HYKSOS: "Hyksos" LP
Hyksos Records 1982
Tony Gonzalez - guitar
Art Gonzalez - guitar
Barry Benjamin - bass
Clay Guinaldo - drums
Mark Bradley - vocals

Rarity:
LP = 7

Going insane
No Escape
In the past
Strut (Instrumental)
The Kings
Shadow of a Stallion
I wanted you
Ballerro (Instrumental)

Another much sought after US Metal record, private released in an edition of 1.000 pcs. only and rare as hell! The LP comes with innersleeve that has all lyrics printed and a bandfoto on the back. The fantasy cover looks really great, a gem for any collection! But the high hopes are not fulfilled by the music. Only two songs deal with the fantasy stuff as magic, swords and epic battles, and these are the only 2 tracks that I would consider to be classic stuff: >The Kings< (originally released on "Metal Massacre II") and >Shadow of a Stallion<: Very good and varied early US Metal ahead of it's time! But that is nearly all...
W ith >Strut< and >Ballerro< there are two instrumentals included, both show that HYKSOS are real good musicians (great guitars!) but they are unnecessary in my opinion. The remaining tracks >Going insane<, >No Escape< and >In the past< are not really bad, offering a blend of Heavy Rock and Metal. But seen from today I must admit that these tracks are missing power and great melodies that would lift 'em above only average early US-Metal. >I wanted you< is even worse with it's horrible "I miss you bla bla" lyrics. Also the production is weak. Don't get me wrong, I love for example SATAN'S HOST who have a far more horrible production, but they have passion and power without end! And HYKSOS lacks both...
To sum it up there are only 2 classic Metal tracks on this LP. All in all the record is not bad, but for a demanded price of nearly 200,00 € there are better things to get.