Demo

This four song demo is nothing short of amazing. The songs are catchy, the vocals are extremely operatic and melodic and it's not too fast and not too slow. Rather than the chaotic thrash on other albums, this is much more NWOBHM / speed metal sounding.

All of the songs are in the two to three minute range, a perfect duration for the style they're playing. The drums on all the songs are actually just d-beats ("boopadoobbuda", Discharge beat) played at mid-speed. I mean, I really wasn't expecting such catchy songs!

The only downside to this demo is that it's over so quickly. The four tracks on this album go by so fast. I'd seriously recommend this to anyone who likes speed metal or any kind of heavy metal.

The first demo of Hirax has almost nothing to do with their later releases except for the huge voice of Mr. Katon. Instead of the thrashing stuff met on albums such as Raging Violence, this demo contains pure denim smelling and fast heavy metal. Every song is a riff-fest from beginning to end topped with fierce guitar solos and the absolutely amazing vocals of Katon.

Not much variation in the songs to be found: verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, chorus, you know the drill. It doesn't bother me at all though, for the songs are so great. The standouts are "Born In the Streets" and "Believe In the King" with their massive chorus parts. The production is surprisingly good for a demo tape; everything is very easily audible and still sounds powerful enough.

All in all, if you are a fan of early Razor, Exciter, Warrant, Abattoir etc., you must have this demo in one form or another. It's a crime against humanity that this heavy metal classic is so hard to find.