This is the second album, released in ’85, from one of the most influential bands in the progressive metal scene. Formed by brothers, Jon and Criss Oliva, as Avatar back in ’79, they have always tried to push themselves to produce metal that was slightly different from the norm. Originally produced by Max Norman, this reissue has been remastered specifically for this release and sounds awesome.
Power Of The Night starts things off nicely with a nice fat riff and a really cool melody. Unusual (as the title says) does have a different feel to the metal normal groove with a really cool instrumental section. Warriors is a straight up metal assault with an earworm chorus. Necrophilia is up next, and I think you’ll agree, its something we all talk about around the dinner table, and carries on from where Warriors ended. Washed out closes out Side 1 and its an all out double kick fest speed assault.
Hard For Your Love starts Side 2 with a Judas Priest style groover and a very commercial sounding chorus. Fountain Of Youth is up next and is the weakest track on the album. Skull Session on the other hand has a killer riff and groove that makes it my favourite track on the album. Jon Olivia sounds remarkably like Russel Allen on this track, plus the bonus of great guitar from Criss Oliva. Stuck On You has a wicked groove and riff to the intro with a Trampled Under Foot vibe. The album closes out proper with the anthem, In The Dream. For this edition there is a bonus demo track of No More Saturday Nights.
The band’s masterpieces would follow later with Hall Of the Mountain King and Gutter Ballet, but this is still a solid album.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
