PARIAH - BLAZE OF OBSCURITY 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Pariah was an intermediate band-name used by the NWOBHM band "Satan" 

Album cover for Pariah’s Blaze of Obscurity, featuring a distraught man holding his face amid flames, with a seated statue and towering urban buildings in the background. Dark-suited figures in bowler hats stand ominously in the distance. Artwork by Andreas Marschall.

Delve into the sonic landscapes of"Blaze of Obscurity," the 12" Vinyl LP Album by Pariah, presented by Steamhammer Records. Notably, Pariah served as an interim moniker for the NWOBM band "Satan" during distinct periods, namely from 1988 to 1989 and 1997 to 1998. This album captures a transitional phase in the band's evolution, offering listeners a unique glimpse into the dynamic musical journey of Pariah and their contributions to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

Pariah's "Blaze of Obscurity": A Transitional Spark in British Heavy Metal
Album Description:

Pariah's 1989 "Blaze of Obscurity" arrived at a pivotal time for British heavy metal. The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) had surged in the early 80s, but by the late 80s, the genre was navigating shifting tastes and evolving sounds. Pariah, a temporary moniker for the NWOBHM band Satan, embodied this transition.

Historical Context and Musical Exploration

Formed in 1980, Satan had already established a reputation for their classic heavy metal sound. However, under the name Pariah, the band embarked on a sonic journey that blended elements of traditional heavy metal with thrash's aggression and speed. This exploration resulted in "Blaze of Obscurity," an album that reflected the changing landscape of metal while retaining the band's core strengths.

Musical Genre and Sound

While rooted in NWOBHM, "Blaze of Obscurity" showcases Pariah's evolution. The album is a powerful blend of classic heavy metal and thrash metal. The guitar work is fast and furious, the drumming is relentless, and the vocals are raw and intense. Songs like "Missionary of Mercy," "Puppet Regime," and the title track "Blaze of Obscurity" deliver a potent mix of melody and aggression that was emblematic of the era's evolving metal sound.

Controversies

"Blaze of Obscurity" was not without its controversies. The band's decision to change their name from Satan to Pariah was met with mixed reactions from fans. Some saw it as a necessary step to avoid religious connotations, while others felt it was a betrayal of their original identity. Despite this, the album's music spoke for itself and solidified the band's place in the metal scene.

Production Team and Recording Studio

The album was produced by Pariah themselves, with co-production and engineering by Alan Leeming. The recording took place at Horus Sound Studio, a well-regarded facility known for its work with other heavy metal acts. The production captures the raw energy of the band's performance while maintaining a polished sound that enhances the overall listening experience.

Album Cover Art

The album's cover art, created by Andreas Marschall, is a striking depiction of a fiery apocalypse. The imagery complements the album's themes of conflict, societal unrest, and personal struggles. It's a visual representation of the intense emotions and energy that permeate the music.

Pariah or Satan?
Band Description:

Pariah was not a new band formed in 1989. It was a temporary name change for the British heavy metal band Satan, formed in 1980. The members of Satan decided to release "Blaze of Obscurity" under the name Pariah, likely due to concerns about religious connotations associated with their original name.

The original lineup of Satan/Pariah consisted of:

Brian Ross - Vocals

Steve Ramsey - Guitars

Russ Tippins - Guitars

Graeme English - Bass

Sean Taylor - Drums

This lineup, with the exception of Sean Taylor, who was replaced by Paul Smith on drums for "Blaze of Obscurity," created the music for the album.

After releasing "Blaze of Obscurity," the band reverted to their original name Satan and continued to release music under that name.

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Music Genre: 
UK Power Thrash Metal 
Album Production Information:

The album: "PARIAH - Blaze of Obscurity" was produced by: Pariah and Alan Leeming

This album was recorded at: Horus Sound Studio

Horus Sound Studio is located in Hannover, Germany and has been the recording and sound mix studio for sound engineers like: Tommy Hansen , Tommy Newton , Jan Nemec, . During the 1980s this studio has been used by bands like: Celtic Frost, Helloween, Rage, Sodom, Victory and many others

 

Record Label: 
SteamHammer SPV 08-7594  
Record Format:
12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year and Country:

1989 Made in West Germany 
Band Members and Musicians on: PARIAH - Blaze of Obscurity
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Vocals: Michael Jackson
  • Guitars: Russ Tippins
  • Guitars: Steve Ramsey
  • Bass: Graeme English
  • Drums: Sean Taylor
Complete Track Listing of: "PARIAH - Blaze of Obscurity"

The Songs/tracks on "PARIAH - Blaze of Obscurity" are

  1. Missionary of Mercy 06:00
  2. Puppet Regime 04:32
  3. Canary 05:43
  4. Blaze of Obscurity 05:42
  5. Retaliate! 04:32
  6. Hypochondriac 04:13
  7. Enemy Within 04:50
  8. The Brotherhood 05:50
Album cover photos of : PARIAH - Blaze of Obscurity
High Resolution Photo #10 pariah blaze obscurity

This album cover is for Blaze of Obscurity by the British thrash metal band Pariah. The artwork features a surreal scene of a distraught man holding his face in his hands while surrounded by flames. Behind him is a statue of a seated figure, seemingly unscathed, amidst a modern urban setting with towering buildings. A group of figures in dark suits and bowler hats stands in the background, adding a mysterious and ominous atmosphere to the scene. The band’s logo, “Pariah,” appears prominently at the top, styled with flames, reflecting the intense and aggressive tone of the music.

