Great Metal Albums of 1988: Candlemass- Ancient Dreams

Swedish doom metal band, Candlemass’s album, “Ancient Dreams” confirms what I have always believed about doom metal. That it’s a great cure for a hangover. Tempted though I was, I didn’t get drunk so I could listen to the album with a hangover the next morning, maybe next time. Actually, first proof of my theory came back at Bloodstock 2016 when still a bit unsteady from the night before, doom metal band Ghost Bath soothed my head and provided a great cure from the festivities of the night before. When I listen to “Ancient Dreams,” I see it in the same light.

Ghost Bath soothing the afflicted, Bloodstock 2016

Another point about the album and this is not a bad point, is the fact that there are no tracks which jump out and make me declare it my favourite one. Okay, maybe “Bearer of Pain” might be that track but not by much. Each track goes from one to the next in gloomy succession, never to have you stop swaying your head or body along to the hypnotic vibe that it produces. Saying that, there are songs which has some unique feature about them. The reason why I site “Bearer of Pain” as my favourite is that it hosts the best guitar solo. On the other hand, “Darkness in Paradise” boast the best bassline. However, these are just small points as the songs just seem to lift me up and carry me away with them.

Stating the obvious, only the most disconnected can’t help but notice the obvious Black Sabbath influence on Candlemass and I’m not just talking about the Black Sabbath medley on the closing track. That influence is heard throughout the entire album. By the way, they do Sabbath proud. While they don’t seem to touch some of the classics like “Paranoid” or “Iron Man,” they do good justice to other Black Sabbath classics such as “Electric Funeral” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” Full marks to the band.

Track Listing:

1. Mirror Mirror
2. A Cry From the Crypt
3. Darkness in Paradise
4. Incarnation of Evil
5. Bearer of Pain
6. Ancient Dreams
7. The Bell of Acheron
8. Epistle No. 81
9. Black Sabbath Medley

Candlemass

Messiah Marcolin- vocals

Lars Johanssn- lead guitar

Mats Bjorkman- rhythm guitar

Leif Edling- bass

Jan Lindh- drums

I think I said this when I posted about the previous album, “Nightfall.” Candlemass was a band I got into retrospectively after hearing some tracks from their next album. In any case, I never mind going back and listening to albums which passed me by originally. This trip back was an absolute pleasure and no, I’m not going to get drunk tonight and listen to “Ancient Dreams” with a hangover. Though, I’m confident that this album would soothe an aching head.

Next post: Bullet Boys

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Scorpions- Savage Amusement

Back in the 80s, I used to think that only Led Zeppelin used to go three years or more between albums, however, The Scorpions proved me wrong. Unless you count their brilliant live album, “World Wide Live,” “Savage Amusement” was the band’s first studio album since the colossal 1984 album, “Love At First Sting.” Therefore, the question asked when the album came out was: “Would the four year lay off be a good thing or a bad thing?” My short answer is that it was a good thing.

Things get right down to business with the opener, “Don’t Stop at the Top.” Maybe this song was a wake up call for the band. Perhaps they had spent four years resting on their laurels and realized that if they didn’t put out a new album, they would be forgotten. So, they went back to the studio and recorded this one and used this great opener as their announcement they were back. Right away, with the great soloing by Mathias Jabs and the soaring vocals of Klaus Meine, you wouldn’t have thought they had been away for so long. It’s also the hidden gem on the album.

After being energized by the opener, the album follows with its big single, “Rhythm of Love.” It has a catchy mellow vibe at first but the chorus really rocks. If the opener didn’t convince you, then this one lets you know that the band was definitely firing on all cylinders. They also get Canadian metal queen, Lee Aaron to sing on the track. After the big single, cones another track which was released as single further down the line, “Passion Rules the Game.” It might not have charted but that makes no difference with me, it’s a great Scorpions rocker and like many of the songs on this album, reminds me of my favourite Scorpions album, “Blackout.”

