Reactor - Rather Dead Than Dishonoured (1991) (Blackbeard/Jolly Roger Records Edition 2024)
Posted: 15 Oct 2024, 14:42
Reactor - Rather Dead Than Dishonoured (1991) (Blackbeard/Jolly Roger Records Edition 2024)
Year : 1991 (Blackbeard/Jolly Roger Records 2024)
Style : Speed Metal , Power Metal
Country : Germany
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 109 mb
Bio:
REACTOR, from Augsburg, Southern Germany, was founded in 1988 by Muck Langmair, formerly of VETO and Markus Baier, formerly of CHEYENNE. Later the powerful line-up was completed with "Thorsten Schwalm" and "Robert K�fferlein" both from MONTEREY and "Jerry Bryant" as lead singer.First sessions and the influences of bands like RIOT, HELLOWEEN and METAL CHURCH gave a clear answer to the band�s burning question of what kind of music to create: "Melodic Speed- and Powermetal!"A few months later REACTOR played their first gig in the "Clochard",Augsburg formally known as the"Big Apple", where DEEP PURPLE had played one of their first concerts in Germany, too. The feedback was amazing. Even the local newspaper, known as a traditional and conservative publication praised: "...REACTOR, a power engine! Heavy Metal is the music of our time and REACTOR is the evidence!"During the following time, the band released their first 8-track demo, including one of the early recordings of their later hit "Red Baron flies again". From 1989 until 1990, they played more than 70 gigs, most of them in Germany. The support in a 48 CRASH show (former GRAVESTONE) in Ulm brought them terrific reviews and enthusiastic responses from all over the area.In 1991 the band decided to record their first full-time CD. "Rather dead than dishonoured" was released in May and created new possibilities for REACTOR esp. in Japan and the Far East.With "Rather dead..." the band entered the Top 100 Import Charts in Japan and climbed all the way up to 4th place in May �92.From summer to winter 1992, Reactor promoted their album with an huge amount of gigs, visits to radio stations and several promotion dates all over Germany. Japanese labels showed encouraging interest, so REACTOR signed a licence deal with ZERO Corp. for Japan and the Far East in 1993. "Revelation" was released in May 1993 and the song "MTIs", about the new right wing in Germany was played for months on Tokyo�s radio stations. At the same time German magazines started to recognize the band and it�s musical potential.Short after the "Horror Infernal Festival" in Dortmund, where REACTOR played with ACCUSER; MORGOTH, CARCASS a.o., they split with their lead singer Jerry Bryant and drummer Muck Langmair, because of differing musical opinions.With Markus Sturz (ex-TRACE FAIR member) the band found a drummer who was able to play the old songs but also brought in new ideas into the band. Finally a new singer joined in, "S.L.Coe" (a former member of ANGEL DUST, and SCANNER), the producer of "Revelation".Energized by the new band additions, REACTOR recorded new songs for their 3rd album "Farewell to reality" within 4 weeks. Great feedback in magazines, on the radios and in live German concerts was the reward for their effort of this production. "Heavy Metal powerforce of first quality.[...] People who like PRIEST (Painkiller), PHANTOM or RIOT will be fascinated from the �95 REACTOR enterprise." (Metal Hammer, june 1995).After their splitting with S.L.Coe and Thorsten Schwalm in 1996, REACTOR decided to continue as a trio. On a Germany tour with ARMISTICE in 1997 the band and the reaction of the fans gave the proof that REACTOR is better than ever! Robert K�fferlein became lead singer, old songs were infused with new arrangements and new songs were written."A Short Fairy Tale" was the title of the 4th production, which was recorded in march and released in april 1998. The songs are more straight and powerful, but with the indestructible style of classical elements and melodic Speed & Powermetal.From may to july 1999, Reactor recorded a new 4-song promotional CD with the working titel "The South Strikes Back". It was the first time, that the band did the whole recording by themself. With their own record studio, the time and the experiences from 4 other recordings, they tried to create a great piece of metal for the next millennium!After their release of the promo-CD "The South Strikes Back" in 1999 (at the music fair, Cologne) the band started to search for a new guitarist in cause of "The missing link!" (The double guitar was the essence of Reactor�s power!) 2nd, the band and himself decided that Robert is such a good singer, that the disicion for a seperate bass-guitar was clear.In the end of 1999 Hans Reichelt joined the band on the 2nd guitar. The fomer member and head of the Augsburg Metal band "Traic Faire" is an old friend of Reactor and played already together with Markus Sturz before.With Daniel Unzner on bass guitar, the new line-up was completed in february 2000. Daniel came from the Augsburg Death-Thrash-Metalizers "Profanity".In the following the band tried to became a union. They played several gigs, but most of them in the southern region of Germany. A new 2-track demo, the fansong for the Augsburg Panthers, the local icehockey club in 2000 and the 4-track unplugged album "clean tales" in 2001 where steps to the upcoming album.In November 2002 Reactor started to record the 5th album. They choose a professionell recording studio in munich (Dreamscape Studios) and found also a professionell producer with Jan Vacik.Reactor had for a time tremendous success in Japan.
