Is there any mystery left in Olde Metal Hunting? A harsh question perhaps, but to the cynics and sceptics The Corroseum's answer will always be "Yes!" Plenty of features on this site will prove this point, often
dealing with artifacts possibly even more obscure than those presented below. Yet strangely enough, the
US and Canadian Heavy Metal 7"-scene
is still one of the least explored niches in the domain of Old Metal Vinyl Collecting, at least in relation to its size and popularity. Hence forum member and long-time fan & collector of rare American 7"s, Kristian "Khnud" Knutsson has taken on this impossible feat of documentation, making this the 3rd and - surely in the long run - largest Singles-Special of The Corroseum to date...
A note on rarity Most of the releases reviewed herein are to be considered rare, usually released in either 500 or 1000 copies by small independent labels, or by the bands themselves. The rating is therefore an attempt at approximating how often an item shows up for sale.
= Rather common, a copy can most likely be found without too much effort
= Uncommon, still turns up a few times per year
= Rare, you'll most likely have to search a bit before you find one
= Very rare, expect to have to search several years before one turns up
= More or less impossible to find. The number of known copies can be counted with the fingers of one hand
Also, please note that rarity scores might change over time. A good example would be the Hazardous Waste 45, which was once believed to have been released in only 200 copies and was at that point a very expensive and desired item. Many years later another 300 copies were discovered in a warehouse and the item is, at the time this is written, reasonably easy to find at an affordable price.
A note on ratingReviews are subjective. What I think is great, someone else might think is crap. And the other way around. I strongly suggest using the reviews as a general guide and not as a definitive quality indicator.
= Bad. You probably don't need this unless you're a manic completist (like yours truly)
= Ok, but nothing spectacular
= Good, definitely worth checking out
= Great, buy or die!
= You need this more than oxygen...
Finally, I'd like to thank John Haupt, without him this project would never have been possible.
Damascus Band - Super Star / Oh Mama
(private, 1979)An almost entirely uneventful release, both songs just sort of plod along without anyone ever raising an eyebrow. Other than that, this Louisiana outfit is a pretty decent example of late 70's US heavy-ish rock in the vein of LYNYRD SKYNYRD and the like. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Dartanyun - Shootin For The Big One / Hot To Trot
(Gateway Records, 1978)A not too exciting blend of southern rock with some hard rock thrown in the mix (or more specifically on the b-side). The b-side especially should please fans of MOLLY HATCHET, LYNYRD SKYNRD, POINT BLANK etc. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Dave Feinstein - Midnight Lady / Ship On A Stormy Sea
(DMR, 1978)Perhaps the band on here with the most well known members? What we have here is nothing less than an early metal supergroup, and a piece of North American hard rock and heavy metal history. Let me explain. Dave himself used to be in ELF with his cousin (Ronnie James) DIO. He and the drummer Carl Canedy went on to form THE RODS. And the bassist? You will know immediately when starting the record. It's incredibly obvious it's Joey DeMaio, two years before he went on to form MANOWAR. So, does this artifact of old times past live up to the members names? Kinda. It's Mark III DEEP PURPLE with Joey DeMaio on bass on the a-side, and more straight up hard rockery on the b-side. With Joey DeMaio on bass. Yeah, Joey was making sure to stand out in the mix already back in the 70's! Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Dave Wagner Band - Tell Me / Night Fighter
(K.I.T.S. Records, 1986)Contrary to what the band name might suggest, this is nothing less than a mid tempo metal monster in the vein of IRONHAWK or even FAR EAST. And with such an inconspicuous name, plus a very modest looking picture sleeve, chances are this ultra rarity out of San Antonio Texas might be one of the most overlooked and forgotten metal gems in the US. Just imagine how many times unknowing collectors must have dismissed this as likely being country or pop, when browsing through a mixed lot of 45s at the local record store. Well thanks to The Corroseum, no more! Now finally everyone has the chance of actually picking it up instead of just flipping past it in the used bin. If you ever find one of course, as copies of this are as thinly spread as water on the moon. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Dead Serios - Dead Under The Tree / Heavy Metal Christmas
(Long Song Records, 1986)Out of all the novelty Christmas 45's reviewed here, this is one of the more "metal" ones. And while all Christmas singles are inherently goofy, this one sure is at the top - mostly because these Florida lunatics do absolutely everything they can to NOT live up to their name. But I digress - the songs are actually both quite decent, no frills heavy metal. Dead, I hope you DO find MOTORHEAD in your stocking. Every year. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Dead Serios - Screams In The Night
(Long Song Records, 1986)This Florida outfit is, in most aspects, the unlikely marriage between nwobhm stalwarts RAVEN and WEIRD AL YANCOVIC, utilising a high energy musical approach and coupling it with some not overly serious lyrics. The general goofyness that defines this band is not as prevalent on this EP however, as the songs are mostly about partying and the debauchery generally synonymous with rock'n'roll. All 4 songs were later included on their debut full length album, which doesn't remove the fact that "Screams In The Night" is still well worth picking up. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Ded Engine - Two Bad
(Genocide Records, 1983)Often hailed as the US version of JUDAS PRIEST, these East Lansing hopefuls (hello, Malc Macmillan!) really had a lot more in common with contemporary Michigan act MEDIEVAL. Both deliver gravelly, slightly punky but definitely still metal-as-fuck, all knobs to the right-type songs throughout. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Destroyer - Black Angels / The Grave (6 Feet Under)
(Destroyer Inc, 1985)Nothing short of a true metal gem, featuring two relatively fast-paced tracks in classic early IRON MAIDEN style with a hint of Jersey rockers LEGEND mellowness thrown into the mix. Catchy riffs, leads and choruses abound, making this one of the better privately released metal singles to come out of the US in the mid 80's. If you find one, be sure to check it has the original insert. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Doomwatch - Final Hour
(Facemelt Records, 1986)Filled to the brim with insane guitar solos that makes Kerry King sound like Malmsteen, along with more than a few nods to the punk/HC scene. The "slower" and less hard core-ish songs actually work out surprisingly well, with "Guillotina" my fave of the bunch. Anyway, well worth picking up if you're into into crossover. A notable band due to the fact that bass player Terry Weston later appeared in doom outfits DREAM DEATH and PENANCE. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Double Edge - Leather Lust / Empty Hearts
(private, 1976)I don't for one second believe this was released in 1976, as the label states. If this was true, "Leather Lust" would be ranked as a pioneer of HEAVY Canadian metal songs with female vocals, long before LEE AARON saw the light of day. The song with a dude singing on the flipside isn't nearly as interesting though. The fact that this band appears on a 1992 "unsigned bands" compilation suggests this 45 was a late 80's release rather than a mid 70's one. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
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Druid - Four Curses EP
(Crossbone Records, 1986)A legendary EP from the same band who released the infamous "Vampire Cult" LP. While not as doomy as their full length, you can still hear hints of SAINT VITUS and TROUBLE, especially in the guitar riffs. Combine this with IRON CROSS (the "Warhead" band), and there you have it. Rumoured to have been released in only 200 copies (some with an insert) but still manages to turn up for sale quite often, although usually for a hefty price indeed. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
...and the mandatory, accompanying, downloadable CDR-samplers:
For comments, questions and critique praise of this guide, please visit the designated North-American Heavy Metal 7"s Guide-thread in the forum, or contact The Corroseum (all messages concerning this guide will be forwarded to Khnud)
