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Metal Monsters – Hard And Heavy Vol. 1-5 cd [5 cd set]

398.00kr749.00kr

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Description

All 5 volumes of these odd compilation albums from WZ Tonträger Vertriebs GmbH/Gama Musikverlags GmbH that were released back in 1993. All volumes comes in a separate jewelcases with separate artwork. These were released separately but will here be sold as a set.

Gravestone
Gravestone was one of the many great bands that were on Gama records that never really got anywhere. This band released three good albums and the 85 album ‘Back To Attack’ is a true hammer stroke, still. Simple, pure Heavy Metal. Intelligently done and without any big weaknesses. Guitarist Mathias ‘Don’ Dieth later briefly showed up with Sinner and U.D.O.

Stormwitch
Do you wanna take a trip back to the past for a moment, when Heavy Metal meant unity, the bands were absolutely true and, anyway, there was a special mood in the entire Metal scene? It was the early 80s, and while the NWOBHM movement was kicking the worlds ass, in Germany things were a little bit different. Apart from the already familiar names of Scorpions and Accept, many bands with a special teutonic sound were coming out, bands like Avenger (pre-Rage), Helloween, Running Wild, Gravestone, Veto, High Tension, Sinner, Steeler… and Stormwitch. Formed as ‘Lemon Sylvan’ in 1979 before renaming the band Stormwitch. Their popularity grow with albums like ‘Walpurgis Night’, ‘Tales Of Terror’, ‘Stronger Than Heaven’ and the album. ‘The Beauty And The Beast’ features some awesome heavy metal very well-written and consistent throughout the whole album.

Tyrant
One of several bands over the years named Tyrant, this version was a German band of the mid-eighties hailing from the Ulm area, employing a standard Judas Priest/Accept style that was quite prevalent in Europe at the time like bands such as Warrant, Gravestone, Running Wild, Grave Digger and many others. The initial Tyrant release, 1984’s ‘Mean Machine’, released by Camel Records and recorded in Spygel Studios in Kircheim in July through August of 1984 it was engineered by Batze Kramer, featured Kerrmit, the guitar pairing of Carl Tomaschko and Holgar Thiele, bassist Andre Papack and drummer Micky Budde. ‘Mean Machine’ is highly recommend to any true metal fan. There are plenty of German influences; I think they listened to lots of Roth-era Scorps and, of course, Accept. Obvious also is the Priest, Saxon, Maiden influence. They can be pigeon-holed into a Power/somewhat-melodic/kinda speedy metal description. Their singer sounds rough like Udo Dirkschneider or Chris Boltendahl, ‘Kerrmit’ also sings with a distinct sense of humour. Kinda like Martin Walkyier but without the social commentary. There are lots of sexual innuendo and references to beer drinking and hell raising with a distinct European overtone. If you are a fan of late 70s/early 80s metal you can do a lot worse than listen to Tyrant. It’s pretty standard stuff, but it does not disappoint, and any fan of German Metal at all get this; as these guys have influenced newer bands like Helloween, Blind Guardian and Primal Fear just as much as the aforementioned `big guys’

Noisehunter
In the early 80s the German Heavy Metal scene experienced an unprecedented boom. Bands like Gravestone, Stormwitch, Tyrant and Noisehunter were popping up everywhere and most of them were on a high quality level. Noisehunter released their debut album Time To Fight in 1986 bu the band were hardly newcomer as the four guys had been rocking for almost 10 years before the debut album finally appeared. This is classic energetic German metal with a deadly dose of melody and an excellent singer,

Renegade
Renegade from Frankfurt Am Main were one of those many German bands that came out in the early to mid 80s playing teutonic metal (Gravestone, Noisehunter, Tyrant and so on). Renegade released their self titled album on the small Sri Lanka label and it was quite an uneven album. There were some lacklustre hardrock tracks mixed with some thunderous Germanic steel and some strongly NWOBHM influenced ones. The opening track on their debut album was “Dragonslayer” an Accept influenced speed metal track that thunders along nicely. The self titled debut album also features one of the most kick ass party anthems you will hear. “Have Some Drinks” is a phenomenal and catchy number encouraging people to drink at every given occasion. This will have you humming Have Some Drinks Before You Go To Hell for the rest of the day. The album features some a crisp guitar sound.