Album:
Debut full-length album.German power/speed metal is a niche that really peaked in 80s with bands like Rage, Scanner, Blind Guardian and Mania at the fore, and then fizzling out as even these bands disintegrated or changed their styles through the following decade to explore broader horizons. Sadly, not a lot of bands were around to try and pick up the slack, as most were turned towards the anthemic power metal of Helloween or an evolution in the roots power of Judas Priest and Accept. Reactor was an exception, arriving in 1991 with a sound much like earlier Rage or Scanner, with a wild infusion of energy and busy, inspiring riffs.Rather Dead Than Dishonoured is the first of five albums the band would produce during their overlooked career (they split ways in 2006), and one of the best. The band has gone through a few vocalists in their time, including S.L. Coe (Scanner, Angel Dust) on the great 1995 album Farewell to Reality, but here they were fronted by Jerry Bryant, who had a style that resembled a more subdued Peavey Wagner, S.L. Coe or Mania's Chris Klauke: nasal and melodic, but rarely shrieking to the point that your ears feel they'll explode. The guitar work here is generally uplifting and raw, while the drums thunder in the mix and the bass hovers at just the right level. The album's honestly got one those great 80s-styled mixes where the vocals stand far out front but manage not to smother the music.And for the most part, it rules, with a lot of great speed material like the band's namesake "Reactor", a nuclear meltdown anthem which has a great bass and prickly little melodic rhythm that rises and falls through the verse. The opening guitar in "Help Me Through the Night" reminds me a hell of a lot of Riot's "Thundersteel", but not the rest of the song, and it's a joy to listen through. "Fight for Rock" feels more like an AC/DC hymn than the rest of the album, and the lyrics are a little goofy...referencing 'Bon Jovi' among other things. I'm sure the intention was to create a classic rocker like "Breaking the Law" or "Thunderstruck", and I don't think that was going to be the case. Fortunately the rest of the album focuses on the band's strong points, with more quality speedsters like "Set us Free", "Listen to Me", and "Speed I Need", some of which even evoke comparisons to Running Wild through the riffing. There is one power ballad here called "Look for Mercy", but it's not all bad, with some classy if simple dual melody in the lead.Rather Dead Than Dishonoured is a solid debut, especially if you are seeking out this sound that I personally find rather rare (at least done properly). In fact, you cannot go wrong with any of the band's first three albums, though some of their later work borders on cringe induction. This material is nowhere near as unhinged and beautiful as Scanner's Hypertrace or Terminal Earth, or Rage's first 4-5 albums, but it will do in a pinch, though the vocals and songwriting here are not exactly perfection.
