Tarot got together as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal started to emerge in 1979.
As was the way at the time, they gigged hard and often to try and rise above the pack collecting some interesting support slots along the way including a diverse mix such as John Parr, Fisher Z and Frankie Miller.
Back in the early NWOBHM days it was not unusual for labels to release compilation albums with a track or two from each featured band.
Tarot found themselves on one of them (New Electric Warriors) contributing their song Feel the Power.
A small tour to promote the compilation followed and at one point it looked like Tarot might get a deal with RSA. That came to naught as did the band disbanding in 1982.
Tarot were what one might call “traditional” NWOBHM. Songs which were relatively short, punchy, to the point with straight-between-they-eyes riffs, pumping drums/bass and fiery solos. Highly enjoyable.
That said, there was evidence of a more “sensitive” side to their work – for example Photograph.
Otherwise it is generally crunching riffage delivered with power and speed. As an example of that – here’s Rough and Ready. A nice bass-driven intro and vocal – then BAM!
The no-nonsense approach is also evident on such cuts as Born on the Wrong Side, the cynical Mr. Ten Percent and Teaser. No prizes for guessing what the latter two songs are all about……
The aforementioned Feel the Power is in a similar vein and was back then as far as I know the only Tarot recording to be released in any form.
Now, thanks to Cult Metal Classics/Sonic Age Records we can enjoy Tarot again as the label has remastered the band’s demos and slapped them out on CD.
For any old NWOBHM duffer like me it’s mana from heaven. If you like your rock/metal in any form – there’s plenty of good stuff for you to get your ears around.
As is usually the way with Sonic Age Records, the CD is a limited run of 500 so get there quick: http://sonicagerecords.com
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