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If you still dream of the 80s when there was only "Heavy Metal" and bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest ruled supreme, then you owe it to yourself to check out Ravage's The End of Tomorrow because they bring the 80s vibe in spades. And while there are a lot of bands that pay homage to that glorious decade, Ravage do it without sounding recycled or clichéd. Why, they've even gotten themselves signed to the granddaddy of 80s metal record labels, Metal Blade.

The End of Tomorrow is chock full of galloping bass, pounding drums, shredding guitars and the screams, howls and growls of singer Al Ravage. The album opens with the short song/intro "The Halls of Madness," an instrumental that is so well developed as a song, it makes you wonder why the band didn't write any lyrics for it. Then Ravage let us have it for real. There are no ballads here, just furious rockers like "Freedom Fighter," "The Nightcrawler," (a Judas Priest cover) and the awesome "Grapes of Wrath." The chorus, with the shouted backing vocals, brings me back in time to 1985. Ravage even throw a little 80s Thrash our way with "The Shredder," a song which could easily have been on any early Overkill album. Eli Firicano and Nick Izzo have the twin guitar attack down pat, trading riffs and leads seamlessly, while Al Ravage alternately channels David Wayne from those early Metal Church albums or Ape de Martini from Finland's OZ. Yet he never imitates anyone and maintains his own unique sound. And lest I forget, The End of Tomorrow is loaded with hooks and catchy choruses that show off Ravage's formidable songwriting skills.

It's great to see a band from the US (and my home state of Massachusetts) hold the torch of metal so high. I hope Metal Blade gives Ravage the support they deserve. I am mighty impressed with The End of Tomorrow and if you like the 80s sound with a modern production and excellent songwriting, you will be, too. Highly Recommended.