50SHR #32: Hittman (New York)

 
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #32: NEW YORK

Band: Hittman
Release: Hittman
Year: 1988
Line-up: Dirk Kennedy (vocals), John Kristen (guitars), Michael Buccell (bass), Chuck Korry (drums)

Track Listing:

1. Metal Sport   4:18 2.   Dead on Arrival   3:33 3.   Will You Be There   4:36 4.   Breakout   5:19 5.   Backstreet Rebels   4:28 6.   Caught in the Crossfire   4:22 7.   Secret Agent Man   3:03 8.   Behind the Lines   4:47 9.   The Test of Time   4:24

Fletchanator's comment: The easy choice for this state would be big name bands like Twisted Sister or Danger Danger, but instead I've chosen an obscure Big Apple band by the name of Hittman, who released two albums - this one and 1993's Viva Machine - before folding in 1994.
Hittman's sound is a mix of hard rock and melodic heavy metal. At their most heavy you can hear influences from traditional heavy metal bands (aka Leatherwolf, Lizzy Borden, Raven etc) and the not-so-heavy stuff is akin to Dokken. Singer Dirk Kennedy has a majestic voice, sounding a lot like Geoff Tate from Queensryche and Midnight from Crimson Glory. The sound isn't as progressive as either of those bands, but if you took Tate or Midnight (R.I.P.) and had them sing for a band made up of Dokken and Raven members you'd have a good comparison with Hittman. Needless to say it's excellent stuff!

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