No Life Til Metal - CD Gallery

OCTOBER 31 is a U.S. band formed in the beginning of 1996 by King Fowley (also in Deceased). While Deceased were more Death Metal and Thrash oriented this project would have it´s roots in more traditional Heavy Metal. They released the "Voyage To Infinity" demo that featured 3 originals and a Warlord cover. That demo was very well received and is now currently out of print. Afterwards they started working on a second demo, then called "Lost City" but scrapped that because of interest from an Illinois label: Rest In Peace Records, who wanted a full length release. During the recording and writing of new material for the full length guitarist Kevin Lewis decided to leave the band, leaving Brian with all guitar duties. "The Fire Awaits You" was the bands first full length release after which Kevin returned for the next two albums and again left after "Meet Thy Maker". Guitarist Brian "Hellstorm" Williams also has a band called K-Octave. Ex-K-Octave vocalist Shawn Pelata sang for this band for a short time as well but never recorded anything with them.

1. "The Warlock" (3:32)
2. "Salem's Curse" (5:52)
3. "The Fire Awaits You" (4:31)
4. "Lost City" (7:45)
5. "Voyage to Infinity" (4:01)
6. "Day of the Saxons" (3:04)
7. "Vindication" (5:16)
8. "A Million Goodbyes" (7:13)

Even though "The Fire Awaits" was October 31's first full length release, it was the last CD I had heard from them until long after getting "Meet Thy Maker". So, I basically knew what to expect. October 31st are uncompromising, no frill, heavy metal. That is exactly what "The Fire Awaits" delivers. The music is actually a bit darker than some of the follow-up albums. I'd actually describe the music as classic American heavy metal meets early 80's NWOBHM with a bi 'ol dose of Edgar Allen Poe. Musically the band isn't as thrashy as future albums, which isn't neccessarily a bad or good thing. It's just a matter of preference. For me, I like 'em both. I can appreciate the classic metal vibe of this album, while still loving the thrashier material to come. The production on this self financed album is a bit lacking, but certainly isn't unlistenable. I mean, October 31 is about as underground as heavy metal gets. As such, this is an underground gem.

This CD was just a bear to find, but thanks to my good friend Olaf for hooking me up. I know own both the vinyl and CD versions of this metal classic. Personally I think I like the sound on the vinyl better than the CD as it has a warmer sound. The CD is in serious need of some level boosting and remastering.

October 31 - Visions Of The End EP (Old Metal Records) 1999

1. "Visions Of The End" (4:13)
2. "The Chosen One" (4:05)
3. "Servants And Slaves" (5:20)
4. "Give ´Em The Axe" (2:45)
5. "The Legend Of The Haunted Sea" (5:29)

I have to admit, the first time I popped this CD into my CD player, the first thing I did was skip over to the cover of Lizzy Borden's "Give 'Em the Axe" to see how King Fowley sounded singing those high pitched falsetto vocals of Lizzy. Sure enough, he pulled them off quite well and the song rocked! This entire EP is quite good actually. King's normal vocal style is more of a mid-tone, dare I say gothic tone. The music here, however, is far from gothic. "Visions of the End" is pure heavy metal. October 31 are not concerned with showing off their technical abilities or writing overly progressive, brutal metal. Rather they focus on recalling the glory days of heavy metal. When metalheads were united without all the subgenres. One listen to "The Chosen One" will recall the days of headbanging glory. I absolutely love this EP.

1. "Meet Thy Maker" (4:26)
2. "Just An Illusion" (4:10)
3. "For There Is War!" (6:19)
4. "Far From Danger Now" (6:34)
5. "Power And The Glory" (5:47)
6. "The Verdict" (6:02)
7. "Behind The Castle Walls" (6:48)

There is something infectious about this band. However, I had heard so many good things about these guys before hearing them that I was a bit disappointed upon first listening. The music is actually quite good, but the vocals were not what I was expecting. I also knew that Shawn Pelata had sang for this band at one time, and I love his other bands (Oracle/K-Octave/Trampled Underfoot), so I guess I was expecting something like his powerful classic metal style. Instead, drummer King Fowley attempts to sing, and King's definitely is not the 'classic' singer that Shawn is. He mostly sings in a midrange, clean style, but with not as much dynamics or range. However, as I said, there is something infectious about these guys because I could not stop listening. The more I listened the more I liked it and the more King's voice grew on me. Can't say that I would mind if they got a singer like Shawn in the band permanently, but as it stands, "Meet thy Maker" is a good heavy metal disc that recalls the glory days of heavy metal. "Power & the Glory" is a Saxon cover, and an excellent choice for a cover at that.

There is also a two-CD version of this album released by Metal Blade that includes some demo material from the band. Since I got this disc free, I can't complain, but I am now on the lookout for the two disc version. My disc is autographed by the entire band.

October 31 - Stagefright (Thrash Corner Records) 2003

1. "The Chosen One" (4:31)
2. "Salem's Curse" (6:14)
3. "Meet Thy Maker" (6:16)
4. "Just an Illusion" (4:14)
5. "A Million Goodbyes" (3:54)
6. "The Warlock" (4:49)
7. "Voyage to Infinity" (3:56)
8. "Visions of the End" (8:15)
9. "Power and the Glory" (4:46)

Recorded in 2002 at the "Classic Metal Fest II" in Ohio, "Stagefright" is October 31 captured live and raw in front of a small, but rowdy club crowd. This is exactly the type of shows I enjoy. It's music for die-hards, not trend followers. It's real heavy metal music made by and for fans of heavy metal. The sound here is far from perfect, but isn't unlistenable. Unfortunately for whatever reason the bass guitar is nearly inaudible. However, King Fowley's raspy vox, the buzzsaw guitars and the pounding drums are firmly in place. No, October 31 didn't go back in an re-record and touch-up their performance. This is live and raw, the way you would have heard it had you been at the club on that hot July evening. It's about sweat, head-banging and fist-pumping. It is a testament of a band that loves heavy metal and loves tearing up a stage.

Upon listening to this CD the first time my jaw dropped open. Man have these guys improved over their past releases. No longer are October 31 playing 'classic metal' but rather I would describe most of the material on "No Survivors" as speed metal or even thrash. Certainly album opener "Powerhouse" is a thrasher with plenty of speed and aggression. Also, King's vocals sound great on this CD, from the gravely singing to the insane screams. The thing is, this intensity doesn't let up through the entire CD. Some songs like "Rivet Rats" and "Commit to Sin" slow the pace down a bit, but, but even these songs are every bit as heavy and driving. There are some melodic moments, such as the guitar solo in "Commit to Sin", but overall this CD will tear your face off. The title track is another fuel injected number with an old school thrash metal feel complete with gang vocal chorus. Another highlight on this disc is the outstanding cover of Overkill's "Wrecking Crew". I was also surprised by the lyrics on this CD, which at times are pretty thoughtful. "What Waits Beyond" is a song of searching and wondering about what follows the grave. Of course it wouldn't be an October 31 CD without songs like "Back Alley Murders" and "Rivet Rat." So, all in all, call me impressed. This CD will be getting plenty of spin time in my CD player. Long live thrash metal.