DROPPING THE PING PONG BALLS

Howdy peoples, it's another round up of rare treats from the Rawk of ages.
I'll be serving up one of those old-school seven part posts this evening, just because i feel like it, not for any special reason, just 'cause i felt like spoiling you lovely people.
Up first tonight, as championed in last weeks comments section by Nightsblood, (and rightly so!), the final album from RIFF RAFF, "Give The Dead Man Some Water".
Finnish band RIFF RAFF were an Oulu based Heavy Metal act formed in 1980. The young group got signed by the Poko label after winning a battle of the bands contest that was recorded and released as an LP, ("Heavy Metal & Live"), in late '81. Two 7" singles followed before the band's debut album, "No Law'n'Order" was released in 1982. From the NWOBHM influenced sounds of the first album the band ultimately headed for a harsher sound. Signing with the Mirror Records label, their next album, "Robot Stud", appeared in late '82. The third album, 1983's "Give The Dead Man Some Water", was one of the rawest and loudest Finnish metal releases back in the day, and has Ms. Kaija Koo on backing vocals who became a best selling female pop star in Finland in the early '90s. Vocalist Immu left Riff Raff after the third album and was replaced by Esa Eloranta (later of GARBO) for a short period of time, but eventually the band faded away without any further releases, despite owing new label Amulet Records another LP. Drummer Esa Palosaari continued playing drums in KIRKA and Albert Järvinen's band, and in 1991 he recorded an album with JACKFLASH where he handled the vocals. Bass player Kessler has also played in FAFF-BEY.

RIFF RAFF - Give The Dead Man Some Water (1983) Finland

http://rapidshare.com/files/204166421/RIFF_RAFF_-_Give_The_Dead_Man_Some_Water__Finland-1983_.rar

Something a little unusual for NILOOB next, the sole 1971 album from Psychedelic/Proto Metal/Hard Rockers, MEGATON. Take off the blinkers, and give it a try, it might just tickle your prostate! So how's it sound then? 1971 Hard Psych with swingin' London exploitation moves, loud, acidy leads, echoing vocals and catchy tunes, originally released on the Decca label. A thrilling, no-holds-barred, Heavy Rock treatment of a clutch of riff-based but fairly commercial Pop tunes, Megaton's sole album has plenty of admirers these days. Megaton was the creative inspiration of Les Humphries (of The Les Humphries Singers, big hit makers in early '70's Germany) and his writing partner/right hand LHS man, Jimmy Bilsbury. Perhaps having the likes of future URIAH HEEP vocalist John Lawton in the midst of the LHS was an inspiration, but whatever, Humphries nose for a commercial opportunity sniffed out the FREE, LED ZEPPELIN Hard Rock/Blues Rock market and he duly delivered. There's some pretty shameless riffs on Zep and other Hard Rockers of the era, and that actually kind of adds the seedy charm.

MEGATON - Megaton (1971) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/202217628/MEGATON_-_Megaton__UK-1971_.rar

Another item next that i wouldn't normally post here, but i figgered what the hell, maybe someone here will appreciate it. We'll see.
At the peak of their success PEARL JAM managed to persuade their European label that it would be a great wheeze to release their "Dissident" single as 3 separate cds, each containing a third of their recent triumphant show at the legendary Fox Theatre in Atlanta Georgia on April 3rd 1994. Somehow or other, they got Epic to say yes to their request, and thus managed to release a triple live album to their fans for the bargain price of three cd singles! Disc 1 came in a quad-fold digi-pack with space for the other 2 discs which were released separately. Of course the wealth of material on the discs meant that they were totally ineligible for the singles chart, something that Epic didn't appear to realize until it was too late. So here it is then, 22 tracks of live PJ at the height of their powers, still hungry, in front of a sold out adoring audience on the '94 "Vs" tour. As such, they pretty much play everything from the "Ten" & "Vs" albums, with only one song per record omitted from the set, with non-album track "State Of Love & Trust" also getting an airing. A poignant reminder of how awesome the band was in a live setting back in their heyday.

PEARL JAM - Dissident : Live In Atlanta (1994) USA [3-CD]

http://rapidshare.com/files/202628507/PEARL_JAM_-_Dissident_-_Live_In_Atlanta__USA-1994_.rar

