For The Discerning Ear

Another post so soon? Don't get too used to it, i'm a little more organised than usual, but that's never going to last.
First up we have some tasty Canuck Hard Rockin' from Snowaxe, this is their sole album, "We're All Different", which came out on the tiny Rio label back in 1980. A tight power trio, their stock in trade was melodic Hard Rock with memorable hooks & interesting arrangements, there's also some excellent meaty guitarwork from main man Ed McDonald. A nice find for fans of countrymen April Wine. I know that probably sounds like a lazy comparison based on geographical proximity, but they do remind me of Myles Goodwin & Co on several of the tracks, albeit in a more stripped down style.

SNOWAXE - We're All Different (1980) Canada

http://rapidshare.com/files/23833085/SNOWAXE_-_We_re_All_Different__1980_-_Canada_.rar

Staying in Canada, but moving into Heavier territory, this is the one & only release from Calgary based quintet Breaker. This is preposterously over the top Heavy Metal in a Spinal Tap stylee, complete with quasi-operatic vocalising and epic fantasy themes. This is their "In Days Of Heavy Metal" Mini LP from 1982, and you have to hear it to believe it, you'll love it or hate it but you'll remember it for sure!

BREAKER - In Days Of Heavy Metal Mini LP (1982) Canada

http://rapidshare.com/files/22928760/BREAKER_-_In_Days_Of_Heavy_Metal__Can_-_1982_.rar

Anyone remember the Def American band Four Horsemen? Before singing with them, vocalist Frank Starr was to be found fronting a weird sci-fi inspired Glam Metal band called Alien in New York. They only released the one Mini LP on the Mongol Horde label, which is now highly prized in collector circles, and this is it. It's an energetic, entertaining & occasionally baffling collection, that's sure to be right up your alley.

ALIEN - Alien Mini LP (1983) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/23404133/Alien__US__-_Cosmic_Fantasy_Mini_LP__1983_.rar

On the opposite coast of the USA at around the same time, LA based Punk/Metallers Overkill were falling apart. After releasing their "Hell's Getting Hotter" EP the previous year on Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn's SST label, the whole thing went tits up for them. Their album was released posthumously in 1985, it could all have been so different if they could have settled on a direction to follow, but the band polarised into Punk & Metal camps and the shit turned sour. A real shame, this was a band ahead of their time, this'll tear you a new one.

OVERKILL - Hell's Getting Hotter EP (1982) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/23846412/Overkill_-_Hell_s_Getting_Hotter_EP__1982_-_USA_.rar

There have been some memorably odd Beatles cover versions over the years, but i can only think of one NWOBHM band who dared to deconstruct the "Fab" Four. The song in question was "Eleanor Rigby", the band was called Jeddah. Personally, i prefer the B-Side, "Ghosts", but then i never much cared for the Beatles in the first place. See what you think.

JEDDAH - Eleanor Rigby 7" (1983) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/22767055/JEDDAH_-_Eleanor_Rigby_7____1983_.rar

Finally, here's the sole single from Pali Gap, "Under The Sun". This is one of the finest records to emerge from the NWOBHM, but i'm afraid information on the band is almost non-existent. You need this, it's that straight forward.

PALI GAP - Under The Sun 7" (1982) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/22920968/PALI_GAP_-_Under_The_Sun_7____1982_.rar

I'll be back again midweek, enjoy!