Akasha - Akasha (1989)

Akasha began life in Brownsville, Texas in 1983. Originally known as Bad Habit, the band went through a few line-up changes (and band name changes) before settling on Akasha for their debut album released in 1989. 

The band's music is firmly in the big hair metal camp with many similarities to Dokken's earlier works. Rick Del Castillo's guitar work is a real highlight, crisp and clean while not forgetting the importance of showing some flash when needed. The rest of the band fills out the sound well. While not as powerful as some of the era's screamers, Lance Binder's vocals are very competent and clear. He certainly can belt it out. The band is one of those almost forgotten gems of the 80's metal scene. Well worth listening to for those fans of Ratt, Skid Row, and Dokken.

Track Listing

1. All Alone Again

2. You Were The One

3. I'm Hiding

4. Runnin'

5. Dungeon and Dragons

6. Lonely Stranger

7. Coming Back At You

8. Can't Let Go

9. Memories of You

10. The Natives Are Restless

Band Members

Lance Binder - Vocals / Bass / Keyboards 

Rick Del Castillo - Guitar / Vocals / Keyboards 

Hector Batiz - Drums / Vocals / Keyboards 

Download

Akasha on Reverbnation

Thanks to Strappado of Heavymetalrarities for the rip.

Sweet Nightmares - KPFT Radio Show (Early 1989)

I'm guessing on the date for this show but it should be close. Anyway this is a really good set-list of metal from the guys of Sweet Nightmares. Wes Weaver was really showcasing local metal with songs by Nemesis, Metal Force, Sacred Mission, Equinox, and Arctic Helm. These are the only songs by these bands I have ever heard so this is a chance to hear some really rare cuts of Texas metal. Check out my previous Sweet Nightmares post for more info about the show.

Track List

1. Nemesis - My Desire (???)

2. Metal Force - Onslaughter

3. Sacred Mission - Countdown to Doomsday

4. Equinox - Wings of Death

5. Anthrax - Madhouse

6. Anthrax - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

7. Metal Church - Beyond the Black

8. Metal Church - Metal Church

9. King Diamond - Omens

10. King Diamond - The Possession (tape flip)

11. Arctic Helm - Fallout

12. Infernal Majesty - Skeletons int he Closet

13. Infernal Majesty - Anthology of Death

14. Iron Maiden - Cross Eyed Mary

15. Iron Maiden - Killers (Live)

16. Mercyful Fate - Curse of the Pharoahs

17. Mercyful Fate - Evil

18. Paradox - Paradox

Download the Sweet Nightmares Radio Show

Hurlant - Demo (1989)

Let's file this under Great Bands That Should Have Been Bigger. From Austin, Hurlant can definitely keep up with the big boys of Texas metal. Playing thrash with a technical proficiency reminiscent of early Dark Angel, this band shows us that good songwriting, a competent singer, and actually being able to play your instrument are a recipe for really good heavy music. Very little information is on the web which is a shame; but do you want to know what is the biggest shame about this band?  Hurlant's whole discography consists of only 5 songs on two demos. Metal fans deserved more and so did the band.

Track Listing

1. Disconnect Society

2. Multiple Contusion Crew

3. What's Your Problem?

Band Members

Art Napoli - Bass, Vocals

Raymond Vasquez - Drums

Amhed Garcia - Guitars

Download

Thanks to Hi50metalmaniac for the rip.

Alyis - Demo (1989)

Today we're listening to Alyis from Houston, Texas. A speedy vocal delivery along with a touch of hardcore thrown into their thrash reminds me of another Houston band, the great Dresden 45. While not a true copy of D45, Alyis writes extremely catchy songs that stick in your head. Rough production values keep this demo from achieving true cult status yet it is a gem of a find for metal vinyl/cassette collectors. Alyis would go on to self-produce one more album, Suffer at Birth,  before calling it quits.

Track Listing

1. Inject the Master

2. Autopsy

3. Toxic Drop

4. Beer Fart

5. Why Us

6. Termination Insanity

Band Members

Tino Rodriguez - Bass

Cesar Castillo - Drums

Mickey Alaniz - Guitars

Stephen Hernandez - Guitars

Jesse "Be-Be" Guerra - Vocals

Download

Thanks to Klesch of Metalarea.org for the rip.

Final Assault / Vengeance - Final Vengeance: Within the Realm (Demo Re-Issue)

Today I'm highlighting another re-issue. This one by Texas Metal Underground Records. Final Assault was a speed metal/power metal band formed in 1985. They released a demo called First Warning that same year and the band playing live shows. In 1987, Final Assault attempted to move out to California hoping for more exposure but this led to the band almost breaking up. A few band member changes later, Final Assault recorded and released their second demo, Second Coming. This would be the last recording under the Final Assault name.

