Fifth Angel was one of the most dynamic live performers of the 1980's - their amazing live sets prompted Epic to sign the group in 1986. This original album stayed on the Billboard charts for thirteen weeks in 1988 and is filled with the powerful - yet melodic - rock that the group is known for, including "In The Fallout", "Cry Out The Fools", and "Fade to Flames".

Fifth Angel: Ted Pilot (vocals); Ed Archer, James Byrd (guitar); John Macko (bass); Ken Mary (drums).

This analogy may be a tad obscure for most people to grasp (but then again, maybe not if you've made it this far), but in terms of mid-'80s Seattle metal terms, one could say that Fifth Angel was the Saxon to Queensr?che's Iron Maiden. It's a stretch, but, like Queensr?che, Fifth Angel delved in classic metal deeply steeped in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal style. And, on this, their eponymous release (confusingly reissued by Epic almost two years later), the band boasted admirable technical chops while wheeling out solid metal anthems like "In the Fallout" (sounding like a Saxon outtake, but a good one at that), "Fifth Angel," and the majestic "Wings of Destiny." Unlike Queensr?che, however, they never had a chance to develop their sound, despite showing a keen eye for the commercial metal conventions of the time (see their pretty outfits and well-sculpted hair). Still, for fans of American-made classic metal, this remains an important work worth seeking out. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

Genre:

• Heavy Metal

Labels:

• Collectables Records

Music Categories:

• Rock & Pop: Hard Rock

Product Groupings:

• Clearance CDs
• Collectables Records - Audio CDs

Product Series:

• Metal Works Headbanger's