A WELL SWEPT CHIMNEY
A good evening to you all, i've another fine overview from rock's mayhemic margins for you to peruse tonight, hope you find something amongst this little lot to scratch your rawk itch.
Up first, some more from redoubtable London NWOBHM troupe Desolation Angels. I'll pick up their tale just after the release of their self titled debut LP:
This album, "While The Flame Still Burns" was recorded in late '87 & early '88, but went unreleased as the band struggled to find a deal. It's unclear when exactly Desolation Angels finally split, but sightings became more & more sporadic and by 1990 it seems the band were no more. Strong ongoing interest from underground Metalheads over the years has given the band true cult status, and they have reformed in recent years as a result. The Miskatonik Foundation label, has had a remastered four cd Desolation Angels box set collection on it's release schedule for a few years now, but it has yet to see release.
DESOLATION ANGELS - While The Flame Still Burns (1988) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143202803/DESOLATION_ANGELS_-_While_The_Flame_Still_Burns__UK-1988_.rar
For tonight's next album we cross the channel for the sole LP by Silvertrain. Silvertrain were a killer French hard rock crew with weaving melodies, vitriolic guitar leads and distinctive high-pitched vocals. They were formed in Strasbourg, Alsace in 1978, with all the members adopting Anglicised pseudonyms, this caused many to assume that they were in fact an English band, which explains why their records show up on many NWOBHM wants lists. They released this album "Which Platform Please?" in 1979 on the Omega Studio Music label. Amongst collectors, this album is considered by some to be one of the best late 1970’s hard rock albums.
A further independent single, "Keep The Flame" was issued in 1981, but the band disappeared soon after that.
SILVERTRAIN - Which Platform Please? (1979) France
http://rapidshare.com/files/143210718/SILVERTRAIN_-_Which_Platform_Please__France-1979_.rar
"Gentle Murder", was released by Riot City Records in 1982, which was followed by a further demo, the two song "1982 Demo". "Pulling Puppet Strings", was also released by Riot City in 1983. After some personnel changes "Bloodrush", was the final EP released by Vigilante RecordsNext, the debut EP from Mayhem were a NWOBHM/Punk crossover band from Southport who debuted with a 1981 demo then released three EPs in the early 1980's. This one, the first, in 1985. They also figured on various compilations, such as 1982's "Riotous Assembly", with the exclusive song "Psycho", and the 1984 international Maximum Rock'n'Roll collection "Welcome To 1984", with the exclusive song "I Defy". Maximium Rock'n'Roll magazine said this about Mayhem's "Gentle Murder" EP. "More exciting mayhem from MAYHEM, "Gentle Murder" and "Lie and Die" are tense mid-tempo numbers with loads of power and dynamism."Clean Cut" is a roaring thrasher like those on their debut EP, stunning." No arguments here!
MAYHEM - Gentle Murder EP (1982) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143918105/MAYHEM_-_Gentle_Murder_EP__UK-1982_.rar
Up next, a couple of dazzling NWOBHM demos, very different in style, but even steven for their high quality. Firstly, TRANZZAM were a five piece NWOBHM band formed in Oxford in 1979.
Stevie After going through several drummers, former TREASON / CRASH K.O. sticksman Ace Finchum joined in 1982 prior to the recording of this, their first demo, the four song "Lionheart" tape. However, he jumped ship shortly thereafter to join up with former TREASON bandmateDenham aka Steevie Jaimz in notorious glam band TIGERTAILZ. With new drummer Andy Orme on board, the band recorded a further demo, the 3 song "Hypnotized" cassette in 1984. The band went on indefinite hiatus around 1985, but the members continued to play together on and off through the years under the name HIGH'n'MIGHTY. In 2000 High'n'Mighty released an album called "Pest" on Euphoria Records.
TRANZZAM - Lionheart Demo (1982) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143912702/TRANZZAM_-_Lionheart_Demo__UK-1982_.rar
influences are obvious, both songs on the 45 are heavy and powerful as well, strongly appealing to both progressive and heavy metal fans alike. Next, DAWNWATCHER were a NWOBHM band formed in Keighley Yorkshire in 1976, by former members of prog rock band KABOSS. The band built up a strong live reputation over the next few years, and over the course of their career they played with the likes of HEAVY METAL KIDS, SAXON, BASTILLE and RHABSTALLION. In 1979, the band recorded this three song demo, featuring 3 lengthy ambitious songs which formed the backbone of their live set. 1980 saw the band release their first record, the privately pressed "Spellbound" 7". Although the progDAWNWATCHER then got nationwide (if not worldwide) exposure when “Firing On All Eight” was selected for inclusion on the legendary "New Electric Warriors" compilation LP released on Logo Records later the same year. Bizarrely, in the middle of all this positivity and promise the band split up when their soundman left to work with another band. The band regrouped in 1982, with Pete Darley replacing Ges Smith on keyboards and John Bootle arriving on bass, and recorded a further 7", "Backlash". Although very well received, with positive press from the likes of Kerrang! magazine, the band drifted apart again, splitting in 1983.
