1970s Heavyrock reviews Volume 3

Attila (US)– Same (Epic) Organdominated Heavy from 1970. Attila was a shortlived duo from New York that made this album and dissapeared, a great shame cause this is a excellent piece of vinyl. Attila formed after that Billy Joel (hammonds/vocals) and John Small (drums) left their former band whose name is unknown. The album is suprisingly heavy, almost a dark and doomy sound, joels use of the hammonds are really farout, his playing is like Jon Lord on valium. The references to early Deep Purple are obvious, also Atomic Rooster and early Uriah Heep. Smalls drum/percussion work is another gem. I find the Lp very classic, if Epic and Attila would have put more effort into it could this duo be as huge as Purple, Zepp or The Sabs. Joels vocals is another suprise, sharp and intense. Its difficult to select any faves, the album is a complete powerhouse package with amazing arrangements and a brilliant groove. The album cover of Small and Joel in a meat warehouse dressed up in armour gives the Lp a dark and moody feel. Joel went after Attila solo, quit the heavyrockscene and have remained there ever since. Joel is today a well respected pop artist with a number of big hits behind him and have sold millions of albums, I have managed to hear some of his releases and its really boring Elton John/Barry Manilow type stuff. Small hard to tell where he went, he either continued or quit the music scene. Attila should have made a couple of more records, their only album is a testament of a incredible heavyrockclassic that really stands the test of time. Are you looking for the vinylversion try with the germanbased Shadoks Music at www.forcedexposure.com/labels/shadoks.music.germany.html I think and hope that Epic have re-issued Attila on Cd. Ask them atwww.sonymusic.com

Betty (US) – Handful (Thin Man Rec.) Originally released in 1971 by the Californian label Thin Man Records based in Sierra Madre, re-issued by Shadoks Music 2000. Before I heard Handful I had heard about Betty that this combo was a killer heavyrockact, but as soon as the vinyl went on I became a bit dissapointed. It wasnt that heavy as I thought it would be at least the A-side, its only Just For Fun that gives me substance a awesome mindtripper in the same vein as MayBlitz or HighTide, the rest is more or less standard boogierock similar to the first Canned Heat records but less inspiring. The B-side is much more interesting except the last track Lights gonna Shine that sounds like a lowrate Elvis Presley gospel, pretty uninspiring, the rest have a amazing power, dark haunting organbased heavyrock, those 4 opening tunes the title track, Thank You, Learn How To Boogie, Harley Perdoo and Just For Fun are the standouts on this Lp, hysterical mindtripping organic acid boogierock. Betty made an album previously to Handful that remains unheard. Handful was originally pressed in 200 copies and were sold at the local gigs, to locate a original is extremely difficult and this newpress is not easy either, try with Shadoks music at www.forcedexposure.com/labels/shadoks.music.germany.html they might have it. Overall are Betty more of a cult album than a great heavyrock album, but as I said there are a few killer tunes that saves the Lp.

Bolder Damn (US) – Mourning (Rockadelic Rec.) A cult classic finally released on Cd, this release is dated back to 1998 but it is still available on sale at Rockadelic and this is a must have for fans of groove and wellmade heavyrock. For vinyl freaks is the repress from 1991 still on sale, also have Void Records made a re-press of the Lp. The Cd is a 25 year celebration since its first came out in 1972 in a very strict limited edition of 200 copies, an original today costs a fortune. A limited edition cd though and a very nice package with a great informative booklet and a new frontcover compare to the vinyl version. Bolder Damn formed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1969, got a following by opening up for the big names that came through the state. In a early stage had Bolder Damn a mad and theatrical liveshow that got a reaction in those days cause neither Alice Cooper or Ozzy Osbourne had turned up, the band reached a good fanbase cause of their liveshow. On the cause the fans wanted an album so the band went into the studio in the summer of 72 recorded Mourning in just 4 hours (!!!) with hardly no overdubs. Now over 30 years after, I am still amazed over the powerhouse soundpicture that this album has. The pre-creation of the cd is different to the repressed vinyl, here Rockadelic were trying to find the analog mastertapes, they were gone completely but guitarist Glen Eaton saved the situation by his personal tapecollection along with the support from the rest of the lineup. The sound have been mentioned,  the album is also very dynamic and have a groove that still beats the shit of a lot of releases that is coming out today, Mourning is a combination of Blue Cheer,The Stooges, MC5 and the early Sabs ,a mighty asskicking tripping release. The haunting doompower of Dead Meat, a mindblowing killer track, the moving boogie feel of Got That Feeling and the larming Monday Mourning is just some of the excitement here on this very special disc. Bolder Damn could have been huge, negotiations with a couple of labels had just started but frontman John Anderson and bassist Ron Reflett got drafted into the US Army at the time and that brutally interrupted the bands following plans to make a proper release and spreading the name outside the state. Bolder Damn have reached fame in recent years cause of the newpresses by Rockadelic and Void and the bandmembers are still alive so they should get together and do what Josefus and Bang are doing now. Mourning is a mighty testament over one of the most essential powerhouse albums from the early 1970s. A sure investment for your collection.  Info/Orderwww.rockadelic.com mail rich@rockadelic.com

