I've been waiting since 1987 to get a copy of this debut! It was out of print on a small label, on vinyl. The first things that hit me are Jerry Fogle's razor-sharp guitar hooks, and the Ozzy-high crossed with some corrosive Alice Cooper-type vocals by Tim Baker.

Cirith Ungol started off as an Americanized, psychedelicized version of a NWOBHM act with Black Sabbath influences. They became heavier and doomy on their next LP, King of the Dead, which is included on the version I have. Included are both front and back covers, and all lyrics on this CD re-release from 1995. No bonus tracks. I heard a few tracks from the Metal Blade re-issues off a comp. The mix HERE is faithful to the records' original mix. Thin guitar, plunky bass sound. The Metal Blade remix/remaster makes it full and crunchy like Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell", not compressed as is the case here. Just owning this is thoroughly enjoyable, but will pick up the re-issues eventually, just to have it sound "new/fresh" again.

Frost And Fire
1.Frost And Fire
2.I'm Alive
3.A Little Fire
4.What Does It Take
5.Edge of the Knife
6.Better Off Dead
7.Maybe That's Why (this has lyrics but is still an instrumental)

King Of The Dead
8.Atom Smasher
9.Black Machine
10.Master of The Pit
11.King Of The Dead
12.Death Of The Sun
13.Finger of Scorn
14.Toccata in Dm
15.Cirith Ungol

© 2000 mlotek