Dead On. 1989 USA-New York

A very interesting local thrift shop find from last year (2022). I put it aside, and didn't get to it until January. Strange that there was nothing else like it, though it's possible the collection was cleaned out before I got there and they just missed this one. Their loss then. Dead On were an obscure thrash band from Long Island, New York. This is solid "late era thrash" reminding me some of the 2nd wave of Bay Area bands operating in this space (Death Angel, Testament). All the tracks are longish (5+ minute range) so there's room for invention. It's not technical or proggy, but it's entertaining throughout. Worth seeking out if your tastes run this way.

Ownership: 1989 SBK. Standard jewel case release. Their logo makes me laugh.

4/8/23 (new entry)

Dream Theater - When Day and Dream Unite. 1989 USA

I've spoken quite a bit about my history with Dream Theater in these pages already. And I did in fact start here with the debut when they were relatively still unknown. You know it was Japan's Marquee magazine that first tipped me off about them? More Rush-like than later albums, though the blueprint of sensitive ballads and hyper complex instrumental metal was laid down here. Only vocalist James LaBrie needed to still be added to complete the classic setup. BTW - anyone else thinking that the show Yellowstone got that whole branding idea from this cover?

Ownership: LP: 1989 Mechanic. Single sleeve with lyric insert. Acquired from JL (2022). Usual story: Sold the first LP for the CD, and back again. As noted above I was an early adopter of Dream Theater.

1990; 2014; 2015; 2/23 (LP 4.6); 4/6/23 (new entry)

Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry. 1989 USA-Connecticut

As noted recently, I need to do some blog maintenance. I threw many items into roundups earlier this year just to ensure I got some notes down before I forgot them. The roundups are for albums I don't keep (or notification of recent purchases and/or revisits of albums already blogged). I'll be starting from the beginning of January and move forward from there.

I bought Perfect Symmetry on LP new real time and it didn't have the same impact as its predecessors. Even No Exit didn't have the same impact on me as did Awaken the Guardian and The Spectre Within. They were beginning to perfect their prog metal formula at this stage. Not as messy as their prior albums, to its detriment. But some of these progressions are awesome - and memorable. 

Ownership: LP: 1989 Enigma. Single sleeve with lyric inner bag. Acquired from Sound Warehouse in Dallas (on Lemmon Ave. - long closed) in 1989. I can remember even buying it. Funny how memories work sometimes. I also had the commodity CD, but unlike their second and third albums, the music isn't rated high enough for me to keep.

1989; 2014; 1/29/23 (LP 4.1); 3/26/23 (new entry)

Voivod - Nothingface. 1989 Canada-Quebec

For my review of Killing Technology I wrote: My introduction to Voivod was the Rrroooaaarrr album real time in 1986. I thought it was terrible and couldn't understand the buzz the band was receiving back then. Subsequently I ignored the group, despite continuing rave reviews, until I walked into a local Dallas record store in late 1989 and their new album Nothingface had just been released. The store owner convinced me to buy it, saying it wasn't anything like what I'd heard from the band prior. Boy, was he right. I thought it was great (still do), and that's a story for another day.

---

And here we are, finally revisiting the title that drew me back to Voivod. Nothingface is almost the opposite of Killing Technology, at least in terms of production and approach. One is messy and raw, the other polished and professional. Both are subtlely complex. Voivod had clearly ingested lots of Rush and Pink Floyd before entering the studio. Much was made of them covering Syd Barrett era Floyd, something metal bands weren't doing at the time. That same store owner above (who was young like me at the time) saw this album as the future of metal. Not so much the exact sound, but rather the inventiveness and willingness to stretch the boundaries of what metal could be. That was spot-on analysis.

Ownership: LP: 2022 Real Gone. Single sleeve. Pink/Blue swirl vinyl. I screwed up on this one. Back in the day, I went forward with a CD and let the original LP I bought above go. Obtained this version with trade credit at What's Left here in Colorado Springs. It's Hipster Essentials, but I'd be fine getting an original instead. Typically I'd just keep the CD, but it wasn't mint either. Damn what was I thinking? I wasn't... clearly.

1989; 2013; 3/23/23 (new entry)

Toxik - This This. 1989 USA-New York

I wasn't sure where I was going to land on Think This, Toxik's second album. The CD I purchased includes their debut World Circus, and I struggled with it. The production is very tinny and it seems to have as much in common with punk as it does thrash. The irony there is that it was recorded at Morrisound, the epicenter of the death metal movement. They were just getting rolling with that genre when Toxik arrived, and it just seemed they didn't know what to do with the group's sound.