DAWNWATCHER - Demo (1979) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143914983/DAWNWATCHER_-_Demo__UK-1979_.rar
BURNER were a NWOBHM quartet formed in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire in 1981.
Drummer Steve Peach explains: "We formed as Burner in 1981 but were called the SAVAGE DOGS previous to that, which was a kind of Punk/Metal band. After our first gig as the Savage Dogs, Andy Rotherham saw us play and asked a friend of ours if he could sing for us. We were offered a chance to get a track on a compilation album by Ebony Records in 1982, as they really liked Andy Rotherham's voice, but we were going through a line-up change on bass guitar so it never worked out". Following a 1982 demo called "Savage Killer", the band recorded a further 1984 demo, eventually splitting in late that year. In 2002 Zelinda Records released two of the 1982 tracks as this ltd edition 7". Following the interest generated by the release of "Savage Killer", the band reunited. "Old Enough To Know Better" from the 1984 recordings, then appeared on the "Total Metal Attack" NWOBHM Compilation from Old School Records. A further archive release "The Hammer Of The Gods" EP which was also recorded in 1984 but never released, followed in 2007. This year has seen the release of a full length album, on High Roller Records entitled "Resurrection".
BURNER - Savage Killer 7" (1982) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143919114/BURNER_-_Savage_Killer_7____UK-1982_.rar
Finally, Twisted Ace were a NWOBHM quartet from Northern England. They were to release only one record, this one, 1981's "Firebird" 7" on Heavy Metal Records. A further single, "The Fire Inside" was scheduled to be issued in 1982, but it's unknown whether it was ever actually produced.
TWISTED ACE - Firebird 7" (1981) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143916795/TWISTED_ACE_-_Firebird_7____UK-1981_.rar
And that's yer lot for now...
Apologies for not keeping up with the requests & comments from the comments section recently, i'll get caught up soon i promise, and reply & help out where i can. Enjoy the music.
Up first, some more from redoubtable London NWOBHM troupe Desolation Angels. I'll pick up their tale just after the release of their self titled debut LP:
This album, "While The Flame Still Burns" was recorded in late '87 & early '88, but went unreleased as the band struggled to find a deal. It's unclear when exactly Desolation Angels finally split, but sightings became more & more sporadic and by 1990 it seems the band were no more. Strong ongoing interest from underground Metalheads over the years has given the band true cult status, and they have reformed in recent years as a result. The Miskatonik Foundation label, has had a remastered four cd Desolation Angels box set collection on it's release schedule for a few years now, but it has yet to see release.
DESOLATION ANGELS - While The Flame Still Burns (1988) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143202803/DESOLATION_ANGELS_-_While_The_Flame_Still_Burns__UK-1988_.rarFor tonight's next album we cross the channel for the sole LP by Silvertrain. Silvertrain were a killer French hard rock crew with weaving melodies, vitriolic guitar leads and distinctive high-pitched vocals. They were formed in Strasbourg, Alsace in 1978, with all the members adopting Anglicised pseudonyms, this caused many to assume that they were in fact an English band, which explains why their records show up on many NWOBHM wants lists. They released this album "Which Platform Please?" in 1979 on the Omega Studio Music label. Amongst collectors, this album is considered by some to be one of the best late 1970’s hard rock albums.
A further independent single, "Keep The Flame" was issued in 1981, but the band disappeared soon after that.
