Canadian Metal Classics Pt. 1

Inspired by a recent Cosmic Hearse post, I've decided that its totally necessary that I submit to my one nationalist passion and wax boneheaded on the essential contributions my homeland has made to the development of extreme metal.
EVIL INVADERS

While not the first band to emerge from the Great White to make a dent in North American steel, Razor seems a great place to start when documenting historic Canadian Metal.  It is their sophomore effort Evil Invaders that holds a very special place in my heart. Upon first hearing the opening chords to the title track - whilst being mystified by the footage of fist pumping hosers in the music vid - I fell deeply in love with these Guelphians' Ontarian bludgeon. This album transports me to a time when leather-clad, poofy-haired teens braved their town's cold, bare streets to warm-up by headbanging arm in arm to the fiery sonic assault of their local Speed Merchants. Razor, on this record, ignites that warm and cold feeling of metallic brotherhood in any thrash maniac. From Stace's opening "Up your ass, right here, right now!!!" to Iron Hammer's heartfelt pledge of keeping metal alive and the declaration that the "Speed Merchants live for pleasure, live for pain, live for understanding and the sparks to start the flame" one can hear the honesty, authenticity and dedication with which Razor set out on a path of aural and physical destruction here. Guitars as graceful as meat-cleavers, drums soothing like jackhammers and Stace's shrieks soaring over it all, Evil Invaders weighs in with nearly as much heart and soul as muscle and metal. Also, is that not the best air-brushed album cover ever? 

THRASH!

 Oh, and here's some post-Stace Mclaren insanity fer ya!