Villain
Time Machine

December 2004
Released: 2004, Relentless
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: JP

Year-end wrap-up: Each of the last few years to wrap up the year I have picked a theme for my reviews for December. This year due to the overwhelming number of CD’s that deserve exposure, recognition and commentary I am going to resort to quantity over quality. I usually try to give as much attention to each CD with extensive commentary however this month’s reviews (perhaps unfortunately) will be short and sweet and much more in the style of traditional magazine reviews where space restrictions are an important factor. (ie. Less detail) I apologize in advance to readers who expect much more detailed reviews. Please check the reviews archives as many of my colleagues have written excellent detailed commentary of many of these CD’s. I hope the large number of quick comments will help guide you making some of those important year-end CD purchase decisions. Happy Holidays and see you in January. JP



This is sweet! Relentless has re-issued the rare debut Villain album, Only Time Will Tell featuring Carl Albert AND added seven bonus tracks. There are lyrics, lots of very old, photographs and this sought after release finally gets wider-spread attention it deserves. The label should have kept the original title in my opinion and the cover is blurry and uninspired. It’s amazing how good Albert sounds and reminds us how much he is missed! Villain were metal through and through and it was only fate that stopped this band from being bigger. Soaring vocals, crunchy guitar, pounding drums and that unmistakable true 80’s metal sound so well captured by bands like Fifth Angel, Stormwitch and of course Vicious Rumors. The bonus stuff is neat (live cuts and rehearsal tracks) but as there were so few who really knew much about the band it doesn’t really seem all that much of a bonus. It’s nice to finally hear this.