The cover art for Blaze of Obscurity by Pariah was created by Andreas Marschall. Andreas Marschall is a German artist renowned for his work in the heavy metal and rock genres, producing iconic album covers for bands such as Blind Guardian, Grave Digger, and Kreator. His style often features dark, dramatic, and intricately detailed imagery, perfectly suited to the tone of thrash and heavy metal albums.

This cover showcases Marschall’s talent for blending intense emotion with a dystopian or surreal atmosphere, making it a memorable piece in his portfolio.

 Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).

Back Cover  Photo of "PARIAH - Blaze of Obscurity" Album
High Resolution Photo #11 pariah blaze obscurity

The back cover of Pariah’s Blaze of Obscurity features a black-and-white band photo overlaid with a textured background of intertwined tree branches or industrial beams, creating a dark and gritty atmosphere. The band members—Russ Tippins, Steve Ramsey, Michael Jackson, Graeme English, and Sean Taylor—are shown in a group portrait, their expressions intense and reflective of the album’s mood. Along the top, smaller live performance photos of each member add a dynamic touch, showcasing their roles in the band. The tracklist is displayed at the bottom right, split between Side A and Side B, with song titles in bold yellow text for emphasis. The credits are positioned on the bottom left. This layout complements the raw energy and thematic tone of the album.

Inner Cover   of "PARIAH - Blaze of Obscurity" Album
High Resolution Photo #12 pariah blaze obscurity
Close-up Photo of "PARIAH - Blaze of Obscurity" Record Label 
High Resolution Photo #13 pariah blaze obscurity

Satan: The Iconic British Heavy Metal Band That Revolutionized the Genre

SATAN Band Description:

Satan is a British Heavy Metal band that was formed in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, in 1979. The band is known for its aggressive and fast-paced music, which has made them one of the most influential bands in the Heavy Metal genre.

The band was formed by guitarists Steve Ramsey and Russ Tippins, who were joined by drummer Sean Taylor, bassist Graeme English, and vocalist Brian Ross. The band's name was inspired by the controversy surrounding the Heavy Metal genre at the time, with many people accusing the music of being Satanic.

Satan released their first album, "Court in the Act," in 1983. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it established the band as one of the leading acts in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. The album features some of the band's most well-known songs, such as "Trial By Fire," "Blades of Steel," and "Break Free."

The band's second album, "Suspended Sentence," was released in 1987. The album was a departure from the band's previous sound, featuring a more melodic and progressive style. The album was well-received by critics, but it did not achieve the same commercial success as the band's first album.

Satan disbanded in 1988, but the members continued to play music in other projects. In 2011, the band reformed and released a new album, "Life Sentence," in 2013. The album was well-received by both fans and critics, and it marked a return to the band's classic sound.

Satan's music is characterized by its fast and aggressive guitar riffs, powerful vocals, and intricate song structures. The band's lyrics often deal with themes of rebellion, anti-authoritarianism, and the occult. The band's music has been cited as an influence by many Heavy Metal bands, including Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth.

Satan's influence on Heavy Metal is evident in the fact that the band's music has been covered by many other artists, and the band's logo has become iconic within the genre. The band's influence can also be seen in the popularity of the NWOBHM movement, which helped to revitalize the Heavy Metal genre in the 1980s. 

SATAN - Court in The Act

Thumbnail Of SATAN - Court in The Act album front cover

NEAT 1012 , 1983 , United Kingdom

"Court in the Act" is the first official full-length album by the British (NWOBHM) Heavy Metal band: SATAN. .

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SATAN - Suspended Sentence

Thumbnail Of SATAN - Suspended Sentence album front cover

Steamhammer – SH 0069 , 1987 , Germany

"Suspended Sentence" was Satan's last album before they changes their band-name in "Pariah".

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PARIAH - Blaze Of Obscurity 12" Vinyl LP
PARIAH - Blaze Of Obscurity album front cover vinyl record

Pariah was not a new band formed in 1989. It was a temporary name change for the British heavy metal band Satan, formed in 1980. The members of Satan decided to release "Blaze of Obscurity" under the name Pariah, likely due to concerns about religious connotations associated with their original name.

Learn more