Lp HEAVY METAL HEROES, VOLUME 2
Label ': HMR LP 7
Jaar : 1982
Hoes : goed
Vinyl : zeer goed
LIONHEART - Lionheart
Starts off nearly identical to the DRAGSTER song from Volume 1 but soon we hear the powerful chorus and this turns out to be one of the better songs on this LP. Quite a bit different from the more commercial sounding Hot Tonight LP. Reissued on a Japanese-only CD called Unearthed: Raiders of the Lost Archives.
SHIVA - En Cachent
Usually compared to RUSH, I find this song has more in common with another Canadian trio, TRIUMPH. Either way it's a great prog-tinged NWOBHM song.
PALLAS - Arrive Alive
Scottish band PALLAS continue the progressive trend, but they mix it with a new wave sound. Don't let that scare you though, it's a song that most melodic metal fans should enjoy. Also rerecorded as Eyes in the Night and released as a single in 1984. I like this version better because while Eyes of the Night is arguably more metal, Arrive Alive is less polished and commercial sounding.
MENDES PREY - What The Hell's Going On?
Similar to more mainstream bands like MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP.
MANTLE SWALLOW PALMER - Ice Cold Diamond
Don't know who Mantle or Swallow are, but drummer Steve Palmer played in Glenn Tipton's first group, THE FLYING HAT BAND. Decent but unremarkable 70s style rocker.
OVERKILL - Out Of My Head
Galloping rhythm and nice chorus in much the same vein as their Elemental single.Tracklist side B:
JESS COX - Devil's Triangle
Jess Cox' post-TYGERS OF PAN TANG career consists mostly of dull, radio-friendly hard rock. However, this track is actually kind of heavy and at least moderately interesting.
TWISTED ACE - This Fire Inside
Nice, catchy melodic rock/AOR which is what I think they were meant to play from the start. Originally slated to be released as Heavy 14 but for whatever reason it was only released on this compilation, leaving a mysterious gap in the label's catalog.
WITCHFINDER GENERAL - Free Country
When I heard this fast-paced BLACK SABBATH inspired song I became an instant WITCHFINDER GENERAL fan.
NO FAITH - Oh Well
Maybe it's just because I never liked the original, but I find this cover of the old Peter Green-era FLEETWOOD MAC song terrible.
PERSIAN RISK - Calling For You
Classic Welsh NWOBHM that is much more metal than their later material. Powerful vocals by Carl Sentance and some good guitar soloing make this one of my favorite songs of the genre. According to Malc Macmillan's NWOBHM Encyclopedia this is different to the single version, but I can't tell them apart.
NO QUARTER - Power And The Key
Less LED ZEPPELIN influence than their other material, this song takes a more traditional and energetic NWOBHM approach.