This is a first time vinyl release for this hard rockin’ record. It was originally only available through the UK boutique rock label Z Records back in ’99. The material on here was originally demos and outtakes but have been cleaned up and I really like this record.
The vibe on the first track Death Valley Days reminds a little of Saigon Kick, I think mainly through the vocal delivery of Ron Taylor but it’s still a kick-ass tune. Do It follows and starts with a huge progressive feel and I’m loving the quirky feel to the melody, and that solo sounds killer. Twilight In Hell rips in with a huge sounding monster riff and I’m not sure anyone sounds quite like these guys as they do have their own sound, and I mean in that in a good way. For Crying Out Loud closes out the first side and we are now in a power pop groove as the vibe is definitely Cheap Trick with a classical undertone.
The Last Time carries on that power pop groove with a really catchy hook line. Calm Before The Storm does feel like it was a cleaned up demo as the production is a bit mushy in places but it doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of what is a a great song. Pulling The Rats Out reminds me of classic Aerosmith, at least with that initial riff and groove. When It Rains brings Side 2 to an end with a ballad.
It’s favourite track time with Side 3 opener Daddy Long Legs. Superb riff and groove with some epic guitar. The mushy drum sound reappears however. A big epic intro to Blood On The Moon gives way to a more straight ahead anthem rocker. Kill Me Again is the one track you can definitely say this sounds like a demo. Great song with a very flat sound. A seriously nasty guitar sound announces the arrival of Become A Monster, quite literally a beast of a tune. Superb vocal harmonies at the intro to Throw You Away, another great tune but the drum machine is a tad tiresome. The album ends with Thirst, a huge sounding tune that travels into the realms of Prog metal.
I’d like to hear some of these “demo” tracks fully completed, but I guess there isn’t much chance of ever happening.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
