Initial Impressions: Heathen: Breaking the Silence and Victims of Deception

This post will cover two albums I recently picked up from underrated progressive thrash pioneers Heathen. The Bay Area band formed in the mid 1980's and is unfortunately one of the forgotten bands from that area. Despite the huge hype you hear about the Bay Area thrash scene, a couple of bands pretty much dominate the public perception of the scene and few other bands are real well-known outside of metal circles.

BREAKING THE SILENCEHeathen's debut album was released in 1987, a high point for thrash metal, particularly in the Bay Area. The band had already begun showing their progressive tendencies. Many of the songs contain intricate structures with multiple rhythms and riffs. The album has some truly fantastic riffs and the technical skill of the musicians is amazing. Lee Altus and Doug Piercy are both highly-talented guitarists and play off of each other quite well.

The vocals are admirably handled by David White, who possesses a higher-register vocal style and soars over the guitar riffs. At a time when many thrash metal vocalists were experimenting with yelling and in general harsher vocals, White's singing is a refreshing change of pace.

The songs are all well-crafted and catchy. There are some great songs here that probably could have garnered the band some hits at the time if they had a little more exposure. Highlights for me are the title track, "Open the Grave", and "World's End".

This is a melodic, infectious, and underrated thrash metal album. It is highly recommended to anyone interested in the Bay Area scene.

VICTIMS OF DECEPTIONIt took four years for Heathen to release their sophomore album and when they finally did, the thrash metal landscape was already undergoing a massive change thanks to Metallica's Black Album. This was very unfortunate timing because Heathen's 1991 release should be considered a true thrash metal classic. This album is amazing from start to finish.

Heathen's progressive tendencies on the last album have become the principal element of the band's sound on this album. The tracks are all on the longer side of things, but that just gives the band more time to play with structures and riffs and put out one hell of an album. Altus and Piercy again helm the guitars and have crafted some more memorable riffs and solos. It is truly the guitarists that drive this band.

Dave White also returns to provide more air raid-style vocals. White really could have sung for a U.S. power metal band, his range is that impressive. The other instruments are played well, but ultimately take a back seat to the amazing guitar work.

Unfortunately, this album was the end of the road for Heathen until their 2009 reunion. Thrash, and metal in general, was falling out of style and labels were dropping metal bands. Heathen was one such casualty. I have not heard their comeback album yet, but word is that it is fantastic.