Was there ever such a thing as the New Wave of American Heavy Metal? It's rarely mentioned but while a lot of the British bands from the early 80's were actually quite close to punk with their no nonsense approach, the American heavy metal as it was introduced on compilation series such as Mike Varney's "US Metal" and Brian Slagel's "Metal Massacre" seemed more interested in combining RAINBOW's fire-and-ice antics with the harder edged riffola (not to mention stagewear) of JUDAS PRIEST. Yeah, yeah, I know, you can probably name lots of exceptions as well, but the point I'm trying to make here is that for a Euroweenie like yours truly who grew up with the NWOBHM, the American bands were somewhat different from their British cousins. A band like ARMORED SAINT could never have come from Britain, really.

One of those American bands was ANVIL CHORUS, who released several demo's and one very sought after single ("Blondes In Black") before splitting up. Guitarist Doug Piercy later surfaced in HEATHEN and there was some vague connection to METAL CHURCH as well. Now second guitarist Thaen Rasmussen is back with his new band BLACK SUN and this is their first 4-track EP. The first two songs "Snap Into Action" and "Never Over" are prime examples of that typical American metal sound of the 80's. Decent, very well played, but nothing I've never heard before. It's the third song "Black Sun" that truly stands out. A huge metal epic with a great chorus and lead singer Kevin Shaffer in top form. If they're capable of writing more songs of this caliber we've got ourselves a great new band. The CD ends with a version of the ROLLING STONES' "Street Fighting Man", a nice encore but not as good as their own material, nor does it top the original.

80' metal purists who've worn out their old vinyl can finally add something new to the collection.

- Van Hoften

OFFICIAL SITE: www.blacksunsf.com

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