Here’s yet another “lost” band from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal days being given the re-discovered treatment. In this case it’s Syar. And it’s double-bubble time too.
The CD package contains not only their sole album – Death Before Dishonour – but also a second CD of ten songs the band recorded in the studio in early 1984 which were never released – until now……!
Syar formed around 1982 and were based around Harrogate – just up the road from me. The usual heavy local gigging resulted in attention from Mausoleum Record which saw the release of Death Before Dishonour.
Despite being well received, it didn’t put Syar on the road to rock stardom. The band broke up with some members joining another band – Maineeaxe (get the spelling?) and that was that for Syar.
However – Death Before Dishonour is an excellent slab of NWOBHM performed with not a little skill and a fair bit of melody thrown in amongst the generally fast-paced riffage. The songs are generally punchy in nature around the four minute mark. A mixture of speedy, slashing, chugging, cutting chords, solid rhythm section, well put together to the point soloing and tasty vocals.
To some extent it reminds me of early Diamond Head, Angel Witch and Tytan.
On the Streets is proper New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Hits hard, punchy, no nonsense as it gallops along. Speeder and Find the Angel a bit slower and moody. I’m Taking Off, er, does take off.
The title cut – Death Before Dishonour is the stand-out. Around six minutes or so and the band stretch out here in to a bit of an epic/atmospheric effort with changes of pace and excellent guitar breaks. Conjures up images related to the cover art of the epic struggle depicted between the muscled-up warrior and the giant serpent thing.
As a taster of what Syar were all about, here’s Trail Blazer:
The second disc of those never before released bonus tracks is a fine discovery. Some superb stuff on it. Especially the guitars. In my opinion it’s better than the album which was released. A pity circumstances did not align back in 1984 for the second album’s worth of material to find a label.
Two CDs, one fine album which did get a released and the other CD of the studio session which is top notch stuff too. Overall an excellent listen from a New Wave of British Heavy Metal-era band who, like many others at the time, had plenty of talent but not the breaks.
It all stands up so well today sounding fresh. Do check the band out.
>> SYAR DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR ON AMAZON HERE <<
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