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After a fallout with his previous band, Agent Steel, Kurt Colfelt went on to form Holy Terror, one of the most underrated and overlooked thrash acts of the American scene in the '80s. Their history is troubled, marked by label disputes, internal conflict, drug abuse, and general chaos. Yet, despite these challenges, they managed to release two of the best thrash/speed metal albums you'll ever hear in Terror and Submission and Mind Wars.

At their core, Holy Terror is a high-energy, vicious thrash metal band, drawing inspiration from both U.S. and German peers. Naturally, there are nods to Agent Steel, but I am also reminded of Heathen, Vio-lence, and Deathrow when I listen to them. There is also a lot of old-school NWBOHM here, with bass lines reminiscent of Steve Harris in his prime and almost punky guitar work that calls Iron Maiden's early albums to mind. While Holy Terror operate at breakneck speeds, as evident on face-melters like "Black Plague" and "Mortal Fear," they also showcase slightly slower and more melodic tracks like the album highlights "Distant Calling" and "Guardians of the Netherworld." "Distant Calling" in particular puts slower-paced Maiden-esque riffs to good use and is much heavier on melody, featuring cleanly sung choruses and brilliant guitar solos.

Musically, Holy Terror shines in every aspect. Beyond the fantastic, biting guitar work by axemen Colfelt and Mike Alvord, vocalist Keith Deen (R.I.P. 2012) deserves special mention. Deen was one of the best and most menacing thrash metal vocalists around, delivering slightly distorted and twisted thrash metal yelps, frenzied shrieks, as well as crystal-clear, sharp clean singing. The upper end of his range is particularly impressive, and when utilized, it lends a sense of epicness to some of the choruses here –a rarity for this genre.

There is not a one bad song on this record, and I will go so far as to say that Holy Terror didn't release a single subpar song during their short-lived career. Terror and Submission is a perfect storm of thrash, speed and heavy metal that belongs in every collection. Essential.