Wrathchild America - Climbin' The Walls (1989) [2016 Rock Candy Remastered]

WRATHCHILD AMERICA‘s 1989 debut “Climbin’ The Walls” isn’t the typical kind of music ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ by Rock Candy Records, but this long forgotten album certainly deserved a proper reissue, and a listen by all ’80s rock aficionados.

Back in the late Eighties, American Rock music appeared to be splitting into two fractions; melodic hard rock / glam metal, and thrash metal. Although these two camps were, in effect, polar opposite, fans of either were always appreciative of the aesthetics of both.
At the heavier end of the spectrum bands such as Slayer, Megadeth and Metallica were enjoying a wave of popularity that had started to influence a number of younger acts, including Testament, Pantera and… Wrathchild America.
Based on America’s East Coast, the band, initially just called Wrathchild, developed a following and style that would eventually lead to a shot at the big time with major label powerhouse Atlantic Records.

Recorded in Los Angeles with seasoned engineer / producer Mark Dearnley (AC/DC, Krokus, Circus Of Power), “Climbin’ The Walls” was set to become a cornerstone release in the world of US metal, but plans were delayed by the intervention of a British glam metal band using the same name.
Issued with a cease and desist order the US band, at the eleventh hour, adopted the amended moniker of Wrathchild America. This necessary last minute name change added an element of confusion to the album launch.

Very much in tune with the times, heavy, raw and packed with explosive firepower, the nine tracks fitted the genre perfectly combining aggressive riffs, speed and some progressive elements in one punchy bundle.
But Wrathchild America also added a high dose of melody to their music, plus a clean and polished sound.


Tracks:

01 – Climbin’ The Walls
02 – Hell’s Gates
03 – No Deposit, No Return
04 – Hernia
05 – London After Midnight
06 – Candy from a Madman
07 – Silent Darkness (Smothered Life)
08 – Time
09 – Day of Thunder

Personnel:

Brad Divens – lead vocals, 4 & 5 string bass
Jay Abbene – guitar, backing vocals
Terry Carter – 6 & 12 string guitars, backing vocals
Shannon Larkin – drums, backing vocals