Formed in Hartlepool way back in ’75, it wasn’t until NWOBHM became a thing that the band would be given a chance. They were more famous for being the band that would give Janick Gers to Gillan (once Bernie Torme departed) and Iron Maiden for a little while. They were touted as the next Deep Purple thanks to the Hammond playing of Malcolm Pearson and Janick’s obvious love of Blackmore (the influences were obvious).
Opening track, Midnight Chaser, is a great track and could have been a DP track. Red Skies is next up, and again, the keys and guitar are high in the mix – although not the finished article at this point. If there were any albums after this things could have been different. High Upon High, by contrast, almost sounds like Genesis and feels a little out of place. Side 1 closes out with Way Of The Kings and a nice riff from Gers starts things off nicely. It’s not a bad song but the vocals are a little weak.
Side 2 starts with No Reprieve and this is my favourite on the album. Lots of nice instrumentation, interplay, and key changes make this a very cool track. Don’t be Fooled follows and the main riff seems to be a rewrite of Smoke On The Water- even the guitar tone is the same! Gers’ obvious love of all things Blackmore is a little too close here. Fool For The Gods closes out the album and is the band’s attempt at the big epic. A very slow and atmospheric opening leads into an almost pomp rock piece – like Angel and early Styx.
So that’s it – one and they’re done. Other than compilation albums and singles, this would be the band’s only release.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
