How did I come across this group you may ask? Well I'll was flicking through the TV channels one night and happened upon an impressive live Metal band, well and behold it turned out to be an excerpt from the film 'Vice Versa', which featured 'Malice', so I scoured the internet and got my hands on this their debut. Any good you ask? You bet, very 'Judas Priest' old school Metal in approach and fronted by the superb 'James Neal' who sounds more than a little like 'Rob Halford', while twin guitarists 'Jay Reynolds' and 'Mick Zane' are also impressive. Ultimately this is a tad over-the-top 80's in the style, while the production could be a little sharper, but that said a really enjoyable release from a group who should have found much more success.

'In the Beginning' opens with the steady plodder 'Rockin' with You', a relatively low key track by their usual standards, but still a good solid rocker, 'James Neal' immediately displays his vocal talents and is well supported throughout. The tempo is lifted for the pulsating rocker 'Into the Ground', which ebbs and flows in fine fashion and highlights deft fret work by 'Jay Reynolds' and 'Mick Zane', especially on the solo. Brisker still is the 'Judas Priest' reminiscent 'Air Attack' which sees 'James Neal' well and truly into 'Halford' territory, in fact he steals the show with a stunning vocal performance, while the rhythm section are stalwart throughout. Slighter darker in approach is the riff driven 'Stellar Master', lyrically it's a mixed bag, but another good Metal fist-raiser, that comes complete with a couple of choice solos. The more melodic 'Tarot Dealer' ensues in fine form, lyrically it's all pretty elementary but still very potent, especially that of the gloriously sung chorus, which really hits the spot. Not quite so cutting is the more chart friendly Hair Metal of 'Squeeze it Dry', which comes across too predictable and is ultimately not one of their best. Much better is the rip-roaring 'Hellrider', the tempo is fast and furious, graced with superb fret work and all finished off with 'James Neal's' punishing vocals. The momentum falls for the mid tempo 'No Haven for the Raven', which despite having plenty of promise, just falls short of the mark, the intro and melody is reminiscent of 'Maiden's' 'Strange World', but the song just drags and the chorus is a let-down. Also just missing the mark is 'The Unwanted' which sounds under-produced, 'James's' vocals seem uneven in the mix, but that said the guitarists turn in a good performance on this 'Lizzy Borden' implicative number. In my opinion they have saved the best for last with 'Godz of Thunder' a superlative track, again with shades of 'Priest', all the members of the band are on top form throughout, the rhythm section lay down a refined chug, 'James' does wonders with some hearty lyrics, while the guitarists again fail to disappoint.

I strongly recommend this forgotten gem, had the production been better I would definitely have rated this even higher, as it stands it's still a quality piece of overlooked old school Metal.