ALIEN FORCE hell and high water ARG!05

Danish Metal Dynamite: Alien Force’s ‘Hell And High Water’ Reissue (Arg! Records #05)

Today’s entry takes us to the Scandinavian underground for a cult classic of Danish heavy metal. We are looking at the 2008 reissue of Hell And High Water by Alien Force, released on Arg! Records with the catalog number Arg! Records #05.

Originally released in 1985 on the obscure Rave-On Records label, this album is a highly sought-after gem among collectors of European metal. This reissue made the music accessible again to a new generation of fans who might have missed the rare original pressing.

Alien Force delivered a sound that was undeniably rooted in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal but infused with the distinctive sense of melody found in Danish metal bands of the era, such as early Pretty Maids. The music is characterized by catchy twin-guitar riffs courtesy of Henrik Rasmussen, driving rhythms, and the high-pitched, energetic vocals of Peter Svale Andersen.

The tracklist is a solid collection of melodic heavy metal anthems. The opening track To You sets the stage with its infectious energy and memorable chorus. Other highlights include the moody and dramatic Night Of Glory and the anthemic title track Hell And High Water, both of which showcase the band’s ability to craft memorable hooks within a heavy framework.

Arg! Records #05 is an essential pickup for fans of 80s Euro-metal. It preserves the legacy of a band that, while perhaps overlooked in their time, produced a high-quality debut that stands the test of time as a classic of the Danish scene.