In the ever-evolving landscape of heavy metal, for every Metallica or Mötley Crüe that ascended to the stadium-filling stratosphere, countless bands remained in the shadows, cultivating loyal followings while never quite breaking into the mainstream. Two such acts, Chicago’s Wrath and Wales’ Tigertailz, have recently been honored with retrospective releases that shine a spotlight on their contributions to the metal underground. Despite operating at opposite ends of the stylistic spectrum—one delivering technical thrash precision, the other flamboyant glam metal excess—both bands represent the diversity and commitment that defined metal’s golden age during the 1980s.
Wrath: Chicago’s Progressive Thrash Pioneers
Children of the Wicked (Dissonance Records) is a deep look at Wrath’s formidable early catalog. It is a 29-track, 3-disc collection featuring their first three studio albums, originally released via Enigma Records’ Medusa imprint. This comprehensive set provides the perfect entry point for newcomers and a treasure trove for longtime fans.
Formed in Chicago in the early ‘80s, Wrath emerged as early purveyors of the city’s thrash scene, blending breakneck aggression with technical proficiency and progressive elements. Their 1985 debut, Fit of Anger established their credentials with raw, energetic tracks like “Conflict” and “Betrayer,” showcasing their technical abilities from the outset. By the time of 1987’s Nothing to Fear, widely considered their most well-rounded ’80s release, the band had honed their craft with improved production values and increasingly complex compositions. Their evolution continued with 1988’s Insane Society, which pushed their intricate arrangements further while maintaining the aggressive foundation of their thrash roots.
What set Wrath apart from its peers was its willingness to incorporate proggy elements without sacrificing intensity. The band’s technical precision, complex patterns, and tight rhythms created a sound that was both cerebral and visceral. Lyrically, they tackled societal issues and personal struggles with raw, intense vocals.
This new 3-CD set is complemented by notes and interviews with original members Gary Modica, Scott Nyqvist, and Gary Golwitzer, along with loads of photos and archival material. While Wrath never achieved the commercial success of thrash’s “Big Four,” their influence on subsequent generations of metal musicians, particularly in the Midwest, remains undeniable. Wrath continues to play live to this day, keeping their legacy intact.
Tigertailz: Wales’ Glam Metal Outsiders
At the opposite end of the metal spectrum stands Tigertailz, whose new box set For A Few Dollarz More (The Archives Vol 1: 1984 – 1991) (HNE Recordings) chronicles the early years of these Welsh makeup-metal mavericks.
Formed in the cloudy, gray confines of Cardiff, Wales in 1983, Tigertailz offered a distinctively British take on the glam metal phenomenon that was simultaneously sweeping the Sunset Strip. The band’s classic lineup consisted of frontman Steevi Jaimz (later replaced by Kim Hooker), guitarist Jay Pepper, bassist Pepsi Tate, and drummer Ace Finchum. While the band embraced the visual trappings of the day — the exaggerated hair and makeup, colorful outfits, et al. — their sound possessed a rawer, punkier edge than their American counterparts, with a sludgier tone and snottier attitude.
Their 1987 debut Young and Crazy established them to some degree in the UK press while stirring some buzz in these parts with underground glam-rock enthusiasts. Original singer Jaimz — whose legendary temper and all-around bad attitude frequently got the band into tangles with club owners and record labels — did not necessarily possess the kind of technical vocal histrionics of his peers across the pond. But, stylistically, this would work in the band’s favor as it would make their sound far more unique. The singer’s somewhat gruff, nicotine-stained larynx was more along the lines of a twisted Vaudeville crooner with a few erratic screams tossed in for good measure (think David Lee Roth with a toxic hangover).
The debut album is loud, brutish and seemingly devoid of concern for what anyone might think. Rife with attitude and aggressive riffs, the band’s youthful exuberance carries the day, especially in songs like “Star Attraction” and “Hollywood Killer.” In this new box, there’s also a bevy of bonus tracks, including a strange, obscure demo track called “Little Indian Boy” that’s equal parts social commentary, techno rock and insanity, with a pulsing, synthetic beat that’s vaguely off-time and oddly hypnotic.
With the entrance of new vocalist Kim Hooker, 1990’s Bezerk stands as the band’s most celebrated release. Far poppier than the debut, it was now apparent that the band was trying to compete on a more global level. Shedding Jaimz on vocals was obviously part of the plan, given the singer’s punkier approach and penchant for trouble. And while the album and overall direction were more polished and likely to succeed on the global stage, it lacked the heaviness and grit of the prior release. Tracks like “Love Bomb Baby” and “Noise Level Critical” are standouts of the era and are different enough to have turned some heads had they been promoted properly. The band’s approach, leveraging big melodic hooks, flashy guitar solos, and fist-pumping anthems delivered with attitude and theatrics would begin to gain traction in the early ‘90s. But not so far off was a new musical movement that would steer the public’s interest in a completely new direction.
Ultimately, Tigertailz would never really penetrate the American market. Perhaps their heavy sound was too much for those seeking more polished pop options. (Fun fact: the band covered both Metallica’s “Creeping Death” and Megadeth’s “Peace Sells,” both of which are included in this box set.) Nevertheless, the band cultivated a fervent following in the UK and Europe. The Tigertailz story has been marred by numerous lineup changes and challenges, most notably the tragic loss of founding bassist Pepsi Tate to cancer in 2007. Yet, through various incarnations, the band has persevered and still tours from time to time. This new box set includes the band’s first two albums, plus a third disc of rarities and a booklet.
Underground Heroes: The Legacy of Metal’s Second Tier
What makes these retrospectives particularly interesting is how they illuminate metal’s cultural impact — the genre’s strength has always resided not just in its top tier but also in its vibrant underground. Bands like Wrath and Tigertailz may not have dominated MTV or filled arenas, but they fostered scenes, influenced other musicians, and created authentic connections with fans that have endured for decades.
Wrath’s technical prowess and steadfast refusal to compromise their sound for commercial gain exemplify the artistic commitment that made the thrash scene so vital. Similarly, Tigertailz’s distinctly British interpretation of glam metal, with its rougher edges and punk sensibilities, demonstrates how regional scenes adapted global trends in their own unique ways.
For serious metal historians and curious newcomers alike, Children of the Wicked and For A Few Dollarz More offer immersive journeys into parallel underground worlds that helped shape metal’s rich tapestry.
Whether a fan of Wrath’s technical precision and progressive complexity or Tigertailz’s flamboyant hooks and visual excess, these retrospectives offer compelling evidence that sometimes the most interesting stories are found not at the top of the charts but in the depths lurking leagues beneath them.
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