Stormtrooper 'Pride Before A Fall - The Lost Album' LP + 7"

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First there was the 'new wave' of punk rock. Then 1979 and into the early 1980's, taking its' cue from those shorter haired thrashings, the then mighty music press in the form of Sounds came up with the laborious name of the 'New Wave Of British Heavy Metal' for the deluge of new rock bands that were emerging from all over the country. 

Bristol's very own Stormtrooper were ahead of the 'N.W.O.B.H.M', as they had originally formed in the mid 1970's. But they were right in there more than holding their own with the likes of Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Saxon and Motorhead in terms of seeing their music released in the slip-stream of that catch-all 'brand identity'. Bristol as a city has no claim to being a rock stronghold, but the band didn't let that hold their campaign back. Their passion, talent and ambition enabled them to launch themselves to gain recognition, and their hard work and blistering live shows paid off when 'Pride Before A Fall' became one of the singles released through the unlikely means of local Heartbeat Records operation, run by Simon Edwards in Bristol.

'Pride' roared its' way into the 'Heavy Metal' chart at 23 in Sounds in its' first week of release. It reached the heady heights of number 11 after. But unfortunately that was as far as it got in terms of national recognition of the bands' releases.

Now the other recordings made by the band in that era, are available on 'Pride Before A Fall - The Lost Album'. Songs like 'In The State In the City' and 'Still Coming Home' showcase the bands' unique blend of Bob Starling's distinctive and passionate blazing guitar attack, with the driving force of an electrifying  rhythm section. Nick Hancox's technically brilliant and energetic drumming fused with Colin 'Boggy' Bond's knock down the walls bass playing, and his definitive use of Moog bass pedals which brought another dimension to the textures in the music. In the best traditions of a great rock band, this was topped by the rock power and vocal range of singer, Paul Merrell.

You can hear on this album how the band wore their collective influences - centring on Led Zeppelin and Rush - on their musical sleeve, whether it was hard rock, intricate 'Prog', blues or plain kick out the jams slamdunk riffing. In spite of the minimal time spent on it in the studio, 'Pride' as an album bristles with high level musicianship that transcends any production limitations. This is a band recorded in the raw, and the music tells it like it is, with no frills yet has plenty of depth. A lost gem that's rock gold and is worthy of being in any genuine rock fans music collection.

Tracklisting

1.Pride Before A Fall 2.Battle of The Eve 3.In the State in The City 4.If It Takes A Man a Week To Walk a Fortnight Then How Long Is a Piece a Piece of String 5.Bounty Hunter 6.Still Comin' Home 7.Drunken Women 8.Confusion 9.After Battle

Catalogue number: HRR524

Condition: New

Label: HR Records