TT QUICK metal of honor 90521-1

New Jersey Steel: TT Quick’s ‘Metal Of Honor’ (90521-1)

Today’s entry features a cult classic from the New Jersey heavy metal scene that launched the careers of some true metal royalty. We are looking at the 1986 US pressing of Metal Of Honor by TT Quick, released on Island Records and Megaforce Worldwide with the catalog number 90521-1.

A Training Ground for Legends

Released in 1986, this album is a powerhouse of traditional American heavy metal. It is famously fronted by Mark Tornillo, who would later gain worldwide fame for successfully replacing Udo Dirkschneider as the vocalist of Accept in the 2000s. The album also features the guitar work of David DiPietro, a highly respected player in the NJ/NY scene known for being the guitar teacher of Zakk Wylde and Dave Sabo (Skid Row).

A Production Dream Team

One of the most remarkable aspects of this album is the list of producers involved. The production duties were split among some of the biggest names in rock history, including Michael Wagener, Eddie Kramer, and the team of Alex Perialas and Rob “Wacko” Hunter. The result is a diverse but heavy collection of songs, ranging from the speed of the title track to the groove of Front Burner and a cover of the Dave Clark Five’s Glad All Over.

Collector’s Details

This specific copy is a Specialty Records Corporation pressing, a detail highly valued by audiophiles for quality.

Label Matrix:
The vinyl label features the code [ST-IL-866041-SP] printed on the right side. The “SP” suffix is the key identifier for pressings from the Specialty plant in Olyphant, Pennsylvania.

Mastering:
The runout grooves tell a story of high-end audio engineering. They bear the “DMM” (Direct Metal Mastering) stamp and the “MASTERDISK” stamp with the initials “HW,” indicating it was mastered by the legendary Howie Weinberg. This ensures the record has the punch and clarity required for 80s metal.