Remember the mid/late 1980s when no shortage of powerful thrash acts were popping up left and right and dazzling metal fans with their blazing riffs, relentless drumming, aggressive vocals, and memorable songs? If you do, no doubt bands such as Leige Lord, Vicious Rumors, Death Angel, and of course Agent Steel were probably a part of your daily metal diet, so it's with great pleasure I introduce you to Masters of Metal, who are comprised of Agent Steel members Juan Garcia (guitars), Bernie Versailles (guitars, vocals), Robert Cardenas (bass, backing vocals), and Rigo Amezcua (drums). Their debut for Metalville Records is titled From Worlds Beyond, and it will instantly take you back to the glory years of vintage thrash and early power metal with its wealth of wild riffs, virtuoso lead guitar solos, manic drumming, and powerful vocals.
There are no shortage of melodic yet completely ripping songs here on From Worlds Beyond, such as the instantly memorable "Third Eye", the absolutely crushing "Tomb of Ra", or the relentless thrash fest that is "World Left in Cinders". The twin guitar tandem of Versailles & Garcia are completely locked in throughout; there are some massive, massive riffs to be found here, along with sizzling lead solos, so if it's guitar dominated thrash you crave, you've come to the right place. "Eclipse" lets bassist Cardenas join the fun, as he throws in some of his nimble, jazz inspired bass licks amid the furious metal onslaught, and the band show of their more progressive, groove laden side on the excellent "MK Ultra" and dark "Doors Beyond Our Galaxy", the latter reminding a bit of Fates Warning. The chaotic closer "Vengeance & Might " even features a guest vocal from Helstar's James Rivera.
As good as From Worlds Beyond is, it's not all bright and cheery in the Masters of Metal world, as Versailles suffered a brain injury and lapsed into a coma in late 2014 when the band were finishing up the album. He's since been making a recovery, but the future of the band remains in doubt, so here's hoping Versailles fully mends so the band can take this thrash machine to the next level.
Track Listing
1. Supremacy
2. World Left In Cinders
3. Third Eye
4. Tomb of Ra
5. Eclipse
6. The Mindless
7. MK Ultra
8. Into The Vortex
9. Doors Beyond Our Galaxy
10. Evolution of Being
11. Vengeance & Might (Feat. James Rivera)
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