SAVAGE -loose 'n lethal LP(1983)

1.Let it loose
2.cry wolf
3.Berlin
4.dirty money
5.ain't no fit place
6.on the rocks
7.the China run
8.white hot

This is one of my favorite NWOBHM records ever. These guys were of course from England, and put out a demo and few other records before recording this classic for Ebony Records. The guitar tone on this record is awesomely blown out. The production reminds me of Merciful Fates Mellisa(although the music sounds NOTHING at all like it). This is just seriously perfect production for a metal record. The LP reminds me of the first two Def Leppard records or Dark Stars lady of mars. By side b I'm even hearing some Scorps & Riot. Another record I think that I probably bought solely based on the content of the record cover, and maybe the band name. I recall being stoked on the how catchy, yet still heavy and rockin'this sounded to me when I first heard "let it loose".

sorry, Dead link for now  http://www.mediafire.com/?hexi6ypvv6e47vz

Berlin
It’s getting dark, too dark to see
The streets run cold with anarchy
Troopers came and all was lost
Mass slaughter, human holocaust

Fire over Berlin
Nobody’s safe
No escape when metal rain starts falling
Berlin, it’s all too late

Thirty nine, machines of war
Cross frontier lines the eagle roars
Allied forces and Berlin falls
Razed to the ground, now the spoils

Fire over Berlin
Nobody’s safe
No escape when metal rain starts falling
Berlin, it’s all too late

Too too much complacency
Too afraid to face reality
East to west the Berlin Wall
Thin red line from nuclear holocaust

DARK KNIGHT 12" EP(1984)

1.the grass is greener
2.cabin fever
3.when all else fails
4.return of the dark knight

I was in 11th grade when this 12" came out. I remember it came out a year or so after the first Queensryche 12". I recall being really stoked that there was yet another band from NY playing the style of metal these guys were doing. Most metal was coming from the other coast(or England). I was one who appreciated bands like Riot, the Rods, Talas, and Anthrax because of their proximity to where I lived. NY state pride... These guys all had made me realize that being in a band and writing your own songs was possible.
This stuff is pretty cool, but is seriously for those that love metal. Its so hard for me to describe this stuff. Sorta under the radar, cheesy power metal? I love this shit... unfortunately this was all the band ever released.

http://www.mediafire.com/?d28v4e35ker7su6

The Rods!!!

I got lucky last week and saw the Rods play for free at a NJ record store. I haven't been to a live show in a while, so this was a lot of fun for me. I hadn't seen them since their Wild Dogs years(1983 or 84). The band was from Rochester NY, and featured Ronnie James Dio's cousin on guitar. The guitarist also played with Dio in Elf.
At any rate these guys have a new LP coming out, and they are playing shows with all original members. If you get a chance, check them out. I would love to see a full set at a club by these gents.

MEDIEVAL STEEL- Medieval Steel 12"(1984)

1.Medieval Steel
2.Warlords
3.Battle Beyond The Stars
4.Echoes

So I went to see the Rods at a record store last week in NJ. Before they played I started going through the stores used vinyl bins, and within 5 mins I came across this classic. I was stunned when I saw it...Its a 12" that I'd actually been looking for for a really long time. This has everything 80's written all over it. The sound, the production, the riffs, and the Vocals. I'd first heard these guys in the mid 1980's, as they'd been compared to a local metal band called Stonehenge from the area I was living in at the time. I was a huge Stonehenge fan as I'd seen them win a battle of the bands in Colonie NY in maybe 1983. I'd never been able to track this 12" down due to its limited pressing(something like 500 made). Back then we did a lot of tape trading, so thats how I managed to finally hear these Memphis TN metal heads. This isn't for everyone(its pretty traditional heavy metal). This stuff just really takes me back to high school. If you dig the likes of early Queensryche, Fates Warning, and Omen you might get a hard on for this stuff. Enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?84k55tii7eddae7

V/A HEAVY METAL HEROES compilation LP (1980)

1.TWISTED ACE-I won't surrender
2.GRIM REAPER-the reaper
3.JAGUAR-stormchild
4.SOLDIER-storm of steel
5.BITCHES SIN-strangers on the shore
6.METAL MIRROR-hardlife
7.the HANDSOME BEASTS-local heroes
8.BUFFALO-cold as night
9.EXPOZER-rock Japan
10.SPLIT BEAVER-runnin' wild
11.DRAGSTER-do it
12.WITCHFINDER GENERAL-rabies

