"Metal of Honor" is the first official full-length album released by the American Heavy Metal band: "TT Quick". It was produced by John Zazula together Rob "Wacko" Hunter and released in 1986.
TT Quick's "Metal of Honor" is an iconic 12" LP vinyl album that exemplifies the raw power and energy of American heavy metal in the mid-1980s. Released in 1986, this debut album marked the beginning of a promising career for the New Jersey-based band, led by guitarist David Dipietro and vocalist Mark Tornillo. With its blistering guitar solos, aggressive vocals, and thunderous rhythm section, "Metal of Honor" quickly gained recognition among metalheads and became a classic of the genre.
The album was produced by the legendary Jon Zazula, who had previously worked with Metallica and helped launch the careers of numerous heavy metal bands through his label, Megaforce Records. Zazula's production expertise, combined with the talents of Eddie Kramer and Michael Wagener as co-producers and engineers, resulted in a sonically powerful and dynamic album that captured TT Quick's explosive live sound.
The album opens with the intense track "Child of Sin", setting the tone for what's to come. Dipietro's guitar work is fierce and precise, delivering memorable riffs and scorching solos that showcase his technical prowess. Tornillo's vocals are commanding, conveying a sense of urgency and aggression that perfectly matches the music's intensity.
Songs like "Metal of Honor" and "Front Burner" continue the onslaught, displaying TT Quick's knack for writing catchy, headbanging anthems. The band's rhythm section, consisting of bassist Walt Fortune and drummer Erik Ferro, lays down a solid foundation that drives the songs forward with relentless energy. Together, they create a wall of sound that grabs the listener's attention and refuses to let go.
One standout track on the album is the power ballad "Glad All Over", which showcases TT Quick's ability to balance their heavy metal roots with melodic sensibilities. Tornillo's emotive vocals shine on this track, supported by Dipietro's melodic guitar lines. It's a moment of respite amidst the album's high-octane assault, providing a glimpse of the band's versatility.
The album's artwork, designed by Dan Muro, captures the essence of the band and the music they create. The cover features a striking image of a knight in armor, wielding a sword, symbolizing the band's unwavering commitment to the metal genre. It's a visually captivating representation of the album's title and the music contained within.
Despite receiving critical acclaim and a growing fan base, TT Quick faced various challenges in the years following the release of "Metal of Honor". Lineup changes, label issues, and the changing landscape of the music industry hindered their progress. However, the album remains a testament to the band's talent and the impact they made during their initial run.
"Metal of Honor" serves as a timeless reminder of the vitality and energy of 1980s heavy metal. TT Quick's debut LP solidified their place in the metal scene and established them as a force to be reckoned with. From start to finish, the album is a relentless onslaught of powerful riffs, soaring vocals, and pounding rhythms that resonate with fans of the genre to this day.
Music Genre: American Heavy Metal |
Album Production information:
The album: "T.T. QUICK - Metal of Honor" was produced by: Jon Zazula. Jon Zazula: How did a record store shape metal forever? The Jon Zazula story – a must-read for music fans. Rob "Wacko" Hunter - Producer Alex "The Boy Pharoah" Perialas - Sound Engineer, Producer Alex Perialas legendary producer, shaped 1980s heavy metal with iconic bands like Anthrax, Metallica and many many more. Read His Biography Eddie Kramer - Producer, Sound Engineer Eddie Kramer: Iconic producer & engineer behind Hendrix, Zeppelin, & many more. Explore his life & work that shaped rock music history. Michael Wagener - Producer, Mix Engineer Michael Wagener is a renowned music producer, mixer, and engineer hailing from Hamburg, Germany. He is highly recognized for his work with countless prominent hard rock and heavy metal bands, particularly during the late 1980s.
Read Wagener's Story
Nelson Ayres - Sound Engineer Paul Higgins - Sound Engineer Peter Bombar - Sound Engineer Peter Bombar a sound engineer who has been working together with Alex Perialas, Norman Dunn, Jon Zazula. During the 1980s he has been responsible for the sound recording for albums of the Heavy Metal bands: Attila, Raven, Thrasher, T.T. Quick and others. Album cover design: Dan Muro, NYC Album cover photography: Dan Muro Daniel Muro worked for the producer Todd Gordon on several Heavy Metal bands. Bands he has photographed include Overkill, Hades and many others. Hair design: Linda Marie |
Record Label & Catalognr: Island Records / Megaforce Worldwide 90521 |
Media Format: 12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
Year & Country: 1986 Made in USA |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: T.T. QUICK - Metal of Honor |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "T.T. QUICK - Metal of Honor" |
The detailed tracklist of this record "T.T. QUICK - Metal of Honor" is:
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Four individual portrait photos of the T.T. Quick band-members on the album back cover
The back cover of TT Quick’s Metal of Honor album features a clean, structured layout on a deep red background. At the top, the title ‘Metal of Honor’ is prominently displayed in bold white letters, accompanied by the band’s logo: a clenched fist breaking through the Roman numeral ‘II,’ with sharp lightning bolts and the word ‘Quick’ beneath it.
Below the title, four individual photographs of the band members are evenly arranged in a horizontal line. Each image has a white border, giving it a sharp, defined look against the red background. The members are labeled with their names and roles:
David DiPietro (Guitar),
Mark Tornillo (Vocals),
Walt Fortune (Bass),
Erik Ferro (Drums).
Underneath the band photos, detailed credits are displayed in white text. The credits include acknowledgments for production, engineering, and design, along with special thanks. The names of the executive producer (Jon Zazula) and other contributors are listed, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the album.
The bottom features the logos of the record label, Megaforce Worldwide, and other production credits. A barcode appears in the upper right corner for retail purposes, balancing the overall layout. The design conveys professionalism while maintaining the bold and powerful image associated with the heavy metal genre.
"Metal Of Honor" Record Label Details: Black Colour Label Megaforce Worldwide 90521-1 , ST-IL-866031-SP ℗ 1986 Island Records, Inc Sound Copyright