Brian Downey's Alive & Dangerous @ Nell's Jazz & Blues, West Kensington

What better way to kick off our new section than with a photo set from Brian Downey's Alive And Dangerous?  Their second london date went down a storm on February 10th and we were there to witness it.

Keep up to date with Brian Downey news at: www.briandowneysaliveanddangerous.com

Read our review of the 24/11/17 show here!

Photography: M Godding

Album Review: Eliminator 'Last Horizon'

I first encountered Lancaster’s Eliminator supporting Satan at Camden Town’s Purple Turtle (now closed) in October 2011. I left the show impressed with their energy and ear for a catchy riff, and with a copy of the then-recently released We Rule The Night EP in hand. Fast-forward seven years and three changes in frontman, and the north-western warriors have at long last graced us with a full-length album. It was worth the wait.

Last Horizon starts out strong with '2019'; a spot of high energy riffage underpinning some topical musing on man’s relationship with technology that launches the listener straight into the broader “feel” of the album: No ominous, quiet intro or buildup at the start of this number – it’s fretboard acrobatics and plenty of “whoah”s and “yeah”s from the off. New vocalist Danny Foster brings considerable flair to this recording, and the vocal delivery soars as much as the guitar leads. Look for the promo video doing the rounds for a fun display of “Blade Runner but in northern England”. Continuing in the sci-fi vein established with '2019' and pushed in the overall presentation of the album we have the title track, 'The Last Horizon': To this listener, one of three major highlights of the release. An engaging intro section gives way to grand, powerful vocal melodies over some cracking riff-work in the chorus section and some interesting use of dynamics and melody alternating with the quieter verses. Guitarists Jack MacMichael and Matthew Thomas deserve commendation for delivering some tasteful dual lead work in the middle section here.

The album’s pace drops slightly with the first of its four “epics”, 'Echoes'. This boasts a lovely repeating melodic motif and the faster section towards the end contains some impressive shredding. A solid song, though I wonder about its placement on the album and whether something shorter and more “immediate” might have preceded it. Either way, this song is quickly outshone by the second “epic” and my second album highlight: 'Procession of Witches'. Space and technology have been left behind as lyrical themes by this point, in favour of a tale of mystic communion with dark, elemental powers. After an intro with some fancy double lead and nice-if-brief solo basswork spots by Jamie Brandon, the initial movement of 'Procession' goes fast with a catchy melodic riff carrying it all along, with a drop of pace in the middle section. Here, drummer Dave Steen focuses his energy on floor toms in a section evoking ritualistic percussion, which builds tension with restrained guitar chords and vocals before taking us into a closing instrumental section and verse reprise, which can be aptly described as “well tasty”. I’m left in the mood for something more quick and direct following this and Eliminator supply just that, with my third album highlight 'Edge of A Dream'. The main riff might boast the catchiest melody in the whole album, and some interesting choices of vocal melody (memorable and pleasing to the ear without being “obvious”) rub up against some seriously powerful riffs and a flash lead section toward the end. This is a masterclass in simple, effective heavy metal song writing.

The album’s home stretch begins with the third “epic” 'Fall Of The Seer'. This moves at a stately pace and concludes the tale of 2012’s The Seer single with a story of a mad, decrepit clairvoyant foreseeing his own doom. Thematic reminders of Iron Maiden’s Seventh Son of A Seventh Son are in evidence here, and Foster demonstrates some serious low-end vocal tone in addition to his impressive falsetto. 'Pride and Ruin' follows, and presents us with one last burst of quick, concise heavy metal (heralded by an opening riff that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on a Slough Feg release) before the final “epic” and album closer, 'Spoils of an Empire'. This is a worthy note for the album to end on, the lead section heralded by a falsetto scream at the 3:45 mark being a highlight.

I’m happy to report my excitement for this album was rewarded. We’ve a selection of powerful, memorable songs delivered with panache and a sound production job that doesn’t sound sterile or low-tech-for-its-own-sake. Eliminator have already announced a few dates around the UK to promote this album. Do yourself a favour and get yourself along to one if you can. Last Horizon confirms it: These gents represent the best that British heavy metal has to offer. A must-have.

Score: 4.5/5

Last Horizon is available on CD from 23/03/18 or Vinyl from 18/05/18 via Plastic Head.

