If there is something that I can't stand is to forget things, well, I am not the only one. Earlier, I reviewed two reissues of the second and third albums of the German MYSTIC PROPHECY. A few days ago, I noticed that I totally slipped the reissue of the debut, "Vengeance", which was recently released via Massacre Records. On the other hand, it still gave me a chance to explore in depth the band's starting point. Back when they recruited a young Greek guitar player named Konstantinos Karamitroudis, also known as Gus G., a musician with plans for greatness, and paving a golden brick road for themselves by ascertaining themselves as one of the heaviest bands in true Metal.

Unlike the relatively melodic approach of the next albums, "Vengeance" is a fiercer combatant, a call to the trenches, like a burning flame that wouldn't go out even if rain was pouring on it. It seemed to me that VALLEY'S EVE's Roberto Liapakis and co. wanted to have the word out about the new band's emergence in such a manner that would raise eyebrows, meaning blasting forward without looking back. There is a clear path towards the aggressive form of Power Metal, even heavier than PRIMAL FEAR or DREAM EVIL, which already emerged by that time, also with Gus G. as its riff master. I would argue that "Vengeance" might be the band's thrashiest release to date, engraving the riffing and attitude of ANTHRAX and a few Bay Area iconic stars such as TESTAMENT for instance. Nonetheless, and even if less melodic, MYSTIC PROPHECY never let go of the finer moments of melody, whether through Liapakis's vocals, which later on were in an even better form, or through Gus G.'s impeccable shred soloing and robust harmonies. Frankly, this is one of the main reasons why I became a follower of the band in the first place, they could punch through a wall and cause turmoil with their outstanding manifestation of Metal, yet with the ability of generating emotive motifs.

Tackling the "Vengeance" setlist, as if it was bound in the first place, I was most welcomed by "Fallen Angel". Certainly one of the band's most interesting tracks, unleashing a Thrash oriented aggressive assault. Definitely, in contrast to their later material, and songs of this release, it is possibly one of their innovative efforts. There are the strong moments within "Damnation and Darkness", "Dark Side of the Moon" and "In the Distance", implying of the band's constant pattern of songwriting, always direct, penetrating the listener's ear with force. That same formulaic pattern has been with the band to date. Furthermore, this version includes two special live tracks years after the release with MYSTIC PROPHECY performing in their new lineup with songs of their fourth album "Savage Souls". I can't be too sure why these two tracks were inserted to this reissue, material which was unrelated to the period of the debut, but still, always good to listen to unreleased live material, especially when well executed.

"Vengeance" was a starting point for things to come for band. Two years after its release, MYSTIC PROPHECY began their Nuclear Blast Records period with two amazing albums and onwards to make history.