Obscure Heavy Metal Album Review: Griffin Flight of the Griffin

Yet another New Wave of British Heavy Metal influenced band from the US that came and went before there time was up. Griffin was formed back in 1981 in San Fransisco California of all places, they would release two demo's on in 1982 and another in 1983 before getting a deal with Steamhammer and releasing there aptly titled debut album Flight of the Griffin. Sadly this would be the bands only real hit and they would release one last album under the shrapnel label in 1986 before disappearing all together.



Cover Art: 5/5
What do you need to make a bad ass metal cover, well lets take a look at the HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVER CHECK LIST.
1.The cover features Some kind of Mythical Creature/Knight/Barbarian. Check
2.The cover also features Fire/Acid/Scantily Clad Women. Check
3.It's located on a Mountain Side/Cave/Desert/Distopia. Check
This is probably one of the better covers I've seen from a debut album on a back alley label and as such I really don't have much to say about it aside form the fact that it is metal a bit cliche but metal none the less!

Songs: 5/5
Now can the track list live up to level of bad ass that the cover has established? The long answer is "YOU BET YOUR FUCKING ASS MOTHER FUCKER" the short answer is "HELL YEAH". The opening track Hawk The Slayer begins with a intro monologue the is very reminiscent of Iron Maiden but not in a 'Well Maiden is doing it so maybe we should" kinda way. In keeping with the node to a much larger band, Fire in The Skye features intro that is a real nod to the Deep Purple/Sabbath/Zeppelin era of hard rock/metal. It really is nice to see some of them youngsters paying tribute to the bands that helped define the early metal genre. Though in my opinion he standout track here is the rather melodic Flight of The Griffin (what a surprise the title track kicks ass). This track is an awesome blend of the then popular (in the US anyways) Melodic Hard Rock style and the much Heavier NWOBHM sound and truthfully it works. The rest of the Song list while very metal and well done are pretty much par for the course and I don't mean that in a bad way either, If all of your tracks can evoke the power and sound of Deep Purple/Saxon/Battle Axe/Sabbath/Maiden and all the while still sound new and fresh then I think you've done one hell of a job.

Overall: 5/5
In closing this is definitely an album for the NWOBHM fans, it just oozes with that sound and style. I think this goes with out saying but if you find a copy be it on LP/CD/Cassette get it you will not be disappointed.







Track List:
1.Hawk The Slayer
2.Heavy Metal Attack
3.Submission
4.Creeper
5.Flight Of The Griffin
6.Fire in The Sky
7.Hell Runneth Over
8.Judgement Day
9.Travelling In Time