GRINDER:
"Dawn for the Living" LP
No Remorse Records 1989
Adrian - vocals, bass
Andy - lead guitar
Stefan Arnold - drums
Lario - lead guitar
Rarity:
LP = 2
CD = 8
Obsession
Dawn for the Living
Sinners Exile
Magician
Dying Flesh
Delirium
Traitor
F.O.A.D.
"Dawn for the Living" has a furious begin with the mercyless Speed metal crusher >Obsession<, the following title-track also leaves you no time to rest. The next track is the first unbelievable highlight on this LP, >Sinners Exile<:
"Holy father what will you say? Who decides about life and fate? No! Not you - you are just like me. A bit more violent a bit more mean...". The following chorus is hypnotising and a must to hear for all you Power Metal fans out there! Great guitars that leave you standing with open mouth! And right when you think: "That's it, it can not be better" comes >The Magician<: A more midtempo based Power Metal Kut with guitars like chainsaws that'll make you jump outta your window in extasy (so better only listen to this record if your room is on the ground-floor, he he). All other tracks are also terrific, not as outstanding as >Magician< and >Sinners Exile< but still better than 90% of all speed-metal records from around this time, including US Bands! This is true heavy Speed Metal in perfection - why does nearly nobody know GRINDER and even less know their first LP?? This will always remain a secret to me...
One reason may be that "Dawn for the Living" was released by the fantastic but sadly small independent Label "No Remorse Records". This Label had really great bands (BLIND GUARDIAN, WARDANCE, HEAVENS GATE, PYRACANDA) but did break up in the early 90ies, what a loss! It was by far my favorite german label - well, when I think about it, it STILL is my favorite german label.
The extinction of "No Remorse" is responsible for the very high price of the CD version of GRINDERs debut. It was released in a small quantity and is completely sold out since a decade now, almost impossible to find even in germany. The CD features as bonus-track a life-version of >Traitor<, not really important. The LP is still easier to find today, so try to get this by all means!
GRINDERs second LP "Dead End" is also an absolute classic piece of metal, bit more melodic and all in all a bit slower but with even better songmaterial so if you do not own this - catch it if you can! Also hard to find, CD again with bonustrack (>The Morgue<, unreleased and good!) and also a must to have if you are not a poser!!!
GRINDERs remaining releases ("The first EP" and "Nothing is Sacred") are a lot weaker, only recommend if you see them for a cheap price anywhere...
After "Nothing is Sacred" GRINDER did split up. Adrian started a new band called CAPRICORN in the same musical style, but never again reached the quality of his earlier works...