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

Heavy Metal Album Reviews: Wolf Edge of the World (Unreleased)

Another victim of the Pop/Radio Metal Craze the swept the world in the mid 1980's, wolf was poised to release their debut album Edge of the World in 1984. Formed by former Black Axe members Chris English (Vocals), Simon Sparkes (Lead guitar), and John Shearer (Percussion) in Newcastle England in 1981. They were joined by Bill Keir (rhythm guitar) and Stewart Richardson (bass) in 1982 for their debut single Head Contact released by Chrysalis Records. The single stirred up quite a bit of interested upon it's release and lead to the band sighing a record deal with Mausoleum records the following year.



















Cover Art:5/5
This cover is very well drawn and detailed, it's almost like it's mural on the side of some van in Milwaukee circa 1977. I personally like the blood dripping from the wolves mouths as they howl toward the sky on a lonely cliff as the moon rises behind them, it's just so METAL.

Songs 4.5/5
The album really starts out strong with the title track Edge of The World and that strength continues through the album, with only a minor hiccup here and there. While Songs like Edge of The World, Highway Rider, Heaven Will Rock N Roll are definitely Wolfs strength they do a rather solid job on the more melodic songs like A Soul For The Devil, Rest In Peace, and Medicine Man. This album is definitive proof that the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was far from waning in 1984, if only the record labels would have seen it that way.

Overall: 5/5
This is a solid album and is also one of the best examples of a NWOBHM band that had the talent and the drive but because of the change in musical tastes was shafted. If you can find a physical copy (which is easier said than done, see notes) or hell a digital copy do it, you won't regret it.


Notes: While this album was technically unreleased by Mausoleum it was released in 1988 in K-tel records METAL BOX collection.
John Shearer would leave that band and move to Florida in 1984 and would form Hurricane in 1984.

Song List:
01. Edge Of The World
02. Highway Rider
03. Heaven Will Rock'n'Roll
04. Shock Treatment
05. A Soul For The Devil
06. Head Contact
07. Rest In Peace
08. Too Close For Comfort
09. Red Lights
10. Medicine Man

Heavy Metal Album Reviews: Attila Rolling Thunder

The Glam Metal movement was at it's peek in 1986 and no one would think that in a few short years it would all come tumbling down, It seems that the 1985-1986 time frame was the time for an unknown band to release a debut album.

Enter a little known band called Rolling Thunder from New York city with a hunger for fame and an even stronger hunger for loud music, fast cars, women and drugs, they would change their name to Attila in 1985 upon receiving a record deal with Shattered Records who in 1986 would release their debut album.....Rolling Thunder, how original. Sadly the good time would come to a screeching halt during their 1987 promotional tour of the New York and Phillidelphia club scene when guitarist John "De" Lorion (real name John DeLeon) would be involved in a tragic car accident that would cost him his life.

Now that I've managed to bring you down lets review this mother.


Cover art: 1.5/5
This is one of the ugliest pieces of album art I have ever seen in my life. I can't really tell what is happening on this cover. The background places this in some post nuclear wasteland, and for some reason a truck busting through some guard rail with a ICBM either falling off the trailer or just sitting on it. This is just sad, even for an unknown band on a little back alley label.

Songs: 3.5/5
While this albums art may totally blow fat sweaty horse balls the actual musical content is a sonic triumph, though that isn't to say that the song list is without flaw. Now the only song that any one will probably know from this album and even then were talking like 25 people in New York in 1987 it would be the cover of Schools Out. Now while Alic Coopers 1972 original is with out a doubt superior, that doesn't mean it sucks quiet the apposite this song is really the stand out of the album. Now while it is kinda sad that one of the Strongest song on this album wasn't even written by the band, the album does still has it's original standouts. The first song that comes to mind (that was written by Attila) is Turn Up the Power, which is simply put about Rocking LOUD AND HARD! (that sounds a little dirty.) Now with any album their are stinkers, Gorky Park had Peace in Our Time and Winger had..... every song they ever wrote. Attila's is Thermonuclear Warrior which really just sounds like it was tossed on the album to fill space (which i does so..in theory), though I do know some people that do enjoy it.
Overall: 4/5
While this album may not be the greatest example of 80's metal it is a very good listen and I highly recommend it to any one that considers themselves a fan of 80's Metal.

Track List:
1.Turn Up The Power
2.Urban Commandos
3.March Of Kings
4.Defcon 1
5.Thermonuclear Warrior
6.Rolling Thunder
7.Wild
8.School's Out (Alice Cooper cover)
9.Chains Around Heaven
10.Tryst