Think This is much better fortunately. Even though Toxik is one of the more (relatively) known bands in the tech thrash space, they were by no means one of the more radical or heavy. Their sound fits the late 80s style, with herky-jerky rhythms, air raid siren vocals, gang choruses, crazy solos and riffs. It's like a stripped down Realm without the electronics. I also heard a prototype to where Heathen would land on their classic 1991 album Victims of Deception - especially the documentary narratives.

Ownership: CD: 2022 Dissonance. 2xCD with attractive tri-fold digipak. Excellent reissue that includes both of their albums in full. Insightful historical liner notes and additional photos round out this fine collection. If I ever warm more to World Circus, I'll feature it separately.

11/15/22 (new entry)

Wrathchild America - Climbin' the Walls. 1989 USA-Virginia

Here's a blast from the past. I bought this real time at a record store in Evansville, Indiana while touring through. In the mid 90s when I did the great LP purge (still no regrets believe it or not, made plenty of money for the collection, and most I could care less about), this was part of that. My opinion of this kind of metal has softened over the years, and when a local b&m had it on "their wall", I used some trade credit to nail it. Musically it belongs to thrash metal, but of the wordy kind. From the Virginia area, Wrathchild America (who appended America to avoid confusion with the UK glam group) had a few more ideas per meter than the average thrash band of the era. The style was already becoming a bit tired, and only the most inventive bands were keeping it alive. And they threw in a cover of Pink Floyd's 'Time', so it wasn't only Voivod looking backwards to a proggy past in 1989. Good one here. 

Ownership: LP: 1989 Atlantic. Single sleeve. Obtained as noted above.

1992; 2/26/21

Blackkout - Ignorance of Man. 1989 USA-Florida

And the hits keep on coming. It continues to baffle me just how many creative American metal bands were in existence from the late 80 through to the early 90s. I was still paying attention real time for acts such as this, though I wasn't really focused on the cassette culture. And I should have been, because that's how many of these albums were released in the first place. And many used the full length, allowing them to release that much more music than an LP, or a cheaper alternative to the still-too-expensive new medium called CDs. Thank goodness for the reissue label - or in many cases - the archival labels. Many of these labels aren't even here in the States, but in Europe, especially Germany, Greece, and Italy.

As noted, the cassette tape afforded bands a chance to release a lot of music. And that certainly was the case with Ignorance of Man, where there are a whopping 17 tracks here, including a 10 minute epic closer. From what I understand, but is poorly documented, this tape itself was a compilation of the band's recorded (or written) music throughout the 1980s. While it certainly all belongs to thrash metal, there are variations in both sound and structure, that indicates the band had flourishes of progressive mindedness along with more traditional approaches. Fortunately, most of the material on Ignorance of Man is fascinating, and well worth hearing. There are a few tracks where galloping guitars and gang vocals define the music. These are pretty ordinary, and would have been for the 80s as well. But the majority have passages that we used to call technical metal. And the kicker is the instrumentation. Even though Blackkout are only a 3 piece (with dubbed guitars to make it sound like a quartet), the leader of the group brings along not only a flute, but also an electric violin! The former immediately draws comparisons to one of progressive thrash's greatest groups in Psychotic Waltz. Electric violin on top of that? That's highly unique. While I wouldn't say these instruments are predominant in any way, they do add flourish to many of the tracks. As noted, the album closes with a 10 minute epic, which is one for the ages. 'The Talisman' goes through all sorts of twists and turns, similar in some ways to Manilla Road, but more thrash oriented. All in all, a must for fans of late 80s adventurous metal.

Blackkout were from America's richest metal talent area of Tampa / St. Pete, though they weren't part of the death metal wave that the region became most famous for.  The CD also (remarkably) includes their 1985 single, which is similar in construct to the album proper.

Ownership: CD: 2010 Arkeyn Steel (Greece). Recent online acquisition. Numbered edition (mine is #584) jewel case with a full booklet containing recording details (though no specific dates), photos, and lyrics. Excellent in every way, except it's missing a history, which I think would have helped provide context.

