OBSCENE JESTER — Citadels on Fire (review)

OBSCENE JESTER — Citadels on Fire album cover EP · 1989 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Citadels on Fire" is an EP release by US, Texas based power/thrash metal act Obscene Jester. The EP was released through Chase Records in 1989. Originally only on cassette tape, and it wasn´t until 2015 that the EP saw a CD release through Divebomb Records. Obscene Jester proved a short-lived act forming in 1987 and disbanding in 1991 after releasing "Citadels on Fire" and a 1990 demo. A debut album was alledgedly recorded but it was not released because the band split-up, and it has yet to see the light of day (as of November 2024). Obscene Jester played one reunion show in 2015, featuring Jaret Reddick of Bowling for Soup on vocals replacing original vocalist Sammy Stovall (who performs on "Citadels on Fire").

Stylistically the material on "Citadels on Fire" is thrash metal with a lead singer who sometimes sings a little more melodic and therefore enters US power metal territory. Not completely unlike a contemporary act like Intruder (from Nashville, Tennessee). Although the band do venture into both melodic US power/heavy metal territories and even could be labelled a bit progressive at times ("Apocalyptic Prophecy" is a good example of all their stylistic elements on display), this is however still mainly a thrash metal release featuring hard edged thrashy riffs and rhythms, blistering lead guitar work, and a nice portion of aggression.

"Citadels on Fire" is well produced, featuring a powerful, detailed, and effectful sound production, which suits the material perfectly. It´s an EP release worth spending your time on if you enjoy artists who combine thrash metal with US power/heavy metal elements. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

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

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
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
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed