Heretic was formed in Los Angeles in 1986. After releasing an EP and a full-length album for Metal Blade, the band disappeared, as the members joined other bands. Vocalist Mike Howe left for Metal Church, while other embers joined David Wayne (ex-Metal Church) and formed Reverend.

BREAKING POINT (1988) METAL BLADE/ENIGMA

Heretic might be know mostly for their vocalist, who later joined Metal Church. But no one can tell me that these guys couldn't have made it on their own, had they continued to deliver such strong material as was present on their only full-length album. Produced by legendary Bill Metoyer, and none other than Kurdt Vanderhoof himself, this is a power metal masterpiece! If you are wondering what power metal really is, this is maybe the perfect example to start your search. Power metal was a little harder then classic metal, but not as fast as thrash metal. Heretic did sound a bit similar to Metal Church, but that might also be due to the vocals, and Kurdt's production. I would not call them a copy band though, as I've already said, these guys can hold up fine themselves. I cannot say enough good things about the songwriting here either. They mix the fast speed-parts with more mid-temp stuff, and occasional acoustic intros. If you want riffs, you got it! If you want leads, you've got it! If you want memorable songs, you've got it! Add Mike's unique raw-and-smooth at the same time vocals, and you've got Heretic. "Evil For Evil" sounds a bit too much like "Am I Evil?" by Diamond Head (made famous by Metallica) for it to be a coincidence though. It's strange that no one have cried plagiarism yet.

Killer tracks: Heretic, Enemy Within, Time Runs Short, Evil For Evil, The Search

Related Artists:

Metal Church, Reverend