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(...the "side story" continues from "100-76" entry page)

OVERDRIVE record their MLP 'Reflexions' and have also been over and played in England in other contexts, and got to know some guys in English groups, including Tygers of Pan Tang. It was also the intention that Overdrive would have been Tygers' opening act when they came here. But that tour was canceled because Phil Lynnot and his 'the boys are back in town' Thin Lizzy stole Tygers' lead guitarist, John Sykes. Overdrive guitarist Janne Stark regarding influences: "For me personally I grew up listening to guitarists and bands like Leslie West (Mountain), Snuffy Walden (Stray Dog), Ronnie Montrose, Pat Travers and Michael Schenker".

STITCH, formed in 1980 and Ian Haugland (Trilogy/Europe) was in the band for a short period of time. After two years in the rehearsal room, they won a rock band competition in Södertälje. That resulted in the debut single 'Devils Deal' and according to the band, "That single cost us part of our reputation. So we had a day in the studio, every half hour the guy from the record company called and asked if we were ready soon, because otherwise it would be too expensive. You can hardly work under such circumstances and the mixing was bloody awful". Stitch, for a short while one of Stockholm's most in demand hard rock band, "Our boss at the record company invested everything in us and our gigs, but after a gig in Dalarna we had enough. It must have gone down in history as one of the biggest white lies of Swedish Metal. "So we went there and looked up local rag/magazine 'Dalakuriren' to see what was written about us. What a shock! The headline read 'America's biggest hard rock band for the first time in Sweden. Live snakes and massive laser light-show.' What could we do? The guy who organized the place had to say that customs had seized the light-show, and all the snakes were sick. It sort of worked, but the occasional greaser/cruiser got a little upset, and showed it by throwing stones at us and the stage. Thank goodness Bob May is American. But the rest of us are not great at sounding like Yankees, but the kids who came backstage afterwards seemed to believe us". The band would record one more 7-single in 88' (You Light My Fire/1988) before the break-up.

[1983] SILVER MOUNTAIN, founded in the late 70s in Malmö by their excellent neo-classical guitarist and named after a certain song by Rainbow, release their debut album 'Shakin Brains' at Roadrunner Records (Holland) and SMS Records (Japan). The metal press from fanzines like Metal Rendezvous to the mainstream press of Kerrang! was rather impressed by its spontaneous and uncompromising delivery and that unique Swedish sound. Hard rock did not have to be British or American any more. Musically, the guitar work of Jonas Hansson bordered on pure genius, the drumming of Anders Johansson became legendary. Keyboardist Jens Johansson went bezerk behind the keys, and noone can deny the talent of bassist Per Stadin. Unfortunately, the musicians moved on and The Johansson bros. were quickly grabbed by Yngwie J. Malmsteen.

Kjell Lövbom is finally reborn as "Kee Marchello" [KEE-ometer: 8] as EASY ACTION record their debut single, "We Go Rocking", a song stolen by Poison and re-worked into "I Want Action" on their debut album 'Look What The Cat Dragged In' (1986). The ultimate proof that Swedish Glam rules. Alex 'Peo' Thyren (Noice, Sha-Boom), Zinny San (King Pin, Shotgun Messiah), Freddie Von Gerber (Bam Bam Boys, Rat Bat Blue) and Danny Wilde (Roadrats) are 100% Glam/Sleaze. I believe they are the first hard rock band from Sweden signed to an American major label, Sire records (Warner Brothers) via their legendary head of A&R Seymour Stein (The Ramones, Madonna, Depeche Mode, etc). Constantly featured in Okej magazine due to their image? and Thyren, the poster boy for the 'Non-Smoking Generation'.

Kee writes the music together with Alex as they call themselves 'The glittering twins', and the Stockholm incrowd are amazed at their ability to come up with material. Zinny-Zan writes the lyrics, and although they are not poetic masterpieces, they work in their context. The music is fast, hard but still has a touch of classic pop. The chorus is important, it should fit directly and be easy to sing along to. I (urban 'at' rockunited.com) asked Zinny about his background and how come he started up a band with the three former bubblegum Pop musicians of Noice (Peo, Freddie, Kee) "I started out as a drummer and played for about 7 years. The only known people I ever played with was the first trembling steps of Hanoi Rocks at that time called the Nymphomaniacs. I had just landed a record deal with Sanji Tandan for Tandan records. One night I met Peo and Kee and they had a deal with Tandan as well. They asked me if I had material for a whole album, if not they would like to co write songs with me. My thoughts of Peo at that time was not too high (since I absolutely hated his old band Noice). But Kee was such a nice guy and a hell of a guitar player to so we jammed and after a few times we said to hell with this lets make a killer Glam band".

We thought 'Måndagsbörsen' (Sweden's only live music TV show) would show our video, but the editors said no. Damn weird, says Alex/Peo. Sweden is the country where there is no room for people who choose their own path, says Alex and continues: I've given everything. Music is the most important thing that exists for me. My whole situation is built around rock'n'roll. This is where I have my friends. My Life', end quote. Indeed. It's the typical Glam style: a lot of leather, glitter jackets, make-up, and their wicked hairstyles require lots of spray. In addition, they use a hairdresser who is present at all gigs and at all photo sessions.

DESTINY from Gothenburg was formed in the autumn of 1982 when they changed name from Hexagon to Destiny and according to bassist Stefan Björnshög: "We did our first demo in the spring of 1983 and then it was Therese Hanserot on vocals and Björn Centergran on drums. We only did one gig with that setting and it was at the legendary rock club RPM in Gårda. Other members then were the guitarists Magnus Österman with whom I formed the band and John Prodén and myself on bass. The gig was very successful but unfortunately Therese left the band shortly after the live debut".

EUROPE and their self-titled debut was released on March 14, 1983. New versions of all the songs from the Rock-SM demo tape were included as well as "In the Future to Come" and new songs like "Memories" and "Words of Wisdom". The song "Rock On" had been changed completely and was now called "Farewell". Most of the music was recorded live in the studio, and the album was recorded in just a couple of weeks. For example, they only used a half hour to record the instrumental song "Boyazont". John Norum co-wrote the song with his former band leader/artist: Eddie Meduza. The greaser/naughty rocker with a special fondness for four letter words and Swedish lyrics.
The album charted at #8 in Sweden and the single "Seven Doors Hotel" became a Top 10 hit in Japan.

