Here’s a sure sign of a rescue mission — when I popped this cassette from its case, the label flew off the tape with a puff of dried glue dust. I’m surprised that this demo isn’t already out there, but crime of all crimes, even Holy Terror’s two excellent records and Terror & Submission and Mind Wars don’t seem to be in print on any legitimate label.

Formed from refugees of L.A. metal mills Abbatoir, Agent Steel, and Dark Angel, these guys were burnt but brilliant. I saw them open a bill for DRI and Kreator, and singer Keith Deen spit his vitriol through the entire show while crouched and kneeling — not a typical posture for a metal hero. They had true dirtbag grit, but their excellent speed metal was also filthy with smart melodic flourishes, worthwhile guitar solos, and good lyrics about disease and religious decay.

This demo falls in the same field as Slayer and Megadeth demos, which were basically just underproduced versions of what appeared on album. Great, great stuff.

Holy Terror * 4-song 1986 Demo (25 Meg .rar)

I think the band is currently coming down off an ill-fated early 2006 reunion attempt with a new singer. This upbeat drug and violence-laced account of the band’s late ’80s escapades explains a few things, and is chock full of runaway tour busses, FedEx fixes, and British people being punched in the face.

Hearty MEGA-thanks to drtboi from earth-dog.com for volunteering to host these sacred songs!

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