Disclaimer:
Please don’t unleash years of suppressed anger and throw a hot cup of coffee in your dog’s face if you don’t see (insert name of band) at (insert position) or any such situation. This feature is based on the opinions of an author that writes, primarily, based on experiences and makes no claims that the collection of releases you’re going to be reading about is certified by God, Satan, Rick Moranis, or any other extremely prominent deity. Enjoy.
Intro:
This was a much more gratifying list to put together as opposed to The Top 25 Demos of 1986, which was essentially just a massive buffet of thrash metal dumpster truffles that sounded like they were recorded inside of old phone booths. You’ll soon experience the full effect that the 7” EP format wreaked on the early heavy music scene, thanks to the ease of manufacturing and distribution, and its simple barrier of entry to surpass at a financial level at the time, unlike the ironic position it holds today, where labels are often in limbo for months on end attempting to get anything pressed on vinyl.
Unlike the previously mentioned Top 25 Demos of 1986, there was an even mix of genres here: varying from thrash and speed metal to crossover and early grind to more traditional NWOBHM-stylings. As far as global spread, there were some interesting trends. An obscure Finnish contribution made it into the top 10, Great Britian and the United States both made strong showings, Germany showed up where it mattered most, but most of the list was comprised of Japanese releases, totaling over one-fourth of the entire list.
As far as labels go, it should come as no surprise that the top of the list was a dick-slapping contest between era-heavyweights Combat Records and Noise Records, but the lesser-known Japanese labels Extasy Records and Hold Up Records both produced just as many contributions to the list. Independent releases were also in the majority. With a few noted exceptions, the rest of the releases were through long deceased, much smaller labels.
Notable names that didn’t end up making the list? Venom, Atomkraft, Paul Chain, Anthrax, Voivod, Melvins, and English Dogs. Why? In some cases, the source material was garbage. It was either previously recorded material that was thrown back out into circulation, the format was too obscure to cover (one of the splits was exclusively on VHS), or the material simply wasn’t that good to begin with. It happens. Go listen to Venom’s Scandinavian Assault, it’s not their best material, live or studio, and one of the twenty-five spots on this list is better off being used giving exposure to a lesser-known band.
Hopefully, you remembered to grab something to drink before you sat down on the toilet. Here it is. I hope your bowel movement is fulfilling.
#25: Front Guerilla (JPN) – Fight Back
Label: Water-Land
Female-fronted (good luck guessing which one) speed-tinged heavy metal featuring members of Poison Arts and G.I.S.M. Besides a single demo that came out prior to the Fight Back EP, this was the group’s only release. Fairly well-produced, if not a step above demo-level quality.
#24: Poison Arts (JPN) – Mystery Temptation
Label: Extasy Records Japan
You’ll never be as shredded as the guy on the cover, lanklet. An EP featuring a member from the previous entry, Front Guerilla, Poison Arts remains active as of this article’s publishing. This third EP from the band pre-dates their debut full-length by three years and features well-produced hardcore punk from a burgeoning and well-stocked Japanese scene.
#23: Attila (NLD) – Weapons of Extermination
Label: (independent)
Netherlands-based traditional-style heavy metal with some power metal leanings. Very obvious Iron Maiden influence at work here. Great guitar work and solid production. At the time of writing, Attila are still active and are still writing with all of the original members.
#22: Cyclone/Iron Grey/Explorer/Lightning Fire (BEL) – Metal Race (split)
Label: Roadrunner Records
The introduction to this split is quite charming, “this is about, uh, a guy who fucks his little sister,” promptly followed by someone screaming “IIINNNCCCEEESSSTTT!!!” Our first proper split is a four-way assault of live Belgian thrash. Production is as expected for a live recording of this style out of this era and location, complete with cardboard bass drums that sound as flat as that guy’s little sister’s…you know what, never mind…
#21: Prowler (USA) – Prowling Death Squad
Label: Tursha Records
Obscure 3-track recording of competent trash metal coming out of the New York, reminiscent of very early Vio-Lence and Whiplash. Prowler produced one more demo and one more EP before hanging it up sometime after 1988.
#20: United (JPN) – Beast Dominate
Label: Hold Up Records
United originally started off as a Judas Priest cover band but that influence was all but long gone by the time this EP was released. Groove-minded thrash metal with some heavy punk sensibilities. RIP to the poor guy on the cover who’s clearly having a shitty day after being possessed by the Mucinex booger’s cousin.
#19: United/Casbah/Yokosuka Saver Tiger/Ghoul/City Indian/Lip Cream (JPN) – Devil Must Be Driven Out with Devil (split)
Label: Hold Up Records
Big six-way split showcasing a variety of different styles, courtesy of various Japanese bands, including the previously listed United. Ranging from more traditional-style heavy metal, to thrash, to punk, this split had something for everyone. The Ghoul and Casbah material is definitely worth spending some time checking out. There is no such thing as bad cover artwork coming out of Japan.
#18: Depression (AUS) – Big Brother
Label: Cleopatra Records
If there’s one thing that’s universally agreed upon across the musical spectrum from the 1960’s onward, across the globe, it’s that whole of government sucks massive amounts of penis. Australia’s Depression dumped a ten-minute 7″ EP of hardcore punk that echoed that statement in a pretty bestial manner. Punk absolutely does not have this level of balls or intensity in 2023.
#17: Anihilated (GBR) – Path to Destruction
Label: Brew Records
English thrash metal that, admittingly, starts off a bit slow but makes up for it past the first track. Packed from floor to ceiling with riffs and well-produced and mixed to boot.
