CEREBUS Too Late to Pray C-KASETTI 1986 & Bonus-biisi

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68 CEREBUS Too Late to Pray C-KASETTI Bonus-biisi Usa 1986

Cerebus's Too Late To Pray from 1986 is an old time classic deserving of love here at the Metal Archives. As much as I enjoyed our pal Tanuki's fond spiel, can no longer sit still knowing it merits a considerably higher score. In effect, the auspiciously dormant North Carolina quintet might pop out of the woodwork with a greatly anticipated follow-up to their ancient debut, succeeding in the titanic footsteps of late-game thrivers such as Medieval Steel and Satan. Until then, we'll contend ourselves with the Greensboro based formation's cobwebbed trove of demos, EPs and this sleeper gem, all released between 1985 and 1990.

Of note, 2019 saw the advent of a compilation, From Beyond The Vault Door...only to criminally omit Cerebus' best song, but it's an oversight I'm here to correct by letting y'all know how awesome this album is, a hickory switching seat-of-your-pants afterburner which sounds better with each spin. Okay, the drowsy closer, "Longing For Home", makes us long for a steaming mug of mead and a warm bed, but otherwise, Too Late To Pray is a beast, particularly the A Side. A further observation consists of how the present day line-up differs slightly from the original, as the bassist, drummer and front man remain, but two new axe men reign.

Vocally, Scott Board isn't the most powerful or imposing singer, but his demented, mildly banshee-like wailing goes hand-in-hand with Andy Huffine and sadly departed Chris Pennell's hooky and raw riffing, whilst Eric Burgess and Jody Barker proffer a solid, not-at-all mindless low-end, especially on the seven minute title track, a slow-grower compared to first three wheelie inducing wind-surfers. In general, the production sounds dated, yet fuels the record's old school vibe. Opener "Running Out Of Time" evokes everyone from Amulet to Tower and even Ozzy, but damn, I can't enough of its maniacally shuffling riffs.

The Satan comparison is appropriate out of the gate, as both the explosively raspy vocals and hectic musicianship bring to mind England's wisest. Alternately, "Taking Your Chances" exudes a playful nature with its snaky intro and reduced pace more in line with B Side's Armoured Saint-ish "Rock The House Down" - where the battery takes control as the guitars do their chromatic thing. The ode to our favourite fable's wolf-sassing Gingerbread man, "Catch Me If You Can", is one of the zestier cuts, seeing a higher pitched Scott go bananas.

More words are needed to do justice to "Catch Me If You Can", which precedes neurotic instrumental "Talk Is Cheap" (with its globular bass line). Halfway in, the song goes nuclear following a mellow breakdown dominated by sweet lead guitar. Once a Teutonic harmony materializes, it's downhill for these Tar Heel bards as wicked six-sting acrobatics take over. (If I wasn't so smitten by the third track, would rate it as top cut.) This brings me to "Distant Eyes", a true banger I want as many people as possible to dig. It's not just amazing instrumentally, as Scott also proffers his choicest performance.

This winner begins with a clean passage until a triplet riff prevails. Best of all, "Distant Eyes" recalls Blood Star, Scott bringing to mind a male version of Madeline Smith, while the guitars sound cast from the same mould as those on The Fear EP. This alone compels to take a look at Cerebus' Too Late To Pray. Either way, you can’t go wrong. (Tanuki, please give this another chance!)