Anialator - Demo (1987)

Forming in Corpus Christi in 1986, Anialator released their first demo in 1987 and signed to Wild Rags Records soon after. Surprisingly, the band wasn't able capitalize on the strength of their first label release and quietly broke up in 1989. Some of the members would go on to form Sufferance the next year.

The music is pretty good thrash with catchy riffs and decent production values for a demo of the time. It's encouraging to see that the band has reformed (minus vocalist Marc Arispe R.I.P.) and will be playing reunion shows in late 2015. If you find yourself in Texas and need a good does of 80's thrash, then these guys will provide it.

Track Listing:

1. Anialator

2. Feel the Pain

3. Nuclear Destruction

4. Mission of Death

Members: 

Alex Dominguez - Bass

Alonzo Garcia  - Drums

Mark Olivio - Guitar

David Cerda - Guitars

Marc Arispe (R.I.P.) - Vocals

Anialator on Facebook

Download

Thanks to Hi50metalmaniac for the rip.

Angkor Wat - Live in San Antonio (1987)

Hailing from Corpus Christi, Angkor Wat brought a punk sensibility to their form of metal. This live recording shows them at a very early stage in their career and they give it their all. With a set that includes a cover of Bad Brain's Right Brigade, this is exactly the kind of crossover/thrash show that made me a fan of Texas metal. 

Track Listing:

1. Meat Eaters

2. Stop and Think

3. Living To Die

4. Tomorrow is Ours

5. Die Young

6. Disease

7. Right Brigade

8. Ricky

9. Give Me a Break

10. Warsaw

11. The Box

12. Burners of the Cross

13. Gone

Band Members:

Dave 'Bambi' Nuss - Drums, Vocals

Danny "Edith Bunker" Lohner - Guitars, Bass

Adam "(King) Bunnie" Grossman - Guitars, Bass, Vocals

Mike 'Titty' Titsworth - Bass

Dave "Dee" Brinkam - Vocals

Download

Thanks to Thrasher for pointing me in the right direction

 and thanks to RAF666underground.blogspot for the file.

Aggressor - There's Metal in Texas Demo (1987)

From Houston, Aggressor (not to be confused with Aggressor from Corpus Christi still active today) came out blazing some really great speed metal. Musically this band is in the technical thrash league with bands like Metal Church or Sanctuary but somehow remind me of Dokken. That's if Dokken was a heavy, fast thrash band without the hairspray. They followed up with a second demo in 1990 and later with an independently released full length "By Any Means Necessary" which is now out of print. Pop over to the band's MySpace page for audio samples.

Track Listing

1. There's Metal in Texas

2. No Time To Lose

3. Solo

4. I Survive

5. We Are Burning Hot

Band Members

Spyder Mike - Bass

Ken Pride - Drums

Scary Larry - Guitars (lead)

Stoney Paul - Vocals, Guitars

Download

Thanks to Motorised at Heavymetalrarities.com for the rip.

Wicked Angel - Re-Released Demo (1987)

I will occasionally be highlighting re-releases of classic Texas metal. If you want more of this music to be released, please speak with your dollars and buy from the labels taking a chance on these bands.

This Wicked Angel demo is classic power metal with good vocals and better production values than most demos. Almost like a younger version of Helstar. A really clean sound that makes you want to put on a blue jean jacket covered in band patches! The re-release is on 10" purple vinyl. Limited to an edition of 300, you need to grab this now.

From Texas Metal Underground:
Another killer San Antonio-based Texas metal gem...Wicked Angel emerged from the fertile grounds of San Antonio's south side in early 1985. At the time, the average age of the band members was around 15 years old! The young band recorded a 2-song demo in 1986, but sadly that recording has been completely lost to the ages. After a string of successful gigs with Texas notables such as WatchTower, Syrus, and Assalant, the band returned to Blue Cat Studios and recorded their blistering 'Chaotic Intellect' demo in 1987.

For this release TMU RECORDS was able to utilize the original master reels, which have been professionally transferred to digital, and mastered for maximum vinyl fidelity.

Track Listing

1. Realms of Chaos

2. Valley of the Witch Kings

3. People of the Black Circle

4. Stealer of Souls

Band Members

Mark Zamarron - Bass

Ernest Chavarria - Drums

Joseph Valdez - Guitars

Roland Casias - Guitars

David "Gumby" Caballero - Vocals

Hear the Songs and Buy the Vinyl Here!

Oblivion Knight - Demo (1987)

Up today... a bit of NWOBHM inspired metal from Oblivion Knight. Originally from Alabama before settling in San Antonio. This demo was included on a CD re-issue by Rockadrome. When it is back in stock I will be deleting this link so if you download this, please check the Rockadrome site and buy the CD when it is available again.

Oblivion Knight CD Re-Issue

From Metal-archives.com: Formed in 1986 in Alabama by Chris Camp and Steve Sexton. They didn't find the rest of the line-up there, so in 1987 they went to the Texas scene (of which they were fans) and recruited Ken Ortiz and Mike Soliz. After the demo release Keith Karbella and Brian Kibekinski (both from Long Island, New York) replaced Ortiz respectively took up the second guitar. Chris Collins who did the vocals on the first pre-Dream Theater band Majesty first demo replaced Mike Soliz before Oblivion Knight's second and last demo was recorded in 1990.

Track Listing

1. Clash with the Knight

2. Sword in Hand

3. Beyond the Gates/The Omega

Band Members

Steve Sexton - Bass

Chris Camp - Guitars

Ken Ortiz - Drums

Mike Soliz - Vocals

Download

Thanks to YouTube user AkisDoom for the rip.