Oh the sweet 80s, what a wonderful history. However, from where I come from if I would have lived in the 80s, I wouldn't have probably known the large number of bands that I came to know since I was first affected by the blackish touch of  Heavy Metal music. Time and time again I stumble upon reissues of old 80s albums mostly by bands that I have never heard of. Well, since I am a dead curious like a cat, I had to investigate. Though I haven't reached all of what has been released but I try to keep up as I can. This time Hells Headbangers Records blessed me with the reissue (probably remastered) of something Denmark, yeah the land of the King. I received the debut album, named "Fit For Fight", originally released back in 1984, of the Heavy Metal band WITCH CROSS. The word pure might be delinquent to describe these guys' appreciation towards their roots because they can be categorized as the roots of what is going on today. Nevertheless, these guys also had their derivations and as many back in that time in Europe, took most of their influences from British Metal, meaning NWOBHM, displaying 70s and early 80s JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN but also taking that a bit darkened creativeness of their local MERCYFUL FATE, while even producing the debut in a sound outline that is a reminiscent of the older releases of the Danish giant.

In general, "Fit For Fight" isn't probably a so called uniqueness but that vibe and that old school atmosphere that it generates is so rich, sometimes while playing the album it got me a bit emotional as I felt that the old times came back to life for almost forty minutes. There were plenty of bands back then trying to reach to top, some laid down and die, some paved their road to become stars and some were just there sharing their music and keeping the flame burning. WITCH CROSS could have been something glorious in the 80s, but the curse of the lineup changes struck them hard and they left the scenes in 1986. However, both their legacy and their identity came back alive with this release. Playing traditional, somewhat in the zone of post NWOBHM, upstart Rock along with early JUDAS PRIEST ("British Steel" and "Screaming For Vengeance") and IRON MAIDEN ("Number Of The Beast","Piece Of Mind"), crispy sounded guitaring of the twin axe duo displaying cutting edge riffing plus melodies and harmonics, basic kind of drumming and classy bass in a British fashion, high register vocals that made me tremble reminding some of England's old shouters, energetic soloing filled with passion, lack of bass on the entire album's production all the way, along with a few raw moments especially on the last track "Alien Savage", but I didn't care because this one felt so much like a vinyl so I let it go.

Though some of these track might sound as cliché' in comparison to what is going on today in the worldwide Metal scene, it shouldn't be approached with that attitude. WITCH CROSS is a classic band that played in the classic times of traditional Metal. Everyone wanted to be somebody, as today, but the material that went on back then more or less was less constructive than the racing for exceptionality that has been going on in the present. With "Fit For Fight" the straightforward basics do the talking, of course with great talents and wonderful musicianship because you can't leave without those. "Rocking TheNight Away" blew my head off right away, such a great vibe of "Living After Midnight", SCORPIONS kind, along with MAIDENish soloing. And when Alex "Savage" Nyborg Madsen started popping the lyrics on the verses, it was back to the late 70s. Now I know why this guy was with a LED ZEPPELIN oriented band years back. The riffing is extra crispy, catchy showcasing why I am a huge fan of rhythm guitars and drumming so basic by so fundamental. The instrumental "Axe Dance" better than "Transylvania", though rather poorly produced it kills. It started a bit foggy, probably from the distortions, but it is insanely melodic, great solo section with a profound rhythm support, main riff chops, should have been classic. "Light Of ATorch" is an early kind of street Metal, reminded me a bit of early RATT at first but continued on that great British path. A one powerful intro that filled me with joy and then it started getting PRIEST all around, damn what a great feeling from those riffs. In last few words, take this one why don't you. It might not sound modern or that highly produced, but it is an important piece of Metal history, essential for your survival with this genre so come share the glory.