Final Assault is high energy metal with Alexander Robles vocals soaring into the stratosphere. Fans of Fates Warning or Sanctuary will be pleased to discover this band. The guitar playing is strong with a technical competence. As a whole, this band should have had a wider following than they had at the time.

In 1988, the band would reform with a new drummer and a new name, Vengeance. This version of the band was more polished in sound and songwriting than the previous band but it amounted to little with the band playing local shows and little recognition. Luckily, Texas Metal Underground Records heard the promise both bands held and re-issued the Final Assault demo (1988) and the Vengeance demo (1989) on one CD.

;\

Band Members

Alex Beltron - Bass (Final Assault/Vengeance)

David Vela - Drums (Final Assault)

Ace Tyler - Drums (Vengeance)

Ruben Vela - Guitars (Final Assault/Vengeance)

Izzy Munoz - Guitars (Final Assault/Vengeance)

Alexander Robels III - Vocals (Final Assault/Vengeance)

Buy Final Vengeance: Within the Realm at TMU Records

Sweet Nightmares - KPFT Radio Show (Nov. 1989)

Another 90 minutes of headbanging metal courtesy of the Sweet Nightmares radio show. This is a great set featuring a couple of demo cuts from Texas locals Watchtower and Morbid Scream. Check out my previous Sweet Nightmares post for more info about the show.

Track List

1. Bolt Thrower - Through the Eye of Terror

2. Morbid Angel - Visions from the Dark Side

3. Exhorder - Death in Vain (Demo)

4. Nasty Savage - Powerslam

5. Demolition Hammer - Infectious Hospital Waste (Demo)

6. D.R.I. - You Say I'm Scum

7. Testament - C.O.T.L.O.D.

8. Kreator - Impossible to Cure

9. Watchtower - Instruments of Random Murder (Demo)

10. Atheist - Room With A View (Tape Flip)

11. Intruder - Killing Winds

12. Bathory - Total Destruction

13. Morbid Scream - The Coming of War

14. Evil Dead - Sloe-Death

15. Indestroy - Senseless Theories

16. Tyrranicide - Drink, Drive and Die

17. Slayer - Epidemic

18. Recipients of Death - Flesh Burn

19. Prime Evil - Reality's Complete (Demo)

Download the Sweet Nightmares radio show

Scum of the Earth - Introduction to Filth (1989)

A bit of crossover thrash from Scum of the Earth of Dallas, Texas.

Not to be confused with the other band of the same name formed by members of Rob Zombie's band.

Track Listing

1. Introduction To Filth/Color Blind

2. Metal-Neck

3. Scum Of The Earth

4. Hypochristian

5. Tales Of The Plague

Band Members

Robert Holt - Bass

Robert Knott - Drums

Chris Thomas - Guitars

Moe - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

Download

Thanks to paranoizenola.com/thewayitwas for the rip.

Dark Reign - Mayhemic States (1989)

Another dark thrash band, Dark Reign of Houston, Texas.

Dark Reign created heavy death metal with evil, growling vocals. Perfect if you are feeling the blackness creeping in. The band broke up in '91 but some members went on to form Imprecation, furthering their progress towards even more brutal death metal. A few of the songs from this demo, along with their second demo Immolated Slaves and some live material, were re-released on CD as Anthology: A Dark Evolution which seems to be out-of-print.

Track Listing

1. Dissanctifically Deceased

2. Mayhemic States

3. Erebus

4. Regicide

Members

Schaun Drab - Bass

Ruben Elizondo - Drums

Phil Westmoreland - Guitars

Earl Long - Guitars

Rob Taylor - Vocals

Download

Thanks to YouTube user, NocturnalDevastator for the rip.

Malignant Terror - Demo (1989)

On to some heavier thrash courtesy of Malignant Terror of Houston, Texas.

Malignant Terror play crushing dark thrash. A little darker than some of their peers like dead horse and Academy Black, the Terror crew could be counted on to bring the evil to the stage.

Track Listing

1. Born Evil

2. Multiple Stab Wounds

3. Blue Death

4. Malignant Terror

Band Members

Kirk Buck - Bass, Vocals

Bart Brownlee - Drums

Vidal Martínez - Guitars, Vocals

James W. Anderson - Guitars, Vocals

Download

Thanks to YouTube user, Dhandrich for the rip.

Lunacy - Demo (1989)

Time for some crossover/thrash from Porter, Texas.

Lunacy was another active band during the late 80's who only released demos. Their logo with the moshing demon was a striking addition to every show flyer.

From Metal-archives.com:
Lunacy released demos in 1989 and 1991. The band was also included on the compilation LP "Voices of a Red God" in 1990.

Track Listing

1. Kaos

2. Comprehension

3. Nozone

4. Your Law 

5. 10,000 Years 

6. Lose a Screw

7. Never Mind

8. The Creation

9. Our Story

10. Lunacy Groovin' Tune

Band Members

Joe - Bass

Matthew - Drums

Dave - Guitars

Greg - Vocals

Download