V/A - Scrap Metal: Volume 1 (Excavated Heavy Metal From The Era Of Excess) LP
About Scrap Metal: Vol. 1:
Rapid Tears launch this series with the perfect christening. The
Toronto, ON quintet’s 1981 single “Headbang” is such the pinnacle of
heavy metal madness that it almost sounds like a spoof. There’s also
enough of the rapid-fire sputum that inspired Metallica to bang the head
that doesn’t, as such, engage in said practice, to be found on the
band’s sole full length Honestly. But “Headbang” is a straightforward
glammy anthem for the ages.
Air Raid’s “69 In A 55” may be lyrically so sophomoric that it’s
actually pretty clever, but this 1983 Bay Area power metal single is
loaded with sleek Judas Priest riffs and interwoven melodies that are
downright sublime. The band’s sole release, the 2-song Rock Force 7”
features a curious band photo in which 3 band members — dolled up in
Crüe makeup and leather — are sexually menacing the lead
singer/guitarist tied to a bed. Another low budget highlight is when
singer/guitarist Tommy “Thrasher” Merry imitates a delay effect on his
vocals as he sings, “tonight!…tonight…night.”
Hades’ “Girls Will Be Girls” has a real demo cassette feel to its vastly
uneven mix, but the energy to the performance makes this an undeniable
keeper. The long running Paramus, NJ quintet’s 1982 2-song debut 7”
titled Deliver Us From Evil features this blistering thrasher dominated
by shimmering leads and confident vocals that show why the band went on
to near-fame on Metal Blade Records.
Resless don’t need no T to prove that they’ve got “The Power” with this
1984 driving mid-tempo rocker in the vein of Mötley Crüe and Ratt. The
River Vale, NJ quartet’s tight crunch wails all over Bon Jovi posers but
it’s the band’s unique and subtle deployment of background vocals that
gives this rager its staying power.
Pittsburgh, the Steel City, is home to Don Cappa, a band that pays
tribute to the burgh, the metal, and the awesomeness of both with “Steel
City Metal.” Their lone single, issued in 1987 with only 300 copies
released, sounds like the work of some serious steel driving men, with a
drummer who might’ve forgotten to wear a hard hat one too many times on
the construction site.
The Beast has more of a punk feel to their aggressive “Enemy Ace” track
from the 4-song Power Metal EP from 1983 — something like Dr. Know meets
D.O.A. But their look, artwork and lyrics all prove that Heavy Metal is
where their hearts lie. And this hook filled monster delivers repeated
lines like, “I command them all in my lofty realm,” with commendable
conviction.
Dead Silence from Denver, Colorado, debuting in 1984 is not to be
confused with Dead Silence from Denver, Colorado, who also debuted in
1984. The former a workman’s hard rock bar band, the latter a political
peace punk band and neither knowing of the other’s existence throughout
their tenure. The pre-internet days were a marvel, indeed.This Dead
Silence spits out a slick, Nugent tinged rocker called “Can’t Stop”
about life on the road.
The Danger Zone is, by all accounts, not the place to be. And, Hazardous
Waste of Boston, MA saw fit to add their two cents on the matter with
this 1986 single that combines Van Halen’s flashy musicianship with
NWOBHM aggression that sounds so awesome it teeters on itself entering
the “Danger Zone.”
Czar’s heavy, doomy “Iron Curtain” single from 1982 hearkens to the
sleazy sounds of Saint Vitus and Pentagram with its cranked up DOD
Distortion pedal in a Peavey combo amp guitar tone and meaty, barking
vocals. The upstate NY quintet only issued this 2-song single, but its
driving rhythm, nosedive whammy-bar guitar solos and comparatively
mature Cold War subject matter show they had real potential.
Not much is known about Real Steel’s majestic “Viking Queen” from 1987,
other than it rocks hard and the 7” 45 sells for upwards of a grand on
the collectors market. The Flint, Michigan band recorded at the home
studio of local radio personality Bill Lamb, who primarily released
Christian Gospel recordings. So, perhaps the band was struck down by a
bolt of lightning shortly after this rare single’s release. Whatever the
case may be, it’s a must have for fans of classic metal mayhem.
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