Fire (Yugosl.) – Could You Understand Me ( Fire) A very impressive exotic back to basic heavyrock album from this Yugoslavian powerhouse trio. Originally released in 1973 in a limited edition I think. I dont think this Lp reached any fame when its first came out but as the years have passed by have this album turned out to be a underground fave among the European hardcore 70s heavyrock vinyl collectors. Could You Understand Me was the only piece of vinyl that Fire made, after I got the Lp a number of years back I tried to locate if they made anything else but nothing turned up, no singles or followups. I have tried also to locate some Fire background but I have found no info at all where they formed, livefollowing and where the members went after the release of this Lp. Fire went to Holland to record since there wasnt any decent studios in their homestate, the recordings from september 1973 are made by Joeps Van Hees and Jan Theelen, still active studioworkers nowdays. Could You Understand Me is a dynamic album, a typical powertrio album in the same vein as Hendrix, Cream, Jeff Beck Group, Budgie etc. bluesbased heavy with frontman Jura Havidic killer fuzzed out guitarwork and smoking vocals on top. The material is shifting from stompers like the titletrack and Jedan Divan Dan (a wonderful day) mellow charming blues stuff like Memory Of You, the psyched out heavytrip Hey You to the fuzzed out instrumental Flames, some examples what this album are offering. I really hope that this is re-released on cd cause the vinyl is a tough one to find. Here is two adresses where you can ask. Broekhuizerweg 40 Broekhuizenvorst (L) Holland. Eichenstr.232 Moers Germany list the letter or postcard with Fire. Definitely the heaviest band ever to come out of Yugoslavia.

Glory (US) – On The Air (Rockadelic Rec.) Excellent stomping heavyboogierock recorded back in June 1970. Glory was a 5 piece band from San Diego, that is the only facts I have found so far. I guess the band was pretty shortlived, played several gigs at the local San Diego scene and elsewhere in Texas but nothing outside the state. Never had a fair go with the labels and therefore they dissapeared. On The Air have been pieced together by Clark Faville for Rockadelic, Faville have made quite a few other interesting re-issues as well. This is a great package not only the performance but also the excellent comic cover showing the band on the air in the studio, they look really cool. On The Air is pretty brittish sounding to my ears Groundhogs, Juicy Lucy and Pinnacle is some of the names that pops up while playing it. Considering the playlist there is a few extraplus here, the groovers Slow Back and Bird Run have an effective feel, also Another Man Done Gone a excellent piece of heavyblues. There is two covers included Chuck Berrys Little Queenie and Juicy Lucys big hit Who do you love, Glory blows some new fuse to them. On The Air is pleasure to listen to, great bluesy guitarwork, a hammering backing section and raunchy vocals. A solid piece of vinyl. Info/Order www.rockadelic.com mail rich@rockadelic.com

Hero (Italy) – Same (Pan) A very interesting album released back in 1974 on the small german label Pan Records, who released this repress remains unknown, maybe Pan did. The album have so far been available in Germany and no place else but it is recently that this one finally reached some cultstatus among 70s heavyrock fans, even though Hero is a extremely rare album still. A friend of mine gaved me a tip of this Lp and I bought it directly without any pre-listen at all. At the first round I thought that this is an ok album, but the more I played it the more amazed I am, cause there are excellent twists and turns here on this piece of vinyl. Musically I would consider Hero a combination of artrock and a heavyprogressive feel, there is vibes from Gong, Van Der Graaf Generator, early Floyd and King Crimson most definitely but there is also a dark doomy sound to it as well. Hero was a Italian threepiece active in Munich down in southern Germany and were part of the then called avantgarde scene that were happening in Germany at the time acts like Kraftwerk, Can, Amon Duul II, Frumpy, Eloy etc, the deal with Pan was for this Lp. Hero didnt make more records, they should have but I think that Pan didnt have the time and money to put enough effort to push them back then. The Lp is packed with excellent arrangements classical and acoustic, a very good production and a great tracklist. The songs are mostly 4-5 minutes except Dew-Drops that clocks in at 7+ minutes and 9+ minutes Clapping And Smiling ,english lyrics on this Lp. A excellent album, I wish there is a cd-release for this one cause this is a extremely rare piece of vinyl. Recommended. No adress for Pan, try Shadoks at www.forcedexposure.com/labels/shadoks.music.germany.html Some  Hero info at www.italianprog.com/a_hero.htm

