I really want to get hold of some more great speed metal albums. I have a few already but there's loads more great music to discover in the realm of speeeeeed. Let's discuss speed metal and recommend some albums.

Obviously I'm familiar with bands such as EXCITER, AGENT STEEL, IRON ANGEL, and then there's the sort of post-Venom style "speed metal" ala BULLDOZER. Ideally I'm not looking for stuff that essentially sounds like a faster Venom/Motorhead though, but rather the stranger more original sounding groups.

I just ordered 'Viscious Attack' by ABATTOIR. Juan Garcia and Cyriis were in this band before AGENT STEEL, although A.S. was already well underway by the time this 1985 debut album came out; Juan Garcia plays on it I think, but no Cyriis (according to the liner notes in Skeptics Apocalypse, he was only in ABATTOIR for 6 months). So really looking forward to checking that one out. Got it for £3 too!

Another band I really want to hear is SAVAGE GRACE - their releases are quite expensive on Ebay, but I MUST acquire some (say no to downloads!!!).

I've heard ARTILLERY called speed metal before - I've only heard By Inheritance, which is ok but a bit cheesy (really good guitar playing though)... I'm guessing I should get hold of Terror Squad. I suppose the line tends to blur with thrash sometimes, but I'd also be keen to get some technical recommendations too. I really enjoy the debut CORONER album, and also I've been meaning to check out WATCHTOWER's 'Energetic Disassembly' for quite a while - but perhaps those two should be labelled "thrash" instead?

Also, a lot of early power metal seems to overlap with what is called "speed metal" these days, and some of it is actually really good - I don't mind the slightly cheesier edge as long as the riffs are there. I got two albums by HELSTAR recently and although they have a power metally slant at times, they are shit-hot songwriters with plenty of speed. So maybe I should also delve into the distant roots of power metal, like very early HELLOWEEN?

Original sounding vocals (e.g. HOLY TERROR!) and lyrics about space/technology would be a bonus!

Interesting you should mention Coroner and Watchtower, I've never heard tose two referred to as speedmetal before...

Rage and Running Wild produced some pretty spectacular speed metal albums, you MUST check out Rage's Execution Guaranteed and Perfect Man, they are bloody insane!

thrasherdave wrote:Interesting you should mention Coroner and Watchtower, I've never heard tose two referred to as speedmetal before...

You don't seem to have read to the end of the sentence...

I was just saying I'd like some technical recommendations, if there are any out there.

Nothing wrong with downloading/trading copies when originals go for stupid prices - it's better to be able to hear the music.

You need to hear Savage Grace rapido James, and I recommend you investigate Liege Lord too. Not sure if you'd consider Heathen speed metal or not, but they're essential.

A killer obscure band somewhere between heavy metal and speed metal are Danger Zone from Italy; their Victim of Time EP is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Actually, on second checkage Savage Grace auctions don't seem prohibitively priced afterall, must have been thinking of something else. Also, I just noticed Savage Grace was Kenny Powell's original band before he formed Omen, which makes me even more desperate to hear them... Omen RULE!

And Heathen are one band I did download, as they put both of their full-lengths up for free download on their official site a few years ago! Still, I would much rather own them properly.

I will definitely be on the lookout for some Liege Lord. They have killer cover-art too, and check out this amazing shirt - almost worth the price tag! Anyone know what Heir Apparent are like? More power metally from what I can tell, but their album Graceful Inheritance sounds like it would be cool.

James wrote:

thrasherdave wrote:Interesting you should mention Coroner and Watchtower, I've never heard tose two referred to as speedmetal before...

You don't seem to have read to the end of the sentence...

I was just saying I'd like some technical recommendations, if there are any out there.

Ooops...

Have you tried Vendetta?

helstar - distant thunder
savage grace - master of disguise

two amazing speed LP's james.

o yea try living death - protected from reality

classic speed/thrash/germany/'tash metal

gamabomb wrote:o yea try living death - protected from reality

classic speed/thrash/germany/'tash metal

yesss

SAVAGE GRACE is a good band, especially the "Dominatress" Mini & "Master of Disguise".

For technical Power/Thrash Metal, in the vein of WATCHTOWER, I would say "A Social Grace" by PSYCHOTIC WALTZ (1990) and early SIEGES EVEN (Germany).

Also..

POWERLORD - "The Awakening" MLP ('86)
HADES - "Resisting Success" ('87) & "If at first you don't succeed" ('88)
TT QUICK
CYCLONE
MEKONG DELTA
APOLLO RA (US)
ARMED FORCES (US)
FINGERNAILS (Italy) - for that Motorhead style.

James,i just recently ordered Messiah Forces original The Last Day album off ebay for £9 buy it now.(the only one on there)


you can have my other copy (it was the bootleggd version with different artwork)for £5 if you like?the quality is fine and it still has info and a band pic on the insert/cd booklet.


also get Warlocks burning witches album.

for previews just type em in youtube.

gamabomb wrote:helstar - distant thunder

Good call, that's one of the Helstar albums I currently have, the other being Nosferatu, which is totally face-melting and more thrashy. I don't often go in for virtuoso musicianship, but the Helstar guitars are extremely good and tastefully done!

also check out Sinner.
its german cheed metal.a mixture of speed and cheese
this is off the 1984 Danger Zone album.(where they made the more noticeble transition from nwobhm to a more speedier sound)



the a touch of sin album aint bad too.and the 86 album comin out fightin is cool.

thier 1987 charm album has electric keyboard stuff so its more like the no retreat no surrender/rocky/karate kid/top gun,try hard synth style of rock.you know like training/montage/overcome all obstacles stuff.
it reminds me of the odd 80s cartoon intros.
this isnt really speed.
its worse stuff in comparison to the above mentioned but still this is soooo bad its good.at 28seconds it reminds me of Commando when arnie is on the airplane/hunting bennet etc.

its all thrash to me