No Use Crying is the second and final album from Satanic Rites originally issued in 1987 as the band faded out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene.
It has recently been re-issued under the Sonic Age Records banner along with the band’s debut album Which Way the Wind Blows which was reviewed in a previous post, which you can read HERE along with a bit of band history.
Cult Metal Classics do such a fine job of managing to unearth “lost” stuff from the NWOBHM days – and long may they continue to do so. With this No Use Crying reissue we have the album, four demos and two other tracks which I assume are previously unreleased.
Whereas Which Way the Wind Blows is heavy/melodic/slightly proggy style refreshing and upbeat, I can’t say the same about No Use Crying. In my opinion it is a significant step downwards being a quite limp album with no energy or bite to it.
The larger use of keyboards waters down the sound with the more commercial songs not offering much to my ears. As to what my ears do make of it…..well…..
Good Times Now, Never So Easy and Borderline are a passable trio of openers if somewhat lightweight – feels like that want to be heavier without being so.
Song for Stuart – bit of a mess this one. Too “poppy”.
Pain of Confusion a turgid piano-based ballad which goes on too long though rescued to some extent by a nice guitar solo.
Woman of Mystery is quite good and similar to the good stuff on the debut album. Here Comes the War another slow ballad which goes nowhere trying to be brooding and atmospheric without managing it.
The four demos comprise of Just Call my Name and Run for Your Life, neither of which spark in to life, then early versions of Never So Easy and No Use Crying both of which made the album.
The best song by some way is Loser. A fine chunky, chugging rocker with some energy behind it similar to what can be heard on the debut album. Have a listen:
Take Me to the Brig is another miss.
The main constant carrying over from the debut album is the vocal of Deborah Webster. What a voice. So powerful. Sadly she passed a few years ago.
Whilst No Use Crying is an album not to my tastes, perhaps it will be to yours. Which Way the Wind Blows is superb though and for me by far the superior of the two.
Thanks to Cult Metal Classics for more re-discovered New Wave of British Heavy Metal. As usual with the label it is a limited run of 500 CDs. As I type (20th December 2023) Sonic Age Records have availability of both No Use Crying and Which Way the Wind Blows. Link is:
https://www.sonicagerecords.com
You may find both other places too such as No Remorse.