WICKED LESTER - Better Off Dead CD

Under the sign of the skull the most sinister steel straight from Ohio, US, is striking back. ARKEYN STEEL Records is here to presents: WICKED LESTER! Heavier than hell riffing, killer leads and out of the dark vocals are shaping a release that will haunt your dreams and nightmares. Both “The Resurrection” demo from 1990 and “Better Off Dead” album from 1998 for the first time remastered on a deluxe CD! No rest for the wicked!

Limited Edition 500 Handnumbered CDs (ASR CD-077).

Release Date: June 3rd, 2022.

First review at FORGOTTEN SCROLL webzine.

WICKED LESTER is for sure one of the most obscure cases of a band from the Ohio Metal Scene. They were formed in Canton, Ohio, US, back in 1988, following a short career before actually disbanding a decade later, shortly after the private release of their “Better off Dead” full length album, with two of their key members being dead.

WICKED LESTER released their “The Resurrection” demo back in 1990. This tape is not only one of the rarest ones to come out of the Ohio state, it actually captured a unique sounding band delivering four tracks of outstanding classic Heavy Metal, raw and melodic at the very same time.

In 1998 and after some serious line-up changes the band released the “Better Off Dead” full-length album privately on CD. Their sound is even darker and rawer but at the very same time the bands reaches remarkable levels of melody and strength through their music.

Unfortunately, the band would not last long to enjoy any positive feedback for their full length. Vocalist Joel Finna passed away from a brain aneurysm before the album’s release and lead guitarist and founding member Angelo Davis died in an automobile accident, shortly thereafter. The above facts made the band split up and their album to completely disappear from the underground Metal market.

Arkeyn Steel Records team has managed to track down the remaining founder member, drummer Mideo Octavio and arranged the reissue of the WICKED LESTER material. So for the very first time on CD we got the 1990 demo tracks plus the OOP 1998 full length.

All the audio material is remastered from scratch by Kostas Scandalis at Infinity studio, Thessaloniki, Greece. The booklet features lyrics, photos plus biographical liner notes by Mideo Octavio himself. The original classic “Better Off Dead” front cover has been upgraded, edited, and color corrected by Kostas Athanasoglou who also worked on the overall artwork of the release.

We know that many US Metal maniacs out there are considering WICKED LESTER a very special band, mainly due to their unique and powerful sound, and you are absolutely right. Those who do not know them, would better get ready for some skull crushing Heavy Metal, ala OBSESSION, SHOK PARIS, MALICE, SOUND BARRIER and WARRIOR! The WICKED LESTER is back! Run for your life!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Better Off Dead
2. Mad As Hell
3. Screaming
4. Restless Souls
5. Rage
6. Firestarter
7. Hate
8. Blinded
9. Eyes Of The Holy
10. Far Away
11. Rock To Ruin
12. In the Name Of Religion
13. Run For Your Life
14. …And The Children Shall Rule

1-10 Better Off Dead (CD 1998)
11-14 The Resurrection (Demo 1990)