RAVEN BITCH was a Heavy Metal band with some Thrash influences that was created in 1984 in Janesville Wisconsin, by Greg Kalember and Jim Beam. Through trial and error they managed to pull together a solid line up with Dan Witt on vocals, Jeff Lilly on guitar, Chris Rossitier on Guitar, Greg Kalember on drums and Jim Beam on bass. With this lineup, they managed to record an EP in 1987 called, "Tear Down The Walls." Released on the band's own Bitch Music label, "Tear Down The Walls" sold in very healthy quantities. Distinguished by a fantastically chunky guitar sound and ever-changing time signatures, the EP today sells for big dollars.
Extensive touring burned out guitarist Chris Rossiter and Raven Bitch had to find a new guitar player. Bobbie "Bitch" Schumacher took over the duties as lead guitarist, becoming infamous for his speedy solos and wild stage antics, and taking on "Bobbie Bitch" as his new stage name. The band found themselves opening for big acts like BLUE OYSTER CULT and METALLICA. Personnel problems beset the band with many comings & goings, until, with Greg Kalember being the only original member left, the band eventually called it quits in the early 1990's.
1994 saw the release of a vintage live recording on double cd, entitled "Live: In The True Sense of Reality", which resurrected interest in the band once more. A new Raven Bitch studio album called "Mental Disruption" was issued in 2002, although the only members of the band remaining from their heyday are Bobbie Bitch & Jim Beam.

RAVEN BITCH - Tear Down The Walls EP (1988) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/204171067/RAVEN_BITCH_-_Tear_Down_The_Walls_EP__USA-1988_.rar

CLIENTELLE were a NWOBHM quartet formed as early as 1977 in their home town of Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Their debut release came in 1979 in the form of a double A-Side 7" coupling "Can't Forget" and Sky Flyer" on the Quest Records label. A full length album, "Destination Unknown", appeared in September 1981 on the Banana Records label. This, in turn was followed by a self released cassette only live album called "Live Takes" in 1983. Following the release of the live cassette, drummer Phil Goodfellow and guitarist Rik Taylor left the band, to be replaced by Terry Cox and Bernie Divine. 1985's three song "1985 Demo", showed the band were still in good form, but this was to be their final release, as they seemed to give up the ghost shortly after the demo's release.

CLIENTELLE - 1985 Demo (1985) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/204190412/CLIENTELLE_-_1985_Demo__UK-1985_.rar

"Orange Goblin/Alabama Thunderpussy" is a split 7" by London, England's ORANGE GOBLIN and Richmond, Virginia, USA's ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY released on Eccentric Man Records in 2000. Both bands contribute a cover version of a 70s hard rock/proto metal band. Orange Goblin cover LEAFHOUND's "Freelance Fiend", while Alabama Thunderpussy cover CAPTAIN BEYOND's "I Can't Feel Nothin'". The cover image is an engraving of Stede Bonnet aka "The Gentleman Pirate", from the 1724 book "A General History of the Pyrates". Orange Goblin are currently preparing to record their 7th studio album, their first for new label Candlelight Records. Alabama Thunderpussy announced their split in 2007, after 12 years together and six full length albums.

ORANGE GOBLIN/ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY - Split 7" (2000) UK/USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/204178817/ALABAMA_THUNDERPUSSY___ORANGE_GOBLIN_-_Split_7____UK_USA-2000_.rar

What we have here is two great bands of today covering two great bands of yesteryear. Or "Modern Masters Pay Tribute To The Old Gods", as the sleeve notes state. Side A boasts UNIDA's run through of LEAFHOUND's "Stray". A great version with rippling muscular bass and drums, great bluesy guitarwork and John Garcia's inimitable wail floating and soaring over the top of the whole sonic stew. Brilliantly executed "Stoner Rock" with a bluesy edge. Almost matches the original for sheer groove. Side B is another cover version, as Sweden's ENTOMBED give CAPTAIN BEYOND's "Mesmerization Eclipse" a souped up overhaul. The arrangement remains much the same as the original, but with greater intensity and heavier grooving, this is down to the downtuned dual guitar attack and the stupendous double bass drumming. L.G. Petrov's deathly bellow is supercharged here, he gives it his all to great effect. Great version!
Not sure if this is a continuation of the series of discs planned for Eccentric Man Records a few years back. In the end, that amounted to one split 7", again with 2 bands covering Leafhound & Captain Beyond. A worthy, rare and collectible, if short, release then, and one which fans of Psych, Stoner & Death Metal alike can all cherish. How many discs can you say that about?

UNIDA vs ENTOMBED - Split 7" (2003) USA/SWEDEN

http://rapidshare.com/files/204180221/UNIDA_vs_ENTOMBED_-_Split_7____USA_SWE-2003_.rar

So then, pretty much something for everyone, unless you have absolutely no taste whatsoever.
And let's face it, if you had no taste whatsoever, you wouldn't be perusing the pages of New Improved Live And Otherwise Blog would you?
I'll try and get some more stuff up on the other blog this week, i've not been too active over there for a while. So if you have a look there at the week's end you may find some "new" stuff to enjoy.
My many thanks to the two visitors @ the other blog who upped items from my "wants" list for me. It was much appreciated folks, you made my day guys! Anyway, i best get off, enjoy the music and keep the faith! Over & out.