In my opinion, this is the best Twisted Sister album. I didn’t care for the “we’ve found out how to make money” records that subsequently followed this release. I love the raw “we don’t give a shit” attitude of this record.
Before this album, they had been playing clubs and bars around New Jersey for years and they probably thought their shot had gone. This was released on Secret records, which if memory serves me correct, was something to do with British skinheads Cockney Rejects and was produced by Pete Way who had befriended the band.
The only song that resembles the band that made it big after this is Shoot Em Down, which has the stomp along big sing along chorus. Whereas this album does sound of its age, there are still some classics of the period namely What You Don’t Know, the title track Under The Blade, and Tear it Loose. Remember this came out while the NWOBHM was in full swing so the harder songs went down great with the metal kids at the time.
Does anyone remember the fight off that never was with Manowar that was supposed to happen outside Shades records in London? Of course it never happened as Manowar never showed up, but is was a great piece of PR for the band at the time.
It has to be said that the production isn’t the best. The drums sometime sound as though AJ Pero is playing pots and pans, and the guitars sound somewhat thin by today’s standards. Overall it is a fun record, and the track Under The Blade is a bonafide classic of the genre.
7/10 from The Grooveman.
