» Cdreviews  
« back

Meliah Rage - The Deep And Dreamless Sleep

Published Feb. 10 2007


*
=Staff's pick

Permanently Damaged*
God And Man
Undefeated*
The Deep And Dreamless Sleep
Twisted Wreck*
Curse*
Last Of The Wanted
Take What You Want


Genre Classic/Thrash Metal
Paul Souza
Vocals
Tracks 8
Anthony Nichols
Guitar
Runningtime 36 Min.
Jim Koury
Guitar
Label Screaming Ferret Records
Darren Lourie
Bass
Release 12 Sept. 2006
Stuart Dowie
Drums
Country Sweden
-
Keyboard
Similar artists Wargasm, Metallica, Whiplash, Motörhead

The tribal war journal for the deadly existence of the ruthless, violent force known as Meliah Rage has officially been penned. From the beginning to end, possessing judgement, pride, landmark 4-4 rhythms, and powerful potential; the poetry and madness of these undefeated heroes remains invincible. The pack of impaling doom, enter the darkness, penetrate and perforate with their relentless bloodbath. The whiplash, wear and tear mayhem may have taken its toll, but these seasoned to kill veterans, though permanently damaged, incorporate the true Boston, Mass. metal sound. While playing around with the ugly brothers of Wargasm, and spreading the disease of Gang Green, the ungodly mettle icons of New England mediate and swallow your solitary solitude like a bitter wretched pill.

The motorpsycho Anthony Nichols, the rigid Jim Koury, and their twisted wrecking crew began their razor ribbon retaliation in the mid 80's. Their Atlantic debut with fellow Indians Anthrax proved they were willing to Kill To Survive, as one of the first speed driven artists to be offered a major recording contract. This thrashing escapade featured vocalist "Big Mike" Munro, whose menacing mindstalk vehemence was quite intimidating. He was the first metalhead I ever witnessed doing the windmill headspin. On this debut, Meliah Rage were prohibited by record company executives from having a song actually called Kill To Survive, so a year later they changed labels and released the epic Live Kill with this very song, in tact! This live album recorded in Detroit in 1989 featured such classics as Bates Motel and The Pack.

Throughout the years of decay, steeped deep in the underground, Tony and Jim remonstrated, proving they had Unfinished Business. The bewitching Solitary Solitude came out in 1990, followed six years later by the sacred Death Valley Dream, Tony's favourite album. Amidst a decade of dreamless sleep, Meliah Rage truimphed and endured as the last of the wanted; because they took what they wanted. At one time they even had in their ranks drummer Sully Erna whose stripped mind has made him an addict of Godsmack.

After almost another decade of determination, and the exodus of "Big Mike", Meliah Rage revivified, Barely Human, introducing fellow Cactus Land vocalist Paul Souza. His hellsong hate machinations, and melodic vocal approach, stood the test of time for wrong place, right timely delivered metal. The blacksmith and his band of iron madmen would still forge steel; seething with spite.

The new CD is bereft of lyrics, but Paul's vocals are easily discernible, and the music is still aggressively, hypnotic metal. The opener Permanently Damaged initiates the listener right into that lightning and thunderous crunch popularized by Metallica. God And Man and Last Of The Wanted remind me of early Alice In Chains. In fact, on the title track with its Sabbathy vibe, Paul's eerie inhabitant range, and bitter knell on the whole digs deep down into the dirt. Undefeated, for which a video has been filmed in bold, black and white, pounds with its get in the ring and fight club cadence. Curse maintains its vicious bite, with the wicked cry, "Living is a curse!", resounding in my ears. Twisted Wreck fastens you tight to its carefree road rage with the infectious chorus of carnal imagery and vehicular manslaughter.This laconic slumber may only clock in at a mere 36 minutes, and for once, contain no instrumentals; but it's their best produced disc to date, and you won't daydream or drift while under their curse.

I recently saw Meliah Rage, when they opened for Metal Church a few weeks ago in Cleveland. I had not seen them for almost 20 years when they were, again on tour with Metal Church for the Blessing In Disguise album. When Tony freely presented me with this CD to review, he remarked that he recalled that very tour; especially, since none of the current members of Metal Church were around during the Mike Howe era. Of course, Kurdt Vanderhoof contributed musically, he just did not tour. Meliah Rage performed a killer set list of old classics and new anthems, proving no decline in their rule.

If you love thrash and your metal intense; if you bang to bands like Anthrax, Overkill, Motorhead, and even Whiplash, most notably Insult to Injury; perhaps you are just discovering the best years of Metallica, or if you just want to get a true feel for classic metal, then discover the founding Fathers of Boss Town metal. Envision the dream and face the Meliah Rage!

See also review of: Masquerade

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

7,5

7

7,5

7

7

 
Summary



7,5 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel


Related links:

www.meliahrage.com
www.myspace.com/meliahrage