They do change things up a little with “Media Overkill.” 80s sounding effects are used at the beginning but it’s not long into the song where Scorpions normality returns. Okay, there are some weird noises in middle of the song but the song is exactly what you want from the band. “Walking on the Edge” has a great intro with the acoustic guitar and Francis Buchholz’s bass. The track showcases their ability to switch between ballad and hard rocker without breaking a sweat. There are no ballad vibes on “We Let It Rock, You Let It Roll.” It’s the fastest song on the album and just powers its way through its three and a half minute life. Mathias stamps the song with a blistering guitar solo.

“Every Minute, Every Day” is hard for me to describe. While not a bad thing because they definitely make it work, but there seems to be a lot of things going on at once here. Most notable is the rhythm section. Schenker, Buccholz and Rarebell are the glue which holds the song together while Klaus and Mathias work rings around the song. Herman opens “Love on the Run” with some great drumming. It’s another fast song, almost speed metal but the Scorpions were always capable of such feats. “Savage Amusement” goes out with a power ballad, “Believe in Love,” something the band was always good at. Cliche remark but in this case, the track was the best way to end the album.

Track Listing:

1. Don’t Stop at the Top
2. Rhythm of Love
3. Passion Rules the Game
4. Media Overkill
5. Walking on the Edge
6. We Let It Rock, You Let It Roll
7. Every Minute Every Day
8. Love on the Run
9. Believe in Love

The Scorpions

Klaus Meine- lead and backing vocals

Rudy Schenker- rhythm and lead guitars, backing vocals

Mathias Jabs- lead and rhythm guitars, voice box, backing vocals

Francis Buccholz- bass, backing vocals

Herman Rarebell- drums, backing vocals

Additional Musicians:

Lee Aaron- backing vocals on “Rhythm of Love”

Insert further cliche but yes, the Scorpions were well and truly back with “Savage Amusement.” It’s a great album and if they’re going to wait four years before putting out and album, then the wait is worth it.

Next post: Candlemass- Ancient Dreams

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Lita Ford- Lita

If there was anything wrong with heavy metal in the 1980s, it was that it still had sexist attitudes in some areas. In the case of some bands, female singers and musicians were there to wear short skirts and look good. Female singers were often given some leeway in this regard but I never liked the term ‘female fronted bands.’ In fact, I find it insulting and no band should allow themselves to be branded as such. A good band is a good band no matter the gender of the person in front. Now, to the point and then I promise to get off my soapbox. In the 1980s, female shredders had next to no respect from their male counterparts and sadly, this trickled into the metal fanzone. I’m sure Kelly Johnson of Girlschool fame would back me up on this. Fortunately, that began to change in 1988 when Lita Ford wowed the metal world with her most successful album, simply titled, “Lita.”

From the opening track, Lita shows the world that a lady can shred along with the best of men. While some might grumble at the keyboards in the opener, “Back to the Cave,” her guitar solos obliterate any thoughts on that. The same can be said for the track, “Blueberry.” Actually, I’m surprised this was never released as a single because thinking of the 80s singles charts, this song would have done well. There is a strong keyboard accompaniment but in no ways synth pop and a strong bass line. It helped that her rhythm section on the album was Pat Benatar’s. Still, the riffs on the song make it a cool rock song.

Now onto the first of the big singles which made this album so successful. “Kiss Me Deadly” has a vibe which most people, metal or non-metal can dig. You can’t help but to bob your head along to it. Lyrically, we can all identify with having bad days and going to parties on a Saturday night where you didn’t get laid but got in a fight. Actually, neither really happened to me, although a few years earlier, my then girlfriend who would become my first wife nearly broke up with me at a Saturday night party. Still, Lita rocks this song.