I haven't updated the site in a while, because I've had some family shit that recently turned out tragically, and has just sort of made everything in my life that much harder to deal with.
This compilation LP is a very hard to find classic for sure. It was released on Heavy Metal Records(the Handsome Beasts, Witchfinder General, etc). Some of the bands went on to release ep's, LPs and so on... others just disappeared off into obscurity. This is a serious New Wave Of British Heavy Metal necessity, that has had me playing air guitar, and drums to it for years now. I've been blasting it in my man cave a lot recently. Great shit! The cover art is ridiculously amazing, and makes the record even that much better. My favorite tunes are by Metal Mirror, and Buffalo. The Metal Mirror song sounds so much like Motorhead, while the Split Beaver tune sounds a lot like a old AC/DC song. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.


http://www.mediafire.com/?knttz2mcuzi

SARACEN no more lonely nights(1981)

01.no more lonely nights
02.rock of ages

Saracen were a Nwobhm band that I first heard in around 1982. I bought the single at a strawberry's Records and Tapes, and for the life of me can't fathom how I was so into this back then, especially after listening back to the A side song "no more lonely nights" recently. Seriously cheesy shit. The band formed in the mid-late 70's and you can tell when listening to this tune, It's like a heavier Foreigner. The B side song "rock Of Ages" is a total catchy rager though that has me some what understanding how I was able to buy these dudes records back then. Reminds me of typical Neat records stuff, with a riff so good Maiden should have ripped it. Do yourself a favor and listen to "rock of ages" before the other download. The main riff is awesome. I liked the bands LP that came out after this(their debut record), but After that the band totally shit the bed. Beware, if you hate keyboards, and don't dig corniness, you shouldn't even bother with this. Not so metal, def not punk.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zg2mwxkjynj

BLACK AXE highway rider 7"(1980)

01.highway rider
02.red lights

These guys formed in the late 70's under the name Leviathan. The NWOBHM band were formed in England, and They changed their name when they recorded this ep. This is the only release under this name, although they once again changed their name, this time to Wolf for the release of an LP in which I don't think actually ever came out.
This 7" is awesome, and will keep your head bopping along. I lucked into this ep again totally accidentally(or rather just took a chance). Pretty obscure stuff, this rarity will not disappoint. Enjoy and comment please!

http://www.mediafire.com/?mnxntdifhzn

BITCHES SIN are you ready 7" (1981)

01.always ready
02.sign of the times

This London Based NWOBHM group formed in 1980, and immediately started recording demos, and then released this, the bands first ep on Neat. This is more straight up hard edged rock n roll inspired metal, via the likes of Sledgehammer, etc. Remember that bands back then had different influences then later metal. I'd guess these dudes were heavily influenced by early AC/DC and Kiss. "Always ready" is the title track, but the real ripper for me is the b side tune. It's hard for me to believe that these guys are still together today.
I was exposed to them in around 1982-83 when I saw this ep at a Strawberry's records and tapes. The girl on the cover prolly drew me in, getting my little 15 year old heart racing, and my hormones going crazy. The record set me up to later on purchase the bands "predator" LP.

http://www.mediafire.com/?n4n4id21tun

TOKYO BLADE powergame 7" (1983)

01.powergame
02.death on mainstreet

Tokyo Blade were a second tier nwobhm band that were formed in 1982 in the UK. The band was wicked melodic, sort of power metalish, yet with a tinge of rawness(on the first 3 7"s at least). This is the bands third release, and third single. You definitely get a sense that these guys were influenced by the likes of Maiden. I'd say they heard them, and decided to form Tokyo Blade. I don't know to many friends that dif or dug these guys cept myself, Jeff Jellen, and maybe "dirty" Ron Gramaldi.
Another record I purchased at the Strawberry's records and tapes in Guilderland NY. I'm guessing the band photo on the back cover persuaded me to buy this ep. I think I liked these guys so much, that I bought both the LPs that followed this ripping single. This is the kind of stuff I'd blast on my shit little stereo after getting out of school. Blast a few songs of nwobhm, go out and burn one in the woods, come back in blast a bit more metal and then eat a box Coco Puffs, Captain Crunch, or Quisp.

