Silent Rage

*Written for the 10th MA Virgin Reviews Challenge

Anaconda’s ‘Silent Rage’ EP found its way into my collection, and became one of my favourite power metal records of the early part of this year – having a catchiness and replayability to it that was quite addictive. It’s not an offering of amazing caliber – like perhaps the Paramoure or Mindless Sinner debut which I acquired at the same time and also thrashed till death to, but it has a cool genuine power metal sound – raw, unpolished, true, rugged – all of the above. Anyway, collectors of the classic ‘80s metal and especially you ‘80s USPM collectors would be advised to check this one out.

While none of the songs are complete mindblowers, a feel tracks like ‘Thousand Rains’ have a definite quality to them, like a less raw or aggressive Oliver Magnum; anthemic, but still somewhat in their infancy- though it does featre radical guitars and lyrics which really convey some imagery. ‘Silent Rage’ is somewhat the same – you can almost feel a hint of Sentinel Beastish roughness trying to boil to the top. Shit is gallopy and at it’s most aggressive in this cut. Rick Camden’s vocal stylings have a throaty whinge to them; he isn’t the master of highs that some are, and as a result, these do not feature as prominently as they do in many of Anaconda’s contemporaries tracks. The token balled ‘Life on Strings’ is pretty darn awesome- slow, dreamlike, NWOBHMy ballad, with great, moody guitars, and an all-round quality ambience going on. Meanwhile ‘Surrender’, with its chanting, backup choruses, has an adolescent, almost NWOSHM feel going on. Charming.

Some contenders would argue this thing isn’t worth checking out, while others would say it’s just the thing for you if you’re into collecting “that next” ‘80s power metal band. Well, while this one doesn’t kick as many asses as say Paramoure, Attaxe, or Banshee on first acquisition, it is certainly passable quality USPM. Some of the guitar play really rocks one out – particularly the Iron Maidenish things going on in the awesome ‘Thousand Rains’. Not top-tier power metal by any means, but worth checking out for the collectors of the stuff for sure. Not absolutely essential, but far, far from horrible. Check it out.

-DeathRiderDoom