Byfist - "Universal Metal" (live video)

Crank up the Marshalls,
Hot tubes amplified
Fists in the air,
Metal horns unified
Heavy metal
Kicking ass worldwide

From all social classes,
We gather as one
Hey, hey, hey,
Metal for everyone
North, south, west and
To the rising sun

Universal metal,
Has fused us through the years
Universal metal,
For all the world to hear

Moshers make circles,
So fast with their feet
Smashing their bodies,
Reverse and repeat
Banging their heads,
Enslaved to the driving beat

Patches are sewn onto many a vest
Filled with the names
Of the bands they like best
Black leather jackets worn at every fest

Universal heavy metal
You are, universal heavy metal
We are, universal heavy metal
We all are, universal heavy metal

Screaming heavy metal,
All we want to hear
Loud, raging thunder,
Music to our ears
Heavy metal inside,
Heavy metal out
Got that metal fever,
What we’re all about

In cold winter nights,
Our souls are still on fire
Flames burning higher,
Making music like a choir
Ultimate experience,
Seems we get possessed
When we play music we love the best

Οι Byfist σχηματίσθηκαν στις ΗΠΑ στο δεύτερο μισό των 80ς. «The band shunned the ongoing Glam Metal scene by delivering a raw, no fluff, and no frills album in the vein of early Judas Priest» όπως έγραψε χαρακτηριστικά ο κιθαρίστας τους, Dave Lee.

Η μπάντα έμεινε ενεργή για μία τετραετία κυκλοφορώντας δύο EPs και ισάριθμα demos. Το 1991 διαλύθηκε (προσωρινά όπως αποδείχθηκε). Ο λόγος; Μας τον εξηγεί το συγκρότημα μέσω του Dave Lee:

«Byfist broke up in 1991 due to poor management and bad decisions. Basically the band signed a bad contract which blew their chances of getting signed with any significant labels at the time, most notably MCA Records. This, combined with the ongoing grunge movement, nailed the coffin shut for Byfist. They would rather break up as opposed to selling out and joining the current music trend.»

Οι Byfist επανήλθαν στο λυκαυγές της νέας χιλιετίας. Εν έτει 2020, 33 χρόνια μετά την δημιουργία τους είδαν σε κυκλοφορία τον πρώτο "ολοκληρωμένο" τους δίσκο, ο οποίος φέρει τον τίτλο "In the End" και "βγήκε" το περασμένο φθινόπωρο.

Από την αρχική σύνθεση της μπάντας έχει απομείνει μόνο ο κιθαρίστας Nacho Vara, ενώ ο (έτερος κιθαρίστας) Davey Lee έμεινε "πιστός" στο συγκρότημα μέχρι και την ημέρα του θανάτου του (2010)...

Band: Byfist
Country of origin: United States
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Formed in: 1987
Genre: Power Metal
Lyrical themes: Darkness, Damnation, Death
Years active: 1987-1991, 2000-present

Video: "Universal Metal"
Album: "In the End"
Type: Full length

Release date: September 25th, 2020
Label: Pure Steel Records
Format: CD, Digital

Release date: November 27th, 2020
Label: Pure Steel Records
Format: 12" vinyl

Track listing:
1. Universal Metal 05:39
2. In the End 05:41
3. Unconscious Suicide 03:38
4. Guaranteed Death 05:43
5. With This Needle I Thee Wed 08:32
6. Ship of Illusion 06:58
7. Epitaph 04:54
8. Scattered Wits 05:02

Band members:
Nacho Vara - Guitars
Ernie B. - Guitars (lead)
Raul Garcia - Vocals
Stony Grantham - Bass
Scott Palmer - Drums

Miscellaneous staff: Augusto Peixoto - Artwork