In the middle of the album comes one song which was a released as a single and the other the hidden gem, which are the two best songs on the album in my view. The single, “Falling In and Out of Love,” is a great metal tune plain and simple. Again, Lita proves her shredding credentials quite well on this one. A great bassline starts the hidden gem, “Fatal Passion,” before Lita’s guitar kicks in full pelt an of course, another cool guitar solo. Lita is at her best with this one and if anyone back in the 1980s grumbled about keyboards, this song removes any doubt that Lita can’t rock.

On “Under the Gun,” Lita almost goes space rock here. This brings me to another point. While I’ve been rightfully gushing over Lita’s guitar skills and she shreds a plenty on this one, I nearly forgot what a great singer she is and that she’s not afraid to venture into new territories and come out better for it. The album ends with two ballads, the last of which, was the biggest single for Lita. She teams up with Ozzy on the closer, “Close My Eyes Forever” and that was a great move. While Lita takes the lead, Ozzy puts forward his two cents and together make this song a great one. Totally the right way to close the album.

Track Listing:

1. Back to the Cave
2. Can’t Catch Me
3. Blueberry
4. Kiss Me Deadly
5. Falling In and Out of Love
6. Fatal Passion
7. Under the Gun
8. Broken Dreams
9. Close My Eyes Forever

Lita Ford- guitar, vocals

David Ezrin- keyboards

Don Nossov- bass

Myron Grombacher- drums

Additional Musicians:

Ozzy Osbourne- accompanying vocal on “Close My Eyes Forever”

Craig Krampf- additional drums and percussion

Llory McDonald, Mike Chapman- backing vocals

Lita Ford broke through gender stereotypes and proved that a woman can shred. If any Neanderthals out there still think otherwise, then I suggest you have a good listen to the “Lita” album.

Next post: Scorpions- Savage Amusement

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Dokken- Beast From the East

After four successful studio albums, three of which went platinum, Dokken thought it was a good idea to put out a live album. “Beast From the East” was recorded during the band’s tour of Japan in 1988 before they went on the Monsters of Rock tour with the likes of Judas Priest and Van Halen.

What I like about the album is that although, the tour was in support of their previous studio album, “Back for the Attack,” there is a good, healthy mixture from all four albums. Only three songs from that album are on the live album but there is a good selection from the “Tooth ‘N’ Nail” and “Under Lock and Key” albums. There is even one from the first album, the title cut from “Breaking the Chains.” I love the mixture.

First, I’ll start with a nit pick. Having seen Dokken twice, both times during the “Under Lock and Key” tour, they opened with “Unchain the Night,” which they do here. When I saw them, I thought it was a good song to open with. However, it seems less balls grabbing on this album while the second track, “Tooth ‘N’ Nail,” does. Just a small point but I think these songs should have been switched around on the band’s play list.

While I won’t dissect each track, I will point out that at least according to the fan noise, two of the tracks from “Back For the Attack” get the most applause from the Japanese fans. I do think that “Dream Warriors” and “Kiss of Death” are played very well. In fact, I’ll put my head in the lion’s mouth and say that “Kiss of Death” sounds a lot better on this live album than the studio version. Speaking of that album, when I reviewed it not long ago, I declared the instrumental, “Mr. Scary,” to the the best song on that album. They play it live here and totally nail it! George is a beast on the guitar.

While you get some great live songs through the album, I really dig the live version of “Into the Fire,” the best is saved for last as all the songs are from Dokken’s first three albums. You get, “It’s Not Love,” Breaking the Chains,” my all time favourite Dokken song, “You Just Got Lucky,” and the great power ballad, “Alone Again,” which I love the alternative intro on and end with “In My Dreams.” If I had been at the show, I would have left the arena on a total high after that. The album ends with a studio cut, “Walk Away,” the video of which was performed on the Santa Monica Mountains in California, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Man, the music along with the views must have been breath taking.

