Thrust: Fist Held High (Re-Issue)

I recently reviewed the new Armored Saint album (loved it) and spent some of my review talking about my nostalgia for that great band. Thrust is another one of those bands that lives in people's memories, the ones from a long time ago that never really took off the way people expected. And there was no denying that Thrust had a positive direction, at least at first. The band even had a song ("Destructer") on Metal Massacre 4, a famous collection to say the least. The band's debut Fist Held High has long been considered a classic, so much so that I'm a bit nervous about reviewing it! Worse, I didn't exactly grow up listening to Thrust. I was a big fan of Armored Saint, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, and Judas Priest and didn't really give this band much of a chance. As I listen to this re-issue, I feel confident that I would have enjoyed this album back in the day.

Listening to it now, its hard not to think of it solely as a product of "back then." For the most part, the album is a classic example of early 80s heavy metal, back in the day when it was perfectly normal to write songs about taking down posers, the intricacies of torture devices, or just reveling in the chaos of heavy metal. Fist Held High does all that, and does it well. At times, the songs feel a bit dated here and there. Still, there's something immensely satisfying about knowing that this kind of music would not only blossom, but also endure, in new and unexpected ways for years and years. For those who love old school heavy metal, Fist Held High is certainly worth a listen. And this 35th anniversary edition sounds great. It also includes some bonus live tracks. I really enjoyed "The Wolf" and "Destructer." Though somewhat belated, I'm happy to hold my fist up high in honor of this band's debut.

Track Listing:
1. Fist Held High
2. Overdrive
3. Freedom Fighters
4. Metallic Attack
5. Heavier than Hell
6. Thrasher
7. Torture Chamber
8. Posers will Die
9. Iron Gates (Live)
10. The Wolf (Live)
11. Feast of Flesh (Live)
12. Hard Rider (Live)
13. Desructer (Live)

Added: July 11th 2015
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1924
Language: english

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