What were you doing in 1989? More to the point, what were you listening to? Most metalheads were riding the downward wave of NWOBHM and were about to take on the swell of the 1990's metal tidal wave. Right in that transitional spot was a little heard of band from Calmbach, Germany-five guys including a stand-alone vocalist and even a keyboardist-it was still the 80's and keyboards were pretty much essential-known as CZAKAN. They released one full-length album, "State of Confusion," and then . . . well, as their recent promo material says, "the trail of this brilliant band unfortunately got lost in the sands of time." My guess is life happened.

Next question, it's been 34 years since 1989 so why are we talking about CZAKAN now? Because they recently reformed and reissued their one and only album via Pride & Joy Music. And because it's hells yeah good. It's not Black Metal ate your soul and spit up a Post-Metal masterpiece, but it is a solid Heavy Metal nugget. And it's not just an archeological piece because they actually got the band back together and there are videos and pictures to prove it. Sure, there have been a few requisite lineup changes and there's noticeably less hair, but shit it's been 34 years. And besides we have all learned the hard way that hair is not requisite in Metal and can in fact be a little embarrassing, so no real loss there.

I'm presuming there was also some remastering . . . because this is one well-recorded album. As one might expect, Michael Schennach's vocals are clean, and Oliver Güttinger's guitar performance is more about finesse than brute force. Similarly, the rhythm section pulls together catchy melodies and there are plenty of vocal harmony flourishes. Lyrically, the themes center on earnest appeals for social reform, for love, and for manly displays of vigor and bravado. If you were alive and conscious during the 80's, this album will bring it all back in technicolor.

Standout tracks have to be measured in context of the time they were created. With that said, my pick of the best goes to "Thunder and Lightning," arguably the heaviest track on the album, "So Cold" a solid bluesy Hard Rock number, and "Too High To Touch" which is the most philosophical song of the mix and probably best captures what happened to the band-"We try to reach for the sky but it's too high for us."

I'm not sure if we'll see a follow-up album from CZAKAN. For now, we have the resurrection of their debut, "State of Confusion." As far as reanimations go, Herbert West would be envious. If 80's Hard Rock is your jam, this is an album you'll want to check out.