by Justin Gaines
– Sr. Columnist —
You know that scene in the first Star Wars movie when Obi-Wan Kenobi says “now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time?” That’s the scene that immediately comes to mind upon finding out that Wicked Maraya is still alive and kicking. The Long Island-based band released one of the best, and most criminally overlooked Heavy Metal albums of the ’90s in 1994’s Cycles, but to this day it seems like only a select few remember them. Now they’re back after an almost two-decade absence with a new album. Well, sort of new.
The new release is titled Lifetime in Hell, and most of it was actually recorded at the legendary Morrisound Studios back in 1991. The first nine songs are from those sessions, and the last two are brand new recordings by the original Wicked Maraya lineup. So not only is Wicked Maraya back; they’ve given us vintage, pre-Cycles material to sink our teeth into.
The 1991 material is, well, awesome. The twin lead guitars, thrashing riffs and Falco’s piercing, snarling vocals are all present and accounted for, but the material has a rawer, almost Power/Thrash feel. Had it been released when it was recorded, it would have gone very well alongside Sanctuary’s Into the Mirror Black. It’s just a killer collection of material, and you can absolutely see how it paved the way for the darker, more polished Cycles. “Johnny,” of course, actually made it to that album. The songs have been cleaned up for this new release, and sound fantastic.
The new songs are not quite as impressive, but are certainly not bad. They’re both very intense and heavy, but are a bit slower and have a different vocal approach. The band definitely still has the chops though, so it will be interesting to see where they take this.
If you’re one of “the initiated” who knows and loves Wicked Maraya’s Cycles album, hearing the vintage, previously unreleased songs on Lifetime in Hell is like a gift from the metal gods. And if you haven’t yet discovered this band, but are into the heavier, thrashier traditional Metal bands like Sanctuary, Vicious Rumors and Nevermore, go track down a copy of Cycles right away. Then come back to Lifetime in Hell when you’re ready for more!
Genre: Heavy Metal
Band:
John Iadeviao (b)
Mike Nack (d)
Michael Iadevaio (g)
Dan Malsch (g)
Lou Falco (v)
Track Listing:
1. Sounds of Evil
2. Lifetime in Hell
3. Tomorrow’s Child
4. Crash & Burn (Idiot’s Delight)
5. Siezure
6. Johnny
7. The Calling
8. The River Runs Black
9. Blackout
10. Fall From Grace
11. Suicidal Dawn
Label: Massacre Records
Website: www.facebook.com/WickedMaraya
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10
