Wednesday, 5 August 2020

New Wave of British Heavy Metal: 1978 - 1986 (Various Artists/Cherry Red Records)


























The latest compilation album released from Cherry Red Records NWOBHM: Thunder is the second compilation of heavy metal from a variety of British artists during the years 1978 to 1986. Some of these will be familiar as the first of the three CD's opens with Metal Thunder from Saxon. There's also Saracen, Girlschool and Hammerhead amongst others.

The number of bands you may know depends on how deep the listener was into the metal scene during these years. Regardless there are some real gems in this 44 track collection. Amongst those that caught my attention were Rock Goddess and Seige but there's actually nay a duff track on the whole album which gives just over three hours of playing time.

The album also comes with a booklet giving pen pictures of the featured bands.

According to the label:

"By the end of the 1970s, the original trio of British hard rock heroes Zeppelin, Purple and Sabbath had either graduated to the arenas of the world, or split up, whilst the second wave of British heavy rockers, including UFO, Motörhead and Judas Priest were beginning to fill major venues across the UK. Punk exploded in 1977, and the DIY approach that sprang up in its wake soon influenced the grassroots metalheads who had yet to leave their local pubs and clubs. Often independently released, some of the bands in this set never made more than one now highly prized and collectible 45 or one-off EP."

I am encouraged to explore some of these bands including the Pauline Gillan Band and yes she has a famous brother. I had not heard of her so on the list she goes. 

I have only just finished going through this album a couple of times so forward to You Tube and Amazon Music to discover more and probably add a few more albums to collection as my budget allows. 

This album is highly recommended and is available from: www.cherryred.co.uk

Sample track: Flirting With Suicide by Praying Mantis from their 1981 album Time Tells No Lies.

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