When presented with an album which acts as an accompaniment to a role playing game the immediate thought is what the hell have they got to offer here? In some sort of stereotypical viewpoint you might immediately think of really bad heavy metal music and a cursory glance at the song titles and band names do nothing to allay this fear.
So what in the hell has happened here? Basically what we have are 16 songs of some of the best heavy psych that you will ever hear and all from bands who were ploughing their trade back in the 70's but never got anywhere. Each song represents one of the few releases the bands did and were only released in limited quantities (sometimes at only 500 copies) at a regional level.
Taking in a sub-scene of Sabbath/Zeppelin acolytes, these are bands who are completely forgotten today apart from by hardcore record collectors and many of these songs go for big bucks on the collectors market. Let us be grateful then that Numero Records have had the foresight to compile them and give them to us. This may well be one of the most important releases ever and can sit proudly with the Nuggets compilations as providing a snapshot of an era long gone.
So what of the music? Well, there is an awful lot to enjoy here and whilst the basic premise is the blues/stoner sound of Sabbath, there is variety and talent which belies the unknown nature of the bands. A strong independent streak runs through such bands as Wrath, Arrogance, Stone Axe and Wizard as they create tumultuous slabs of noise that encompass raw garage, heavy metal and psych.
There is not much point selecting highlights although Air's 'Twelve O' Clock Satanial', Junction's 'Sorcerer' and Medusa's 'Black Wizard' most readily come to mind. The latter being and extended jam with some of the most fantastic drumming and bass work you will ever hear. It's one to lose your mind to as the circling jams intertwine through your soul.
The upshot of all this is that after hearing all these songs you have an increasing urge to find out more. Numero's website provides fascinating bio's on all the bands and you sort of feel for them in a way. It's a microcosm of a scene which is reflected to a wider one and has special pertinance with todays' scene which has very similar aspects. These bands may be long gone but at least now there music can live on forever with a while new audience. Essential listening.