Track Listing:

1. Unchain the Night
2. Tooth ‘N’ Nail
3. Dream Warriors
4. Kiss of Death
5. When Heaven Comes Down
6. Into the Fire
7. Mr. Scary
8. Heaven Sent
9. It’s Not Love
10. Alone Again
11. You Just Got Lucky
12. Breaking the Chains
13. It’s Not Love
14. Walk Away

Dokken

Don Dokken- lead vocals

George Lynch- guitar

Jeff Pilson- bass, backing vocals

Mick Brown- drums, backing vocals

Maybe Dokken knew what we all knew about the “Back For the Attack” album, that it wasn’t as good as the first three albums, which was why only three songs from that album appear on “Beast From the East.” It was a good move on their part because the tracks from those albums, plus the fact that the three from the mentioned album are played very well, is why this is such a good live album.

Next post: Lita Ford- Lita

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Two points: First, I am going on a client holiday at work so the next post won’t be for a week. Second, apologies to Destroyer of Harmony, I did not intentionally delete your comment on the Kingdom Come post. It’s my stupid mobile phone, I was trying to respond to it.

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Kingdom Come

My introduction to German band Kingdom Come came through a compilation album I got in 1989. While they did gain some notice in the UK, what I didn’t know was that they actually had made some considerable headway in the US. This debut album of theirs made it to number 12 in the rock charts. Listening to the album, I can fully understand why.

There is no question that Kingdom Come was heavy influenced by Led Zeppelin. It is crystal clear on songs such as “17” and “Loving You” and it can be heard on many of other tracks as well. Even if the Led Zep influence isn’t immediately clear in the riffs, what is clear is the fact that lead singer, Lenny Wolf, sounds like a clone of Robert Plant. On the track, “Pushin’ Hard,” he even does that little stutter that Plant used to do on some Zeppelin tunes. In fact, if you were not to have read what I’ve just written and listen to the song first time, you would think that Robert was singing on it.

What I’m not going to do is compare the other individual members of Kingdom Come to those of Led Zeppelin. Lead guitarist, Danny Stag, is not Jimmy Page and this is not a negative dig at Danny. He can shred and he proves it on such songs as the bluesy ballad “What Love Can Be,” though again, the Zeppelin influence can be heard here as well. He really jams out on the already mentioned “17” and I have to give credit where due to the rhythm section on this one. Johnny B. Frank should have been given more notoriety as a bass player.

Onto the single, the song which appeared on the compilation album, which I will cover in the 1989 tour, “Get It On.” Again, the LZ influence can be heard, Lenny’s vocals make it nigh impossible not to think otherwise. But there is some great riffing by Danny and rhythm guitarist Rick Steiner who also plays keyboards. Everything about the song leads me to understand why this was picked for the single, it ticks all the boxes. However, me being me, it’s not the best song on the album. That award goes to the preceding track, “The Shuffle.” This one is a solid straight ahead rock track, which ticks all the boxes for me.

One track which doesn’t sound so much like LZ is “Now Ever After.” True, Lenny still sounds like Robert but the vibe from this song is more Whitesnake than anything else. It’s more a typical 80s rock tune, though it’s done well. The bassline is further proof that Johnny should have been given more notice as a bass player. This leads me to my a nit pick about the album. I think it would have made a better closer than “Shout It Out.” For me, the lyrics and the spirit behind them as well as how the song fades out just says closer to me. However, if this track wasn’t on the album, then “Shout It Out would be the right song for the job.

Track Listing:

1. Livin’ Out of Touch
2. Pushin’ Hard
3. What Love Can Be
4. 17
5. The Shuffle
6. Get It On
7. Now Forever After
8. HIdeaway
9. Loving You
10. Shout It Out

Kingdom Come

Lenny Wolf- lead vocals

Danny Stag- lead guitar

Rick Steier- rhythm guitar, keyboards

Johnny B. Frank- bass

James Kotak- drums

Now that I have listened to the album in earnest and read a little of the history behind it, I am surprised that after such a good debut album, Kingdom Come didn’t go onto great glories. This debut shows that they could have been more of a household name, at least in the metal community.

