What we have here folks is a compilation with some recognizable names, but many that are unfamiliar to me. Most of the songs have been re-recorded this year, while a handful of others are rare unreleased demos or tracks that barely saw the light of day in the era of denim and leather. I was personally quite pleased, not only at the musical quality of the bands featured here, but to read that most of these bands have reformed, and are creating music again.

I can say without hesitation that this is a "drop the needle" affair (I'll continue using vinyl-type analogies due to the nature of the tunes, but obviously it's a CD) of the highest order. You can really get lost in noise rock and black metal, forgetting that metal can be arse-kicking and catchy at the same time. Plus, this disc will make you ache for more, and you'll inevitably drag out the classics after hearing this.

Two of the bands on the compilation, DISTRAINERS and SOLDIER, have contributed tracks that reek of LEGEND. If you're as much of a fan of Pete Haworth and the gang as I am, that's enough to excite you in itself. But this disc is no hit and run affair. SOLDIER's "Natural High" in particular, moving through open guitar voicings and complex riff changes, had me thinking of classics like "Sabra And Chatila". IRONHEART (yeah, I know it sounds like some power metal thing) stole my metal heart with an excellent melodic track entitled "Last Chance", calling to mind quality stuff like early GRIM REAPER and BLITZKRIEG. BLACK ROSE hits hard with an anthem "High Horse" that had me wondering if I should pull out the first HEAVY PETTIN lp, so I could basque in those wild guitars and singalong choruses. But of all of the greatness presented here, I think the one that stole my attention the most was the previously unreleased track from BLOOD MONEY, "I Was Wrong". It's a blasting metal assault a la the first JAGUAR album, and I can't get enough of it. The hell with it, I can't get enough of this whole bloody disc (note the word "bloody" as my feeble yankee attempt to jump on the British bandwagon, how pathetic). Go to the link above and clicky to find out about getting this excellent compilation immediately! Old School Records "Told me how it could be and showed me how to believe!" (yeah, they're NWOBHM lyrics. Guess who?)

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.oldschoolrecords.net

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