WHITE WIZARD - Over the top (2010)

White Wizzard was one of the best examples of the NWOTHM (New wave of traditional heavy metal) trend. ''Over the top'' is their debut album. Previously the band had released the ''High speed GTO'' ep which created a small sensation with the title track video. After the ep the whole band apart from the bass player (who happens to be the band leader) left and ''Over the top'' was recorded by a totally new band. This new White Wizzard was the best ever version of the band. Wyatt "The Screamin' Demon" Anderson has a really powerful voice, with a lot of grit, capable of high pitched screaming (thus ''The Screamin' Demon''), guitarist Erik Kluiber plays fantastic leads and riffs and mainman Jon Leon wrote the best selection of songs the band ever presented us with. I really love this album. The songs are totally into 80's metal, the production is kick ass, the performances totally over the top and one 80's metal anthem comes after the other. It's really a shame this band had so many problems with line up changes and personal issues between members. Right after the album half of the band quit again and it's really a miracle that White Wizzard (actually Jon Leon) managed to released another three good albums with band members constantly rotating. 

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/x7k5o6m0814c24l/White_Wizzard-_Over_The_Top_%282010%29.rar/file

THYNN ICE- Thynn Ice (1992)

Time for a really obscure slice of quality heavy metal music. Very few is known about this great band from Concord California. Their album, which is supposed to be just a testpressing never officialy released, leaked on the net a couple of years ago, very much to our pleasure. Recently I discovered a blog (http://thynnicerocks.blogspot.com/) about the band so I'll just copy paste a tinny bio:

''Thynn Ice was a band out of Concord California that consisted of Simon Bryant,Paul Rahn,John Darcy,Jim Siler and Dan Oranje. This band is now considered Rare Vintage Hard Rock. Having shared the stage with many Rock legends such as Pat Traverse ,Vinnie Vincent ,Saxon and Y&T .Their heavy hitting sound was influenced by maiden,Priest and the Scorpions each song features guitar solos from both Simon and Dan often battling back and forth.Many shows were played at the Omni in Oakland and at the Stone on broadway in San Francisco. Thynn Ice was a tough act to follow!''

The music speaks for itself, it's a crime no record label took this great band under it's wings. Some tracks are fantastic, the album rivals some of the most highly regarded obscure gems like Hammeron, Lord, Waxwing, Valhalla, Dark Age etc.. This rip misses most part of the last song, so if you are aware of a better one be a nice guy and let me know, I've no chance to make enough money to buy this ultrarare vinyl (now that I think of it I did play some Lotto last week, maybe I do have the money!).


ENJOY!!!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=64GG8MDM

DRIVE- Characters in time (1988)

A great US metal band that went under the radar like many others. This is not some obscure stuff meant to please only a small minority of 80's US metal enthousiasts. It's an album that would will convince anyone into quality heavy metal music. David Taylor (R.I.P.) delivered amazing vocals and the band played some really inspired and powerful metal music, in the vein of the best US bands (Lethal, Oliver Magnum). Eric Singer plays session drums on the album according to Metal Archives. A second album was released in 1992, slightly different in style but also great.

ENJOY!!!

https://rapidshare.com/files/459798156/Drive-_Characters_In_Time__1988_.rar

MADISON- Diamond mistress (1984)

Since the previous post was related to Goran Edman I decided it was the perfect timing to upload his first official album release way back from year 1984. At that time he was lead singer in Madison, a very talented Swedish band. Madison played a mixture of early melodic heavy metal and hard rock. The band sounded like a rougher version of early Europe. Edman's high octave vocals sounded a little unpolished compared to his later works, but he was a pleasure to listen to. It was obvious he was a gifted singer who would make a respectable career later on. Madison only lasted until the follow up album ''Best in show'' (1986) which was also very good.

ENJOY!!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/400422610/Madison-_Diamond_Mistress__1984_.rar.html

HEAVY LOAD- Stronger than evil (1983) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Sweden can be proud for one of the best metal bands of the first half of the 80's. Continuing the admirable momentum of 1982's ''Death or glory'', ''Stronger than evil'' displays a band that can create masterpieces in a very simple way. On this album it's all about the songs. Every single one of them is great. The fascinating sound of early heavy metal is captured in all of its glory. I enjoy everything about ''Stronger than evil''. The melodic riffing, the rocking guitar solos, the vocal duties being shared by three members, the galopping rhythm section. Music from a long gone era, when metal didn't have to be superfast, extreme, evil, etc. to be called metal.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/al2b4jn2vtz7zw1/Heavy+Load+-+1983++Stronger+Than+Evil.rar/file

WASHED- Blue (1991) (Re-uploaded 2021)

One of the most obscure and unlucky bands in the whole hard rock/heavy metal universe. Washed released a string of cassette only releases (two demos in 1987 and an album in 1991) before disbanding and fading into obscurity. 

