Satan - Court In The Act : 1983
(name change) Blind Fury - Out of Reach : 1985
(back to being) Satan - Suspended Sentence : 1987
(name change) Pariah - The Kindred : 1988
Pariah - Blaze of Obscurity : 1989
Pariah - Unity : 1998
I have had Satan's debut 'Court in the Act' for a decade or so and I've always found it a very pleasing listen, mainly because from a historical point of view, by 1983 it's very innovative, very driving, very powerful (often called proto-power metal because of that) but also because there's no filler (which is near unheard of in most NWOBHM albums I've experienced), but something always rubbed be a bit wrong about the vocalist. About a month ago I decided to check out if Satan did anything else/changed their vocalist and as you might anticipate being more knowledgeable than I was, I was up for many surprises.
Satan went on to do a variety of projects. Before they did a second Satan album 'Suspended Sentence', they changed their name to Blind Fury and attempted what appears to be a more commercial venture. There's something really melancholic about how Blind Fury sound to me today, which gives their more simple and straightforward songs extra charm. The NWOBHM aspect is very much there... they sound like Cloven Hoof during their similar transformation from NWOBHM to power metal, but in my opinion classier (yes, please don't hurt me). Every guitar lick is worth study here. The singer isn't as intimidating as Russ from Cloven Hoof for sure, but... few singers are. Blind Fury sounds like a pretty commercial band to me, I mean, as if it's intended to be easier to listen than 'Suspended Sentence', certainly. Still very Heavy, very Metal, but with a rocking sensibility. It is strange that this album didn't do well, I guess because of the name change? In a more just world this would be bona fide popular music.
I guess things didn't go like they expected so they reverted back to Satan and did Suspended Sentence, along with the EP 'Into The Future' . Things begin to change here and it's interesting to note. Thrash has begin to rear its head and it seems like Satan are jumping to that bandwagon... but not exactly! This album seems to me like a purely UK sort of thrash, similar perhaps to Sabbat or early Skyclad in that it has the thrash bite but it's not trying to be as base as say, Slayer, at any rate. It's lyrical and ambitious, like a power metal record. At the same time there seems to be an aura of cold technicality in the song structures and rhythmic riffing that would carry on to almost all future records they did. Techno-thrash, lyrical power metal and yet a very respectful to traditional HM aura. It's a very interesting combination that as far as I can readily recall, very few other bands pursued.
While not as ahead of its time as 'Court in the Act' was back in 1983, the mixture is certainly unique and the songwriting is still extremely competent. I started there to realize what the theme of Satan's music would be for all the rest of their renamed bands and projects: great composition, little filler and amazing guitar pyro.
I can't classify 'Suspended Sentence' as it deserves because I haven't listened to it as much as 'Court in the Act' and then Pariah quickly took my notice. If I had to judge hastily I'd say I rate 'Suspended Sentence' lower than the Blind Fury debut and Court In the Act because it has not stricken a balance between the thrashy context and the lyrical flourish. Pariah I think did that form to perfection in their sophomore effort.
So, Pariah. Yet another name change, but the material in their debut 'The Kindred' isn't far off from 'Suspended Sentence'. A bit more thrash, even more demonic shredding, double leads every little thing the Pariah guitarists decided to play is worth attention, it seems. Was this, more aggressive thrash record, perhaps also an attempt to cash in on a trend? Even if so, it seems to me these two guitarists just didn't have it in their hearts to make a record not filled to the brim with excellent compositions and amazing solos even if their intention wasn't pure.
Perhaps however their attempt to 'cash in' was felt by the listeners on some subconscious level and they didn't make it big no matter how many great songs and solos they put in there. Along with the frequent name changes that's what I'd attribute that to.
Pariah then did 'Blaze of Obscurity' (somewhat ironic and fitting title
) where they scale back on the thrash a bit and attempt to do everything they seem to be into, on a single disk. There's choppy thrash rhythmics and great catchy songwriting, melodic leads and really left-field double leads/solos. No filler to be found anywhere also. Besides 'Court in the Act' this is the record by these people I've listened to the most and in my opinion it's one of the better from the late eighties. I wonder again why they never made it big, given the strength of the material, only to have to remind myself that great songs aren't enough to make it big.Pariah put out a reunion record in 1998 but I haven't heard of it yet. Is it any good? I'm kinda wary of reunion albums and I'm afraid to tarnish the good memory I have of Satan/Blind Fury/Pariah by picking it up.
So, what are your impressions of these records? Any favorites? Any disappointments? Why do you think they never made it big? Interesting anecdotes from you wiser men? I hope to spark discussion about these overlooked gems and the circumstances that served as their context.
Wow a little surprised here but everyones got their own opinion
