Tag: samson

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.

One of the very earliest albums of the whole NWOBHM scene, released in the first part of ’79. Bruce Dickinson is credited on the album but doesn’t actually appear on the record, as he joined after the album was recorded. Guitarist Paul Samson handles all vocal duties, and there are guest appearances from Gillan’s John McCoy on bass and Colin Towns on keys. So, it’s not really heavy metal at all, and is really just a classic blues rock romp. They attached themselves (as did a lot of bands at the time) to NWOBHM to get themselves noticed.

There are a couple of tracks that lift themselves above the norm here and that’s the epic Tomorrow Or Yesterday, which starts off nice and slow, then builds into a really great track with a killer instrumental section. As well, the big ending number Wrong Side Of Time, which is the same format as Tomorrow with a killer middle section. But my favourite is the instrumental Koz, which grooves along nicely with a great riff and groove. I remember buying this when it first came out just like yesterday; they were such good times. Happy Days!

8/10 from The Grooveman.

If you were like me and around when the NWOBHM hit, then Samson were thought of as something as a goof band – especially the first 2 albums and Live. They hammed it up quite a bit and you got the impression, especially from Bruce, that this was something he did as a giggle until he got a proper job. Then they released this album, and then I guess they thought they might have a shot.

Opening track, Riding With The Angels, is the best thing they ever put out. I guess it made certain people in the Maiden camp take notice as he was poached shortly after. The best thing about the next track, Earth Mother, is the sheer power of Bruce’s vocal. Nice Girl is a typical blues rock riff but with a very suspect lyric. Go To Hell is a fast shuffle and is ok. Communion could have been Bruce’s audition for Maiden, and I’m sure Steve Harris heard this and thought of the future.

It’s an ok album, but there were a lot better bands around at this time. You can see how Samson never reached much farther, though it would have been interesting to see what the next Samson would have been like if Bruce was still on vocals.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.