Album number two for these NWOBHM stalwarts, and the first to feature Bruce Dickinson on vocals. He was credited on the Survivors album, but he did not appear on the original album. Obviously, with hindsight this record is not heavy metal but definitely a kick ass hard rock album, and the best of their early efforts. If fading memory serves me right, the track Thunderburst is a version of Maiden’s The Ides Of March which was written while drummer Thunderstick was briefly in their ranks.
The album kicks off with Hard Times, a great uptempo blues rock groover with Paul Samson’s heavy blues riffs driving it along. Take It Like A Man follows and is my favourite track on the album. Another great Samson riff and groove with a great guitar sound. Vice Versa is next up and was released as a single. A great choice as the vibe and groove are a lot more radio friendly, that is until the middle section where things get a lot more frenetic. Manwatcher has a distinct seventies heavy rock riff and groove with just a hint of punk thrown in. Too Close To Rock closes out Side 1 and that has to be one of Paul’s heaviest riffs at the intro.
The previously mentioned Thunderburst opens up Side 2 and I think you can tell the obvious similarities. Hammerhead follows and that heavy 70’s blues groove drives this one, although Mr. Stick’s busy drumming is telling you different. Hunted takes the tempo and groove down a notch or two and I would say this is the weakest song on the album. Take Me To Your Leader is by far the fastest song on the album, although the feel is more punk than metal. The album closes out with Walking Out On You, a slow monster track that treads very close to ballad territory but that big guitar sound tells you otherwise.
I like this album as I think it’s their most consistent.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
