The
3rd "Metal Power" compilation is the last one I've heard, but
I know of at least 2 more volumes in existence. To noones surprise
it's the heaviest one so far and probably the best one musically, although
it lacks some of the [ahem] 'cultist charm' of
volume
II. Take it away, DaN!
...OK, DaN!
SPOILER makes for a perfect kick-start into fast, upbeat
stuff in the CROSSFIRE/GOTHAM CITY/VULCAIN Euro-Metal fashion, boosted
with the kind of charming, relentless soloing that owes plenty to both
the 70's and the NWOBHM/Ebony-recs sound. It's an unfitting name for a
band which clearly had lots of potential, at least judging from this one
track. Then we see a return of
BLACK OUT from the
1st
volume, here in a more chugging Heavy Metal style than earlier. Kinda
like the less epic and more Hard Rocking MANOWAR moments. I believe it's
the same band who later released a full-length album, possibly on Mausoleum.
A fine effort from label-guy Tiny v. Stiphout and his chums. (What?? Putting
the
ANWAR-project to rest
so quickly? For shame!)
On side B we first encounter
JAILBREAK and do they sound very much
like THIN LIZZY you wonder? Um, yes, and subsequently very British (well,
Irish, technically). A bit dated perhaps, but it's a heavy and nice enough
early NWOBHM filler not better nor worse than your average quazillion-dollar
NWOBHM 7" megararity. Metal Power III ends with a real scorcher:
the mean and brutal "Der Stuka" by
BLACK SUN. With so-so
musicianship and somewhat corny vocals working against them, they still
come out on top as the most interesting act on the EP. It's a dark and
slightly quirky cut, like CIRITH UNGOL on a machinelike horror-trip; the
1st Airborne Brigade from the Dark Dimension on a mission to terrorbomb
your living room and of course you'd want to bang your head to THAT. I
don't think there's any relation to this band and the BLACK SUN who made
the very rare "Imperial Journey" album, but I've been wrong
before so don't quote me on that. I just get the feeling that if
this
BLACK SUN ever released a vinyl of their own we'd all know about it.