http://www.mediafire.com/?m2wwvjwyl2i

RAVEN hard ride 7" (1981)

01.hard ride
02.crazy world

Raven were the shit to me in the early 80's. They were a three piece with two brothers playing bass and guitar(the Gallagher Bros.). They formed in New Castle I think in around 1976. They started off as part of the NWOBHM scene in the late 70's into the early 80s, and then moved more into the speed metal vein, even touring with Metallica(when they were still gods). I Definitely think these guys were underrated and helped to create speed metal. I mean come on man, the Rock until you drop LP was released in '81, and was crucial for the time period. I don't think Bands like Kreator would have even formed if it weren't for shit like this. Its hard to fathom why people don't give these guys the credit they deserve. I mean I get it...Unfortunately they put out a bunch of really bad records after the almighty "all for one" LP.
When I hear the screams during "crazy world", it makes me fucking happy, and I wanna lose it. Early on though, when they were on Neat Records and putting out singles, they really had a punk type attitude, and look to them. The logo was so awesome looking. This is about as as These dudes were one of those UK bands that made me discover, and kept me buying the Neat Records eps. I could usually find them at Strawberry's Records and Tapes in Colonie NY. I'd have posted the 1st single instead of this one, but its already on another blog I follow. These songs both later came out on Rock until you drop. Enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?14ykyy5oejz

HOLOCAUST live from raw & live tour 7" (1981)

1.lovin feelin danger
2.no nonsense
3.death or glory
4.forcedown breakdown

Holocaust and Mythra would be my two favorite "under the radar" New Wave Of British Heavy Metal bands(meaning I'm not including the obvious Iron Maiden, etc). These kids really thought they were part of a movement, though this movement didn't have much of a social or political agenda(like punk). Dudes just wanted to bring metal to the masses, and have fun playing great music and partying hard.
This ep includes four songs recorded live in 1980. The sound is amazing, and one can see how people had become excited about these guys. You can also hear the influence these young gents had on the likes of Metallica. The guitar solos at the end of the ep on breakdown were ripped by Metallica for sure. People always mention Diamond Head when talking about Metallica, I hear Holocaust. I spin this one often as you can tell by the rip. There is also video from this show that is pretty amazing. Its available on Dvd, I've seen it on Netflix oddly enough. The lyrics to death and glory are simply amazing....Enjoy.

Death Or Glory

I get so bored
Going nowhere...pissed off with life
Don't need no girl to hold me...
I only love my knife
When it's night
And I'm out on my own on the street
There's murder on my mind

I don't hate authority...
They know I'm not all bad
I know that nobody loves me...
It don't make me sad
I'm gonna stand up
To the ones who bring me down...
Murder on my mind

I can feel it now
It grows stronger every day
And my hatred grows
More and more in every way

Sing a song of death and glory
Sing a song of spite
Sing a song of good and evil
I'm gonna win my fight
I just wanna flush the shit from the street...
Murder on my mind

http://www.mediafire.com/?jc2mtzbycto

SLEDGEHAMMER living in dreams 7"(1980)

1. Living In Dreams
2. Fantasia

Sledgehammer were of the originators playing that important first wave of the NWOBHM. They formed in 1978, and played their very first gig with almighty Motorhead. This record is this three piece bands second release, and isn't all that "heavy", but still through its roughness fits into that scene. The self financed ep was released after the hype the band got from their appearance on the Compilation "Metal for Muthas".
Through that compilation is how I'd heard of the band, and picked up this single. I don't think I went any further in uncovering any of the bands later LPs or anything because by this time I as looking to move forward into heavier/faster stuff. Maiden was already on my radar, and had developed speed, gallops, and heaviness(while still rockin). In "Livin in dreams" the vox sorta remind me of Roger Daltrey singing to some faster/heavier hardrock. The riffs in both songs on this ep are pretty memorable for sure. Enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mqm9ggmpt0y

MYTHRA- The Death & Destiny EP (1979)

