Search - Paradox :: Heresy

Old school speed metal, reisued

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 09/05/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not really a huge thrash metal fan. Aside from early Metallica and Megadeth, later Anthrax, and a few assorted others (Powermad, Heathen, Anacrusis), I never really got into the speed metal sound. By and large it just seems diametrically opposed to the kind of melodic rock and metal I prefer. I took a chance on German thrashers Paradox though, after running across the Metal Mind reissue of their 1989 album Heresy. Something about the cover art and the sticker's emphasis on power metal compelled me to check it out.



I suppose I can see how this album might cross into power metal territory. The subject matter is your typical fantasy fare, much like Helloween, Omen, and a whole host of early Metal Blade acts were focused on. Aside from the lyrical content, Heresy is very much a straightforward thrash/speed metal album. The lightning riffs and barked vocals bring to mind Metallica's early work and Anthrax's whole Belladonna era. Heresy is super-speedy metal, and the intricate guitar solos are just as impressive as the thrash riffs. Unfortunately there isn't much in the way of melody or powerful vocals, so I'm not finding a lot to love here.



This may not be my favorite kind of metal, but if you love old school thrash and speed metal like early Anthrax, (very) early Helloween, Kill `em All era Metallica, and Vicious Rumors, you'll want to check out Paradox, and the reissues of Heresy and the band's debut Product of Imagination are a great place to start.



NOTE: Metal Mind reissued Heresy in 2007 with digitally remastered audio and a pair of bonus tracks (demo versions of The Burning and Massacre of the Cathars). The reissue comes in a numbered digipack with expanded liner notes, and is limited to 2000 numbered copies. Since the original version is all but impossible to find, this reissue is good news for old school thrash/speed metal fans.

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