Sacred Oath A Crystal Vision ORIG USPM POWER METAL 1987

$

30

Here is a nice find; an original  pressing of the 1987 Power Metal classic "A Crystal Vision" by SACRED OATH, released by Mercenary Records and very difficult to find now. This is a beautiful copy; vinyl is the very strongest EX, bordering on M- with only one or two of the tiniest, faintest hairline sleeve scuffs visible under closest scrutiny; cover is VG+ with light edge wear and a corner cut at top right. RARE. Don't pass this up!

A great overview from one of the helpful fan/contributors to Encyclopaedia Metallum:

USPM can be divided into two general styles; the first, called white collar USPM, is generally more melodic, often with progressive touches and operatic frontmen. Lyrical themes are usually relatively complex as well (often taking an introspective turn). This style is typified by bands like early Fates Warning, Crimson Glory, and early Queensryche (and many other lesser-known bands such as Damien Steele or Screamer). The other style, known as blue collar USPM, is more visceral, direct, and aggressive, often with a touch of thrash or speed. Lyrical themes are usually focused on violent fantasy subjects like battles and barbarians or mythology. Prominent examples include Jag Panzer, Omen, and mid-period Manilla Road. Less prominent would be Griffin or, to get to the review at hand, Sacred Oath.

With that bit of history you should already have a general idea of what A Crystal Vision sounds like, but obviously there's quite a bit more to it. Essential to the understanding of the album is Sacred Oath's preoccupation with dualism; even before you press play, you can see the cover art (drawn by the drummer). It depicts a demon and an eagle-man fighting over a fishbowl with Death mediating; chaos/evil vs. order/good fighting over the life, the universe, and everything. Even the reissue's cover shows Vortigern and Ambrosius Aurelianus's dragons locked in mortal combat (from Arthurian myth). Hell, you can even see their logo on the MA page has both an angel and a devil in it. The lyrics as well often deal with dualism, sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly, as with "Two Powers". But that preoccupation runs much deeper; Sacred Oath's compositional duties are split between guitarist/vocalist Rob Thorne and bassist Pete Altieri. Rather than collaborating on songs, they alternate. While neither's style is wildly different from the other, both possess a distinct touch; Thorne tends to favor a more traditional, NWOBHM-influenced approach, sounding not too far from Omen, while Altieri goes in a Bay Area thrash direction. Luckily this doesn't result in a disjointed feel in the least, as one might expect, for a couple of reasons. First, there is overlap between their compositional styles; Thorne will sometimes throw in a thrash riff, and Altieri will do the same with a more traditional-sounding melody or guitar lead. Second, their compositions are evenly interspersed, saving the album from being top- or bottom-heavy. Thorne's vocals are another point; though clearly an amateur, he still hits the notes and does so with undeniable emotion and energy. His vocal parts are split between an NWOBHM or Swedish heavy metal-sounding tenor and a clear, versatile falsetto (which can be piercing or gentle with equal success). Both are done quite well, and it helps that the melodies he sings are worth hearing, and accentuated with just the right amount of multi-tracking. He reminds me of a more powerful version of Saigon's singer. Though good, the vocals are less prominent than in most power metal, I'm sure thanks in part to Thorne having double-duty; the guitars are given more weight than usual, with riffs and leads galore.

The overall feel of the album is very strong, with a distinct melancholy flavor; imagine perhaps Manilla Road's mythical contemplation mixed with Omen's downcast but vital energy. Each of Thorne's tracks in particular is haunting, while Altieri's are more muscular and violent. And with no sappy ballads or ill-advised covers in sight (or any weak tracks at all), the atmosphere extends unbroken across the whole album.

To pick out a few favorites, "Two Powers" has fantastic vocal contrast between the mid-range and falsetto, and some great dual-guitar leads. "Magick Son" makes you wait in carefully calculated fashion for that big riff to finally explode out and resolve the tension (reminding me of "Satan's Fall"). The song also displays Sacred Oath's knowledge of how to pull off a good pitch-shifted power metal narrative, ever a tough thing to get right (their technique of putting a hypnotic multi-tracked vocal melody behind it works so well they use it again on the last track). Finally we have "The Ferryman's Lair", which not only displays great riffs but also what is probably the best chorus on the album. With no less than three haunting multi-tracked vocal lines going at once, it can't help but bring to mind John Arch's mastery, which is the highest compliment I can give. And to top it all off, throw in some fantastic dual-guitar leads! Goddamn, what a song.

Now that A Crystal Vision has been reissued courtesy of Sentinel Steel, there's really not any excuse for this album to continue being so unknown. I mean, back in the 80s being a band based in Connecticut may have been a death sentence as far as real popularity is concerned, but with the internet and its informational resources such as this one (topped off with a healthy dose of historical hindsight), it's about time Sacred Oath started getting recognition for kicking so much ass. OK, review's over; get listening!