P.G. Band
One of Gama Musikverlags GmbH founder Peter Garattoni’s many projects. Peter Garattoni is besides a music publisher even a well known drummer who have played with Krautrock, prog rock acts such as Eulenspygel, Nexus, Zero as well as hard rock and heavy metal acts such as Rebel, Veto, Tox, Maniac not to mention other bands such as Floating Opera, Harry Ab , Luxster, Maxwell Blues Band and Passenger. P.G. Band never released anything more than some instrumental tracks that shows up on some of these Gama Musikverlags compilation albums

Veto
Legendary among those who love and praise German Heavy Metal. The band were founded in the early 80s but had major problems to find a permanent drummer. However in 1984 they managed to score a record deal with GAMA records. Even a record deal couldn’t help to attract the right drummer so label boss Peter Garattoni stand in as a session drummer during the recording of their debut album released in 1986. Just like most other Gama bands Gravestone, Noisehunter, Tyrant and Stormwitch they weren’t that well received by the media but more loved by the metal fans. The problem with finding a decent drummer would follow the band during their whole career so the band became more of a studio project than a live band. In 1988 the band released their second and last album ‘Carthago’ and Garattoni laid down the drums even this time. The second album was just as strong as the first one but still no media back up and soon afterwards the vocalist Harry Liebhauser had to leave and that was the final nail in the Veto coffin. The band tried with a new singer but they soon disbanded. Veto had the quality of uniting melody with class and metallic feeling, going from fast songs to melodic stuff and all between.

Sinner
Led by vocalist and bassist Mat Sinner (born Matthias Lasch), Sinner is a German metal band reminiscent of countrymen like the Scorpions and Accept. The band was formed in Stuttgart, Germany in 1980, and released their first album, Wild ‘n’ Evil, in 1982. Their sophomore effort, 1983’s Fast Decision, was their first album to be released in the United States. Throughout the ’90s and well into the 21st century, Mat Sinner juggled Sinner along with his other projects (including Primal Fear, Level 10, Rock Meets Classic, Voodoo Circle, and his own Mat Sinner Band), with Sinner as the sole constant member of the group.

Tox
Tox from Göppingen in Germany released their debut album “Prince Of Darkness” in 1985 on Mausoleum records. The album title and cover artwork exude a certain aura of heaviness however Tox wasnt the heaviest band or a band into the occult or satanic imagery. Their second and final album was released the year after.

High Tension
High Tension was a German hardrock band that was formed in Villingen-Schwenningen in 1979 by guitarist/songwriter and singer Armin Weisshaar. The band released 3 albums 1985 ‘Warrior’, 1986 ‘Under Tension’, 1987 ‘Masters Of Madness’ before they quit in 1989 when guitarist Thomas Diestein was injured in a car crash. The band received good reviews during the years and toured in Europe with bands like Girlschool, Victory and Nazareth. The reunited and released a fourth album in 1992 simply called ‘Four’.

No Trouble
No Trouble from Frankfurt Am Main were one of those many German bands that came out in the early to mid 80s playing teutonic metal (Gravestone, Noisehunter, Tyrant and so on). Two albums, Looking For Trouble 1985 and Watch Out 1986, were released before the band called it a day in 1987. No Trouble is melodic metal at its finest.

Killer (Switzerland)
Killer from Switzerland managed to release 4 studio albums during the 80s that all had their moments however none of them really have that killer tune. The strongest part of the band were singer Mark Broman that had been replaced by Mark Lay for the bands 1986 album Young Blood. Being from Switzerland its obvious that they band has picked up one or two influences from Krokus. Even though Killer felt like quite an average act its still enjoyable to listen to them. It has those powerful melodious songs and fine vocals

Stranger
Strangers debut album, The Bell (1985), is probably the closest thing to Helloweens Wall Of Jericho out there, an essential release in the ancient German speed metal chapter. The Bell features Gerd Salewski and founding guitarist Rikki Wolfgang Rieger (both would later go on to Chroming Rose). It then took the band a whopping five years to finally release a new album, and what happened? For starters the entire line-up has changed besides founding guitarist Rikki Wolfgang Rieger (later in Chroming Rose), and this is probably why there’s an entirely new sound and direction here. Gone were the furiously fast rhythm’s, pounding beats, soaring vocals and choruses, ripping solo’s that continue on endlessly. In comes some keyboards, synths, a drastic decrease in speed, silly whistles, terrible themes, ballads left and right, and the disappearance of blood thirsty riffs. This second album was not impressive at all. Comparing Pretty Angels to The Bell is practically like comparing Helloween’s Walls Of Jericho to Chameleon, only I’d take Chameleon over Pretty Angels anyday.

