History & Biography
Reviews XYZ - FACE DOWN IN THE GUTTER - CAPITOL
This 33 1/3 rpm 12" features the single from the album Hungry on both sides. Good thing too, for the song is loud, brash and most listeners would not be able to take two songs like this! The band gets down to business quickly unleashing its anthemic chorus and flashy guitar riff in order to quickly establish itself as one L.A.'s main glam and glitz contenders. This just proves they have the songs to go with the image. Fans of Van Halen, Dokken and Ratt need not wait. - Ali "The Metallian"
XYZ - LETTER TO GOD
The new XYZ album is an independent release from the Los Angeles band. The band released two albums on a major label, but after one live CD is now back with a modified sound and line-up. Gone are the glam days and in is a new look to go with the new sound.
The album is a homage of sorts to the son of singer Terry Ilous who has passed away. Consequently, the sound is more soulful taking from bands like Led Zeppelin, Kingdom Come and vocally Slaughter. The band's earlier Dokken influences are still there, but is the three aforementioned bands that make the most sense in the context of this album. Furthermore, the emphasis here is more on slow soulful melodies than hard rocking - although the latter finds room to exist. The album's weakest moment comes at the end where the band performs a Spanish version of the song Tango. Nevertheless the album taken as a whole has a special, if laid-back, vibe. Note the guest appearance of drummer Vinnie Appice on the title track. - Ali "The Metallian"
XYZ - FORBIDDEN DEMOS 1985/1991 - XYZ
Boy oh boy. Boy oh boy!! Terry of XYZ was “forced” to release these demo material and older songs and odds and ends because an unauthorized album of this material was circulated. So back in the vault he went and out came these versions and rarities and, boy oh boy, what a treasure trove it is.
If you know XYZ then you know that the band’s Slaughter/Dokken sound is great fodder for hard rockers and glamsters alike. If you don’t know the band then check it out. It is pure '80s glam with a heart of platinum (blond). Those were the days when the guys would grow the mane and the girls would be naughty and do a few not so nice things and the world did not know any better. Follow The Night reminds me of Kingdom Come, High Life reminds me of Statetrooper, but it is songs like Souvenirs and Seventeen that people will always go back to.
This band is not the heaviest metal band in the world, but the quality speaks for itself. Also, if the 'demo' title is scaring you believe me when I promise that the sound is everything it should be and more. Now go get this time capsule as it’s full of new songs, old memories, alternate versions and different takes on XYZ. - Sheila Wes Det
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