Monday, June 15, 2009

Anthrax 1982 Demo




The first demo from Anthrax released by the band in July, 1982.

Across the River / Howling Furies
I Will Take You There
Leader of the Land
untitled

Download here
password: metallegions

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Possessed - Death Metal demo (1984)





Classic death metal demo from Bay Area thrashers Possessed. This tape was recorded with Brian Montana on guitar. Includes tracks that were later included on the Seven Churches LP.

Download here
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Exodus - Turk Street demo (1984)




Recorded at Turk Street studio in 1984 (hence the title). Three songs include vocals. The band ran out of money and never completed this recording. Produced by Doug Piercy (Heathen).

Bonded by Blood
Exodus
And then There Were None
Metal Command
Piranha
No Love
Deliver Us to Evil
Strike of the Beast
Death Row


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password: metallegions

Megadeth - Last Rites demo (1984)




Gar Sauelson joined the band sometime after this demo was recorded.
Lee Rausch plays drums on the demo. The band used the demo to secure a deal with Combat, which led to Killing is My Business.

Last Rites/Loved to Deth
Mechanix
The Skull Beneath the Skin

Download here
password: metallegions

Vio-Lence - Mechanic Demo (1988)





Vio-Lence signed to Mechanic in the late 80's. To hype the band, this demo was recorded prior to the recording of Eternal Nightmare and a huge promo campaign was launched to give away free demos. I remember seeing these ads all over the metal magazines. I used to have a copy of the actual tape....and though Eternal Nightmare is far superior, there's a raw energy to these demos that rules. Not a huge fan of the double tracked vocals though. Paraplegic was left off of the album due to some controversy with the lyrics. around 5,000 copies of this tape were released. Enjoy.

Eternal Nightmare
Kill on Command
Bodies on Bodies
Paraplegic

Download here
password: metallegions

Defiance - Hypothermia demo (1988)



This demo led to a deal with Roadrunner that produced three great full lengths.

Engineered by Patrick Couglin, Mike Kaufman & Ace Cook
Recorded at Dragon Studios

Hypothermia
Product of Society
Missing In Action + Aftermath (instr.)

Download here
password: metallegions

Epidemic - Extremeties demo (1991)




My favorite of all the releases from Epidemic. They put out a few records on Metal Blade in the early 90's, but I prefer this demo to anything else they released. Circle of Fools is classic.

Circle Of Fools
Tornado
Territories
Hate
D.C.S.

Download here
password: metal-legions

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Kaos - New Creation demo (1990)




Great bay area thrash from Kaos. Seemed like they were opening half of the shows I went to in the Bay Area in the early 90's. Great energy with lots of scream-alongs. Enjoy.

download here
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The Horde of Torment - Inherit the Sin demo (1991)




Three song demo from The Horde of Torment.

Inherit the Sin
Alive Within
Pain Asylum

download here
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Death Angel - Kill As One (1986)




Excellent demo produced/recorded by Kirk Hammet. Includes four tracks later re-recorded and released on The UltraViolence. The demo tracks were added to the more recently released box set, but were cleaned up and remastered. I prefer this version that's true to the original tape.

Download here
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Death Angel - Heavy Metal Insanity (1983)




The first released demo from Death Angel. This one's completely unlike their later demos and records - not thrash metal by any stretch. Andy Galleon was 10 or 11 years old when this was recorded. Produced by Matt Wallace.

"No Time for Love"
"The Hunted"
"Intruder"
"Barren Lands"

Download here
Password: metallegions

Forbidden Evil - Demo 1987

Three song demo from these Bay Area thrashers. I picked this up at a Death Angel / Forbidden Evil / Hellhound show at The Stone in San Francisco in 1987 and listened to my copy until it died (literally). Glad to have this version, even if the sound isn't perfect. Crushing.

Chalice of Blood
March Into Fire
Follow Me

Download here
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Heathen - Pray for Death demo (1985)




One of my favorite bands from the bay area thrash scene of the 80's. Great demo!

Pray for Death
Goblin's Blade
Open the Grave
Heathen
Deaf in the SIlence
World's End

Download here
no password

Laaz Rockit - Demo 1983




The first demo from Laaz Rockit. Bay Area power metal!

"Prelude To Death"
"Black Leather"
"Silent Scream"

Download here
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Legacy - Demo #1 (1985)




Legendary demo from the band that became Testament. All of these tracks ended up on the first LP except "Reign of Terror". A young Alex Skolnick absolutely shreds on this early material (the best lead player from the Bay Area thrash scene!).
This demo features Steve "Zetro" Souza on vocals and Mike Ronchette on drums. Produced by Doug Piercy (best known for his work as a guitarist for fellow Bay Area band Heathen.) The band had released a previous demo in 1984, but for whatever reason titled this tape 'Demo #1'.

"Burnt Offerings"
"Reign of Terror"
"Alone in the Dark"
"Raging Waters"

Download here
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Metallica - No Life Till Leather (Demo 1982)





The tape that started it all in the US. This copy is first generation and sounds excellent. I love the raw energy and attitude that comes through on this recording. James sounds almost exactly like Sean Harris from Diamond Head (much more so than on Kill Em All) Dave Mustaine plays lead guitar on this recording and Rob McGovney plays bass (though Cliff Burton is credited on the demo as a member of the band).

"Hit the Lights" - 4:19
"The Mechanix" - 4:28
"Motorbreath" - 3:18
"Seek & Destroy" - 4:55
"Metal Militia" - 5:17
"Jump in the Fire" - 3:51
"Phantom Lord" - 3:33

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