| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Metal Gem / No Remorse | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1987 / 2018 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 48:30 |
What does $550 buy you these days? A set of nice used patio furniture or perhaps tickets, refreshments and parking to an NBA game for you, the spouse and kids? If a hard music enthusiast, you can spend it on a used vinyl copy of the independently released 1987 six-song debut EP of Emerald, Armed For Battle:
Hailing from Southern California, and arising out of the eighties Sunset Strip metal scene, Emerald was founded in 1978 by 15-year-old guitarist Dave Enos and 22-year-old vocalist Larry Phillips. Subsequent to going through a literal revolving door of bassists and drummers, the group solidified the Armed For Battle line up with drummer Kyle Morrett and bassist Roger Martin (Vengeance Rising).
The group settled on the Emerald moniker due to its versatility: not only does it represent a stone in the throne of God, but it also does not force you to place a label on the band in terms of the style of music that it plays. Consider, for instance, how Emerald (as taken from an interview back in the day) describes itself as ‘(not) a typical Christian band- we don’t feel led to minster. In fact, we look at ourselves as a band of Christians rather than a Christian band’. More specifically, ‘When we started out (even before Stryper) we wanted to go out into the whole world, because we felt our songs were to be sung to the world rather than sung in churches. We would rather sing songs to lead people to the Word (rather) than preach to them’.
Armed For Battle was recorded on a budget of 13k, which, unfortunately, left little if no money for promotion. The album, nevertheless, sold well in Europe’s underground metal scene, particularly in Germany, Switzerland and Denmark. It soon went out of print and turned into a highly sought after collector’s item, which prompted several re-issues. First traces to 2001 and Magdalene Records as a ‘2-for-1’ CD alongside Oracle’s romping power metal EP Selah. Bonus material comes in the form of the two songs Emerald recorded for the California Metal II compilation from 1988, “Traitor” and “Born To Die”.
With the Magdalene re-issue also out of print and demand - not to mention prices! - increasing exponentially, Armed For Battle saw re-release a second time in December of 2018 on No Remorse Records on CD and vinyl. Bonus tracks include two additional songs Emerald recorded during the Armed For Battle sessions, “Traitor” and “Vengeance Is Mine”, and two others off the groups demo from 1984, “King Of The Universe” and “Battleground”. Suspiciously, the two California Metal II songs were not included.
I have always identified with Emerald as straightforward heavy metal strongly slanted towards the melodic side of things. Nothing better exemplifies this than the Armed For Battle opening title track, which storms its distance to raw edged guitars, plundering bass and the group’s penchant for hooks of an understated capacity. Varied vocalist Larry Phillips leads off with a high-end falsetto but otherwise resides in smooth classic tenor to gritty middle register territory.
“Teenage Suicide” is first of the bands two epics in excess of seven minutes. As expected, the song features its share of time signatures, which run the gamut from light and airy moments in which delicate guitars hold sway and others of a more decided nature that find rhythm guitars powering to the front of the mix. The group exhibits a great deal of emotion in light of the subject at hand. Of equal note is how Dave Enos shows off his abundant shredding throughout the extended instrumental interlude.
“We Attack” does exactly that with its walloping guitar presence and buffeting low end. Up-tempo and high energy all the way, the song elevates hooks to the next level (this is where the Emerald melodic metal propensity comes into play) and aligns them with heavy set backing vocals (to create an effect reminding of classic metal act Saint). If the Emerald goal is to merge equal parts melody and heaviness then on “We Attack” it succeeds laudably.
“Look To The Stars” presents with some atmospheric and moody tinctures that mirror semi ballad territory. Starting to clashing symbols, the song slowly drifts forward with impetus building to the point guitars crash in to fortify the ennobled chorus, which reflects some lofty melodic power metal touches. Despite falling victim to the hair metal trappings of the time - Emerald decked itself in green spandex along with teased hair and makeup - the group reveals on “Look To The Stars” (and other tracks) there is much more to it musically.
Speaking of which, aptly entitled seven minute “Winds Of Doom” proves the albums magnum opus with its light progressive facets. The song, appropriately, fades in to howling wind prior to deliberately drifting through its verses to ethereal guitars, not reaching its apex until breaking out for the contrastingly doom-like tinctures to its arduous (and quite catchy) refrain. Another extensive instrumental section runs the gamut from swift soloing to drum rolls and fills to bluesy harmonizing.
