GRIM REAPER - Fear No Evil (Reissue)

GRIM REAPER - Rock You To Hell		Spitfire Records
	Posted: 10/30/04 Reviewed by: Dirt Category: Heavy Metal Original Release: 1987 – RCA Records Reissued: 10/2000 Label URL: www.spitfirerecords.com

Described at the “album of our lives” by guitarist Nick Bowcott, *Rock You To Hell* was both the pinnacle and end of Grim Reaper’s career. Unbeknownst to most, *Rock You To Hell* was recorded twice. The first version (which was never released) was recorded while the band was under contract with UK label Ebony records. Reaper considered it to be sonically sub-par, and RCA (the US label that had been licensing Reaper’s albums from Ebony) rejected it. After Reaper’s lawyers found that Ebony financially breached the band’s contract, the group signed directly to RCA. The second recording of *RYTH* came when RCA put the band in the studio with well-known producer Max Norman. The result was Grim Reaper’s greatest achievement, a solid slab of well-produced energetic metal, with neck-snapping drums beats, the soaring vocals of Steve Grimmett, amazing riffs and leads, as well as infectious verses and choruses that you just had to sing along with. The hooky, anthemic title track became the video, and received quite a bit of weekly play on MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball. The band even headlined a strong tour with Helloween and Armored Saint. MTV also broadcasted one of the live shows on Halloween night in 1987 - a memorable metal moment when MTV seemed to be going in the right direction. Unfortunately, though, this was a time when concerts did not receive the benefit of a rebroadcast. Songwise, there isn’t a week moment on *RYTH. Every single track is memorable and will remain in your head. Norman captured something that the band wasn’t able to display on See You In Hell* and *Fear No Evil. The cleaner and brighter production took Grim Reaper from a rough n’ raw feel to a professional sound, without sacrificing their heaviness. Most importantly, it that stands up to anything recorded today. Unfortunately, Ebony sued Reaper for breach of contract, causing the band to breakup. It took five years for the court to throw out the case but by then grunge ruled the world. Prior to the lawsuit coming down, Grim Reaper had another record written, the humorously titled, Nothing Whatsover To Do With Hell, but it never saw the light of day. Interestingly, in the liner notes (dated 8/00), Bowcott mentioned that the band has talked about releasing it. The Bloody Truth:* Cheers to Spitfire Records for keeping the Grim Reaper catalog alive n’ well. A forgotten gem, *Rock You To Hell* is one of my Top 10 favorites of all time. It includes every ingredient that good metal should – loud guitars, catchy riffs, up-front traditional drumming, a versatile vocalist who can hit all registers, and hooks, hooks and more hooks. This disc rules, no doubt about it. If you love the real metal bands of the 80s and missed this one, unearth it now!

Posted: 10/30/04