Year : 1987 (Heaven And Hell Records Limited Edition 2024)
Style : Melodic Heavy Metal , Melodic Power Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 76 mb
Bio:
Matakopas is a heavy/power metal band from Rome, New York, USA, that was formed in 1985. The band split up in 1988.The name "Matakopas" is comprised of the first two letters of each members last name: Madonia, Taylor, Kotary and Parry. The final "S" is additional.The 1980s saw the release of many US power metal classics. Offerings from now legendary acts such as FATES WARNING, QUEENSRYCHE, METAL CHURCH, SAVATAGE and HELSTAR immediately come to mind when breaching the subject. However, there were some not-so-familiar names like CEREBUS (NC), SHOK PARIS or HAWK, who would deliver some of the best unsung American heavy metal albums.One of those bands was formed in 1985 in Rome, New York by high schoolmates drummer Mark Madonia, guitarist Ray Abel, bassist Jim Boog Taylor and vocalist Shane Perry. By usingthe first two letters of each member's last name with an additional "S" at the end, the band would be deemed MATAKOPAS..MATAKOPAS would quickly develop a consistent melodic power metal sound with smooth hooks, hints of commercial appeal and touches of NWOBHM influences to keep a nice edge.In 1987, MATAKOPAS decided to record their debut album, "Coming Out Ahead". The band enlisted engineer Bob Francis Acquaviva (LUFTWAFFE, MERE MORTALS) to record and produce the album. After many months of pre-production, the band entered UCA Recording Studios in Utica, NY, to begin laying down tracks. The final result would be nine pure, unadulterated American heavy metal tracks.The band played several live shows and garnered much local acclaim within the New York metal scene.MATAKOPAS would continue for two more years. Within that time, the band would manage to record one more album under the name MATAKOPAS. The album has yet to be released and is not known by many outside the band.Sometime in the early 90s, MATAKOPAS began to go in a more hard rock direction musically. Eventually they would change the band name to RED HUSH.Over the years that followed, ‘Coming Out Ahead’ has become well regarded amongst the underground and somewhat of a cult classic sought out by collectors worldwide.
Album:
First official CD reissue fully remastered from the master tapes, including insert with lyrics, photos and band history. Recommended for fans of Leatherwolf, Cities, Hawk, Shok Paris.The New York heavy/power metal scene of the 80s has always been far from a favourite. Sure there are a couple titanic bands, such as the epic Virgin Steele, and the titanic Manowar (never of which has ever been a favourite, by the way), and some decent enough 2nd tier bands like Cities, and Attila, but a lot of junk bands in between. It almost makes me think NYC in particular was a conurbation more hellbent on its hardcore, and disco music, leaving neighbouring Massachusetts and New Jersey to pick up the slack. The vibe of the bands too, often felt clumsy and amateurish, with scenes like the Northwest, California, and Florida seemingly offering o more cohesive, confident sound with a seemingly better crop of second and third tier acts. The diversity of the New York scene however, offers us a few diamonds in the rough in the lower ranks, and Matakopas has a distinctive sound on this sole full length - which is powerful, solemn and consistent, and bares some similitude to bands such as Cities, Amethyst, and Alias.Matakopas’ sound on here is a mixture of influences with the aforementioned, with some NWOBHMish tinges coming through at times (particularly the vocals of Shane Parry - who's style is not normal for a USPM singer) and often similarity to the well regarded, and more notable Banshee or Shok Paris. From the intro sections of the first two cuts, one could be forgiven for thinking that one of their favourite numbers off ‘Race Against Time’ or ‘Steel and Starlight’ had just come on the stereo. ‘Thoughts’ is a indelible track, with an intro section that is distinctive, memorable, and has a tone very much akin to songs off Shok Paris’ first two records. Matakopas has that cool murky, melodic US power guitar tone going on in a lot of their tracks, that educated listeners will recognise from bands like Cities. The opener track is quick to set this outline up, and in doing so establish themselves as part of the same subset of US heavy/power bands with somewhat of a commercially tinged, highly melodic, charged, yet often solemn style - such as Alias and Amethyst.With this style in mind, the boys rip into some memorable numbers such as ‘Nightstalker’ - a high paced cut again with riffs and guitar tone evoking a Shok Paris vibe. This one’s a snarler with a catchy little galloping, thundering chorus, given an edge by the vocalist’s NWOBHMish, throaty deliveries: Simplistic in lyrics and musicianship, it satisfies while not blowing one away. One of my favourite cuts from this album is the closer ‘Insane’, where the band shows of their particular sub-style. Here we have some well crafted melodies with commercial appeal, NWOBHMish vibes, a ballsy, hooky chorus, thundering pace, and blazing solos - the band knows how to craft a catchy and memorable chorus for sure. After years without listening to this record, cuts like this one, ‘Thoughts’, ‘Nightstalker’ and ‘For Your Life’ instantly come flooding back within mere seconds: staying power. A couple of slightly weaker numbers such as the passable, but unspectacular self-titled instrumental, some rather weak production, and less than original guitar parts hold it back from being a scorcher, but it’s certainly decent stuff.With such a patchy scene with a lot of diversity, New York boasts some interesting, and solid bands a rung or two below the mainstream Virgin Steele, Manowar, and Twisted Sister. Matakopas, crafts out a decent album here, despite their obscurity. Not as oft’ referenced as cult heroes Exorcist, the sonically similar Cities, or even the powering but overlooked Hittman, ‘Kopas forms a solid part of the background of the NY scene. This LP is well regarded in underground, and if you like melodic US heavy metal from the period, do check it out, particularly if you enjoy bands like Luv Hunter. with their melodic, commercially edged, and at times staid sound, Matakopas joins this obscure subset of contemporary acts within the broad US metal framework.
Line-Up:
Shane Parry - Vocals (1985-1988) - See also: Red Hush
Ray Abel - Guitars (1985-1988) - See also: Red Hush
Boog - Bass (1985-1988)
Mark Madonia - Drums (1985-1988) - See also: Red Hush
Production:
Producer – Bob Francis Acquaviva
Mastered from the original tapes
Tracklist:
01. Cruel Cruel You 02:41
02. Dreamer 04:01
03. For Your Life 04:25
04. Insane 03:54
05. Matakopas 03:00 instrumental
06. Night Stalker 03:31
07. Strangers 05:13
08. Thoughts 03:00
09. Time of Day 02:41
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