OCTOBER 31
страна: США (Арлингтон, штат Вирджиния) состав: ранее играли:
материал взят с http://www.cd-maximum.ru/
englishOCTOBER 31 is a U.S. band formed in the beginning of 1996 by King Fowley (also in Deceased). While Deceased were more Death Metal and Thrash oriented this project would have it´s roots in more traditional Heavy Metal. They released the "Voyage To Infinity" demo that featured 3 originals and a Warlord cover. That demo was very well received and is now currently out of print. Afterwards they started working on a second demo, then called "Lost City" but scrapped that because of interest from an Illinois label: Rest In Peace Records, who wanted a full length release. During the recording and writing of new material for the full length guitarist Kevin Lewis decided to leave the band, leaving Brian with all guitar duties. "The Fire Awaits You" was the bands first full length release after which Kevin returned for the next two albums and again left after "Meet Thy Maker". Guitarist Brian "Hellstorm" Williams also has a band called K-Octave. Ex-K-Octave vocalist Shawn Pelata sang for this band for a short time as well but never recorded anything with them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Fire Awaits You (R.I.P. Records) 1997 1. "The Warlock" (3:32) Even though "The Fire Awaits" was October 31's first full length release, it was the last CD I had heard from them until long after getting "Meet Thy Maker". So, I basically knew what to expect. October 31st are uncompromising, no frill, heavy metal. That is exactly what "The Fire Awaits" delivers. The music is actually a bit darker than some of the follow-up albums. I'd actually describe the music as classic American heavy metal meets early 80's NWOBHM with a bi 'ol dose of Edgar Allen Poe. Musically the band isn't as thrashy as future albums, which isn't neccessarily a bad or good thing. It's just a matter of preference. For me, I like 'em both. I can appreciate the classic metal vibe of this album, while still loving the thrashier material to come. The production on this self financed album is a bit lacking, but certainly isn't unlistenable. I mean, October 31 is about as underground as heavy metal gets. As such, this is an underground gem. This CD was just a bear to find, but thanks to my good friend Olaf for hooking me up. I know own both the vinyl and CD versions of this metal classic. Personally I think I like the sound on the vinyl better than the CD as it has a warmer sound. The CD is in serious need of some level boosting and remastering.
Visions Of The End EP (Old Metal Records) 1999 1. "Visions Of The End" (4:13) I have to admit, the first time I popped this CD into my CD player, the first thing I did was skip over to the cover of Lizzy Borden's "Give 'Em the Axe" to see how King Fowley sounded singing those high pitched falsetto vocals of Lizzy. Sure enough, he pulled them off quite well and the song rocked! This entire EP is quite good actually. King's normal vocal style is more of a mid-tone, dare I say gothic tone. The music here, however, is far from gothic. "Visions of the End" is pure heavy metal. October 31 are not concerned with showing off their technical abilities or writing overly progressive, brutal metal. Rather they focus on recalling the glory days of heavy metal. When metalheads were united without all the subgenres. One listen to "The Chosen One" will recall the days of headbanging glory. I absolutely love this EP.
Meet Thy Maker (R.I.P.) 1999 1. "Meet Thy Maker" (4:26) 2. "Just An Illusion" (4:10) 3. "For There Is War!" (6:19) 4. "Far From Danger Now" (6:34) 5. "Power And The Glory" (5:47) 6. "The Verdict" (6:02) 7. "Behind The Castle Walls" (6:48) There is something infectious about this band. However, I had heard so many good things about these guys before hearing them that I was a bit disappointed upon first listening. The music is actually quite good, but the vocals were not what I was expecting. I also knew that Shawn Pelata had sang for this band at one time, and I love his other bands (Oracle/K-Octave/Trampled Underfoot), so I guess I was expecting something like his powerful classic metal style. Instead, drummer King Fowley attempts to sing, and King's definitely is not the 'classic' singer that Shawn is. He mostly sings in a midrange, clean style, but with not as much dynamics or range. However, as I said, there is something infectious about these guys because I could not stop listening. The more I listened the more I liked it and the more King's voice grew on me. Can't say that I would mind if they got a singer like Shawn in the band permanently, but as it stands, "Meet thy Maker" is a good heavy metal disc that recalls the glory days of heavy metal. "Power & the Glory" is a Saxon cover, and an excellent choice for a cover at that. There is also a two-CD version of this album released by Metal Blade that includes some demo material from the band. Since I got this disc free, I can't complain, but I am now on the lookout for the two disc version. My disc is autographed by the entire band. Salem's Curse (7" single/red vinyl/2002) 1. Salem's Curse '01 05:05 Only available on vinyl. Limited edition version on red-vinyl, only 333 copies and the only recording to feature Tony Taylor (Twisted Tower Dire) on vocals. My copy is 121/333. "Electric Eye" is a Judas Priest cover.
Stagefright (Thrash Corner Records) 2003 1. "The Chosen One" (4:31) October 31 raw, live and in-your-face. King Fowley is ever the metal crusader and he doesn't let you forget it for a second on this platter. King is a quite a unique vocalist. His voice is raw and scratchy. When I first heard him some years ago, I was unimpressed, but I found his gruff vocal style to be somewhat infectious and it grew on me over the years. I couldn't imagine October 31 with anyone else. At times he reminds me of Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead). "Stagefright" features songs from all three October 31 studio albums, as well as a cover of one of the coolest Saxon songs ever "Power and the Glory." One of the coolest parts about this disc is that it sounds "Live" rather than sounding like a studio album with some crowd noises thrown in. According to the liner notes, "while the show was an absolute high for us, we didn't go without problem on stage that day! Yeah, there's a few guitar 'bum' notes, some lyric 'changes', dropped drum sticks, some pretty 'wild' background vocals from the crowd, a sub-par bas mix (due to a bad guitar chord) and a few 'timing' issues (from a lacking monitor mix) but in the end there's no regrets no excuses and just a record that is 100% indeed the carbon copy reproduction of the gig and what October 31 is all about from the stage on any given day." What else needs to be said? Live, loud heavy metal! Long live the King!
No Survivors (Thrash Corner Records) 2004 1. "Powerhouse" (4:01) Upon listening to this CD the first time my jaw dropped open. Man have these guys improved over their past releases. No longer are October 31 playing 'classic metal' but rather I would describe most of the material on "No Survivors" as speed metal or even thrash. Certainly album opener "Powerhouse" is a thrasher with plenty of speed and aggression. Also, King's vocals sound great on this CD, from the gravely singing to the insane screams. The thing is, this intensity doesn't let up through the entire CD. Some songs like "Rivet Rats" and "Commit to Sin" slow the pace down a bit, but, but even these songs are every bit as heavy and driving. There are some melodic moments, such as the guitar solo in "Commit to Sin", but overall this CD will tear your face off. The title track is another fuel injected number with an old school thrash metal feel complete with gang vocal chorus. Another highlight on this disc is the outstanding cover of Overkill's "Wrecking Crew". I was also surprised by the lyrics on this CD, which at times are pretty thoughtful. "What Waits Beyond" is a song of searching and wondering about what follows the grave. Of course it wouldn't be an October 31 CD without songs like "Back Alley Murders" and "Rivet Rat." So, all in all, call me impressed. This CD will be getting plenty of spin time in my CD player. Long live thrash metal. По материалам сайта: http://www.nolifetilmetal.com/ | |
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