Next post: Dokken- Beast From the East

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I’d Like to Know Your Thoughts

Thanks to readers of Peaceful Rampage and feedback I have received on Facebook, I have decided to carry on with writing a sequel to “He Was Weird.” Note, I haven’t completely decided to call it “He Was Weird 2” and a friend suggested I call it “He Was Weirder.” For now though, I’ll stick with the title until if and when I come up with a better one. The main obstacle is because this was a recent idea, I haven’t thought the entire story through. Therefore, I will use this post to provide a brief outline for the story.

In chapter one, which has been already written, you can go back and read it, but it’s in three parts, we meet the story’s protagonist, Sean Vandeventer. In the opening paragraphs, we see that he is a victim of bullying with the same lack of support which Mark Leversee had in the first “He Was Weird.” Teachers see him not doing the right thing but somehow miss out the bullying. Since this occurs during the Remembrance Service commemorating the tenth anniversary of Mark’s shooting, Sean begins to see similarities between what Mark went through and what he is going through.

For Sean, life after the service doesn’t really improve. He gets bullied for the rest of the time in junior high school and some in high school. The city of Ramsgate is more worried about another shooting more than what he is suffering. Furthermore, most people embrace the words of a so- called expert who says that all school shooters play the bullying card. As long as there is no threat of a gun being used, the city of Ramsgate is happy to turn a blind eye to any bullying, especially if it’s being carried out by jocks or other ‘popular’ kids.

Later in the story, Sean sets off alarm bells in high school when he declares that he wants to join the Marines after graduation. Because it was an ex-marine who taught Mark how to shoot, the school district has a hostile attitude towards the Marine Corps. Strange but true in the story, no one from Ramsgate has joined the Marines since Mark’s shooting and anyone who does wish to serve their country, is swayed into other branches of the service. However, Sean does join the Marines after graduation.

After graduating boot camp on his first leave, Sean decided to visit his high school in uniform. Like me, he wants to show that he made something of himself. Unlike me, though, two of his bullies start a fight with him and acting in self defense, Sean blinds one bully and breaks the other’s leg. Small town politics ensue and Sean is arrested and charged. The mess not only gets him in trouble with the city, it lands him in hot water with the Marines, especially as the parents of the two bullies sue the Corps. Without going into too much detail, Mark is handed over to military authorities as part of a deal which is that he is not to return to Ramsgate for the remainder of the time in the service.

Sean does his first enlistment without any further complication. He spends most of the time deployed and when he does get leave, he has to stay with his grandparents a few towns away from Ramsgate. However, when he reenlists and because his first enlistment is over, he thinks it’s okay to return to Ramsgate. Unfortunately, he is seen and remembered by someone who informs the local police and Sean is re-arrested. The town’s argument is that Sean is still in the service so the legal decision barring him from the town is still in force.

At the same time, he learns that his little brother is also being bullied and when the bullies learn that Sean can’t go to the town, they increase their torture and spread it to their mother and home. When Sean learns of this, he is livid and what I am thinking is a “Rambo 1, First Blood” type of ending.

Let me know your thoughts and suggestions.

To buy the first “He Was Weird,” go to: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Was-Weird-Publisher-Generation-Publishing/dp/B00SLVHRFG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36I8I1G32U0R4&keywords=he+was+weird&qid=1678132273&s=books&sprefix=he+was+%2Cstripbooks%2C148&sr=1-1

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Battlezone- Warchild, The Best of

After two albums which went by with little notice, drink and drugs and lots of infighting, the band Battlezone, fronted by former Iron Maiden lead singer Paul Di’Anno, decided to call it quits. However, before they did, the put out a “Best of” album. Normally, I would scoff at bands who put out such an album after just two studio albums but it is different in this case. Battlezone’s first album, “Fighting Back,” escaped my attention. Therefore, with this album, I got to go back and listen to many of the songs which were on that album and some of them were quite good. One of these was “The Land God Gave to Cain.” This is a six minute long rocker, which is about a post nuclear holocaust. Paul drives the point home with some good vocals and there is a cool acoustic interlude in the middle of the song which accentuates his vocals really well. However, the power chords come in and really drive things home.