TRASH and their debut album 'Watch Out' did not receive much praise in Swedish media/press elite. The bands thoughts? "It's sad when music critics get hooked on trends and really have no opinion of their own. It is unforgivable to completely write down a band, everyone has something good, regardless of music style. Unfortunately, critics only look for mistakes all of the time, ok, sometimes they can be a little positive". To quote Europe, 'Words of Wisdom' from the year of 1983 and TRASH had this to say regarding the competition between Hard Rock groups in Sweden. "The bands that do well get a lot of crap on them. It would be better if we helped each other instead. All hard rock bands has something special. Why worry about other bands' success? All bands should support each other, maybe meet and jam together. You develop when you meet other talented musicians. All musicians should learn humility, that's when you succeed, not by talking s**t about your colleagues". God Bless Trash! In honor of the band, I won't put out the bin tonight.

[1984] The Hard Rock and Metal Market is booming in the land of Vikings. The year of 1984, no longer 'Big Brother Is Watching' rather than 'Big Brother Is a Metalhead'. Hard Rock isn't underground anymore. Everybody wants to be a hardrocker. Everybody want to wear leather and have the backpatch and studs on their denim jackets. Why not corns or spikes from shoulder to wrist? The massive belt buckle? And there's always room for another patch or three? Badges, badges, can't get enough of tiny, shiny, badges. Gotta' show/wear your colours on the sleeves? Lovely pieced together on your denim clothes it's an artwork in progress. It's the high end outfit for the Rock N Roll lifestyle and they're meant to be worn every day for years to come. The more you wear it the better it looks and the worse the smell. There are kids out there that have no idea about the culture itself and what it means to be a Metalhead though. What does it mean? Let's ask Styrbjörn 'Runestone' Wahlqvist from HEAVY LOAD, "Hard Rock is not soft and full of a lot of insignificance, but it highlights the best in man! Strength, intelligence and power, in those who have it. Lower standing life forms such as synth pop and disco fans lack power", end quote. Thank you Styrbjörn. Back to the cave.

Okej Magazine and its editor Anders Tengner was held responsible for all hard rock in general and especially W.A.S.P.'s stage performances in a historical live TV debate show 'Svar Direct' (Direct Answer). The host, Siewert Öholm, clearly not impressed with all the raw meat, chains, blades, cudpiece, and the Satanic worship? Tenger was questioned by host Siewert, "But don't you understand your moral responsibility in what you publish in the magazine? The typical mob mentality and blame it on the long-haired dude. Posh music journalists was critical and took each a swing at the dude while the studio audience was rigged from the start. The innocent 13 year old girlie read the 'God save us all from hardrock' poem at the end of the show. Blimey. There hasn't been such a one-sided affair since John Travolta decided to date women. Conclusion? Kids in Sweden bought more hard rock mags and vinyls than ever. Heavy Metal - Staying Alive!

BATHORY formed in Vällingby, Stockholm, in March 1983 by Tomas "Quorthon" Forsberg (RIP) release their debut album. Named after The Venom song about the Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory according to original drummer Jonas Åkerlund (1983/84). Jonas is indeed the Grammy Award film director, screenwriter, and music video director for Madonna, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, Metallica, Ozzy, etc. Bathory are pioneers of black metal and one of the most influential acts in metal as a whole. Quorthon worked part-time at the record label Tyfon Grammofon, which was owned by his father, Börje Forsberg aka The Bozz (producer of many Swedish records). To be frank or Sven? The main reason Bathory received a recording deal? His father owned the label. The first two albums are poor man's Venom in my humble opinion and not until album #3, 4, 5, 6, can you find the true sound of the band. Bathory performed live once before they stopped?

UNIVERSE from Upplands-Väsby/Stockholm, the guitarist played in the band with John Norum and Tony Reno (WC) prior to Force/Europe, and SPELLBOUND, formed in Uppsala in '83 and both winners of the Ritz/Sonet Records rock competition and initially heard on the compilation album 'Swedish Metal'. Their debut albums are released by the biggest Swedish label (Sonet) and Spellbound's debut was hailed as one of the best records of the year 84 by Kerrang: "debut album embraces both colossal potential and substantial delivery". Japans leading mag 'Burrn' showed interest and the album rised on the import charts.

LEVITICUS went to UK and according to Stigsson: "One of the best moments most be the first time that we played the GREENBELT festival in England (1984) We really shocked the crew-members when they found out that Kjell had 4 bass-drums! Plus all the other stuff that we had! And the audience was really ecstatic after we had played! We became the talking subject during the whole festival that lasted for 4 days. Everyone close to us got to sign autographs! This was our big break! And we had traveled to England as a small, unknown band from Sweden". That's cool! 4 bass-drums and a spare in the trunk?

Gert-Inge 'Best Metal Name Ever' Gustavsson went to England around 1980 to try his luck, however, he realized that in London there wasn't much to do for a Swede who wanted to play hard rock. "I was going to audition in a completely unknown hard rock band, the waiting time was three days. Then I realized that the competition in England is really huge". He went back to Sweden and started up a band himself. The result was STEEL WINGS (1982) and at the same they recorded a demo tape that was sent around to various companies. An English company got in touch, and the result of that collaboration was that Steel Wings participated in the compilation album 'Metal Plated'. Now in 1984, American Ira Blacker liked their sound and wanted them to do a real demo. The guys have now recorded the tape at their expense and the US geezer has six months to fix a record contract for the group. The future prospects look bright with a man like Ira Blacker behind the. However, it would take another 5 years until their self-titled debut at Air Music.

I recently asked Christer MENTZER about joining SILVER MOUNTAIN as he was never a permanant member of the band? : "I told Jonas Hansson that I do not want to get stuck with Silver Mountain because my band 'Norden Light' really was closest to my heart. Vera Selander who wrote at the time wanted me there. So Jonas said that they must have a singer otherwise there will be no Japan tour. So I started liking Silver Mountain and agreed to do the Universe record and the tour. The song 'Walking in the shadow' Jonas got from me as it did not fit on the Norden album. So from the Japan tour I got keyboardist Mats Olausson (Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, etc) with me. We first met in 83. Wrote some songs together. In a way, he was the 6th hidden member of Norden Light. But he was going to Stockholm all the time. He played for cash and that's probably one of the reasons why he decided to end his own life (RIP)".

