Tag: fifth angel

So here is another band that disappeared for nearly thirty years before rising like a Phoenix. This is their fourth and latest album, and the second since reforming. If you were into the band originally, this will come as a big surprise as it sounds nothing like the first two records.

What you get here is a big chest pumping power metal assault, which I have to say I really love. Even the theatrical voice overs in between each song lend to the atmosphere. The twin guitar onslaught of Steve Conley and Ed Archer is epic with both laying down monster riffs over the pounding groove, and Steven Carlsons vocals are superb. The approach is quite old school as they put huge emphasis on the melody of the vocal, and the hook and chorus are a huge part of the album. My favourite track is When Angels Kill. That twin guitar intro is awesome and that pounding groove and riff just drives it along…METAL!

A highly enjoyable album that just delivers.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Originally released by Mike Varney on his Metal Blade label, after being transfixed by guitar whizz James Byrd. This is the first and best of the band’s releases. I loved all of the releases that were coming out of the US with the hot shot guitar players at the time. It’s only when you look back that you realize a lot of them were pretty average, mainly due to the fact the guitarists could wail, but the bands couldn’t write good tunes. These guys were different, as they could write good tunes and they also had a decent vocalist in Ted Pilot, and a great drummer Ken Mary who would go on to drum with loads of bands.

In The Fallout is a pretty standard mid eighties metal track, but with a killer solo. Shout It Out has that big anthem feel to it. Call OutThe Warning is peddle to the metal with some Yngwie style widdle – it’s very power metal. The self titled track is next and is very Dio in its delivery, and has a superb lead break. The side closes out with Wings Of Destiny, which has an Iron Maiden intro and pretty standard riffage, again lifted by an unreal solo.

Side 2 starts out with The Night, which is the best track on the album – it’s a power metal anthem. A really cool intro to Only The Strong Survive opens with a riff I have heard before, but my brain won’t release the information. I’m sure the metal heads amongst you will know (let me know!!!). Cry Out The Fools is the penultimate track and is very Michael Schenker with Ronnie Dio singing. Album closer, Fade To Flames, is almost an acoustic fade to black until the song bursts into a Maiden gallop.

So two albums and that was it, until a comeback a couple of years ago. James Byrd released a few solo albums for Shrapnel, which if you are a guitar nut, are worth checking out.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

Just to prove that Seattle was not all about grunge, Fifth Angel released their first album in ’86, and this, their second album, came out in ’89 just as the groundswell of grunge was blooming. Original axe slinger, James Byrd, had left by this point to go solo, and just after this album was released the label pulled the plug. It’s hard to understand how some labels make their decisions. Melodic hard rock is the order of the day, the band wrote some killer tunes, and Byrd’s replacement, Kendall Bechtel, was a great player.

Opening two tracks, Cathedral, and Midnight Love, are really great tracks with killer vocals and melodies, superb riffs, and some great playing. Seven Hours has an interesting opening before settling down into a generic hair rock anthem. Broken Dreams is power ballad number 1. The title track follows and is very Dokken in its execution. The last track on this side is a cover of Lights Out by UFO, and while its an ok attempt, the original is such a strong song that unless you are going to do something different, it’s best left alone.

Side 2 kicks off with Wait For Me and it’s back to the big rock and big production. Angel Of Mercy is up next and starts with a huge riff, but it’s a near exact copy to the previous track. We Rule is the heaviest track on the album so far, and is the highlight for me. So Long is ballad number two, and Feel The Heat closes out the record with a big chorus, melody, and harmonies a go-go.

Unfortunately there were a ton of bands doing this type of rock at the time, and unless your are top of the heap, you will get passed over.

7/10 from The Grooveman.