Author: ThrashMetalIQ

We love all things thrash metal, death metal and rock!
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Everything You Wanted To Know Slayer’s Hell Awaits (1985) – But Were Afraid To Ask!

Slayer 2nd full lp cover
Jeff Hanneman from slayer in 1985Jeff Hanneman from slayer in 1985

Hell Awaits is the second album by Slayer. It was released in March 1985 on Metal Blade Records. It is metal heresy to say this, but Hell Awaits is my favorite Slayer album. Most fans consider “Riegn In Blood” to be the bands high watermark. I’ve bought a copy the day it came out. You can see pictures of the actual album in this post.

Some Interesting “Hell Awaits” Facts You Might Not Know

  • The album was mixed in one night.
  • Around that time, Kerry King’s hair was thinning. He came into practice one night wearing a hairpiece. He was ostracized by the band. This led to his trademark shaved head look.
  • The demonic growls in the intro of the album say, “Join Us” if you play it backward. The final phrase, which is not backward but is pitch shifted says “Welcome Back“
  • “Hell Awaits” was the first album a record company put up the budget to release. Show No Mercy was self-financed by the band, largely because Tom Araya had a good job at a hospital.
  • These days, the band considers the production of the album to be quite poor. When asked if they would ever record or re-master it, Tom says “No, that was a snapshot of where we were in our career at the time.”
  • “God Hates Us All” is the bans least favorite album. They consider the production on “Hell Awaits” to be superior.
  • “Hell Awaits” and “At Dawn They Sleep” are still staples in the band’s setlist live.
  • All of the music and the lyrics were written by Jeff Hannemann and Kerry King. Tom Araya did not contribute lyrically until the “South of Heaven” album.

Hell Awaits Cover, Artwork and Inner Sleeve

Listen to the Full Album Here on YouTube

HELL AWIATS FULL ALBUM

GET AN AWESOME VINTAGE COPY OF HELL AWIATS HERE

Tracklisting

Side one
 No. Title Lyrics Music Length

  1. “Hell Awaits”
  2. “Kill Again”
  3. “At Dawn They Sleep”

Side two

  1. “Praise of Death”
  2. “Necrophiliac”
  3. “Crypts of Eternity”
  4. “Hardening of the Arteries”

Credits and Other Information

Bill Metoyer – engineer
Brian Slagel – producer
Slayer – producer
Bernie Grundman – mastering

SKU: MBR 1040

Label: Metal Blade Records
Year Of Release: 1985

DON’R WAIT TO PICK UP AN OG COPY OF HELL AWAITS!
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What Happened To The CELTIC FROST MORBID TALES Line-up?

Celtic Frost MORBID TALES LINE-IUP

WHAT HAPPENED TO CELTIC FROST? LET’S FIND OUT!

Morbid Tales is the debut album by the Swiss extreme metal band, Celtic Frost, released in November 1984. It was originally released in Europe as a mini-LP with six tracks. However, the first American release by Enigma/Metal Blade added two tracks, bringing the release to the length of a regular LP.

Some Little-Known Celtic Frost Facts

  • Although Reid St. Mark was credited, Stephen Priestly is the actual drummer (as a session drummer).
  • Tom G Warrior does not drink or smoke.
  • Co-Founder and bassist Martin Ain quit the band before To Mega Therion. He is credited but does not play on the album.
  • The band’s final tour was with Type O Negative. Peter Steel was a band fan and said, “Type O show be opening for them.”
  • Celtic Frost played their final show in Mexico in 2008.
  • Tom G. Warrior now has a band Triptykon. They include a lot of Celtic Frost material in their set.
  • Celtic Frost co-founder Marian Ain died of a heart attack on October 17th, 2017, at the age of 50. After the 2nd go-round with Celtic Frost, he became a DVD store owner.
  • Stephen Priestly is now 53 and hasn’t been active in music since playing on Morbid Tales.

