RESLESS – Unearthed ’84 [Heaven And Hell Records remaster] (2025) HQ *Exclusive*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

In the early ’80s, River Vale, New Jersey – once known as the “Overkill Neighborhood” – was a small town situated on the Hackensack River, with a population of under 10,000. A quaint and idyllic picturesque suburb to grow up in, until you see the darker side of that picture, which reveals a history of massacre and mass graves, a perfect birthplace for a heavy metal band.
Three teenagers formed RESLESS towards the end of 1983. It all began when guitarist and singer Kurt Stahl, just out of high school, met guitarist Jim Cardinale, who was still in school and who lived a few houses down the street from Stahl. Cardinale would mention that he knew of a drummer who was supposedly pretty damn good.

RESLESS born, on May 2 and 3, 1984, RESLESS went to Aquarius Sound in Westwood, NJ, to record and mix “Don’t Understand” and “The Power”. Still without a bass player, HADES bassist Lou Ciarlo would step in for the sessions. That same year, the band would release a 7” single titled “Restless Metal”. The two songs turned out to be a strong DIY first effort that would rival many of the NWOBHM singles that had captured the heavy metal underground’s attention just a few years earlier; heavy, KISS-influenced, Judas Priest-flavored, VanHalen-esque in the guitar solos, and with a rebellious angst that only youthful drive could deliver.
Heaven And Hell Records just compiled & remastered all the recordings from RESLESS into a CD titled “Unearthed” – a kick ass slice of primal, unpolluted U.S. Metal.

The band produced only 500 copies of that two-sided 7” single that were sold at local record shops and gigs. Several copies were distributed as promotional material to fanzines worldwide. This effort would result in several glowing reviews. They would even get a review in the prestigious pages of KERRANG! The magazine was a benchmark for every fledgling heavy metal band in those days.
Soon, much buzz was being heard locally and throughout the underground scene abroad, and fan mail started to pour in.

RESLESS was still in need of a bass player. The band would eventually bring on board bassist Dave Messinger. Later that year, RESLESS went back into the studio to record six more songs. These songs ultimately became demos only, but very well produced.
The band continued to perform locally for a couple more years before putting the band to rest, as members had different interest in life.

Faithful to the rebel, indie spirit of RESLESS and their only 7′ single, Heaven and Hell Records will be releasing a limited number of 500 CDs of “Unearthed” – an 8-song compilation including the 2-sided single and all six unreleased demo tracks.
All tracks have been restored and remastered. Included there’s 12-page booklet with complete lyrics, rare photos, band bio, and what collectors have come to expect from a H&H Heaven and Hell Records release.
Highly Recommended

01 – Don’t Understand
02 – The Power
03 – Take You Down
04 – Knockin’ Us Down
05 – Sorrow
06 – Bound To Fail
07 – You Got Me
08 – Hold On For Love

Lead and Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar – Kurt E. Stahl
Lead Guitar, Other [Surfboard] – Jim Cardinale
Bass – Drew Andrews
Drums [Stix Kix And Chicks] – Kevin McCarthy

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