SLAUGHTER – Hard Times EP [Japan release only / non album tracks]

Also requested together with “Fear No Evil”, SLAUGHTER‘s Japanese-only released EP “Hard Times” includes the single taken from the full length plus 3 non-album songs as bonus tracks, all recorded during the same sessions in 1994 – their record label dropped the band and the release resulted mere than a year delayed.
But well worth the wait, as Fear No Evil is one of SLAUGHTER’s best, more diverse and mature albums.
This “Hard Times” release should work as single as includes the title track and ‘Searchin’, both taken from the main album, but collectors and fans of the band / genre will be delighted by the bonus tracks exclusives to this out-of-print CD.
Among these is a great cover of Elton John’s classic ‘Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting’ done in a rocking way with sharp guitars.

‘Knows How To Rumble’ is really cool party rocking tune, classic SLAUGHTER with driving riffs, tongue-in-cheek vocals, a catchy chorus and of course, cowbell.
The other bonus, ‘Rain On’, is quite different – showcasing how the band explored other territories still faithful to themselves. The song is a dense midtempo with vibrant guitars / atmosphere, with a bluesy feeling but ‘on acid’. Really cool hearing SLAUGHTER doing a song like this one. Listen it with headphones and be rolled by the multi-track, crazy left-right guitar pan / mix.

Rare and good EP from one of the most underrated melodic hard rock bands, and complements nicely the “Fear No Evil” album.
Highly Recommended

01 – Hard Times
02 – Searchin’
03 – Saturday Night [Bonus Track only for Japan]
04 – She Knows How To Rumble [Bonus Track only for Japan]
05 – Rain On [Bonus Track only for Japan]

Mark Slaughter – Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Dana Strum – Bass, Backing Vocals
Tim Kelly – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Blas Elias – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

out of print