Tokyo Blade - Warriors of the Rising Sun
I never really bothered listening to Tokyo Blade much. I’m sure I listened to a couple songs at one point but I don’t think I’ve ever even heard a full album. This was better than I expected, the sound and vocal performance is great, this moody melodic style of NWOBHM really works for me on occasion because you can’t really find it anywhere else. It seemed to be a little overlong but the dramatic climax made up for that. Great stuff. 8/10.
Geisha Goner - The Fallen Race
One of the weaker songs on the album, too triplet-chuggy. Hilarious vocals though. 5/10.
Martyr - Speed of Samurai
Much better than the Canadian band, pure Maiden-loving trad. 7/10.
Flotsam & Jetsam - No Place for Disgrace
10/10.
Metalucifer - Heavy Metal Samurai
Good chorus and the vocalist has passion, but everything else is pretty lame. Metal for people that enjoy metal ironically but are too delusional and strung out to realize it. 3/10.
Sabbat - Samurai Zombies
What the fuck, do you guys only recommend the earliest stuff and The Dwelling to hide that they actually have good riffs on some of their less known stuff? This is awesome, I’ve heard people compare them to Destruction but never found them even in the same ballpark until this. Although there’s a cool mournful Adramelch melodic speed metal vibe here as well. Downloading this album now. 9/10.
Cacophony - Sword of the Warrior
Never listened to this second album, thought the first had its moments but was kinda overrated. This is surprisingly Watchtower/Juggernaut-esque, awkward production, awkward vocals, rambling almost-thrash riffs, I love it. Ooh these are some sexy leads too. Another one straight to the immediate listening pile. 9/10.
Nightstryke - The Story of the Forty Seven Ronin
Pretty basic, and what the fuck is up with this recording? Is the drummer recording on his laptop’s microphone or something? Some points for having their heart in the right place though. 4/10.
Enforcer – Katana
I like some of what Enforcer has done, but this is a little too emulative of generic NWOBHM stuff. Although somehow I still remember that chorus even though I probably haven’t heard the album since it came. Really it’s the reliance on that ONE and a TWO and a THREE and riff that Iron Maiden overused to hell, combined with the McBrain-style drumming that hurts this song. They got better when they upped the speed metal. 4/10.
Hellhound - Samurai Warrior
Uninteresting and generic. 3/10.