Deathrow - Raging Steel (1987)^{Release ID: 2619}

Immediately after the intro, it becomes apparent that Deathrow had fixed the production problems that got in the way of their debut album's ability to entertain (most of the time).  This is the kind of album where a band is basically showing off how much they've improved without overdoing it.  Although the stay comfortably within the thrash vein for the most part (such as having our first song, Raging Steel, stay within the vein everyone's familiar with), not only does the speed metal come back, but we even get some real instances that feel more like epic storytelling rather than general thrash.  The track Dragon's Blood alone should tell you that.  This was also the chance to show off their progressive side, allowing songs to switch tempos at rapid speed, even to the point of flipping through channels.  And unlike much of the six minute stuff from the last band I binged, Destruction, songs like The Thing Within are able to keep going.  However, while its riffage stays great and its production fine, it DOES tend to get a bit traditional and samey by the end.  Nevertheless, I'm very happy that Deathrow grew up and rwwrote themselves so much soonere than Destruction did.

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