New York’s underground metal scene of the 80s and 90s is one of my favorite ones, as it captured some really one of a kind releases that someone can discover. From the technical extravaganza of bands like DELIVERANCE and BEYOND REASON to the melodic excellence of SAHARRA and LAZARUS just to name a few.
BELIAL from Brooklyn, New York carried something really special in their overall sound. It was always a difficult task to categorize their style under a specific genre: Thrash Metal? Speed Metal? Progressive Metal? Well, all the above and nothing of the above at the very same time. BELIAL were BELIAL and they have managed to develop a very special sound of their own even from their very first demo session back in 85.
Arkeyn Steel Records presents a reissue of their complete works. “What have they released?”, I hear you asking. Ok let’s go for the answers:
“Rotten Hell”: Belial’s debut demo was released back in 1988 capturing the straight into the face, powerful and mind crushing Thrash / Speed Metal of the band. One year later (1989) “Time Falls” demo was released highlighting a more technical approach on the band’s remarkable combination of Thrash and Speed Metal. As I already pointed there are also recordings from 1985-1986 that remained unreleased until today.
The steel of BELIAL will bring total destruction. This is a fact: powerful, skull crushing riffing that take no prisoners, amazing vocals under a wide range -just listen to the opening high pitched scream on the same titled “Belial” track and you will totally understand my point-. Vocals that are able to change from thrashy to more classic metal singing in milliseconds.
But the most interesting feature on the band’s music is the overall technical approaching on their songs. Yes, there is plenty of room for that complex touch on the riffing, there is plenty of room for that extra rhythm boost on the drumming, and there is always extra room for the correct dynamics, that make the songs to sound even more solid and powerful.
I have to make an extra reference to the additional bonus track called “The Secret Ride Of The Wind” that is included in here: A ten minute long song by PSYCH, a post-BELIAL band: On their “Fear of Fantasy?” demo that was released back in 1990, they delivered a very special type of Heavy and Prog Metal through a massive sound evolution that kept BELIAL’s power and complexity as a starting point. This is a great tune, it highlights some wonderful melodies and features some great keyboard parts plus an overall mystical atmosphere. I wish that all the three tracks of this fantastic demo to be reissued someday, somehow.
The well known Arkeyn Steel Records standards are followed in this reissue for one more time: Kostas Scandalis remastered everything from scratch, in order the listener to enjoy the best possible audio experience. Artwork is developed by Kostas Athanasoglou. On the booklet you can find both a complete set of lyrics and a bunch of never seen before photos. There is also an in depth biography plus extra liner notes written by the band’s singer Ira “Izzy” Gold.
Well all in all we are dealing with a great reissue that does justice to the music of this very special band. Now everyone got a chance to discover the BELIAL’s Metal! Don’t miss it!
The album will be released on December 6th. You can pre-order here.
