Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 09:03 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: N.W.O.B.H.M
Country: United Kingdom
Label: No Remorse Records
Year: 2015
Great Britain was definitely the place where it all started. England lit the flame which over the years became a fiery storm that continues to rage with unabated pride. On the other hand, the American metal scene studied well the teachings of the English and pushed the sound to the next level, in every aspect (technical, dynamic, etc.), but that’s another story. Nevertheless, if it wasn’t for the great Island and the catalytic for the history of Heavy Metal explosion of N.W.O.B.H.M, the music that we love simply would not be what it is today.
As a listener I never considered myself as a fanatic of the N.W.O.B.H.M movement or at least its first and most famous period. There are several releases of that time that adorn my record collection but I never personally shared the people’s enthusiasm for the countless demos and 7” which are in my opinion (the majority of them at least) complete mediocrities. Well I guess it’s all a matter of taste. I find the movement’s second period (around ’84 -’87) much more interesting. Citing as examples the monuments of Cloven Hoof, Elixir, Hammer, Blind Fury that had a much more metallized status and the necessary (for me) epic touches.
Mendes Prey remained active in the scene for about six years and released two singles of which On to the Borderline of 1982 is their most famous work. In the year 2015 No Remorse Records has gathered all their released/unreleased material on The Never Ending Road compilation. The surprising element of this particular release, especially for someone who has only heard the songs in the singles, is that the unreleased material is even better. Excluding their greatest song in my opinion, the insurmountable epic ‘Cry For The World’ which had appeared in the Parkside Steelworks collection of 1985 together with Red Allert, here we are talking about great compositions, songs that show that the band had serious potential. Having in mind the official single releases which I never consider to be something special, I come now to the conclusion that this band has recorded some of the best examples the English scene has offered with all its great features and clichés. That is emotion, catchy choruses and passionate solos. Take me across the water, Lone Survivor, Listen, Flight To Moscow, Losing Man and of course Cry For The World are indescribably epics, a legacy of a golden era that is long gone.
I’m sure that the fans of the genre already own this compilation, they do not need someone to tell them if it’s worth or not. For those who have their concerns I have to say that The Never Ending Road is worth every penny.
5/6