Some years ago (around 2007-2008 if my memory doesn't fail me) the band had a myspace page and was trying to get a record deal for an official rerelease of the ''Blue'' cassette album (1991), but their tracks were lost shortly after that. The band page went inactive and nothing more was heard. During the myspace days the band sent out some of the ''Blue'' material to several labels and fans (this particular fan included) and at some point ''Blue'' was bootlegged in Brazil (in cd-r format). 

Their underground anthem I need an angel is quite popular among hard rock enthousiasts, a song that speaks highly of the bands qualities. Just listen for yourselves. The fact that this band didn't even get a record deal is one of the greatest mysteries. I need an angel could be a huge hit, posessing the same cathiness as songs like You give love a bad name (Bon Jovi) or Nightrain (Guns 'n' roses). The ballad Steel could feel pain ranks among the best, showcasing tremendous power and emotional depth. When Washed got louder there were few metal bands that could match them. Guilty, Armed and Dangerous, Crawlin', three monumental heavy power songs that rivaled the best US metal bands. This band knew how to shift from melodic hard rock to uncompromised metal power. I wish we will hear of them again and this material will get the official re-release and recognition it deserves.

Here you can find 8 out of 12 tracks the ''Blue'' cassette album included. The album front/back covers are selfmade. This stuff needs to keep floating on the net in order to preserve the bands legacy.

ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/xl40hq0imowor00/Washed-+Blue+(1991).rar/file

Q5- ''Steel the light'' (1984) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Q5 are a classic choice among followers of 80's heavy metal. Though the band never achieved any significant commercial success (even though guitarist Floyd Rose is the inventor of the famous tremolo system) they are still remembered due to some of the best songs ever written in hard rock/heavy metal. Lonely lady, Steel the light, Come and Gone, Missing in action. A perfect sound, the bridge between the heaviest bands of the 70's and the uprising heavy metal of the 80's. The album does have some fillers, but when Q5 are up for a good song, they're up to it for good!

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/pxpyzampfuhh764/Q5_-_Steel_The_Light_%25281984%2529.rar/file

LEATHERWOLF- ''Leatherwolf'' (1988) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Another gem from the US. This is the second self tiled album Leatherwolf released, since their 1985 same titled debut was an indy release, so they used the same title for this release on Island records, which was regarded something like the ''official'' debut album of the band. So don't mistake the 1985 album for this one! Here we have a perfect example of 80's heavy power metal. Leatherwolf's tripple attack delivers great guitar work and songs that are regarded as classics today. You just can't have a complete metal collection without this one. If ''Street ready'' (1989) was a litlle ''light'' for metal purists I guarantee that ''Leatherwolf'' is exactly what they ask for. Loud, epic, bombastic, enthousiastic heavy metal.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/nnp2dqo8mlb8aqx/Leatherwolf+-++Leatherwolf+1987.rar/file

2009 Best Releases- The JRD compilation

I don't post new albums, but I thought I should let you know which 2009 albums I enjoyed most. This compilation contains one track from each album. If you haven't heard the albums check them out immediately. Support the artists in every way you can. Either by bying the albums or attending their shows, or by spreading the word. Help our music stay alive forever!

01. Altaria- Danger zone (Unholy) melodic heavy metal
02. Bad Sign- Whispered in the wind (Bad sign) melodic hard rock
03. Robin Beck- In a crazy world (Trouble or nothing rerecording) AOR
04. Candlemass- If I ever die (Death magic doom) doom metal
05. Cirrha Niva- Running from the source (For moments never done) progressive metal
06. Constancia- Troublemaker (Lost and gone) melodic hard rock/metal
07. Dr. Grind- Time will tell (Speechless) heavy metal
08. Farcry- Fineline (High gear) melodic hard rock
09. Herman Frank- Heal me (Loyal to none) melodic metal
10. Pictorial Wand- Struggle of Autumn leaves (Face of our fathers) progressive rock/metal
11. Places of Power- In your wildest dreams (Now is the hour) AOR
12. Place Vendome- I'd die for you (Streets of fire) AOR
13. Prodigal Earth- Crossroads (Zenith II Zero) power metal
14. Steel Panther- Eyes of a panther (Feel the steel) hard rock

ENJOY!!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/338001082/Best_releases_2009.rar

The battle of Thermopylae JRD compilation

I guess you've all seen the movie 300. Here's a collection of songs inspired by the story on which 300 is based. The Battle of Thermopylae. The Battle between 300 Spartans leading a greek alliance and the Persian invaders. It took me a lot of time to compile the songs. I also wrote a text with some historical information, it's really worth digging more into the historic events behind this. I hope this trip will be a special one for all of you. There's a lot to learn from this story.