Album release party:  24th March @ The Star & Garter, Manchester.  Support from Seven Sisters, Ascalon and Heavy Sentence.  Details here.

Other dates:

20/04/18: The Dev, Camden (more info)

25/05/18: British Steel 2, The Underworld, Camden (more info)

Keep up to date with Eliminator news via their facebook page.



Writer: Craig Stewart

Live Review: Robin Trower @ Islington Assembly Hall

Islington Assembly Hall is packed to capacity this evening. After the postponement of last year's date at the same venue, it seems nobody wants to miss Robin Trower this time. He has tended to appear in London quite regularly over recent years, but even so there is an awareness that this esteemed guitarist might not be playing forever. 

Sari Schorr opens proceedings with the relatively stripped-down accompaniment of Ash Wilson on guitar and Bob Fridzema on keys. One thing is clear immediately - this woman has a strident voice. The American chanteuse delivers a performance of unwavering intensity that at times risks overpowering the music itself, but there is no denying her confidence. A version of Bad Company's 'Ready For Love' almost sounds like a threat rather than a bid for seduction, yet thankfully her sidemen keep their cool with tasteful, restrained playing.

Robin Trower takes the stage at nine o'clock sharp with the now-familiar pair of Richard Watts and Chris Taggart on bass and drums respectively. Veteran fans already know what to expect - a set of soulful rock music minus any unnecessary showbiz frills. From the first note to the last, Trower is lost in a world of sound and feeling. This is one musician who simply cannot "phone it in", the space in his music means that he is too exposed to ever be anything other than fully present in the moment. 

Watts handles the bulk of the vocal work, and his understated approach works well on the material from the hallowed James Dewar era. He has no intention of attempting to overshadow his boss or imposing his own ego on songs that have stood up so well over the decades. Behind him Taggart sets about his kit with the unbridled enthusiasm of a young pup.

If there is any criticism to be made here, it would simply be that the set list is remarkably similar to that of Trower's two previous London gigs. When your catalogue is as rich with great music as his, it seems a shame to rely on the same handful of old songs whilst ignoring so many other gems of the past. The newer tunes picked for airing tend to nestle comfortably in the twelve bar form with less in the way of hooks and arrangement than the vintage material. Yet it's not as if the man's recent work is bereft of inspiration - a song like the magnificent 'The Past Untied' would be very much welcome in this context.

After roughly an hour and an half of blues-drenched rock music, with the emphasis firmly on exceptional lead guitar playing and barely a word spoken to the audience, Robin Trower humbly waves goodbye and leaves the stage.

Score: 3.5/5

Writer: George Colwan

Photo: Andy Rawll

Live Review: Saxon, Diamond Head and Rock Goddess @ Cambridge Corn Exchange

Welcomed into picturesque Cambridge with blustery winds and a biting chill means we immediately take refuge in the closest Wetherspoons which we soon realise is just a stones throw from the infamous Cambridge Corn Exchange. Beer in hand and surrounded by a mix of both Rugby enthusiasts and heavy metal loyalists - we're now very much looking forward to the doors opening for Saxon, Diamond Head and Rock Goddess.

Full of liquid calories, we're lit with adrenalin as we make our way towards the grand venue. The queue is long and so we have to make do with listening to the very brilliant Tracey Lamb, Julie and Jody Turner take to the stage from just outside the main doors. It's not long before we're inside taking off mountains of layers as we climb into a packed venue. It's great to see so many fans here bright and early supporting Rock Goddess as they crack on with the first tracks of their set. The somewhat solemn crowd bob and clap along to 'Satisfied Then Crucified', 'Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right' and 'Back Off'. The girls never fail to emit pure power and energy and it's not long before Jody has the crowd warmed up and finally moving as they join her in singing along to 'Heavy Metal Rock 'n' Roll'. Whether you're familiar with the girls' back catalogue or not, the catchy chorus gets bodies moving and the high energy, ballsy performance is clearly appreciated. The last time we caught Jody, Julie and Tracey live was at London's Borderline in 2017 where we were lucky enough to open the show for them. They blew the roof off the much smaller venue and tonight, albeit in a much larger venue, their performance had just the same effect. The perfect opener.

