On the 6th August Metal Mind Productions, for the first time ever, will release two first Blessed Death's albums on CD. To this day, this American band remains one of the most interesting and respectable metal bands of

On the 6th August Metal Mind Productions, for the first time ever, will release two first Blessed Death's albums on CD. To this day, this American band remains one of the most interesting and respectable metal bands of the whole 80's thrash scene. In their times, they easily proved that, next to Testament, Slayer and Kreator, there was still room for originality in complex speed/thrash combinations. "Kill Or Be Killed" was one of the most thrilling debuts in the thrash history of the 80's. The release was a testimony of the band's supreme thrash abilities: fast riffs, angry drums and the piercing vocals of Larry Portelli, whose insane screams and melodic singing blended into a truly hypnotizing combination. "Destined For Extinction", more complex and intense than the debut, introduced nine destructive tracks, all exposing sheer brilliancy in composing technical speed/thrash. For the band, this was a definite step forward towards excellence - far better production and more aggressive sound made this album into a masterpiece.
 
"Kill Or Be Killed" & "Destined For Extinction" will be available in a digipack edition on golden discs, digitally remastered using 24-Bit process, limited to numerated 2000 copies. Both titles will be released on 6th August in Europe ("Destined? " will be also issued on 3rd September in USA via MVD).

Blessed Death
"Kill or Be Killed"

Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD DG 1034
Barcode: 5907785029996
Format: CD Digipack (limited edition of 2000 numerated copies)
Genre:  thrash metal
Release date: 06.08.2007 Europe

Tracklist:

1. Melt Down
2. Pig Slaughter
3. Omen Of Fate
4. Into The Ovens
5. Knights Of Old Bridge
6. Eternal War
7. Blessed Death        
8. Napalm    
9. Kill Or Be Killed

Blessed Death
"Destined For Extinction"

Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD DG 1033
Barcode: 5907785029989
Format: CD Digipack (limited edition of 2000 numerated copies)
Genre:  thrash metal
Release date: 06.08.2007 Europe / 03.09.2007 US

Tracklist:
1. Digital War
2. Painkiller
3. 10000 Days Of Bloodshed
4. Incoming Wounded
5. Pray For Death
6. Death In The Sky
7. Curse Of Weapons
8. Alien Impregnation   
9. Destructions Eve

Bio
Blessed Death is one of the most valuable gems of the 80's thrash metal scene, at their time proving that next to Testament, Slayer and Kreator there was still room for originality in complex speed/thrash combinations. The band started off in 1984 in Old Bridge, NJ, with a demo tape which received huge acclaim among the underground thrash enthusiasts. A second demo release followed in 1985, only to confirm the group's potential for making it big in the music industry. This year also featured Blessed Death's first official album for Megaforce Records - "Kill Or Be Killed". The release was a testimony of the band's supreme thrash abilities - fast riffs, angry drums and piercing vocals of Larry Portelli, whose insane screams and melodic singing blended into a truly hypnotizing combination. Despite a bit raw production, "Killed Or Be Killed" proved to be a great success, hitting the top of the metal charts. In 1987 Blessed Death signed a contract with Roadrunner Records to release their second album, called "Destined For Extinction". More complex and intense than the debut, the album introduced nine destructive tracks, all exposing sheer brilliancy in composing technical speed/thrash. For the band, this was a definite step forward towards excellence - a far better production (but still holding the climatic underground vibe) and more aggressive sound made this album into a masterpiece. Many reviewers highlighted Portelli's vocals on "Destined For Extinction", describing them as "pure torture which you cannot fail to enjoy". In various interviews the group confirmed that their second release had a very significant meaning to all of them: We were very young when we did' Kill or Be Killed'. 'Destined For Extinction' was a reflection of our of distaste for society. Our own shitty experiences in life are what really fuelled our aggression. By that time we were putting our heart and souls into Blessed Death. We lived solely for our music. It was our whole existence at the time and our song writing and playing skills had also progressed since 'Killed Or Be Killed'.
An excessive European tour with Cyclone followed in 1988, where one of the most spectacular shows for the band took place at the Queen's Day festival in Scum, Katwijk (Holland) on April 30th. Unfortunately, after the successful tour it seemed that Blessed Death's lucky star has faded. They managed to record a third LP in 1991,  but failed to release it due to financial trouble. Without the record labels' support, the band couldn't last in the music business and was forced to retire in 1992.

Fourteen years after Blessed Death split up, the loyal fan base was still trying to convince the band to release the studio material from 1991. Finally, after tons of e-mails and message board posts, they succeeded - "Hour Of Pain" (previously known as "Born To Die") saw the light of day in 2006, released independently by Blessed Death themselves. The group was more than satisfied with their decision, as the album proved to be a great success among the fans. The release also brought hope for a reunion, which so far is not confirmed, although some signs show that it is more than possible.
For now, you hold in your hands one of the most breathtaking thrash release of the late 80's. "Destined For Extinction" is not only a great album, it also highlights a band which went  through a lot to prove their worth. Anderson admits that this was possible mainly because of the fans: As always the fans are awesome. I really hope this is a sign of old school metal becoming popular again especially with the young people. I think old school metal and thrash metal is on the rise again. We need more new bands, as well, on the scene to make a strong resurgence, and we need to give them our full support. Blessed Death is extremely grateful to all the die hard fans and friends that have remembered and supported our music over the years! And we are grateful for the music.