AVENGER (UK)
“THE SLAUGHTER NEVER STOPS”
(re issue)
Album Review by Piers Renfree

8/10

Back in 1982, in the north of England, a group of musicians came together to form the metal band, Avenger. The four musicians who made up Avenger, Ian Swift – vocals, Mick Moore – bass, Gary Young – drums and Les Cheetham – guitar,  recorded 2 albums; 84’s “Blood Sport” and 85’s “Killer Elite”. Both albums showcased the band’s musical abilities, although to these ears, “Blood Sport” was a bit patchy – there were some real gems on the album, yet there were also some moments where the band struggled to gel. “Killer Elite” on the other hand was the moment where everything clicked and should have propelled them alongside the likes of Judas Priest, Ozzy, Saxon, Motörhead and Iron Maiden.

Sadly, that was not to be, as despite touring the UK and Europe, the band’s record label was unable to give the band the support they needed and in 1985, the band members decided that it was best that they call it a day. In 2002, Sanctuary Records re-released Avenger’s mid-80’s albums and the following year, Frontline Rock, a Brazilian label, released both of the band’s albums in Latin America. In 2005, Mick Moore, Gary Young and Ian Swift decided that there was unfinished business and recruited guitarists Liam Thompson and Glenn Howes. Avenger rose from the ashes, breathed again and began assaulting stages around the UK and Europe.

Two years later, Mick Moore left the band and Huw Holding took over for two years and then Ian “Fuzz” Fulton took over bass duties. In 2014, the line-up of Ian Swift – lead vocals, Gary Young – drums and backing vocals, Liam Thompson – guitar and backing vocals, Sean Jefferies – guitar and Ian “Fuzz” Fulton” recorded the band’s third full length album “The Slaughter Never Stops”, which was originally released via Rocksector Records, as a limited edition CD.

Following their successful re-issues of “Blood Sports” and “Killer Elite” (both with bonus tracks) earlier this year, Dissonance Records are now re-releasing “The Slaughter Never Stops”. With brand new artwork from Roberto Toderico (who has done artwork for NWOBHM legends Tygers Of Pan Tang, Quartz and Mythra) this album will be released as CD and also vinyl LP. Of the band’s three albums to date, this one has probably the best written songs and is their strongest, musically. The band are tight, effortlessly weaving through time changes and giving us some great guitar harmonies and solos.

Sadly, the album is let down (to these ears), by Ian Swift’s vocals. His voice doesn’t seem so strong with the quality of music on offer here and a lot of his vocal melodies don’t fit the music and have me thinking of Lee Dorian from Cathedral. Despite a more than acceptable cover of Iron Maiden’s “Killers”, his vocals aren’t 100% in with the music.

Overall, musically this album is one of the best British metal albums for a long time, but the vocals make it a solid, rather than spectacular effort.

TRACKLIST

Mace Imperial
Race Against Time
Fate
Fields Of The Burnt
Into The Nexus
Decimated
In Arcadia Go
Killers
Flayer Psychosis
Shot To Hell
Midnight Mass Destruction

http://www.avenger-uk.com/
https://www.facebook.com/avengerukofficial/

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