Tokyo Blade
80s heavy metallists Tokyo Blade went through numerous line-up changes during their career, but their only constant throughout it all was founding member Andy Boulton (guitar). After the ‘Blackhearts And Jades Spades’ tour Andy Boulton put together a new line up of the band featuring Pete Zito on vocals, Alex Lee on drums, Cherokee bassplayer Andy Catlin, who was shortly after replaced by Chris Stover. They released the commercial ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ as ‘Andy Boulton’s Tokyo Blade’, and did a tour, and at one point found themselves on a festival billing with Black Sabbath. This line up only lasted the one album. It was a matter of great relief actually, when No Remorse, in direct contradiction to its title, took a little pity on Tokyo Blade’s long suffering fans, and set off in a different musical direction — even if only barely. Indeed, although the bulk of its material still comprised sleek hard rock infused with synthesizers, often bordering on AOR, No Remorse wasn’t as intentionally dumped down as its immediate predecessors, only sinking to such lows as on the stripper theme ‘5-Inch Catwalk’.

Restless
Restless was a German metal band formed in Herzogenaurach in Bavaria, Germany in back 1982. This was the band that proved that Bavaria were more than just beer festivals and sauerkraut. They released two albums, Heartattack 1984 and We Rock The Nations 1985, and they appeared on the classic Heavy Metal Live In Germany Vol.1 compilation album in 1985. The debut album “Heartattack” is a classic when it comes to German metal. The production might not be more than average but the songs are flying and dont forget the sex cover artwork. This is early speed metal mixed with influences from Accept. The follow up album “We Rock The Nation” were good with some excellent songs however it is a bit more melodic and more hard rock than heavy metal. The step between the first and second album here can be compared with the difference between Gravestone’s “Back To Attack and “Creating A Monster”.

Sergeant
Swiss hardrock act Sergeant was formed out of the ashes of the Steve Whitney Band. Sargent featured two English musicians Rob from Steve Whitney Band and the new singer Pete Prescott and the two were to become the main songwriters. Sargent’s debut album was a smash hit. An average Gama Records album sold around 3000 copies but Sergeants debtu sold 12000 copies. Sergeant however were to melodic to fit in with the rest of Gama’s act so the label bosses Guntar Marek and Peter Garrattoni didnt know what to do. They waited for an offer from a bigger label that sadly never came. Sargeant played with Uriah Heep in Zurich at St. Gallen in front of 20,000 with Joe Cocker and took part in the Swiss Live Aid show. They were getting a lot of airplay on radio stations throughout Europe. All of this were arranged by the band themselves.Sergeant was melodic rock so they couldn’t put them out with any of their acts. However, as the average album sales for the other bands was around 3,000 and Sergeant’s first album sold 12,000. GAMA knew they had something good. Yet they didn’t know what to do with the band…should they wait for a bigger company with a bigger offer? They had already turned one down. GAMA hoped another one woould come along. Sadly it didn’t. All the TV shows, radio interviews, and gigs were arranged by the band, mainly Crigi, Rolf and Gary, they were the heart of the band. In Nov/Dec of 1985 they went into the studio to record the second album, Streetwise. The album was released in March of 1986. With no hits like “Upside Down” sales were lower (around 10,000) but it still was considered a very good album.

Heros
Another unknown act that are exclusive for these Gama compilation albums. The track are written by Peter Garattoni and Schiele so its probably another one of those Peter Garattoni’s projects. 4 known tracks are spread over several of the Gama compilation albums but doesnt seem to have been released anywhere else

Peter Garattoni
Gama Musikverlags GmbH label boss Peter Garattoni’s solo track. This Thunderstorm track is basicly a drum solo as Garattoni is a well known drummer who have played with Krautrock, prog rock acts such as Eulenspygel, Nexus, Zero as well as hard rock and heavy metal acts such as Rebel, Veto, Tox, Maniac not to mention other bands such as Floating Opera, Harry Ab, Luxster, Maxwell Blues Band and Passenger. This track is probably exclusive for this compilation album