EUROPE went to Finland to play their first ever concerts abroad, at Jyväskylä Rock in Jyväskylä on June 22 and Ahvenlampi Rock Festival in Saarijärvi on June 23. The concert in Saarijärvi turned out to be the band's last concert with drummer Tony Reno. "Tony never arrived on time for rehearsal," Norum said, "Half an hour would be okay, but not two, three hours. Every now and then he didn't show up at all. Thomas Erdtman sent Tony a letter telling him he was fired. "Tony called me up and cried," Norum said, "He was devastated since we didn't notice him. 'Then I would have pulled myself together,' he said. His father would call me up to phone terrorize. He screamed that I was a idiot for letting down my friend. I had to take the blame as I had played with Tony for six years. But I was the last one to agree on firing Tony. What could I do? Including Erdtman it was four against one. I sensed the possibility to evolve as a guitarist with a more competent drummer". Håkan 'Ian' Haugland (Trilogy) joined the band in August 1984.

CRYSTAL PRIDE and the maxi single "Knocked Out" is released in August and the LP the following month. It was in February this year that the band signed a contract with Mills Records. Shortly afterwards, other interested record companies heard about it, but by then it was already too late. Ove Midner at Mills says that the demo has received a very warm reception among both radio and TV people, and he has high hopes for the band. The album will also be released in Japan via King Records. Good news as the band has never done a gig outside Eskilstuna. "It's so good to play there, so why should we show up in places where there might be 30 people? We'll wait until the album is ready, then we have something to bring to the masses". Knocked out indeed.

(to be continued)

THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES: entries 75-51

jn75. JOHN NORUM - Let Me Love You (1987)
The leading single from ex-Europe guitarist Norum's first solo album: Total Control. Written by John Norum and Yngwie Malmsteen/Talisman bassist Marcel Jacob (RIP), the original version can be found in earlier demo form with Jacob's former band Power (1984). Tacky lyrics by the ego maniac rockstar? "Looking at my Picture On your wall. Just like a thousand times before. Dreaming of me ain't good enough Why don't you come to me for more". Geez. Not even Yngwie would go there. Lyric and intention is pretty much worn on the sleeve, but it's still got one ace of spades card hidden up there in the form of John Norum and his burning guitar. He's clearly on fire throughout the track. If only you would let him love you? Pyromaniac!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZiLfxe01iw

 

torch74. TORCH - Runnin' Riot (1984)
"Better to burn out than fade away". Track five off the "Electrikiss" album? Surely not? Yes indeed. This is one mean track in the style of Judas Priest meets Swedish Metal and Sleaze. Actually. I believe Crashdiet did something similar (30 years later). There's also tracks entitled 'Thunderstruck and 'When The Going Gets Tough (The Tough Gets Going) on Electrikiss and it pre-dates both Billy Ocean and AC/DC. A hot babe and an homemade electric chair (vocalist Dan Dark built it) the logical artwork for the album. Party rockers and on the Nordic tour with Motorhead, they were dropped from the bill after the first gig! The audience and Lemmy liked them, but Streaker decided to trash his drumkit, which made the sound guy go ballistic. He chased Steve around backstage and demanded they get kicked out of the tour. Formed in Eskilstuna in 1980, the band folded in 86. However. They reformed in the 2000's and released their latest album 'Reignited' only last year in 2020. Dan Dark as barking mad as ever and sporting the rather cool 'werewolf' persona. The hairdo and weardo beardo. Read on to find out more about the song. Thanks to bassist: Ian Greg.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YR3RtHUAcY

Ian Greg: Wow, it's been a while. Don't remember exactly how "Runnin' Riot" was created. It was probably Steve (Streaker) that came up with the riff. He came up with most of the riffs and basics to the song back then. Then the whole band would be involved in adding stuff and arranging the song. Dan (Dark) would improvise some vocals and then I would write some lyrics that would fit the structure of the improvised vocals. I think we were trying to find a good balance between hard, heavy, aggressive and catchy. Since it's Heavy Metal it needs to be hard, but if people can't sing or hum along or tap their feet to it's not going to stick. I think the 80s was probably the time when bands found that balance, and that's why Heavy Metal became popular outside the hardcore fans as well. Then eventually it became too commercial and the fans lost interest and moved along.

I think the lyrics came out of frustration. We really wanted to make it and couldn't see ourselves having "normal" jobs or living "normal" lives. We were constantly told to stop dreaming, to cut our hair and get a real job. At that point in time no one thought that you could make it as a Swedish Hard Rock musician. It wasn't really until Europe made it, that people understood that it was possible. It's probably a little more catchy/commercial than the songs we usually wrote. All band members took part in the creation of "Runnin' Riot". That's the way we always did it, and still do. It's an important part of our sound. It's when everybody adds their pieces and way of playing it starts sounding like Torch. Judas Priest was (and is) a huge influence. You can probably tell that we had listened a couple of times to "Devils Child" when we created "Runnin' Riot". :-)

With 'Electrikiss' out record label was hoping to trade us to a major label. They had just successfully traded Easy Action to Warner and were looking for a similar deal for us.They didn't tell us openly to write more commercial songs, but you could always tell that that they were hoping for it. That probably had some influence on the creation of 'Electrikiss'. It's interesting that you picked "Runnin' Riot". It's not one of our most popular songs like 'Warlock'. It's also from the album we're least satisfied with. For many years we would mainly say bad stuff about "Electrikiss". But now we've realized that a lot of fans love it. This caused me to go back and listen to it for the first time in many years. And it's not a bad album. It's a bit of a rush job, and the production is probably a bit 'over-the-top' 80s – but there are some good songs there. We're really happy that people still care about the music we created back in the 80s and we're overwhelmed by the response to our new 'Reignited' album. If someone would have told us back then that we would still be around and making music in 2021, we would probably have responded – Nah, we'll be dead by then. All the best and keep Runnin' Riot!

