don't really enjoy much. 1988 in particular was a blow out year, one that I missed real time (for the most part) as I had just started working and was putting my paycheck to rare Euro prog items (a most fortuitous move). So while I made the right decision for certain, I did miss out on some great metal. But with a little hustle, these albums can be attained for a reasonable amount even today.
Apocrypha is one of those bands. Perhaps not the most radical or interesting, but certainly a good mid level entry into what is now known as US Power Metal. There are elements of thrash and progressive rock here - even a little shred - but it's a very interesting album without much conformity. I had dashed off a review of their debut in a roundup back in May, but eventually I'll flesh that out a bit more in the future. With involved tracks like 'Twilight of Modern Man', 'Alexander the King', 'H.G. Wells', and 'Mystic', I think it's safe to say Apocrypha had more on their minds than girls, rockin', pills, and booze. The production is a bit off on this one, and it takes a bit for the ears to adjust. I wasn't completely enamored at first, but it grew on me, just as many other albums of its ilk have. Whether this falls into the "too much of the same thing" category remains to be seen. Not even sure the genre will allow for that.
Ownership: LP: 1988 Shrapnel. Single sleeve. Picked up from my local seller friend, and at his usual cut rate price.
9/6/22 (new entry)
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