Raped Ape

When people reflect on the Floridian metal scene of the late ’80s, groups like DEATH, OBITUARY and SOLSTICE instantly spring to mind. Yet, there’s one band that despite never achieving the same glory some of their contemporaries enjoyed is still adored and respected amongst cultist metal fans all these years later. We’re talking about Lake Worth thrash heathens RAPED APE.

Named after car mechanic slang for something moving very quickly, RAPED APE did precisely that within the Southern Florida metal scene. Releasing three demos (1988’s In Ape We Trust, 1990’s Perpetual Aggravation and 1991’s Lost In Mind) and opening for some of the biggest metal bands at that time (CORONER, SEPULTURA, OVERKILL and M.O.D.). Eventually, the group entered the famed Morrisound Recording studios to work with producer extraordinaire Scott Burns to track their debut EP, 1993’s Terminal Reality. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, this new Divebomb Records collection combines not only the original Terminal Reality EP, but also four of the band’s long sought-after demo tapes all of which lead up to their signing to Century Media Records.

A must-own for any fan of underground thrash, this Land Of Broken Promises limited edition set contains brand new mastering from original source tapes and a massive 16-page booklet with member-supplied scrapbook styled memorabilia encompassing RAPED APE’s entire history. As a bonus, Divebomb Records has included an enhanced portion containing seven archival live videos of the band in their prime.