It's time for NWOBHM royalty Mr Brian Tatler of Diamond Head to prepare his axe as he enters the stage with vocalist Rasmus Bom Anderson by his side. The smell of burning gets some raised eyebrows but is soon forgotten as the band immediately rip into Lightening to the Nations' classic 'Helpless'. Although we crave some volume, there's no surprise that opening with this number is always going to go down a storm with Diamond Head fans. Frontman Rasmus is a brilliant performer as he raises his mic in the air, Coverdale style. Although Tatler is the only  original member of the band, Rasmus' stage presence demands all eyes on him. They work their way through a killer (albeit very short) set of classic numbers such as 'Heat of the Night' and 'It's Electric' with only one newer track 'Bones' from the 2016 self-titled album. Diamond Head's set absolutely flies by as one of the most well-known heavy metal riffs of all time vibrates across the room. 'Am I Evil?' sets in and the crowd finally come alive- something they should have done several tracks ago.

As soon as the last applause is made I rush my way through to the bar and loos, eager to make my way back to the front for Saxon. However, I'd clearly missed the loud, piercing fire alarm sounding across the venue as a steward taps me on the shoulder and asks me (and the rest of the venue) to vacate the building. The streets of Cambridge are packed full of shivering Saxon fans, all
eager to get back inside but many definitely wondering what had caused the alarms to sound. Many around us continue to speculate as some people even go back to nearby hotels never to return. However, after a pint and a pee in a nearby bar, it wasn't long until we were all welcomed back into the Cambridge Corn Exchange only to find out that the sirens were merely that of a defective alarm.

The only alarm heard now though are the pipes of Biff Byford as he pounds on stage in his usual all-black attire kicking-off with new track 'Thunderbolt' swiftly followed by 'Sacrifice' and 'Nosferatu'. Biff jokes with the crowd about having to leave the Cambridge Corn Exchange due to a false alarm for the 2nd time in his heavy metal career but praises the venue for being such an iconic setting.
The setlist sees a mixture of tracks old and new with the newer tracks going down well with a now buzzing crowd.The vibe in the room is familiar and content and this is only heightened as Saxon pay respects to Motorhead with 'They Played Rock 'n' Roll'. A rapid yet emotive performance.


The sing-along, head-banging and fist-pumping actions are now fully underway with beer glasses galore floating through the air to celebrate first-rate Saxon material 'And the Bands Played On', 'Crusader' and 'Princess of the Night'.

Any concerns of Saxon's set being cut short due to the alarm were long gone as they treat us with an encore and any Saxon enthusiast could guess what this will include. It's time of course for 'Heavy Metal Thunder', 'Denim and Leather' and 'Wheels of Steel'. Unlike many generic numbers from classic heavy metal bands, these tracks are never tiresome to hear and certainly never fail to keep you moving - rest-assured sweat levels increase rapidly!

It didn't matter that we'd lost our prime spot at the front, nor did it matter that I was under a 7ft man's armpit. Saxon are one of those bands that you could end up seeing several times a year, but they always put on a jam packed, energised performance which leaves no attendee disappointed. True heavy metal heroes who seem as if they'll continue forever... let's hope so!

Score: 5/5

Photography: Frank Baring

Writer: Kayleigh MG

Collectors In Rock: Pt. 2

It's no secret that rock and heavy metal possesses some of the most committed fans around. 

Collectors In Rock celebrates the dedication of avid collectors from across the globe as they display and share some of their most prized posessions with us. 

Would you like your collection featured on Collectors In Rock?
Just send an email to bornagainheavymetalsoundhouse@gmail.com 

Collector: Mario Corbella

Location: Milan, Italy

Tell us a bit about yourself and when you started/why you have a passion for collecting:

I've listened to heavy metal since 1986, just after I saw the movie "Trick or Treat" featuring the soundtrack by Fastway (R.I.P. Fast Eddie) and then discovered Motorhead, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Kiss, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Metallica, Iron Maiden, the whole NWOBHM scene that I still love so much. Not to mention the speed/thrash metal movement in its glory days. I also love doom bands like St.Vitus, Pentagram and the '90s great Pete Steele of Type O Negative, Carnivore, Fallout etc.

I have collected heavy metal stuff (both vinyl and tapes) since about 1989, but just trying to find out items by bands I really love. I’m not a completist and I don't like to buy records spending obscene amounts of money just because they're "rare" on collectors’ market. In the last 25 years I have focused my attention on NWOBHM goods, especially 7”s.

