Boss Tweed - Jacuzzi Murders (1983)

Formed in 1979 in For Worth, Boss Tweed have a good case for being called the godfathers of Texas Heavy Metal. Other hard rocking bands were active in Texas before them but their brand of blues-rock influenced metal is a direct bridge between those who rocked before and those who headbanged after. Fans of Motorhead, Saxon, Raven, etc. will be pleased with these rockers from Texas.

Members:

Scott Wood - Bass

Donny Hart - Vocals

Paul Boll - Guitars

Damon Duperre - Guitars

Lance Williams - Drums

Luckily, Boss Tweed have re-released all their early gems on a 2011 compilation, Die You Bitch which is still available from various sites. Or you could simply follow them on SoundCloud to stream all the Texas metal you need in your life.

Boss Tweed on SoundCloud

Helstar - Live Bootleg - Houston, Texas (1983)

Today we'll listen to the great Helstar from Houston, Texas. One of the better known metal bands from Texas, Helstar play a great blend of heavy metal, almost speed metal and power metal. Of course power metal has a completely different connotation today from back then. Helstar signed with Combat Records to release their first two albums and then switched to Metal Blade for two more albums. Helstar has been continually active in releasing music throughout the decades and is still releasing kick-ass metal today. This bootleg of one of their very early live shows is a great example of how tight and talented the band was from the very beginning. As a plus we also get Helstar doing their versions of Black Sabbath's Neon Knights and Iron Maiden's Phanton of the Opera.

Helstar on Wikipedia

Larry Barragan Interview

Track Listing

1. Lights Out 

2. Swords and Tequila 

3. Towards the Unknown 

4. Burning Star 

5. He’s a Woman, She’s a Man 

6. Leather and Lust 

7. Neon Knights 

8. The Shadows of Iga 

9. Phantom of the Opera 

10. Run With the Pack

Band Members

James Rivera- Vocals

Larry Barragan - Guitars

Tom Rogers - Guitars

Paul Medina - Bass

Hector Pavon - Drums

Download

Thanks to Strad of Heavymetalrarities.com for the rip.

Rok Bergade - The Attack Is On (1983)

Closer to standard heavy metal of the time... Rok Bergade from Houston, Texas.

I remember seeing these guys playing at an all-ages club in Pasadena, Texas. My timeline might be off but I think it was before this release. The band was very young so it was teens playing for teens. I vaguely remember them playing a Dokken cover and lots of headbanging.

An interesting review of the album from Metalpage.de: Album Review

Track Listing

1. The Attack Is On

2. Too Far from Yesterday

3. Lost Without You

4. Rock and Roll Will Lift You Up

5. Rok Bergade

6. Your Every Needs

7. Let Me See the Love

8. Just a Dream

9. After the Invasion

10. You Keep Me Hanging On

Band Members

Creg Gilley - Vocals, Guitars

Jason Parker - Guitars

Ronny Rushing - Keyboards

Russle Ray Womble - Bass

Bill Loden - Drums

Download

Thanks to BM-80smetal.blogspot.com.br for the rip.