Release Date: 25 January 2019
Label: Hear No Evil / Cherry Red
Packaging Type: Clamshell
No of Units: 4
Barcode: 5013929921405
Genres: Hard Rock & Metal Heavy Metal
Description
Whilst the nascent "New Wave Of British Heavy Metal" movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s was raging just across the English Channel, spearheaded by debuts from the likes of Iron Maiden, Saxon and Angel Witch, and in part inspired by well-established bands such as Motorhead and Judas Priest, Belgium was fomenting its own highly influential rock and metal scene. .At its forefront was Belgian heavy metal group Killer. A power trio founded in 1980 around lead guitarist and vocalist Paul Van Camp, joined by Fat Leo on drums and Spooky on bass guitar and vocals, Killer released their debut "Ready For Hell" on WEA Records, soon finding a cult following at home and abroad. Hailed, not unreasonably, as Belgium's Motorhead, "Ready For Hell" can sit proudly alongside any NWOBHM debuts of the era, and would in turn be a major influence a few years later on the burgeoning thrash metal of Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer in the early 80s. The bonus tracks on CD1 are 'From Nine To Five', 'Too Wild To Tame', 'Crazy Circus' and 'Chinese Woman'. .At the end of 1981, Fat Leo was replaced on drums by Double Bear for 1982's "Wall Of Sound" LP, which saw Killer making a greater impact beyond Belgium, becoming a popular fixture on European festival bills. The bonus track on "Walls Of Sound" is the self-explanatory 'Walls Of Hell'. .Killer's management formed the highly influential metal label Mausoleum Records, and unsurprisingly, Killer were a perfect fit for the label, recording the "Shockwaves" LP. Mausoleum would also launch cult Belgian bands such as Ostrogoth, Crossfire, Danger, FN Guns, and Lions Pride, as well as non-Belgian acts Wildfire, Faithful Breath and Warlock, all becoming highly collectable releases. The bonus tracks on "Shockwaves" demonstrate what Killer did best with live versions of 'Shock Waves', 'Scarecrow', 'In The Name Of The Law' and 'Kleptomania'. Although the band disbanded in early 1987, with Paul Van Camp releasing his self-titled solo debut the same year.
Tracklisting
Various Artists
Various Artists
The Residents
The Residents
The Move
Shirley Bassey
Pat Travers
Mud
Killer
Killer
