Salem - NWOBHM : In the Beginning RARE COLOURED PRINT (2011)

	£		20
	$		26

Band members copy, signed by all members.

Double album, one coloured.

1Coming for You 4:14

2. Cold as Steel 4:50

3. Fool's Gold 5:57

4. Make the Grade 5:10

5. Reach to Eternity 3:23

6. Cold as Steel 4:34

The Keeper of the Keys Trilogy

7. I - the Keeper 6:29

8. II - the Revenge 5:06

9. Fighting for the Cause 4:45

10. Coming for You 3:24

11. Fool's Gold 4:16

12. Make the Grade 5:05

13. Rock Fever 4:07

14. Save the Night 3:49

15. The Other Side of Hell 5:34

16. Hangman's Noose 2:50

17. Trilogy III - the King 5:07

*Tracks 1-4: "First Demo," recorded at Fairview Studios, Hull, 4th January 1981

*Tracks 5-6: "Double A-side single," recorded at Fairview, Hull, 4th April 1982

*Tracks 7-12: "Second Demo," recorded September 1982

*Tracks 13-17: "Third Demo," recorded 23rd March 1983

Now, onto the review:

Yorkshire's Salem have been historically remembered as a band that once featured in its ranks a couple of Ethel the Frog (of "Metal for Muthas" fame) members, and yet, in this review, you will see that they were that and yet, so much more.

Nevertheless, this early incarnation of the group entered Fairview Studios in Hull, where many a New Wave of British Heavy Metal act chose to record (including, but not limited to, Def Leppard, Gaskin, and Geddes Axe), in January 1981, and committed their debut demo to tape. Listening to this recording, as soon as you hear the speed, the accent of reverb, you know you are hearing some true and honest, bonafide NWOBHM. And yet, on excellent tracks like "Fool's Gold" and "Make the Grade," it is apparent that there is an equally strong '70s rock influence present as well. These two cuts best represent the early Salem formula, of taking a very powerful heavy rock riff, building a song around it, and stretching it out to five or six minutes. And yet, where with lesser acts, that could turn into overkill, this is never the case with Salem, who keep the energy and momentum going right on through till the end.

During the year or so that would follow, the band saw a couple member changes, and this revised line-up re-commenced at Fairview on 4th April 1982 (almost exactly 34 years on from the date of this review, incidentally) to record what would become (sadly) the group's sole vinyl output. This came in the form of a double A-side single "Cold as Steel" c/w "Reach to Eternity." Wow! Two classic NWOBHM songs repeated on each side of the record, with absolutely no filler present. "Cold as Steel" was a rerecording from the first demo, and is an exuberant, energetic rocker with a razor-sharp riff, but the real treat here is in "Reach to Eternity." This track is probably Salem's closest take on the traditional NWOBHM archetype, somewhat reminiscent of the faster early Diamond Head or Jaguar material, and believe me, that's saying a lot! The twin-guitar harmonies on this cut are just GORGEOUS, and with lyrics like "We can live forever" and "Eternal love," this is the kind of song that is so good as to be life-affirming, making you feel glad to be alive, as only the most brilliant music can, like you really already are in heaven. It's none too surprising, then, that copies of this record (which had a very limited pressing, with most examples coming in just a plain white sleeve) made it to metal fans around the world at the time. Today, it is considered a collectible rarity, and represented Salem at its absolute apex.

Riding high on the success of the single, Salem recorded a second demo at a different studio, in September 1982. The pick of the bunch from this recording is no doubt "the Keeper of the Keys Trilogy Part I - the Keeper," a six minute+ MASTERPIECE and probably the top track on the whole album if not one of the best songs of all time! Here is especially where the influence from vintage '70s rock a la Rainbow comes in. I mean it, the melodies on this cut are so strong that you will be propelled to do as I did when airing it just now before this review, and just CRANKING it up to maximum volume and basking in the euphoria of some glorious but very raw rock 'n' roll.

Salem recorded one final demo in March of 1983, but acquiring that long-hoped-for record contract was just not to be for the band. Listening to the quality of the material on this vinyl, that seems just shocking, and makes me believe that Salem's music, and all truly great NWOBHM music in general, may just be too GOOD for mainstream consumption.

As for this 2015 vinyl reissue itself, it comes to you courtesy of the good folks at Germany's High Roller label, and features the usual abundance of extensive liner notes, full lyrics, vintage archive photos from back in the day, and brilliant remastered sound. Act quick though, because like many of High Roller's reissues, it is strictly limited edition, but essential to all NWOBHM and heavy rock fans!!!

Please check out some of my other collectable Nwobhm!

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