AWOL (USA) - S/T MLP 1987

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:24 am

This one's kinda hard to describe. There are so many jazz elements in this album that i really don't know if it's worth filing it under Heavy Metal. Quite a lot commercial (not AOR-ish, more in the HR vein) moments exist also and therefore the whole thing doesn't sound as tight/solid as it should, at least to my ears. The first track is definitely the best and most metallic one, the rest are relatively interesting but not equally good. The vocals are decent, some guitar riffs are really cool and the most 'unusual' thing on the album is the nervous bass-playing which reminds me a bit of the early Sieges Even/Watchtower material, however there's also one thing that is mostly missing: Pure Metal. It's a quite rare record, so i think it wouldn't be a bad idea to listen to it before doing any crazy bids on ebay.

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The Sentinel · Post by **The Sentinel** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:35 am

Thanks for this one, also has a very weird cover

Noisenik · Post by **Noisenik** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:07 am

John, mega thanks!!!!!!

Listening to it right now and it seems to be a minor masterpiece. 2nd track is quite killer also. Where was that released and how rare it is? And from 1987... Amazing.

Edit: 3rd track started as total killer also. Seems I need more shred ...

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:19 am

Noisenik wrote:John, mega thanks!!!!!!

Listening to it right now and it seems to be a minor masterpiece. 2nd track is quite killer also. Where was that released and how rare it is? And from 1987... Amazing.

Here's some things written on the back cover:

1987 Thagnau records
Ron Thal:guitar,bass,vocals
Jeff Thal:drums

Write:
Awol
PO Box 359
Staten Island NY 10308

Special thanks etc etc

And:

"If you want something done right, do it yourself"

You really liked this one, didn't you Nenad?

Noisenik · Post by **Noisenik** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:38 am

ION BRITTON wrote:
Noisenik wrote:John, mega thanks!!!!!!

Listening to it right now and it seems to be a minor masterpiece. 2nd track is quite killer also. Where was that released and how rare it is? And from 1987... Amazing.
Here's some things written on the back cover:

1987 Thagnau records
Ron Thal:guitar,bass,vocals
Jeff Thal:drums

Write:
Awol
PO Box 359
Staten Island NY 10308

Special thanks etc etc

And:

"If you want something done right, do it yourself"

You really liked this one, didn't you Nenad?

Sure I did, John! Don't know if this is English phrase also, but it seems to be written on my skin. What is fascinating really is it was recorded in 1987 with very choppy production. The sound one can sink teeth into ... For example, I stopped listening to modern prog metal just because of its sound and production. Even when they offer breakneck riffs and playing. Awful. But AWOL are the real opposite. Fantastic!!!

Edit: Ron Thal ... wait a tic. I heard about this guy ... but where ...

Noisenik · Post by **Noisenik** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:55 am

Whoargh!

Even many would dismiss it as a radio-friendly semi-ballad, Sophia is actually fu..n' amazing song. Thank you billion, John. You have really cheer me up today.

Yesterday for instance I've heard a really horrifying news. More in LOM ...

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:08 am

The first track is really killer progressive metal. By 1987, where the genre had first started to exist with Fates Warning - Awaken the Guardian and Watchtower's Energetic Dissassembly that's quite a mean feat. You can almost hear generations of prog metal in this, after this. In this way pretty visionary.

I hope the rest of the album is on that level, we'll see

edit: Oh I just noticed Ron Thal on guitars on this. It explains a lot.

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:08 am

My pleasure, man!

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:10 am

Check out Bumblefoot's first release at least for more guitar wizardry by mister Thal. I didn't know his brother is such a proficient drummer also. Isn't he now in Guns n' Roses or someplace equally inane?

haha, Mussorgsky reference in the intro of third track! Probably more classical there, this other bit sounds like Mozart.

Noisenik · Post by **Noisenik** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:15 am

Urgghhh, Helm. Give me a little reminder ... In which bands had Ron also played?

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:21 am

In 'Ron Thal'. Two cds, The Adventures of Bumblefoot and Hermit, his very own Shrapnel and then post-grunge band! Humourous guitar wizardry with class and very strange personal style. Memorable songs, very tuneful stuff and then boom idiosyncratic hyper-expert guitar soloing on top that piggy would be so proud of.

http://wc05.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=a ... fwxqlgldhe

I suggest 'Adventures of Bumblefoot' mostly. Not that far from AWOL really. I like the whole record so far, just the two last tracks left. This isn't Heavy Metal all the time, Ion is correct, but it has got its own charm, definitely.

Noisenik · Post by **Noisenik** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:37 am

Thanks dude! But I remember him from somewhere else ... from one or more thanks-lists or who knows from where ... Should be sth more to his credit out there.

The Sentinel · Post by **The Sentinel** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 12:25 pm

This is quite interesting stuff. Progressive and jazzy, I like the first track a lot. But I don't think I would pay > $50 for it.

doomedplanet · Post by **doomedplanet** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:52 pm

I love this record, interesting to finally see it uploaded somewhere, very underrated. Shall listen to it again later today in tribute to this thread.

Post by **DaN** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:15 am

I've heard/read a lot about the quirks of this album and been curious about it for quite a while. Looking forward to finally checking it out - cheers!