Annihilator – Alice in Hell. 1989. 9=9.
Annihilator – Never, Neverland. 1990. 9=9. Solid thrash metal from Vancouver. A few progressive moves here and there keep the riffing interesting. Primary difference between the two are the change in vocalist from the first (a little gruffer) to the second. Second album a bit more polished and a little better. Guitar work exemplary, as expected. If you’re jonesin’ for straightforward “post Bay Area” thrash, these are about as good as they get.

Jericho Jones – Junkies, Monkeys & Donkeys. 1972. D: 9. The album released between the psychedelic Churchills and the progressive hard rock of Jericho. And those elements are present here as well. Though primarily the album was a product of its day, and contains a good dose of UK styled blues rock. Nice fuzz tone too. I feel the band were at their strongest with the hard rock ala the Jericho album, but all 3 are worth hearing. Easily Israel’s best collective from the classic era.

Recreation – Don’t Open. 1971. D: 10.
Recreation – Music or Not Music. 1972. D: 12.

The debut by this Belgian trio is a kick – somewhere between the avant space psych of Group 1850, the rigid metronomics of Egg and exploito organ-led covers of classic psych tracks. Great fuzz bass and go-go organ sounds throughout.

For “Music or Not Music”, the music takes a decidedly creative turn while adding guitar to the mix. An all-over-the-map type release, totaling 15 tracks, that reminds me some of Aphrodite’s Child’s “666” album, minus the pop songs. The quirkiness and overall demeanor recall some of the earlier work by Supersister. Like the debut, this is entirely instrumental. One of the best new-to-me obscurities I’ve heard in a long time.