glory73. GLORY - I'm Hurt (1989)
Ouch! I hurt myself today. Clearly not the man in black or NIN. Originally formed in 1985 by guitarist Jan Granwick (Grave, Glory North) and Mats 'Driver' Förare (Neptune, Glory North). RIP vocalist Ray Alex (Neptune, Warreins) as he sang on the first single, but was replaced on the 1989 debut album 'Danger In This Game' by Peter Ericson. The highly acclaimed album is a product of its era, as the band sounds like a hybrid of all the major Swedish players of the late eighties: Europe, Alien, Treat. Throw in some flashy Malm(s)teenish guitar work and you've got the idea. This particular track reminds me most of the heavier moments of Alien's debut album. A strong hook and glorious melodic solo by Granwick. The album is a bit naive, sterile, and underproduced in places, lacking the depth of later records featuring vocalist Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum, Madison), but this song is still a lot of fun. (Editor's note: if the single is called "I'm Hurt", why are they grinning in the cover? Stay in character, dammit! )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdpA7mVZ8uM

charizma72. CHARIZMA - Turn Me On (1986)
Originally formed in 1981 and consisting of the three Hansson, ehh,... Nikolausson Brothers, Bosse (vocals/bass), Göran (guitar), and Janne (drums). Inspired by Slapshot and ice-hockey? Mmmbop? It's actually the Christian Melodic Rock band and this song belong to the same category and style such as Guardian Angels and Easy Action (That Makes One). Unfortunately not quite as great vocals as Tommy Nilsson though. Some of their records are only released in Russia and Estonia? Big in East? Really catchy tune and that's including some truly commercial stabbing keys and lively harmonies. Read on to find out more about the song. Thanks to vocalist/bassist: Bosse Nikolausson and guitarist: Göran Nikolausson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC7fk2142JQ

Bosse Nikolausson: Well, it was a very long time ago but from what I remember the thing that inspired me and I think my brother with whom I wrote the song together with was that we wanted to write a song that was still hardrock but with a touch of pop and had a potential to become a hit, with radio potential. We've always been influenced by KISS and during that time they put in a little bit of a pop element into their music and think that probably inspired us to try it too. We wanted to try and do it a little bit differently than they did and we had a really great producer Hasse Engström, who's also an amazing keyboard player and he did an incredibly great job with the song. We wrote most of the song jamming in our rehearsal studio where we also did the pre production and recording a first draft. The first line of the song I think comes from the fact that our rehearsal studio was right on the water with windows facing the water and with a view of the harbor in our hometown Oskarshamn.

Also when I write lyrics, I like to tell a story with a picturing a certain place in mind where it's really easy for me to get into a certain feeling that hopefully others also maybe can relate to, like you do when reading a book. I've always loved the ocean where I've, for as long as I can remember, used to go down to a lot, with that great sense of freedom, to think, deal with both the good and bad in life, dream, find peace of mind and to talk to God a little. I think that to summon up the song and what we're trying to say in the lyrics is that life has got a lot to offer where everything isn't really what it seems to be and what you hoped it would be but that there is something and someone greater that gives hope. I think that the songwriting style at the time was a time where melodies more and more became an important part of the songs in the hardrock genre and also keyboards, maybe especially in Europe also became an important part of the sound and production even though keyboardists we're not always permanent members. It felt like every new band in Sweden used keyboards in the mid 80's. Also sequencers and computers were just around the corner or had already started to being used.

Regarding the song "Turn me on", I already mentioned KISS but other bands that I listened to a lot back in the mid-eighties and that probably has had an influence on my and the bands writing and especially reflects in the song "Turn me on" when it comes to melodies and harmonies is, Def Leppard, The Sweet, Stryper and maybe a little bit of Foreigner. Another band I listened to a lot in the early and mid 80's, which may not reflect in this song, but I mean really listened to a lot was Rainbow and to mention a few Scandinavian ones, Europe, Treat, Jerusalem, TNT but I also listened to classical music and artists like Howard Jones so I was a little bit all over the place. I think that we as a band during that period of time, that since we were jamming when writing the main parts of the songs we all contributed in putting a song together and to be fair I guess you could say that that was almost like a writing session in a studio with a computer would look like today.

Göran Nikolausson: When we recorded Rock The World in 1985, we were very inspired by groups like KISS, Def Leppard, Europe and Bon Jovi. When we recorded "Turn Me On", we were looking more for a commercial AOR radio style. We listened a lot to artists like Aldo Nova, Boston, SABU, new Van Halen (1986). We were looking for a dance-friendly beat that we experimented with. We wanted to use effects, vary different sounds on guitars and electric guitars, synths, large choirs. We had a completely different text in the process "Don't you see that I am falling" (mostly to build a good melody hook, the text was more of a "blah text to be able to hum the melody). We wanted to paint a picture, create a feeling around the context. 'Standing by the shore' and thinking about life gives a broader perspective on life, what really matters and what is important.

The other songs were jammed and recorded. Turn Me On was more of a definite process, where we were more sensitive to what would work on the radio. We felt that previous songs were good, but that none of the songs stood out. There was no given single song. However, it was "Turn Me On", very radio friendly for all kinds of channels, both P3 and P4. We decided entirely ourselves, as we ran the company ourselves. The producer was very important to the final production. He came from a different musical context, which created a different sound than if we had produced the song ourselves. The text is about love, the first verse is about human love and being left and abandoned and the feeling that it means, and that everything in life is changeable. Verse two is about discovering what is lasting, that is, being unconditionally loved by God, no matter what happens in life. That God never turns his back on anyone even if they have failed and made mistakes. Instead, he lifts up the one who has fallen and gives him the strength to try again. It thus becomes a comparative perspective between what is the great difference between human and God's love.

71. BLACKSMITH - Gipsy Queen (1985)
The Blacksmiths' came from Vimmerby/Småland (the greedy part of Sweden) and if you ever asked yourself, 'I wonder what a Swedish mish-mash of Purple/Rainbow and Helloween would sound like', stop asking and merely start listening. This particular track from the ancient year of '85 has over-the-top vocals by Per Englund (220 Volt, Motherlode, Dedication, Garbo, Mandrake Root, Voltergeist) and the roaring Hammond play a Bach riff before it all kicks off! It's frantically paced Purple inspired proto-German speed metal long before the peak of Helloween. Although consistently cold as Metal in mood, the spirit of the 'Queen' is in truth built around the warm beating heart and pumping uptempo structure. Englund is no doubt the genuine singer, always pushing it to the max and at times beyond and off the rail. Blacksmith even managed to chart in Japan with their 4-track MLP, but broke-up after yet another single release. Frantic fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaNUvC7m2T4