Highway (US) – Same (Label ?) A very unknown piece of vinyl in a superlimited edition of 300 copies, also is the ones who have released it unknown and there is no insert either with info and no names listed who´s who in the band. I tried to find some info but it was hopeless. The only info on the album is that Highway were a threepiece band cause there is a black an white photo on both the frontcover and the backcover and the album were made in April 1975. Hard to tell if an Lp came out back then, I figure that the band made some tapes with those 9 songs that is available here, gaved up after some time. Someone found those tapes and made this vinylpress, for dedicated 70s collectors it is the same with Fraction and Stonewall, no labels printed and hardly no info at all. The mainthing are that the music have been captured. Highway is a very enjoyable album heavy, melodic and very classic. Excellent musicians, especially the drummer. The guitarwork is also very fluent and inspiring. The material have a great variation, the standouts is definitely the heavier stuff Too Many Changes, my personal fave on the Lp, Meadow and the haunting Tomorrow, also the classical vibes of Look Away and Seems To Me is very pleasing to hear. Whoever released it have made a awesome repress, the soundquality is very good. Highly recommended, if I had a good budget I would have made a proper re-press of this vinyl, shame I dont have the cash, hope someone does. I really hope you can find it, hope its out on cd. Try with Shadoks Music at www.forcedexposure.com/labels/shadoks.music.germany.html

Iota (US) – Same (Rockadelic Rec.) Organbased Heavy from 1970/71 I think. Released recently by Rockadelic. Iota came out of El Paso, a town in the middle of nowhere close to the mexican border a town that so far  reached fame through ZZ Top,the old western films and tex-mex food. A 9 hour drive from the metropolis of Dallas. Formed in the late 60s, El Paso label Suemi Records got intererested in the band cause they were a bit different compare to the other acts in the area. Producer Kenny Smith of Suemi brought them along to Memphis where they lived in a funky old apartment on the bad side of town. Released two singles but Iota got bad luck cause of a booking agent that didnt got them so much gigs and their 45s were too heavy to play at the local top 40 radiostations, on the cause of that Iota called it a day in 1972, dont know where the members went if they formed any new bands or what. Iota had a good liveprecense and a killer light show, but it seemed that this wasnt enough for the promoters, tough luck. The Lp is very pleasant to hear, excellent heavyprogressive rock in the same vein as Frijid Pink, Damnation Of Adam Blessing and Atomic Rooster with overtones of The Doors, at least the majority of the Lp the last two tracks didnt gave me that much substance I´m gonna be a man and Our Love So Warm, those are more mid60s popstuff in the same vein as The Animals or Beatles, they dont fit the rest of the Lp but check out the moving Love Comes Wicked, the soul of Bottle Baby and the heaviness of Precincts and Glympses, some of the excitement on this wonderful album. Extraplus for the awesome cover,a painting of an madlooking old scientist who is experimenting a new formula deep down in a hideout cellar. This Lp is a must and a collectors item for fans of  heavyprogressive rock.Info/Order www.rockadelic.com mail rich@rockadelic.com also some Iota info at  www.suemirecords.com