SILVERTRAIN - Which Platform Please? (1979) France
http://rapidshare.com/files/143210718/SILVERTRAIN_-_Which_Platform_Please__France-1979_.rar"Gentle Murder", was released by Riot City Records in 1982, which was followed by a further demo, the two song "1982 Demo". "Pulling Puppet Strings", was also released by Riot City in 1983. After some personnel changes "Bloodrush", was the final EP released by Vigilante RecordsNext, the debut EP from Mayhem were a NWOBHM/Punk crossover band from Southport who debuted with a 1981 demo then released three EPs in the early 1980's. This one, the first, in 1985. They also figured on various compilations, such as 1982's "Riotous Assembly", with the exclusive song "Psycho", and the 1984 international Maximum Rock'n'Roll collection "Welcome To 1984", with the exclusive song "I Defy". Maximium Rock'n'Roll magazine said this about Mayhem's "Gentle Murder" EP. "More exciting mayhem from MAYHEM, "Gentle Murder" and "Lie and Die" are tense mid-tempo numbers with loads of power and dynamism."Clean Cut" is a roaring thrasher like those on their debut EP, stunning." No arguments here!
MAYHEM - Gentle Murder EP (1982) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143918105/MAYHEM_-_Gentle_Murder_EP__UK-1982_.rarUp next, a couple of dazzling NWOBHM demos, very different in style, but even steven for their high quality. Firstly, TRANZZAM were a five piece NWOBHM band formed in Oxford in 1979.
Stevie After going through several drummers, former TREASON / CRASH K.O. sticksman Ace Finchum joined in 1982 prior to the recording of this, their first demo, the four song "Lionheart" tape. However, he jumped ship shortly thereafter to join up with former TREASON bandmateDenham aka Steevie Jaimz in notorious glam band TIGERTAILZ. With new drummer Andy Orme on board, the band recorded a further demo, the 3 song "Hypnotized" cassette in 1984. The band went on indefinite hiatus around 1985, but the members continued to play together on and off through the years under the name HIGH'n'MIGHTY. In 2000 High'n'Mighty released an album called "Pest" on Euphoria Records.
TRANZZAM - Lionheart Demo (1982) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143912702/TRANZZAM_-_Lionheart_Demo__UK-1982_.rarinfluences are obvious, both songs on the 45 are heavy and powerful as well, strongly appealing to both progressive and heavy metal fans alike. Next, DAWNWATCHER were a NWOBHM band formed in Keighley Yorkshire in 1976, by former members of prog rock band KABOSS. The band built up a strong live reputation over the next few years, and over the course of their career they played with the likes of HEAVY METAL KIDS, SAXON, BASTILLE and RHABSTALLION. In 1979, the band recorded this three song demo, featuring 3 lengthy ambitious songs which formed the backbone of their live set. 1980 saw the band release their first record, the privately pressed "Spellbound" 7". Although the progDAWNWATCHER then got nationwide (if not worldwide) exposure when “Firing On All Eight” was selected for inclusion on the legendary "New Electric Warriors" compilation LP released on Logo Records later the same year. Bizarrely, in the middle of all this positivity and promise the band split up when their soundman left to work with another band. The band regrouped in 1982, with Pete Darley replacing Ges Smith on keyboards and John Bootle arriving on bass, and recorded a further 7", "Backlash". Although very well received, with positive press from the likes of Kerrang! magazine, the band drifted apart again, splitting in 1983.
DAWNWATCHER - Demo (1979) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143914983/DAWNWATCHER_-_Demo__UK-1979_.rarBURNER were a NWOBHM quartet formed in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire in 1981.
Drummer Steve Peach explains: "We formed as Burner in 1981 but were called the SAVAGE DOGS previous to that, which was a kind of Punk/Metal band. After our first gig as the Savage Dogs, Andy Rotherham saw us play and asked a friend of ours if he could sing for us. We were offered a chance to get a track on a compilation album by Ebony Records in 1982, as they really liked Andy Rotherham's voice, but we were going through a line-up change on bass guitar so it never worked out". Following a 1982 demo called "Savage Killer", the band recorded a further 1984 demo, eventually splitting in late that year. In 2002 Zelinda Records released two of the 1982 tracks as this ltd edition 7". Following the interest generated by the release of "Savage Killer", the band reunited. "Old Enough To Know Better" from the 1984 recordings, then appeared on the "Total Metal Attack" NWOBHM Compilation from Old School Records. A further archive release "The Hammer Of The Gods" EP which was also recorded in 1984 but never released, followed in 2007. This year has seen the release of a full length album, on High Roller Records entitled "Resurrection".
BURNER - Savage Killer 7" (1982) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143919114/BURNER_-_Savage_Killer_7____UK-1982_.rarFinally, Twisted Ace were a NWOBHM quartet from Northern England. They were to release only one record, this one, 1981's "Firebird" 7" on Heavy Metal Records. A further single, "The Fire Inside" was scheduled to be issued in 1982, but it's unknown whether it was ever actually produced.