1. Death And Destiny
2. Killer
3. Overload
4. U.F.O.

To some This is really the holy grail of NWOBHM 7"s. It is definitely one of my favorite metal eps for sure. I only wish the copy I had was the picture sleeve edition. I live in Brooklyn NY now and have given up on ever finding the pic sleeve, because NYC sucks for record stores. Supposedly there were like 15,000 copies of these pressed on the Guardian label(not with the cover of course). Hard to believe that, but the band was pretty popular in the underground pub scene of their hometown in Newcastle(and in the UK in general). The second song "killer" is my favorite off of this slab. You can tell that Holocaust, Maiden, and even Metallica had been influenced by these 16 and 17 year old kids. Many reviews compared them to Judas Priest early on. I don't really see it, I hear more Diamond Head in this stuff. Rumors were that the band lost the master tapes of all their early recordings to a members asshole uncle that recorded them.
I got my copy of this for free at a local Ithaca NY record store that no longer exists. I recall I hit the store one day with some friends at 14 years old after scouring the commons(a Ithaca walkway) for trouble to get into. I remember buying a copy of Judas Priests Rock o rola at the store, and the punk rocker working behind the counter threw a copy of this single in the bag with the Priest LP. I think this was one of the first metal eps I'd gotten, and it sorta put me on the road to collecting Neat Records eps. I think this got more rtation on my turntable then that peticular Priest album that I'd bought. Weeks later I went back to the store to thank the punk for the tunes, and was "shocked" to find out he'd been fired. I never got to thank him, or tell him how rad I thought the ep was.

http://www.mediafire.com/?qhyjwoqjemz

CLOVEN HOOF s/t LP (1984)

1. Cloven Hoof
2. Nightstalker
3. March of the Damned
4. Gates of Gehenna
5. Crack the Whip
6. Laying Down the Law
7. Return of the Passover

I first heard these UK bastards in around 1985 or 1986. What attracted me to them at this point was their satanic/fantasy imagery, and the name. The songs were brilliant in that basic second generation NWOBHM sound. You could tell these guys were influenced and had huge man crushes on the likes of Budgie and Diamond Head. The gallops that these guys pull off on "cloven hoof", and "gates of gehenna" are triumphant in every way(like those early Maiden gallops). "Crack the Whip" sounds now very AC/DCish to me, its sort of a weird track on the album. Pretty sure the vocalist only appeared on this and the first 12", and then quit the band. Finding copies of these records can be difficult as hell. I got mine second hand from a friend/band mate in Latham NY named Mark Szwarcberg who had later moved away from metal, and joined the Marines. I haven't seen him in well over 20 years. Mark was a bass player, and his brother Dave was a godly guitarist. We would spend our days after school jammin on metal songs that we wrote in a basement across the street from his parents house. The stuff started off as more traditional/simple metal(like the stuff Cloven Hoof were playing), then gravitated towards faster speed metal/thrash styles. These two brothers went on to start Horrid Blessing(a name I came up with).

http://www.mediafire.com/?lmttngmmn3y

WITCHKILLER day of the saxons 12" (1984)

1.Day Of the Saxons
2.riders of doom
3.cry wolf
4.beg for mercy
5.penance for past sins

Time for some metal my brothers... I've been neglectful of the blog recently due to work related shit, my apologies. The good news is that I've seen a couple of great metal shows last week. I Saw Kreator with Exodus...that was fun, even saw some friends that I haven't seen in eons there. Next up I saw Napalm Death here in NYC with Toxic Holocaust, both bands killed as did Kataklysm.
WitchKiller were a band that a few of us listened to in high school(Pat J, Dave S and Mark S). When I graduated, my friend John H had a killer party that I'll never forget. I brought with me a sheet of dose, and handed it out like candy to my friends. By the end of the night John and I were the only ones left, and were walking the streets of Latham NY carrying an almost kicked keg, drinking straight from the tap. Coming down off of our trip at daybreak I started blasting metal in his basement. It started with Merciful Fate, but this shit freaked out John, and gave him a bad trip. Dude was a Aerosmith Zepplin sorta dude. He really had a freak out that I'm sure makes him cringe anytime he hears Fate. On the other side of the tape I had this Witchkiller 12" recorded. Though the band wasn't as satanic, or harsh sounding as Fate it still had John messed up. We had to move on to watching cartoons. When ever I listen to Merciful Fate or Witchkiller it has me recalling the trip I had on graduation night.
Witchkiller were from Canada, and played a pretty traditional style of heavy metal for the time period. Melodic, mid paced with cool vocals. Fans of Manowar, and Exciter should dig this shit. This is the bands only release that I know of.