Mercenary Records, 1987

Cat# MER-2104

Vinyl: EX (strong)

Cover: VG+

Tracklisting

:::A SPECIAL NOTE FOR OUR OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS:::

We will now be asking that all overseas shipments over $50.00 be sent via registered mail!

We apologize for this, but  regrettably we have had so many  overseas orders  become lost in the postal stream that we feel sending these orders via registered mail is the only way to ensure safe arrival, or at least the ability to track lost items. Unfortunately, this means our non-North American customers will have to pay an extra $12.00 for LP shipping in addition to the standard air mail rates for shipping to your area. We are very sorry to have to make this change (we love our overseas customers!), but we were losing quite a lot of money and our customers were not getting their records, which means everybody loses. Again, you have our deepest apologies, but at this point this is the only option we have to deal with this issue. Thanks for your understanding. You can still have us send them via regular airmail if you like, but be aware that we WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE for items lost by the postal service; our feedback shows that we place a high level of importance on fast shipping and good packaging, and we would NEVER intentionally neglect anyone's order. Again, our apologies for this extra expense; we just want everyone to be satisfied and for everyone to have some kind of recourse in these matters.

Note: Winning bidders PLEASE REQUEST INVOICE for shipping costs! Postage rates have changed, and prices vary for gatefold covers, double LPs, box sets, etc! Overseas shipping rates for LP lots usually range from $20-35 dollars due to high weight.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to my inferior technology...the PHOTOS ARE KINDA CRAPPY...there will be glares and discolorations that DO NOT REFLECT ON THE ITEM YOU ARE LOOKING AT! If there are any flaws...I will explain them.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the ever rising costs of running this business, we are putting MORE AND MORE ITEMS IN OUR EBAY STORE! MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR EBAY AUCTIONS! We are sure you find MANY more items you are interested in that are NOT SHOWING UP IN OUR ‘regular’ LISTINGS!   We have many other unusual, rare, and odd musical items; you may be surprised so check it out!! Just click on the My Ebay Store Tag; above by our name!
 
SHIPPING INFORMATION AND DISCLAIMER (Please Read Carefully)
We professionally pack each and every item in either heavy cardboard and/or bubble wrap envelopes with padding. Just take a look at the THOUSANDS of happy customers in our feedback profile! WE DO COMBINE SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS!! Combined shipping is 'usually' $4 for first item...$1 for each additional CD up to about 4 or 5 (depending on weight and type of item). We then take mail actual cost and add $1.50-$2 for handeling and materials. Charges include the postage and the materials to send you your item and the time it takes to prepare your item for shipping. We have over 20,000 + positive feedbacks on EBAY so bid with confidence. Feel free to e-mail us to ask any questions regarding this auction. Personal Checks are OK but do require a 15 day waiting period before the item is shipped out. Please allow up to 3 weeks for delivery (most items will arrive within 3 to 5 business days in the continental US) The price for shipping and handling does not include next day service, priority or insurance so please request this at an additional cost. AGAIN: MULTIPLE ITMES WON DO RECEIVE A DISCOUNT FOR SHIPPING!!! Just ask!  We are NOT responsible for uninsured packages, nor are we responsible for payments received without item numbers so please remember to include them! We now offer payment through PAYPAL for your convenience. Again, you can check out our EBAY feedback and see that we are known for speedy delivery and great packaging. We have been in the retail business for over 15 years and stand behind our products and service. We cannot be held responsible for the post office or their policies and/or delays.

IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT A RETURN IS DEEMED NECESSARY, BUYER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RETURN POSTAGE.

BE FOREWARNED: YOU HAVE 15 DAYS TO HAVE PAYMENT TO US IN ANY OF THE VARIOUS WAYS ACCEPTED.  If after 15 days  we have not received your payment, we will issue a Non-Paying Bidder Alert as A FRIENDLY REMINDER to pay us. This first reminder from EBAY is NOT detrimental to your EBAY status and will not affect your activity on EBAY in anyway. HOWEVER...if we do not receive your payment 10 days after this reminder has been sent, we will issue a Final Value Credit Fee Alert that WILL GO ON YOUR EBAY RECORD and could jeopardize your Ebay account and standing. At this time;we will relist the item and report the action to EBAY for our return fees and that WILL PERMANENTLY go on your EBAY record. We will NOT accept any payment made after this time period. If you bid on the item...we are assuming that you intend to pay! Again, Thank you for your bids.


IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE ABOVE STATEMENT PLEASE FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO BID ON! Thank you again for your bids.

http://www.ebay.com