RE-PRESS: CD ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 2017 .
• Tokyo Blade originally formed in 1982, releasing their self-titled debut in 1983 (CD 1 of this release). Formed around guitarist Andy Boulton, he was joined on their debut by Alan Marsh on lead vocals, John Wiggins on guitar, Andy Robbins on bass and Steve Pierce on drums, making a significant impact on the burgeoning NWOBHM scene that had been popularized by Iron Maiden, Saxon, Tygers Of Pan Tang and Def Leppard, as well as finding support in the pages of Kerrang! magazine. By 1984, they’d developed enough of a reputation to appear alongside Metallica and Venom at Holland’s Aardschock festival.
When it comes to the birth of heavy metal and hard rock, the obvious acts to namecheck are British legends such as Sabbath, Purple and Zeppelin, but delving further back, and across the ocean, Blue Cheer were definitely forging their own brand of heavyosity at the tail end of the 1960s. However, one band of gonzoid proto-metal, stoner rockers who were able to give Blue Cheer a run for their money are the cult power trio, Sir Lord Baltimore.
Taking inspiration from Aerosmith and Van Halen, Ratt originally formed in Hollywood in the mid-1970s, eventually releasing the independent ‘Dr. Rock’ single in 1980, before contributing a track to the highly influential “Metal Massacre” compilation in1981, and their independently released, self-titled mini-album in 1983. But Ratt finally made their mark when Stephen Pearcy (vocals), Robbin Crosby (guitar), Warren DeMartini (guitar), Juan Croucier (bass) and Bobby Blotzer (drums) signed to Atlantic Records in 1984 for the “Out Of The Cellar” LP. Their tuneful hard rock found favour with both radio and on MTV, where clips for singles ‘Round And Round’ and ‘Back For More’ received heavy rotation. A big influence on the growing glam and hair metal scene based around LA’s Sunset Strip, “Out of The Cellar” would soon reach triple platinum status. The radio edit of 'Round And Round' is included as a bonus track.
Although it’s fair to say that Ken Hensley, as a musician, a songwriter and artist, is probably best known for the decade he spent in Uriah Heep, from 1970’s “Very ’Eavy… Very ’Umble” through to 1980’s “Conquest”, as the band’s keyboard and organist, guitarist, and often their principle songwriter, Ken has forged a varied and exciting musical career over the past 50+ years. From stints with bands as wide-ranging as southern boogie merchants Blackfoot, to shock rockers WASP, it’s as a solo artist, and with the band Ken Hensley & Live Fire, that Ken has secured his enduring legacy. Following on from last year’s “The Bronze Years 1973-1981” collection comes “Tales Of Live Fire & Other Mysteries”, a 5CD set that revisits two prolific years for Ken, with albums released in 2012 and 2013.
When it comes to the most influential thrash metal bands of the 1980s, most focus on “the big four”; Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. But one important, and often overlooked pioneer in the genre was Seattle’s power metal heroes, Metal Church.
RE-PRESS: CD ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 2018Although best known for the AOR and radio hits from the early 1980s (which included the number ones ‘Keep On Loving You’ and ‘Can't Fight This Feeling’), R.E.O. Speedwagon’s long history goes way back to their formation in Champaign, Illinois in 1967.
A band slightly out of time, Girl formed in 1979, coming to prominence with their debut LP “Sheer Greed” in January 1980. Featuring singer Phil Lewis, guitarists Gerry Laffy and Phil Collen, and joined by Gerry's brother Simon on bass, they rocked hard enough to capitalise on the burgeoning New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement that was sweeping across the UK, a scene led by Iron Maiden, Saxon and Def Leppard. Though it’s fair to say that with their pretty boy good looks and make-up, their glam leaning roots would make them a big influence on the “hair-metal” bands of the mid-1980s, but not necessarily with the then more prevalent denim & leather brigade of the NWOBHM crowd.
