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Cassle: Midnight Fantasy
Cassle Midnight Fantasy album new music review

Cassle: Midnight Fantasy

(Early) Heavy/Progressive Metal
3.0/5.0

Shadow Kingdom Records once again reaches into the early history of American heavy metal to discover the obscure Los Angeles band Cassle. This Midnight Fantasy extended edition revolve around the single of the same name released on picture disc for Azra Records in 1983. This was to be followed by an EP of the same name which would also include My New Flame, Revenge (Cassle Walls), and Power Drive, all included here. (This unreleased EP would eventually resurface in 1997 as bootleg of the test pressing.)

Additionally, principal players Michael Terry (k) and Scott Parker (g) found some early material recorded in rehearsal studios. These include Someone Stole My Love Tonight, Second Hand Eyes, and The Ringmaster. There are also some live track recorded at Radio City in Anaheim: Back to Beyond and Magick. This disc ends where it began with the original recording of Midnight Fantasy dating to 1980.

Cassle and Midnight Fantasy remind of early metal influenced by the heavier rock of the day and the winds of NWOBHM. The nuances, however, are their nascent progressive style. Cassle were not afraid to experiment with time and key changes. These elements make Midnight Fantasy, Revenge, Ringmaster and the later live tracks Back To Beyond and Magick the better material here. The other stuff is passable, but of little interest. Without doubt, Terry and Parker were both talented musicians and on to something interesting. They would labor for another seven years writing much material that would never reach light of day.

Like many of the undiscovered and unsung bands of yesteryear now recently rediscovered, Cassle's Midnight Fantasy is sometimes novel and persuasive. As to their legacy in early American heavy metal history? It lies in the hearts of the band and their fans.




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In Short

Like many of the undiscovered and unsung bands of yesteryear now recently rediscovered, Cassle's Midnight Fantasy is sometimes novel and persuasive. As to their legacy in early American heavy metal history? It lies in the hearts of the band and their fans.

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