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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

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Sodom – Persecution Mania LP 1987 Steamhammer – SHLP 7000

sodom German thrash band 1985

Persecution Mania is the second studio album by German thrash metal band Sodom. Persecution Mania was released on 1 December 1987, and it was the first step in moving away from black metal themes into a more traditional thrash sound.

Tom Angelripper – vocals/bass guitar
Frank Blackfire – guitars
Chris Witchhunter – drums (RIP)

Editor’s Note: Chris Witchhunter was the original drummer for the band was in at 22 years. He died from liver failure in 2008 at the age of 42. He also was the drummer on Persecution Mania.

Sodom Band Photos 1987

sodom German thrash band 1987
sodom German thrash band 1983
sodom German thrash band

Persecution Mania Album Art

Persecution mania - SODOM
Sodom – Persecution Mania

Tracklist

  1. “Nuclear Winter” 5:26
  2. “Electrocution” 3:26
  3. “Iron Fist” (Motörhead cover) 2:45
  4. “Persecution Mania” 3:40
  5. “Enchanted Land” 4:01
  6. “Procession to Golgatha” 2:01
  7. “Christ Passion” 6:13
  8. “Conjuration” 3:44
  9. “Bombenhagel” 5:11
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Whiplash – Power and Pain 1986 Roadracer Records – RR-90533

whiplash band new york 1985

This Album Should Have Made Whiplash Huge and Remains A Classic To This Day

Here are some photos of the original artwork from the album.

WHIPLASH THRASH BAND POWER AND PAIN
3 WHIPLASH THRASH BAND POWER AND PAIN
WHIPLASH THRASH BAND POWER AND PAIN 2
WHIPLASH THRASH BAND POWER AND PAIN

Tracklist 

A1 Stage Dive

A2 Red Bomb

A3 Last Man Alive

A4 Message In Blood

B5 War Monger

B6 Power Thrashing Death

B7 Stirring The Cauldron

B8 Spit On Your Grave

B9 Nailed To The Cross

  • Backing Vocals [Power-thrashing Death Brigade] – Louie Beateaux, Petrus Steele, Rob Kabula, Vinny Stigma
  • Music By, Lyrics By – Tony Portaro
  • Band – Tony Bono, Tony Portaro, Tony Scaglione