| Musical Style: Melodic Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 13 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: 56:52 |
Judea might not be a household name to many hard music fans, but to us it points to an eighties influenced melodic metal act to place two very fine tracks on the 1988 California Metal II compilation, “Heart Of Stone” and “Knock”. Otherwise, little if anything else is known of the group in that it literally fell beneath the radar. The California Metal II CD packaging, for instance, failed to include any biographical or background details in regards to Judea, while well known ‘zines’ back in the day such as White Throne and Heaven’s Metal did not review its demo material. I was left with the conclusion that Judea was either a studio project revolving around California Metal II or was a ‘one and done’ band that demoed a handful of songs only to fade into obscurity.
Enter Roxx Records and its spring of 2022 compilation Out Of The Dark: The Lost Sessions to prove how I could not have been more mistaken as it pertains to Judea, whom turned out to be quite the prolific outfit despite not receiving the recognition it might have deserved. In addition to said California Metal II tracks, Out Of The Darkness encompasses the ‘Lost Pakaderm Sessions’ from 1986 to include alternate versions to “Heart Of Stone” and “Knock” in addition to two previously unreleased songs. Additional unreleased material comprise a lone cut recorded for the final Pakaderm sessions from 1987 along with two 1985 demo tracks and a single California sessions song recorded in 1991. Finally, Out Of The Darkness also consists of recent material such as a lone 2006 demo track and two others recorded under the heading Judea 2.0.
Packaging and re-mastering are up to standard. Former attributes to Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics to highlight eye catching cover art and professional mini booklet made up of lyrics and liner notes in an easy to read font and montage of band photos and concert flyers. Latter credits to Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound to bring the Judea material up to modern standards.
I am going to begin the song breakdown by skipping ahead to end of the track listing and focusing on the two California Metal II cuts. “Heart Of Stone” impresses as a moody and introspective mid-tempo track to see contemplative bass trade off with gripping rhythm guitar and lush vocal melodies, while “Knock” maneuvers at a more forward tempo to a stauncher guitar focus in which airy keyboards and every bit forthright hooks play prevalent roles. Standing out in the process is the refined Pakaderm Studios production attributing to John and Dino Elefante.
The four Lost Pakaderm Session tracks might not mirror quite the same level of polish but sound solid all the same. I take to the alternate version of “Heart Of Stone” with its added guitar edges and enhanced bass not to mention slower tempo allowing its melody to further separate. Likewise, added grit rises to the surface on “Knock” as found in pronounced layers of distortion and occasional feedback. Either way impression is that Judea is less of a ‘hair metal’ or ‘glam metal’ band but rather a metal band with a melodic edge.
Of the unreleased tracks, “Turning Away” impresses as burnished melodic hard rock with an upbeat disposition and glossy backing vocals to repeat its title in soothing fashion and “The Wanderer” an atmospheric AOR tinctured ballad interlaced with acoustic guitar and decisive bass to point to the commercial. Of note is how Norman Stevens imbues both with his ably done lead guitar work.
Final Pakaderm Session cut “Over And Done” is groups shortest at three minutes but also one of its fastest with riveting momentum and metal guitar edges to make a near speed based statement. It is a challenge to keep the pronounced melody out of your head! Also apparent is the talent of immaculate classic tenor Randal Drew Smith, whom helps give Judea its unique heavy but melodic sound.
First 1985 demo cut “City Of Gold” begins in acoustic soft rock fashion ahead of morphing into a hard rocker as guitars cut in to lead the up-tempo (and quite beguiling) way, while second “Wanderer” is an early version to “The Wanderer” in maintaining the AOR acoustic mixed with commercial sentiments. Yes, the two might present with some of Judea’s roughest production moments but are musically solid all the same.
California Session track “Don’t Take Away” is a Judea favorite as a laid back and easy going ballad to highlight high-end falsetto vocals (of an unnamed front man) not unlike Luke Richard Weber (Razorigami). By far the groups best with top production to boot. Fast forward to 2006 demo cut “Jaded” to give prominence to every bit clean production in taking a melody driven blues based metal heading with fitting (and contrasting) lower register vocals.
The Judea 2.0 cuts begin with “Not Forgotten, further building upon the bluesy themes in trending hard rock territory as granular guitars further elevate the plainspoken hooks to prevail, but also includes brilliant Hendrix cover “Purple Haze”, staying true to the original with its chaotic guitar vestiges and rough and tumble presence while not forsaking the engaging. Former reeks of old school Bride, while on latter give credit to the guitarist with his flying all over the fret board 12-finger approach.
It would not be out of line to suggest Judea is as overlooked and underrated group you will find- a studio project and one and done band it is not! Give credit to Roxx Records for digging so deep and finding such a wealth of quality Judea material dating to the mid-eighties. Talent obviously cannot be questioned whether it be the original lineup or that on more recent material, although I wish a list of musicians performing on latter had been included. If you appreciate the original California Metal II tracks or metal with a melodic edge, then I encourage you to make Out Of The Dark a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Heart Of Stone” (4:45), “Knock” (4:22), “Turning Away” (4:00), ‘The Wanderer” (4:36), “Over And Done” (3:14), “City Of Hold” (4:47), “Wanderer” (4:41), “Don’t Take Away” (4:45), “Jaded” (4:35), “Not Forgotten” (4:49), “Purple Haze” (3:22), “Heart Of Stone” (4:31), “Knock” (4:23)
Musicians
Randall Drew Smith - Lead Vocals
Norman Stevens - Guitars
Dan Henry - Bass
Steve Lamb - Drums
