HELL Human Remains - 2011 NWOBHM-style Metal CD

HELL Human Remains - 2011 NWOBHM-style Metal CD


Format: CD
Condition: New
Year of Release: 2011
Cat. No.: 127212
Label: Nuclear Blast (USA)



I bid you welcome to Hell. The NWOBHM band that has remained under the radar since the early 1980’s and have decided to resurrect Satan on their latest LP entitled, “Human Remains”. Tony Speakman, Andy Sneap, Tim Bowler and Kev Boyer return with the powers of hellfire and their brand-new lead vocalist, David Bower.

This album is a decent throwback to classic material from bands like Mercyful Fate and Judas Priest.

It all begins with an overture as an introduction to a song that is filled with Mercyful Fate influenced guitar riffs. “On Earth As Is In Hell” is a track that contains melodic riffs and a classic NWOBHM sound. It has great drumming on the behalf of Tim Bowler and excellent riffs from Andy and Kev. David Bower immediately proves he has what it takes vocally to stand along side Rob Halford and King Diamond.

“Plague And Fyre” starts off with a man saying “Bring out your dead!” which reminds me of Stephen King’s The Shining. Like the movie, the lyrical theme of this song is post-apocalyptic. “Blasphemy And The Master” is another excellent track. The 8 minute and 11 seconds epic reminds me of Mercyful Fate’s Melissa album. Instrumentally, the music is superb and it’s filled with satanic lyrics ,which are nothing less than nostalgic.

“Human Remains” is a long awaited first album from a band that deserves to be of legendary status. They have tracks like “The Devil’s Deadly Weapon” that sounds like a good training montage from the 80’s and “Save US From Those Who Would Save Us” which reminds me of Twisted Sister at times.

The album is nostalgic but it has its moments of being a little too over-the-top. There is too much tongue and cheek going on. We all acknowledge and sometimes praise Satan when the music is that superior. It’s all about how it’s delivered to us and frankly; I’m not too crazy about Hell’s new album. If you’re exposed to all that NWOBHM has to offer then by all means this album will temporarily satisfy you. David Bower is an excellent vocalist but there is some work which needs to be done on the re-imaging of this band as well as the definitive style they want to be known as.

This year is 2011 and as much as I love the 80’s we do have to step up the scale just a bit from some sophistication. Does this band have the potential to be on my Top Ten 80’s bands of all time? You sure as hell may bet on that, but sometimes we all must go back to the drawing board. I hope that this band becomes huge one day, but in a righteous way where I may consider them a serious persevering band without the need for over-the-top clichés we are used to.

Review by Darklord.






TRACKLISTING*:


1 Overture Themes From Deathsquad
2 On Earth As It Is In Hell
3 Plague And Fyre
4 The Oppressors
5 Blasphemy And The Master
6 Let Battle Commence
7 The Devil's Deadly Weapon
8 The Quest
9 Macbeth
10 Save Us From Those Who Would Save Us
11 No Martyr's Cage
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