Classic Album: Morbid Tales On Youtube

Early Celtic Frost Not Far Past The Hell Hammer Days
Early Celtic Frost Not Far Past The Hell Hammer Days

In 1999 a remastered edition of Morbid Tales was released on CD by Noise Records, which also contained the tracks from their 1985 EP Emperor’s Return, and a 2017 remastered edition was released by the same label on CD and Vinyl formats. (SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

Editors Note: As the band continued, they went from a less black metal direction into a more glam style that disappointed many fans.

US version
Side One

1.”Into the Crypts of Rays” (Warrior)3:39
2.”Visions of Mortality”4:49
3.”Dethroned Emperor” (Warrior)4:37
4.”Morbid Tales”3:29

Side Two

5.”Procreation (Of the Wicked)”4:04
6.”Return to the Eve”4:07
7.”Danse Macabre”3:52
8.”Nocturnal Fear”

The Celtic Frost Line-Up on Morbid Tales

Tom Warrior – guitars, lead vocals, co-producer
Martin Ain – bass, bass effects, vocals, co-producer
Stephen Priestly – session drums (the actual drummer)

Credited:
Reed St. Mark – drums on tracks 10-12 (remastered edition)

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Whiplash “Ticket To Mayhem” LP 1987

whiplash metal band 1987

This New Jersey Thrash Outfit Should Be Legends: What Happened?

Ticket to Mayhem is the second studio album from New Jersey thrash metal band, Whiplash. It was released on Roadrunner Records in October 1987 and follows 1986’s Power and Pain. 1989, the band released a follow-up album, Insult to Injury. (SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)



Side A

1. Stage Dive (03:09)
2. Red Bomb (05:18)
3. Last Man Alive (03:31)
4. Message in Blood (04:04)

Side B

5. War Monger (03:18)
6. Power Thrashing Death (04:13)
7. Stirring the Cauldron (04:18)
8. Spit on Your Grave (02:49)
9. Nailed to the Cross (4:05)

Total Running: 34:45

LIST TO WHIPLASH ON YOUTUBE

Yes, Whiplash is a 3 piece band from New York and it should come as no shock that all 3 members are named “Tony”.

Line up: Tony Portaro – Vocals, Guitars
Tony Bono (R.I.P. 2002) – Bass
Tony Scaglione – Drums (ex-slayer)

Whiplash "Ticket To Mayhem" LP 1987
WHIPLASH THRASH BAND
3 WHIPLASH THRASH BAND POWER AND PAIN
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Dark Angel – We Have Arrived 19​85

dark angel in 1984

We Have Arrived has been reissued at least two times. In 1986, it was re-released by the French recording label Axe Killer in a 2,000-number limited edition. It was then re-released once again in 1997 by Axe Killer. The label attached to the plastic wrap says that this is a remastered edition, but there is no indication in the booklet. We Have Arrived is the only Dark Angel album to feature Jack Schwartz on drums, as Gene Hoglan replaced him as their drummer on subsequent albums.

(SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

Thrash Metal Icons Dank Angel Freshmen Effort

DARK ANGEL WE HAVE ARRIVED
DARK ANGEL WE HAVE ARRIVED
DARK ANGEL - DARK ANGEL WE HAVE ARRIVED
DARK ANGEL WE HAVE ARRIVED
DARK ANGEL WE HAVE ARRIVED
DARK ANGEL WE HAVE ARRIVED COVER
DARK ANGEL WE HAVE ARRIVED COVER
DARK ANGEL WE HAVE ARRIVED
MAD REIGN
MAD REIGN
smyvwoqoq46axe8awmeuta METAL THAT MATTERS?
smyvwoqoq46axe8awmeuta METAL THAT MATTERS?

