Wow, I expected something like Angel Witch or Cloven Hoof, but this is freaking heavy.

Perfect CD! When you think "Court in the Act" is just simple N.W.O.B.H.M, mind you! This masterpiece is ultra-heavy.

Not bad, not exceptionally good either. A classic album by definition, but far from the best HM/NWoBHM albums IMO.

One of those Great Old Ones I grew up with. There's something about that blue-collar guitarwork of theirs that has never been matched in sheer personality, I love it so much. At least 6/10 of the songs are pure classics of NWOBHM, the other four just awesome.

Oh, and the voice Brian Ross! Not the most technical singer in the world or that pleasant to listen to but man, is it timeless and ageless, even unique in some weird way.

A very good NWOBHM metal album for it's time, I wouldn't call it a classic personally, it's not quite at the same standards of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Saxon, Mercyful Fate and the like, but it's still very good. The songs "Trial By Fire" and "Break Free" are the songs that stood out for me the most. I would say this debut is more of a match for the Metal Church debut tbh.

The main issue I have with this album is the unpolished production, for some that isn't an issue, but I think it spoils the overall crisp heavy metal sound.

This is incredible!

Is the vocalist Brian Ross or Ian Swift? Either way, the vocalist here has the perfect traditional heavy metal voice (like a buttery mix between Rob Halford and the vocalist of Pentagram)! And the rude guitar-work reminds me of Mercyful Fate. Crazy what heaviness they were coming up with in 1983 - and are still producing great songs in 2022!

I also like that they kept this skeletal judge as the recurring character on their cover artworks!

By the way, how come Testament stole two song titles from this album (Trial By Fire and Alone in the Dark)?

Written by F3ynman on 22.05.2022 at 22:13

This is incredible!

Indeed, it is iconic

Written by F3ynman on 22.05.2022 at 22:13

Is the vocalist Brian Ross or Ian Swift?

It's the one and only Brian Ross.

Written by nikarg on 23.05.2022 at 10:39

Written by F3ynman on 22.05.2022 at 22:13

Is the vocalist Brian Ross or Ian Swift?

It's the one and only Brian Ross.

Then the timeline page needs to be changed, because it says Ian Swift for 1983-84

Written by F3ynman on 23.05.2022 at 11:22

Then the timeline page needs to be changed, because it says Ian Swift for 1983-84

This and some additional inaccuracies regarding the band's early vocalists should be fixed now.
Well spotted... Thanks!