''Fifth Angel'' is the first studio album by the American
heavy metal band
Fifth Angel
Fifth Angel is an American heavy metal band from Bellevue, Washington.
Biography
Fifth Angel was formed in the suburbs of Seattle in 1983, specifically, in the Bellevue area. The band's initial lineup consisted of Ted Pilot (vocals), James B ...
. It was originally released in 1986. Musically, it shows much more resemblance to modern
power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...
than their other albums. After recording a four song demo in late 1983 and early 1984, which they sent to over 100 record labels,
Mike Varney of
Shrapnel Records
Shrapnel Records is an American record label founded in 1980 by record producer Mike Varney.
History
Guitarist Marty Friedman (formerly of Megadeth and Cacophony), one of the label's most successful artists, first appeared on the album ''U ...
signed the band and financed the recording of five additional songs and released the album in 1986.
Epic Records re-released it in 1988 with new artwork.
The record was produced by Fifth Angel and
Terry Date.
Track listing
All songs written by Pilot, Archer and Byrd except "Only the Strong Survive" by Pilot, Archer, Byrd, Mary
Personnel
;Band Members
* Ted Pilot – lead vocals
* James Byrd – lead guitar, vocals
* Ed Archer – rhythm guitar, bass (uncredited) and vocals
*
Ken Mary – drums, vocals
* Randy Hansen – bass (uncredited)
* Kenny Kay – bass (credited on original release, but does not play on the record)
;Production
* Produced by
Terry Date & Fifth Angel
* Recorded and mixed at
Steve Lawson Productions
* Terry Date – engineer, mixing
* Mastered at
Fantasy Studios
Fantasy Studios was a music recording studio in Berkeley, California, at the Zaentz Media Center, known for its recording of award-winning albums including Journey's ''Escape'' and Green Day's '' Dookie''. Built as a private recording studio fo ...
* George Horn – mastering
* Maarten De Boer – mastering
* Guy Aitchison – cover art
* Ed Archer – cover concept
Charts
References
1986 debut albums
Shrapnel Records albums
Fifth Angel albums
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