Death Metal

What? I started a thread on Wormed (death metal) and no replies, so now we will go into some sort of discussion on this comp.

So this has the 'official' debut material of the four bands at hand, a pretty important signpost in the early 80's German/Noise Records scene. I recently came across some kind of bootleg CD of this, it's a pro silver CD, surprisingly great sound, perfect artwork, liners, etc, just no record company or barcode. Before, I had only heard the RW songs, since they're bonus tracks on my 'Masquerade' remaster. On 'Death Metal', each band has two songs, and they are all great stuff. A common thread which is interesting is that while the more melodic bands haven't found their individual voices quite yet, there are heavy echoes of NWOBHM to be found here and there taking up some of that space, and anyone who likes Stormwitch can easily get an idea of what I mean with the German/British sound some of the stuff on here conjures up.

The RW songs are just like most of what can later be found on 'Gates to Purgatory', and just as good, except with, like I said, a bit more NWOBHM influence.

Hellhammer...well, I'm one of those people who don't think that Hellhammer out-Sabbathed Sabbath or out-eviled Venom or Mercyful Fate...but the songs on here are surprisingly good, could both fit comfortably on 'Morbid Tales'. Revelations..of doom! Yep, I like this better than the stuff on 'Apocalyptic Raids', et al.

Dark Avenger...this is cool, super obscure band that, as far as I know, has recorded material solely on this compilation..which is too bad, because this is kind of a darker slant on an early Maiden (meaning, pre-Bruce)/Saxon blend....I want more.

Helloween......the two songs on here are the weakest in some ways, mainly because they would both later get the kick they needed in re-recording, especially 'Metal Invaders' which is one of the best Helloween songs. But these aren't bad, and it's cool to hear them in an embryonic form.

Definitely recommended, this thing is pretty much a blast if you can find it.

I've always wanted this album just for those early Helloween tracks, but have never been lucky enough to come across a copy in decent condition. I've found a few used LPs of it over the years and they've always looked like someone's kitty used it for a scratching post.

Titling this comp "Death Metal" was pretty inaccurate too, which made the whole package that much more interesting/unintentionally hilarious...

Its interesting how the perception and definition of death metal we have now varied greatly from then.

I think it was just a silly term that didn't really have anything about coining a phrase in mind. Not sure how they came up with it. Hey, they got the cover art right though.

The Helloween song on this comp titled "Oernst of Life" has always puzzled me. I know English is their second language 'n' all, but what in the bloody blue blazes is an "Oernst?"

I like "Bones To Ashes"

Love everything on that comp. It's one of my all time favorite compilation LPs. Hellhammer is legendary, the Running Wild tracks are great heavy metal toe tappers, Dark Avenger is proper metal and Oernst of Life is one of my favorite Helloween tracks.

To me, death metal has always been about cannibal corpse.

Respect