GONE MABEL

Greetings & felicitations children of technology!
Tonight we're proud to bring you another motherlode of rare or obscure vintage Hard music for your delight and enjoyment.
For starters, SHIVA were a brilliant NWOBHM trio which formed in Bristol in 1979.
Unlike the majority of NWOBHM acts however, the band successfully incorporated prog-rock influences coupled with intelligent and thoughtful lyrics, setting themselves apart sonically from the pack. Their RUSH influenced sound is perhaps only comparable to that of NWOBHM compatriots CHASAR and LIMELIGHT.
After early uncirculated demo sessions, Shiva signed with the legendary Wolverhampton based Heavy Metal Records in 1981.
The band debuted with the haunting classic "Angel Of Mons" 7" in early 1982, which won them rave reviews in the Rock & Metal press.
A second single, the more uptempo "Rock Lives On", was issued a couple of months later, and again found favour in the columns of Sounds, Kerrang! and the like.
The band's album, "Firedance", was released later in the year, and again, was raved over by high profile critics such as Geoff Barton and Malcolm Dome.
However, the critical acclaim they received sadly did not translate into sales for Shiva, and despite recording demos of material for a second album, Heavy Metal Records dropped the group, and they eventually split up in 1984, without releasing further official product.
Now rightly acclaimed as one of the most individual and musically enterprising acts of the NWOBHM explosion, their reputation has grown steadily over the decades.
In 1996 British Steel/Cherry Red Records issued "Firedance" on CD, with improved sound and the two tracks from the "Rock Lives On" 7" added as bonus tracks, and it's from this edition that this rip comes.
This brought the band yet more accolades, both from old fans rediscovering the band, and new listeners being introduced to Shiva for the first time.
As a result of this renewed interest, in collaboration with Shiva, Majestic Rock Records released the "Continuance" album in 2004, featuring 12 unreleased songs which were recorded during the band's '80's heyday, including the 7 songs from the unfinished second album. "Continuance", proved to be every bit as fascinating as the band's classic debut.
Both albums are sadly out of print at present.

SHIVA - Firedance (1982) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G1T2RMHQ

Next, SEDUCER were a five piece Heavy Rock/Metal band formed in Amsterdam, Holland in 1981.
They made their vinyl debut on the Universe Records split album "Holland Heavy Metal Vol.1 : Live In Brouwershoeck", which they shared with SAD IRON in 1982.
This in turn led to the band recording this, their full length self titled debut album in 1983, also for the Universe label.
1984 saw the band contribute two further songs, (The hysterically titled "I Love 69" & "Torcher"), to the compilation album "Dutch Steel".
These two songs are included here as bonus tracks.
This was to be the band's final stand, as they split and went their separate ways soon after.
Guitarist Erik Karremann and drummer Jan Koster joined Rotterdam band HIGHWAY CHILE in 1984, straight after SEDUCER's split.
They recorded a Mini LP and two full length albums with the band.
After Highway Chile split in 1990, Koster went on to join STRANGERS AT A WEDDING, before moving on to form Hard/Glam Rock act SLEEZE BEEZ.
With Sleeze Beez, Koster recorded four studio albums and a live lp before they too broke up in 1996.
Koster then founded the Punky Hard Rock band JETLAND with two of his former Beez band mates.

SEDUCER - Seducer (1983) Holland

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JULCKKGE

Formed in 1979 by the Shaughnessy brothers, Brian & Kevin, here's the debut album by the much overlooked Barnsley NWOBHM band SEVENTH SON.
This is the first of two albums by the band we're bringing you tonight, you lucky people.
After 3 earlier 7" releases, "Dangerous Kiss" was initially released by Music Factory Records, on cassette only, in 1987, a full 8 years since the band had formed.
The album was later re-released on CD by the German label, Iron Pages.
Despite many personnel changes over the years, they've proved to be an extremely durable outfit, releasing 4 singles, an EP and 3 albums, without ever tasting even a fraction of the acclaim and success of fellow Barnsleyites SAXON.
Seventh Son released their latest album, "Spirit World", timed to commemorate the band's 30th anniversary, in 2009. The CD version was again on the Iron Pages label with High Roller Records issuing a limited edition (500 copies only) vinyl version on a variety of coloured wax. 250 copies were on plain black, 150 copies on purple, with just 100 appearing on black & orange splatter vinyl. The vinyl version also boasted unique cover art, a 4 page lyric booklet and came with a poster too!
Have a good listen to this one from their classic era, and if you like what you hear, go take a punt on their latest album.
High Roller have limited vinyl copies left and Iron Pages stock the CD.

SEVENTH SON - Dangerous Kiss (1987) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PBTKBZA0

"Immortal Hours", released in 2001, takes a look back to the beginnings of SEVENTH SON's recorded output with some vintage cuts from the classic era of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
In early 1983 the band were invited to record a studio session for Sheffield's Radio Hallam "Hallam Rock Show", after the show's producer Colin Slade heard the band's first demo.
The session was broadcast in April 1983, with the band going on to record two further sessions for the station in 1984 and 1985.
The bulk of the material recorded can be heard on this, the sixteen song "Immortal Hours", album.
There are also two bonus tracks added, showcasing the band circa 2000, a live version of "Immortal Hours" and a studio remake of "Dangerous Kiss", both of which show the band in fine form.

SEVENTH SON - Immortal Hours (1983-1985) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EJNUFF8A

Right you fuckers, dig in and enjoy that little lot!
Thanks to all of you who took the time to share your thoughts on our previous post in the comments section, some interesting memories and opinions, and some funny and enlightening thoughts on the music.
Can i have some more of the same this time around too please?
Right then, i'll be brief tonight and get lost.
I start a week's holiday today, and i've got a World Cup to watch!
:)
See you back here for more in the same vein in about two weeks time.
All the very best to all of you.