Track listing

1.”We Have Arrived”4:07
2.”Merciless Death”4:28
3.”Falling From The Sky”4:23
4.”Welcome To The Slaughter House”5:23
5.”No Tomorrow”6:31
6.”Hell’s On Its Knees”4:14
7.”Vendetta”4:27

Total length:33:33

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Testament – The Legacy LP 1987 Megaforce Worldwide – 781 741-1

testament tthelegacy band photo 1987

Prior to the album’s recording in 1986, Testament was known as Legacy. Their lineup consisted of singer Steve “Zetro” Souza, guitarists Alex and Eric Peterson, bassist Greg Christian, and drummer Louie Clemente. Singer Chuck Billy was a member of another local band named Guilt. He had performed with Legacy on a few occasions and was asked to become the new singer after Souza left to join Exodus. In 1986, the band changed their name to Testament after finding out that there was a jazz band named Legacy. The Testament name was suggested by Billy Milano (from S.O.D. and M.O.D.), who was a friend of the band in the early days.

The Debut Album By Thrash Veterans Testament

This was the only Testament album to feature songwriting contributions from Souza, who was credited as the co-writer of all the songs, except for “C.O.T.L.O.D.” and “Do or Die”, which were co-written by original Legacy singer Derrick Ramirez and Billy respectively. The closing track, “Apocalyptic City”, was written by Peterson.

Original Album Art

Listen To The Full Album Here

LISTEN ON YOUTUBE

The album was recorded and mixed at Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca, New York, and mastered at Frankford Wayne Mastering Labs in New York City. (Source: Wikipedia)

1.”Over the Wall”
2.”The Haunting”Souza,
3.”Burnt Offerings”
4.”Raging Waters”
5.”C.O.T.L.O.D.” (Curse of the Legions of Death)
6.”First Strike Is Deadly”
7.”Do or Die”
8.”Alone in the Dark”
9.”Apocalyptic City”

Total length:38:45

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What Happened To German Thrash Band Deathrow? (“Raging Steel” 1987)

Deathrow Geman thrash band

Deathrow is another German Thrash Metal act from the 80s. They never got huge, but their raging fast tempos and technical riffing made them better than bands that were a lot bigger. If you have never heard them before, think SODOM, KREATOR, or  EXUMER.

Germany’s Deathrow: A Classic Case Of A Metal Band That Should Have Been Bigger

The band suffered from somewhat poor production, but the album was remastered in 2016. The newly remastered version includes the band’s original demo, previously unheard rehearsals and live tracks, plus liner notes with band founding members Sven Flügge (interviewed here in 2018) and Markus Hahn. Unfortunately, the vinyl of this album has been out of print for more than 30 years! <<– Hint Vinyl Collectors.

There is very little information about Deathrow, but I will continue to update this page when (if) any becomes available.

Listen To The Full Album On YouTube

Tracklist

1. The Dawn

2. Raging Steel

3. Scattered by the Wind

4. Dragon’s Blood

5. The Thing Within

6. Pledge to Die

7. Mortal Dread

8. The Undead Cry

9. Beyond the Light

Original 1987 line-up

Milo – Vocals, Bass
Sven Flügge – Guitars
Thomas Priebe – Guitars
Markus Hahn – Drums

Raging Steel Vinyl Artwork

Deathrow "Raging Steel" 1987 Original LP. 1st pressing w/ insert. VERY RARE!

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Vio-Lence – Eternal Nightmare LP 1988 Mechanic Records – MCA-42187

VIO-LENCE BAND 1987

VIO-LENCE 1987 THRASH METAL

Eternal Nightmare is the debut album by the San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal band Vio-lence. It was originally released in 1988 on MCA Records’ Mechanix sublabel.

“Vio-Lence” Band Photos 1987 / 1988

VIOLENCE BAND CIRCA 1987
VIOLENCE BAND CIRCA 1987

Band Line-Up:

Sean Killian – Vocals
Phil Demmel – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Robb Flynn – Guitars, Backing Vocals (MACHINE HEAD)
Deen Dell – Bass, Backing Vocals
Perry Strickland – Drums

The front cover artwork from Eternal Nightmare

1. “Eternal Nightmare” 6:10
2. “Serial Killer” 2:58
3. “Phobophobia” 6:31
4. “Calling in the Coroner” 3:55
5. “T.D.S. (Take It as You Will)” 5:04
6. “Bodies on Bodies” 5:47
7. “Kill on Command” 4:56

The 2005 re-release includes a bonus CD of the Thrash of the Titans concert (benefit for Testament singer Chuck Billy), recorded August 11, 2001.

