by Justin Gaines
– Sr. Columnist —
For the 22nd installment in their Bootcamp series, which spotlights overlooked new and vintage Metal demos, the Divebomb label set its sights on Wichita Falls, Texas-based band Obscene Jester. The hard working band made a name for themselves in the north Texas and Oklahoma metal scenes, but never made it through to the next level.
Obscene Jester released their debut EP Citadel’s On Fire in 1989. The five-song, cassette-only release showcased a very talented, very hungry young band bringing together the best parts of the American Power and Thrash Metal sounds, namely a twin lead guitar attack, pummeling rhythms and a powerful vocal performance. Obscene Jester had a sound right in that Power/Thrash zone that bands like Savage Grace, Vicious Rumors, Armored Saint, Armed Forces and even Anthrax occupied. Songs like “Insomnia,” “Apocalyptic Prophecy” and the title track show just how well they got their mix of speed, heaviness, melody and power.
Unfortunately Citadel’s On Fire was all anyone got to hear from Obscene Jester. The band recorded several songs for a planned full-length album, but couldn’t afford to properly release it. Those songs finally see the light on this Divebomb Bootcamp release.
Divebomb’s 2015 reissue of Citadel’s On Fire gives fans the original EP, newly remastered and featuring new cover artwork, plus a hefty eleven additional previously unreleased Obscene Jester songs. These songs both show how the band progressed and make you wonder what might have been if they had been released in 1990 or 1991. It also features a booklet loaded with vintage photos and a new band biography. Like all Bootcamp titles, it is limited to 500 copies.
Obviously this deluxe reissue of Citadel’s On Fire is going to appeal to the fans who followed Obscene Jester back in the day, but it’s also just a real gem that all serious fans of cult ‘80s American Power/Thrash/Heavy Metal will want to discover. If you’re into any of the bands mentioned above, Obscene Jester is a band you need to hear.
Genre: Power Metal, Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal
Lineup:
David Norman (d, tracks 1-5)
Lance Red Elk (d, tracks 6-16)
Dee Kinnett (g)
Sammy Stovall (v)
Ramiro Noriega (g)
Steve Norman (b, tracks 1-5)
Dave Ross (b, tracks 6-16)
Track Listing:
1. Insomnia
2. D.E.A.
3. Citadel’s On Fire
4. Statistical Bridge
5. Apocalyptic Prophecy
6. Stop the Madness
7. This World
8. I Am the One
9. Nothing to Do
10. Last Laugh
11. And It Rose…
12. Gunther
13. The Answer
14. The Mourning After
15. This World (Alternate Mix)
16. The Answer (Alternate Mix)
Label: Divebomb Records
Website: www.facebook.com/obscenejesterrocks
Hardrock Haven Rating: 8/10
