LIKE A STUNTMAN'S KNEES

Another week, another post, more ass-kicking action from the past dragged out of the dusty vault to shame todays practitioners of the art. A hefty chunk of NWOBHM, both vinyl and demo stylee, some US Metal from the glory days and even a little sojourn into Hard Rock/AOR land for them that like such things. There's bound to be something here to bring a smile to your face, at least that's the plan.
To begin with tonight, we quantum leap back in time to the year 1985 for a rendezvous with US Trad Metal four-piece Dungeon, who released this, their lone album, "Fortress Of Rock" that year on the Medieval label.
Taking their cues from the MAIDEN/PRIEST axis of influence, the boys riff up a storm across the 10 songs here. Although perhaps not individual enough to have made the major league, nonetheless the songs are well written and conscise, played really well by musicians with style and guile, and despite budget constraints the production is effective if a little "of it's time". It's certainly a big hit on the collectors circuit, with copies changing hands for $100 a piece. The band managed to release a further three song demo in 1987, but as Metal was split into opposing "Glam" & "Thrash" camps by this time, interest in Dungeon's proto-Power Metal was limited, and the boys called it a day soon after. Don't know if i'd feel the same way if i'd just shelled out $100 for a copy, but i like this one, it's solid from start to finish with genuine pockets of excitement and innovation, try for yourself.

DUNGEON - Fortress Of Rock (1985) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/84844555/DUNGEON_-_Fortress_Of_Rock__USA-1985_.rar

A really obscure collectors piece for you now, this is the lone album by Texan Hard Rock/AOR band Sirius, 1979's "Rising". Some of you with long memories or eclectic record collections may remember earlier Texan bands BUBBLE PUPPY & DEMIAN, who both released one off albums in the late '60's and early '70's. Guitarists Rod Price & Todd Potter had been mainstays of both of those bands, and after several years apart, reunited in the late 70's in a new quartet which they named Sirius and recorded this underrated little record. Fans of their previous acts will probably be a little disappointed by "Rising" initially as hit has none of the psychedelia or fuzz guitarwork which were hallmarks of the earlier bands, but approached with an open mind their is much to enjoy & admire here. The closest comparison i can come up with is that it reminds me of TOMMY BOLIN era JAMES GANG in places, especially on stand out track, "No Idea". Some of the songs veer off too far into radio rock territory for my tastes, but the defy twin guitarwork rescues even the poppier songs. Todd Potter also deserves special praise for his fantastic vocals, sounding great whatever tangent the music takes him on. Give it a listen, lemmy know what you reckon.

SIRIUS - Rising (1979) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/84879637/SIRIUS_-_Rising__USA-1979_.rar

Mox Nix were another four-piece act from the state of Texas, however the Houston quartet were a far weightier proposition than Sirius. Formed in '82, they bagan as a covers band playing PRIEST, UFO, SAXON & MAIDEN songs on the local club circuit, gradually introducing more & more self written material into their set and building a strong local following. A 1984 demo called "All Access", generated positive reviews in the European Metal magazines, and French label, Axe Killer Records offered the band a one album deal on the strength of it. The self-titled album was released the following year, and received strong reviews and a lot of local airplay, which resulted in the band touring with the likes of ACCEPT, WARLOCK and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN. At this time they signed with Shatter Records & recorded a still unreleased album in New York which was produced by Alex Perialis & RAVEN drummer Rob Hunter, and featured ex-MAIDEN man Paul Di'Anno on vocals. Unfortunately the label folded shortly thereafter and a proposed release through Metal Blade fell through, eventually leading to the frustrated bands demise.
A real shame, as this is resolutely "up" feel good Metal with great anthemic choruses, they could'a bin contenders! Enjoy Mox Nix, they might just "Steal The Show".

MOX NIX - Mox Nix (1985) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/84831815/MOX_NIX_-_Mox_Nix__USA-1985_.rar

The rest of this weeks post is now devoted solely to the great and the good of the NWOBHM scene, beginning with Welsh quartet Preyer. This is their first demo, "On The Prowl" from 1985, 3 excellent songs which again are heavily influenced by Brummie Metal Gods, JUDAS PRIEST.
They released a further demo before signing with Ebony Records who released their sole album, "Terminator", in 1986, which attracted good reviews and led to the band appearing twice on BBC TV's youth programme, "Juice". I love the raw sound of this one, the album being too polished for my tastes at the time, although i'd probably enjoy it now. As Kerrang! magazine said of them at the time, "Preyer provide a sharp kick in the kidneys", now how's that for a recommendation?

PREYER - On The Prowl Demo (1985) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/84835324/PREYER_-_On_The_Prowl_Demo__UK-1985_.rar

A nice little EP next for you from the legendary Neat Records label. This is the Various Artists compilation, "One Take No Dubs" EP from 1982, and features HELLANBACH, BLACK ROSE, AVENGER & ALIEN. As you're doubtless aware, the first three bands went on to achieve a degree of success, releasing at least two albums each, however this appears to be the only recorded legacy of the band Alien. For all four bands this was their recording debut, and as the title suggests, all were flung in at the deep end, with only one song to impress, recorded quickly with no frills, just stand or fall on your performance. All 4 bands do well out of the format, sounding lean & hungry. A good 'un.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - One Take No Dubs EP (1982) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/84669772/VARIOUS_-_One_Take_No_Dubs_EP__1982-UK_.rar

On the more Hard Rock end of the NWOBHM scale now, we bring you the lone release by Stockport quintet Thin End Of The Wedge, the "Lights Are On Green" 7" which came out on the Jungle label in 1981. This is one of the overlooked gems in the dusty box marked "NWOBHM", a pair of seriously catchy but rockin' tracks, both topped by the excellent vocals of one Babs Norris, with some tasty guitar playing courtesy of her brother Steve. Unfortunately for us, they didn't stick around long enough to record an album, splitting shortly after the single's release. The Norris siblings musically reunited in 2001 in a new band called FAG ASH LIL, to date they have released an EP and a Mini Album. Details in txt file included with rar. This one's recommended!!!

THIN END OF THE WEDGE - Lights Are On Green 7" (1981) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/84157183/THIN_END_OF_THE_WEDGE_-_Lights_Are_On_Green_7____UK-1981_.rar

Finally tonight, another early entry in the genre, this one from way back in 1979. This is the "Change" 7" by Reading Hard Rockers Firebird, which was their only record, released on the Rat Records label. This is musically much more in tune with the mid-70's Rock sound than the grass roots Metal movement which was beginning to find it's feet, with keyboards well to the fore & a boogie back beat. Still a worthwhile listen though, it has what we old timers call "period charm".

FIREBIRD - Change 7" (1979) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/87428926/FIREBIRD_-_Change_7____UK-1979_.rar

So that's it again for another week, hope you enjoy this selection.
See y'all back here again soon for more of the unusual.
Keep commenting!