Description

Black vinyl with 4 page insert and OBI-strip. Limited 200 numbered copies

Chalk Pennsylvania-based Kraze up as yet another 80s power/speed band which was unable to muster anything beyond several demos before fizzling. Fast-forwarding over a decade later, now-defunct German label Iron Glory saw fit to compile everything onto a single disc, resulting in this, one of the better slabs of unknown 80s metal one can buy. Not essential to anyone but 80s completists, it nonetheless represents an era where metal was often simpler and more exciting – no pretence, no bullshit, just pure 80s metal. Anyone familiar with the often-revered Auburn Records family of the late 1980s can likely guess what these guys sounded like. The term power metal meant something quite different in 1988, something more akin to this sound. The album includes material from their three demo tapes released during 87-89. Start with a toned-down thrash base, clean up some of the messiness associated with discs bearing that label, throw in high-pitched air raid siren vocals (but don’t forget the multi-tracked, ballsier choruses), and top it all off with several doses of overt speed, and you’re roughly in the same zip code in which Kraze honed their sound. Not everyone’s cup of tea, to be sure, but if you enjoy bands ranging from Overkill to Judas Priest, you may find at least something to like with Kraze, even if just a little bit. If I had to offer a single direct comparison it would probably be Deadly Blessing, for those who know them. The quality – both in terms of production and songwriting – seems to vary from track to track, though it’s worth noting there aren’t any stinkers on here. Things start off with a real bang via the awesome title track, which mixes a steadily-marching intro sound with speedy verses and a simple, if catchy, chorus. Add to that some raucous soloing that at times ventures oh so close to crossing that line into atonal squealing and you’ve got a sure-fire winner, the best song on here, actually. I like that many of this obscure 80s demo metal band gets a compilation album released by an underground label so that many of us can find out what we really missed back in the old days. On the other hand I can also understand if some quite don’t understand why all these bands are worthy of compilations some 15-20 years after their material was recorded. If youre like me than you will certainly find this one quite enjoyable

Track listing:
1. Onward To War-demo 86
2. On The Run-demo 86
3. Nuclear Nightmare-demo 86
4. Mentally Insane-demo 86
5. Liar-demo 86
6. Land Of Sorcery-demo 85
7. Self Infliction-demo 87
8. Solar Strike-demo 87
9. Devil In Disguise-demo 87
10. M.A.D.D.-demo 87
11. Death Row -demo 87
12. Watch You Burn-demo 85