Killen - Killen (1987) [Remastered 2015]

The fact is the 80’s decade was the most creative era in Music scene. Bands or several styles born and grow up in these years. In Heavy Metal scene, in particular, you could know and listen masterpieces like JUDAS PRIEST’s “British Steel” album or IRON MAIDEN’s classic “Powerslave”. And in underground scene was a lot of excellent band that unfortunately could grow up and make success. One of these bands is KILLEN. They’re from New York City and make the pure Heavy Metal you can listen. They started their activities in 1985 and they released only the self-titled album “Killen” in 1987 and stop their activities in 1990. Now they’re active again with Carl Canedy as the drummer and now they re-released your album with some unreleased songs and some live versions.

The artwork is a typical Heavy Metal cover – skulls, women almost naked, epic elements and the band using the most 80’s clothes style. When you see the artwork, you are taken directly to 80’s era.

The songs are excellent and the themes are you can imagine – Heavy Metal and mystic elements. The instrumental is like MANOWAR or IRON MAIDEN with Di’Anno years. The instrumental is like NWOBHM did with SAXON and others bands they appeared in that time. Nothing much tiring but none virtuous or that makes KILLEN stand out from the rest bands. The only weakness in this band is Vic Barron doesn’t have a powerful voice or something in his voice – a shine or something like it – that makes difference.

The highlights in this album is “Scream in the Night”, “Soldiers in Steel”, “Victima”, “Killeness (Blandus Interitus)” and “Vampire”, with sticky chorus and incredible instrumental. Just don’t mind the vocals and you can confer the excellence of this album. The live versions shows how talented the band is – because is very similar than the recordings.

If you want a travel to 80’s and discovers an underground band that makes an excellent work and come back to their activities, listen “Killen” album and enjoy like I did.