First of
all: This one of the coolest letters for the press I've seen in a long, long
time! Very, very sassy PDF file with info, lyrics and images! That said, I
really had to rummage my frail, old mind to dig out a vague memory of an Seattle band called Bitter End. But wait! Isn't there a vinyl record in my
collection with this band?!
A bit of searching in the archives proved this to be true. And it all came back.
This album, 'Harsh Reality', was actually one I listened to a lot back in 1991.
There are really good songs on there! Not really thrash, but more than just
heavy metal, it was a record that balanced somewhere between my complete
adoration of Maiden and Metallica.
Eventually, the album faded slowly into oblivion when others offered tunes of
more lasting value - such is art, such is the music business. I enjoyed putting
the 'Harsh Realities' record on the player and listen to it, but to be honest,
it's not as if I need to do it again right away.
This new release is not a bunch of new songs a reunited Bitter End. It was
recorded back in 1991, some of it studio songs, others demo songs and some live
cuts. The studio songs are...well, less heavy than the 'Harsh Realities'
material - which initially surprised me a bit. But come to think of it - Nirvana
had happened, and Jack Endino produced these tracks. Kind of logical that the
sound of the band moved away from the almost-thrash style to this.
The live material and demo songs...well, this is a clear example of fans-only
area.
I find it hard to see others than diehard fans of Bitter End to be interested in
this release. I liked 'Harsh Realities' a lot back then, but I'm not exactly
jumping with joy over this one. The material simply isn't strong enough to make
a real difference in this day and age.
