Good old NWOBHM!
Elixir... I forgot about them!
A wave brought a copy their last work to the shores of the Port plunging the Cpt. into a musically nostalgic mood. Thrash is fine, tech-death is OK, MDM is a must... but good old NWOBHM has some unreplaceable vibe...! By the way, did you check out the new SAXON? That is awesome!
Anyway here you are with the triggering stuff, plus one of the all-time-favourite of the Cpt.
ELIXIR-Mindcreeper (2006)
Elixir came out of London's East End (home of Iron Maiden, Chariot, etc) during the mid-80's and is considered to be a cult, underground, NWOBHM act. This is their last album, the 2006 comeback. It's been twenty years since "The Son Of Odin", their first. And with the original line-up they do sound like they're having fun. It's 80's British Metal right down to the shoelaces. Striking is the almost complete lack of "Maiden" influenced guitar work. Guitar solos are still present and Denton/Gordon are still at the top of their game, even if not so much as "The Son Of Odin" album. The production is good and clear, but could have been better. This is British hardrock with plenty of that old attitude and lyrical cliche' running from wicked tales about the devil to Odin's land, etc. The metal anthem "Anthenian Glory" call for Manowar to suddenly appear in, while ballads as "Guiding Star" goes along the lines of Deep Purple and Whitesnake. In few words: much fun for the old farts!
SARACEN-Red Sky (2003)
Saracen was formed back in the mid 70’s and in 1981 after changing their name into Saracen they released their first album „Heroes, Saints And Fools”, which got great feedback culminating in a live session being broadcast in January 1982. The band's music is labelled as symphonic rock, but these guys have more to offer than just that: they are also progressive, very pop at times, and NWOBHM (although not entirely). The album kicks off with "We Have Arrived" with singer S. Bettney sounding like a softer Rob Halford and futuristic and a bit odd synths. The title track "Red Sky" gets tougher with feeling of good old rock’n’roll in it, something like the Tony Martin-era Black Sabbath. From here on the tunes get better and better: "Horsemen Of The Apocalypse” , "Heroes, Saints And Fools” and "Follow The Piper” sound so great and much better than the original (they are revival from the first EP). Not to forget "Menage A Trois”: melodic instrumental with saxophones and interesting variations! It’s a wonderfull (a bit cheasy for somebody!) album, believe me.
