Introduction I can no longer remember when I got this tape. I either purchased the magazine it came with, or bought it second-hand at a record fair. Based on the release dates of the tracks on it, I suspect it was compiled in 1992 and I probably found it around 1993.

This tape didn't leave my Walkman for months and is responsible for shaping my taste in music, particularly the kind of guitar I play. I can't underestimate how taste-altering this tape was.

Recently I transferred the tape to CD and spent a while listening to it. Much of the tape is not what I would consider "metal", most of it is rock or hard-rock, but it isn't pretending to be all metal. It is exactly the diversity of the music on this tape that helped shape what I thought was normal.

This article will catalogue my attempt to go through the tape, track by track, to see where all of the artists came from and where they went.

Side A
1. "Hell Awaits (Live)", Slayer

Awesome - this track is rarely performed live these days but is absolutely classic SLAYER. Prepare yourself for the onslaught of a new SLAYER album later this year.

Slayer formed in 1981, but rose to fame with their 1986 Rick Rubin produced album Reign in Blood. According to Wikipedia, "the band is credited as one of the 'Big Four' thrash metal bands, along with Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth".

This live track is the first track from their 1991 live album Decade Of Aggression.

The band are still around and still hugely popular. They released an excellent album Christ Illusion in 2006 and won Grammy in 2007 for song "Eyes Of The Insane".

Slayer's drummer is (usually) Dave Lombardo who also drums for Mike Patton's Fantomas as well as various other one-off projects, including Apocalyptica.

2. "Hymn Of Hate", Armoured Angel

Intense, ugly, dirty, loud - only for those with a strong heart HYMN OF HATE is from the STIGMARTYR E.P. The lads are currently working on a new E.P. which should be released soon.

This has always been my favourite song on this tape. It was then and it is now. It's death metal, and in fact Wikipedia claims that Armoured Angel were one of the first death metal bands.

The guitar is brutal, the singing growled in an octave I can't manage, and the beautifully played speed melodic guitar solos flow out of the noise perfectly. I love it. I wish the quality was better.

This song is the intro track on their second EP, Stigmartyr (1992). The EP described in the blurb is Mysterium which didn't come out until 1994.

The band recorded an album in 1996 but broke up before it could be released. The bass player (founder) reformed the band with a new guitar/vocalist and drummer and put out an album in 1999 (Angel of the Sixth Order). The album apparently suffered from bad production, and they never managed to gain the popularity they had before they first broke up. They disbanded again soon after.

A compilation with remixed tracks from the unreleased 1996 album (Trisagion) was due in 2007 but I haven't seen it.

Armoured Angel were responsible for starting the Metal For The Brain festival which ran from 1991 to November 2006.

3. "Do You Wear The Mark", Danzig

DANZIG III - HOW THE GODS KILL is an album full of violent frustration, the master of the darkside - Glen Danzig exposes a world ravaged by greed and corruption. Intense stuff that makes DANZIG peerless in ranks of heavy rock.

All I knew of Danzig when I first got this tape was Metallica's cover of Last Caress was credited to "Danzig". I can't explained how confused I was that none of the Danzig albums had Last Caress on it. I know now that the song is The Misfits with Glenn Danzig, who disbanded in 1983.

This song is the second last track on Danzig's Danzig III: How The Gods Kill album, which includes some excellent H.R. Giger cover art.

I remember the song never really being heavy enough for me, but today I quite like it. Enough to possibly track the album down.

Danzig started in 1987 (renaming from Samhain), releasing their first album in 1988 on Rick Rubin's Def American label. They are still around, their most recent album was released in 2004 and a "Lost Tracks" collection in 2007.

4. "Filth", Hellmenn

Having been conceived from the absolute depth of dementia comes this delicate yet discordant melodic masterpiece. From the forthcoming Mercury release ABSOLUTE FILTH

There isn't a lot on the web about Hellmenn, except their official MySpace page, which informs me the band broke up in April 1994, only a year after releasing "Absolute Filth".

The track's main riff reminds me a lot of one of my very very old guitar demos, and I suppose I might have been influenced by it. It's not particularly memorable, but it is, as it claims, melodic.

5. "Ain't Ugly None", Raging Slab

Ferocious hard rock quintet RAGING SLAB are about to release their new album DYNAMITE MONSTER BOOGIE CONCERT. Slash and burn rock - you can also find them amongst other Def American artists on the 'TIL DEF DO US PART II compilation.

This song always reminded me of a slightly more commercial Soundgarden. It's slow hard rock of the kind my memory thinks was common in the 90s but it could just be Soundgarden and this band for all I know. The singer's voice is huge, but probably a bit too clean for my liking. It takes away the hard rock edge I think they're going for.

