Troyen. A real “blast from the past”. They had a short career in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal days. Now they are back with three of the original members. A re-union at Brofest #3 earlier this year got things moving again.
The band contacted me to ask about reviewing their new CD: Finish What You Started. Well of course……and here it is. It’s rather jolly good too.
A couple of new tracks, a couple of re-worked ones from the old days and some very interesting original recordings from 1981. Marvellous.
First, a little Troyen history from the blurb they send with the CD. The band formed in 1981. They cut a demo which sold out two limited pressings and attracted a fair bit of radio support and a contract with Neat Records was in the air. Plenty of gigging went on supporting the likes of Marillion, Spider, Girlschool, Silverwing and Diamond Head. Despite this promise, it didn’t happen for them and Troyen split in late 1982.
Now the reformation/reunion at Brofest #3 went well. The CD is out, some gigs are booked and the band has plans for 2016 too including a few festivals. So what about that CD?
I have to admit not being familiar with Troyen’s work. Did not come across them back in the NWOBHM days. Though after listening to Finish What You Started, I certainly wish I had. It’s classy stuff. Clearly a band who could riff it up with anyone and have some refinement at the same time.
The two new songs (Backlash and Finish What You Started) rock along very nicely. Driving riffs, tasty bass lines, nice hooks, some “spacy” style guitar and check out the freak-out frantic crescendo extended outro to the title track. Top, top stuff.
The two re-worked cuts are even better……Syrian Lady with the tribal/military style drumming and the guitar/vocals matching it gives a Thin Lizzy style vide along the lines of Emerald. The twin guitars trade solos all over the place and it’s another big, frantic finish. Awesome. Then First Blood is a good fast-paced rocker with a bit of a bluesy edge.
Now the old stuff from the 1981 recordings. So much to like here too. Why the band did not make the breakthrough with songs as good as these – tragic. Dreams Never Die reminds me of period UFO. If I was played this without the vocals so I didn’t know it wasn’t Phil Mogg I’d swear it was an unreleased UFO song (that’s meant as a compliment). The chugging powerchord with the lead played over it, soaring melodic vocals and yet more huge soloing all over it.
Futures Friend gives of a bit of a Sabbath feel. Powerful. Don’t Send Me To War you think is a reasonably gentle affair until it explodes (bit of a pun there…..) then the bluesy power-pop Crazy Lady shows more of the band’s ability to mix things up with the jam outro and the sing along chorus adding to the fun. As does the bonus Free Wheelin’ from a 1982 session.
A highly recommended listen indeed. Lots to like. You can pick up a copy from the band here for just £7. Total bargain.
http://troyenmerchandise.bigcartel.com
And check the out Troyon on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Troyen/151193764899569
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