“Judgement Day” represents quintessential Emerald with its backbone of the sinewy and accessible. The song starts to a keyboard solo that gives way to the guitars that set the technical tone moving ahead, with the gist a dark and pensive mid-paced environment that revels in an arresting low end as Phillips reaches down and lends some fitting muscle to his delivery. Best way to describe things might be Zaxas mixed with early Jacobs Dream.
Of the bonus material, “Traitor” is right up there with its Armed For Battle cohorts as short (3:37) but fleet straight on metal intrinsic to subtle hooks and darker vestiges to remind somewhat of Ozzy. If given choice, I prefer the Armed For Battle original in that the Elefante produced California Metal II rendering comes with a bit too much polish for my taste (or at least enough to factor out the bands natural, raw energy). I identify with “Vengeance Is Mine” as one of Emerald’s most aggressive, with the smashing guitar riffs and heavyset backing vocals almost touching upon a thrash quality. Great guitar solo to boot.
The demo tracks might have some rough edges in comparison to their Armed For Battle counterparts but otherwise sound fine in light of the mid-eighties period in which they were recorded. “King Of The Universe” stands out as classic melodic metal with its keyed up and high energy bent, not to mention instrumental section that runs the gamut from smooth harmonies to blistering lead guitar. “Battleground” increased energy levels further with its speed metal aptitude as brazen hooks and romping rhythm section carry what amounts a chaotic (in a positive sense) four minutes. Quality to the two is that they could easily have made the ninth and tenth songs to Armed For Battle.
On a side note: I initially became acquainted with “Battleground” from its appearance on White Metal Invasion, a custom cassette compilation released in 1989 as a fundraiser for White Throne magazine. In also featuring cuts from Divine Right, Chariot, Armada, Seraiah, Full Armor, Soldier, Taker and Apostle, its track listing represents a ‘who’s who’ of the unsigned eighties Christian metal scene. It also includes a song off the Xalt cassette release Dark War in addition to an unreleased Angelica demo track. Good news is that White Metal Invasion is slated for re-release on Roxx Records later in the year (2019).
Outside of the bonus cuts, another advantage to the No Remorse re-issue is the quality packaging to include a multi-page mini booklet exclusive to vintage band photos, a montage of concert flyers and ticket stubs and a detailed lineup history to the band over its ten-year career. I am uncertain if Armed For Battle has been re-mastered, but when I listen to the No Remorse and Magdalene versions side by side, former comes across with the cleaner sound that does away with much of the muddiness indicative to the former (better-defined low end, crisper guitars, etc).
Lone constructive commentary revolves around how No Remorse could have made better of the bonus track situation. It remains puzzling why the California Metal II songs ended up omitted. Initial thought is that it could pertain to licensing, but Roxx Records was able to include the CMII tracks for the anthology releases it put out last year for Malachia and Soldier, respectively. Perhaps it was a band decision revolving around dissatisfaction with CMII? Regardless, why not dig deeper and include more than just two demo tracks in addition to a second CD made up of live recordings (the Emerald performance at the His II festival in 1988 would be a good place to start). Finally, it would also make sense to offer on a limited edition basis a bonus DVD of live footage (if available).
It is disappointing Emerald disbanded in the wake of recording the California Metal II tracks: if given a deal with a label such as Enigma or Geffen it had the deft songwriting touch to deliver a full-length follow up album with the potential to be something special. Further setting Emerald apart is how one cannot pigeonhole it as another ‘hair metal’ band from how it imbues its sound with occasional elements of doom, power and even progressive metal. If interested in an obscure but musically solid eighties metal gem (no pun intended) then check out the No Remorse re-release to Armed For Battle while it is still available and inevitably turning into a highly sought after and expensive collectors item.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Armed For Battle" (4:13), "Judgement Day" (4:10), "Teenage Suicide" (7:50), "We Attack" (3:55), "Winds Of Doom" (7:00), “Traitor” (3:39), "Look To The Stars" (5:07), “Vengeance Is Mine” (4:03), “King Of The Universe” (4:02), “Battleground” (4:02)
Musicians
Larry Phillips - Lead Vocals
Dave Enos - Guitars
Roger Martin - Bass
Kyle Morrett - Drums
