| Musical Style: Melodic Metal | Produced By: Eddie Ramirez & Dave McClave |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2023 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 41:19 |
Amethyst puts eighties metal sensibilities and faith based lyrics front and center on the self-titled and full-length custom cassette demo it recorded in April of 1989. Little otherwise is known about the Spokane, Washington based four piece other than it was founded in 1985 under the Metalstorm moniker ahead of going through a literal slew of name changes, from Fortress to Gentile to Mordecai, only to settle on Amethyst in 1987. Sadly, the group received little in the way of acclaim back in the day - a browse through various issues of White Throne and Heaven’s Metal failed to turn up any details pertaining to Amethyst - while it did not land a spot on any of the Christian metal compilations of the time (Underground Metal, Underground Metal 2, White Metal Invasion, etc).
Whereas ‘eighties metal’ can be an open ended statement, as it applies to Amethyst encompasses straightforward heavy metal (lone review I found online mentions names such as Scorpions, DIO and Iron Maiden) but not without also touching upon melodic metal and even some doom-like nuances. Hence, manner in which I identify with Amethyst as heavy metal with a melodic edge in that the group brings more muscle than many of the so-called hair metal bands of the period but not without forsaking the needed element of accessibility. Without offering direct comparison, if into early Stryper, Mercy Rule, Messiah Prophet and Emerald I can see Amethyst being of interest.
Good news is that despite the Amethyst demo being virtually impossible to find, Roxx Records re-mastered and re-issued it in June of 2023. I do not own the original, but the Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) re-mastering brings out the best in a fine sounding effort for what amounts a self-financed recording from the late eighties. Yes, some muddiness is to be expected, but key elements in the form of prominent guitars, elevated drums and balanced vocals receive proper placement in the mix. The eye catching cover art along with professional mini booklet encompassing easy to read lyrics and montage of band photos and concert flyers attributes to Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics).
Opener “White Than Snow” reveals the Amethyst melodic side. It starts stilly to gentle guitars ahead of kicking into high gear, with elevated rhythm guitar and sweeping drum rolls powering the remaining distance as the group’s youthful high energy makes an enlivening statement. This one does a good job capturing the musical and lyrical spirit to Stryper. Lyric snippet:
Through Him you can live forever
His blood is whiter than snow
No sin is in the name of Jesus
He has offered you eternal life
God sent his only Son
To save this world from sin
His name is Jesus Christ
“Joyful Noise” upholds the melodic sensibilities. A pop metal allure manifests, revealed in the rollicking tempo and commercial hooks to command (I detect a radio friendly allure), but also a stauncher form, found in the steadfast low end (Gary Rose exhibits his fast-fingered bass proclivities). Halfway in and a worshipful mentality manifests as polished vocal melodies briefly take over.
Two songs in and one cannot deny manner in which the at times lower register and gritty but otherwise soaring vocal aspects to Mark Fekete complement the Amethyst sound. The occasional Axl Rose like soulful falsetto in which he cuts looses reminds of Luke Richard Weber (Razorigami).
“Marching In” represents albums heaviest and best. Song skirts mid-paced traditional metal with a darker allure, gradually clawing through its thickly woven verse sections only to break out in venomous fashion upon acquiring its every bit burly but gripping refrain. I can see this one fitting on Bloodgood’s Out Of The Darkness. Closing the album is an ‘alternate version’ to “Marching In” that with exception of being twenty seconds shorter, I cannot tell the difference from the original. Lyric snippet:
Nightmares and death will fade away
When you enter Heaven's gate
When the Saints go marching in
To the land of no more sin
There Christ who was crucified will rule and be glorified
And the one called Lucifer who tried to rule God's land
Will fade as a dying flame
Then God our Lord will reign forever
Albums shortest at three and half minutes, “Forever” finds Amethyst doing its best Iron Maiden impersonation and pulling it off without flaw. Galloping rhythms, technical acumen and draw-you in at once guitar harmonies reveal the group delivering all the expected ingredients. Fekete stretches and lends some fitting Dickinson-like backbone to his delivery.
I place “The Storm Is Over” under a technical metal heading. It manifests its share of time signatures, upholding a mostly fast paced, high energy bent but also slowing on periodic basis for gently done passages only to gradually build force back to up-tempo territory. I take to the manifold instrumental runs, including extended passages to open and close and mid-point break carried by Bart Stevens’ spot on (and quite flashy at times) lead guitar work. Lyric snippet:
The wind is blowing and darkness knocks on your door
You feel the pain, I know I’ve been there before
Your heart hurts, the fear is raining down inside
Look up to Jesus… His arms are open wide
The storm has ended, it’s over
And at the end there is a Light
The rain, it stops and the darkness fades away
You see a rainbow
“Gone Astray” also approaches technical elements but also reflective of a semi-ballad form. Yes, the song settles down for calmly done moments but on a more frequent basis in mirroring the haunting and moody, but it elevates force in an added forthright direction, albeit not forsaking the key quality of melody. I see this one as a good candidate for radio play back in the day.
“My Friend” is first of two closing five-minute cuts. Song resonates some of those doom-ish nuances with its portent overtures, gradually drifting its distance in calm fashion as acoustic guitar mingles with eerie keyboards and echoing backing vocals. No, this does not rate with groups heaviest but it proves no less worthy. Lyric snippet:
Thinking back to yesterday, you were sitting alone with me at home
I didn't know what to say, I thought of saying "JESUS IS THE ANSWER"
But all I felt inside was shame...
Kerry my friend I'm sorry for not showing you the way
Sitting here so empty my feelings wont go away
Standing at your grave wondering the reason why?
My friend I wish I could tell you how I feel inside
A seamless transition is made to “Unseal The Crypt” by opening in similar ominous but tranquil fashion only to turn into a doom metal plodder. Momentum picks up maneuvering ahead, as guitar walls command the caustic scene in catchy form with the slower moments giving way to occasional explosive passages that pick up impetus exponentially. What we have is another top of the line track that lends credence as to why Amethyst deserved to receive a label deal during its time. Lyric snippet:
Then the stone on the crypt rolled away
The keepers knew that now they must pay
A flash in the night blinds their eyes
And the world is deafened by their cries
Unseal the crypt, He’s freed us from darkness
Unseal the crypt, and now Satan loses
And death loses power it’s dead… it’s dead!
Speaking of which, Amethyst joins a long list of unsigned ‘white metal’ bands from the eighties to have sadly disbanded without receiving a label opportunity the quality to its music deserves. Overall, Amethyst brings the musical licks and chops - a lack of talent is not an issue at hand - and backs it with sound ability to compose a quality song. If into eighties metal in all its forms then I give Amethyst a strong recommendation. Give credit to Roxx Records for making the long lost Amethyst demo available after having been out of print and hard to find for literally decades.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Whiter Than Snow” (3:56), “Joyful Noise” (3:48), “Marching In” (5:19), “Forever” (3:21), “The Storm Is Over” (4:41), “Gone Astray” (4:27), “My Friend” (5:36), “Unseal The Crypt” (5:08), “Marching In” (alternate version) (5:00)
Musicians
Mark Fekete - Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Bart Stevens - Lead Guitar & Keyboards
Gary Rose - Bass
John Silver - Drums
Additional Musicians
Dave McClave - Keyboards
