Demo 15/16-11-80

This demo tape is hard to overlook, and is an early gem in the NWOBHM movement. It is hard to believe that I am the first reviewer of such an amazing tape from a well-known and influential NWOBHM outfit. This demo tape is a 1980, three-song release, and the band's first; it came at the prime time of NWOBHM, and has an aggressive and emotional tempo that is much more real and gripping than their later full-length LP, Time of Changes (1985).

The raw production does not detract in my mind; it really makes the tape. The songs present are re-recorded on subsequent demos and the full LP, yet I always revert to these versions. The vocals are very crisp considering the fuzzy guitar, and I feel like that combination is great. Crisp vocals, underproduced, raw guitar. It makes a perfect match. The drums keep tempo but are not outstanding; they don't really have to be. The lyrics throughout the tape are ominous yet have the right level of NWOBHM spirit. The soloing is usually done over some fuzzy background riffs, which works well.

As for specific highlights, the intro riff to Blitzkrieg as well as the first bit of lyrics (“let us have peace, let us have life …”) are an awesome start and get me going each time. The segment starting at about 2:50 into Blitzkrieg is great. The highs he hits in Inferno are cheesy but I love them all the same. The intro and final riffage in Armageddon are prime (headbang!). I wish that Armageddon ended on a fade-out of that final riffage (“frightened children....” and fade out after that part), but overall the songs flow well. I could go on, but it's only three tracks, so give it a go yourself. While hard to pick a bad track, I'd have to say that Inferno is probably my least favorite of the three.

So if you like NWOBHM, listen to this tape wherever you can find it. The raw tone is fantastic! Some nice mid-range vocals, with an occasional insane high, as well as riffage and soloing. You really cannot go wrong. As for the other pre-LP tracks, there is a single, and another demo. These are also very good releases that should be checked out, especially if you've only been exposed to the full-length.

Enjoy.