When my beloved publisher here at METAL TEMPE assigns my next four album reviews all from the same band of which I know nothing about especially since they formed in 1976, broke up, and reunited in 2015, I guess it's time to get off the La Z Boy and get my ass in gear, do some intense research and find out everything I can about their history and their members. OSTROGOTH (meaning "Goths of the rising sun" or "Goths glorified by the rising sun") are a Belgian heavy metal band that released one EP and three full-length albums between 1983 and 1987 and all have been reissued on High Roller Records. They naturally went through the normal band lineup changes and various musical styles over those years before modest record sales led to their disbanding in 1988. Regrouping and reuniting to release the EP "Last Tribe Standing" in 2015 despite the loss of their guitar player to cancer, and to the best of my knowledge are still together, but don't hold me to that. They are influenced by THE SCORPIONS and ACCEPT and over those years have shared the stage with DEF LEPPARD, MANOWAR, URIAH HEEP, VANDERBERG and GARY MOORE. I will be reviewing the first of four reissues, with the EP "Full Moon's Eyes" releasing on September 19, 2023 leading off.

Opening with a little tease of an "Irish gig" (why?) on the title track "Full Moon's Eyes" before a galloping riff takes centre stage paired with uninspired vocals leaving a somewhat mundane feel and tempo but unexpectedly like a locomotive ramps up to full speed midway through to a gritty and frenetic pace to somewhat salvage an otherwise dud. "Heroes' Museum" starts out in the same groove as the opening track with a hearty melodic refrain but "nothing to see here folks" vocals that just drag the song down, as Marc de Brauwer appears straining to be heard over the music, leaving an uncomfortable and pedestrian final product. A nice high energy opening on "Rock Fever" where they toss in a sprinkling dose of punk in the crushing riffs and turbulent speed of the drums. "Ecstasy And Danger" an added bonus from a 1983 Demo Version, is a psychedelic stoner trip back to the groovy 60's with a playful riff and chanting chorus

Well, I sure as hell did not feel any song remotely reminding me of their influences, THE SCORPIONS or ACCEPT. I will give them credit for delivering a different sound on all five tracks, but you'll notice I didn't say a good sound. They were basically all over the board musically never really defining their own character or personality. The vocals, which at times were buried and added no substance or quality, probably the result of poor production and mastering.