Disc One includes three bonus tracks; their cover of the Kinks classic, 'You Really Got Me', 'Love Is A Game', written by Russ Ballard and the original, 'Little Miss Ann'. As a further bonus, Girl's concert at the Exposition Hall, Osaka, Japan in May 1982 on their final tour is included on Disc Two. Featuring 'My Number', 'Heartbreak America' and 'Hollywood Tease' from their debut, plus a cover of ZZ Top's 'Tush', the concert concludes before a rapturous and appreciate Japanese audience with 'This Town'.
Few artists can claim to have had a musical career and pedigree as long, varied and impressive as song writer, keyboard player, guitarist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ken Hensley.
"Silver Dreams: The Complete Albums 1975-1980" is a fitting and thorough testament to a band that truly deserved to crossover into mainstream success. As a bonus, this collection's 6th disc kicks off with the live, promo only "Live At The Tower Theatre, Philadelphia" from a 1977 concert whilst promoting their debut record. To complete the picture we go back to their very first recordings, with the aforementioned “The Official Unofficial BABYS Album”.
"The New England Archives Box Vol 1" has been drawn and compiled from the band's own collections of tapes and personal recordings, and features a number of rare and never before seen photos and imagery.
This set comprises of 44 tracks, 30 of which are newly unearthed, unreleased recordings. “Afterlife” had featured the band’s cover of Rainbow’s classic ‘All Night Long’, and one particular treat presented here is an unreleased recording of the Russ Ballard penned, Rainbow fave ‘Since You Been Gone’, the 1992 instrumental backing track which Graham Bonnet recently added vocals.
In the history of Belgian heavy metal there are just a handful of bands who stand apart as being influential and impressive; of these, Killer are perhaps the most crucial of all. While there have been others – notably Acid, Ostragoth, Crossfire and FN Guns – who have all made their impact, it is Killer who are regarded as the most important metal name ever to come out of Belgium.
This ongoing series of “Official Bootlegs” now reaches its fourth volume, allowing a glimpse of Humble Pie in their best setting – on stage. In those days there was no MTV, no YouTube and no social media, and music was largely “underground”, often by choice. Groups like Humble Pie didn’t appear on Top Of The Pops, you wouldn’t find them in the tabloid newspapers, nor did they have hit singles, but their popularity on the American live concert circuit in particular was immense. Witness the fact that these concert CDs are being released 40+ odd years later.
In some respects, Riot’s story is one of what might have been, and to some degree, a band not quite at the right place at the right time. What this 6 CD collection of live recordings and demos does offer is a unique and raw insight into this influential and cult hard rock and heavy metal band, as they cemented their reputation as a live draw across America in the 1980s.
The highly influential Poco are, along with the likes of the Flying Burrito Brothers, best known for being early proponents of what would soon become recognised as country rock. This 5CD set kicks off with their fourth album, “A Good Feelin’ to Know” and runs through to 1974's Cantamos with the final disc (five) featuring Poco Live in 1976.
This 5CD set collects together the three albums released by the influential classic hard rock and NWOBHM band, Samson, featuring lead guitarist Paul Samson, as well as a live set from 1981.
Although Raven’s origins date as far back as 1974, they came to the attention of the British rock media with the 1980 release of their debut single, ‘Don't Need Your Money’. Hailing from Newcastle, it seemed inevitable that brothers John & Mark Gallagher, on Bass Guitar / Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar respectively, joined by drummer Rob “Wacko” Hunter, would sign to Newcastle based NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) label Neat Records, alongside other NWOBHM luminaries Venom, Fist & White Spirit.
As well as plenty of memorabilia and period artwork, the booklet of this 2CD edition features a 4,500 word essay based on new interviews with producer Jack Endino and Screaming Trees guitarist Gary Lee Conner, conducted for this set.
Humble Pie’s “Up Our Sleeve: Official Bootleg Box Set Vol 3” is latest recorded testament to what this band did best; playing bluesy, gutsy, soulful hard rock, live on stage. Drawn from a variety of audience recordings that have previously only been available as “under the counter” pirate releases, this is an honest and raw tribute to a classic and much missed super-group on the 1970s, released in conjunction with Pie founder member and drummer, Jerry Shirley.
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