Paradox is a thrash/speed metal band, founded in February 1986, in Würzburg, Germany, by singer/guitar-player Charly Steinhauer and drummer Axel Blaha. However the two had already played together since November 1981, first naming themselves Overkill (Charly became a heavy metal fanatic because of Motörhead, naming his first band after their legendary album), then Warhead, before adopting the Paradox moniker. The band released 2 albums on the Roadrunner label, before going under in 1991. Paradox re-emerged in 1998, with a totally new line-up. They released 1 album, but fell apart once more in 2002, mostly due to the band members obligations with other bands. But because of the demand from fans, both for festival appearances, and for new material, main man Charly Steinhauser gave it yet another go in 2007. A year later a new album was released.

PRODUCT OF IMAGINATION (1987, 1999) MAXIMUM METAL

Based on favorable reviews for the bands first demo, Paradox signed a record deal with Roadrunner Records in November, 1986. After recording a second demo ('Mystery', February 1987), the band was featured on a Roadrunner compilation LP, 'Teutonic Invasion' featuring up-and-coming German metal acts. Finally the band records their debut album, 'Product Of Imagination', released in October, 1987.

The band was always very open about the fact that they modeled their music after their favorite band, Metallica. And why there are obvious similarities between these 2 bands ("Kill The Beats" has a riff that is borderline stealing!), I will still say that Paradox has a sound of their own. I can't really put my finger on it, but they have an intangible Teutonic flare over them, and at times they have as much in common with the early German speed metal bands, such as Running Wild and Helloween. Heck, vocalist Charly Steinhauser sounds more similar to a young Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, ex-Helloween) as he does James Hetfield.

Musically this debut is a little hit and miss. Some of the songs are almost juvenile compared to the more technical stuff at hand. But when Paradox are on, they are on fire! With razor sharp guitar tones, thunderous bass and drums, and the venomous tongue of Charly, they really deliver the goods on tracks like "Paradox", "Product Of Imagination" and "Pray To The Godz Of Wrath". I missed this band completely when they first appeared back in the mid '80's, despite them being on the renowned Roadrunner Records label. But their mix of speed and thrash metal would have hit me right between the eyes as a teenager. 'Product Of Imagination' may not be the best debut album of it's genre, but it is certain to find some fans, perhaps mostly due to the albums that would follow it.

'Product Of Imagination' was quite hard to find for a while, as it was out of print. However, Maximum Metal, a division of High Vaultage Records, reissued this CD in 1999. The reissue comes with 4 bonus track (3 raw live recordings, and a demo track). The booklet features the bands history, old interviews and reviews, lyrics and old band photos. This is the version of the album I own. Metal Mind Productions reissued the album again in 2007, with the same bonus tracks, adding a video clip, and this time the entire album was remastered.

Killer tracks: Paradox, Product Of Imagination, Pray To The Godz Of Wrath, Beyond Space

HERESY (1989) ROADRACER

'Heresy' is an absolute outstanding thrash-metal album! All the tracks are classic thrash metal, and this has to be one the finest albums in it's genre. Paradox claimed to be Metallica fanatics, and this is also a band to compare them with (the sound Metallica had back in those days, that it). I was lucky enough to get this in a trade, and when I popped it in my CD-player, it stayed there for weeks!

'Heresy' is a concept album, and the booklet states: "The events depicted in this album may appear to be brutal, but everything written is based wholly on Facts!!" It's based on a religious sect called Catharsis, that grew in France between the 11th and 13th century. But in the 13th century the Pope called for a crusade to vanquish all the heretics, and a force of knights and mercenaries massacred the Catharses, and eliminated the Catharsis.

Killer tracks: All of them are excellent, but "700 Years On" tops them all!!

COLLISION COURSE (2000) AFM

Decade Of Sorrow - instrumental Collision Course Rearrange The Past Path Of Denial Saviour Blamed For Nothing Prostitution Of Society Shattered Illusions Sadness Overshadowed Dynamite (Bonus-track)

Line-up: Charly Steinhauer: Guitar, Vocals Kai Pasemann: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals Oliver Holzwarth: Bass Alex Holzwarth: Drums

Paradox return with more power thrash. Only Charly remains from the old days, but the music is still great. Many of the songs were written back in 1990, just before the band folded. However, the overall sound is a bit different here, and the Metallica similarities are gone. Maybe it's the updated production that does it. This is actually the album that made me discover the band, after reading a good review in Scream Magazine. I bought the album, and at first I wasn't all that exited. But soon I realized that this is one fine album. I tend to like 'Heresy' more, now that I have gotten that one as well, but still this is outstanding stuff too. The bonus-track, "Dynamite", is a Scorpions cover.

Killer tracks: Collision Course, Shattered Illusions

ELECTRIFY (2007, 2008) AFM/CD MAXIMUM

Paradox return once again with this 2007 release, named 'Electrify'. Charly and Kai are left from the last line-up, and 2 new names have entered the ranks. Not only is this a revitalized band, but the music seems stronger than ever too.

Yes, this is a vital and fierce thrash metal effort, played by a band that comes across as more and more youthful with each release. 'Electrify' might just be the bands defining moment, 20 years after their birth! They no longer need to be compared to other, more familiar acts. With a good sense of melody, excellent riffs, and better songwriting then most, Paradox continue to deliver their own brand of technical thrash metal. Everything that was so great about this band on their earlier album is taken yet another step further with this record. It's heavier, faster and perhaps even tighter. Charly and Kai delivers some absolutely tasteful solos, amongst all the powerful riffs. Roland Jahoda is filling some great drumming shoes, and he does it with bravura. It's as though the bands excitement is leaping through the speakers, and I just have to hit play one more time when the CD stops.

In a time when thrash metal has been given a second birth, with young bands popping up everywhere, it seems as though mediocrity and copy-cat bands get all the rage. I guess it's even harder for the "old" bands to get recognized. So I can only hope that Paradox might get the recognition they deserve. After all, they are the real deal, and this is the way thrash metal was meant to be played; with equal amounts of head, heart and aggression.

Killer tracks: Second Over Third By Force, Portrait In Grey, Hyperspeed Hallucinations, Infected, Electrify

Paradox also appear on:

V/A - 'A Tribute To ABBA'

Alex Holzwarth guest appearances:

Angra - 'Angel's Cry'

Avantasia - 'The Wicked Symphony'

Avantasia - 'Angel of Babylon'

Oliver Holzwarth guest appearances:

Blind Guardian - 'Nightfall In Middle-Earth'

Blind Guardian - 'A Night At The Opera'

Blind Guardian - 'A Twist In The Myth'

Related artists:

Rhapsody/Rhapsody Of Fire, Avantasia, Running Wild, Helloween, U.D.O., Accept, X-Wild