 

power70. POWER - Danger (1987)
"Danger! With fire in her eyes". Cult act, founded in 1979 and known as the Swedish version of "Sister" as the band members moved on to better and bigger acts. That's including the following musicians: Marcel Jacob (Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman). Pat Appelgren and Joe Larsson (Treat). Christ Steel (Talisman). Zepp Urgard (Yngwie Malmsteen). Peter Olsson (Force/Europe), etc. No doubt the best melodic hardrock act from Sweden with merely two 7-singles releases under the belt. The track's guitar meets the lively keyboardized framework is lush and satisfying. It almost feels like this could be the ground zero track of melodic hardrock from Sweden in the eighties. Nothing new (at the time) but it's frankly just a lovely mix of Power (of course), John Norum, Treat, 220 Volt. Vocals: Thomas Jansson (Two Rocks, Shoutless, Racketeer). Guitar: Christopher "Chris Steele" Ståhl (Highbrow, Talisman). Drums: Jari Katila (Rise, Avalon, Jetlag, Tucana). Keyboards: Patrick Appelgren (Highbrow, Talisman, Treat)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mct866y_UJI&list=RDMM&index=22

22069. 220 VOLT - The Harder They Come (1988)
Formed in 1979 in Östersund, the marketing department at CBS felt it was time for the Vikings to finally conquer America and stay there for a while. They arrived in New York where the groups' look was altered and the blunt FVOSHM sound was scaled back for the long awaited release of 'Eye to Eye'. Noted hard rock producer Max Norman (Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, etc) as the crazy commander behind the desk and everything's bigger, better, and catchier than ever before. Sadly not as much success abroad as expected though. Catchy stuff 'ala Dokken goes Sweden. Strong lead vocals by Joakim Lundholm and excellent guitar work by Karlsson/Olander in the style of 'Back For The Attack' meets 'Metal Heart'. "Like silhouettes we turn and go our seperate ways".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41LosBDR9-E

 

ea68. EASY ACTION - We Go Rockin' (1983)
Three former Noice boys? Glam/Sleaze band featuring Zinny San (Kingpin, Shotgun Messiah), Kee Marcello (Europe), Alex Tyrone aka Peo Thyren (Noice, Sha-boom, etc) and Freddie Van Gerber (Noise, Bam Bam Boys, Rat Bat Blue, etc). This song, We Go Rocking, from the year of 1983 was later copied/stolen by Poison as they wrote "I Want Action" when they couldn't record the cover version on their debut album 'Look What The Cat Dragged In' /1986. The first hard rock band from Sweden signed to an American major label, Sire records (Warner Brothers) via their legendary head of A&R Seymour Stein (The Ramones, Depeche Mode, etc). The rather young and innocent but darn addictive tune and you can definitely sing-a-long to the words of I Want Action. The band would switch to the AOR-side of music on their next effort (see elsewhere on this list). And yes, Kee actually played guitar on the final Noice album and tour. Read on to find out more about the song. Thanks to bassist: Alex/ Peo Thyren.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEIgZ2oOTEg

Peo Thyren: We were rehearsing in my parents garage in my home town Gustavsberg, where I grew up. Our lead guitarist, Mr Kee Marcello, started playing a cool kind of boogie riff that reminded me a little bit of ZZ Top, and had a shuffle beat. It stuck out a little bit for a Glam rock band in the 80s to have a song with that kind of beat. For some reason I started singing 'We go rocking tonight', and there we had the hook i.e. the first part of the chorus. I think Kee wrote the music for the verses, and most of the music in that song in general, and our dear singer Mr Zinny J San most of the lyrics to the verses. Party spirit and having a good time. We were ready to take on the world. As I recall it Zinny wrote most of the lyrics to the verses, but I probably came up with the words for the chorus hook. 'We Go Rocking' is a blend of a lot of things. The shuffle beat may have been inspired by "Rock n' Roll, Part 2" by Gary Glitter. In retrospective there may also have just a tiny pinch of Hanoi Rocks somewhere in the mix. Perhaps some Billy Idol as well.

The label didn´t have any input whatsoever in the writing or recording process. We did it all by ourselves. As the song was written by Kee, Zinny and myself, it was our baby. And what about the POISON story? (they stole your song!?). That's a long story. We have been told years later that they had a copy of our record in the studio when they recorded their debut album, and discussed doing a cover recording of the song, but ended up saying 'Nah, let's do a rip off instead'. For all you Scandinavians out there I highly recommend that you check out my latest book (it's in Swedish) 'Från Noice till nu – Du lever bara en gång' which contains lots of crazy, fun stuff we did in Easy Action as well as other bands I've played in (Sha-Boom being another). I nowadays work as CEO for a tech company doing literally the coolest singing app on the planet. It's called Sing Along Official and contains original recordings by some of the greatest rock bands ever. In this app you get an idea of what it would sound like if you were the lead singer in any of them.
Link for free download of Sing Along Official in App Store / Link for free download of Sing Along Official in Playstore:

 

universe67. UNIVERSE - Weekend Warrior (1985)
Formed in 1982 in Upplands Väsby, Stockholm. The same suburban as Europe (the band) and Gunnar Mic Michaeli was their keyboard player up until 1984. This song, Weekend Warrior, and album is from 1985 and vocalist Kjelle Wallén shines like a star on this record. Some people may recognize the last name of Wallén and his brothers are indeed from the very popular retro 50/60s band, The Boppers. They are/were (RIP) all great vocalists. This composition is slightly heavier than other tracks on the self-titled release, while still retaining the melodic fundamentals of the band. The vocals are the focal point of the production, and Kjell Wallén perfectly delivers with his wide vocal range. This display the highly personal approach of the band even though if it's like the missing link between Europe, Rainbow, Heavy Load. It's colored by the very early eighties sound before anything else and not always up to date, sound-wise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji6xzxuDzbA

 

hl66. HEAVY LOAD - Heavy Metal Angels (In Metal and Leather) (1982)
"They have the wind in their hair. The light of sunshine in their eyes". Heavy Load began as a trio in 1974/75 with Michael Bachler on bass guitar. The first concert was during the winter of 1976. Formed in Stockholm by the Wahlqvist brothers, Ragne (vocals/guitar) and Styrbjörn (drums) and the sound may suggest the love for basic and pure hard rock and metal. It's Viking-themed songs, catchy choruses and overall the seventies vs. eighties sound. Why they inclusion of the word 'Metal' twice, you ask? Because it's just so friggin' METAL!? That's why. You simply have to include the word 'Metal' in the title... twice. From the 1982 album Death Or Glory. You'll find the aggressive composition, acoustic guitar and piano, flashy guitar solo, and of course a refrain that is made to be sung at the very top of your lungs. And no, they do not really sound like Manowar or any other false-viking metal act. It's proper Viking-Metal from Sweden, you know?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiUE9SQMH5s

