I
had been curious about this album for years until I got the bright idea
to inquire about it on the Metal Treasures message board (r.i.p.). A few
days later I got lots of info on it and a CD-R copy on the way. A month
or so later I had an original handnumbered copy (#142) in my hand!:-D
I guess it's the name of the band and album that raises such an interest.
So, is it Doom then, you might ask? No, it isn't. But is it heavy? HELL
YES it is! It may be older than most other records reviewed here, but
I would say it still belongs since it was one of the rawest, hardest Heavy
Rock records of it's time with a truly groundbreaking sound; a true "Roots
Of Metal"-item! It may have been recorded in the 70's, but I'll be damned
to life as a Depeche Mode-groupie if you'll find any Purp's/Zep's/Sab's
vibes in their music. No, The H.O.D. lies closer to the raw, crushing
sound of 1980 BRATS,
SARCOFAGUS (1st),
CRYSYS, early MOTÖRHEAD and the
hardest of the earliest NWOBHM 7"s. There can't be a NWOBHM-fan alive
who could resist the riffing, rhythms and lyrics of "There Ain't No Running
Away". Total Heavy Metal balls! "They who'll creep at night" follows,
and with it a fistful of great heavy guitars, but if I had to pick a favourite
track it would have to be the sonic bulldozer "RnR Close To The End Of
The World" - BRUTAL & primitive Hard Rock Metal agression at it's finest!
I'd say just about every song is a high-quality, high-energy monster of
rock and heavy enough to please the most demanding metalhead.
If there's
any particular 70's parts at all they can be traced to bands like THE
STOOGES or MC5, but only on a few trax and never quite that punky. "Doom
Power" is a deadringer for the THE STOOGES' "Raw Power", until the guitar
break comes and suddenly they're in early MAIDEN-land. The only song which
really stand out is the closing "The Light Of The Blind", which is more
of a moody 60's/psyche thing, but still good.
The bands strongest asset
and the thing that gives them that extra brutal edge is the vocals of
Andreas Rössner. Man, this guy is really pissed! I can't remember when
I heard a singer sounding so angry on a Hard Rock record. Kinda what you'd
expect when looking at the band picture on the front. Mean, shit-kicking
bikers and juvile delinquents the lot of them!(?) With only 500 copies
made almost a quarter of a century ago and frequently on the wanlists
of both 70's and 80's HM/HR collectors, you have quite a task before you,
trying to locate a copy. Let's hope for a respectful and well done re-issue
real soon.