To my eternal shame, I hadn’t previously come across Rekuiem (formerly spelt Requiem) as one of the pioneers of the NWOBHM movement back in the early 80s, though this probably had a lot to do with the fact that the odd single aside, they did not release anything first time round. 

Time Will Tell is their comeback / reformation album and all I can say is that all is forgiven…it was worth the wait !!!! 

This is a quality release in every sense. Firstly the production is outstanding - huge and yet crystal clear like every true metal release deserves, but so few get. A huge pat on the back to the band who handled production duties themselves. 

In terms of style, if you think “Powerslave” era Maiden with a massive 2006 production job, you wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Unlike many of the other NWOBHM bands of the time, Rekuiem veered into what later became known as Doom Metal and there are still influences in that direction...check out the brilliant Candlemass-esque title track for starters and the Sabbath-like intro to “Black Death”. 

The album opens with “Nightmare” and after a classic religious sounding organ intro, the guitars kick in and the grin widens across my face as I am instantly transported back to the mid-80s, the air guitar is dusted off and the face is contorted. The worries of the day are gone and I remember exactly why I got into metal in the first place ‘cos nothing can make you feel like this.  Big riffs are joined by pounding drums, battering you into submission before an awesome vocal performance from Paul Parry (ex-Tredegar) fills the room.  Proper metal as it should be !!!! 

Things don’t let up in any way with “Wildfire” and the superb “Sinners”, before Diamond Head main man Brian Tatler makes an appearance on “Werewolf”, another great metal fist-pumper.  There’s even a cover of “Paranoid”, although the band have given it a very different interpretation, rather than just doing a note-for-note copy. Not entirely sure of it personally, but you’ve got to admire the bravery of such a move and even the mighty Ozzy himself is impressed, apparently, so what do I know. 

The last couple of tracks, “Angel Of Sin” and “Sacrificial Wanderer” formed the original 7” single the band first put out in 1980 and they’ve been re-recorded and undoubtedly benefit from the monster production job. The latter in particular is a quality song which would stand up in any era. 

If Time Will Tell is anything to go by, then Rekuiem are back to stay. You get the distinct impression that they would be awesome live and I can see many European festival invites heading their way. It would not surprise me in the slightest to see them at Bloodstock or the like very soon and I’ll see you all down the front if they do.

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Track List

Nightmare
Wildfire
Sinners
Time Will Tell
Werewolf
Paranoid
Black Death
In Your Keeping
Angel Of Sin
Sacrificial Wanderer

Line Up

Steve Slater - Guitar
Karl Wilcox - Drums
Gordon Denny - Bass
Paul Parry - Vocals