Tank: Tank (1987)

If you pay close attention while watching the latest season of Netflix's Stranger Things, during a scene in Billy's room, a poster for Tank can be seen on the wall.  This is a little unusual due to the fact that Tank never really garnered much of a following in the United States.  The NWOBHM band released some great albums in the early part of the 1980's and eventually disbanded for the first time in the late 1980's.  The band eventually split into two bands, both calling themselves Tank and claiming to be the rightful band. 

This self-titled release was the last full-length album by Tank before calling it quits the first time and finds the band softening their previously raw, Motörhead-influenced sound.  What results is a much more mainstream-sounding Tank.  With the increased melodic tendencies, Tank sounds more like mid-1980's Judas Priest or Accept with songs that would not sound out of place on hard rock radio of the time period.

Some of the best songs on the album are "With Your Life", with its infectious sing-along chorus and the doom-laden "It Fell from the Sky".  Many of the lyrics, particularly on the latter song and on "(The Hell They Must) Suffer", are heavy, dealing with the horrors of war.  Others, like "The Enemy Below" are more tongue-in-cheek, likely dealing with sexual conquest.

The only real negative thing I have to say about this is the inclusion of one of my pet peeves on "March On, Sons of Nippon".  That is one of those ridiculous spoken-word "skits" in the middle of the song.  These were particularly prevalent in the 1980's and they drive me fucking nuts.  I hate them.

Other than that one issue, this is a damn good release by Tank.  The band was never one of the top NWOBHM bands, but they did churn out some damn good music.  This is not one of their better releases, but it is still quite good.