Website: Holy Moses
Holy Moses’ Queen of Siam, originally released in 1986, is the latest of many older and obscure metal albums to get the reissue treatment. For those unacquainted, Holy Moses has been creating thrash metal for well over twenty years, fronted by a hellishly-voiced Sabina Classen. Their debut album, paired with the Walpurgisnight demo, has been remastered for this re-release.
Queen of Siam holds up surprisingly well after twenty years, although the mix is distinctively dated, much like early albums from Slayer. Holy Moses isn’t exactly the most diverse in the songwriting department, but in its time, female growlers and screamers were few and far between to say the least. Thankfully, the band doesn’t ride the gimmick so much as genuinely attempt to stand beside their peers of the day. It’s not the greatest album ever made to say the least, but it’s quirky and fun. Some adjustment to the mix would have really done wonders for the reissue of Queen of Siam‘s viability in today’s market, but there’s only so much that can be done to help 1986 not sound so… 1986.
While there may not be a legion of fans dying for this reissue, it’s worth checking out by those with a deep appreciation for the thrash movement.