JPT Scare Band (US) – Past Is Prologue ( Kung Bomar Rec.) A lot of vinyl releases in this review section but this is a cd release, issued by the bands own label. JPT Scare Band whose cult first re-release Sleeping Sickness came out on Monster Records 2000 and got a great critical acclaim from various webzines and mags also here at GL productions. That lead to this release Past Is Prologue, a compilation with various recordings that dates back to the mid 70s right up to last year. The most recent recording Burn In Hell is a re-recorded version that the band made in 1971, one of the standouts on the disc, heavy atmospheric and emotional. Stuff like I´ve Been Waiting, Time To Cry, Its Too Late and Sleeping Sickness also features on the Sleeping Sickness disc but these versions is also re-recorded and therefore a bit of a different feel. The rest is new stuff to me. Wino is a cover of an old acoustic folkpiece by Bob Frank from 71 recorded 93 I havent heard the original, but it's a great song, mellow and melancholic. Titans Sirens is another, title track from the second JPT album from 75, a larming instrumental tune in a tripped out package, while Jerry´s Blues from 76 is a 12+ minutes smoking blues jam. A must compilaton for guitarfreaks, Terry Swopes work is outstanding, fluent bluesy and agressive in the same take with section Grigsby and Littrell forming a solid backup, a great powerhouse trio that we will hear more of. The disc does not only appeal to guitarfreaks also fans of classic wellmade heavyrock and those who are looking for something alternative. Info/Order www.jptscareband.com

Jerusalem (UK) – Same ( Warlock Rec.) Excellent brittish heavyrock from 1972, production guidance from Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan. A sought after Lp by  hardcore Purple collectors and 70s hardcore fans. I have had this Lp for quite some time and for every spin I enjoy it more and more. Jerusalem a 5 piece formed in Salisbury, they signed to Deram who issued this album, they also recorded a follow up also produced by Gillan that never got released maybe someday, who knows, Jerusalem issued a 45 through Deram to support this Lp,they also appear on the compilation Circus Days vol. 3 and 4. Warlock Records is responsible for this re-release that came out a number of years ago. The album is definitely a hardrocker in the same vein as Stray, Steamhammer and Samuel Prody also some of the more heavier german acts like NightSun, Message and Hairy Chapter, rough doomy and very dynamic. There is two tracks that differs though Murderer´s Lament have a more gothic vibe and are more mellow and melancholic + Beyond The Grave that is more downtuned and added with a mid-eastern vibe. Jerusalems album is definitely a great trip of wellmade heavystomp. The newpress is a hard one to find, vinyl or Cd maybe Shadoks Music have it, ask them at www.forcedexposure.com/labels/shadoks.music.germany.html

Pan (Denm.) – Same ( Little Wing) Organbased Danish heavy from 1970, this is one of my fave danish releases and a great re-release by Little Wing. The original came out in 1000 copies on Sonet and locate the original today it cost a fortune. Pan, a 5 piece band I have tried to locate info but had no luck,was a pretty shortlived band I think. I think they had a pretty good following on the danish clubcircuit, there was a good scene at this time in Denmark with Pan, Culpepers Orchard, Blues Addicts, Young Flowers, Hurdy Gurdy to name a few, plenty of great bands. It's a mystery that Pan only made this album, cause this is a highly impressive piece of heavyprogressive rock at its finest, a brilliant mix of heavy and melancholia. It is especially Thomas Puggard-Mullers spiritual guitarwork and the great organ/piano performance by Henning Werner that is leading the album and the emotional vocals by french born Robert Lelievre gives the Lp a dark and moody feel. For the majority are the Lp a quiet adventure where the melancholic side is upfront in combination with a couple of heavy bluesy numbers like Song To France, Many Songs Have Been Lost, To Get Along Alone and Lady Of The Sand. What I dig most with the Lp is the experimental direction and the phenomenal production.The Pan album is released on vinyl as far as I know but I think that Little Wing have made a re-issue on Cd. For fans of heavyprogressive rock are this album a must, for those who are looking for a alternative for their 70s collection should this album be a interesting piece to check out cause the performance that this unit makes here are a pleasure to listen to. Bonus info for collectors are that two of the members Verner and bassist Arne Wurgler are still active musicians Verner is part of Ken Lendings Blues Band and Wurgler have made some records with Benny Holst,folkmusic I think it is.Info/Order www.forcedexposure.com/labels/little.wing.germany.html

Piel De Pueblo (Argent.) – Rock De Las Herdas ( Survival Rec.) After Pappos Blues one of the more wellknown combos out of the South American underground scene based around mainman Pajarito Zaguri a awesome guitarplayer and singer at least on this Lp. Piel De Pueblo was a shortlived combo and Rock De Las Herdas were the only piece of vinyl they made released originally 1972, issued by Survival Records in a limited edition of 500 copies a number of years ago. The Lp have been very sought after by the hardcore 70s fans in recent years. Its definitely a great heavyrock album, very moving and very pleasant to hear. Vocals in spanish raw powerful and agressive musically its similar to the early Sabs,Mountain, Hendrix and early Purple. A good variation of organbased heavy to electrical tripping escapades, a dynamic groove. Very fluent guitarwork and a pumping backing section. In the last track El Rockito De La Bufona a moving heavyblues number they suprise by using violin arrangements, an extra dimension right there. Zaguri whose real name is Alberto Garcia had issued a couple of singles previously and when Piel De Pueblo was over, he continued by doing occasional recordings some projects and solostuff right up to the last decade but with very limited recognition. Rock De Las Herdas is a very rare vinyl to find, hope its re-issued on Cd. No adress for Survival though, try Shadoks Music at www.forcedexposure.com/labels/shadoks.music.germany.html