Midas Touch - Presage of Disaster. 1989 Sweden

Sweden is, pardon the pun, ground zero for most styles of heavy metal, and that continues to this day. Thrash metal, however, isn't one of them. Midas Touch may be the most well known, and they are still what one would call obscure. Their brand of thrash is a bit more hardcore than I typically prefer, recalling bands like same era Dark Angel, Sacrifice, and even early Exodus.  However, they are also pegged to the more specific progressive thrash group of bands. There's some interesting passages here, including synthesizers and multiple themes. Midas Touch doesn't demonstrate the patience needed to transcend to the next level. They quickly get back to bashing at 100 mph. So while it's not at the level of Psychotic Waltz or Mekong Delta, the album most certainly is entertaining for repeated listens. And that makes it worth keeping.

Ownership: CD: 2012 Divebomb. Super issue filled with historical info, photos, etc. It's a double CD and includes demos from 1988 and 1990. Also includes their first cassette Ground Zero from 1987. 

6/1/20 (first listen / review / new entry)

Massacre - s/t. 1989 Chile

Massacre's debut album is something very strange - for the era and the location (1989 Chile). If you don't get past the first song then you'd think that you'd stumbled onto some chugging metal album with Spanish vocals. 'Temblor del Cielo' follows with mellotron. OK then. A strange mix of thrash, heavy metal, screaming vocals, spacey keyboards (synthesizers, organ, mellotron), fusion, prog, and whatever else popped into their nutty heads. It's definitely progressive metal, but not in the way the term has come to mean. You couldn't be further away from Dream Theater than this. And of course they close with a metal cover of Los Jaivas' 'Todos Juntos'. Wow. Overall a gritty, odd, not always satisfying, but undeniably fascinating album. One of a kind, that's for sure.

LP: 1989 Oso
CD: 1998 Toxic

The original LP came out on Oso Records in 1989. I had it once, but sold it off (it was already rare in the 90s) when the CD came out. Now that CD is rare too... Easy to see why. Not a typical album.

CD sold: June 2019. Received too good an offer to pass up.

Social Tension - Macbethia. 1989 Japan

Macbethia arrived during the boom years of the Japanese progressive rock scene of the late 1980s. Their sound is somewhat typical of the time, with brassy digital keyboards and bouncy rhythms. It takes some time for the ears to adjust to their sound and at first listen it can be underwhelming. The ELP worship is a bit obvious, and the sparse vocals aren't helping. However, there are signs that there's more here than the usual copycat prog band. Nobuo Endoh also plays a mean Hammond organ, and there's some analog Moog synthesizers as well to digest. So by the time one gets to 'Inner Vision', it's no longer Japanese happy land, but rather we've entered the mysterious world of SFF's Symphonic Pictures as well as an embryonic version of Anglagard! The title track, coming in at a whopping 19:37, is what one would call a "prog extravaganza". It's a blitzkrieg of keyboard driven (mostly) instrumental progressive rock. So if names such as Motoi Sakuraba, Ars Nova, and Gerard (especially late 90s and beyond version) get you excited, then be sure to look for Macbethia.

Ownership: LP: 1989 Made in Japan. Single sleeve. Nice artwork. Like Vermilion Sands, I'm fairly certain this album was not released with an obi nor insert. I've never seen them and I bought my copy new not long after release (1991). 

1991; 7/11/18 (new entry)

Lord Flimnap - Point of View. 1989 Israel

Had someone slipped me a cassette of this album, labeled it "unknown prog band 1982 UK", I would have believed it. Well the cassette part is true, but 7 years later - and from the unlikely country of Israel. This is square-on-of-the-era amateurish New Wave of British Progressive rock. It has the thuddy production, the meandering-don't-make-sense compositions, the semi-theatrical vocals, and the Rush like guitar breaks. Lord Flimnap could very well have been the predecessor/followup to groups like Trilogy or Tamarisk.

As these albums tend to be, it starts off unconvincingly, and I was struggling to buy into the concept. Though I was most intrigued by some of the odd breaks on opener 'The Wilderness' (aptly named I might add). After the somewhat mundane 'Trapped in the Marsh', the album really draws you in on 'Prodigy'. By the 10+ minute epic 'Out of My Way' (yet another well named song), the album is firing on all cylinders. It's completely unpredictable, but filled with great ideas, and by this time the ears have adjusted to the production. I love albums like this from the 80s, when everyone was making it up as they were going along, presuming (probably) few would hear it anyway. If you're a fan of the freewheeling 1980-1983 NWOBPR cassette scene, you'll want to obtain this one.

