More was another New Wave of British Heavy Metal band that had all the talent but none of the breaks. Just two albums – Warhead and Blood and Thunder – before it was all over in a mess of management and legal issues. Thought for a while it did look like their chops would take them far.
Believe it or not, original vocalist Paul Day was briefly in a very early incarnation of Iron Maiden as both bands have London roots. More gigged far and wide building up a following and noticed by all the “right” critics. They contributed one track – Soldier – to a compilation album Metal Explosion which was one of many that would appear to cash in on the MWOBHM phenomena.
A signing to big label Atlantic followed and produced their debut Album entitled Warhead. Such was the band’s emergence at this time that they even got to open the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donnington on 1981. I might even have been there – can’t remember – went to a few back then though who was on I have no idea it was so long ago. But that doesn’t matter.
On the back of Donnington and support slots with some of the major names of the day it did look like More could have it all and recording began on what would become their second album – Blood and Thunder. However in true rock music tradition this is when it started to fall apart. Day got a better offer and went off during recording to join Wildfire.
In came new vocalist Mick Stratton though apparently re-wrote the lyrics causing some delay in recording. Other line-up changes came about before the album saw the light of day and changes didn’t stop there with perhaps the most notable one being Laurie Mansworth leaving to form Airrace.
And that was pretty much that for More and even a couple of attempted reformations came to naught.
Whilst it is always a shame to see a NWOBHM band who could have risen from the pack not doing so for various reasons, the better news is that the band’s brace of albums have been re-issued and can be enjoyed again. I hope they sell truck loads.
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