#16: Doomwatch (USA) – Final Hour
Label: Facemelt Records
Obscure thrash from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with easily the rawest production and mix on the list up to this point. Constantly straddles the line between punk and metal far more than any other band on the list and probably won favor with both crowds. The guy on the cover probably still had to go to work that day.
#15: Damage (FIN) – Damage
Label: (independent)
A beautiful fusion of hardcore punk and speed metal, this quick 8 minute 7″ EP was the pre-cursor to the band’s only release in 1987. What a gorgeous and front bass tone!
#14: Extreme Noise Terror/Chaos UK (GBR) – Radioactive Earslaughter
Label: Manic Ears Records
The debut release of English bulldozers Extreme Noise Terror. Just a sloppy mess of grinding destruction, full speed with the wheels long gone and the rims grinding on the pavement. You can also listen to the Chaos UK side if you want, I did not.
#13: Fearless Iranians From Hell (USA) – Fearless Iranians From Hell
Label: Boner Records
“I’m gonna kill a marine/I wanna ruin his family/point a gun at his head/one shot then he’s dead.” Crossover/punk from the perspective of Iranian extremists. Personal favorite of Mohammed Atta.
#12: Second Hell/Skullcrusher (NLD) – Metal Deadness (split)
Label: Killer Elite
This is the one obscure release on this list I would recommend based on sheer heaviness alone. A solid argument can be made about moving this into the top 10 based on the intensity of Second Hell’s side alone. Ripping thrash metal from The Netherlands, reissued recently by Nuclear War Now! Productions.
#11: Doom (JPN) – Go Mad Yourself
Label: Explosion Records
The debut release of Japan’s Doom is laden with punk sensibilities, ripping solos, breakneck tempos, and serious thrash metal riffage. This 7″ EP was produced perfectly with great tone on all instruments, especially bass and drums.
#10: Living Death (DEU) – Back to the Weapons
Label: Aaarrg Records
Our first entry into the top 10 is German thrash/speed metal hybrid Living Death playing well-refined well-produced music that was evolved far past the other entries on the list. Reminiscent of acts such as early Iron Angel and Holy Moses.
#9: Vendetta (FIN) – Search in Darkness
Label: Dekadenz
An obscure gem of Finnish speed metal. Search in Darkness was Vendetta’s only release before the band changed styles and line-up. Early pioneers of the genre for their national scene. Worth checking out.
#8: X Japan (JPN) – Orgasm
Label: Extasy Records Japan
I would highly recommend you look up the footage of the band playing the title track of the EP during the 1986 era. Pure insanity from both band and crowd. There’s enough double-bass, shredding, and Japanese gang-vocals here to make Godzilla do the Naruto run. Amazingly uplifting. Audio cocaine.
#7: Satan (GBR) – Into the Future
Label: Steamhammer
Beautifully constructed NWOBHM packed full of vintage riffs and soaring vocals. The joint effort between guitarists Steve Ramsey and Russ Tippins is synergy rarely seen in or, quite frankly, out of this era.
#6: Nuclear Assault (USA) – Brain Death
Label: Combat Records
Nuclear Assault’s final push before releasing the legendary Game Over. Featuring the staggering 7+ minute title track, which saw the band exploring a more progressive structuring before picking the speed back up on the two subsequent tracks.
#5: Raven (GBR) – Mad
Label: Atlantic Records
If the opening track doesn’t make you want to slam twelve beers, rip your shirt off Hulk Hogan-style, and then run over a cop with a 1992 Ford Escort Cosworth, you can fuck right off. ‘Speed of the Reflex’ is an existential threat to drywall everywhere.
#4: S.O.B (JPN) – Leave Me Alone
Label: Selfish Records
This 9-minute EP is difficult to classify. Many believe this to be some of the foundational work of early grindcore. Heavier and faster than most conventional hardcore punk, S.O.B. was off-the-rails but never lost control.
#3: Celtic Frost (CHE) – Tragic Serenades
Label: Noise Records
One of the last reasonable releases from Celtic Frost before one of the most storied downfalls in heavy metal. After 1987’s Into the Pandemonium, things fell apart for nearly two decades. Tragic Serenades is re-recorded material that still manages to surpass other entries on this list with ease.
#2: Agent Steel (USA) – Mad Locust Rising
Label: Combat Records
An insanely fast hybrid of speed, thrash, and power metal capped off with testicle-rupturing vocal work. Chuck Profus’ drum work was top-tier, and the dual guitar attack of Juan Garcia and Bernie Versailles was difficult to match. Includes an impeccable Judas Priest cover as the second proper track.
#1: Kreator (DEU) – Flag of Hate
Label: Noise Records
Released shortly after the legendary Pleasure to Kill full-length, this brief 18-minute 12″ LP was a pure maelstrom of fury. ‘Flag of Hate’ was one of the greatest Teutonic thrash anthems ever crafted and one of the greatest thrash songs of the 80’s in general. It’s hard to believe, looking back, that this was being released in the same time period as peak Motley Crue and Poison.
There you have it, random internet person. 25 EPs and splits later, you made it. Hopefully, you found some obscure gems on your way down to the bottom of the list.
The position of both Metal Deadness and Agent Steel’s Mad Locust Rising are two releases I am still hotly debating in my head today. Looking back on the completed list, if I were to change anything, I would lower the positioning of Celtic Frost and raise the rank of the Second Hell/Skullcrusher split and potentially move Agent Steel into first place.
Are you happy with the list? Did you find anything interesting? Would you have changed anything? Feel free to let me know in the comments.
As always, thanks for reading.
-AJK
apanthropy 
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