01. Holy Martyr- Lakedaimon

02. Ragenheart- Spartan

03. Crosswind- 300

04. Thundasteel- The last stand

05. Sacred Blood- Blades in the night

06. Nikki Puppet- 300 warriors

07. Zandelle- Thermopylae

08. Innerwish- Gates of fire

09. Spitfire- Gates of fire

10. Dornfall- 300

11. Ancient Rites- Thermopylae

12. Manilla Road- Epitaph

ENJOY!!!

http://rapidshare.com/files/319155072/The_battle_of_Thermopylae__JRD_compilation.rar

LIONSHEART- Lionsheart (1992) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Not to be be confused with the band Lionheart that released ''Hot tonight'' in 1984. This is the band led by former Grim Reaper shouter Steve Grimmett. The vocals of Grimmett and the virtuoso styled guitars are the highlights of this album. Most of the songs are hard rock, and only a couple cross the border towards melodic heavy metal. The song that became some kind of a classic is the superb Portrait, a metal epic reminiscent of Malmsteen's best work. If you've read ''The portrait of Dorian Grey'' by Oscar Wilde then you know what this song is about. Truly a masterpiece. On the hard rock side of things you get tracks like Can't believe and So cold, great examples of Grimmett's admiration towards David Coverdale. Lionsheart released three more albums, sadly of declining quality. 1994's ''Pride in fact'' is not a bad choice but this one is an absolute MUST! 

ENJOY!!! 

https://www.mediafire.com/file/cic06a777sj3sds/Lionsheart+-+Lionsheart+(1992).rar/file

SAVIOUR MACHINE- Saviour machine (1993) (Re-uploaded 2021)

What a debut from this controversial christian band! It's a very well executed blend of power/progressive and gothic/symphonic metal and surely one of the best metal albums of the 90's, I still recall how impressed I was when I first listened to these guys... It's such a pitty they didn't keep up in the same musical direction. Their next albums (especially the Legend trilogy) were focused much more on atmosphere, narrations and dark sounds , but this one is equally heavy and emotional. Gothic rock masterpieces like Carnival, are blended with impressive up tempo power metal songs like Force of the entity and pompous epics like Son of the rain. Other highlights are Christians and lunatics, the ballad (?) A world alone and Jesus Christ. The thing that distinguishes this band from any other is the unique vocals of Eric Clayton and the fanastic arrangements of the songs. Just listen to this guy, he is pure magic! Haunting at least! Get it while you can, I think it's easy cause it was reissued some years later by Massacre records. ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/ubpo5corbqiqznc/Saviour+Machine-+Saviour+Machine+(1993).rar/file

FIFTH ANGEL- Fifth angel (1986) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Another classic from the 80's. Fifth Angel's debut featured the extremely talented James Byrd on guitar. The music style is melodic heavy/power metal. Te band delivers as a tight unit, evrything is in place and the songs are all great. One of the very few albums with no fillers and many highlights. Unfortunately Fifth Angel recorded just one more album (Time will tell-1989) without Byrd, who tried out his luck with a band of his own, called James Byrd's Atlantis Rising. Their debut in 1990 was a very good album as well as ''Crimes of virtuosity'' (1998). I guess metalheads over 25 will know them already, this post is for the younger ones, just check out what great heavy metal is all about! 

ENJOY!!!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/0vidq9aa6ypti3h/Fifth+Angel.rar/file

HEAVEN'S GATE- Living in hysteria (1991) (Re-uploaded 2021)

It's funny how times change and bands get forgotten and neglected. Heaven's Gate belong to the very best of german heavy metal bands, in fact they easily enter the top ten -if not top 5- of their country. Well at least until their first three albums... Nowadays metal fans seem to be too busy either checking out every single new band or every obscure recording from the 80's. And that's how we tend to forget a lot of bands that were absolutely great without having sold millions or on the other hand without being extremely obscure and hard to find. Go get yourself a copy of ''Living in hysteria'' and enjoy heavy metal the way it's supposed to be, loud, proud, fast, furious, bombastic, melodic, romantic and everything else we loved about the 80's (I know it says 1991, but this is as 80's as 80's can get). And until you get your copy... ENJOY!!! 

http://www.mediafire.com/file/ft8nylyerbrx65b/Heaven%2527s_Gate_1991_Livin%2527_in_Hysteria.rar/file

ROB ROCK- Rage of creation (2000) (re-uploaded 2021)

