Upper Echelon were formed in 1981 in Kirkland, Washington, self-releasing a 4 song EP entitled 'Surface Tension' in 1984.  Despite being from the US, the band had a definite NWOBHM sound.  Not the best EP to come out of Washington (That honor goes to Queensryche), but definitely worth a listen.

Apparently they recorded a demo as well as the songs "Red Tape" and "Drivin' Mean" on Northwest Metal Projekt (1986, Tape)...haven't heard any of those yet.  Bonus useless fact - Vocalist Charles Carpp also did the album artwork.

 

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