Arch Rival (USA)

[Horex]

Arch Rival - In The Face Of Danger (1991) (Japan Edition 1993)















Year : 1991 (Japan Edition 1993)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , Melodic Heavy Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 111 mb

Bio:

Michael formed ARCH RIVAL in 1986 with Gary Rigmaiden and Greg Martin, who had played in Michael’s previous band, TYRANT.Along with vocalist Aaron Wallace and 2nd guitarist Jeff Dennis, this first lineup of ARCH RIVAL toured quite a bit in 1986 though 1988 and released one EP independently.After working with several other vocalists, AR auditioned Steve Snyder in 1990, and finally found the voice they were seeking.The band immediately re-arranged some originals, wrote some new material, and jetted down to Nashville where they had a connection at Midtown Studio. Out of the Midtown sessions came the band’s debut, “IN THE FACE OF DANGER”, which proved AR’s ability to “write compelling songs you can’t ignore”, according to one rock journalist.This melodic hard rock disc immediately garnered major label attention to the group based on songs like “Me Against the World” and the title song, “In the Face of Danger”. The record greatly increased their fan base and landed them their first overseas deal.Building off of this momentum, ARCH RIVAL toured in support of “ITFOD”, while working up new material for their follow up, “WAKE UP YOUR MIND”. The band then traveled to the New York area for these recording sessions, as they discovered new sounds and styles on their critically acclaimed 2nd album. This 1993 release landed the band solid deals in Europe and Japan, stemming from their single, “Meadowlands of the Mind”.A subsequent tour followed, and after Michael and Steve each recorded solo albums, the band united once again in 1996 to record “THIRD DEGREE BURNS”, which again displayed the band’s diversity, from the solid opener, “Soul of Your Machine”, to the passion of “Enter the Dragon” to the aggression of “Ultra-Violence Will Break the Silence”, and secured their biggest record deals to date.ARCH RIVAL reunited again in 2008 with a new self titled EP, which contained 4 new songs, including the driving and melodic “World Slips Away”, and some rare live tracks.The band played a reunion show that year, and several more in 2011.

Album:

The original release of this thoroughly likeable album took place in 1991.After the '86 EP "God Bless America" (some of whose songs are also included on this long player), the Texas hard rockers from ARCH RIVAL released their full-length debut "In The Face Of Danger" and although it was undisputedly great, this typical US rock from a very cool band became one of the many victims of its time. ARCH RIVAL also became one of the many collateral damages that the Sturm und Drang phase of grunge left behind on the battlefield of the music industry.Be that as it may: now, almost two decades later, Rock-a-holics-Records has taken pity on this incredibly charming album full of good guitar harmonies and unerring songs. It doesn't matter that no potential world hits come out of it. "In The Face Of Danger" simply has too much charisma and a far too organised sound for that. The tracks, created by mastermind and guitarist Michael Harris and refined by frontman Steve Snyder in a dirty yet fluffy way, are convincing almost across the board, from lively rock songs to creamy ballads and a good BEATLES cover ("Revolution"). On their debut, ARCH RIVAL offered typical and good US hard rock with a slight touch of 80s US metal and melodic rock.The album is characterised by an upbeat side, which in songs like the crisp "God Bless America", the good ballad "Can You Tell Me Why?" or classic anthems like "Time Won't Wait", "Me Against The World" or the title track often sounds pretty hit-worthy and highly suitable for soundtracks.Retro fans and hard rock tinkerers who want to check out an intersection of DOKKEN, IMPELLITERY, STEELHEART, TYKETTO or even early EUROPE and FIFTH ANGEL are in the right place with this album, both then and now."In The Face Of Danger" is pure US hard rock without kitsch and definitely far too cult and good not to be heard!

Line Up:

Steve Snyder - Vocals (1990-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011)
Michael Harris - Guitars (1986-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011) - See also: Darkology, Michael Harris, Thought Chamber, ex-Counterpoint, ex-Surgeon, ex-Zanister, The Michael Harris Tranz-Fusion, ex-Leather, ex-Vitalij Kuprij, ex-Tyrant
Gary Rigmaiden - Bass (1986-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011) - See also: ex-Rigmaiden, ex-Tyrant
Greg Martin - Drums (1986-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011) - See also: ex-Counterpoint, ex-Tyrant

Production:

Produced by Michael D. Clute
Recorded and Mixed at Midtown Studio, Nashville and Refraze Studio, Dayton
Engineered by Chris Armstrong
Remixed at September Recording, Indianapolis by Paul Mahern
Mixed by Chris Armstrong & Michael D. Clute
"Shotgun At Midnight" Mixed and Engineered by Gary King

Tracklist:

01. In The Face Of Danger
02. Time Won't Wait
03. Me Against The World
04. Rock The Night Away
05. Fortune Hunter
06. God Bless America
07. Revolution (Bonus Track)
08. Mr. Attitude
09. Shotgun At Midnight
10. Siren's Song
11. Can You Tell Me Why?




