As per previous post, thanks to Soldier guitarist Ian Dick my review copy of the above arrived and given much listening pleasure. A real treat to hear the band as it was thirty years ago recorded at a gig in Wishaw. One should point out that this is very much an “as it was” recording. Back then in the halcyon days of NWOBM cutting edge technology in this case was a recording from the mixing desk on to a stereo cassette recorder. No editing, no overdubs. What you hear is what went out on that night back in 1983.
Ian’s done a fine re-mastering job and this is as much a live album as you’re ever likely to listen to from NWOBHM history. The (then) Solider line-up of Garry Phillips, Nick Bicknell, Nick Lashley, Steve Barlow and Steve Taylor showing the Scots how it’s done live and raw. One gets the impression that the crowd may have been a little “difficult” going by the urgings of Phillips to get them in to it.
Surely can’t have been the music that was the problem. The seven track running order captures the band performing energetically and enthusiastically with some finesse. Never a band to offer up constant blunt powerchord stuff, Soldier had both the riffery and the musical ability to create songs which were forceful, melodic and well structured. That is certainly evidenced in this performance as it the fine guitar work on offer. All that comes over well enough with a tight performance captured as it was on the night.
The opener of Man From Berlin sounds Lizzy-esque to these ears chugging along nicely with a catchy chorus and tasty lead breaks. Lost in Time slows it down a bit proving that Soldier can do the slow blues stuff too. Force, Sheralee (of course), Bad to Good and Stay all deliver a powerful blast of sound before Infantryside (bit of an epic) closes it out.
Marvellous indeed to be taken back thirty years and be able to hear this. You should too – not just as a bit of New Wave of British Heavy Metal nostalgia either. The songs stand up well today too alongside anything else of the genre. Won’t break the bank either at just a few quid from the Soldier web site.
Soldier webstore:
http://soldiernwobhm.com/store-categories/
Download from Bandcamp:
https://soldiernwobhm.bandcamp.com/album/live-the-heathery-scotland-1983-2
The band is still active – last year’s new album The Dogs of War a fine return for example – and have some festival appearances lined up over the summer.
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