Search - Militia, Iron Cross, Childhood's End :: Forgotten Metal: Outstanding Metal Gems

Some good moments, but overall a bit weaker than other volum

Pearly White | Northwest USA | 09/09/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Hi Metal Fans! Earlier this year I discovered this series of triple threats from the Revenge Of True Metal(?) label and became immediately intreagued! There are 18 seperate discs in this series that chronicles some of the underground metal scenes most obscure recordings from the 1980's (mostly anyway...a few from the early 90's). Each one features 3 complete recodings by different heavy metal artists, making a total of 54 full-length LPs and EPs in all, so each one is jam packed with music!



I purchased a complete set of these and have now had time to listen to each one and, since these are expensive and many of you have no doubt never heard (or heard of!) a lot of the bands on these recordings, I thought I would help out and offer my reviews of each one and thereby recommend some of the better volumes in the series! Hope all my effort helps you pick the best ones!



The music on Volume 8 is by the bands PALASS, BLACKLIST and OVERLORD.



Volume 8 begins with the Belgian band PALASS and their 1989 LP release "Queen Of The World". This was another band that also reminded me a lot of ACCEPT and also perhaps a bit of the very early BONFIRE or SCORPIONS sound. From the references, you can probably guess that this is metal music that blends in some hard rock influences too. I like the guitars in this one, and although there's nothing spectacular about the music to speak of, overall it's a solid outing. The vocals are a bit distracting at times, as singer Daniel Duvieusart has a thick European accent. Usually this doesn't bother me that much, but the fact that he so obviously struggled with the English lyrics weakens the total composition of this group. Think back to the first ACCEPT album and Udo's very accented vocals...it reminds me of that. PALASS is good, they no doubt would have gotten better, but like many of the bands featured in this obscure series, we all know what happened to 'em! Cast into metal obscurity forever. At least their lone LP is now on CD to enjoy.



BLACKLIST is the next band on this volume. The 4 track EP featured is called "The Sign Of Four" and was recorded back in 1984. This was a U.S. based band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin that played mid-tempo anthemic power metal. This group made me think of TYTON and even a little of MESSIAH PROPHET's "Master Of The Metal". Vocalist Mark Holz is sort of screechy sounding, but performs solidly and mixes nicely with the methodical churnings of the fat sounding bass and guitar. Not bad at all. It definately has that genuine 80's metal feel to it for sure.



Wrapping up Volume 8 is another 4 track EP from the Canadian group OVERLORD, and their self-titled work from 1985. This is similar to the preceeding album BLACKLIST in many ways. Methodically crafted mid-paced metal, but maybe with just a tinge more rock and less metal than the BLACKLIST release. I couldn't find too much to really get in to on this one. I tend to prefer the bands playing a little faster style of metal because the stuff that just plods along can really get tiresome. We'll call OVERLORD just o.k.



Well, another volume down and another summarization to make. PALASS is the best thing here I thought, followed by BLACKLIST and then the OVERLORD. This would be yet another I'd like to give 2 1/2 stars for, but since I'm confined to the whole number system, we'll call this a 2 star affair overall. Not bad, but better Volumes in the Metal Gems line up await you."

THREE EXCELLENT AND RARE 80's METAL RECORDS ON 1 CD

T. Kasuboski | Winneconne, Wisconsin United States | 09/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is where we separate the true metal fanatics from the part-time headbangers. FORGOTTEN METAL:Outstanding Metal Gems is a series of 18 CD's(3 records on each disc) designed strictly for metal historians and completists. Many of these records will NOT appeal to the AVERAGE metal fan, and since YOU are reading this review I will assume you are a TRUE metal nut. If I'm correct, then you MUST PURCHASE THIS CD!!! It contains three truly GREAT but totally overlooked metal rarities. The first group, PALASS, were from Belgium I believe, and have that awesome mid-80's Euro-metal sound kind of like ACCEPT or TRANCE or SINNER or maybe GRAVE DIGGER(although PALASS was a little more polished and classy than GRAVE DIGGER). Well played(and with great vocals-unlike the other reviewer for this CD I LOVE the sound of metal sung with a heavy accent!) and with a decent production, PALASS is sure to get you fired up. The next record, BLACKLIST-"Sign Of Four" is a REAL CLASSIC and by itself makes this CD worth owning(it's THAT good). BLACKLIST were from Milwaukee,WI and had a real great authentic US metal sound kinda like a more agressive sounding OMEN crossed with CIRITH UNGOL. The opening track on "Sign of Four" is "Steady On The Steel" a true lost US traditional metal classic. From a collectors stand point, the next record is the rarest, fetching BIG BUCKS on the metal market(i.e. Ebay, record conventions, etc.). OVERLORD from Canada only released one EP and what a record! Sounding almost like early QUEENSRYCHE crossed with a more poverty-metal version of FATES WARNING("Night On Brocken"-era, NOT anything after it)or even CULPRIT or HELSTAR, OVERLORD really rocked in a semi-progressive way that makes you wonder why they didn't get signed to do a full LP for Metal Blade or something, back in 1984. So here's the deal. This disc is basically a bootleg. The records have been take DIRECTLY OFF THE VINYL. This is obvious, especially during BLACKLIST(the sound of the vinyl-to-CD transfer isn't very good, but who cares, you won't EVER see this re-released on CD any other way). The sound on both the PALASS and OVERLORD is surprising solid and well-done. With stuff this rare it's pretty lame to expect the sound to be perfect. After all, YOU WON'T GET TO HEAR THESE CLASSIC RECORDS ANY OTHER WAY UNLESS YOU WANT TO SPEND $100-200!!! So despite its flaws, this CD release is a MUST for those of us who NEVER retire from the metal hunt. For those of us who search endlessly for the elusive, lost metal masterpieces of the metal glory years of the 80's...Pick it up. If you're a REAL metalhead you won't be disappointed!!!"