Customer Reviews

Fifth Angel

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard Fifth Angel years ago on a pirate radio station. "The Fallout" was my only listen to this before I found it on tape.....I listen to this now and then, and it never gets old. It's straight forward Metal. If you like Savatage, Maiden, and other Power Metal, you should have no trouble getting comfortable with Fifth Angel. They may not be the most popular Metal band around, but they hold their own. Very strong debut.

I'd give this 4 stars if it were released today, but this is old school, and deserves 5 for it's orginality.....

After a few spins of this disc it does not take long to figure out that Fifth Angel were head and shoulders above the majority of metal bands from the 80's. An album that really did not embrace the two popular genres glam and thrash was missed by the majority of metalheads. Displaying technical ability, a penchant for songwriting, and memorable but simple riffs Fifth Angel estalished a cult following that still remembers the potential of this overlooked band.

Guitarist James Byrd turned out to be something of a guitar wizard playing amazing leads while Ken Mary went on to drum for Alice Cooper, House of Lords and other notable musicians. Not surprisingly Fifth Angel turned out to be comprised of consumate musicians with an understanding of melody and song composition.

Fifth Angel kicks it off with a metal anthem "In The Fallout" which is followed by the inspired and intense "Shout It Out". Vocalist Ted Archer shows tremendous emotion and versatility throughout the album while the guitar talents of James Byrd shine on every track without going overboard. .The strongest track on the album "Fifth Angel" brings it all together with a great verse rhythym and an anthemic sing-along-chorus as the Fifth Angel comes to the rescue of those who call.

Two of the better tracks "Cry Out The Fools" and "Fade To Flames" are gems that have to be heard to be believed. The riffs are far from standard and the emotion can be felt in every song. The lyrics are intelligent and the band overall borders on progressive power metal. There are some metal cliches with pinched squeal harmonics and chunky palm mutes but overall the music is in a class by itself.

The fact that this disc is being re-released despite lack of popular support over 15 years ago should make a case for it's strength. If you missed it before, don't miss it again. This is flawless metal.

The 1986 self-titled debut album by Fifth Angel is one of those albums that went largely unnoticed at the time, but is spoken of with almost religious awe by those who did find it. These are the folks who inevitably say "Oh, you're into (insert band name here)? You have to try Fifth Angel!" I was handed this album, as well as Crimson Glory's Transcendence and Black Sabbath's TYR by a good friend a few years back, and the three albums have become the benchmarks for how I view all other power metal albums.

Fifth Angel took the American power metal sound and injected it with plenty of melody, toning down the fist-raising aggression in favor of a more accessible approach. Think Warlord or perhaps Armored Saint merged with Dokken. The result was highly melodic, but it was still unmistakably power metal. Fifth Angel may have had a lighter touch than say, Omen, but they weren't some ballad-spewing hair metal band either. A look at the track listing for this album confirms that the band was solidly in the metal camp.

It's been two decades since Fifth Angel's debut was released, and the album has lost none of its power. The band's early fans still revere the album as a classic moment in metal, and continue to bring new converts to the Fifth Angel flock. For my part, I'll recommend this to anyone who is into power metal, especially those who enjoy the classic American power metal sound.

Back when progressive metal was still in its early stages, Fifth Angel appeared on the scene with this album. Always looking for more offbeat metal, I snagged this on cassette and was immediately hooked. With the melodic ballads like 'Fifth Angel' and the driving guitar work in songs such as 'Call Out the Warning", this is a very powerful album that leaves you wanting more! This will be the third time I have purchased this title, and it is great to see it on CD at a reasonable price. This is late 80's no nonsense heavy metal; if you don't like lots of fast guitars, excessive drums, and other hallmarks, this album is NOT for you. And the guitar work is exquisite at times... These guys rank in my top 50 (and I have a very diverse musical interest). I would have liked to have seen a third album (Time Will Tell will also not disappoint). If you like Fates Warning (No Exit), Helstar (A Distant Thunder), or early Queensryche (Warning, Rage for Order), this album will be sure to please!

I recently purchase this album and to my surprise it was good. They remind me of early queeensryche with a hint of dio and black sabbath in some of there songs.The standouts are only the strong survive ,shout it out loud , fallout ,and fifth angel.There sonwritting has reliougs theme to them ,the guitar playing is fanstatic.Buy this cd iam sure you wont be dissapointed.I hope this review was helpfull to you

I didn't get into metal until late in the '80s so I missed this one the first time around. Luckily, one of the power rock stations on the DISH ran some of the tracks off this cd and I was hooked immediately. This band seems to be more "visual" than the others; you could almost see what they are singing about. Even without MTV, these guys should get the recognition they deserve. I bought this CD as an import, and even at the higher price it was worth it. "Cry Out The Fools" became my second favorite song of all time (after "Still of the Night"), and the rest certainly kick ass. Get it, you won't regret it!!!

Back in 1992 i was sent an Audio compilation tape that contained various Metal artists. There were 2 songs on the Tape that really stood out.
Fifth Angel & Wings of Destiny .........When i first heard these songs they quite simply blew me away !!!!. At the time i didnt know who this band was i couldnt google as it was before the internet. It sounded as if it had a British/European Power Metal Sound , I thought it came from the NWBHM era of the late 70s early 80s. That golden era That kick started bands like Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Samson, Angel Witch, Saxon And Even the Mighty Judas Priest.
Recently i was listening to the same tape and it struck me how to this very day how good this still sounds. So I decided to take a chance and purchase Fifth Angel As i have been reading other reviews and it seemed positive.
My initial reaction was WOW this is AWESOME every song sounds so fantastic in the back of my mind i thought well ok it cant get any better then Fifth Angel And Wings of Destiny but hell no there are other classics like In The Fallout, Shout It Out, Cry out the Fools, & Fade to Flames,
It sounds very original, great vocals from Ted Pilot, And the Twin Guitar Attack from James Byrd And Ed Archer Sound Fantastic. Although they have their own sound they remind me of Early Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Whitesnake, Dokken( Back for the Attack 1987 Era ) Samson, & Ian Gillan Band. Their sound can be described as power Metal that is very melodic.
This debut recording is the BEST i have heard of since Iron Maidens Debut In 1980.

This has been one of my favorites since i bought in 1986. Its hard to understand how they were not bigger than they were. Its good to hear they are back together for a third album. The lead singer Ted Pilot is a Dentist.

Very Catchy, hook laden 80's Heavy Metal.

This band stands out because of there lyrics and guitar work. This is a true Metal collectable and stood the test of time; another gem, I wish this band had put out more stuff. To bad.

This is another must buy {both there albums are a must}

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Here is commercial metal done very right and not the sell out type stuff you get most every time.

Anyone who knows anything about the history of heavy metal remembers how groundbreaking and astouding Seattle metal pioneers QUEENSRYCHE were back in the early and mid-80s.

Well, FIFTH ANGEL took them to school in Seattle during a "Battle of the Bands" competition in 1980, which should go a long way in assessing the talent of this unheralded group.

Although FIFTH ANGEL signed a major record deal later than Queensryche, FIFTH ANGEL's self-titled record was nothing short of brilliant. The Don Dokken-esque lead vocals, combined with the pounding rhythm of Ken Mary and guitar legend James Byrd resulted in an album well ahead of its time.

Unlike many of their peers, FIFTH ANGEL's brand of metal was very themeatic. The album is a story - not a concept, but songs based on a central theme of nuclear war.

Although FIFTH ANGEL never got the recognition they deserved, and their second album was molded into a commercial metal record, this first self-titled album was one of the best metal albums in the 80s.