CAGE

They are in the studio, recording a new album (no release date yet).

But let's talk about the old stuff while we wait. How would you rank their albums? And am I missing out on something owning only Darker than Black and Hell Destroyer? I recently re-discovered this band. I kind of had my fill of this kind of stuff for awhile, but damn if it ain't some powerful heavy metal when you finally do put it back on.

I only discovered them because of the King Diamond song they recorded. Thought it was such a great tribute, I bought the Hell Destroyer edition with that song on it. I have a few more of their cds, but that's my favorite one.

Truth be told, the Cage forums is where I stole my Wrecked Neck name. Sean Peck used the term in a post over there long ago, and I liked it. Not very many people posted there, and I believe they shut them down now.

Really a good band though. Don't know why they aren't bigger than they are.

I own Astrology, Darker Than Black, Hell Destroyer, Science Of Annihilation and Supremacy Of Steel.  My favorite is probably Darker Than Black.  I think they are a good power metal band and I enjoy many of their songs, but I wish their albums were stronger as a whole.

They also produced the most metal album cover of all time:

I like them but they need to add more variety in the tempos, the last couple seem be nothing but speed contests.

I still own nothing by these guys. Definitely need to upgrade. What do you recommend?

I have Astrology, Darker Than Black and Hell Destroyer. I think their all solid metal releases and will like to collect the rest

Found me a copy of hell destroyer. Think i will buy it.

Gilbert wrote:

Found me a copy of hell destroyer. Think i will buy it.

It's probably their highest rated and most universally loved album, so go for it.

I can't say personally because I haven't heard them all (maybe I'm missing out), but I do like Hell Destroyer.

Lari wrote:

Gilbert wrote:

Found me a copy of hell destroyer. Think i will buy it.

It's probably their highest rated and most universally loved album, so go for it.

I can't say personally because I haven't heard them all (maybe I'm missing out), but I do like Hell Destroyer.

I remember spotting this album at a record shop in bergen/norway as a new release in 2007 but instead chose to buy nocturnal rite's shadowland...

Gilbert wrote:

Lari wrote:

Gilbert wrote:

Found me a copy of hell destroyer. Think i will buy it.

It's probably their highest rated and most universally loved album, so go for it.

I can't say personally because I haven't heard them all (maybe I'm missing out), but I do like Hell Destroyer.

I remember spotting this album at a record shop in bergen/norway as a new release in 2007 but instead chose to buy nocturnal rite's shadowland...

I think you would appreciate the fact that the Hell Destroyer album has a Christian theme, as do many of their other albums/songs. While the band is not overtly pushy Christian, as in not "preaching a message", but their lyrics do have a positive Christian message present.

Much like Nocturnal Rites.

I owned Hell Destroyer at one point, but it got purged from my collection when I was dumping alot of the European "flower/power metal". Might have been a bit hasty in that decision, as I don't think they quite fit that description, but oh well. I'm managed to soldier on without them.

Quote :

I think you would appreciate the fact that the Hell Destroyer album has a Christian theme, as do many of their other albums/songs. While the band is not overtly pushy Christian, as in not "preaching a message", but their lyrics do have a positive Christian message present.

If I recall correctly, Hell Destroyer is a concept album with a whole Christian back story. The 'Hell Destroyer' in question is the hammer that was used to nail Christ to the cross. Whomever wields the magic hammer can conquer all evil or something like that.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I owned Hell Destroyer at one point, but it got purged from my collection when I was dumping alot of the European "flower/power metal". Might have been a bit hasty in that decision, as I don't think they quite fit that description, but oh well.

Yeah, they are not European nor are they flower metal

Lari wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I owned Hell Destroyer at one point, but it got purged from my collection when I was dumping alot of the European "flower/power metal". Might have been a bit hasty in that decision, as I don't think they quite fit that description, but oh well.

Yeah, they are not European nor are they flower metal

Yea I know. They're more in-line with Judas Priest. But they got lumped in with stuff like Brainstorm, Blind Guardian, Mob Rules and some others that I just got tired of.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Lari wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I owned Hell Destroyer at one point, but it got purged from my collection when I was dumping alot of the European "flower/power metal". Might have been a bit hasty in that decision, as I don't think they quite fit that description, but oh well.

Yeah, they are not European nor are they flower metal

Yea I know. They're more in-line with Judas Priest. But they got lumped in with stuff like Brainstorm, Blind Guardian, Mob Rules and some others that I just got tired of.

From the songs i have heard so far, the album has an enjoyable painkiller flavor

I re-read Ult's review of Cage's Hell Destroyer on his website and this part in particular stood out...

Quote :

My only complaint with “Hell Destroyer” is that I found it to be a bit too long and samey. The tempos, the songwriting, and even the vocal performance didn’t change much from song to song, making it hard to listen to this CD in one sitting. I think “Hell Destroyer” might have been a stronger album had the band trimmed it down to the best 11 - 12 tracks.

It's been years since I've heard it, but that comment right there was probably a big part of why I ditched it in the first place.

Quote :

My only complaint with “Hell Destroyer” is that I found it to be a bit too long and awesome.

I fixed that quote for you.

It lacks filler, if that's what you mean.

Obviously when you line up terrific tracks one after another, it's going to happen.

Lari wrote:

Quote :

My only complaint with “Hell Destroyer” is that I found it to be a bit too long and awesome.

I fixed that quote for you.

It lacks filler, if that's what you mean.

Obviously when you line up terrific tracks one after another, it's going to happen.

Ha, ha. You'll have to take that up with Ult. His review, not mine.

I think if you read the lyrics while listening to the CD, it makes it a much better album. The writing to me is above average and really well done. Lots of concept albums end up not making much sense, but from what I remember about that one, is it was like reading a book. There was no need to interpret what the story was about, unlike some so called concept albums, because it explained it all very well. Not sure if all their stuff is as well written or not, that was the only one I have sat down with and read the lyrics too.

Hell Destroyer

This is one of my all-time favorite power metal albums. A true "Desert Island Disc".

Ignoring the spoken interludes, this is an incredibly powerful, fast, catchy, well played, well sung masterpiece.