Hellion — To Hellion And Back (2014)

Double disk and twenty-eight songs, now we’re talking metaaaaaaaal! Bustin’ full of 80s arena rock sounds, Hellion’s fast paced metal is invigorating and maybe even dipping it’s toes into thrash metal waters occasionally. For those who missed them the first time around, but have heard the stories of Ann Boleyn and her metallic crew (graciously taken under the wing of the late great Ronnie James Dio) here is a darn fine way to have them introduced. With a distinct focus on the vocals (as all 80s production swang) and a more even musical mix across the board, one could almost accuse the guitars of being a little to low in the mix… having said that, it was these sounds that gave the bands of that era a memorable cutting edge and identity. You can hear the tempos, changes, and ferocity, in tracks like ‘Backstabber’, ‘Run For Your Life’, ‘Screams In The Night’ and ‘Nevermore’ – something that many a modern day band fails to deliver. Of course Hellion will have a specific sound, but it’s not monotone, and even with the content’s age, it actually sends a well needed shot of variety into the metal genre. Screaming out a top-notch version of Judas Priest’s ‘Exciter’ proves Ann Boleyn could give most male vocalists a real run for their money, and compounds the fact that she was sitting firmly in the top league of front-women, who were sadly a scarce item back in the day. (Mark Freebase)