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Classic Review: Rapid Tears - Cry For Mercy
Rapid Tears
Cry For Mercy

Label: Chameleon Records
Year released: 1984
Duration: 16:49
Tracks: 4
Genre: Heavy Metal

Rating:
4.5/5


Review online: August 7, 2005
Reviewed by: Michel Renaud
Readers' Rating
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Rated 4.1/5 (82%) (10 Votes)
Review

Sometimes, especially when buying used records, I'll pick up something without knowing anything about it. The good thing about a lot of records from the 80s is that there was often a picture of the band members on the back, and usually that could give you an idea of the style they played. These looked like metallers alright (except the singer who had a very... neutral look compared to the others.) Well, I did good going with my instinct on this one. "Cry for Mercy" was the last release by this Toronto heavy metal band and frankly it's quite a shame that it ended there, with only two singles and one full length under their belt. Maybe being on what seems like a relatively small label (never heard of that label before) didn't help them break through, and back then that often spelled the end of a promising band. Anyway...

The four songs presented here are upbeat no-frills heavy metal with high pitched vocals. When I say high pitched, I mean that literally. The guy's voice is so high that sometimes I lost him in mid-sentence (maybe a bit of a production problem more than anything here though...) At times he almost sounds like a woman, while at other times he sounds like a cross between Geddy Lee and Vince Neil (weird combination, but it actually works.) Such high pitched vocals might put some people off, but I found that they fit just great with the upbeat music and I'm not sure a more conservative vocal approach would have had such a good end result.

To my surprise, I found side B to be better than side A (it's usually the contrary.) The two songs on side A are more easy-going, slightly more commercial and less heavy than the ones on side B which include the title track. The guitars especially are more heavier and the solos more elaborate on both "Electric Shockwave" and "Cry For Mercy". The guitar work however is constantly good on all tracks and is in fact the highlight here. Sharp, crunchy and heavy, 80s style, just the way I like it. "Cry For Mercy" starts off with an epic feel and quickly gets into a galloping style that's not reminding me of some late 70s Maiden (but the comparison ends there.) The vocalist even tones things down a notch on this one.

Other than a so-so production - which thankfully doesn't affect the guitars' sound much, there really isn't much to complain about here - assuming you can stand the vocal style, of course. This vinyl version seems to be selling for a rather high price, so if you can grab it for a good price, go for it. Personally you'd have to pay me a rather large amount for me to part with it. :) There's always the CD reissue which also includes the "Honestly" full length released two years earlier.

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