Description

Blue vinyl with 2 bonus tracks and gatefold cover

Having used their debut album Bloodsports to prove that even the New Wave of British Heavy Metal required minimum quality standards when it came to rude and crude sound recordings, Avenger set out to shock anyone still listening with the impressive 1985 sophomore album, Killer Elite. Although far from a groundbreaking or even original-sounding work, (and don’t even ask about its commercial prospects), Killer Elite was surely a personal triumph for the hard-working Newcastle quartet, who welcomed new American guitarist Greg Reiter by stepping up both their individual and collective contributions a few notches. None of them more so than vocalist Ian Davidson-Swift, whose confidence and melodic delivery lead the band’s effusive charge through opening duo Revenge Attack and Run For Your Life. The plodding rhythms and dorky lyrics of Steel on Steel and (Fight for The) Right to Rock threaten to derail their progress all too soon, but Killer Elite really kicks into a higher gear halfway through. Topping out at under two-minutes each, Hard Times and Dangerous Games are both intense — short, and sweet; energetic thrashers like Under the Hammer and M.M. 85 (featuring members of Warfare) expand upon that theme, in length and aggression — and even though it begins in a slightly clunky fashion, Face to the Ground soon transforms into a solid, mid-paced, Accept-like stomper complete with gang background vocals. A dramatic power ballad, Yesterday’s Heroes, is even more surprising, and along with manic closer Sawmill, helped to wind down Avenger’s soon-to-be over career with much saving of face.

Track list:
1. Revenge Attack
2. Run For Your Life
3. Brand Of Torture
4. Steel On Steel
5. Right To Rock
6. Hard Times
7. Under The Hammer
8. Face To The Ground
9. Dangerous Games
10. Yesterdays Hero
11. M.M. 85
12. Sawmill
13. Brand Of Torture-Hot N Heavy Show 85
14. Rough Ride-demo 1983