From melodic heavy metal pioneers like Helloween (and later Gamma Ray and Iron Savior) to thrash greats like Kreator, and black metal forefathers Celtic Frost.
18 tracks, four of them live/rare, and the booklet is a careful cataloging of who was in the band, what album each song is from, and what year it was released.
I’m always surprised by how little I like Kreator’s ’90s releases. ’87’s Terrible Certainty is one of my faves, right up there with Slayer’s Reign in Blood.
A few of the songs have a cool groove, but the distorted chorus is a little too “Fuckin’ Hostile,” and the cheeseball delay on the vocals is so old, it stinks.
A Tribute to Judas Priest compiles established metal bands who were obviously inspired by Priest and fought by their side as true defenders of the faith.
A terrifyingly powerful record, produced huger than anything in Kreator’s back catalog. The cover art isn’t like days of old, but it’s Kreator, so it’s great.