Artist: REALM
Album: ENDLESS WAR RE-RELEASE (DIGI)

Year: 1988/ 2006
Media type: CD

The 80’s thrash metal spree that took place in America brought along dozens of bands, each willing to change metal music forever. While most of these groups failed with their efforts, some became legends at their field, successfully finding their place in the glorious chapters of thrash history. Realm definitely belongs among the hall of metal heroes, bringing music that far surpassed its times, showing exactly how technical, futuristic thrash metal should sound like.

Formed in 1985 the band (Mike Olson - drums, Mark Antoni - vocals, Paul Laganowski - guitar, Steve Post – bass, Takis Kinis - guitar) begun its metal crusade by storming the underground with two demos: Perceptive Incentive (1985) and Final Solution (1985). The musical potential and technical mastery hidden in these tapes, were soon to be discovered nation-wide, as the band singed a deal with the upcoming Roadrunner Records label.

The year 1988 greets the first official album by Realm, Endless War. Some reviewers gave this album a “Bay Area thrash” etiquette, yet the progressive elements found in each composition makes the music all more difficult to define. One thing was certain – all 11 tracks, along with the surprisingly enthusiastic cover version of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” (to this day mentioned as one of the most successful metal covers ever made) were a testimony of technical brilliance, revealed through high-speed guitar performance and aggressive, clanging bass lines. The combination of the singer’s energetic style with Bible-inspired, epic lyrics (such as in “Eminence” or “Second Coming”, picturing the death and resurrection of Christ) brought a truly intriguing mixture, underlining both thrash metal aggression and progressive complexity. The second official release by Realm landed in stores in 1990. Suiciety continues the progressive thrash metal crusade started on Endless War, bringing even more brilliantly conjoined musical novelties. The band smoothed their sound, giving it a lot more space and structure. But the heaviness remained untouched – the album kicks off with a perfectly balanced thrash metal impact and keeps the listener overpowered until the last minute of the record. The band definitely proved to be a phenomenon on the thrash scene, combining thrilling guitar acrobatics with powerful bass lines and effective vocals. The name Realm was mentioned next to bands such as Powermad, Laaz Rockit and Anthrax, with the song “The Brainchild” being called by metal enthusiasts one of the most exciting achievements in technical thrash. Nevertheless, what seemed to become a promising future, was soon dismissed.

Having fulfilled their two record obligation with Roadrunner, the band begun searching for a new deal, meanwhile recording new material. Unfortunately, the band’s third album was never released. The group officially parted in 1992, with most of the musicians teaming up with ex-Last Crack vocalist Buddo to form White Fear Chain, who in 1996 recorded their first and only album Visceral Life, which, however, had little to do with progressive thrash, sounding more like a metallic version of Last Crack. Realm did not completely disappear from the music scene, though. Rumors say of a possible reunion and the final launch of the third unreleased album, due to the undying devotion of the fans, still remembering the powerful impact brought by the first two records. Time will tell if the release of the material will ever take place...

TRACKLIST:

1. Endless War
2. Slay The Oppressor
3. Eminence
4. Fate's Wind
5. Root Of Evil
6. Eleanor Rigby (Cover of The Beatles song)
7. This House Is Burning
8. Second Coming
9. All Heads Will Turn To The Hunt
10. Mang
11. Poisoned Minds

Bonus track:
12. Theseus and the Minotaur