Very few songs from the two studio albums fail to make it on here. Therefore, I get to reminisce over the great songs from the album I did listen to, the second one, “Children of Madness” and got a good introduction to the debut album. It’s the songs from the first album which come first and then the songs from the second follow with a bonus track at the end, “To the Limit.” While not a bad thing, I can help thinking that maybe they should have arranged it the way its done on Youtube with the songs interwoven. That really made me concentrate more when listening to the album.

What you do get is seventeen good songs. I got to experience songs like “Welcome to the Battlezone” and reminisce over familiar ones such as “I Don’t Wanna Know,” Metal Tears” and I like “Whispered Rage” even more. As for the bonus track, it starts with some cool guitar riffs which sound even cooler once the rhythm section kicks in. Paul’s vocals are as good as always and the guitar solo tradeoff is done very well. Plus there is a cool drum solo after the guitar solo which gives it a more African feel.

Track Listing:

1. Fighting Back
2. Welcome to the Battlezone
3. Warchild
4. The Land God Gave to Cain
5. Too Much to Heart
6. Voice on the Radio
7. Rising Star
8. Rip It Up
9. I Don’t Wanna Know
10. Nuclear Breakdown
11. Touch of Heat
12. Whispered Rage
13. Children of Madness
14. Metal Tears
15. It’s Love
16. The Promise
17. To the Limit

Paul Di’Anno- vocals

John Wiggins- guitar

Pete West- bass

Steve Hopgood- drums (tracks 8-16)

Bob Falck- drums (tracks 1-6)

Graham Bath- guitar (tracks 8-16)

John Hurley- guitar (tracks 1-6)

The easy answer to if you want to check out Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone, get this “Best of” album. It has all the best songs you need to hear from them. Still, I wonder if it hadn’t been for all the rock related issues, how far they might have gone.

Next post: Kingdom Come

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Rest in Peace Gary Rossington

Gary Rossington

Once again, my hopes were in vain. There hasn’t been any major rock deaths since the passing of Jeff Beck in January, so I was hoping that we might get a reprieve. Fat chance! Last night, the final original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, guitarist Gary Rossington, passed away aged 71. Gary had a super career, not only with Skynyrd but with the band Rossington/Collins in the early 1980s. He was a phenomenal guitarist and he along with fellow guitarist Allen Collins provided one of the greatest long time jams in “Freebird.” Lynyrd Skynyrd were also crucial in forming the genre known as Southern Rock. FFI: click the link.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64860924

This song was written after Gary hit a tree with his car.

Gary’s passing marks the end of an era. While, Lynyrd Skynyrd will probably continue on with Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke leading the way, all the original members are now playing together in a better place.

Rest in peace Gary, the Freebird will forever fly on!

Original vs. Cover vs. Cover: The Boys Are Back in Town

Unfortunately, I am not ready to post the intended next post which was Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone “Best of” album. Owing to a busy week and the fact that the album is seventeen songs long, I wasn’t able to give the number of listens I give an album before I go to post. Instead, I thought I would treat you to an Original vs. Cover post but I am adding an extra cover. The song in question is the Thin Lizzy classic, “The Boys are Back in Town.” Will either cover be better than the original? And which of the two covers is the better one? Have a listen and judge for yourself.

Thin Lizzy

I can still remember back in 1977 this song blasting through my AM radio. I rocked to it then and more than 45 years later, it still rocks. There’s not much more about this classic which hasn’t already been said.

Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi’s cover of the song was known to me via the “Make A Difference” compilation album. For those not in the know, the album featured artists covering songs from ones who left the mortal plain. I did find Ozzy’s rendition of “Purple Haze” quite interesting. Anyway, Bon Jovi covered the Thin Lizzy classic.

