Year : 2018
Style : Heavy Metal , Power Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans + Video
Size : 111 mb
Bio:
Boston based MELIAH RAGE was founded in 1987 under the leadership of guitarist/songwriter Anthony Nichols. The band, consisting of Mike Munro on vocals, Anthony Nichols on guitar, Jim Koury on guitar, Stuart Dowie on drums and Jesse Johnson on bass, forged a distinct sound of aggressive, heavy rhythm with searing melodies and catchy arrangements. A three-song demo was recorded in 1987.Although determined in his mission of metal, Nichols had spent a brief tour with the seminal Boston hardcore band, GANG GREEN. The association with the band would eventually pay off however, as it led to MELIAH RAGE’s official launch. The manager of GANG GREEN took them in and had two major labels look at them within a month. MELIAH RAGE signed to Epic Records after only 8 shows. A band playing this style of music signing to a major label for their debut was unheard of in 1988.The group recorded their first album, entitled “Kill To Survive”, released in 1988. The debut melded the band’s various influences, and was quite different from anything released at the time. Rather than relying on 2-dimensional, lightning riffing, the band used a more melodic, mid-tempo rhythm, injecting haunting lyrical material that revolved around the frailties of humanity, hypocrisy, corruption, abuse. The video for “Beginning Of The End” aired on MTV worldwide.In 1989 the band embarked on a three month US tour with heavyweights METAL CHURCH. The Detroit show was recorded and the live EP “Live Kill” was released later that year. The band also hit the stage with the likes of SLAYER, TESTAMENT, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, MANOWAR, OVERKILL, MEGADETH, MORBID ANGEL and others that and the following year.In 1990 the band returned to the studio and recorded their second album “Solitary Solitude” which to this day is considered an underrated classic. A video for the song “The Witching” was shot and aired on MTV’s Headbangers Ball. A five week European tour soon followed and MELIAH RAGE seemed to be on their way to the top of the heavy metal world.Unfortunately, the musical tide was changing. The early ’90s hit and MELIAH RAGE, like so many other bands of the time, was dropped in favor of the Seattle sound. After some time off the band re-grouped with the addition of then drummer Sully Erna (future GODSMACK vocalist) and bassist Keith Vogele. The new lineup recorded demos, played some shows over a couple of years and searched for a record deal, but it was becoming apparent that there wasn’t much room for this style of music in the early ’90s. Meanwhile, Nichols also worked on a side project, CACTUS LAND, with Koury and vocalist Paul Souza. Despite not landing a contract, Nichols’ collaboration with Souza would prove to be beneficial for the future.Still in December 2010 MELIAH RAGE was approached by Metal On Metal Records and the agreement for releasing the band’s next album was soon reached. The band continued tracking “Dead To The World” from January to May 2011. Their 7th studio album was released on July 28th and brings some classic US power metal mixed with a dose of thrash, with great melodies and crunchy riffs.This year the band have announced the addition of singer Marc Lopes to the group's ranks. The band currently has a new album, "Warrior", with a release date of April 25th, 2014. Lopes, who hails from New Bedford, Massachusetts, was previously involved with DARK DAY SUNDAY, the old-school thrash outfit featuring FATES WARNING guitarist Frank Aresti and SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner.
Album:
The North American Metal School was amazing in the 80’s. At the same time, we had the outbreak of Glam Metal bands in Los Angeles (of course many bands arose on the other states of the country, but the musical movement itself was based there), USA traditional Heavy Metal School and Thrash Metal School started to show their fingers as well. In its fertility, Boston gave birth to MELIAH RAGE, a very good Thrash/Heavy Metal band. As they are active since the 80’s, they are releasing their latest album now (along with a rerecorded version for “Dead to the World”), and it’s called “Idol Hands”.We can say that they are a Thrash Metal band with a strong melodic outfit (inspired on NWOBHM and USA’s 70’s Hard Rock), similar to that one of METALLICA in their beginning. But hold your horses: “similar” doesn’t mean “equal”, because these guys have guts, and their music evolved a lot as time passed by. Now, they show their musical roots, but with a modern and energetic form. It means that their music never grows old, and how good they still are, in the same way we can find on “Kill to Survive” and “Solitary Solitude” (their earlier albums).“Idol Hands” was produced, mixed and mastered by Peter Rutcho (except for the vocals, that were produced by Rich Spillberg), and the sound quality is really near perfection, heavy and aggressive as their music needs, but clean in a way we can understand everything that is being played. The instrumental tunes were chosen in a way that their songs would sound modern, but respecting their long musical history as well. So be prepared, because these guys aren’t kidding, and they will tear your ears apart with their music!All the songs of the album are really excellent, and we can name the raw and grasping energy of “The Kill-All Rule” (very good guitar riffs with a melodic aesthetics that bring to mind the melodies from Hard Rock of the past), the brutal grasp imposed by the slow tempos of “Dark as Your Thoughts” (the vocals are fitting perfectly on the instrumental lines), the fast tempos and energetic insight used to pump up “Idol Hands”, the sharp guitar attack of catchy riffs shown on “Sentenced to Life” (and what good chorus), and the bitterness that is spread by the excellent rhythm of “Infernal Bleeding” as their finest shots.Excellent band, and even not being their best album, “Idol Hands” is really great!
Line Up:
Paul Souza - Vocals (2003-2007, 2011, 2017-present) - See also: ex-Cactus Land
Jim Koury - Guitars (1987-present) - See also: ex-Cactus Land
Anthony Nichols - Guitars (1987-present) - See also: Mexican Ape-Lord, ex-Cactus Land
Darren Lourie - Bass (2006-present) - See also: ex-Every Second, ex-JetFuel
Stuart Dowie - Drums (1987-1992, 2005-present) - See also: Bad Karma
Tracklist:
01. The Kill-All Rule
02. Dark as Your Thoughts
03. Idol Hands
04. Crushed Beneath My Heel
05. Sentenced to Life
06. Absolute Power
07. Infernal Bleeding
08. Where Darkness Lies
+ Video "Dark as Your Thoughts" (Official Video)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
