Heathen was one of many bands to rise from ¨the second wave of the Bay-Area explosion¨, the band plays fast and precise ¨high-speed thrash metal and they also including harmonic sections plus harmonic singing like the Anthrax-singers in their songs. The band was inspired by the brittish heavy metal and the american thrash metal scene. The band was playing along with other Bay-Area thrashers like Exodus, Vio-Lence and Forbidden and others. This is not a ¨come back¨ album, this is a album that contains five so called rock-classics and four dusted-of EP tracks from the band Heathen.
Dave White – vocals
Lee Altus – guitars
Ira Black – guitars
Mike Jastremski – bass
Darren Minter – drums
R.I.P: Mike ¨Yaz¨ Jastremski, May 23, 2005.
Death On Two Legs (4:01)
This is a cover from Queens, the intro starts with slow harmonic guitars and later some heavy riffs is played but they suddenly stops. Now the song has started, good soloing at the beginning but the song really sounds boring. There is not a good flow in the song, the sinlge and simplistic riffs drags the song down a little now and then. The vocals is good and the rest of the band is also singing along som times. Boring song in other words. 2.5/5
The Holy War (5:03)
This song has a bass intro along with the drums, semi-solos are played after a while. Also this song is a bit boring because there is so little energy, the song feels flat and interesting. The lyrics are good and so is the vocals, I would say that this is an average song. 3/5
In Memory Of... (5:21)
This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, the song is about people that have passed away like friends and family members and other important people. The song starts with calm melodic acoustic guitars and later the song gets more and more like a power ballad at the end, it has basically the same tempo as Megadeth’s A Tout Le Monde but not with the same strengh. The lyrics are great and the vocals are some of the best. Instrumenally great, this is one of the best songs of this album that’s for sure. 5/5
Hellbound (3:50)
This is what I’m talking about, a fast and highly catchy song which sounds very familiar to Anthrax, with Dave’s great vocals it almost sounds like Anthrax. The song has many great solos and a perfect tempo along with great vocals. There is a song that is written by Pantera but this is not a cover of that song. 5/5
Eye Of The Storm (3:22)
¨Hmpf¨, and then the song starts, this is also a fast song but not as catchy as the previous one. The riffs are going up and down if I say so, the bass is very audioble and the guitars is doing a great job here and the vocals is also the same. 4/5
Hypnotized (7:23)
The intro is like the title, hypnotizing along with acoustic guitars. Later the song transforms into a thrashing frenzy after a long guitar solo, this really smells like Metallica’s Disposable Heros! The shredding style reminds of Metallica and with Dave’s voice it reminds of early Anthrax. This is also one of the best songs so this one is worth checking out. 5/5
Opiate For The Masses (7:29)
The intro sounds oddly like Iron Maiden, a bit melodic guitars but later heavy riffs is taking over along with double bass drums. A great thrash-metal song with heavy riffs and solid guitarwork, the song is catchy and would suit most thrashers pretty good. 4.5/5
Timeless Cell (5:08)
This song also reminds of Metallica when you listen to the shredding style, the song is quite intensive because of the fast drums. The guitars is fast and precise and the guitar solos are very skillfully played. 4/5
Mercy Is No Virtue (6:03)
The intro is fast and has more aggressive thrash in it, reminds of Slayer actually. The song is heavy with Slayer drumming and brutal shredding riffs. The only thing that is bad with this song is the lyrics, it is totally ok but sometimes it doesn’t seem to coop well with the instruments. Great end with more grinding riffs and Slayer drumming and the guitar solo is good. 4.75/5
This was a huge surprise when I finally found the album, I thought that this band was a more kick-a** band with more ferocious riffs and aggressive vocals plus insane drumming but this was really great. This album has a great selection of songs like this ballad and fast and catchy songs. I would higly recommend this album and band to thrash-metal fans and to other poeple as well but I think that thrashers would enjoy this more.
PROS
+ Great vocals, if you liked Anthrax’s Belladonna you will like this
+ You forget that some songs are covers
+ Every instrument sounds very good
+ Good variation of songs
+ Good lyrics
CONS
- A few songs may be boring after listen to it one time.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS
In Memory Of...
Hellbound
Hypnotized
Mercy Is No Virtue
Overall album rating will be: 5/5