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Arch Rival - Wake Up Your Mind (1993) (Japan Edition 1994)















Year : 1993 (Japan Edition 1994)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , Melodic Heavy Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 126 mb

Bio:

Michael formed ARCH RIVAL in 1986 with Gary Rigmaiden and Greg Martin, who had played in Michael’s previous band, TYRANT.Along with vocalist Aaron Wallace and 2nd guitarist Jeff Dennis, this first lineup of ARCH RIVAL toured quite a bit in 1986 though 1988 and released one EP independently.After working with several other vocalists, AR auditioned Steve Snyder in 1990, and finally found the voice they were seeking.The band immediately re-arranged some originals, wrote some new material, and jetted down to Nashville where they had a connection at Midtown Studio. Out of the Midtown sessions came the band’s debut, “IN THE FACE OF DANGER”, which proved AR’s ability to “write compelling songs you can’t ignore”, according to one rock journalist.This melodic hard rock disc immediately garnered major label attention to the group based on songs like “Me Against the World” and the title song, “In the Face of Danger”. The record greatly increased their fan base and landed them their first overseas deal.Building off of this momentum, ARCH RIVAL toured in support of “ITFOD”, while working up new material for their follow up, “WAKE UP YOUR MIND”. The band then traveled to the New York area for these recording sessions, as they discovered new sounds and styles on their critically acclaimed 2nd album. This 1993 release landed the band solid deals in Europe and Japan, stemming from their single, “Meadowlands of the Mind”.A subsequent tour followed, and after Michael and Steve each recorded solo albums, the band united once again in 1996 to record “THIRD DEGREE BURNS”, which again displayed the band’s diversity, from the solid opener, “Soul of Your Machine”, to the passion of “Enter the Dragon” to the aggression of “Ultra-Violence Will Break the Silence”, and secured their biggest record deals to date.ARCH RIVAL reunited again in 2008 with a new self titled EP, which contained 4 new songs, including the driving and melodic “World Slips Away”, and some rare live tracks.The band played a reunion show that year, and several more in 2011.

Album:

The band's 1993 album, Wake Up Your Mind, contains more Yngwie Malmsteen-like tendencies.With three CDs and a global fanbase, Arch Rival has certainly proven to be a prolific melodic hard rock act. Based out of Dayton, Ohio, the core band consisting of Michael Harris (guitar); Gary Rigmaiden (bass), and Greg Martin (drums), played the midwest club scene for several years before finding their niche in vocalist, Steve Snyder, and wasted no time recording their debut record at Midtown Studio in Nashville. Entitled "There's a reason why Keith Langerman, music critic, states, Arch Rivalis simply one of the best metal bands ever produced in the U.S.A. past or present!"With three CDs and a global fanbase, Arch Rivalhas certainly proven to be a prolific melodic hard rock act. Based out of Dayton, Ohio, the core band consisting of Michael Harris (guitar); Gary Rigmaiden (bass), and Greg Martin (drums), played the midwest club scene for several years before finding their niche in vocalist, Steve Snyder, and wasted no time recording their debut record at Midtown Studio in Nashville. Entitled "IN THE FACE OF DANGER", the CD proved AR's ability to write compelling rock music with melody, and immediately garnered airplay and major label attention to the group and they signed their first overseas deals.The band toured in support of "ITFOD", while working up new material for their follow up, "WAKE UP YOUR MIND". Travelling to the New York area for these recording sessions, the band discovered new sounds and styles on their critically acclaimed 2nd album. This highly impressive recording again landed them solid deals in Europe and Japan. A subsequent tour followed, and after Michael and Steve each recorded solo albums, 1997 found AR returning once again with more great music in "THIRD DEGREE BURNS". TDB landed the band even better deals in Japan and Europe.ARCH RIVAL played 2 sold out reunion shows in the U.S in November of 2008. Their "In the Face of Danger" deluxe CD / DVD was released by Rock-a-Holics Records in selected territories in late 2009, and will be released to the rest of the world (including U.S.) on Feb 27, 2010!!!", the CD proved AR's ability to write compelling rock music with melody, and immediately garnered airplay and major label attention to the group and they signed their first overseas deals.The band toured in support of "ITFOD", while working up new material for their follow up, "WAKE UP YOUR MIND". Travelling to the New York area for these recording sessions, the band discovered new sounds and styles on their critically acclaimed 2nd album. This highly impressive recording again landed them solid deals in Europe and Japan. A subsequent tour followed, and after Michael and Steve each recorded solo albums, 1997 found AR returning once again with more great music in "THIRD DEGREE BURNS". TDB landed the band even better deals in Japan and Europe.ARCH RIVAL played 2 sold out reunion shows in the U.S in November of 2008. Their "In the Face of Danger" deluxe CD / DVD was released by Rock-a-Holics Records in selected territories in late 2009, and will be released to the rest of the world (including U.S.) on Feb 27, 2010!!!!!!

Line Up:

Steve Snyder - Vocals (1990-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011)
Michael Harris - Guitars (1986-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011) - See also: Darkology, Michael Harris, Thought Chamber, ex-Counterpoint, ex-Surgeon, ex-Zanister, The Michael Harris Tranz-Fusion, ex-Leather, ex-Vitalij Kuprij, ex-Tyrant
Gary Rigmaiden - Bass (1986-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011) - See also: ex-Rigmaiden, ex-Tyrant
Greg Martin - Drums (1986-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011) - See also: ex-Counterpoint, ex-Tyrant

Production:

Produced by Arch Rival
Recorded at Carriage House, Stanford, CT
Engineered by Tom Bender
Mixed by Joe Alexander at Kajem Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Mastered by Tom McClure at Waveform Audio, Cincinnati, OH

Tracklist:

01. A Different Light 4:03
02. Sea of Fools 5:14
03. Vampire Woman 5:15
04. Aimlessly 3:59
05. Meadowlands of the Mind 4:40
06. Rude Awakening 4:11
07. Shadows 5:25
08. Fast Lave (To a Slow Pain) 5:53
09. Another City 4:43
10. A Funny Feeling 4:11
11. Fly Away With Me 5:25




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Arch Rival - Third Degree Burns (Japan Edition) (1997)















Year : 1997 (Japan Edition)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , Melodic Heavy Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 155 mb

Bio:

Michael formed ARCH RIVAL in 1986 with Gary Rigmaiden and Greg Martin, who had played in Michael’s previous band, TYRANT.Along with vocalist Aaron Wallace and 2nd guitarist Jeff Dennis, this first lineup of ARCH RIVAL toured quite a bit in 1986 though 1988 and released one EP independently.After working with several other vocalists, AR auditioned Steve Snyder in 1990, and finally found the voice they were seeking.The band immediately re-arranged some originals, wrote some new material, and jetted down to Nashville where they had a connection at Midtown Studio. Out of the Midtown sessions came the band’s debut, “IN THE FACE OF DANGER”, which proved AR’s ability to “write compelling songs you can’t ignore”, according to one rock journalist.This melodic hard rock disc immediately garnered major label attention to the group based on songs like “Me Against the World” and the title song, “In the Face of Danger”. The record greatly increased their fan base and landed them their first overseas deal.Building off of this momentum, ARCH RIVAL toured in support of “ITFOD”, while working up new material for their follow up, “WAKE UP YOUR MIND”. The band then traveled to the New York area for these recording sessions, as they discovered new sounds and styles on their critically acclaimed 2nd album. This 1993 release landed the band solid deals in Europe and Japan, stemming from their single, “Meadowlands of the Mind”.A subsequent tour followed, and after Michael and Steve each recorded solo albums, the band united once again in 1996 to record “THIRD DEGREE BURNS”, which again displayed the band’s diversity, from the solid opener, “Soul of Your Machine”, to the passion of “Enter the Dragon” to the aggression of “Ultra-Violence Will Break the Silence”, and secured their biggest record deals to date.ARCH RIVAL reunited again in 2008 with a new self titled EP, which contained 4 new songs, including the driving and melodic “World Slips Away”, and some rare live tracks.The band played a reunion show that year, and several more in 2011.

Album:

This is the pure stuff, straightforward rocking, nearly no cheesy parts and...solos after all. Nothing new or overwhelming, just plain normal metal played and sung by quite talented people. This is easy to get into, like some holidays for the ears. And yes, they indeed have some damn catchy melodies and powerful riffage.Take “Ultra violence”, this one rocks like hell and the main riff is a real crusher. Man, just plain headbanging shit creeping up your spine. So is more or less “Soul of your machine”, “Heaven’s kiss” and “Drowning the pain” feature a more groovy pace. I also like the rather simple, but atmospheric ballad “Enter the dragon”.The quality declines somewhat to the end of the album. But the only thing on here that’s kind of annoying is “Writing on the wall”. The title track represents a slightly proggy, short instrumental.

Line Up:

Steve Snyder - Vocals (1990-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011)
Michael Harris - Guitars (1986-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011) - See also: Darkology, Michael Harris, Thought Chamber, ex-Counterpoint, ex-Surgeon, ex-Zanister, The Michael Harris Tranz-Fusion, ex-Leather, ex-Vitalij Kuprij, ex-Tyrant
Gary Rigmaiden - Bass (1986-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011) - See also: ex-Rigmaiden, ex-Tyrant
Greg Martin - Drums (1986-1993, 1996-1997, 2008, 2011) - See also: ex-Counterpoint, ex-Tyrant

Production:

Produced by Arch Rival and Russ Birch
Recorded at Psycho Sound, Zoom Room, Southern Sound Recording
Mixed and Mastered at Southern Sound Recording
Engineered by Robert Zumrick and Russ Birch

Tracklist:

01. Soul of Your Machine 04:45
02. Heaven's Kiss 04:42
03. Enter the Dragon 04:45
04. Ultra-Violence (Will Break the Silence) 04:45
05. Drowning the Pain 04:35
06. Tough Love 05:46
07. Silence (Is a Word) 04:32
08. Writing on the Wall 05:51
09. Third Degree Burns 03:53 instrumental
10. Minds of Madness 04:46
11. Frightening Lightning 03:00 (Japan Bonus Track)
12. All the Way from Memphis 04:16 (Japan Bonus Track)
13. Me Against the World 04:02 (Japan Bonus Track)




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/