HELLION — Screams in the Night (review)

HELLION — Screams in the Night album cover Album · 1987 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
Mjöllnir
When I discovered this band, I was sure that this album was the tip of the iceberg and there was greater heights to reach with them. Sadly for me this turned out not to be the case. What we have here is a competent 80s, typically US album with some touches that push it above the regular. One of these is clearly vocalist Ann Boleyn with her cat like howling and searing vocal delivery. You can’t accuse her of sounding like anyone else. The other is guitarist Chet Thompson (allegedly a student of Randy Rhoads) whose flashy lead work gives it some flavour.

Sometimes this album wants to be all edgy and “true metal”, as on the title track and “The Hand”, and other times it wants to be stadium rocky and glam as on “Bad Attitude" and “Easy Action". It also tries its hand, quite effectively, at the atmospheric and moody on the final “The Tower of Air”. The beginning and end are the peak of my interest in this album, though there’s good stuff pattered through most songs, though “Easy Action” and “Explode” are generally a little stale. One thing I find interesting is that despite all the individual elements they have working in their favour, it never really comes together to become anything special.

Finally, a few words about the other two albums I’ve heard by them. “The Black Book” had some promise, touting itself as a proper metal album flying in the face of the early 90s trends and this is quite true. However, I found it just plain ordinary and burdened with an awful concept. “Will Not Go Quietly” is far more aggressive and holds moments of interest, but I find it wanting in terms of plain good songs.
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