Musical Style: Varies	Produced By: David Malme & John Moore
Record Label: Regency	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 1988	Artist Website:
Tracks: 9	Rating: No Quote
Running Time: 39:44

If a fan of Regency Records compilation albums California Metal (1987), California Metal: Volume II (1988) and East Coast Metal (1988), the fourth installment in the series should also be of interest, Underground Metal (1988).  Underground Metal differs from its predecessors due to not limiting its lineup to a specific geographical region while allowing the ‘fanzines’ of the time (with one exception) to select each band that appears, as opposed to Regency making the final roster decisions.  Hence, inclusions from Harvest Rock Syndicate (Chosen Stranger), Long Hairs For Christ (Paradox), Powerline Magazine (Watchmen), Risen Rock (Paragon), R.O.C.K.I.N Ministries (Mercy Rule), White Metal Magazine (Chariot), White Throne Magazine (Armada) and The Look (Torn Flesh).  Lone outlier is Regency appointee Bjorn Stigsson.

This is where things also get dicey due to the fact selections from other notable publications such as Heaven's Metal, Rizzen Roxx, Take A Stand, The Cutting Edge and Blood Sacrifice were passed over.  That being said, and to be fair in light of time and space limitations, if the choices from ALL the fanzines in questions were included, Underground Metal would potentially be a double CD release, so Regency were forced to make some difficult cuts on the back end.

It deserves note the errors Regency made as it pertains to packaging.  First, Paradox is credited with the song “Ruler” when it performs “Meet The King” instead.  Second, on back of the jewel case, Bjorn Stigsson’s name is misspelled with two G’s as opposed to two S’s.  Third, not all lyrics are printed to Paragon’s song “Why Are There So Many Sinners” when there is space to do so.

Album begins to Bjorn Stigsson’s “Come On”.  Song brings all the qualities one expects of choice eighties melodic metal: ingrained hooks, strong vocals (noting the raspy croon of Peo Pettersson), skilled guitar work and uplifting tempo.  There is only one problem, however: Stigsson is not exactly ‘underground’, noting his previous work recording four albums with well-known Swedish metal and hard rock act Leviticus.  As a result, I am on the fence.  On one hand, the inclusion of “Come On” inspired me (back in the day) to purchase artists terrific 1989 solo album Together With Friends.  On the other, it might have made more sense - not to mention better stayed true to the ‘Underground Metal’ theme - to include instead a song from one of the publications whose choices ended up axed.

Armada follows in a heavier direction with its straightforward metal cut “But It’s Only Rock And Roll”.  Song delivers the high-energy traditional metal goods, as Doug Oxford bestows his gruff vocal delivery and Jeffrey Sipe and David Dawdy set the muscular rhythm guitar tone.  I see fans of Saint, Emerald and Armageddon embracing this one.  Good news is that the Armada 1987 full-length custom cassette Frontline in “But It’s Only Rock And Roll” appeared saw reissue on Retroactive Records in 2019.  Other independent releases attributing to the group are All For One (1986), Black & White (1988) and Break The Chain (1989).

Chosen Stranger delivers AOR tinged melodic hard rock on its subsequent contribution “So Glad”.  Russ Atteberry lends a worshipful flair with his Matthew Ward (Second Chapter Of Acts) inspired vocals - noting the ‘so glad that I believe, so glad I’ve been redeemed’ refrain - to a song awash in acoustic guitar, keyboards and light rhythm guitar.  Whereas specifically recorded for Underground Metal, “So Glad” was included along with the groups Chosen Stranger (1989) and Deathwalker (1992) custom cassette EP’s and two 7” singles from 1986 on the 2023 Roxx Records self-titled compilation entitled Chosen Stranger.

A more abrupt transition could not be made to the fiery power metal to Paradox and its three and half-minute energy burst “Meet The King”.  A high-pitched falsetto from Manuel Castillo gets things going ahead of Fernando Hernandez contributing rugged rhythm guitar and frenzied leads and Efrain Galicia hyper-accelerated double bass.  It would not be out of line to suggest Paradox were ahead of its time- today the group might fall under the heading ‘melodic power metal’.  “Meet The King” saw initial inclusion on the groups 1988 second demo Power & Glory, which Retroactive Records re-mastered and reissued in 2020.  Debut demo Ruler (1987) and third The Wrath (1999) were also reissued on Retroactive in 2020 and 2023, respectively.

One of my favorites ensues in Watchmen’s dynamic “Fear No Evil”.  Making its initial appearance on the 1987 custom cassette of the same name, “Fear No Evil” punctuates high quality heavy metal in which Greg Sweet shines with a powerful vocal style reminiscent to that of Ronnie James Dio.  Alas, “Fear No Evil” is not indicative of the Watchmen sound, as the groups 1989 Regency Records debut Generation traverses AOR influenced melodic hard rock.  That said do not let musical direction to Generation dissuade you in that Watchmen prove adept at composing strong material awash in catchy hooks and melodies.  It is long overdue for Generation and Fear No Evil to be re-mastered and reissued on CD and vinyl.