http://www.mediafire.com/?geywncomjzn

WHITE ASH s/t 7" (1983)

1.live with rock n roll
2.the spell

White Ash were a pretty obscure NWOBHM sounding band that hailed from Detroit Michigan in the early 80's. To my knowledge these gents only ever put out this one single. I don't even think there was a demo, two songs documenting them, that's it. Kind of crazy. I had never heard of them until my buddy Paul, who now lives in Michigan found a copy of this at a local record store for a measly dollar. The last time Paul came out East to visit friends he brought a copy of the record for me to have because he's a rad dude, and knew that I would appreciate this weird 'ol gem more than anyone. When I saw him, and he handed it off to me, I asked him if it was good, and he simply replied with "no, not at all". He told me the only reason he grabbed it was because of the lyrics to the song "the spell"(satanic type lyrics). Well my boy Paul isn't a metalhead, and def comes from more of the punk scene, so I can totally understand how he might think this shit is weak, and funny. Me, when I threw this on my turntable I was in absolute heaven, as it reminded me of early Neat Records type metal that I had grown up listening to in the early 80's. Side A "live with rock n roll" is the winner for sure, and is so good that I think it makes "the spell" disappointing. This record came out on some small little private press label called Paragon Records. Some dude probably has like 200 copies sitting in a closet some place in the mid west. Cheers Paul! Thanks man.

http://www.mediafire.com/?x1xjqdjny30

FIST Back With A Vengeance LP (1982)

1. Turn the Hell On
2. S.S. Giro
3. Too Hot
4. Lost and Found
5. The Feeling's Right
6. Dog Soldier
7. All I Can Do
8. Devil Rise
9. Going Wild Tonight

Okay, back to some metal after that Life's Blood Interview. Seems like it was well received, so it is something I might be into doing more of on here.
Fist were a classic New Wave Of British Heavy Metal band that put out some quality 7"s and at least one great LP. They formed in the late 70's. I ended up with the bands debut 7" "name rank and serial number" in around 1981 or 1982 from a Strawberry's records and tapes. It took me another a year or so before I picked up this classic. Back then I was a sucker for anything Neat Records put out. I'd start with bands i'd never heard of, buying the bands 7". After I gaged it to see how much I dug them I'd pick up the LP by these bands. Not the heaviest thing in the world now a days, but in 1982 I didn't know any better, and it was hard to find really heavy music. The name, and the record covers always made me think this shit was hard sounding metal. Along with My step Brother Ethan, and my real Brother Brian, we would make these weird assed tapes when we were kids. They would be fake radio shows with dirty language, lots of sex jokes, and with famous guests (who we would of course impercenate). I was mainly in charge of the music and can remember blasting lots of Fist on this show. Both my brothers trusted my judgement of music. Like I said, this isn't the heaviest of metal, but its pretty feel good hard rock that keeps you humming and tapping along.

http://www.mediafire.com/?4qtyz5tmt3w

CHINA WHITE heavy metal thunder 7" (1986)

1.heavy metal thunder
2.death from above

It's been a while since I've posted anything, my apologies to those who follow this blog, and support it with their comments/e mails. The holidays and work have really had me locked down and kicked my ass.