First ever vinyl purchase:

Ozzy Osbourne- Speak Of The Devil

Most prized possession: 

Holocaust- Heavy Metal Mania 12” EP acetate promo (in picture sleeve fully signed by original line up from back in the day).

The rarest item you own:

Not sure about that (as people and market tell different stories almost everyday) but I guess it’s a small bunch of coveted NWOBHM 7”s including Stormchild, Lautrec, Stormqueen (red label), Marquis de Sade, Shock Treatment, Demolition, Phyne Thanquz, Sapphire, Tracer, Tyrant, National Gold, Vahalla, Vardis (1st), Virtue, Iron Maiden ‘Strange World’ 10” acetate and more (including those mentioned in “Top 5 list”, see below)

Most featured artist in your collection:

For sure Blitzkrieg! My all time favourite band. I love everything Brian Ross made with all the bands he was involved, but Blitzkrieg’s vibes, rhythm, lyrics (from alien invasions to nordic legends, from Dr Who to Jack The Ripper, from The Prisoner to Alice Coper) and everything sums up what I’ve always loved about HM music...and it’s still inspiring me today!

Favourites (7”s, LPs, Demotapes):

• Iron Maiden- The Soundhouse Tapes (with insert & signed stuff) 7”ep
• Def Leppard- The Def Leppard EP (with insert & fully signed ps) 7”ep
• Hollow Ground -Flying High (fully signed) 7”ep
• Big Daisy - Fever (fully signed) 7”
• Fallout - Rock Hard (with inner signed/dedicated to me by Pete) 7”
• Diamond Head- Lightning to the Nations (fully signed white label 1st issue) LP
• Saracen - Heroes, Saints and Fools (fully signed 1st issue, white rear) LP
• Desolation Angels - Desolation Angels (fully signed test pressing) LP
• Angel Witch Sweet Danger (2 x one-sided 12”) EP
• Carnivore - World wars III & IV (acetate 12”) EP
• Satan - Guardian demo MC
• Paralex - Gettin’ Somewhere MC
• Jaguar - Stormchild (fully signed) MC
• Trespass - Through the Ages MC
• Virtue - Fool’s Gold MC

Priciest Piece:

Original EMI Rec. reel to reel master tapes for the first Iron Maiden album (sent to New Zealand for that country issue in 1980)

Worthless wonder:

Mythra ‘D&D’ EP - Guardian record label printed more than 15,000 copies so you can still find it quite easily and cheap, but that slice of vinyl is class! One of my all time favourite records since the first day I gave it a spin on my record player! Top stuff!

Guilty pleasures:

Not hard rock or heavy metal but... original Motion Picture soundtracks, especially from John Carpenter’s movies (Escape From New York above all)

Favourite place to purchase/trade:

Back in the 90s’ every week hunting took place in record shops and/or fairs, it was magic!…Now only the world wibe web...

Bargain Bin: 

Meanstreak Played It Right 7” with press kit $0,5

Skitzofrenik USA 7” £4

Favourite non-vinyl collectable: 

Demotapes! I’ve always loved that prime era stuff by any band from the 70s’-80s’. It’s somehow fascinating to me and in several cases it not only represented a sort of passport for young bands to try and ‘fly’ to the majors, but also contained all the original stuff written and recorded so far. I still love to dig old tapes by cult underground bands, possibly help in officially reissuing them and resurrect old combos. 

Interviewer: Kayleigh MG

Collectors In Rock: Pt. 1

It's no secret that rock and heavy metal possesses some of the most committed fans around. 

Collectors In Rock celebrates the dedication of avid collectors from across the globe as they display and share some of their most prized posessions with us. 

Would you like your collection featured on Collectors In Rock?
Just send an email to bornagainheavymetalsoundhouse@gmail.com 

Collector: Erwin Lucas, Aged 45
Location: Heerenveen, The Netherlands

Tell us about where and how your journey began:

I am a collector of Iron Maiden and related items. Not only vinyl but almost everything available from the mighty Maiden and everything ever recorded by its members, past and present. I even wrote a book about that called 'Outside Iron Maiden'. Vinyl is magic... the smell of it when you open the sleeve for the first time, the look of that shiny black disc, the sleeve itself, ... The spark came for me when I started collecting Iron Maiden records back in 1986. CD just made it's entrance but wasn't the standard yet. Going to my local recordstore with the pocketmoney I made on my saturday paperround. Boxes filled with LP's and 12"s. Taking hours to find that one record you took home. And ofcourse the sound... so much richer than the digital recordings from nowadays.

