I picked up this album at a time I tried to purchase some new music once a week. I tended to buy things without knowing anything about them other than they were metal.

This album was really good I thought. I totally loved the galloping guitar riffs on songs like Shellshock and they would go on to influence my own future playing. You hear techniques like that fairly common these days if you listen to acts like Iced Earth, but for some reason this Onslaught band can be tough to find. In my experience it may be simply because there seem to be other bands by the same name.

This album was released in 1989 and I listened to it quite a bit. I want to share a few highlights from it.

I hope you enjoy them...

Onslaught - Shellshock - 6:51

Shellshock
Are these the eyes of a madman
That see a crumbling sky
Reaching out for the answer
Please tell me why
In a state of reclusion
In a shellshocked mind
Gazing into the darkness
That I can't find

(CHORUS) Stay calm - there's panic all around
Listen to the silence it's so loud
Raise hell - Who says that I'm insane
Follow let the blindman lead the way
Madness I'm your slave
Shellshock Shellshock Shellshock
Draining the life from me
Shellshock Shellshock
My ears they bleed
Shellshock Shellshock Shellshock
Twisting my every dream
Shellshock Shellshock
Oh insanity was born in me

In the chill of a nightmare
Awake in screaming pain
Bowing down to emotion
Every nerve in flame
Am I blind to the reason
Can I really see
Along the path of confusion
It's hard to me

(CHORUS)

Watching time for the timeless
Within a conscious dream
A fading scene of violence
What can this mean
Through a faith in illusion
Redeem a jaded past
The clawing hands of the clockface
They turn so fast

(CHORUS)

Onslaught - Welcome to Dying - 12:40

As time slips by
I awaken from my sleep
Too blind to see
That tomorrow's just a dream
I fear no pain
As I reach toward the sky
Immortal words
Was I really born to die

My destiny
Please release me from this hell
I'm locked inside
Cannot break the broken spell

Welcome to dying
Welcome to dying
Now say your last goodbyes

The darkness dies
But the dawn it brings no light
In life or death
Our existence is a fight
In sight of end
Let me die leave me in peace
A slave to life
Break the chains and set me free

My destiny
Please release me from this hell
I'm locked inside, locked inside
Cannot break the broken spell

Welcome to dying
Welcome to dying
Now say your last goodbyes

Death is spreading like disease
Life I cannot see
Fate a shadow blackening my soul
Life holds nothing for me now
Death so let it be
Fate is something far beyond control

Welcome to dying
Welcome to dying
Now say your last goodbyes

Before my eyes
Flashing memories of the past
I lie in wait
Could these thoughts now be my last
Time fade away
Have I wasted all these years
As air grows cold
For the end is drawing near

My destiny
Please release me from this hell
I'm locked inside, locked inside
Cannot break the broken spell

Welcome to dying
Welcome to dying
Now say your last goodbyes

Why did I suddenly write about this?

Those of you who know me, know I enjoy reaction videos. I've seen a lot of reactions to the following Unleash the Archers video and a lot of people commenting she sings like Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. I tend to think she sounds a lot more like Steve Grimmett, but of course she is female and he is not.

UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Awakening (Full Band Playthrough Video) | Napalm Records - 7:17

Consider this older (1983) Grim Reaper song as a comparison...

Grim Reaper-See You In Hell [HQ and LYRICS] - 4:20

Grim Reaper - See you in Hell live 1987 HQ - 6:29

Grim Reaper - Rock You To Hell (live HQ) - 4:07