The good folks at Locomotive have done it again. The idea of reissuing an album is one of the best ways to give some older music a new lease on life. Many people discover band years later because someone realized that they could reach a whole new market with existing product. This Holy Moses release is just that kind of reissue. I have read about them in years past but have never run across their music in CD shops. Being older, I was lucky enough to catch many of the classic thrash bands on their first tours but somehow Holy Moses slipped through my fingers, until now. The original version of this record came out in 1986 and the sound and feel is perfect for that timeframe. I have to admit that Sabina Classen’s vocals are an acquired taste, but the music is great old school thrash. Andy Classen’s guitar work throughout this album is really the star of the show. He manages to keep things thrashy but add enough melodic riffs to keep things interesting and not one dimensional. As an added bonus, you get another album’s worth of music called the “Walpurgisnight Demos.” While many of the tracks are duplicated, they are different enough to make it interesting. It’s also a good peak into the process of how songs start and what the finished product becomes. If you’re an old school thrash fan, give this CD a try. You won’t be disappointed.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2007 Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.