A New Wave of British Heavy Metal era double-header here with The Next Band and Wildfire. The two bands are essentially the same. The history being that The Next Band formed in 1975 with a line-up that would eventually have quite the NWOBHM pedigree.
Formed by Rocky Newton, John Lockton and Frank Noon in Grantham, the Next Band moved up to Sheffield and hooked up with a young Def Leppard (for example Noon played drums on Leppard’s legendary EP).
The Next Band self-financed a four track EP of their own before moving to London, expanding to five members including the arrival of Alan Nelson on Keyboards and morphed in to Wildfire.
Some demos followed as did some tracks on the Metal for Muthas compilations and it started to look promising for Wildfire. That was until Lockton went to join Wild Horses and that was the beginning of the end for Wildfire.
Newton and Noon formed Lionheart with ex-Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton and ex-Tygers of Pan Tang vocalist Jess Cox. Noon would also have a stint with Wild Horses and others. Newton went on to perhaps most notably be a member of Michael Schenker’s band. Nelson would also join Wild Horses for a spell and also Stratus and Mamma’s Boys so there’s your Wildfire NWOBHM pedigree starting with The Next Band.
Obscure NWOBHM Releases have done again what they do so well with bands from the good old days and put together one of their limited edition CD runs featuring the four track EP by The Next Band and ten of Wildfire’s demos. Good news for old NWOBHM fans still stuck in the past – and for any appreciator of good heavy stuff in general.
Musically it is a bit of a contrast. The four Next Band tracks are straightforward hardish rockers with bite and melodic elements full of raw talent and promise. Short, to the point, no messing about and enjoyable. Close Encounters perhaps the pick of the four. Rather catchy it is.
With the change to Wildfire and the arrival of Alan Nelson along with it came a much more expansive sound and style with Nelson’s keyboards giving that extra edge. The song writing also has more to it. Generally heavier though keeping the melodic elements and Nelson’s keyboard bursts often quite dazzling particularly when mixing it with the guitars.
Piece of Mine is nice and heavy as is Wild Dog and Devil of Mine. Chock full of punchy riffs, solos which don’t overstay their welcome, the keyboard swells and rock-solid rhythm section.
No Message No Number has an infection hook and melody. Rockin’ For You a big, monstrous number heavy as you like as is Lambs to the Slaughter. Have a listen to that:
As usual the label has done us proud yet again by continuing to unearth yet another band from the NWOBHM days who may otherwise have remained forgotten.
Snap one up if you can before the 500 CDs are gone. Bagged mine from the label. As I type this post they are showing availability as are Sonic Age Records – another of my “go to” places for this type of releases.
Links to both here:
https://onreleases.bigcartel.com
https://www.sonicagerecords.com/_shop
Quickly on Sonic Age Records – they are due to release the couple of albums by Satanic Rights later this month (November 2023) so more old NWOBHM to look forward to. Reviews to follow after they arrive through the door.