Heathen - Recovered (2004)

In 2001, Heathen reunited with David White, Lee Altus, Ira Black, Mike Jastremski and Darren Minter, to play the Thrash of the Titans concert to help Chuck Billy and Chuck Schuldiner raise funds for Billy’s throat cancer treatment and Schuldiner’s brain cancer treatment. The concert was a huge success, but in 2004, Mike “Yaz” Jastremski left the band again, and was replaced by Ulysses Siren bassist Jon Torres. A full-length album, Recovered was released on Relentless Metal Records, consisting of re-recorded old material and cover songs.

I was never a fan of Heathen's, even in their prime. I think for me a big turn off was their cover of "Set Me Free." I personally didn't care for that, what did initially attract me to the band was the fact that they had worked with Ronnie Montrose. When I got this compilation of covers & demos, my expectations for such a mix of material, wasn't very high. I do admire them for taking a chance & opening the record with two songs, that I never heard as thrash/power metal hybrid, “Death on Two Legs” by Queen & “The Holy War” by Thin Lizzy. Who would have thought?

I like their renditions, they brought a fresh approach to each of those two tracks. I think if someone wasn't familiar with the originals, they'd think they were Heathen material. Heathen did include one original track recorded for this compilation, it's entitled “In Memory of…” It's a very emotional, moody, it gives the band a chance to branch out & do something more than just shred. I'm sure, this newly recorded track, will please their core fan base. I think the real bonus to this collection is the remastered demos. You get an opportunity to do some time traveling & listen to band in their infancy, with raw & an unadulterated sound. The innocence of the band & their energy is captured brilliantly on these recordings, the remastering just enhances the experience.
Clearly if you're a fan of Heathen you'll be jumping for joy that they have returned after a lengthy hiatus. I think this is a good record, that fans of power metal & thrash would really appreciate. ~ Review by sixxswine







Track Listing

01. Death On Two Legs (Queen cover) (4:01)
02. The Holy War (Thin Lizzy cover) (5:03)
03. In Memory Of… (5:21)
04. Hellbound (Tygers of Pan Tang cover) (3:50)
05. Eye Of The Storm (Sweet Savage cover) (3:21)
06. Hypnotized (7:23)
07. Opiate Of The Masses (7:29)
08. Timeless Cell (5:08)
09. Mercy Is No Virtue (6:03)

Produced by Rob Beaton & Heathen

The Band

• Ira Black (Consfearacy, ex-Pornucopia, ex-Doom Society, ex-Prophesy, ex-Chris Caffery, ex-Lizzy Borden, ex-Vicious Rumors) - Guitars
• Darren Minter (Angel Witch, Brutal Groove, Deconstruct, Die Krupps) - Drums
• David White-Godfrey (Blind Illusion, Inner Threshold, Bomb Threat, Laughing Dead, Under) - Vocals
• Michael "Yaz" Jastremski (ex-Griffin) - Bass
• Lee Altus (Exodus, Angel Witch, Die Krupps) - Guitars





Many thanks to the original uploader: Master_Splinter

SEE also:
Heathen 1987 Breaking The Sile...ardboard Sleeve, Reissue 2009]
Heathen 1991 Victims Of Deception [Japan 1st Press]