CRO-MAGS — Alpha-Omega

MetalMusicArchives.com — the ultimate metal music online community, with discographies, reviews and forums

CRO-MAGS - Alpha-Omega cover
3.17 | 2 ratings | 1 review
Buy this album from MMA partners

Album · 1992

Filed under Crossover Thrash
By CRO-MAGS

Tracklist


A1. See the Signs (04:07)
A2. Eyes of Tomorrow (03:28)
A3. The Other Side of Madness (Revenge) (06:02)
A4. Apocalypse Now (08:08)
B1. The Paths of Perfection (03:05)
B2. Victims (04:41)
B3. Kuruksetra (04:11)
B4. Changes (11:47)

Total Time 46:47


CD edition:

1. See the Signs (04:07)
2. Eyes of Tomorrow (03:28)
3. The Other Side of Madness (Revenge) (06:02)
4. Apocalypse Now (08:08)
5. The Paths of Perfection (03:05)
6. Victims (04:41)
7. VII (01:18)
8. Kuruksetra (04:11)
9. Changes (11:47)

Total Time 46:47


2010 / 2016 CD editions:

10. Omega Jam (04:37)

Total Time 46:47

Line-up/Musicians


- John Joseph / vocals
- Harley Flanagan / bass, vocals
- Doug Holland / guitars
- Gabby Abularach / guitars
- Dave DiCenso / drums

About this release

CD, cassette and 12" vinyl LP released 12th May 1992 on Century Media Records.

CD released 21st August 1992 on Metal Mania (TECX-25292).

CD released June 2010 on Divebomb Records (DIVE011).

12" vinyl LP released August 2013 on Demons Run Amok Entertainment (DRA080).

Cassette released 1st November 2014 on Eyetooth Collective (ETC008).

CD reissued 12th August 2016 on Divebomb Records (DIVE118).

Digital album released 12th August 2016 on Tribunal Records.

Recorded at Normandy Sound.

Thanks to Time Signature, theheavymetalcat, UMUR, Bosh66 for the updates



Buy CRO-MAGS - ALPHA-OMEGA music

CRO-MAGS ALPHA-OMEGA reviews

Specialists/collaborators reviews

UMUR
"Alpha-Omega" is the third full-length studio album by US, New York based hardcore/crossover thrash metal act Cro-Mags. The album was released through Century Media Records in May 1992. It´s the successor to "Best Wishes" from 1989 and only Harley Flanagan (bass, vocals) and Doug Holland (guitars) remain from the lineup who recorded the predecessor. New in the lineup are drummer Dave DiCenso, guitarist Gabby Abularach, and lead vocalist John Joseph. The latter makes a return to the band after he quit in 1987 and relieves Flanagan from his lead vocalist duties (Flanagan performed lead vocals on "Best Wishes (1989)").

Stylistically Cro-Mags add another layer of heavy/thrash metal influences to their hardcore/crossover thrash metal sound, and this was their most "metal" release up until then. The album features quite a few powerful riffs and heavy rhythms and some nice lead guitar work too (which often reminds me of Rocky George from Suicidal Tendencies). The return of Joseph to the lineup unfortunately does nothing good for the music. He has a pretty awful voice and vocal style. When he sings in raw hardcore mode it´s actually decent enough, but whenever he tries to sing anything melodic or performs one of his awkward sounding shouts it´s hard not to cringe with embarassement. I´m a bit harsh on him here, but there are just some vocal moments on this album which are unacceptable on a professional recording. His rap style vocals on "Eyes of Tomorrow" doesn´t help on that impression. I found his unique vocal style quite charming on "The Age of Quarrel" (1986), but here it´s more forced and strained, which is not pleasing to the ears.

When that is said the instrumental part of the music thankfully elevates the album to a higher state. There are some very powerful and intriguing songwriting ideas here, which deserve praise. It´s obvious that these guys are much more than "just" a another hardcore/crossover thrash metal act from New York. "Alpha-Omega" is well produced too, featuring a clear, powerful, and detailed sound production, which suits the material well. So other than the awkward vocals, this is through and through a quality release. So a 3 star (60%) rating isn´t all wrong, but be prepared for some pretty odd sounding vocals.

Members reviews

No CRO-MAGS ALPHA-OMEGA reviews posted by members yet.

Ratings only

  • GWLHM76

Write/edit review

You must be logged in to write or edit review

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

The Dormant Stranger Melodic Death Metal
DISARMONIA MUNDI
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Divine And The Serpentine Melodic Death Metal
SHRIKE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Where Is Your God Now Groove Metal
DESTROY HUMANITY
Buy this album from MMA partners
Resolve Metalcore
SCARLET SEMBLANCE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Phobias Deathcore
TRAITORS
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us