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Metal Massacre 14
2016 Metal Blade Records

Metal Massacre is the legendary compilation series started by Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records way back in 1982. The very first Metal Massacre compilation exposed the world to several key metal bands such as METALLICA, RATT, STEELER and BLACK ‘N BLUE, just to name a few. Subsequent volumes featured legends like ARMORED SAINT, OVERKILL, SLAYER and VIRGIN STEELE. By 1995, there had been 12 compilation albums released. The 13th release was in 2006, but then Metal Blade stopped releasing them…until now. The metal institution is dormant no longer!

Metal Massacre is back with volume 14, assembled by Alan Averill, vocalist of Irish folk/black metal band PRIMORDIAL. Alan did a great job gathering a diverse group of bands that inhabit, as he puts it, that “old-school mindset” and “do it yourself attitude”.

The first song is “The Traveler”, by Canada’s METALIAN, a band that has a sound similar to Dio-era BLACK SABBATH. This is a very good song and great pick as the lead track. The next song is “Until Then…Until The End” by Sweden’s NOCTUM, a band that has a MERCYFUL FATE/GHOST vibe to it; I’m really digging the sound of this band and enjoying this song. Next is “Bell Of Tarantia” by Canada’s GATEKEEPER. There is a nice doomy riff in this song, and enjoyable fantasy lyrics. Something about the band reminds me of ANVIL CHORUS. The next two tracks get into some really great old-school sounding thrash: Canadian/Swedish band ASSASSIN’S BLADE explodes with “The Demented Force”. The band is recording their debut album Agents Of Mystification for Pure Steel Records. Next, Peru’s COBRA unleashes “Denim Attack”, which lets us know real heavy metal is back! This song’s attitude and singer Harry El Sucio’s over the top squeals remind me of EXCITER or AGENT STEEL.

Next, Massachusetts’ STONE DAGGER offers the title track from their demo The Siege Of Jerusalem. This stellar track starts out slowly, and then builds momentum into the finish. This is a band to watch in the future. Pennsylvania-based doom merchants CRYPT SERMON offer the epic track “Will Of The Ancient Call” from their album Out Of The Garden. The band is influenced by CANDLEMASS and SOLITUDE AETURNUS, two giants of the genre, and if you’re a fan of those style bands, you need to check CRYPT SERMON out now. Kentucky’s occult-metal band SAVAGE MASTER next present their track “The Ripper In Black”, featuring a total babe in singer Stacy Peak. The song rips and the band’s image of chains and hangman’s masks will remind you of ‘80s classic metal. Next, Melbourne, Australia’s OUTCAST delivers “No Tomorrow”, an old-school pounding thrash track. Some nice up-tempo vocals and speed sections make this song enjoyable. The album is rounded out by Virginia-based CORSAIR with their song “Brothers”, one of the most interesting songs on the entire compilation. The band has a SABBATH-y groove to their music and a cool singer. This is a band to keep an eye on. There are three bonus tracks featuring the bands WALPYRGUS, VISIGOTH and RAVENCULT.

Most of the bands here I’ve never heard of, which of course is the point. And there isn’t a bad song to be found here either, in my opinion. If you’re looking for new bands to check out, give Metal Massacre 14 a listen. There’s bound to be a song that will catch your ear.

4.5 Out Of 5.0

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