An unexpected yet very welcome spot of vintage New Wave of British Heavy Metal related activity has occurred.
This being that the excellent Marquis de Sade have released a special edition extended play version of their classic single from the NWOBHM days with a twist.
Oh yes. That sole single of theirs from back in the day – Somewhere Up in the Mountains c/w Black Angel is here again but this time with “orchestrated” versions with the original versions from 1981.
That original single being something of the search for El Dorado if you can hunt one down.
Marquis de Sade reappeared out of the mists of time a couple of years or so ago with a stunning debut album entitled Chapter II (review here) and now we have this special edition of Somewhere Up in the Mountains with the original and new “orchestrated” versions.
The original versions stand the test of time. Somewhere Up in the Mountains being a well composed mixture of NWOBHM married with an atmospheric component of sometimes almost folksy progginess with the keyboards.
Yet it has a nice riff and a tasty solo as the lyrics set a tranquil scene of somebody wanting to get away from the world to retreat in to those mountains with their record collection to chill out a bit.
Black Angel is more straight ahead with the riffing chugginess thumping things along, a soaring solo and some more of the nice keyboard work.
The “orchestrated” versions work well. The strings and things are not cloying and do not overpower, instead enhancing.
It is interesting to compare the two versions and I say well done to the band for taking the time to put this together for something a bit different. Do hope a new album might be planned given how good Chapter II is.
Here’s the orchestrated version of Somewhere Up in the Mountains:
It’s out on CD and vinyl editions. Bagged mine from Amazon. Other outlets available…..
>> SOMEWHERE UP IN THE MOUNTAINS ON AMAZON <<
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