China White were a metal band from the Albany NY area. The band played a nwobhm style of heavy metal. These dudes hold a very special place in my heart because of the influence guitarist Henry McFarren had on me in 1983-84ish. I first met him randomly at a guitar shop in the Albany area when I was about 16. Henry was in his early 20's(and I thought he was so old...doh!). After talking to him a few times, and realizing he was wicked cool I decided I would take some guitar lessons from him because I sucked at guitar pretty badly back then. Back then I either hitch hiked or bummed rides because I didn't have a license or a car. At any rate my mom would drop me off most the time at Henry's crib at Valley View Apartments, she'd hit the book store or something while waiting for me. I'd spend the first half hour looking at his old Kerrang/metal maniac zines,drooling over his metal collection, drinking beer, and getting him stoned. Henry would finally ask me if there was a particular song I wanted to learn. I'd have a Cirith Ungol, Rods, Trouble or Riot song in mind, he'd pop the record on his turntable and figure it out in like 3.5 mins. He'd then proceed to have the patience to show me in about 20 mins how the song was played. These were good fucking times for me as a youth. The dude seriously turned me on to so much underground metal...
I can recall seeing these guys at Chucky Cheese's and even a battle of the bands with StoneHenge. One of my early band mates (Tony Fisher) who I jammed with ended up in China White down the road, that was sort of weird, but cool as hell.
I lost touch with Henry when I moved out to the Bay Area. Dude was/still is a fucking metal trooper and even still sports long locks making him the longest living hesher in the Albany area. I heard He was having some health issues, and I wish him all the best. He's the dude pictured with the single that I have in this post.
Unless you love metal I doubt you'll be to interested in this obscure gem. Two great Nwobhm songs with really raw shitty production that makes the record still kick ass even today. Both songs clock in at over 5 mins each. There was never a picture sleeve for the ep.

http://www.mediafire.com/?jwj4gvy3mwl

GEDDES AXE sharpen your wits 7" (1982)

1.Sharpen your wits
2.rock n roll is the way

I can recall as clear as day buying this 7" at Strawberry's records and tapes in around 1983. My buddy Mark Szwarcberg who played bass in various metal bands in the Latham NY area had scored this gem, and then taped it for me. I stll can't tell you which song on here I like more. After finally mustering up the $2.75 it cost to buy this fucker, I headed to Strawberry's with my folks on a Sat morning. Man how times have certainly changed. Back then when I was 16 years old I was able to get $1.00 a day from my mom for school lunch... I'd of course skip lunch in order to have the $5 a week to spend on music. Seriously... during the school year... The only money I had coming in was from this, and my $5 a week allowance for taking out the trash, and doing dishes. Ten bucks back then used to actually supply me with a new record and a couple comic books every week(maybe a pack or two of smokes as well). At any rate I bought this ep, and then bought the 12" a couple weeks later. I was totally disappointed with the 12", but can't tell you how many times I must have listed to this 7" over and over again. Geddes Axe were an Early NWOBHM band that formed in '79, and hailed from Sheffield England. The band had a heavy Dark Star, Jaguar, early Def Leppard, & early Motley Crue sound. "Rock n Roll is the way" Had that sorta punk vocal that crue used to have during their "to fast for love" period. This is a seriously sick record, with completely ridiculous cover art. Enjoy, and remember to Sharpen your wits.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zfngtuqgzjj

THE HANDSOME BEASTS-beastiality LP(1981)

1.Sweeties
2.David's Song
3.Breaker
4.One In A Crowd
5.Local Heroes
6.Another Day
7.Crazy
8.Tearing Me Apart
9.High Speed

The Beasts put out three 7" eps before releasing this bluesy NWOBHM LP. There are hints of some southern rock, lots of hardrock/metal, and some blues. The band was fronted by that dude on the front cover of this record, Garry Dalloway (who had the nick-name "the original fat bastard"). Garry passed away in 2005. The bummer about this LP is that most the songs were on the 7"s, so when I got the LP i was bummed to realize there were only four songs I hadn't heard yet. My copies cover is way fucked up, and been through thick and thin with me.
The band formed in the late 70's, and the dude that ran Heavy Metal Records(Witchfinder General, Holocaust, etc)started the label because he couldn't get the Beasts an LP deal with Major labels.
A buddy of mine from Spencer Van-Etten NY, where I spent my youth in the sticks of one of America's last "dry" towns, turned me onto to this Record. John played drums and we would jam to the likes of these guys, Nugent, Ozzy, Rush, Kiss, etc. We would party in the woods, "camping" in an old school bus converted into a cabin, and burning down a mountainside (by accident of course)while getting high, drinking, and listening to this shit on bad boombox's. This stuff makes me remember the good times in my youth hanging out with friends like John Grippo, Keith Grap, Jim Lampila, and Zeke the freak.
Enjoy, and comment. This might be a little mellow for some of the folks that follow the blog.

http://www.mediafire.com/?yyiyimdizmz