8 songs of pure heavy metal. In the summer of 1984 you could safely judge (most of the time) how heavy an album was, by what the cover art looked like. I still remember the day I took this home. This wasn't thrash like Slayer, but I sure wore it out nonetheless.

Britain's Grim Reaper wore cheesy outfits, and the lyrics/image were more of an occult/dungeons and dragons-type theme than satanic. Great riffs (as great as late 70s/early 80s Iron Maiden, Judas Priest or Saxon).

Steve Grimmett's melodic vocals with a slight edge, and bravado made See You In Hell a classic. Their other two releases don't measure up or capture the magic of this debut. Even the power metal 'ballad' here, "The Show Must Go On" smokes almost everything they did afterwards.

Only bad point hearing this again after so many years is a slight one. The drums sound like a guy slapping a chick's ass all night long. A soft meaty slap, clear, audible, but not loud enough. It's enjoyable but you wish there was some sadistic power behind it. (Yeah, I know. I gotta get laid).

Anyways, worth getting if you love post-NWOBHM.

TRAX-See you in Hell/ Dead On Arrival/ Liar/ Wrath of the Ripper/ Now or Never/ Run for Your Life/ The Show Must Go On/ All Hell Let Loose

© 2000 mlotek