Heavy Metal Album Reviews: Tanks Filth Hounds of Hades

Another veteran of the NWOBHM Tank arrived on the scene in 1980 and by 1982 were prepared to release their first album but what to call it how about Tanked? or Treader? no.... maybe Shell-shocked?... Earth Shaker? no lets call it Filth Hounds of Hades?????????? Well despite its long, slightly cumbersome and mildly confusing name this album is on of the shining gems of the era and is considered by many to be one of the best NWOBHM albums ever released.







Cover art: 3/5
The album art is the weakest part of the album, though that isn't to say it sucks it's just not what I would expect a band named TANK to have on the cover of their album and I also wouldn't expect it to be called Filth Hounds of Hades (though that is a fairly kick ass name).


Songs: 5/5
Let me stat by saying that every single one of the songs on this album are completely AWESOME! Their is not one song on this record that I don't like (and that's not very common). Though do still have my favorites like the excellently executed Shell shock with it's epic tribal chant starting things off (trust me it's more bad ass then it sounds), the classic Who Needs Love Songs which is simply put one of the best damn songs I've ever heard, and who could forget the Classic (He Fell in Love With A) Storm trooper the touching tale of a boy who falls in love with well a Storm trooper (not the ones from Star Wars). They have also come out with a reissue edition for those of you that haven't experienced the awesomeness that is Filth Hounds of Hades and have even included a large number of bonus tracks for those of you who demand you have more content than those of us who own the vinyl.


Overall: 5/5
In my opinion this is Tanks strongest album to date and probably in my top 10 NWOBHM albums of all time. If you've never heard this record then as a metal fan it is your duty to seek out and listen to this album and bask in the metalness that radiates from it's gleaming vinyl exterior.

Track List:
1.Shellshock
2.Struck by Lightning
3.Run Like Hell
4.Blood, Guts and Beer
5.That's What Dreams Are Made Of
6.Turn Your Head Around
7.Heavy Artillery
8.Who Needs Love Songs
9.Filth Hounds of Hades
10.(He Fell in Love with a) Stormtrooper

Heavy Metal Album Reviews: Saxon's Crusader

In 1984 the NWOBHM was at it's peek, and it was at this time Saxon released their sixth studio ablum which would go on to become one of thier best selling albums to date. Crusader was released to high aclaim by fans and like most NWOBHM albums it was derided by critics.

Ok now that the history lesson is out of the way lets get on with this review.

















Album Cover: 5/5
The cover art for this album is Epic especially if you own the original LP pressing (which I do). The cover features the now classic Saxon logo with the stylized S so as to take the form of two battle axe heads under which the album name appears. The actual image of the gleaming Crusaders towering over the impaled corpses of the "Pagans and the Saracens" is truly Metal and the oil painting appearance just makes it that much more kick ass.


Songs: 4/5
This album really shows the Epic side of Saxon and for all you fans of Wheels of Steel they keep the hard hitting riffs and bass lines they perfected on their second outing. This album has it's fair share of memorable songs Sailing to America, Rock City, and Run for Your Life to name a few. Though the real stand out hear is the title track Crusader which even has it's own Prelude featuring the thunderous charge and war caries of the Crusaders as they ride into battle.


Overall: 4/5
This is one of Saxons more solid album of the later 80's (thing only went down hill form here). Though one of this albums major flaws is that the Title Track set the bar so high that some songs (A Little Bit of what You Fancy and Bad Boys (Like To Rock and Roll)come to mind) kinda fall a little flat in comparison and still other just sound out of place (Do It All For You), but I digress if your a fan of NWOBHM bands of just a metal fan in general you should definably give this album a listen.

Track List:
1.The Crusader Prelude
2.Crusader
3.A Little Bit Of What You Fancy
4.Sailing To America
5.Set Me Free
6.Just Let Me Rock
7.Bad Boys (Like To Rock N' Roll)
8.Do It All For You
9.Rock City
10.Run For Your Lives