Line-Up:
Jerry Bryant - Vocals (lead) (1988-1994)
Markus Baier - Guitars (1988-2006) - See also: Cheyenne
Thorsten Schwalm - Guitars (1988-1996) See also: ex-Monterey
Robert Käfferlein - Bass (1988-2000), Vocals (lead) (1997-2006) - See also: Monterey
Muck Langmair - Drums (1988-1994) - See also: ex-Veto
Production:
Art Direction, Cover [Design] – Mike Röhrle
Engineer – Michael Stötzel
Mixed By, Mastered By – Michael Stötzel, Reactor
Photography By – Armin Baier, Herbert Baier-Arnhardt, Uli Baier-Arnhardt
Producer, Written-By – Reactor
Tracklist:
01. Reactor 04:48
02. Help Me... 04:15
03. Fight for Rock 04:17
04. Set Us Free 03:52
05. Look for Mercy 09:26
06. Speed I Need 03:38
07. Red Baron 06:48
08. Listen to Me 03:40
09. Witches on Fire 04:08
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
Year : 1991 (Blackbeard/Jolly Roger Records 2024)
Style : Speed Metal , Power Metal
Country : Germany
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 109 mb
Bio:
REACTOR, from Augsburg, Southern Germany, was founded in 1988 by Muck Langmair, formerly of VETO and Markus Baier, formerly of CHEYENNE. Later the powerful line-up was completed with "Thorsten Schwalm" and "Robert K�fferlein" both from MONTEREY and "Jerry Bryant" as lead singer.First sessions and the influences of bands like RIOT, HELLOWEEN and METAL CHURCH gave a clear answer to the band�s burning question of what kind of music to create: "Melodic Speed- and Powermetal!"A few months later REACTOR played their first gig in the "Clochard",Augsburg formally known as the"Big Apple", where DEEP PURPLE had played one of their first concerts in Germany, too. The feedback was amazing. Even the local newspaper, known as a traditional and conservative publication praised: "...REACTOR, a power engine! Heavy Metal is the music of our time and REACTOR is the evidence!"During the following time, the band released their first 8-track demo, including one of the early recordings of their later hit "Red Baron flies again". From 1989 until 1990, they played more than 70 gigs, most of them in Germany. The support in a 48 CRASH show (former GRAVESTONE) in Ulm brought them terrific reviews and enthusiastic responses from all over the area.In 1991 the band decided to record their first full-time CD. "Rather dead than dishonoured" was released in May and created new possibilities for REACTOR esp. in Japan and the Far East.With "Rather dead..." the band entered the Top 100 Import Charts in Japan and climbed all the way up to 4th place in May �92.From summer to winter 1992, Reactor promoted their album with an huge amount of gigs, visits to radio stations and several promotion dates all over Germany. Japanese labels showed encouraging interest, so REACTOR signed a licence deal with ZERO Corp. for Japan and the Far East in 1993. "Revelation" was released in May 1993 and the song "MTIs", about the new right wing in Germany was played for months on Tokyo�s radio stations. At the same time German magazines started to recognize the band and it�s musical potential.Short after the "Horror Infernal Festival" in Dortmund, where REACTOR played with ACCUSER; MORGOTH, CARCASS a.o., they split with their lead singer Jerry Bryant and drummer Muck Langmair, because of differing musical opinions.With Markus Sturz (ex-TRACE FAIR member) the band found a drummer who was able to play the old songs but also brought in new ideas into the band. Finally a new singer joined in, "S.L.Coe" (a former member of ANGEL DUST, and SCANNER), the producer of "Revelation".Energized by the new band additions, REACTOR recorded new songs for their 3rd album "Farewell to reality" within 4 weeks. Great feedback in magazines, on the radios and in live German concerts was the reward for their effort of this production. "Heavy Metal powerforce of first quality.[...] People who like PRIEST (Painkiller), PHANTOM or RIOT will be fascinated from the �95 REACTOR enterprise." (Metal Hammer, june 1995).After their splitting with S.L.Coe and Thorsten Schwalm in 1996, REACTOR decided to continue as a trio. On a Germany tour with ARMISTICE in 1997 the band and the reaction of the fans gave the proof that REACTOR is better than ever! Robert K�fferlein became lead singer, old songs were infused with new arrangements and new songs were written."A Short Fairy Tale" was the title of the 4th production, which was recorded in march and released in april 1998. The songs are more straight and powerful, but with the indestructible style of classical elements and melodic Speed & Powermetal.From may to july 1999, Reactor recorded a new 4-song promotional CD with the working titel "The South Strikes Back". It was the first time, that the band did the whole recording by themself. With their own record studio, the time and the experiences from 4 other recordings, they tried to create a great piece of metal for the next millennium!After their release of the promo-CD "The South Strikes Back" in 1999 (at the music fair, Cologne) the band started to search for a new guitarist in cause of "The missing link!" (The double guitar was the essence of Reactor�s power!) 2nd, the band and himself decided that Robert is such a good singer, that the disicion for a seperate bass-guitar was clear.In the end of 1999 Hans Reichelt joined the band on the 2nd guitar. The fomer member and head of the Augsburg Metal band "Traic Faire" is an old friend of Reactor and played already together with Markus Sturz before.With Daniel Unzner on bass guitar, the new line-up was completed in february 2000. Daniel came from the Augsburg Death-Thrash-Metalizers "Profanity".In the following the band tried to became a union. They played several gigs, but most of them in the southern region of Germany. A new 2-track demo, the fansong for the Augsburg Panthers, the local icehockey club in 2000 and the 4-track unplugged album "clean tales" in 2001 where steps to the upcoming album.In November 2002 Reactor started to record the 5th album. They choose a professionell recording studio in munich (Dreamscape Studios) and found also a professionell producer with Jan Vacik.Reactor had for a time tremendous success in Japan.
