| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Treasure Hunt /Ulterium | Country Of Origin: Germany |
| Year Released: 1998 / 2024 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: 41:02 |
Treasure Seeker 1998 debut A Tribute To The Past is a Christian metal covers album. It is quite well thought out in this regards, with a significant investment of time made by the group in a track listing that represents a ‘who’s who’ of the mid-eighties to early nineties ‘white metal’ scene to feature cover versions of one song each from Saint, Stryper, Leviticus, Bloodgood, Rez, Jerusalem, Force 3, Bride and Creed. One original song “A Tribute To The Past” rounds the album out.
Lending further value is nothing less an all-star Treasure Seeker lineup. The project includes vocalist Olaf Hayer, whom went on to work with Luca Turilli (four albums), Dionysys (three albums), Symphonity (two albums) and Magic Kingdom (one album). Guitar team of Andy Gutjahr and Marc Piras proves every bit renown, with former a part of Lightmare (two demos and one album) and latter Trust Rocks (two albums, a demo and EP). Seventh Avenue bassist William Hieb needs little introduction, while drummer Danilo Baldorf solidifies the roster.
Originally released on Treasure Hunt Records, A Tribute To The Past went out of print and turned into a hard to find collectors item. Enter Ulterium Records, whom in April of 2024 re-issued the album with a highly detailed 20-page booklet with liner notes from all Treasure Seeker members, Pastor Bob Beeman, Heaven’s Metal editor Doug Van Pelt and members of bands whose songs are covered.
Album begins to its title track. A European power metal flair distinguishes “A Tribute To The Past”, reveling in a near speed-based tempo in which double kick drum, lightning-like riffing and brazen guitar leads separate. Initial impression is Seventh Avenue, but a slower breakdown at the halfway point hints of Narnia. If the group had recorded nine other original songs of such quality I would give the album a 90% review (minimum).
If I were to choose a song from Saint, it would be the title track to 1988 third full length offering Too Late For Living. Of note is manner in which Hayer lowers his register to align with that of Saint front man Josh Kramer yet at moments notice he is capable of a Halford like falsetto, referencing the classic metal sounds at hand. I appreciate how the group still includes the double kick drum to close the song, while adding an additional minute compared to the original.
Likewise, Stryper’s “To Hell With The Devil” is an obvious choice. Initial impression is Hayer proves more than a vocal match for Michael Sweet with similar levels of range, passion and emotion. Likewise, the dual soloing of Gutjahr and Piras would turn the head of Oz Fox. That said, when listened to alongside, the Treasure Seeker production which while solid overall does not quite bring the same depth as the Stryper rendering, although keeping in mind (and to be completely fair) Treasure Seeker did not have a Stryper like production budget to begin with!
Leviticus Setting Fire To The Earth opening track “Flames Of Fire” is duplicated in all its melodic heavy metal glory. Soaring vocals, majestic rhythms and symphonic hooks stand out equally in comparison, not to mention keen detail in the form of Hieb expertly duplicating Ez Gomer’s technical bass lines. Of note is how in this instance I better like the Treasure Seeker production with a crisper guitar edge and cleaner mix overall.
Bloodgood’s “Out Of The Darkness” ensues. I always felt that the Seattle, Washington based acts 1989 fourth album of the same title is one of its most consistently heavy, and the Treasure Seeker adaption follows suite. Song opens to the same customary drum solo, elevating tempo compared to the original with a power to speed based bent as Baldorf leads the way with his keyed up drumming and the Gutjah and Piras guitar team cut loose in the shred department to rival Bloodgood axe man Paul Jackson.
Rez Band’s “Silence Screams” (off the groups 1988 release of the same name) is one of my A Tribute To The Past favorites. Revolves around Treasure Seeker lending its signatures European imprint to a blues based hard rocker found in the softer intro to start highlighting a symphonic basis, vocals that soar instead of scratch and grit and guitars mirroring a traditional metal bent. I detect a hint of Iron Maiden. Treasure Seeker would be well served to record and entire Rez Band covers album.
The group takes a stripped down approach to Jerusalem’s “Rebels Of Jesus Christ”. Gone, for instance, are the eerie keyboards and feedback initially imparted by Jerusalem (noting 1988 release Dancing On The Head Of The Serpent) not to mention the backend keyboards to the original, replaced with bulkier guitars and smoother vocal bent as opposed to Ulf Christiansson’s lower register croon. Refrain correspondingly hits hard with shouted vocal melodies lending a more aggressive edge.
“Warrior Of Light” pretty much stays true to the Force 3 version off its 1988 debut of the same name, which is by no means a bad thing. It opens to similar Gregorian style vocals to start ahead of turning into a spiritual warfare anthem, with militant riffing and combative timekeeping leading the way to the every bit assertive ‘warrior of light destroy the force of darkness’ refrain. I take equally to the blues tinged instrumental jam interlude.
Treasure Seeker follows up with a rousing version Bride’s “Heroes” (Live To Die, 1988) but with a caveat. Two minutes end up cut from the song, including the haunting narration based first minute and out of kilter and distortion driven final minute. In between, the group stays true to Bride’s interpretation with a galloping power metal bent, albeit slightly heavier and darker and at a somewhat reduced tempo. Of note is the fine job from Hayer reaching those prime Dale Thompson high notes!
Closer “Meet Again” from Creed is only selection to come into question. Not that it is a bad song or band performance is off - it remains a fine example of catchy mid-tempo NWOBHM - but in my opinion, better options remain on the table. I cannot help but think, for instance, selections from Sacred Warrior (“The Heavens Are Calling”?) or Barren Cross (“Deadlock”?) might have been more ambitious, or at the very least a perfect match for Hayer’s soaring vocals. For the same reason, I would love to hear an early Deliverance cove and see Treasure Seeker unleash its melodic speed metal licks and chops.
Note: to be completely fair, in the liner notes Hieb mentions that Barren Cross’ “Dying Day” was recorded but did not make the final cut along with Barnabas’ “The Dream”. Wish they had been included as bonus tracks.
I rate A Tribute To The Past as one of the better Christian metal covers albums alongside Dynasty Of Metal’s 2023 release Back To The Past. I appreciate the manner in which Treasure Seeker is respectful to the original recording to each song covered while lending its own signature European metal imprint. Band performance correspondingly is first rate as its production. With one notable selection, I cannot question the material covered or artist represented. In closing, the lone question to ask is why a follow up project (Another Tribute To The Past?) has not been released? Good news is that in the liner notes Piras references a second album entitled Wheel Of Time to include covers from Stryper (“Makes Me Wanna Sing”), X Sinner (“Medicine”), Holy Soldier (“Stranger”), Rage Of Angels (“Somebody’s Watching You”) and Bloodgood (“Killer The Beast”). Let’s hope that sooner rather than later Wheel Of Time sees the light of day.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “A Tribute To The Past” (5:11), “Too Late For Living” (4:19), “To Hell With The Devil” (4:19), “Flames Of Fire” (3:08), “Out Of The Darkness” (3:19), “Silence Screams” (4:16), “Rebels Of Jesus Christ” (3:12), “Warrior Of Light” (3:52), “Heroes” (5:24), “Meet Again” (4:25)
Musicians
Olaf Hayer - Lead Vocals
Andy Gutjahr - Guitars
Marc Piras - Guitars
William Hieb - Bass
Danilo Baldorf - Drums
