Flash - In the USA – Live Recordings 1972-73 (Think Like A Key Music)

 

Flash was a classic prog rock group lead by Peter Banks.  Banks of course is known for his association with Yes.  He was present on band’s first two albums.  He certainly had his vision in which he wanted the music to go.  While Yes went in slightly different direction, Flash was a band where Peter Banks was able to fulfill his calling.

This lavish three disc set concentrates on live recording of the band.  During the band’s initial run back in the 1970s, they never did release a live album.  Flash was still trying to establish themselves as a unit before they untimely disbanding in 1973.  This collection comes as a great treat to many Flash, Peter banks, Yes fans. 

In The USA gives the general idea of what the band was like in a live situation.  Please keep in mind, those recordings were not done with a live album in mind.  It’s a series of radio appearances, or simply personal audience recordings.  Luckily, some archivists was able to fish out these gems, and collect them as one powerful collection.  It’s not perfect, but certainly very satisfactory to the fans.

The release is beautifully packaged.  It looks very presentable, and there were hours of hard work that went into it.  The booklet includes many photos, interviews with the band members.  There is a lot of information about these recordings, and the band’s live activity in general. 

In the USA is a historic document that connect Flash’s studio records with what the band did on stage.  It’s a great supplement to any Flash collection.  It also provides a trip into the past, and allows the listener to get into the time capsule and experience the 1970s, or as many fans refer the golden age of rock concerts.

Mark Kadzielawa

Witchslayer (self-release)

 

Witchslayer is a legendary heavy metal band from Chicago.  Their appearance on Metal Massacre 4 back in 1983 certainly raised a lot of eyebrows.  Many predicted great things for Witchslayer.  Nothing happened, the band couldn’t keep it together and fell into cult obscurity.

In the recent years, the voice of the band, Jeff Allen, put together a new line up, and decided to record the old tracks.  That’s how this album finally came to be.  The material was already there, the big task here was to properly record the songs and do them justice.  After hearing several advanced tracks, and finally the finished album, the mission was definitely accomplished.  The albums maintains the classic sound the old fans grew up with, and with material this good attracting new fans should not be a problem.

The songs on this album are nearly 40 years old.  They sound and feel exactly like the tracks from that time frame.  The new line up did a superb job bringing these songs to life, and finally making them available to a wider audience.  The album has a classic sound written all over it.  It’s Chicago style metal at its best!

While Jeff Allen did a great job overseeing the whole operation, it’s the guitarist, Ken Mandat, who appears to be a critical piece of the puzzle here.  Mandat has the right chops, sound, and feel, but he was also a functioning musician during Witchslayer’s initial run.  Mandat played in Damien Thorne in the early 80s, and he’s still keeping that band alive.  What Mandat brings to the table is that understanding of what Chicago heavy metal should sound like.  It may sound very insignificant, but when you take him away you get a completely different sounding record.  Add a very solid rhythm section consisting of Gabriel Anthony on drums, and Mick Lucid on bass, and you got yourself a band on fire!

The album is a great listen all the way through.  Naturally the published demo songs do stand out, but as a whole, the record sounds very even.  Time after time, it still rocks the same.  The production is great too.  It’s not too modern sounding, just perfect for what this material requires. 

Congratulations to Jeff Allen for never letting go of his vision, and making this impossible task finally happen.  This is a long overdue release of great songs that otherwise would’ve been forgotten.  Now a new generation of fans can enjoy this great music.  The spirit of Witchslayer is alive and well!

Mark Kadzielawa

Morgue Supplier – Inevitability (Transcending Obscurity Records)

 

Morgue Supplier delivers an extreme underground album of pure death, vomit, and filth.  Expect no compromise here, but maximum heaviness and mind-disturbing rhythms.  There is a sense of urgency throughout this album.  It’s like you feel something bad is about to happen.  Its atmospheric mode can be very unsettling.

As you listen to Morgue Supplier you feel like your stereo system might be melting, or you’re witnessing some strangle out of body experience.  Tracks like Departure (Interlude) mess with your subconsciousness unlike anything else before.  So do many other tracks, it’s a horror trip all the way through.

Once you experience Inevitability, you feel like you’ve already visited the dark side on a quick roller coaster tour, only there is no stop in sight.  Yet, there is something there that pulls you back in for another spin.  Morgue Supplier definitely has its eye on you at this point.

Morgue Supplier certainly achieved a high level of extremity here.  The music here borders on avantgarde, and certainly requires a specific taste.  This also makes them a very unique, challenging, and not always easy to digest.  This ain’t no summer of love, but a winter of discontent.  Extremely superb!

Mark Kadzielawa

Inner Decay – Enter the Void (Pest Records)

 

Inner Decay returns with their second album after a four year wait.  Enter the Void is a great old school death metal album.  The band used the time leading up to this record very wisely.  All of the eight tracks are well though out, constructed and executed.  The album has a very smooth flow to it, before you know it, it’s over, and you simply want to go for one more spin.  Timewise it’s exactly at 40 minutes, which is just perfect.  Enough to grab your attention, deliver a solid punch, and end just at the right time.

The songs on this record are catchy, filled with groove, but heavy at the same time.  The majority of the music and lyrics are written by band’s guitarist, Tomasz Bielski.  Bielski is obviously raised on the late 80s to mid-90s death metal.  He’s got a great understanding of that style, and that’s what he channels though Inner Decay.  There are echoes of Death, Bolt Thrower, Paradise Lost, or Immolation, but there is definitely a sense of style developing here. 

Much has to be said about a great performance delivered on Enter the Void.  The band was very well prepared when putting these tracks down.  Every member of Inner Decay delivered the goods, there is no weak link here.  Also, the production is ideal for what the group wanted to achieve.

Enter the Void is definitely an album that deserves to introduce Inner Decay to a larger audience.  They have a solid record on their hands, and certainly did their part to make this the best it can be.  Could this be the turning point for Inner Decay?  Well, this writer is already waiting for you in the void.

Mark Kadzielawa