Iron Angel's "Hellish Crossfire" reissue: Teutonic thrash resurrected! A time capsule of raw energy, breakneck riffs, and apocalyptic fury. This ain't your oma's polka music. #vinylrecords

IRON ANGEL'S HELLISH CROSSFIRE REISSUE: A Teutonic Thrash Timewarp

Album Description:

In 2014, amidst a sea of retro-rehashes and nostalgia-fueled cash grabs, Dutch label Hammerheart Records unearthed a relic from the Teutonic thrash metal underground: Iron Angel's "Hellish Crossfire." Originally unleashed in 1985, this slab of sonic fury was a raw, unpolished assault on the senses, a far cry from the polished production values and commercial aspirations of many modern metal bands.

This reissue wasn't just a cynical attempt to cash in on the past. It was a reminder that in a world dominated by digital downloads and streaming services, there's still something special about holding a vinyl record in your hands, dropping the needle, and letting the music transport you back to a time when metal was dangerous, unpredictable, and uncompromising.

"Hellish Crossfire" was a product of its time. The Cold War was raging, nuclear annihilation loomed large, and a generation of disaffected youth were turning to heavy metal as an outlet for their anxieties and frustrations. Iron Angel's music was a reflection of this zeitgeist, a sonic assault that mirrored the chaos and uncertainty of the era.

The album's production was raw and unpolished, a true reflection of the band's underground roots. Recorded at Horus Sound Studio, "Hellish Crossfire" captured the raw energy and intensity of Iron Angel's live performances. There were no studio tricks or overdubs here, just pure, unadulterated metal mayhem.

The album's lyrics delved into dark and apocalyptic themes, exploring the horrors of war, the dangers of nuclear annihilation, and the bleakness of the human condition. It was a far cry from the party anthems and love songs that dominated the charts at the time. Iron Angel's music was a reflection of the anxieties and fears of a generation growing up in the shadow of the Cold War.

One of the standout tracks, "The Metallian," became an anthem for the burgeoning thrash scene, with its infectious riff and rallying cry for metalheads to unite. The song's popularity helped to propel the album to cult status , with fans clamoring for more of Iron Angel's aggressive sound.

Another fan favorite, "Rush of Power," showcased the band's ability to blend speed and melody, creating a sound that was both brutal and catchy. The song's lyrics, which dealt with the intoxicating allure of power, resonated with listeners who felt disillusioned with the political and social climate of the time.

"Hellish Crossfire" wasn't without its controversies. The album's cover art, depicting a demonic figure wielding a sword, was deemed too extreme by some retailers, who refused to stock it. But this only served to fuel Iron Angel's rebellious spirit and solidify their reputation as a band that refused to compromise their artistic vision.

The 2014 reissue of "Hellish Crossfire" wasn't just a nostalgia trip for aging metalheads. It was an opportunity for a new generation of fans to discover the raw power and uncompromising spirit of a band that helped to shape the sound of thrash metal. In a world where everything is polished and sanitized, Iron Angel's music is a refreshing blast of unfiltered aggression, a reminder that metal can still be dangerous, unpredictable, and uncompromising.

Listen to: The Metallian - Iron Angel

Music Genre:

Thrash Metal / Heavy Metal / Speed Metal

Album Production Information:

The album: "IRON ANGEL Hellish Crossfire" was produced by: Horst "Hoddle" Muller .

Horst Mueller - a sound engineer from Germany and has engineered the records of several German Metal bands, notable Destruction, Running Wild, Warrant and the Swiss Celtic Frost band, as well as many others. He has used several different aliases/pseudonyms, aliases used by Horst Mueller include: Horst "Hoddle" Muller, Horst H.I.F. "The Crazy Frog" Muller, Horst "The Only One" Muller, "Mad" Horst Muller

Co-producer: Iron Angel

Hammerheart Records under exclusive license from Painkiller records

This album was recorded at: Caet Studio Berlin, May 1985

Caet Studios In the world of music, certain studios hold an iconic status due to their rich history and the multitude of talented artists who have graced their halls. One such studio is Caet Studios, located in the vibrant city of Berlin, Germany. Renowned for its exceptional sound recording capabilities, Caet Studios has become synonymous with the German Heavy Metal scene, serving as a creative hub for numerous influential bands during the 1980s.

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The 1980s marked a golden era for Heavy Metal music, with the genre reaching new heights of popularity and cultural significance. German Heavy Metal bands, in particular, emerged as a force to be reckoned with, capturing the attention of both domestic and international audiences. Among these bands were Celtic Frost, Running Wild, and Destruction, who utilized Caet Studios as their creative sanctum.

Celtic Frost, a pioneering group in the Extreme Metal subgenre, left an indelible mark on the music world with their groundbreaking albums. Caet Studios served as the birthplace of their magnum opus, "To Mega Therion," released in 1985. The studio's pristine acoustics and state-of-the-art equipment allowed Celtic Frost to craft a sound that was as dark and atmospheric as their lyrical themes. Songs like "Circle of the Tyrants" and "Necromantical Screams" resonated with fans and established Celtic Frost as one of the most innovative and influential Metal bands of their time.

Running Wild, known for their pirate-themed anthems and energetic live performances, also found solace within the walls of Caet Studios. Their album "Under Jolly Roger," released in 1987, solidified their status as a leading force in German Heavy Metal. Caet Studios provided Running Wild with the ideal environment to capture their raw energy and intricate instrumentation, resulting in a record that showcased their trademark blend of speed and melody. Tracks like the eponymous "Under Jolly Roger" and "Raise Your Fist" became instant classics and continue to resonate with fans to this day.