Ok, I know you're not here for romantic ballads, mostly you're in it for the metal. And that's what I'm gonna give you right now, some hot and burning heavy metal! Rob Rock has a carreer that goes back many years. He never sold millions but he is a great singer and has graced us with lots of great music with Impellitteri, , M.A.R.S., Joshua, Driver, Axel Rudi Pell. His solo discography started the best possible way, with his best to date solo album, ''Rage of creation''. Famous producer/songwriter/guitarist Roy Z co-wrote the songs and played guitars, bass and keys on the album. There's a strong Maiden feel to the songs, which I like. Soaring vocals, screaming guitars, catchy choruses. I guess it don't get better than this nowadays... ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/t7jkwwbhcwydmbk/Rob+Rock-+Rage+of+creation+(2000).rar/file

TYTAN- Rough justice (1985) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Tytan were formed by bassist Kevin Riddles, leader of Angelwitch, in late 1981. The band though extremely talented proved to be quite shortlived. Apart from a single in 1982 they also recorded material for an album in 1983, though it actually wasn't released until 1985 when the band had already disbanded. Singer Kal Swan later recorded several albums with Doug Aldrich in bands like Lion and Bad Moon Rising. In my oppinion this is the best album Swan was ever part of. And I also think it's at least as good as the classic Angelwitch debut, if not even better. Especially the second half of the album is oustanding.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/zxcxz9r8mr54llp/Tytan-+Rough+Justice+(1985).rar/file

AT VANCE- Heart of steel (2000) (Re-uploaded 2021)

At Vance had their monumentum in 2000. This release is not only their best album to date, but also one of the finest examples of teutonic and neoclassical metal of the last decade. Olaf Lenk, guitarist and mastermind of the band wrote most of his best songs for this album and Oliver Hartmann proves himself as one of the greatest voices nowadays. The material of the album varies from shredding neoclassical metal to melodic hard rock. Lenk is a fan of Abba, so he threw in a cover of S.O.S., that turned out to be a genius idea, cause the song is cool and the cover a total success. Heart of steel, S.O.S., Goodbye, Why do you cry, Don't you believe a stranger....so many fantastic songs...Such a pitty Hartmann left the band a few years later... it was never the same witout him.

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/m7c7w20llmbmue4/At+Vance-+Heart+of+Steel+(2000).rar/file

RIOT- Born in America (1983) (Re-uploaded 2021)

Riot is one of the premier heavy metal bands that never got the recognition they deserved. They should have been huge. They did get close a couple of times but it wasn't meant to be...1983 found the band with a new singer and a new musical direction. Rhett Forester was a very strong frontman and vocalist. His voice raw, yet emotional. Sounds a little bit like Coverdale but in his very own style. I love the hard 'n' heavy sound of the album. Sometimes a local dj plays You burn in me and it makes me wanna scream and put my hands in the air! Nice feeling! Hope you feel it too... 

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/sg4702dh158h6az/1983_Born_in_America.rar/file

JAG PANZER- Chain of command (1987/2004 remaster) (Re-uploaded 2021)

I really dislike bootleggers cause they make money out of something that doesn't belong to them. But there's one instance when I had to thank a bootlegger. Because if Reborn Classics hadn't unofficially released the ''Chain of command'' tapes we probably would have never heard the finest work of Jag Panzer in it's original form. The material I'm reffering to was recorded in late 1987 but the band failed to secure a record deal so they shelved it. At that time Harry Conklin had left the band and he was replaced by Bob Parduba. Believe it or not Parduba is at least equally great, if not even better than Conklin. And ''Chain of command'' is by far the best album Jag Panzer ever recorded. Yes, it's better than ''Ample destruction''. The band has re-recorded several of those songs since they reunited with Conklin in the late 90's, but they couldn't possibly match the magic of the old days. And by peoples demand in 2004 they eventually decided to officially release the long lost album. So what you get here is the original recordings with Parduba remastered. And to make it even better I included the track Taking the lead from Parduba's previous band, Alloy Czar. That track alone is in low bit rate, but it's great!

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/napk6dlxcwjsq6q/Jag+Panzer+1987+Chain+of+Command.rar/file

LETHAL- Programmed (1990) (Re-uploaded 2021)

The golden era of US power metal ended around 1990. But not before one of the greatest albums of all times was released. Lethal unleashed their powerful, intelligent, melodic music and left everyone astonished. Few albums sound as heavy as this one. Almost every song opens with a smashing riff and leads to a killer chorus. Singer Tom Mallicoat shines like a diamond. He is up there with the very best like Tate, Midnight, etc. I really mean it. Just perfect. The lyrics are really well written and thought provoking. Production is flawless. One of the very few albums I rate with 10/10 and still listen to from beginning till finish after all those years. If you don't have it it's really a shame. Top priority!

ENJOY!!!

https://www.mediafire.com/file/fuhnuhnxalyd4v7/Lethal.rar/file