Here’s another cracking lost gem form the original New Wave of British Heavy Metal days unearthed by Sonic Age Records. This time it’s a short-lived band from Essex named Trial by Fire.
They were not around for long – about three years at the turn of the 1980s – and made a couple of demo tapes consisting of seven songs.
Those seven cuts now see the light of day for the first time – and we can add Trial by Fire to the burgeoning list of NWOBHM-era bands that had the talent but not the breaks.
TBF appear to have limited themselves to their home ground of Essex mostly. The CD liner notes (an interview with bassist Neil Freeman) suggest that the band members perhaps did not possess the business sense or ambition to push things in that direction or land a serious manager to handle that side of the business.
That is a shame as the seven songs here are of a high quality and most enjoyable. Overall thing a style along the lines of period UFO/Scorpions/Rush/Thin Lizzy in various combinations. Some meaty chords chugging away overlaid by some excellent lead guitar with some “twiddly bits” too.
Night Journey being a fine example. That simple driving chord structure pushing things along interspersed with brief drum breaks and some of that excellent guitar.
The brooding slow-burner of Requiem shows a wider range of song writing ability and arrangements as it crackles in to life at various points throughout whilst retaining something of a darkly atmospheric feel.
Eastern Sun, Against the Night and Broken Flag provide the ears with more enjoyment of well-constructed, powerful rockers with well-placed lead breaks.
The final two – Chasing the Dragon and Eclipse arguably the finest songs.
Chasing the Dragon has a nice gently-strummed intro and a soulful vocal before the big guns break out. BOOM! Then it fairly rattles along reminding this listener somewhat in places of the Lizzy classic Emerald given the guitar work.
Have a listen now:
Eclipse being a more “punchy” style with a tasty melodic chorus.
Trial by Fire had the chops sure enough. Yet alas not the drive to push forwards. The CD is a most recommended addition to your collection – though act fast because as is the usual Sonic Age Records way it’s limited to 500 copies.
Here’s where to go: http://sonicagerecords.com
Do it now……
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