| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Bill Menchen |
| Record Label: Black Sea / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1996 / 2024 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 32:14 |
In the past, the appropriately entitled 1996 Titanic independent debut Maiden Voyage caught criticism from Angelic Warlord for being too ordinary - songwriting in particular impressed as mundane - to hold up under repeat play. When further factoring how thin production resulted in drums lacking punch and guitars a steadfast presence, many passed over Titanic in favor of traditional metal contemporaries Saint, Barren Cross and Armageddon. With the July of 2024 Retroactive Records re-release to Maiden Voyage featuring highly upgraded production, we bring news that ought to give you pause.
Titanic traces to a partnership between guitarist Bill Menchen and vocalist Keith Miles, whom formed Final Axe and released in 1989 a ten song custom cassette entitled Beyond Hell’s Gate. Titanic did not come into fruition until 1996 when Menchen and Miles (now going by the name Simon Tyler) reunited and recorded Maiden Voyage with bassist Raymond Kilsdonk. Fast forward to 2010 and Maiden Voyage received a much needed facelift from the Retroactive Records re-issue, which in addition to having been re-mastered (courtesy of Steinhaus), re-mixed and partially re-recorded with Robert Sweet (Stryper) on drums, featured new cover art.
Good news is that the 2024 Retroactive re-issue features the 2010 re-mix and partially re-recorded audio along with a fresh re-master from Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) and original cover art. Layout and design from Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics) includes either an 8-panel booklet (CD version) or 12 X 12 full color insert (vinyl). As for cover art, the 2010 version might be superior, but I take to the vintage, old school feel to the ‘blue tinged ship’ original.
It cannot be understated manner in which Maiden Voyage receives an extreme makeover to extent it is akin to listening to a completely different album. Remix and re-mastering, for instance, excise any muddiness from the original with the upshot the, crisper, cleaner and more transparent sound. It also cannot be understated the impact of Robert Sweet, whom breathes new life into the albums material (compared to the drum machine on the initial release) with his spontaneous creativity and technical precision. Likewise, Bill Menchen shines in that his rhythm guitar tones (which leave impression as also re-recorded) come to life with added edge and bite.
In hindsight, I was misinformed to suggest the Maiden Voyage songwriting was mundane but rather individual songs ended up held back by below the line production. With any production misgivings corrected, songs now stand out in their proper light: brimming of energy and emotion but not forsaking catchy hooks, riff and melodies. In other words, Titanic is now in perfect position to complete with the Saint’s, Armageddon’s and Barren Cross’ of the world!
Opener “Nightmare” is a good indicator of the straight on Titanic metal sound. Guitars hit like a ton of bricks, Robert Sweet is all over the place behind the drum kit and Tyler shines with his at times snarling and others raspy mid-ranged vocal delivery. Yet, despite the fortitude driven environs, enough hooks present to convince the listener to return with repeat play.
In similar fashion, “You’ve Got Nothing On Me”, three and half minutes of up-tempo verve in which groove driven hooks and intense spoken word delivery border on the mesmerizing. When further considering momentum of the relentless freight train driven variety and riffs approaching the seething, song represents one of albums finer musical moments. Lyric snippet:
How do you feel when you know you’ve been deceived
Fighting out what’s not what you’ve come to believe
No one gets hurt is what they’re always trying to say
Echoing the call that leads them all astray
What will you do when there’s nowhere left to turn
Don’t really know if your ever gonna learn
Lock ‘em all up and throw away the key
I got news for you…
You’ve got nothing on me
“God Of War” might not be the fanciest or most accessible but shines all the same with its hit like a ton of bricks mentality. Verses deliver a hard charging allure of a Saint like quality (think Warriors Of The Son era), while shouted refrain draws in with its impaling impetus (akin to Armageddon). Production allows guitar leads and rumbling bass to stand out that much further.