Chariot reveals grainy hard rock joined and melodic heavy metal on its cut “Step Into Light”.  Song bursts of energy with Louis Filardo’s pulsating guitar leads and Bruce Fleming’s powerhouse drumming standing alongside Paul Avile’s smooth classic tenor croon.  Reviewers that back in the day comparing Chariot to Y&T had the right idea.  “Step Into Light” traces to the groups 1987 eponymously entitled full-length second demo, which along with 1985 debut demo Tell The World (also full-length) saw reissue via Roxx Records in 2019 under the title History Lesson: The Complete Anthology Of Chariot.  Also, note the Step Into Light song “Truth” made its way onto the 1989 White Metal Invasion compilation that acted as a fundraiser for White Throne magazine.

Another favorite is Paragon contribution, ”Why Are There So Many Sinners?”.  What Paragon brings to the table is Rush influenced progressive rock highlighted by the intricate drumming of Paul Roraback (now known as PJ Bostic) and classic tenor vocals and detailed guitar work of Jeff Schronce.  “Why Are There So Many Sinners” traces to  the groups 1984 debut three song demo Just Believe, which was followed four  years later by five song second Dead And Alive.  A lack of talent does not hold Paragon back, noting how it won the Kitsap County battle of the bands contest three years running and performed with Daniel Band, Darrell Mansfield and Bloodgood.  I might suggest it were a crime Paragon went unsigned, but back in the mid to late eighties labels were not necessarily lining up to add Rush influenced progressive rock acts to their rosters! 

Mercy Rule presents with its well-produced track “Cities Are Burning”.  Initially going under the Black Ace moniker only to change to Aziz ahead of settling on Mercy Rule, group excels at what I like to refer to as ‘straightforward heavy metal with a melodic edge’.  Hence, “Cities Are Burning”, which presents with hearty rhythm guitar, enterprising timekeeping and Aaron Byrnes’ at times mid-ranged and others classic tenor vocals.  I see it appealing to fans of Rage Of Angels, Messiah Prophet and Stryper’s heavier material.  Reason I make mention of production is due to the fact the Mercy Rule R.E.X. Records 1989 debut full length Overruled might showcase the groups potential but otherwise suffers from production misgivings.  That said production improves from the re-mastering to the 2023 Roxx Records reissue to include as bonus tracks “Cities Are Burning” and the groups 1987 self-titled debut four-song demo.

Last but certainly not least is Torn Flesh and its inclusion “No Surfin’ In Hell”.  The song impresses as a campy joining of punk rock and thrash that is so bad to be borderline hilarious.  In other words, it is not my cup of tea, although it might be someone else’s.  Song is taken from the group’s debut 1988 14-song demo Love Kills and follow-up 4-song EP from the same year, Thrashin EP.  It later appeared on the 2002 compilation Incredibly Strange Metal, a particular I am uncertain of which to be proud…  Critics have been less than kind to Torn Flesh 1989 Narrowpath Records debut full length Crux Of The Mosh, referencing the 6% Metal Archives review describing it as ‘a strong contender for the worst thrash metal album of all time’.1  

Final point of contention is the selection of Torn Flesh by The Look.  Note that The Look is neither a fanzine nor publication but rather Torn Flesh’s own newsletter.  In other words, what we have is one of the grosses cases of nepotism I have heard!

Underground Metal equates to a well-rounded compiling of ‘underground’ Christian metal and hard rock bands of the time.  Yes, a few missteps in form of Torn Flesh and not quite so ‘underground’ Bjorn Stigsson, but overall Underground Metal succeeds from presenting talented acts such as Mercy Rule and Watchmen that signed a deal and released a full length album.  Others such as Armada, Chariot, Chosen Stranger, Paragon and Paradox might not have signed a deal but prove no less able not to mention lend significant depth to the Underground Metal roster.  If you can locate a copy I encourage making it a necessary purchase.  Similar to Regency Records compilation siblings, it is long out of print and overdue to reissue.

Review by: Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: Bjorn Stigsson – “Come On” (5:31), Armada – “But It’s Only Rock And Roll” (3:44), Chosen Stranger – “So Glad” (4:35), Paradox – “Meet The King” (3:29), Torn Flesh – “No Surfin’ In Hell” (4:19), Watchmen – “Fear No Evil” (4:57), Chariot – “Step Into Light” (3:36), Paragon – “Why Are There So Many Sinners” (5:26), Mercy Rule – “Cities Are Burning” (4:04)

Reference

1. King_of_Arnor.  Crux Of The Mosh Review.  Retrieved: August 7, 2025