 

trash65. TRASH - Boogie Woogie Man (1985)
The Sleazy/Dirty hard rock song inspired by AC/DC and their likes. Barbwire vocals by Tony "Roy Taylor" Hallender and powerful drumming by Henrik "Hempo" Hilldén (John Norum, Don Dokken, etc). Darn clever and uplifting stuff with a guitar riff that you'll remember for the rest of your day/life? They wouldn't be in the Top-100 without a certain catchiness, and they have the kind of listenable charm that only a barking mad metalhead could truly appreciate. And no, it's not a song about Charlie Norman, the boogie woogie man and king of Sweden, but his daft son, Lenny "the comedian" may disagree? This is a great track from their second album, 'Burnin' Rock', at Atlantic records and produced by Max Norman (Ozzy, Priest, etc). They're bin diving like a pit bull tearing into last weeks' pigs in a blanket and spitting out lyrical bangers and mash. In conclusion. It's acca dacca meets Swedish Trash!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qN6eljTT-c

 

hex64. HEXENHAUS - As Darkness Falls (1988)
Originally known as Manninya Blade and featuring the Candlemass and Mercyful Fate guitarist Mike Wead. The moniker 'Hexenhaus' German for Witch's Cottage, a reference to the Malefizhaus (aka Drudenhaus, Hexenhaus, Hexengefängnis) in Bamberg, Germany, where hundreds of suspected witches were tortured and executed during the 17th century. It contained two chapels, a torture chamber, and cells to accommodate 26 witches. Two bands used the same album cover (Morbid Angel/1991). Band logo and title are in the same spot and the portrait in the artwork is called "Les Trésors de Satan - The Treasures of Satan", by Belgian painter Jean Delvile. Almost ten minutes of sinister guitars maul and double bass drum burns in the Speed/Thrash style and deserves extra credit for its complexity. They can definitely match many of the so called 'all-time-greats' of the genre. Not to mention that Hexenhaus recorded even better and bigger albums/songs in the early 90's. Mosh! Mosh!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSEqJIycNPo

 

198563. LEVITICUS - On The Rock (1985)
'On The Rock' is a piece of high class CCM heavy metal that fits perfectly in the top region of the era of FWOSHM. The use of bass-pedals (Moog/Taurus) gave Leviticus the extra edge and power and I'm not saying it's a basic riff, well, kinda, since yours truly could play it (I'm an awful guitar player), but simplicity rules and it's "The Strongest Power". The song is indeed difficult to resist with its message and earth-shattering groove. It basically kicks out several layers and shades of hook-laden metal as pure Viking as anything Heavy Load produced in the eighties. It's the great uptempo number in which Håkan Andersson could show his husky vocal capacities. Quite frankly, they're vital and extra ordinarily, and it's a track with lots of different feels and parts to it, and the powerful guitar riff too. The only downside? It clocks in under 3 minutes but I guess that's all right if it's a good one, and this one is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb_a-ZtrzgM

62. YNGWIE MALMSTEEN - Deja Vu (1988)
88Deja Vu - the strange feeling that in some way you have already experienced what is happening now. Deja Vu - the strange feeling that in some way you have already experienced what is happening now. Deja Vu - the strange Malmsteen that in some way you have already experienced? The Joe Lynn Turner sung melody is actually happening for the first time. It is however a common intuitive experience that has happened to many of us... before and certainly again. Yngwie experts generally agree this phenomenon probably relates to memory in some way. So, if you have déjà vu, you might have experienced a similar song before. You just can't remember it. You've have to be a rather miserable individual to look down on Yngwie in the eighties though. No guitar player/musician could ever deny his amazing technique and flawless work. The ego? a completely different story. "Deja vu, dreams come true I see my soul inside of you. Deja vu, so many lives. Familiar spirits behind your eyes".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csNuqnlYkl8

 

dalton61. DALTON - Caroline (1987)
Drummer Mats "Dalton" Dahlberg decided to leave the band Treat without a notice or explanation in August-85! It came out years later that Dahlberg believed that Ernlund had been talking behind his back about the way he played his drums and that he wasn't pleased with him at all? Anyhow. Dahlberg did leave and formed his own band DALTON who released 'The Race Is On' at EMI records in 1987. This is the opening number on the album and it's speeding down the track like a Ferrari in heat? They shift into overdrive as they reach the top of the hill and it's pedal to the metal all the way down to the finish line. The drums crackle, atmospheric keyboards by Ola Lindström, the guitar by Leif Westfahl is sharp, pounding bass-lines by Anders Lindmark, and the vocals by brother Bosse are pushed to the very frontline. They're staying true to the Swedish Melodic hardrock sound and you can't help to shout-along to the refrain of Caroliiine!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDetXwRoRAw

 

p60. PARASITE - Nightwinds (1984)
"Down, on the island where time is standing still. The castle is there, at the end of the hill. Something is going on, beyond stars and fantasy. Telling us a story, about death and reality". Cult Metal act from Karlshamn (the hometown of Overdrive) with their only release, the self-titled 5-track MLP. Nicely played twin-guitar work in the style of Priest, Saxon, etc. This melody may however remind you of Angel Witch and the lead vocals are absolutely drenched in reverb and delay. In fact. The vocals inciting the poor listeners to half kill each other in the frenzy to keep up with the vivid story. Pure FWOSHM heaven and originally written in the very early eighties. Drummer Johan Billerhag would later turn up at Hexenhaus and Memento Mori. Singer Paul Zanichelli and guitarist Holmström recorded a CD with the more melodic outfit of Rebelene. Read on to find out more about the song. Thanks to guitarist: Anders Holmström.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvIeBLN3JGM

Anders Holmström: Cool! In fact, the first time I get the question about the song. I was a big fan of hard rock for a long time, Rainbow, DP, Zeppelin, Cream, Hendrix etc. But I think the whole band was inspired by "the new wave of British heavy metal" that appeared in the early 80's. The sound was probably a mix of Saxon, Motorhead, Rainbow, Dio and Iron Maiden I would say. The song was actually written 1.5-2 years before this particular recording was made in 1984. The riff itself was a "spinoff" of a reagge riff that I had done a few years earlier. I always used to sit with the guitar and test / play different variants (which I still do). The verse as well, I like when you can have "open positions" chords. The whole guitar sings more like that. The calm intro / outrot is based on the verse part and I had to borrow a 12-string guitar from the music store in town during the actual recording. I played it live on the electric guitar all the way though. Then a chorus was needed that broke off and differed from the other, tried a few different things here as well. Then we put all the parts together in the rehearsal room.

