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BYFIST - PRESERVING THE PAST
ROCK IT UP RECORDS
METAL TO INFINITY
Those who does not feels itself attracted to US Classic Metal I would advise to get the hell outta here right away! San Antonio, Texas (USA) based Byfist existence dated from 1987, which was an era - so called Metal was Metal the way it should those days. Dressed in denim and leather, spikes and chains...METAL was our way of living, no matter the outside world loved us or hated us. With full force and burning passion, we followed the 'Classic' way of Metal as good as we could!
One of those bands belonged to the 80s Metal scene those days was Byfist. They ruled the world of US Classic Metal with an iron fist, a debut EP called "The Hour Glass Of Time" saw daylight back in 1987. Up to 1988, Byfist spoiled the True Metal maniacs again with the EP "You Should Have Known" followed by a third assault, the EP "Adrenalin" which was produced by the almighty, legendary David Wayne. Although this 'mighty brother of Metal' passed away several years ago, we keep our faith in such a great, totally talented musician because of all the beautiful works (with his bands Metal Church, Reverend and Wayne) he has delivered to the world of Heavy Metal music. Gone but definitely not forgotten, forever in our hearts!!
So far, Byfist had three works under their belts...following the footsteps of bands like Metallica, Metal Church, Exodus, Hallows Eve, Attacker,...and toured with world-class bands like Savatage, MSG, Trouble, Manowar, Frank Marino and Fates Warning...the curtain unfortunately, the curtain dropped down over the existence of Byfist due to the signing of a 'bad' contract back then. One led to another, chances to collaborate with some other labels were reduced to the minimum...the future did not see very well for Byfist, the end was in sight...game over!
Byfist shouldn't be a real Metal band if they gave up the fight that easy...almost 10 years later on, they resurfaces to the world of Heavy Metal with a blast! Saba Records hooked up the band, the "Adrenalin" EP became re-released...the main point was, Byfist was back on the rails driven by the forces of Metal like never before. The promo of this EP reached my postal address to review and the 4 songs on it were so damn great, Byfist became one of my absolutely faves from that moment on. Their Classic way of US Metal brought in some kind of a trance, almost hypnotised after hearing songs like 'Mary Celeste', 'Left To Die', 'Eternal Damnation' and 'Meltdown'...this type of Metal is why I'm living for. Love it, adore it, can't live without it...no way!!
All these songs are added to the songlist of Byfist's new album "Preserving The Past", actually a killer collection of former works featuring also 1 'never before released track called 'Inspiration' and 1 'bonus song' entitled 'Guaranteed Death' which is also never before released! On this new output delivered by Rock It Up Records, you can make knowledge of what the name Byfist is all about. You'll hear four different singers, each one of them has its own character. Point is these guys' way of singing can be described as typical US Metal vocalists. Loud and clear with high-pitched moments...think of ex-Villain, Vicious Rumors legend Carl Albert, Bob Mitchell (Attacker), Bobby Hicks (Mystic Force), Geoff Tate (Queensryche), Time Lachman (Gargoyle).
Frontman Bill Lopez' magnificent voice can be heard on the songs: 'Hour Glass Of Time'(amazing US Classic Metal song with high-pitchings and stunning guitar licks...up-tempo killer track!) and 'Love Will Find A way' which reminds me sometimes of early Led Zeppelin fame...lower tempo but also this one drives me crazy! Second vocal appearance comes from David Rees...he's the one that was able to kick Metal to a higher level. Check out his talents on: 'You Should Have Known', 'Midnight Mass', 'Judgement Day', 'Eyes Of Geneva' and 'Inspiration'. Superb tracks, one by one incl. hot boiling / roaring guitars and thunderous bass and drum activities. US Metal 'through' and 'true'. Third singer to announce is Vikk Real, original or unique to the core...he sings very comfortable, without problems he reach the ultimate 'top'...i will praise such singers immediately to heaven! Well, check him out at the fantastic 4 song killer EP "Adrenalin"... i'm convinced YOUR adrenalin will starts to flow surely.
Last but not least, I'd like to introduce you to a fourth singer named Robb Steele who can be heard on the song 'Guaranteed Death". Robb replaced his former brothers since 2006 with style. Along with cutting shrieks, this guy has made to sing in a US Metal band! 'Guaranteed Death' is taking my breath away...full power and energy, awesome guitar works of original axemen Davey Lee and Nacho Vara, hard hitting, excellent drum activities of Jesse Vara (also in charge since Byfist's first days of existence) and Eddy Ray's bass lines are fabulous too. Production of the album is well done, a few cool pictures (both old and recent) added to the inlay and booklet..."Preserving The Past" is a real US Classic Heavy Metal silver disc that will be played on regular basis here, the place where i live.
I hope that the recordings of new songs can be arranged soon. Byfist is too damn great to let bleed to dead. Now that these guys are back on the rails, I hope they'll keep going on that way to deliver some more awesome US Metal. Working along with Rock It Up Records is a real good start because they know what Metal is all about. "PTP"...a must-have for maniacs hooked on Classic US Metal, a style of music we at Metal To Infinity adore since the early eighties. AMAZING album for Metal maniacs into early Damien Thorne / Mystic Force / Sacred Oath / Attacker / Metal Church / Cities / ... Purchase possibilities at: www.rockitup.org MY POINTS: 98 / 100