review by: Roberto Martinelli

The Miskatonic Foundation record label has re-packaged the first album by this overlooked and sorely underrated San Francisco heavy metal band. As a bonus, various demo recordings have been added, including some songs that have not yet been re-recorded onto studio albums.

Excuse me if I may be pushing things slightly, but the Lord Weird Slough Feg may be one of the best heavy metal bands ever. The group's terrific Celtically inspired songs fronted by unique vocals have always been a pleasure to listen to. The secret has been being a solid metal band (when it was all just "heavy metal") without being some sort of retro band, and yet infusing the genre with something unique and delectable. You get some of the best that the first half of the 80s had to offer but with more of a charging, highlands warrior feel. This means lots of rough, melodic solos and TONS of cool harmonies. Just check out 2000's Down Among the Deadmen (the best heavy metal record that year) to hear the band at its best. If you even like Manilla Road at all you have to hear this group.

While the repackaging of the debut album is certainly an improvement, it still looks a little crap - the cover, anyway. (That's supposed to be the Lord Weird Slough Feg himself - a person who lives underground and receives prophetic messages in his head that he writes on the walls and who is naked and in a permanently rotting state. I guess his dick must have rotted off.) However, the rest of the re-packaging - including notes about the band written by band leader Mike Scalzi - not to mention the excellent demo bonuses, make this a must have for Slough Feg fans and something those new to the band really should check out.