TO DROP A DRESS SIZE

Well, we've been down there in the dark mining the rock for you this week as per usual, and we came across a rich seam of precious metal indeed! Hold on to your hats boys & girls, because we've got the goods, and you need to hear this stuff.
Firstly, another nice compilation from the catalogue of Ebony Records, this one's from 1983, and goes by the name of "Metal Warriors". As usual obscure NWOBHM is the main theme, but their are also French & Scandinavian acts featured too. So who's on it? SHY, HIGH LEVEL, FLYTE, MITCHELL TROY, WISH, OMEGA, SORTILEGE, LYADRIVE, T.N.T., VORTEX, SINNER, RANDOM BLACK & BREEZE, that's who. No, i've never heard of half of them either. That's one of the reasons why it's such an interesting listen, i think you'll find lots to enjoy on this one.

VARIOUS ARTISTS : Metal Warriors (1983) Various

http://rapidshare.com/files/119417213/VARIOUS_ARTISTS_-_Metal_Warriors__Var-1983_.rar

Next we are pleased to bring you one of the rarest NWOBHM albums. The self-titled and only album by Jody St. was released in 1980 on Stick Records. Apparently only a handful were produced as a white label in a plain sleeve with the band logo stamped on it.
The NWOBHM ENCYLOPEDIA says this : "Their monumentally scarce album rapidly passed into the realms of NWOBHM folklore, in spite of the fact that nobody seemed to be entirely sure just how good the album really was. NWOBHM fans, were by the end of the 90's foaming at the mouth at the prospect of any copies coming up for sale, and the theoretical value swiftly rocketed to astronomical level, in fact only a couple of copies have come into the market in recent years"
See what you reckon to this impossibly rare relic, right now.

JODY : Jody St. (1980) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/119433550/JODY_ST_-_Jody_St__UK-1981_.rar

Nextly, Black Ice were a traditional Heavy Metal band formed in Los Angeles California by bassist Tom Ferry formerly of cult Alaskan Metal act THE PLADS. Their only release was this four song EP entitled "Hot 'n' Heavy", released by Ironworks Records in 1986. The band was short lived however, and split without recording any further material. Drummer Steve Quartarola would subsequently reappear later as a member of Oakland's ALTAR OF THE KING, who released a lone self-titled album in 1995.

BLACK ICE : Hot'n'Heavy EP (1986) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/119425425/BLACK_ICE_-_Hot__n__Heavy_EP__USA-1986_.rar

Now another nice little item by Warrior, the NWOBHM quintet formed by guitarists Dave Dawson & Eddie Watson in Newcastle in 1981. The band debuted in 1982 on the Neat Records label, with a well received three song EP entitled "Dead When It Comes To Love". Here it is for your listening pleasure, and hasn't it aged well?

WARRIOR : Dead When It Comes To Love EP (1982) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/119423634/WARRIOR_-_Dead_When_It_Comes_To_Love_EP__UK-1982_.rar

Export were a class Hard Rock/NWOBHM act formed in Liverpool in 1980 by ex HARD STUFF vocalist Harry Shaw. Following this self financed 1981 single, "You Gotta Rock", & an album they achieved a major American deal with Epic Records, releasing 1984's more AOR styled 'Contraband' and, in 1986, the critically acclaimed, Lance Quinn produced 'Living In Fear Of The Private Eye'. Following the band's 1987 demise, guitarist Steve Morris produced the debut TORINO album and later joined ex DEEP PURPLE vocalist IAN GILLAN's band, whilst Lou Rosentahl formed 2AM with ex RAGE & NUTZ vocalist Dave Lloyd.

EXPORT : You Gotta Rock 7" (1981) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/119634553/EXPORT_-_You_Gotta_Rock_7____UK-1980_.rar

Sunderland Metal band BATTLEAXE suffered from their undoubted musical merits being somewhat marred by an appalling debut album cover. The band first came to prominence with this little gem, the 'Burn This Town' single in 1982 on the local Guardian Records label, and the B Side, 'Battleaxe', also appeared on the Guardian compilation album 'Roxcalibur'. The group was amongst the first signings to the Music For Nations label, with the London based concern releasing the band's debut album, 'Burn This Town', which featured the aforementioned offending artwork. BATTLEAXE stuck around with MFN for a follow-up release, 1984's 'Power From The Universe', which appeared a year later, seeing drummer Ian Thompson superseded by Ian McCormack. Thompson went on to DARK HEART. At their peak BATTLEAXE toured Britain opening for SAXON and although a third album, 'Mean Machine', was recorded in 1987, it never saw the light of day. Tracks from the shelved album finally surfaced as the "Nightmare Zone" EP a few years ago.

BATTLEAXE : Burn This Town 7" (1982) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/119426887/BATTLEAXE_-_Burn_This_Town_7____UK-1980_.rar

Finally tonight, here's something a little unusual, Welsh language NWOBHM band, Y DIAWLED. The band hailed from Crymych, and formed in 1981. In 1982 the band contributed the track 'Shwt Mae Siapus', with Kevin Davies on vocals, to a Fflach Records four way EP showcasing other local talents MALCOLM NEON, ERYR WEN and Y FICAR. The 1983 single 'Noson Y Blaidd' featured Rhiannon Tomos as new frontman, and is the release we're featuring tonight. A further 45, "S.O.S.", followed the same year, but the group split shortly thereafter.

Y DIAWLED : Noson y Blaidd 7" (1983) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/119636571/Y_DIAWLED_-_Noson_Y_Blaidd_7____UK-1983_.rar

So there you have it, another assault on the senses courtesy of those nearly men from the margins of music's history.
Those who dared to rock, we salute you!
More soon.
Enjoy.