TWISTED ACE - Firebird 7" (1981) UK
http://rapidshare.com/files/143916795/TWISTED_ACE_-_Firebird_7____UK-1981_.rarAnd that's yer lot for now...
Apologies for not keeping up with the requests & comments from the comments section recently, i'll get caught up soon i promise, and reply & help out where i can. Enjoy the music.
posted by bigfootkit at 5:00 PM
14 Comments:
Look forward to hearing more MAYHEM; I really like their 'Bloodrush' offering.
Sorry I haven't been able to fill any requests lately. I don't have an internet connection at home for the time being (stupid ISP people bungled the new hook-up beyond belief). I try not to use my connection at work for personal stuff, so my online activities are gonna be seriously curtailed indefinitely :-( I'll stop in and check out the new postings from the local internet cafe.
Sorry to hear about your isp problems Nightsblood, i've recently had my own travails with those people so i can totally understand your frustrations.
Hope it's all sorted out soon my friend.
As a result of the inept bunglings of the aforementioned brain trust i'm currently without an e-mail adress, so Ron...the cheeb, please bear with me, once i'm hooked back up i'll get back to you regarding your kind offer. I'll keep my eyes peeled for Hyts too, sounds interesting.
To Stu, thanks very much for the info regarding Larry Wallis' "unreleased" LP, now all i have to do is find a copy of the album! Sorry, i don't have that 7", i'm afraid, should i turn it up, rest assured you'll find it here.
Thanks for all the recent feedback, please keep it coming folks, it helps spur me on to keep doing this. Glad you seem to be enjoying the stuff i'm posting, just goes to prove what excellent taste you have! ;)
Bigfootkit
Blimey, never thought I'd actually get to hear that second desolation Angels album. A nice surprise indeed! And thanks for filling my Twisted Ace request :)
Wow! What a post. Dawnwatcher Demo, Desolation Angels 2nd - incredible. Mate - you have seriously made my day! Thanks a million. Take care, Blofeld
Looking forward to hearing the Silvertrain. Always room for good French hard rock!
Thanks
amazing stuff ,as always!
thanks a lot!
Rob
The Mayhem isn't as good as 'Bloodrush' IMO; they have a rather generic hardcore sound on this one. The Tranzzam demo is pretty cool though.
How about some Warning, Void de Fait. Mark Chatfield from The Godz had a band called Rosie, post Godz they relaesed 3 albuma, all out of print, if you could get hold of these that would make my day.
The Desolation Angels is a key addition to my collection of nwobhm. At this rate, by the time Miskatonic releases the box set, I'll be buying it to acquire 3 or 4 tracks off of 4 cds. I deleted the Silverteain, does that make me a bad guy? Maybe I was keyed up for another Trust. Maybe it was the singer. Mayhem: liked it, kept it. Really agonizing over whether this band goes into nwobhm, though it sounds like their later material would fit there better. Jeez, those demo tapes rule. The Dawnwatcher lets me complete a band discography, and the Tranzzam let me start one. Twisted Ace-- however far they got with single #2, the proposed title track "The Fire Inside" was released on Heavy Metal Heroes volume 2.
Hi your site is cool offering some rarities and I am offering you a link exchange.
My blog offers rare and deleted music, including some bootlegs and various hard to find soundtracks.
Please check it out and get back to me if you like.
Thanx 4 your time and effort.
Killer stuff!!!I was floored over the 2nd DESOLATION ANGELS record...very American sounding...still awesome though.I've been wanting to hear the SILVERTRAIN record for at least 15 years...it's ok but not as good as I was expecting after all these years.Great stuff..keep it up!!How about DAMASCUS "Open Your Eyes"??
this band, mayhem "gentle murder" is a 100% HARDCORE PUNK ROCK BAND. they ain't nothing to do with metal, i don't know why they're here. they edited this record years before than anything by the norway band. and of course they were a lot better than the blackers and their generic boring black metal sound.
Re. Tranzzam/Lionheart.
This five piece was actually fronted by Tiff Pickford on vocals not Stevie James.
Originally called Supernaught with Gary Wetherald as lead vocal and Tiff Pickford on drums.
Tranzzam were great act in their day and certainly a great act as H&M.
Thanks for this post, quite helpful material.
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