PI Corp (US) – Lost In The Cosmic Void (Rockadelic Rec.) One of the more recent releases from Rockadelic. Out of Cleveland in the state of Ohio came this combo PI Corp. whose taperecordings from 1973 to 76 have been captured on vinyl. Lost In The Cosmic Void is a very unpredictable piece of vinyl, quite bizarre and challenging after have played it a number of times. The Lp is very much a split vision of cosmic avantgarde tripping exstacy with a dose of heaviness. Mad, hallucinative and hysterical that is pretty good sumup of this release. The playlist gives a great coverage that is a extraplus here. Together and Just Another Song are two great pieces of wellmade heavyprogressive spacerock, a combination of Hawkwind and King Crimson while tunes like Devil Weed and Space War offers the most insanity, Space War is totally far out and tripping while Devil Weed is more manic and hysterical with howls and black hymns. Some of the enjoyment you can find here. Rockadelic have issued a brilliant piece of sessions. PI Corp are offering a electrfying spontaneous propaganda and a amazing experimental attitude with great variation. An must album for spacetrekkers, heavyprogressive fans and those who are looking for alternatives. Plus also a for a great cover and  very cool purplecovered vinyl. Info/Order www.rockadelic.com mail rich@rockadelic.com

San Francisco´s Shiver (US) – Same (Rockadelic Rec.) Out of the flowerpower city came this unit. Shiver a powerhouse trio who formed late 1969 when drummer Don Peck teamed up with guitarist/frontman Frank Twist and bassplayer Neil Peron. It is thanks to Don Peck that this recording sees the light of day cause he have made the artwork, design and concept of this great foldout Lp + he have also written a great story inside how he hooked up with Frank and Neil and what kind of following that Shiver had and how the band ended, very interesting to read. Shiver mostly played on biker parties and street fairs and other local venues around the S.F area such as Fillmore West, the Garden and the Golden Gate Theater for example but no place else. This Lp is a documentation of a development over a 3 years period, recorded in the summer of 72 on a twotrack (!!) machine. After have played this Lp a number of times I am very pleased with the outcome, its weird that Shiver never were offered a deal from any label cause this is a awesome combination of Blue Cheers tripping acidrock and Captain Beyonds slow psychedelic emotions, a great combination indeed. For the majority it is the stunning guitarwork by Twist that is the mainattraction, a brilliant player whose sound really rips with Peron and Peck forming a incredible backing section. The album includes 4 vocaltracks where Fixer is the most doomiest and the opening instrumental Tough As Nails that really sets the record straight, it sounds like Hendrix on Valium, the final Alpha Man could have been featured on the first Captain Beyond album, it have that vibe. A great piece of vinyl packed in a great cover, a very impressive release that every 70s fan should own. Info/Order www.rockadelic.com mail rich@rockadelic.com

Sudden Death (US) – Suddenly (Rockadelic Rec.) Hysterical heavyrock madness from a strange combo that is reported to come from Long Island,New York and made this album in a N.Y studio and the year is 1972 according to Rockadelic, there is no bandmembers listed either I tried to surf around a bit to find something but no luck. Sudden Deaths only Lp Suddenly is a satanical evil looking beast, just a look at the mournful cover, a photo of two blackrobed priests and a couple of children holding up a cross behind a pile of skulls, its probably taken in South America it looks like it, could be a tribe or something. Suddenly is a powerhouse album, with banchee like vocals killer guitarwork and a awesome backing section, the tracklist varies from slow doomy atmospheric stuff like My Time Is Over and Road Back Home to powertunes like Leather Woman and Crazy Lady to the mellow melancholic Come Away With Me. The backgrounds of Sudden Death remains unknown where they came from and where they went, but Suddenly is a strong heavy acid rock album that gives a excellent documentation how powerful this band was. Info/Order www.rockadelic.com mail rich@rockadelic.com

By Gabriel Lilliehook