“And The Dead Shall Rise” represents by far albums heaviest. It muscles in classic metal fashion, trenchant in terms of its abrading guitars, and rough and tumble vocals in line with the fragmenting mentality- I particularly appreciate how Tyler lends an almost extreme like growl for the unyielding refrain. If into Barren Cross tracks along lines of “Cultic Regimes” and “Killers Of The Unborn” this one is for you. Lyric snippet:
You’re gonna find it’s not a dream
You die and just fade away
Won’t believe until you hear them scream
You better hear what I say
Reaching for the skies (and the dead shall rise)
All of hell denies (and the dead shall rise)
Hear the people’s cries (and the dead shall rise)
Don’t you realize (and the dead shall rise)
Lone potential complaint regarding Maiden Voyage is shortness to its material in that most tracks are in the three-minute range or shorter, noting two and half minute follow-up pieces “Ocean Of Blood” and “Hollywood Blvd”. Interestingly, the two rank with the Maiden Voyage catchiest, referencing how former starts calmly ahead of morphing into a relentless slugger with top of the line hooks and groove-laden mentality combining for an enticing tone. Do I detect a hint of Live To Die era Bride?
Former proves equally formidable with its churning amalgamating of forthright hooks and thrash like allure. Holding sway over songs span are ‘chugga-chugga’ riffs with an olds school Deliverance-like feel all the while Sweet decorates the unswerving backdrop with his perfectly placed double kick drum. The energy is so unyieldingly infectious and hooks understated in terms of extreme charm I cannot help but return for added listen. Lyric snippet:
Stripped of all you know and love
Tossed out on the streets
You can’t take the hell at home
When they turn up the heat
Thought you’d find a better life
On the streets paved with gold
You’ve bought into the life
And you can’t break its hold
But now you live on...
Hollywood Blvd
Album closes to a strong four-song run beginning with “I Don’t Believe”. Song crunches from the get go strong and steady, not albums most gripping but appealing all the same with vocals raw as it gets and guitars mirroring the headstrong. Sweet’s outside the box timekeeping and Menchen’s formidable leads build upon the no-nonsense demeanor to separate.
“Fight Back” is another short (just under three minutes) but catchy mauler. It points to speed based territory, as elevated riffs and breakneck tempo align to declare of the seething, while an understated catchiness brings hooks in just the right amount despite the scaling tone. Lone constructive comment is that while I appreciate the hulking tone to the refrain, it might stand out further if supplemented by Saint-style shouted backing vocals. Lyric snippet:
Don’t try to explain the past
Don’t know if the dream will last
Don’t lie if you know what’s right – you know what’s right
Don’t let them drag you through the night
Don’t take it sitting down – fight back
Don’t burn your bridges down – fight back
Don’t let them keep you down – fight back
Don’t try and take us down... – fight back!
With distorted bass solo to start, “I Am Watching You” drubs from the start at the mid-tempo in flogging through its avalanche like verses. Yet, the song turns surprisingly melodic from the contrasting tone taken by the silvery refrain in which layered vocal melodies play an accenting role. The more melodic material from Beyond Hell’s Gate comes to mind in the process.
Closer “Freak Show” is albums lone cut to approach four minutes. First minute features narration from a circus announces over an affable backdrop of genteel guitars. Remaining three kick into high gear as guitars maul to the forefront, gnashing and mauling with slight thrash overtones, but at moments notice abruptly decelerates as the circus announcer makes a cameo appearance. Lyric snippet:
You’re living in a freak show
Just look at what you’ve found
Just stare into a mirror
You’ll find were all around
Now you can see the old man who’s dying
Right by the kid whose skin is black and blue
Look at the girl who sticks herself with needles
Now can you tell me what you can do
Why can’t you see that people are people?
No matter what has made them that way
Can you tell me who’s really human?
Don’t tell me you have nothing to say
If a fan of straightforward heavy metal in its various forms, then the Retroactive re-issue to Titanic debut Maiden Voyage will not disappoint. Upgraded production as a result of the remix and re-master play crucial roles in this regard, as does band performance in terms of Sweet’s amazing work behind the drum kit, Menchen’s spot on rhythm guitar and Tyler’s distinct vocals. Songs that initially impressed as drab now come to lab and grab you with notable riffs, melodies and hooks missing on the initial release. Give credit to Retroactive for making Maiden Voyage available again in such a highly upgraded format.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Nightmare” (3:06), “You’ve Got Nothing On Me” (3:07), “Gods Of War” (3:29), “And The Dead Shall Arise” (3:15), “Ocean Of Blood” (2:30), “Hollywood Blvd” (2:33), “I Don’t Believe” (3:20), “Fight Back” (2:50), “I Am Watching You” (3:32), “Freak Show” (3:57)
Musicians
Simon Tyler - Lead Vocals
Bill Menchen – Guitars
Ray Kilsdonk – Bass
Robert Sweet - Drums