Raging Slab's Wikipedia page is full of useful info. The band formed in the early 80s and had just moved to the Def American label for their new album, produced by Brendan O'Brien (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots) which certainly explains their sound.

Wikipedia provides a paragraph that I think sums them up well:

In 1993 the band released their Def American debut, the magnum opus double album Dynamite Monster Boogie Concert. A video that the group creates to accompany this release featured former child actor Gary Coleman, and the video debuted on MTV's popular Beavis and Butt-Head program, where Beavis is heard to declare, "they're like Skynyrd, but cool ".

The band seems to have faded out in the mid to late 90s due to contract issues but came back briefly in the 21st century to fade out again into "promised new album" mode in 2007.

Official Raging Slab website.

6. "Torn Between Two Worlds", Allegiance

"Torn Between Two Worlds" is based on the concept of schitzophrenia. The music helps to reflect this and has many twists and turns and changes in contrast."

"Concept" of schitzophrenia... right.

This "Allegiance" is the Perth trash metal group, not the San Francisco hardcore punk group.

This song always reminded me a bit of "Against The Grain", another Australian metal band from the early 90s, when I think the record companies were hoping metal would be the next alternative, before alternative really kicked in.

It's certainly one of the more heavy songs on the tape, with obvious Metallica and Slayer influences. Thrash parts, straight up pop/metal parts, the quiet acousticy fade out... The singing always seemed a bit tryhard though. Like someone trying to be heavy.

The band formed in 1990, and this songs appears to be either from their second demo of the same name or possibly from their first album D.e.s.t.i.u.t.i.o.n. (1994) which apparently was ARIA number 1 in Western Australia. They were very popular, toured extensively with high profile acts, played the Big Day Out and recorded a Triple J Live show. They recorded a second album ("Skinman") in 1996, breaking up in late 1997 during the recording of a promo video.

In the 21st century. they've performed three "one-off" reunion shows, including one with Kiss.

7. "'Scuse Me", Trouble

One of the best albums of 1992 - if you don't have a copy of MANIC FRUSTRATION - TROUBLE'S latest album, your record collection is sadly incomplete. Wildly hallucinogenic retro rock. Simply awesome.

My record collection is sadly incomplete.

But I like this song. Straight up hard rock, possibly a little Rollins Band. I love the hugh feedback bad tape quality drumbeat intro, the slightly ham fisted quiet bit in the middle, followed by a great solo.

Trouble's Wikipedia entry.

The band formed in 1979 and spent most of the 80s known for their openly religious lyrics and became known as "white metal".

After a three year break at the end of the 80s, Rick Rubin signed the band to Def American Records to produce their forth album, "Trouble", followed by the album from which "'Scuse Me" is taken, "Manic Frustration" in 1992.

The band was dropped from the label following this album. They released another album in 1995 on another label but broke up shortly after.

They reformed in 2000 and have been playing gigs ever since. Eric Wagner (vocals) sang on Dave Grohl's "Probot" concept album.

Eric left the reunited band shortly after the release of their new album.

The remaining members have recently indicated on they're working on a new album.

8. "God Of Thunder (live)", Kiss

From the essential KISS ALIVE II release - this track stands as a reminder that KISS ALIVE III is due out in May. A collection of new and classic KISS it's the next best thing to seeing them perform in your bedroom.

Yeah. Kiss. This song from a live collection serves as an advert to another live collection. Thanks.

Side B
1. "Fazer", Quicksand

New York's Quicksand are the hottest property in the US after a 40 date tour with Helmet. If you like Fugazi then Quicksand are your band. Their debut album "Slip" is out now, its searing power will leave you gasping.

Quicksand at Wikipedia.

The band only released one other album after the one from which this song comes before disbanding in 1995. They reformed in 1997 but broke up again for good in 1998.

"Faser" has a guitar riff in it I always thought was awesome and on relistening I haven't changed my mind at all. Unfortunately I can't standing the chorus, the lyrics "cosign of your routine" really gets up my nose. Otherwise the song is great and contains a lot of musical elements you still hear today. Wikipedia claims they were influential, and you can certainly hear this style all through early Tool. It's hard to know who came first...

2. "Teethgrinder", Therapy

Wake Up... Time To Die!!! Mayham for the straightfaced, shafts of life for the meek. Therapy? are an awesome Irish trio that don't piss about. They're in your face and their debut album "Nurse" is in record stores now.

The most "alternative" (in it's original sense) song on this tape. Highly effected drums, looping guitars, voice samples for the chorus. This track reminds me of the dance styles of Primal Scream as if Regurgitator were played it. I remember hating it when I first played the tape but it's grown on me a lot.

