This is the debut album from Seattle’s Culprit. It was released on Shrapnel in ’83. As with a lot of these bands, they disappeared soon after in ’85. The members didn’t do a whole lot after this album either, a couple of them joined TKO for their third album, Below The Belt, but that was it. They just left us this raw early Maiden inspired effort.
Now, a 23 year-old me might have lapped this up, as I was into anything metal that came out of America at the time, especially Shrapnel bands. Ice In The Back I guess was quite ahead of its time. Lots of stop start time changes to go with the raw riffing and a groove we are all now familiar with. Steel To Blood has a big chugga riff with a great middle section jam with John DeVol ripping in a cool solo. They are obviously more inspired by NWOBHM than anything that was happening around the Bay Area, just listen to Fight Back with that very familiar riff.
Shame they only did the one as I think these guys had potential to take it further.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
