I want to start out by saying I am in no way shape or form
an expert in the musical sub genre lovingly named New Wave of British Heavy
Metal (a term dreamed up by former Sounds editor Alan Lewis). It's just my
favorite era in metal music.
For my definition, the NWOBHM time period is very loose –
I'd give it from 1979 – 1987. Unlike
some other people, I don't consider non British Bands to be part of the
movement, even though the spirit is there, might as well call it New Wave of
heavy metal without the nationalist qualifier.
Even the casual fan has heard of the bigger names, of course
Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and Saxon to name a few. My aim today is to shed some light on the
bands that are lumped into the “also ran” category. Due to bad timing, lack of promotion or a
myriad of other factors, these bands
never got the attention they so rightly deserved.
This will be a recurring segment – so if you don't see your
favorite band (or YOUR Band) listed – check back soon! This is all just in my personal opinion, and
I welcome any one to add their own choices in the “comments” section. Remember one person's idea of “obscure” or
“unsung” is another person's “commonplace”.
I have to start off the list with the London based band Elixir.
I'm embarrassed to admit I was
unfamiliar with their music until they played in New Jersey in the summer of
2006. From the first note of the song
“Star of Beshaan”- I was hooked!!! I am
very proud to have been a part of the band's foray into social media – starting
with MySpace, then of course the ubiquitous Facebook and Reverbnation. Elixir's music has often been referred to as
“Maiden-esque” because of the dual guitar leads and galloping bass lines. But there is so much more to them!! Definite influences of Thin Lizzy and UFO as
with so many other bands of the time.
Paul Taylor's vocals do evoke Biff Byford of Saxon at times, but he
definitely has his own voice and style.
The band's first full length LP “The Son of Odin” wasn't released until
1986, thereby barely catching onto the tail end of the already passe movement
and being overshadowed by the hair metal and thrash bands that were gaining
popularity at the time. Elixir broke up
a few years ago, and original members
Taylor and guitarist Phil Denton have gone on to form a new band called
Midnight Messiah – who still preform Elixir classics during their set.
From the Brockley district of South London Terry Jones and
his son Alan Jones formed the doomy/Sabbathy/folksy (yep) theatrical Pagan
Altar. Known for taking promo photos in
Nunheard cemetery – like I said in a previous article – Terry was the real deal
and the name “Pagan Altar” was not a nonsensical moniker for the band. In their early years they came onstage in
cloaks, with coffins, skulls, candles, the whole bit. It's a
shame that no footage exists from that time that I could find. According to the bio on the band's website,
the band rarely played outside of South
East London, which may be one of the reasons historians don't cite them as
being one of the pivotal bands from that era.
Fortunately, due to the power of the internet, a demo tape that had been
bootlegged “to death” was soon in the band's own hands – and they were able to
give it a proper release. The band had achieved cult status in underground
metal circles, and in the last few years played at prestigious festivals around
the world, including Dubai. In 2013, Terry finally was able to bring the
band to the US to do a one off gig at the Maryland Death fest – where I will
say time and again that they owned the day – if not the whole festival.
Alas recently the painting of Terry that was stored in the
attic was destroyed, time caught up to Dorian Gray, and the music world is
still grieving his loss. At this point
in time it is unlikely the band will continue without him.
Perhaps more known for their infamous “Beastiality” album
cover, where singer Garry Dalloway gets down and dirty (literally) with a pig
in a sty – Birmingham's Beasts had some
great music. More on the bluesy end of
the spectrum – that “fat bastard” had an amazingly soulful voice. It's sad that the album cover may have turned
people off to the band. Their whole
catalog is excellent, including the “04” album, which aside from boasting another
cover that's sure to make it onto “worst covers ever” lists around the
internet, contained re-released versions of songs originally on Beastiality.
Sadly, vocalist Dalloway passed away in 2006 just as the
band were gaining steam again. They've
had a series of vocalists including Rocky Shades from Wrathchild UK, and
continue to tour and write new music to this day.
The North East of England was a hotbed for bands in that
era. Unfortunately because of the distance to the capital a lot of them didn't
get the credit they deserve. The band were actually a bit ahead of the curve. Then called Axe, they recorded their first single, “SS Giro” in 1978. Fighting against the popularity of punk rock
the band regrouped, renamed themselves “FIST” and released one of the first
singles on the NEAT label, “Name Rank and Serial Number”. On the strength of the single, the band were
signed to major label MCA. Due to
“hassles” with the label, the band were dropped and returned to NEAT records.
The band have recently become active again, gaining great
reviews for their live shows around Europe.
Another band I would chew my right arm off to see in the States!
Also from the North East of England, Spartan Warrior are
another brand I'm ashamed to admit I didn't know too much about until
recently. Their guitarist Neil Wilkinson
contacted me on Facebook a few years ago about getting the band on British
Steel Festival. After checking out their
music, I was one of their biggest champions, but sadly that festival series is
no more. SW's 1983 full length debut, “Steel n' Chains” still stands up to this
day as a classic metal recording. Great
hooks, exceptional playing and top notch vocals from David Wilkinson. The band is still currently very active
playing gigs around the UK and some of the bigger European festivals.
- Rys
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