The text is based on a film by John Carpenter called "The Thing" mixed with fantasy. Early Rainbow was a great source of inspiration with Dio's lyrics. I had read in "Highway star" (fan magazine for Deep Purple members) that Rainbow's next album would possibly be called Nightwinds. Which it did not. We rehearsed / played as often as we could and almost lived in the rehearsal room. If anyone had an idea / ideas, the arrangement of the song were worked out together. Which is an incredibly creative process! Today, no one seems to have the time/ patience for that. A big compliment to Hellrec studio, Ulf Hellström (R.I.P) & Anders Strengberg (Sacrifice) who helped us capture the sound!!! Played on a Stratocaster-79 that I carved out to fit a humbuck (Seymour duncan JB) in bridge mode. I also remember that we connected two 50 W Marshall in series and that I had a Tube Screamer to get the guitar sound. It was LOUD!!!! It was not possible to be in the room itself, but I had to stand in the drum booth and play, lol!

f59. FINGERPRINTS - Time Is All We Need (1989)
Hardly "Metal" or even Hard Rock. It's AOR/WestCoast/Pop, but extremely catchy and fun stuff. This song, the title track from their not quite as great debut album, is however their best moment by far and yes, again, ultra soft/catchy melodic music flavoured with sophisticated pop/west coast hi-tech stuff. Fingerprints are an Swede band who actually remind you of all the studio projects and session players of the eighties and especially in the states (where else?). This is the light and bright side of Sweden and you're supposed to feel 'good' about yourself and the song as you're shouting a-long to the refrain. What do we need? Trolls? We need more Trolls on the internet. No, seriously, Time is all we need. Contagious stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y54n1PJ9z10

 

sac58. SACRIFICE - Street Fighter (1985)
"Work day and night, try to feel right. Society feels like a stranger to me". Indeed. "Street Fighter", not to be confused with the classic Arcade game of the eighties. Released two years prior to the game by Platina Skivor (Tages and Schlager music in the 70s), Sacrifice featured Thomas Lundgren and Thomas Axelsson (guitars), Mats Svensson (bass) and Michael Gustavsson (drums). Vocalist Anders String Strengberg (Crier, Mercy), produced and recorded bands like Sadwings, Parasite, etc. wasn't a member of the band until they asked him in the studio if he would sing on the recording. He nailed the vocals and their one and only 7-single has become a collectors item prices around 4-500€. It was recently reissued in a very limited special box edition though. It's the proper FVOSHM tune. Turn up the reverb, turn up the volume! Read on to find out more about the song. Thanks to vocalist: Anders String Strengberg.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ajlEcoPZhU

Anders String Strengberg: Thanks for including 'Street Fighter' in the Top-100. The song melody is huge, important for Street Fighter's other music(al) accompaniment and the two guitarists' solos and licks! Because it is the song melody that connects the verse, the bridge, and the chorus which magically floats and gives 'Street Fighter' what it still is today- 36 years later! Both girls and boys born after 1985, even women and men who are in their 60s are writing to let me know what SF means to them. Many write that it is not only the best Hard Rock/Metal, NWOBHM song of the 80s but even as of today! They come from all over the world!! Listen carefully to the lead vocals! I sing the whole song in 1 shot/take, listen especially to how I "push" the bridge and go straight to the refrain! There's no clip but can you hear me breathing? I do not do that, however, I push the song and vocals to the max. Sacrifice fans from Brazil wrote that they competed at pre-parties about who could sing along to my lead vocals before they needed to breathe?

From Janne Stark's The Official Story Of Sacrifice: 'It all started back in 1985 with the single 'Street Fighter', now a high-priced collectors item. The band had booked time in Studio Hellrec, where Anders worked as a recording engineer. When it was time for the singer to do his part, it turned out he had left the band just the day before. The band members were however too embarrassed to cancel the recording. Instead they asked Anders if he could possibly record vocals for the tracks. He told the guys to go out and buy back some food. During their absence, he wrote lyrics and worked on the vocal melodies. 30 minutes later he had recorded the vocals and joined the project'. -All this is completely true except that I did not write the text! I made some minor adjustments though, writing lyrics, do the song melody, arrangement and sing lead/ dubbing refrain. It had never worked in 30 minutes? Everything except the text I did in about 30 minutes though. In 1985 I was 22 years old working in Hellrec Studio as a recording technician, producer. You mentioned Parasite? Their EP was the first one I produced (1984) and a lot of other bands /artists.

 

tears57. ALIEN - Tears Don't Put Out The Fire (1988)
"But tears don't put out the fire. Your memory only fans the flames. Tears don't put out the fire. Burning in my heart, to see you again". Classy AOR and one of several songs written by the US duo of Janet Minto / Pamela Barlow. They almost made it over the pond (in the states) and the album was remixed/re-recorded in US and their U.S. record label throw a lot of $$$ in the... fire? This is total AOR that will have anyone into soft-rock weeping tears of joy. Jim Jidhed delivers some outstanding vocals while Tony Borg's guitar is gently weeping in the background. In conclusion. There's a lot of weeping going on here. Alien know how to knock out a classy tune, and how to flesh that tune with musicianship that speak of proper craftmanship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw2sXGb3QYo

 

sp56. SPELLBOUND - Burning Love (1984)
Formed in Uppsala in 1983. The debut album "Breaking the Spell" brought the group to UK attention and was hailed as one of the best records of 1984 by Kerrang: "Spellbound are without doubt the best metal band Scandinavia has ever produced, in fact, on an international scale they're one of the most commercial HM bands I've heard", said the raving review. This is a fluently melodic yet ballsy uptempo party rock tune. Think Black N Blue meets Swedish melody. Unfortunately, even though Kerrang loved them, the album didn't do enough to support the world tour as people didn't trust the Swedish vikings to stand by their words and not kill their audience? They're going to plunder our town and share horrible love stories amongst metal fans... "I can't stand the pain, girl, do it to me once again" - Burning love, indeed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YVlvtMHvgo

