This BOC’s eighth studio album and was produced by Martin Birch who worked with Deep Purple and Iron Maiden. I am a big fan of early BOC, and after this album I started to loose interest somewhat. This is the audiophile Music On Vinyl release, and it sounds super clear – it’s also the last album to feature the original line up.
First track in is the title track co-written by Patti Smith, followed by the hit single Burning For You, which after Don’t Fear The Reaper and Godzilla was their biggest chart position. Veteran of the Psychic Wars is next and was co- written with sci-fi writer Michael Moorcock – who you may remember hooked up with Hawkwind in the 70’s. The very average Sole Survivor is next followed by Heavy Metal The Black, and The Silver, a track from the movie of the same name – this is more of an old BOC vibe and the best track on the album.
Side 2 starts with Vengeance, a solid rockin’ track that speeds into an almost Maiden gallop as the track moves on. After Dark is next with an almost punk/new wave intro and has a cool sing-a-long chorus. Next in, Joan Crawford vies with Heavy Metal for the best-track-on-the-album Championships. It starts with it’s almost operatic beginning and great chorus telling us “she has risen from the grave”. Don’t Turn Your Back closes things out in typical BOC style.
This is the album that saved their career – as the previous two releases bombed commercially – so the pressure was on. Thanks to the great choice of singles, and a solid production major label status was secured, for a while anyway.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
