There are few albums that impress me right from first listen. WAXWING has a reissue that does just that. The reissue of “Appetizer” wets your appetite for more. From the first track, “Pictures of You”, the EP is filled with blazing guitars that grab a hold of you. Originally released in 1989, WAXWING gained a following playing the club circuit and it is easy to see why. They’ve got loud, big guitars, great rhythms, outstanding lead guitars, incredible vocals, and kick ass rock n’ roll. Snyder is amazing on guitar, comparable to Randy Rhoads. While no one is like Randy, Snyder is close. He writes and plays similar rhythms and leads in the same style as Rhoads. Gil Thrill is great on vocals, singing in the eighties stereotypical high register that we love. They are a beast of a band, playing some killer classic metal.

“Alone In the Night” is a little more subdued and toned down than “Pictures of You”. This is a straightforward rock song. “Riding Out” picks up the pace once again kicking it into high gear. This song gets you fist pumping and head banging, with a blazing solo that pulls no punches. The forth and last song on the EP surprises you by the title. With a title like “Wet Spot”, you would expect another fast sleazy rock song. Instead what you get is what sounds like a heartfelt love ballad. Melodic acoustic guitars over soft keyboards start this song. Gil’s vocals sound beautiful with just a touch of rasp.

 “Appetizer” gives you all you could want from eighties style metal. There’s fast, meaty guitars with hooks and rocking rhythms and wild solos. The vocals are top notch, as are the bass and drums. The only real disappointment is that “Appetizer” is a four song EP and not a full length album. Take a journey back in time and treat yourself to some great classic metal with WAXWING.