It’s hard to believe, but Budgie’s first album was recorded back in ’71. This line up is basically the second coming of the band, as the record company had dropped them in ’78. Their founding guitarist, Tony Bourge, had left, and ex-George Hatcher band guitarist, John Thomas, was brought in for a last throw of the dice. A certain thrash band named Metallica had increased the interest of the band by doing a storming cover of their track Breadfan. There was an EP released before this album called If Swallowed Do Not Induce Vomiting, which included a killer track called Panzer Division Destroyed that went down really well with the NWOBHM crowd – so they went ahead and recorded this album. The sound is a lot heavier and raw to capitalize on what was happening in the scene at the time.
The album starts with Forearm Smash, a not-so subtle straight up metal stomper that sets the tone perfectly. Hellbender is next with a simple heavy riff that leads into a typical NWOBHM groove. Heavy Revolution is another basic rock riff that’s beefed up to get the metal sound. Side closer, Gunslinger, is more of an old Budgie vibe with its slow start and heavy twists and turns – with some tasty playing from Thomas. A great tune!
Side 2 opens with the title track, a great stomp along track to bang your head to. Secrets In My Head follows with a cool riff and a great groove – a change up from the four-to-the-floor on most of the album – and more tasty licks from Thomas. The slow paced intro to A Time To Remember is next, and it manages to keep my interest mainly due to a nice solo (ballads usually leave me cold). Album closer, Crime Against The World, is more stomp along metal goodness with an opening riff that is very reminiscent of Saxon.
Not a bad comeback album, and they would capitalize on its relative success by touring intensively. The next two albums would be more melody and song oriented.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
