HITTMAN?

Metal, Movies, Beer Number of posts : 37954 Age : 54

Today I dusted off a whole pile of CDs I haven't listened to in a while and this was one of 'em. Anybody remember this Long Island, NY based crew? This debut was released in 1988. They never really caught on (only releasing one other album, VIVAS MACHINA, in the early 90s) but they were a pretty solid band, sound-wise they kinda have a mish-mash of early Queensryche, Crimson Glory and Dokken goin' on. Fave tracks would be the "Rollerball" inspired "Metal Sport," "Dead on Arrival," and "Backstreet Rebels." I could do without the rather silly cover of the '60s song "Secret Agent Man" though.

I picked this disc up for about three bucks at a used CD store a couple of years ago just because I vaguely remembered the name, and it turned out to be one of my better "blind buys."

Thoughts?

_________________
"If you're a false, don't entry, because you'll be burned and died!"

Metal is Forever Number of posts : 5704 Age : 49

It's supposed to be a minor classic in some circles but I have it on cassette and can't listen to it all the way. It just bores me to tears although I normally love this style of stuff.

To me, LETHAL or SACRED WARRIOR are about 100 times better than this.

Metal is my Life Number of posts : 26657 Age : 55

I used to have this on cassette. I haven't heard them in years. If I saw it for $3 I'd snag it,too.

Metal, Movies, Beer Number of posts : 37954 Age : 54

Temple of Blood wrote:: It's supposed to be a minor classic in some circles

Yeah, apparently their CD's are pretty collectible nowadays (and the infamous Greek bootleggers have gotten their hands on it as well).

They were supposed to reunite for the Keep It True Festival in Germany a couple of years ago but the singer flaked on'em at the last minute. No idea if they went on with a different singer or just canned the gig.

Quote :: To me, LETHAL or SACRED WARRIOR are about 100 times better than this.

No argument there, I do dig the Hittman but you're right, those two bands smoke 'em.

_________________
"If you're a false, don't entry, because you'll be burned and died!"

Metal is in my blood Number of posts : 4238 Age : 48

Have this on vinyl and the second on cd and they are good but i didnt play them for some time.

Master Of The Crotch Grab Number of posts : 6841 Age : 50

I love this album, but have never been able to find it on CD for a good price. Good description FF, I've also always heard a little Maiden in them too. Metal Sport, Dead On Arrival, Back Street Rebels and Will You Be There are all excellent tracks. However, except for Secret Agent Man I really like every song.

Scarred But Smarter Number of posts : 3487 Age : 53

Love that album... headbanger

_________________
"Oh man, I need TV? When I got T Rex"

Heart of Metal Number of posts : 1226 Age : 56

1980s Newsletters/zines (like M.A.R.S-Metal Album reviews from NY) that had Hittman's demo tape were praising them, like they were going to be the next big thing like early Queensryche.

I always wished I heard them back then, but only finally did recently ...
guess the hype was put on a little thick

Metal Conspiracist Number of posts : 410 Age : 53

I downloaded it a couple days ago and wow, this is a moldy oldy, even when it first came out! Crimson Glory,Fates Warning and other bands of this style put out far more stellar albums by 1988. Hittman were retro-power metal by this point. Hittman sound like Omen to me,mostly mid-paced undistinguished power metal.Considering Carcass had debuted in '88, Naplam debuted the year before and thrash had pretty much hit its prime, this is pretty dated stuff.For a better example of this style,Damien's "Stop This War" (1989) really hits the mark.
That being said, I didn't hate it at all, Breakout, Caught in the Crossfire and yes,Secret Agent Man are all decent tracks.