Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 10:13 AM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: N.W.O.B.H.M.
Country: U.K.
Label: Eat Metal Records
Year: 2016
There was an urban legend about Blackmayne. The legend said that a few weeks after the band had signed its first contract, it was decided to release its full length debut. On the way to printing, the original artwork of the album was destroyed by fire, and so the release of the album went back for a few months. This matter annoyed the members of the band so much that Blackmayne dismantled in 1985, the year when the album was first released. The legend is rather excessive, to say the least, because the reason why the band was dismantled seems to be its non-commercial success. This was primarily due to the lack of organization by the members of the band as well as the absence of managers. Not to mention the bitter reality that we are referring to a time when the heavy sound changed radically and the second wave of N.W.O.B.H.M.. It seemed condemned from the beginning. Musically they move like a typical (but qualitative) band of their time. Clear references to Diamond Head and Blitzkrieg, minimal influences from Iron Maiden and similarities with Saxon, Chinawhite, Tygers Of Pan Tang and Jaguar. Riffs lack originality but have guts and create quite the energy. Guitar solos are excellent and despite poor production they stand out with their melody and quality. Although it lacks the 70’s breeze that sparked the sub-genre, the album has several good moments and features of the period that was written. Twilight of Lear, Hot Bloode Woman, and Law of Love, while the 2016 release is complemented by three new compositions from the 2012 reunion lineup, which stand with dignity next to the thirty years+ old written ones, and enriched the release itself. For the history, the new lineup consists of the remaining original members Julian Sackett and Phil McDermott, Jay Duke on vocals and Pete Davies on drums (formerly on UK Subs). Finally, the cover we see in this reissue is the same as in the first version but not the original one that was burned. I really hope that in the booklet (not yet in my property) there will be also the original artwork to satisfy our curiosity…
Phil McDermott, Blackmayne’s guitarist contact Metal Invader claiming that the fire accident that damaged their original debut’s artwork is actually a true fact and not an urban legend. We have no reason not to believe him especially when he sends us a copy of the original letter from Ebony Records. Mc Dermott added: ‘In total we had to wait over a year for the album release as a result. And we never even saw the original artwork! ‘. You can get a copy of Blackmayne self titled album here.
