Artist: Ulysses Siren
Label: Relentless Records
Release Date: 1985 / 1987
Rating: 5 Skulls
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Title: Above the Ashes Artist: Ulysses Siren Label: Relentless Records Release Date: 1985 / 1987 Rating: 5 Skulls |
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Slither's Review:
Recently in my spare time I have embarked upon a bit of a quest to discover what thrash albums I may have missed during my high school days when my universe began with Kill 'em All and ended with Rust in Peace. Having a university internet connection and a great deal of spare time spent reading textbooks near one's computer is a lethal formula for wasting precious minutes dicking around searching for albums one has not heard. Since I am a slacker, the last lingering motes of my NWOBHM obsession lead me to uncover this band. I started with one of the most inspirational bands form that period, the mighty Angel Witch and as a result ended up listening to their guitarist Jon Torres' new band The Lord Weird Slough Feg. Being a betting man, when I found out that Mr. Torres had a third band called Ulysses Siren where he penned music in the bay area thrash style some time during the late 80's, I felt the odds were in my favor so I tracked down a copy.Good for me, because Above the Ashes turned out to be my favorite offering of the genre. This recording is a collection of seven tracks from two recordings: one in 1985 and the other in 1987. In what seems like a heyday of "retro" bands for all styles of metal, finding an actual old school gem forgotten by time is a special experience. So many elements of this band make them stand out and shine brighter than any of their peers at the time. The production is sloppy in a refreshing way. The drums sound like real drums and they are played in that charming old school style before the metal gods decreed that thou shall ride thine Iron Cobra pedals like a damn bicycle at all times. Nothing is lost in the din of analogue but the overall quality hovers around the level of Metallica's first album. The vocals kick serious ass, imagine Tom Araya singing in key mixed with Rob Flynn back in his Vio-lence days. Manuel Lopez doesn't back off the microphone on either of the recordings and his performance from 1985 puts to shame just about every thrash vocalist I have heard since.
The style of songwriting is a mixture of Heathen and the British Sabbat. Imagine if you will A History of a Time to Come if you could actually hear the bass, but in a fashion that is complementary and not overpowering. I do play a little bass and as such, albums that give that instrument the proper treatment will always tickle my fancy. But fie unto thee if you dismiss my review at the last moment because I am a whore for four strings. This album shreds in a way that only material written during that golden age can, and it exhibits a band that should have made it to the upper echelons of metal renown. Their knack for pace, restrained melody, and tasteful solos all combine to form a head banging masterpiece. If you like thrash and there is an empty spot in the U section of your rack, then you know damn well what goes there.
Standout Tracks: "Lake of Fire" & "Above the Ashes"
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