Titan, not to be confused with Tytan, were from Lincolnshire here in the UK forming in 1981and like many at the time wanted to make their mark on the burgeoning New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene.
The usual template was followed. Plenty of hard work gigging around the region hoping to attract a record deal.
Despite building up a healthy local following all they had to show for their efforts were a couple of two track demo tapes: Into the Storm/High ‘n’ Mighty and Onto the End and The Rack.
Ambition made them realise that perhaps a move to London may help however the band sort of drifted apart after the demos and that was that for Titan. Another promising NWOBHM band bites the dust.
However, the always excellent Obscure NWOBHM Releases label have pulled another one out of nowhere as they often do putting together Titan’s two demos and a series of live rehearsal recordings from back in to day issuing it on one of their usual limited edition CD runs of 500 copies.
The two demos show much promise. Hard, punchy no-nonsense heavy songs with tasty riffs and the two guitars rusting up quite a sound as they work together. The four songs split over the two demos each a winner. Reminded me somewhat of say a heavier Thin Lizzy with a UFO slant given the big chords behind the lead work. Tasty stuff.
Have a listen to Into the Storm:
The live rehearsal recordings are, as you might expect rather raw, rough and ready though do capture the energy and enthusiasm which Titan possessed. A fine series of songs which are heavy yet refined without losing any of the power.
Lots of chunky riffs flying around as is plenty of excellent lead work making all in all a fine run of early NWOBHM-style goodness.
Cuts such as Attack, Double Dealer and Werewolf being of particular enjoyment. And perhaps saving the best until last Give Us This Day has superb extended lead work then the mini-epic of March of the Morning Starz (don’t know why they used a Z rather than an S) is even better.
A shame things didn’t work out for Titan. Plenty of evidence here they had the ammunition though not the breaks. And for an old NWOBHM fan it’s good to hear what they had to offer.
As I mentioned at the start of this post, it’s a limited edition of 500 CDs. As I type both the label (Obscure NWOBHM Releases) and Sonic Age Records show availability:
https://sonicagerecords.com
https://onreleases.bigcartel.com
Obscure NWOBHM releases have been busy issuing this and also (if you remember them) similar from Falcon and Denigh in short order. I have both with reviews to follow as I get my ears around them.