Philadelphia - Search and Destroy (2000 re-issue, original release 1985)
70's hard rock (ala Thin Lizzy) meets 80's british metal (ala Judas Priest)! This band from the south took their name from the city of the same name meaning "brotherly love". Philadelphia was a great metal band for their time. Search and destroy showcases some very original melodies and hooks and powerful vocals. I like this cd better than their first one ("Tell the Truth") even though they still seemed a bit inconsistent musicaly with one track sounding very "metal" and the next sounding very "rock". This cd is a concept album that tells the story of a young man named Bobby that goes through some serious hardships and trials (such as abuse and addiction) and eventually finds love and salvation through Christ. It is great that a company like M8 distribution has taken the time to remaster and re-release these classic cd's. This one comes with 5 extra bonus tracks, two brand new 1999 songs from the band and 3 recorded live at Cornerstone '86. The production on the live songs is kinda poor but they scream with a metal fury that probably made Philadelphia the heaviest act at Cornerstone that year. -- Review by Norm