 

msd55. MADISON - Give It Back (1986)
Previously known as Regent, it's melodic rock from the year of 1986 featuring vocalist Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum, etc.) and you're supposed to give it back? Originally from Hudiksvall, the band moved down to Gothenburg and the Regent tracks from the 7-single (Lay Down Your Arms/Changes) were both re-recorded by Madison on their debut album Diamond Mistress in 1984. They were almost big in Japan as the album "Best In Show" was released by Victor and promoted as very pink and fluffy. This song is however a more fully realized effort, packed with plenty of licks and tricks by the guitarists and on top of everything, soaring vocals by Mister Edman. There are some fine arrangement and classy vocals that have become a recognisable trademark of the singer. Guitarist Michael Moon (Myllie) left however the band for King Diamond, Moon knew and played with Mikkey Dee since childhood and was in another band with Andy La Rocque. Edman decided to leave for John Norum, and the latter was replaced by Pete Sandberg (Bewarp, Snake Charmer). They actually recorded a full album but only the single 'Northern Light' was officially released before Sandberg joined Alien. Read on to find out more about the song. Thanks to guitarist: Michael Moon (Myllie).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UitSm97ES3c

Michael Moon (Myllie): Do I recall what inspired me to compose and arrange the music? This is a question that comes up from time to time. Since the undersigned was responsible for most of the music and arrangement, I should be most suited to answer that question... ha,ha,ha. The answer: we in the band had a discussion about Europe and their Rock The Night (which we also liked a lot). The question that was asked was how the hell could they write such a good, simple song. I responded with a naive comment that "it's no problem. I'm writing a new Rock The Night". Yes, not as good but with clear inspiration. We tried to write a hit to be played on the radio. A hit single kind of track. Think we ended up on a newcomer list. Does it capture my typical songwriting style at the time? Well, I do not know. Everything should and did sound like that in the eighties. Have no good answer actually. The melody of its time. It was like the sound you thought it and wanted it to be. Flashy riffs and good choruses.

Apart from Europe, when it comes to Give It Back, all the biggest bands were a great inspiration. Ratt, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi. Personally, I have always loved YES, do not know if it was reflected in the music I wrote though. When it comes to Madison, everyone had a part in the songwriting even if the idea came from one person. We wrote everything together, more or less. Do not remember what input the record company had more than that they were helpful in most of what we did. Maybe we should have listened to them more? Madison reissued Best In Show in 2019. Remixed. Think the remix was pretty good. Sounds better than I remember the record to sound actually. Thus, the contemporary platters released in the 80's sounded incomparably good. We probably didn't really get the sound we wanted there and then. Madison has been reunited in a different line-up today. Have unfortunately not taken part of their material, but I guess that it is both well played and ok produced.

 

8654. YNGWIE MALMSTEEN - Queen In Love (1986)
"They were all there, the court was full. The King beside his Queen". The rather simple structure at first spin? Yes, the melody is catchy, yet the arrangement is complex, the theme is memorable, the guitarwork is inspired and the riffing is just as good as his lead. Why should we care about the ego? It's all about the music. By the way. What separates this guitarist from others is that he is one of few who are actually entitled to an ego problem by virtue of the music they produced in the eighties. Extra kudos to the man for never selling out or jumping on the bandwagon aka any brutal metal or grunge. Can you imagine Yngwie in a lumberjack costume? Of course not! For better and worse, Yngwie is always true to his sound, style, and to the art of shredding. That should count for something?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s3Y48TIFXI

 

strike53. TREAT - Strike Without a Warning (1986)
"Sending out a message. Breakin' down the door. We're getting out of here. Cause we're young and wierd. Ready - Aim - Fire. All made of steel". Yes indeed. One of those guitar riffs that will stick like glue to your forehead and it's the proper party starter. The Strike' kicks it all off with a riff that Gary Moore would have killed for in his pre-blues days, and the guitar playing that doesn't have to try. By the way. 'Gary' was guitarist Wikström's nickname. It's all held together by the chorus and their 'don't really have anything left to prove' attitude. From 'The Pleasure Principle' album which clearly ended up in the shadow of The Final Countdown. It goes straight to the heart and solely focusing on tempo and guitar, and they're sending out a message tothe world. It's time to Strike! ...without a warning?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHBD-0lq4EM

 

go52. ALIEN - Go Easy (1988)
"You let me know where I stood. Kept me around, it looked good. Love from a distance nice and safe". Their self-titled debut album is no doubt the most "American AOR" sounding Swedish effort of the decade. Alien already made bright, hooky, accessible music, but recruiting outside writers was probably the correct way to go. It's the kind of song that would do fine on a Raised On Radio kind of album (Journey). It does, however, capture and express the sound of the band in 1988 and it's the intensly catchy track. Mixing bliss and gloss, they exhibit a marked preference for combining flashy guitar lines with a healthy amount of soft rock. Read on to find out more about the song. Thanks to vocalist: Jim Jidhed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEJ5wfYrZIc

Jim Jidhed: It's so long ago now but I think i felt then as I still do, that its a great song. I still today really think that song has the ultimate arrangement for a pop/rock song. I dont recall much from tracking that song in particular since its over thirty years ago. But it was a both fun and great experience recording that album. I think we were trying to capture a sound and feeling of what the rock stood for at the time. In our case, melodic rock. I'm not sure Iunderstand the question, but we had songs on that album that were written by other songwriters and Go Easy was one of those. We didn't considerd that a problem.

Does it capture our style of music at the time? Well, if you compare a song like 'Touch My Fire' written by Alien with 'Go Easy' you can hear some difference but it still matches in a way. Our own songs had a more rock feel to them while the other songs had a more american pop/rock feel but at the time we were happy with the result in whole concerning that first Alien album. On our first big tour in 1988 after we had a huge hit with 'Only One Woman' we went through many crazy things. Like loosing our brakes on our bus going down a road or losing a wheel on our bus trailer and everyone, the road crew and band had to step out of it and look for the tire. I can go on but there you got some craziness.

behe51. BEHEMOTH - Deathwings (1982)
"It's coming in with a cool breeze. Passes my head by the docks of Nice". Oh-la-la. Very french! Very Metal! Famous words by Vyvyan at the Young Ones. I believe he sported the home made back-patch? Anyhow. Not to be confused with the much later Black Metal act from Poland. This proves that there are dynamics in FWOSHM after all, the little harmonics at the end are a very good example of this. But even then, after the distortion kicks in, Pure Heavy Metal in the vein of Motörhead and NWOBHM from a band that only produced one single and plenty of demos. There's a Spinal Tap moment as their guitarist sold all his belongings and moved to UK to join Angelwitch. That's what he thought. It only ended up in a couple of jam-sessions and straight back home again? There's also a red art-cover version from the 1983 re-issue at Bullet Records (UK). They have recently reformed under the moniker of 'Deathwings'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-5HFx0JxSc

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