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Dark Angel – Leave Scars 30 Years Later – Does It Still Stand UP?

DARK ANGEL BAND

It was 1991 when I bought the Leave Scars LP that came with a sticker reading “9 songs, 67 minutes, 246 riffs!” I didn’t like it as much as Darkness Descends or because I liked Don Doty’s style of vocals better.

Listen To The Whole Album Here

Leave Scars is the third studio album released by the American thrash metal band, Dark Angel, released on January 24, 1989.

  • Leave Scars was Dark Angel’s most successful release, peaking at number 159 on the Billboard 200, mostly on the commercial cover of Led Zepplin’s Immigrant Song.
  • It was their first album with vocalist Ron Rinehart and bassist Mike Gonzalez. It was the last album for guitarist Jim Durkin until his return to the band in 2013.
Dark Angel “Leave Scars”

Tracklisting

  1. “The Death of Innocence”
  2. “Never to Rise Again”
  3. “No One Answers”
  4. “Cauterization”
  5. “Immigrant Song”
  6. “Older Than Time Itself”
  7. “Worms” (Instrumental)
  8. “The Promise of Agony”
  9. “Leave Scars”
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Possessed “The Eyes Of Horror” EP Produced By Joe Satriani

possessed band in 1984

The 3rd Album By Possessed, Produced By Joe Satriani

Eyes of Horror was released in 1987. It was produced by guitarist Joe Satriani. This was the last album for 30 years. The original lineup never reformed. Not long after the release of Eyes Of Horror, Jeff Becerra was shot in a robbery attempt and was left paralyzed from the neck down. Not long after, the original line-up went their own ways.

What Happened to Mike Sus, Larry Lalonde, and Mike Torrao?

Mike Sus returned to school, obtained a degree in psychology, and was never active in music again. Guitarist Mike Torrao joined Infanticide, but they never released any songs publicly and broke up in 1997. He now works as a landscaper and plays music only in his spare time.

Most famously, Larry Lalonde would go on to join Blind Illusion, where he met Les Claypool and the formed Primus. Larry downplays his status as an ex-Possessed member and rarely mentions it publicly.

Possessed Band Update 2019

Jeff Becerra continues to tour and record under the name Possessed with an entirely new group of musicians. In 2019 the new line-up released the shockingly good “Revelations Of Oblivion” which has become both a critical and commercial success.

Very courageously, Jeff contains to record and front the band from a wheelchair and does a fantastic job.

Possessed “The Eyes Of Horror”

Track listing

  1. “Confessions”
  2. “My Belief”
  3. “The Eyes of Horror”
  4. “Swing of the Axe”
  5. “Storm in My Mind”
possessed 1987

In 1987 Possessed Was The Following:

Jeff Becerra – Bass & Vocals – Is the only original member from the 1980s lineup. He is now paralyzed following a street robbery, which some have rumored was a drug deal gone bad.

Mike Torrao – Guitar

Larry Lalonde – Guitar – Went on to play in Blind Illusion, where he met Les Claypool and went on to for Primus.

Mike Sus – Drums

Jeff becera 2019
Jeff Becerra who still performs with Possessed
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Dark Angel – Darkness Descends 1986 – The Greatest Thrash Album Of All Time!

dark angel in 1984

Darkness Descends is the second studio album by the American thrash metal band Dark Angel, released on November 17, 1986

  1. “Darkness Descends”
  2. “The Burning of Sodom”
  3. “Hunger of the Undead”
  4. “Merciless Death”
  5. “Death Is Certain (Life Is Not)”
  6. “Black Prophecies”
  7. “Perish in Flames”

See Why This Album Is Rated One Of The Top Thrash Albums Of All Time Time-After-Time