TKO • In Your Face LP

Monday, April 27, 2009

Combat Records 1984
I remember seeing this album cover when I was a kid, and for some reason, over the years, it's really stuck with me - when I saw it yesterday I recognized it immediately, and had to buy it. This is the kinda record I never woulda bought when I was younger, but the aesthetic is so striking that I couldn't pass it up again. The guy on the cover is a weird combination of Billy Idol and Michael Monroe, and there's a topless chick whom he's just knocked out (what!?!). Maybe he didn't actually clock her, it coulda been a technical knock out... who knows. Whatever's going on, it looks sleazy enough. TKO make me wonder why commercial Metal in the 80s had to be so extremely poncey... cuz these guys are commercial, but still very heavy, still Metal, and infinitely better than any commercially viable hair Metal band of the era. In Your Face is a perfect balance of Hard Rock that retains some Metal bite, and every single song is well written, catchy, and memorable. This is a truly great album... sometimes you really can judge a book by it's cover. Download now! Really... I'll eat my shorts if you don't love this one.
DOWNLOAD: TKO-InYourFace.rar (71.72 MB)

10 comments:

Dave G said...

At least he didn't smudge her makeup when he hit her lol. I remember seeing this record around back in the day, but it looked too commercial for my thrash metal 17 year old self. I will give it a listen though based on your write up.

Robert said...

Thanks for this one. Yep, TKO got it just right; sleazy, poppy, yet heavy! If you like this, check out Icon's debut album, Kix' Midnite Dynamite, early Steeler/Keel, Ratt's debut EP, and of course the first W.A.S.P. Typically, such sleaze rock acts sold out on later albums, but when they got it right they kicked ass.

Alcolm X said...

I've seen the ICON record many times but have always passed on it... I'll have to check it out. I picked up a STEELER record a few weeks ago - I'm more intrigued now, and I didn't know RATT put out anything before Out Of The Cellar... searching for that now. Thanks for the heads up.

Alcolm X said...

Just saw the cover of the RATT EP... I remember it, but've never heard it.

Robert said...

The 6 track Ratt EP is sooo heavy and dirty, it's awesome! I bought it when it came out and was disappointed to see them take the more commercial route later (although Cellar is still very cool). By the way, the shapely legs on the EP sleeve are Tawny Kitaen's. She's also Cellar's cover girl and starred in Whitesnake's 80's poser video's. As for Steeler, I'm talking about the US version with Yngwie Malmsteen, not the German power metallers. And yes, do buy that 1st Icon disc! Keep up the great work!!!

Alcolm X said...

The guy who plays guitar on the TKO record, Adam Bomb (not the guy listed on the cover), was also a temporary replacement for Yngwie in STEELER. STEELER is starting to become more and more appealing.

kurt said...

I know Adam Bomb is still touring in Europe with his own music and he also plays tko material live. Mostly from the In Your Face record.

Matt said...

Hey, this is Matt from Divebomb Records and i just want to say your LP conversion is amazing sounding and better source than what Brad Sinsel (TKO vocalist) provided to me for reissue. Although the remixed album is fun too!

thanks, i am rocking this version right now. sounds great!

MJRydsFast said...

I remember ordering this on vinyl (still have it sitting in front of me as I type, plastic still on jacket) and playing it to death. Great LP. Agree with the other listeners, Ratt EP is outstanding and song for song, their best, really.

Anonymous said...

Thanx a lot!