- ZYX Metal Mushroom Records
Bengal Tigers' debut album "Metal Fetish" was released in 1984 on 12" vinyl LP format under the ZYX Metal Mushroom Records label. The album showcases the band's heavy metal sound and punk rock attitude. Despite critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase, Bengal Tigers disbanded shortly after the album's release, making "Metal Fetish" a rare and highly sought-after item among collectors of the 1980s metal scene.
Bengal Tigers' 1984 debut, "Metal Fetish," unleashed a wave of raw, energetic heavy metal from the Australian underground. While the band never achieved the fame of some of their global contemporaries, their album stands as a testament to the era's DIY spirit and enduring love of unpolished, aggressive metal.
Aussie Metal in the '80s
Bengal Tigers emerged in a burgeoning Australian metal scene. While bands like AC/DC were known internationally, a thriving underground cultivated its own brand of heavy music. "Metal Fetish" captures the energy of this scene – it's loud, fast, and proudly unrefined.
Pure Metal Power
Tracks like "Break and Bend," "Heavin'", and the title track explode with blistering guitar riffs, pounding drums, and Gordon Heald's raw, intense vocals. Influences from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and classic acts like Judas Priest are evident, but Bengal Tigers maintained a unique, punk-infused attitude.
Production and Controversy
Production on "Metal Fetish" is intentionally rough, reflecting the era's DIY spirit. Some listeners found this charming, while others felt it lacked polish. The album's brash energy and occasional lyrical crudeness might also stir mixed reactions.
The Men Behind the Metal
Bengal Tigers' core lineup featured Gordon Heald (vocals), Barney Fakhouri (guitar), Mick Egan (drums), and Steve Tyler (bass). Their production team was less established, with the band and engineers Daffy "Dinosaur" Williams and John Zulhaika likely playing a large role in shaping the sonic direction.
Music Genre: Heavy Metal Punk Fusion |
Album Production information:
The album: "Metal Fetish" was produced by: Daffy "Dinosaur" Williams, John J. Zulaikha and the Bengal Tigers. Blitzy - Sound Engineer Caz - Sound Engineer Jimbo - Sound Engineer Nick Garvey - Producer Dave Jeffries - Cover design, Layout Larz - Photography Alan Parsons - Mastering Engineer Alan Parsons is my go-to “how does this record sound THAT good?” answer: the studio brain behind classic-era clarity, from Pink Floyd sessions to The Alan Parsons Project’s glossy sci-fi pop-rock. Read more... Alan Parsons is the guy I picture behind the glass when a record sounds ridiculously clean, wide, and expensive (in the best way). His first big “period” is the Abbey Road years, working as a tape operator and engineer across the late 1960s into the mid-1970s, right in the era when studios were basically science labs with guitars. In 1973 he engineered Pink Floyd’s "The Dark Side of the Moon", and that alone would’ve earned him a lifetime pass to the control room. Then he moved from “genius in the booth” to “name on the cover” as co-founder of The Alan Parsons Project, active from 1975 to 1990, where he blended pristine production with big melodies and concept-album vibes. From the 1990s onward he’s kept the music alive on stage with touring lineups commonly billed as The Alan Parsons Live Project, proving he’s not just a behind-the-scenes wizard but a musician who can carry the material in the real world too. |
Record Label & Catalognr: ZYX Metal 35001 / Mushroom Records |
Media Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Mini-LP Gramophone RecordAlbum weight: 230 gram |
Year & Country: 1984 Made in Germany |
Band Members and Musicians on: Bengal Tigers Metal Fetish |
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Complete Track Listing of: "Metal Fetish" |
The Songs/tracks on "Metal Fetish" are
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Note: The photos on this page are taken from albums in my personal collection. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).
"Metal Fetish by Bengal Tigers" Record Label Details: ZYX Metal 35001 / Mushroom Records
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