Therapy? at Wikipedia.

The band are still together. They gained popularity in the 90s with the outbreak of alternative, lost popularity, but never went away.

"Nurse" is not their debut but their third album. It was their first major label release. They've released another ten albums (including a best of) since.

3. "Driva Man (live)", Beasts Of Bourbon

1993 marks ten years behind bars for the Beasts. To mark the occasion the band have assembled a double album - "From The Belly Of The Beast" - menagerie of previously unreleased studio takes and live cuts that trace their career from the early 80s to now. "Driva Man" is just one prime example of why the Beasts are revered around the world.

Beasts Of Bourbon at Wikipedia.

Absolutely hated this on first listen. It's listenable now, it's certainly interesting, but it never really fit in with the theme of the rest of the tape. Tex's voice is HUGE.

I find it hard to believe the Beasts have been around as long as they have.

Not long after the release this song is on, the band appeared to break up, with Tex Perkins focusing on his band "The Cruel Sea" who saw a lot of success.

They've reformed and broken up various times since, the latest breakup being in April 2008.

4. "Land Of The Living", Mantissa

The act that started as "Killing Time" and became "Mantissa" have captured imaginations with their brute force and brilliance of their Terry Date produced album "Mossy God". The anthemic "Land Of The Living" displays why anticipation is high for Mantissa throughout UK/Europe and the States in 1993.

Mantissa at Wikipedia.

In 1993 a neighbour lent me a Killing Time CD. I hated it. I don't know if this was these guys before they changed their name to Mantisa, or one of the other bands called Killing Time that forced the name change... I'll never know.

This song is rock. Screaming Jets rock. Not particularly interesting.

The band supported a lot of big bands (RHCP, Jane's Addiction, Mudhoney) but didn't do particularly well themselves after the name change.

After releasing the album this song is from, they relocated in 1993 to the USA to promote a local release of "Mossy God". They returned to Australia in 1994 to tour with Pantera, play the 1995 Big Day Out, record a second album, then break up.

5. "Let It Bleed", The Affected

Kinda like if the Rolling Stones had hair and grew up on Kiss and The Lemonheads, a fast stepping pop buzz with honking sax and dinky piano. From the BLEED album.

This song could be The Vines, Jet, or any of those tryhard retro bands that the kids love these days. Screamed almost-vocals, piano, dirty guitar riffs, slightly crappy drumming. The description above is almost right.

Google has failed me. I can find nothing on this band. There are a couple of "The Affected" bands but their details are scant and their mySpace-ness makes them seem unlikely to be an early 90s band.

I found a few copies of their album for sale, all labelled "long out of print." Weirdly, they seem to be on a few digital download stores including Napster. On the official Rubber Records store only "Bleed" is for sale.

6. "Home", The God Machine

Imgaine using Stonehenge as a drum kit, with Polaris missles as the sticks. Imagine Janes Addiction mixed with Beelzebub. This is The God Machine. "Home" is a scrutum clamp of a track and was "Single Of The Week" in Kerrang!, NME and Melody Maker. The album is "Scenes From The Second Storey" and it's out now.

The God Machine on Wikipedia.

Single Of The Week in three respected magazines crossing various genres must have been huge for the band.

To me the song sounds like Janes Addiction (vocals) crossed with VAST (guitar and choir samples) with a little Ministry. It's a huge song and can see how it could have made such a big impact.

They released two albums in the early 90s before their bass player died of a brain tumour, effectively ending the band.

7. "Stargod Champion", Mother Love Bone

Mother Love Bone are the cornerstone of the Seattle rock phenomenon. Members of Mother Love Bone were, or are, in Pearl Jam, Temple Of The Dog, Green River, Malfunkshun and 10 Minute Warning. The memory of the late Andrew Wood (vocals) is honoured on the Mother Love Bone retrospective which is available now - Essential!

Mother Love Bone at Wikipedia.

The song always felt like a Pearl Jam effected Guns'n'Roses to me. It never connected. The band only lasted two years, ended in 1990 on the death of their frontman.

8. "Addiction", The Almighty

The Almighty (who toured Australia last year with The Screaming Jets) return with the finest and heaviest album to date - "Powertrippin". Produced by Mark Dodson (Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies), initial quantities of the CD and cassette will feature a bonus 40 minute recordings of The Almighty's full set of Donnington '92. Out mid-April.

The Almighty at Wikipedia.

The guitar sound in this song appealed, it's extremely chunky, but the song is a bit dull. Again, it's a little 90s alternative and not metal enough.

The second side of the tape is a real let down...

Another band to break up in the mid 90s. They reformed in 2000, broke up again in 2002, reformed again in 2006, and are still together.