Album:
Debut full-length album.German power/speed metal is a niche that really peaked in 80s with bands like Rage, Scanner, Blind Guardian and Mania at the fore, and then fizzling out as even these bands disintegrated or changed their styles through the following decade to explore broader horizons. Sadly, not a lot of bands were around to try and pick up the slack, as most were turned towards the anthemic power metal of Helloween or an evolution in the roots power of Judas Priest and Accept. Reactor was an exception, arriving in 1991 with a sound much like earlier Rage or Scanner, with a wild infusion of energy and busy, inspiring riffs.Rather Dead Than Dishonoured is the first of five albums the band would produce during their overlooked career (they split ways in 2006), and one of the best. The band has gone through a few vocalists in their time, including S.L. Coe (Scanner, Angel Dust) on the great 1995 album Farewell to Reality, but here they were fronted by Jerry Bryant, who had a style that resembled a more subdued Peavey Wagner, S.L. Coe or Mania's Chris Klauke: nasal and melodic, but rarely shrieking to the point that your ears feel they'll explode. The guitar work here is generally uplifting and raw, while the drums thunder in the mix and the bass hovers at just the right level. The album's honestly got one those great 80s-styled mixes where the vocals stand far out front but manage not to smother the music.And for the most part, it rules, with a lot of great speed material like the band's namesake "Reactor", a nuclear meltdown anthem which has a great bass and prickly little melodic rhythm that rises and falls through the verse. The opening guitar in "Help Me Through the Night" reminds me a hell of a lot of Riot's "Thundersteel", but not the rest of the song, and it's a joy to listen through. "Fight for Rock" feels more like an AC/DC hymn than the rest of the album, and the lyrics are a little goofy...referencing 'Bon Jovi' among other things. I'm sure the intention was to create a classic rocker like "Breaking the Law" or "Thunderstruck", and I don't think that was going to be the case. Fortunately the rest of the album focuses on the band's strong points, with more quality speedsters like "Set us Free", "Listen to Me", and "Speed I Need", some of which even evoke comparisons to Running Wild through the riffing. There is one power ballad here called "Look for Mercy", but it's not all bad, with some classy if simple dual melody in the lead.Rather Dead Than Dishonoured is a solid debut, especially if you are seeking out this sound that I personally find rather rare (at least done properly). In fact, you cannot go wrong with any of the band's first three albums, though some of their later work borders on cringe induction. This material is nowhere near as unhinged and beautiful as Scanner's Hypertrace or Terminal Earth, or Rage's first 4-5 albums, but it will do in a pinch, though the vocals and songwriting here are not exactly perfection.
Line-Up:
Jerry Bryant - Vocals (lead) (1988-1994)
Markus Baier - Guitars (1988-2006) - See also: Cheyenne
Thorsten Schwalm - Guitars (1988-1996) See also: ex-Monterey
Robert Käfferlein - Bass (1988-2000), Vocals (lead) (1997-2006) - See also: Monterey
Muck Langmair - Drums (1988-1994) - See also: ex-Veto
Production:
Art Direction, Cover [Design] – Mike Röhrle
Engineer – Michael Stötzel
Mixed By, Mastered By – Michael Stötzel, Reactor
Photography By – Armin Baier, Herbert Baier-Arnhardt, Uli Baier-Arnhardt
Producer, Written-By – Reactor
Tracklist:
01. Reactor 04:48
02. Help Me... 04:15
03. Fight for Rock 04:17
04. Set Us Free 03:52
05. Look for Mercy 09:26
06. Speed I Need 03:38
07. Red Baron 06:48
08. Listen to Me 03:40
09. Witches on Fire 04:08
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/