Rockexpress
Unknown act that performs a Rolling Stones cover live

Track listing:
Disc 1: Vol. 1
1. Gravestone -Masters Of The Earth-from Creating A Monster 1986
2. Gravestone -The End Of Our Love-from Creating A Monster 1986
3. Stormwitch -Stronger Than Heaven-from Stronger Than Heaven 1986
4. Stormwitch -Rats In The Attic-from Stronger Than Heaven 1986
5. Tyrant -Rock Your Bottom-from Running Hot 1986
6. Tyrant -Shes A Killer-from Running Hot 1986
7. Noishunter -Time To Fight-from Time To Fight 1986
8. Noishunter -Federal Republic Of Metal-from Time To Fight 1986
9. Renegade -Dragonslayer (Burn In Hell)-from Renegade 1986
10. Renegade -Have Some Drinks-from Renegade 1986
11. P.G. Band -Z.E.P.
12. Veto-Searching On-from Carthago 1988

Disc 2: Vol. 2
1. Stormwitch -Point Of No Return-from Tales Of Terror 1985
2. Sinner -Fast Decision-from Fast Decision 1983
3. Tyrant -Wanna Make Love-from Mean Machine 1984
4. Tyrant -Making Noise And Drinking Beer-from Mean Machine 1984
5. Tox -Broken People-from Prince Of Darkness 1985
6. Tox -Leisure Time-from Prince Of Darkness 1985
7. High Tension -Warrior-from Warrior 1985
8. High Tension -Get Ready For Love-from Warrior 1985
9. Veto -Join The Band-from Veto 1986
10. No Trouble -Rock n Roll Heart-from Watch Out 1986
11. No Trouble -Get Ready-from Watch Out 1986
12. P.G. Band -Magic Circle

Disc 3: Vol. 3
1. Veto-Riders On The Loose-from Carthago 1988
2. Veto -Unknown Soldier-from Carthago 1988
3. Gravestone -Back To Attack-from Back To Attack 1985
4. Stormwitch-Paradise-from Eye Of The Storm 1989
5. Stormwitch-Heart Of Ice-from Eye Of The Storm 1989
6. P.G. Band -Hallo Jeff
7. Tox -Movin Back-from Tox 1986
8. Killer -Young Blood-from Young Blood 1986
9. High Tension -Work Hard Die Young-from Under Tension 1986
10. Stranger-The Bell-from The Bell 1985
11. Tokyo Blade -Watch Your Step-from Aint Misbehavin 1987
12. Restless -Turn It Loud-from We Rock The Nations 1985

Disc 4: Vol. 4
1. Tokyo Blade -The Eye Of The Storm-from No Remorse 1989
2. Tokyo Blade -Chains Of Love-from No Remorse 1989
3. Sergeant -Movin-from Streetwise 1986
4. Veto -Brainburst-from Veto 1986
5. Veto -Choose Your Way-from Carthago 1988
6. Gravestone -I Love The Night-from Back To Attack 1985
7. Stormwitch -Cheyenne (Where The Eagles Retreat)-from The Beauty And The Beast 1988
8. Tyrant -Blind Revolution-from Ruling The World 1988
9. Noisehunter -The Cities Gonna Burn-from Spell Of Noise 1988
10. Stranger -Midnight Angel-from The Bell 1985
11. Tox -Tell Me What To Do-from Prince Of Darkness 1985
12. Heros -Fire In The East
13. Peter Garattoni -Thunderstorm

Disc 5: Vol. 5
1. Tyrant -Dark Eyes Of London-from Fight For Your Life 1986
2. Gravestone -Suicide-from Back To Attack 1985
3. Veto -Burning-from Carthago 1988
4. High Tension -Work Hard Die Young-from Under Tension 1986
5. Stormwitch -Tigers Of The Sea-from The Beauty And The Beast 1988
6. Tokyo Blade -Dark Night Over Paradise-from No Remorse 1989
7. Tox -Keep On Riding On My Horse-from Tox 1986
8. P.G. Band -Magic
9. Killer -Young Blood-from Young Blood 1986
10. Stranger -Child Of Violence-from Pretty Angels 1989
11. No Trouble -Too Late-from Watch Out 1986
12. Rockexpress -Honky Tonk Woman-Rolling Stones cover-live

Additional information

Label

WZ Tonträger Vertriebs GmbH

Release Year

Catalogue Number

WZ 90300 / WZ 90301 / WZ 90302 / WZ 90303 / WZ 90304