HEAVY METAL RECORDSThis Midlands-based New Wave Of British Heavy Metal group are rather better remembered for two controversial album covers than for any of their actual music. Formed in 1979 by vocalist Zeeb Parkes and guitarist Phil Cope, with a name taken from a classic horror film, the initial line-up settled with a rhythm section of Toss McCready (bass) and Steve Kinsell (drums). Their debut single, "Burning A Sinner" (also jokingly known as "Burning A Singer"), revealed a primitive, Black Sabbath-influenced doom metal style, and was quickly followed by the "Soviet Invasion" EP, and a track on the "Heavy Metal Heroes" compilation. SAXON producer Peter Hinton was drafted in for "Death Penalty", recorded in three days with a session drummer - this position remained unstable - and bassist Rod Hawkes replaced the departed Kinsell and McCready. The album showed promise, although it suffered from the rushed recording process. Most attention centred on its sleeve, which featured a mock-sacrifice scene photographed in a graveyard, with a well-known topless model and friend of the band, Joanne Latham, appearing semi-nude. The subsequent publicity reached the UK tabloids, and the band attempted to repeat the formula with "Friends Of Hell", with the sleeve featuring several semi-naked models daubed with theatrical blood in a similar sacrifice scene, this time photographed in front of a church.
The first and very rare 7" vinyl from now legendary Stourbridge band WITCHFINDER GENERAL, considered by many as a one of the very influental doom releases ever.
The main track of the single, "Burning A Sinner", is the one of the earliest band's song, which was very popular and favourite on the band's gigs. Unhurried, with a gloomy athmosphere, typical for an early Black Sabbath, it describes the ceremony of auto-da-fe somewhere in medieval town. The lyrics are definitely were inspired by the classical horror movie "Witchfinder General" starring Vincent Price.
The single is completed with Side B, "Satan's Children" (by the way, it was a potential name of the band back 1979). Like Side A, this one is also heavy influenced by the early Sabbath, both musically and lyrically. Phil Cope's guitar sound and riff-construction is a great tribute to Tony Iommi. A worthy song in general, and as for slightly flippant and nasal Zeeb's vocals, I think it's even some kind of WFG's trademark.
Line Up: Zeeb Parkes (vocals), Phil Cope (guitars), Kevin "Toss" McCready (bass), Steve Kinsell aka Kid Rimple (drums).
TRACKS:1. Burning a Sinner 3:24
2. Satan's Child 3:30
Cooming soon!!