First vinyl purchase:

My first vinyl purchase was a 7" by a Dutch band Doe Maar called 'Pa' back in 1983 when I was 11. The song is about a young man who did not become what his father wanted him to become. I liked the sleeve and that band was so popular in the Netherlands around that time, it felt like Beatlemania again. 

Most recent vinyl purchase:
An original 1978 Dutch pressing of Styx- Pieces Of Eight album. There is a secondhand store in my town that sells records and sometimes I find some real gems in there for a bargain.
Most featured artist in your collection:

Iron Maiden
Blaze Bayley

Bruce Dickinson

Wolfsbane

Samson

Most prized possession:

My prized possession is the original Iron Maiden - The Soundhouse Tapes 7" that I personally received from former Iron Maiden drummer Doug Sampson. He handed it to me when he was in the Netherlands with his band Airforce. I have it framed accompanied by a handwritten letter by Doug claiming that this is an original first batch pressing from 1979 which he got from Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood back then, and a photograph of me and Doug where he is giving it to

me.

Top 5 favourites:

1) Iron Maiden - The Soundhouse Tapes 7"

2) Iron Maiden - Prowler 7" (Japan)

3) Speed - Down The Road 7"

4) Iron Maiden - Virtual XI 2LP signed by Blaze Bayley and Steve Harris

5) Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden LP (Mexico) signed by Dennis Stratton

Needles in the Haystack (Most Rare):
Of course my copy of The Soundhouse Tapes but also the Iron Maiden picture disc collection they released in 2012. All albums from 1980 until 1988 re-released on limited edition picture disc. The picture discs aren't that rare but I have the black box that holds them all and there are only 200 of those boxes released.

Priciest Piece:
I can't put a price on my Soundhouse Tapes. I've seen them being sold for over £1200 but this particular copy previously owned by Doug Sampson with the letter etc. is priceless.

Worthless Wonders:
1) The Secret - The Young Ones 7" UK Pressing 1977. You can buy this one for around €10 but is the first recording featuring Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray although uncredited.
2) The same goes for Cockerel Chorus - Nice One Cyril 7" from 1973 which you can buy for less than €1 but this one is the first recording featuring Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, also uncredited by the way.

Guilty Pleasures:

Halt Mich - Herbert Grönemeyer 7".

Most regular place for trading/purchases:

Mostly on Discogs but also in a few recordstores in my neighbourhood. Sadly now there aren't many record stores left but there are a few good ones near by.

Bargain Bin:
I've got two Italian radio promo's on 7" which I got from Radio Trieste for close to nothing. One has 'Massimo Luca' on the A side and 'Run To The Hills' from Iron Maiden on the B side. The other one has The Coconuts on the A side and 'Flight Of Icarus' by Iron Maiden on the B side. Not worth a fortune but getting them for almost nothing was a real bargain.

Favouite non-vinyl collectable:

A cassette single from The Trooper. Only released in Holland in a 12" package. Only a few left the factory before the management cancelled it. Bought it in the '90s for about 15 Guilders (€7) and saw it sold recently for over €150.

Interviewer: Kayleigh MG

SAXON Announce Pt. 2 of Thunderbolt Tour

SAXON aren’t wasting any time in 2018! Following the critically acclaimed release of Battering Ram in 2015, the heavy metal giants have released their 22^nd studio album ‘Thunderbolt’ via the Militia Guard label (Silver Lining Music) which reached the Top 30 in the official UK charts this February. Now they have announced Part 2 of the Thunderbolt Tour, with Part 1 selling out, SAXON will bring their iconic live show to more cities across the UK. This time, SAXON will be joined by special guests Y&T and Wayward Sons.

 Biff Byford  “We’re gonna be bringing the tour back into the UK and Europe in the Autumn, playing some classic venues with some classic bands….it’s going to be special – BRING IT ON!”

*NEW* Thunderbolt Tour Dates for 2018
Thursday 18th October- UK, Glasgow Barrowlands
Friday 19th October- UK, London Roundhouse
Saturday 20th October- UK, Portsmouth Guildhall
Sunday 21st October- UK, Manchester Academy

Don't miss out this time! Get your tickets here.