Angel Of Mercy: The Avatar

Shadow King Records has reissued of one of the cultest '80s metal records, Angel Of Mercy's lone album, The Avatar. It would seem that there are collectors that have paid over $500 for the original debut. If you have never heard of this band, you are not alone, as never have I. The Avatar is now being released in a 2 CD version which includes the original album in its entirety and then a second disc compiling rare recording sessions from 1983 and 1992, with 21 tracks in all.

The Avatar was self-released on vinyl as a private pressing, and was to be used as a sales pitch to potential record labels, but no labels ever came courting, so a deal never came, and Angel Of Mercy faded into obscurity like thousands of other bands. With influences ranging from Black Sabbath to Led Zeppelin, Angel Of Mercy have that underground and very unpolished NWOBHM vibe to them, where bands like Tank or Manilla Road did find some level of small success, but never broke through. Angel Of Mercy were a band with youthful ambition, but fell a tad short in the raw talent department. Tunes like "The Succubuss" or "The Avatar" display their Garage Band quality, with their razor blade vocals and anti guitar hero musical chops.

The story of Angel Of Mercy is a mysterious one, with the band originally forming in 1980 by vocalist/guitarist David St. James. Eventually, they recorded just the one album, The Avatar, which was self-released in 1987, until now with this re-release. This is a band that wasn't on many people's radar, but now there is this special 2 CD edition that has been remixed and remastered from the original master tapes, for people that have been looking for this album over the years.

Track Listing
Original The Avatar album
1. In the Beginning
2. Angel of Mercy
3. Chained to the World
4. Soul Searcher
5. Break Away
6. Metamorphosis
7. The Avatar
8. Victim of the Change
9. Journey to the Master
10. The Last Encounter
11. The Succubuss

November 1983, Las Vegas Recording Studio
12. The Succubuss
13. Soul Searcher
14. The Avatar
15. The Last Encounter

Spring 1992, Abandoned Sessions IMR Studio
16. Enter the Abyss
17. In the Beginning
18. Angel of Mercy
19. Metamorphosis

Unreleased track from The Avatar sessions
(Intended as a lead-in to “Chained to a World�)
20. The Journey Begins

2015 session, IMR Studio
21. Chained to a World

Added: June 18th 2018
Reviewer: Butch Jones
Score:
Related Link: Shadow King Records
Hits: 1161
Language: english

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