Destruction, a band synonymous with the German Thrash Metal movement, sought refuge in Caet Studios to unleash their sonic assault. Their album "Infernal Overkill," released in 1985, epitomized the aggression and intensity that characterized the Thrash Metal genre. With Caet Studios' expertise, Destruction meticulously crafted a sonic landscape that showcased their breakneck speed and razor-sharp riffs. Tracks like "Total Desaster" and "Bestial Invasion" became anthems for the thrashing masses, solidifying Destruction's position as one of the genre's titans.

While Celtic Frost, Running Wild, and Destruction are just a few of the notable bands that graced Caet Studios during the 1980s, countless others followed suit. The studio's reputation for excellence attracted a multitude of emerging and established Heavy Metal acts, all eager to harness the power of its remarkable acoustics and cutting-edge recording equipment. Caet Studios became a pilgrimage site for musicians, offering a sanctuary where creativity and sonic innovation thrived.

Beyond its technical prowess, Caet Studios fostered a sense of community within the German Heavy Metal scene. Bands not only shared the same recording space but also collaborated and inspired one another, pushing the boundaries of the genre. The legacy of Caet Studios extends beyond the music it helped create, representing a pivotal era in German Heavy Metal history and leaving an indelible mark on the global music landscape.

Album front cover design: Edda & Uwe Karczewskie, Hamburg, Germany

Uwe Karczewski a German graphics artist known for the 1980's album covers for Heavy Metal bands like: Helloween , Iron Angel .

Album cover photography: Joachim Peters-Schnee

Record Label & Catalognr:

Hammerheart Records HHR2014-05

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year and Country:

2014 Made in Netherlands

Transcript of the liner notes:

1980. NWOBHM echoes could be heard everywehere and bands like Iron Maiden, Saxon, Def Leppard and Judas Priest made England the Heavy Metal Mecca. But not only there Metal was becoming a youth phenomenon. At the same time five young German boys got together to play the same kind of music their english heroes played. They didn't take themselves very seriously and just wanted to play their mix of Kiss, Motorhead and Judas Priest in schools around their city. Their band was called Metal Gods, a clear homage to Judas Priest. Later the band was rebaptized IRON ANGEL. At that time, there weren't many German Hard Rock / Heavy Metal acts. Scorpions, featuring the Schenker brothers, had some success with their melodic rock and Accept followed a more traditiona english style, where Udo Dirkschneider's unusual vocals were a highlight. However, there was a brand new underground scene willing to breakthrough and show the world a new style, heavier but still influenced by all those classic bands. Everywhere in the world, new bands started popping up, each one adding new feature to Heavy Metal. Some Of these (Such BS the swedish Bathory and the Swiss Hellhammer) followed the steps of the english Venom, a band that became a reference in extreme and Satanic metal. Soon, new bands that differed a lot fom the english sound and look started appearing in Germany. Running Wild and it's unusual lyrics, Avenger, who would soon become Rage, and the ultra fast and melodic Helloween were some of these new German bands. All of them had something in common, and they were pretty different from the traditional english bands, so the term Power Metal started being used to describe their sound. IRON ANGEL was born in this first Power Metal wave. However, they were the first to mix the obscure lyrics from extreme metal bands to the speed and melody of the other German bands. This mix was called Speed Metal, and their first demo tape, LEGIONS OF EVIL, was one of the first German Speed Metal recordings ever. After gaining some recognition in the metal underground scene and releasing some other demos, the band resleased their first album HELLISH CROSSFIRE.

HELLISH CROSSFIRE showed a fresh and a raw sound, based on speed, killer guitar riffs and inteligent dark lyrics. This unusual approach would become th seed for a whole new Thrash Metal wave from Germany, where brilliant bands like So-dom, Kreator and Destruction were born. Songs like THE METALLIAN, RUSH OF POWER and HEAVY-METAL. SOLDIERS put IRON ANGEL on the heavy metal world map. It was only the beginning...

HELLISH CROSSFIRE track review:
THE METALLIAN: This track opens the album with a fantastic guitar riff. This song is one the band's greatest classics and it shows clearly where the German Thrash Metal Gods had their influences.

SINNER 666: Although the excellent guitar work in the beginning of the track, Dirk Schroder's excellent vocal performance is the highlight of this song. It's impossible to forget the chorus "Cause I'm a sinner"!

BLACK MASS: The drums are very loud in this track. Slower than the others, this is the track for the fans to sing along with the whole band the amazing chorus.

THE CHURCH OF THE LOST SOULS: Pure power! This is real Speed Metal. Fast riffs and even a smal drum solo make this song one of the of the album.

HUNTER IN CHAINS: After a riff that reminds me of Deep Purple's "Burn", you'll find all the elements of IRON ANGEL's sound.

RUSH OF POWER: Perfect song for mosh pits. After the technical intro, power and force take over and rule the track.

LEGIONS OF EVIL: Remember NY's WHIPLASH? This song's intro reminds me of the classic "The burning of Atlanta". But this is their only similarity. IRON ANGEL's song is outstanding, specially the chorus, sung by the whole band.

WIFE OF THE DEVIL: Thrash Metal! Kudos to drummer Mike Matthes!

NIGHTMARE: The calm beginning may make you think this is a ballad. Even if it's the slowest song from the album, it's far from being one.

HEAVY-METAL-SOLDIERS: This song is something special, with galloping guitar riffs and a slightly different vocal approach. The guitar duel in the solo is fantastic.
Revision by LEO CASTRO