You know, Martyr is a band I never got into. They were one of those bands that never seemed to get me copies of their crucial recordings to review. Now I'm discovering that I really missed out on some cool stuff back in the mid-80's. On this CD release, you'll find skull pounding thrash, some dated speed metal, and lyrics that reinforce the power of the blood of Christ and lyrics that'll make you giggle, like the satire in "Get Drunk": "Hey stupid punk, why won't you get drunk/ Maybe then all the girls will think you're a hunk/ While you're stumbling around like an idiot/ You might as well puke and fall back in it." Besides funny lyrics, you've even got funny Anthrax-like music in "Fall On Your Face" with its punk anthem style.
There's lots of Martyr favorites to choose from here, like "Imminent Warfare," "K.K.K." and "Plead The Blood," which ex-Martyr Marcus Colon took with him to record as Betrayal. Another highlight is the skillful instrumental title track -- "H.M. Wickenstraut."
This record has a B-side/demo quality production sound to it, but the music perfectly caters to it. This is an album that a fan drools over and also welcomes tons of new ones. I mean, who could resist the Spinal Tap a cappella rendition of "Heartbreak Hotel" at the end of "Fall On Your Face?" But seriously, folks, this CD is chock full of 18 good tunes that wail. These get back to the roots of speed metal.