Genre: Melodic Heavy Metal
Country: The Netherlands
Label: No Remorse Records
Year: 2015
One of the most exciting moments of engaging with music is that, while you explore the internet searching for unknown bands, you stumble across a golden vein where you least expect it. What was the deal with Stash when I first heard of them? Some dudes from The Netherlands, with only a few piece of information about their band and a demo release with 5 tracks in 1987 (ok, and Bert Kivits from Emerald as a vocalist). But, what happens when you listen to that demo and your jaws drop on the floor by the marvelous tracks that compile that demo (which was on cassette!)? You’re just wondering what went wrong and they never managed to release a full length and keep using them as a nice touch during drunken nights at one of your most favourite metal bar. As natural, you think that you’ll probably never hear something new by that band.
As a matter of fact, I’ve been proven wrong. The Stash dudes decided to break some kind of record and enter the record Guinness books, by releasing a full length record 28 years after the release of their demo. Yes, you’ve read right. Twenty – eight fuckin’ years! The recipe followed known paths: five tracks off of the demo, accompanied by five new ones which could easily be recorded back then. The result is an overly – satisfactory 45minute melodic heavy metal, which balances between Heir Apparent’s classic heavy metal and Dokken, Europe or Pretty Maids’ melodic hard rock. On the plus side of the record is also the fact that the tracks from the previously released demo are here, they way they were released in ’87. Production is thankfully kept at the ‘80s standards (and that’s a good thing), making the record sound authentic and not overburdened.
For the devotees of the genre, that a must-have release, but I also urge those skeptic ones to give this record a try, starting by listening to the record’s hymn “Hold on the Line”. I know, some of you will grumble about the “old – fashioned” sound or the fact that the band is one of the same. We’ve been here before. I think this review is for those who appreciate such releases.
For me it’s a 4.5/6, judging strictly and setting any fan-boy feelings aside.