Living Death - Metal Revolution (1985)^{Release ID: 11047}

OK, I'm back in the speed metal part of the ultimate Pit test. And I just encountered an album that balances out that part, taking on a more aggressive thrashy form of speed metal that seems appropriate for The Pit. Well, despite the Accept influences...

Living Death released their debut album Vengeance in Hell in 1984. They then hired Harald Lutze for a tour to support the album, with fellow German metal band Warlock (Doro's former band) by their side. After that, Lutze was fired for some reason and taking his place was Andreas Oberhoff (RIP). The following year, 1985 saw the release of the EP Watch Out, hinting at a different progression of their sound. Their different sound is solidified in this album, Metal Revolution!

This aggressive style already makes it entrance with the opening track "Killing Machine" that's like a more thrashy Accept. The next track "Gripping a Heart" is fast while looking back at the earlier part of the 80s. Another track "Rulers Must Come" is slower and more mid-paced.

The heavier "Screaming from a Chamber" is a 6-minute slow monster that takes a break fast thrashy speed metal aggression that covers most of the other tracks on the album. Though I'm happy with this occasional slow approach. The team have really built a wall of sound so impenetrable. The riff really thunders through in that slow track, as opposed to the faster tracks' intense energy. Side B starts with a one-minute-and-a-half intro. I have a feeling these two vinyl sides are switched, like the album should've started with an intro then ended with a 6-minute epic. The speed snaps back on in "Shadow of the Dawn".

Then "Panic and Hysteria" follows as another good song. Honestly, I still think side B should've been side A, but never mind that. Summing up the style further is "Road of Destiny". There's still the faster speed metal, but some slow guitar sections can occur. The vocals by Thorsten Bergmann are never weak in any way, having his trademark high abrasion. Love it or hate it, when it comes to speed metal, this is the good sh*t! However, there is slight weakness in his vocals in "Deep in Hell", though his strong side still dominates. The guitars can be heard quite clearly in the mix, thanks to the beefy production, along with audible bass to continue building this wall of sound. The drums even have a nice snare. Whether or not the vinyl sides have truly been switched, a good ending either way.

So is this album really closer to The Pit? The answer, in my opinion, is yes. I think of most of the songs of a kind of speed metal that is like old-school melodic thrash with the cleaner riffs and vocals of Accept. It shows Living Death evolving with good progress in their own unique sound. This is enjoyable thrashy speed metal energy! Anyone who likes Accept but wants more speed than that band's album Restless and Wild might dig this....

Favorites: "Killing Machine", "Screaming from a Chamber", "Shadow of the Dawn", "Road of Destiny"