SCANDO/EURO HARD'n'HEAVY

Okay people, as promised, here it is, a chunk of obscure Hard Rock & Heavy Metal from Scandinavia & Europe from the glory days. No irony, no in-jokes, just underground rock'n'roll from the hinterlands played by men in ill-fitting stripey trousers, brandishing little moustaches they could barely grow and playing cut price guitars that barely lasted the recording sessions. The real mcCoy. Enjoy.
First up, from West Germany (as it then was), the sole album by THE HAND OF DOOM, "Poisonoise". This was recorded way back in 1979 and is full of odd little touches amongst the garagey rifferama. Little proggy passages, some psychey parts, and the occasional Maiden-esque outro help raise it out of the ordinary. Repeated spins only help suck you in, and make you wonder what on earth might this album have sounded like had they even had the illusion of a recording budget. Investigate.

THE HAND OF DOOM - Poisonoise (1979) GER

http://rapidshare.com/files/29695484/THE_HAND_OF_DOOM_-_Poisonoise__Ger-1979_.rar

Now to Denmark, for "Louder Than Loud", the debut cassette only Mini album by ANGER. This one hit (a few) shelves in 1983 and is a classic of bargain basement nwobhm influenced Scandinavian Heavy Metal. The main mover in the band was guitarist Lars Elkjr, the only constant in their ever fluctuating line-up, who was also a shredder of some style within his chosen field of excellence. They did finally release a full length in 1987 on Paladyn Records, but by all accounts it's a glam influenced affair with none of the attack & er Anger present here.

ANGER - Louder Than Loud Mini LP (1983) DEN

http://rapidshare.com/files/28632412/ANGER_-_Louder_Than_Loud_Mini__1983-_Den_.rar

To the Netherlands now, for the thing of beauty which is Sword's "Excalibur" 7". No relation to the fantastic mid-'80's Canadian band of the same name, this Dutch band only issued this one single before disappearing into the mists of time. Epic Heavy freakin' Metal in excelsis!

SWORD - Excalibur 7" (1983) HOL

http://rapidshare.com/files/28625043/Sword_-_Excalibur_7____HOL-1983_.rar

Keen Hue were formed in the Swedish town of Vansbro in the early 1980's, this is their much sought after debut single, which was released in a run of just 500 back in 1982. I had never heard of the band 'til a visitor to the board requested some of their stuff. I put out the feelers to see if any of my trading buddies could help out, and Rainbow Hugh came up with this. Thanks Hugh! Enjoy "Spread Your Wings Of Fire"/"One Of Two", for they slay the old way.

KEEN HUE - One Of Two 7" (1982) SWE

http://rapidshare.com/files/28627961/KEEN_HUE_-_One_Of_Two_7____1982_-_SWE_.rar

Back to Holland now for Hammerhead's 1984 "Heart Made Of Steel" EP. The band at this stage consisted of two Dutchmen & two Englishmen, leading to them sometimes being categorised as a NWOBHM band. Four tracks of quality vintage Hard Rock, with excellent vocals from Ian Parry. I'm sure Parry went on to bigger things with another band, but my grey matter won't give up the details at this precise moment.

HAMMERHEAD - Heart Made Of Steel EP (1984) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/30226145/Hammerhead_-_Heart_Made_Of_Steel_ep__HOL_-_1984_.rar

Back to the frozen North now for Rex Begonia's self titled Mini LP. This Norwegian outfit had a neat line in Priest/Maiden influenced Heavy Metal, especially on this their debut disc. By the time of their 1988 "Seventh Seal" 7" they had mutated into a more Thrash influenced style. This is some good stuff, go getcha sum!

REX BEGONIA - Rex Begonia Mini LP (1982) NOR

http://rapidshare.com/files/28635869/REX_BEGONIA_-_Rex_Begonia_EP__Nor-1982_.rar

Back once more to Sweden for "Devil's Deal", the 1983 7" by Stitch. Formed in the town of Södertälje in 1981, this was the first of two singles the band released. Both are highly priced collectors items, duck the e-bay bloodsuckers and enjoy the music for free, here & now.

STITCH - Devil's Deal 7" (1983) SWE

http://rapidshare.com/files/28626162/Stitch_-_Devil_s_Deal_7____SWE-1983_.rar

From the same year, here's Finland's Hiroshima & their "Soldier Of The World" 7". Considered a Swedish band by many, they were formed by two Finnish guitarists & a Finnish drummer, but were based in Stockholm Sweden. This is cool 70's sounding Hard Rock with Heavy Metal overtones. I couldn't find a picture of the single artwork, so here's a picture of their album, "Taste Of Death" instead.

HIROSHIMA - Soldier Of The World 7" (1983) FIN

http://rapidshare.com/files/28630577/Hiroshima_-_Soldier_Of_The_World_7____FIN-1983_.rar

I got an e-mail from George "Warlordy" Ketigenis the other day. Here's what he had to say, "I love your blog and I'd like to contribute this time. I've uploaded Hollow's EP, they were a band from Sweden active in the mid to late 90s,in the vein of Queensryche,Crimson Glory and US power metal in general. They've released two albums, "Architect of the Mind" & "Modern Cathedral", but I've uploaded their quite rare first EP which was released just before their first album." Fine stuff it is too, thanks very much George, what nice people this blog seems to attract.

HOLLOW - Hollow EP (aka Stand Or Fall EP) (1997) SWE

http://rapidshare.com/files/24595025/Hollow_-_Hollow_EP__1997_.rar.html

Finally, by request, here's a track by Shakin' Street. Just the song "Box You", as apparently when the album was posted here a while back, this track was corrupted. This new rip plays fine, and they were French, so it's in keeping with the Euro theme.

SHAKIN' STREET - Box You

http://rapidshare.com/files/31879431/SHAKIN_STREET_-_Box_You.rar

I love it when it all falls into place nicely like that.
Dig in folks, enjoy the booty, more will follow soonish, 'til then take care.