Personal collection

CD: 2004 Earsay

The original was an obscure cassette that is not even listed on Discogs as I write this. A year later, the somewhat chintzy, but well-distributed German label World Wide Records picked it up for CD release. The Earsay issue is the first domestic release. Special thanks goes to Gal for the gift!

Inner Sanctum - Knowledge At Hand. 1989-1995 England (archival)

Holy Smokes! This is the good stuff right here. Fans of progressive metal meeting technical metal will be pleased with this archival compilation from Inner Sanctum (pre Fifth Season for the five people who have heard that CD). It features 6 demos, of which 5 of them sound like early Watchtower meets Psychotic Waltz. Very complex metal, yet they never lose sight of the song. And the vocals are somewhat in control, so it isn't non-stop ball squeezer shrieking. Being British, they have an inherent knack for more restraint than their American counterparts - at the points where restraint is needed. I suppose if I had to pick a favorite demo, it would have to be Sensorium (1992) which shows Inner Sanctum at their heaviest, and perhaps most technical too. First demo Fear is Life's Blood (1989), is almost a completely different lineup and the band here is more in the Slayer / Celtic Frost mold. Certainly not a bad thing, and enjoyable in its own right. Different that's all.

Personal collection
CD: 2013 Divebomb (USA 2xCD)

This is a 2 CD set and features full historical liner notes via an interview with the band - and many photos. A must own item that will for certain provide enjoyment over many repeated listens.

CD1:
Tracks 1-3: Knowledge At Hand (1995 demo)
Tracks 4-9: Questions? (1994 demo)
Tracks 10-12: Shine (1993 demo)

CD2:
Tracks 1-3: Sensorium (1992 demo)
Tracks 4-6: Static Veins (1991 demo)
Tracks 7-9: Fear Is Life's Blood (1989 demo)

Today the band has been rechristened Synaptik, and their debut turned out to be awesome as well (see next post).

Last listen: February 24, 2015

Fire Merchants. 1989 USA

Now this is the kind of album that had quite a bit of buzz back in the day, and yet when I did research for the album, it seems to be almost an unknown. Heck, we used to play it on our radio show in the early 90s! I'm sure one day, the late 1980s and early 90s instrumental heavy fusion fad will regain its audience, but as of 2014 it's nothing but crickets out there. Since there are so few reviews, I thought I'd get something about it for potential fans.

Fire Merchants were all the rage in 1989, when long time Brand X guitarist John Goodsall teamed up with legendary drummer Chester Thompson and bassist Doug Lunn (Lunn is one of those guys who may not ring a bell, but he's on a ton of marquee name albums). The music is hard hitting guitar fronted instrumental fusion, sure to please subscribers to Guitar Player magazine, and other fans of technical 6 string playing. Brand X hadn't sounded this heavy and kinetic since the late 70s! (this was before their 90s reformation)  As was typical of the late 80s era, the compositions were short on high quality melodic composition and thematic development. Whatever was lacking in those areas were made up with technical prowess, high energy, and copious experience in the studio. After many years of mindless and slick gloss within the jazz fusion field, the return of the rough-hewn sound as provided by the likes of the Fire Merchants were much welcome back then. I predict an audience will reemerge for the style, but as of this writing, that has yet to happen.

Ownership: CD: 1989 Medusa. Jewel case.

1993 (first listen); 7/8/14 (review / new entry)

Gorizont (Horizont) - The Portrait of a Boy. 1989 Russia

Everything I said about Summer in Town applies to Portrait of a Boy. The original cheap vinyl pressing that I once distributed due to popular demand, and that the CD is far superior with excellent liner notes.

Life at the tractor plant must have caused a certain kind of insanity, as Gorizont returned with one more flourish at producing a highly creative record. On this effort, Gorizont present us with five tracks, with the last piece adding vocals for the first time. Perhaps even more complex than Summer In Town, this continues the use of ominous fuzz guitar and shifting meters offset by happy melodies. Paradoxes such as this are what make progressive rock such an exciting genre! Comparisons to Uzed era Univers Zero wouldn't be entirely inappropriate - understanding that it's highly unlikely Gorizont were familiar with the Belgian band. Similar conclusions are often drawn from different premises.

CD: 2000 Boheme Music
LP: 1989 Melodiya