Briar

While they never became a household name like Thin Lizzy or Bon Jovi, English metal band, Briar, covered the song on their 1988 “Crown of Thorns” album.

My Verdict:

The original wins this one hands down. For a song to be so well known after so many years says a lot about the band which recorded it. This song was a crowning achievement for Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy. As for the covers, my opinion on that score hasn’t changed. Briar wins out easily. Their hunger to make it big is reflecting in the way they record the song and I do like the echoing guitars as the song makes its exit. It was also good to give Phil a shout out at the beginning.

Have a listen to all three and let me know your thoughts. Remember dissent is always welcome on 80smetalman.

Next post: Paul DiAnno’s Battlezone- Warchild, The Best of

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To sign the petition to have Bruce Dickinson knighted, click the link: https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson?redirect=false

On another note, the petition to have Ozzy knighted as reached 35,000 signatures.

Great Metal Albums of 1988: Armoured Saint- Saints Will Conquer

Like Riot, Armoured Saint was another great metal band from the 1980s who never got to the level of stardom they should have achieved. The major advantage Armoured Saint had over Riot in regards to my loyalty is that I’ve seen Armoured Saint live, twice. Although the first time I was too drunk to fully appreciate them. However, they totally kicked ass when I saw them at Bloodstock 2015 and their 1988 live album, “Saints Will Conquer,” reminds me of just how good this band is live.

“Saints Will Conquer” was recorded live in Cleveland in October of 1987. From the outset, the mentioned intensity comes through with the opener, “Raising Fear.” It does what any good concert opening song should do, it gets you on your feet and pumping your fist in the air. “Nervous Man” carries that intensity forward and takes it further. The guitar solo is absolutely mind blowing. Then comes the good full speed metal on “Chemical Euphoria.” Three songs in and I have come to the conclusion if they had played this exact set of songs, these days, I would have been reaching for an oxygen mask by now. Still, it’s too bad that I didn’t get to see it in 1988 as the then 27 year old me would have been able to keep up no problem.

I love the power chords which open the track, “Book of Blood.” While slower and clunkier, the power chords and vocals of John Bush and a cool bass line from Joey Vera make this probably the best song on the album. On things pertaining to John, he does show his skills as a frontman as he gets the crowd participating on “Can U Deliver.” Some might say that what he says to the crowd is somewhat predictable but he does it with flair. If I was in the audience, I would be trying to deliver, especially with that drum solo from Gonzo Sandoval near the end.

Speed metal goes full frenzy on “Long Before I Die.” Great guitar work from Dave Prichard adds a further dimension. Some cool speed riffs bring in “Madhouse” and in case anyone is wondering, it’s not a cover of the Anthrax classic. It’s its own speed metal bash. Closing out the album is the only studio recorded song, “No Reason to Live.” This was an unreleased song from the band’s 1983 demo and it’s probably the closest they ever came to a power ballad. The song is slower and more bluesy but the guitars are cool, John sings it with marvelous conviction and the rhythm section is spot on. So, what’s not to like?

The album has been criticized for not representing Armoured Saint’s early era well. Missing from the album is their famous “March of the Saint” from the debut album and their radio hit, “Isolation.” I’ll give 200 80smetalman points to anyone who knows a reason why these two tracks weren’t on the album. I know that the band nailed both of these when I saw them live so it doesn’t figure why they’re not here. If they were, it would have made a great album even greater.

Track Listing:

1. Raising Fear
2. Nervous Man
3. Chemical Euphoria
4. Book of Blood
5. Can U Deliver
6. Long Before I Die
7. Madhouse
8. No Reason to Live

Armoured Saint

John Bush- vocals

Dave Prichard- guitar

Joey Vera- bass

Gonzo Sandoval- drums

Phil Sandoval- guitar

You know what? I’m not going to get all bent up over what songs didn’t get on this great live album. “Saints Will Conquer” confirms how great Armoured Saint is live, no matter what songs they play.

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