Review by JD on May 30, 2011.

What makes a great metal band? I have been asked that so many times in my many years of playing, writing and promoting metal in ever way possible that I could retire if the were worth a dollar a piece. I could go on and tell people, but it would take too long, and my beer is getting warm. I will just tell you about one band that I think is so damned good... and their name is Cassle.

Hailing from one of the headquarters of metal, Los Angeles California, Cassle is one of those bands that have gotten more notice now, that they are split up for so long, rather than how they did back in the early 80's. Sad to say that, because these guys are great - both now and back in the day. Even trough this is a compilation of what they did along with some well chosen live shots as well, it describes a band that had the certain ‘it’ factor.

Songs like the massive sounding 'Midnight Fantasy' to the shining yet massive 'Second Hand Eyes' shows a classic sounding band in the vein of early Saxon meeting Deep Purple and even a little like Canadian Hard Rock pioneers Triumph (one of my favorite Canadian bands ever). They take these stand up inflences and steps them up even more. Even though, by todays standards and how far Metal/Hard Rock has come in its evolution, Cassle’s music seems somewhat dated in some ways. But it still takes only one listen makes the bands music seem so very timeless in many ways. Good music always seems to do that.

Production on this compilation seems a little off in certain spots, but when you change analog for the cleaer digital... it does that. It is still recorded very good, and for any newbie metal fan, would be a good listen to hear where metal has come from- and how far it has come up to know. I love Cassle and despite the band not playing any longer - it was good to hear that sound I hear so long past.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 7.5
Originality: 8
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.2 out of 10