Race Against Time, finally!

[doomedplanet]

I've noticed a couple of maniacs besides myself have been listening to the recent release of the Race Against Time lp and cd on High Roller. Personally I think it is a minor miracle this has finally happened, I'm simply stunned to finally hear these songs in the best quality ever available plus of course hear a few tracks for the first time.

This is my tribute to the East Midlands Band Cooperative...



I picked up this copy of New Electric Warriors in 1991, I think, and it wasn't until quite a number of years after that before I got to hear the 1980 demo. Now, finally, we get to hear 9 neck breaking metal tracks. Go get your copy now, while you still can.

[Keir]

Thanks for the reminder! Ordered mine today.

[otcmetal]

I've had the cd for a couple weeks. Really good album!!!

[DaN]

This is of course a must buy for me too since I love that demo, but nowdays I often get this sceptical notion when previously unreleased material like this turn up, even when it's from the best of bands. Been let down too many times and in some occations it has sort of runied my view of the good stuff. So, is the 'new' songs on par with the old?

[doomedplanet]

There isn't a nanosecond of weak shit on this release.

The only thing missing from my photo is a nice reissue with all the unreleased Paralex stuff. Unfortunately it seems it might never exist...Unfortunately on the news I read on the No Remore website, they are going to rerecord the oldies. I can't really think of many times that has worked out that well.

Dan, I don't know if you have picked up the 2 double lps of Blitzkrieg: The Archives, but they are simply essential, for me the stuff dreams are made of, with perfect sound too, just like the R.A.T. lp

This is of course a must buy for me too since I love that demo, but nowdays I often get this sceptical notion when previously unreleased material like this turn up, even when it's from the best of bands. Been let down too many times and in some occations it has sort of runied my view of the good stuff. So, is the 'new' songs on par with the old?

[DaN]

Dan, I don't know if you have picked up the 2 double lps of Blitzkrieg: The Archives, but they are simply essential, for me the stuff dreams are made of, with perfect sound too, just like the R.A.T. lp

Oooh YES! "The Boys From Brazil Street" was one of the most perfect and essential demo-reissues in ages. Loved every second of it. HRR definitely hit the mark with that one. I didn't know they made a second 2LP of old stuff as well but it's now on my must-buy-asap list - cheers for the heads-up.

[Dirty Rocker]

Killer demo tracks from RAT!
I got all these songs from a Paralex member one year ago when meeting him and other members in Nottingham, along with a shitload of PARALEX demos from as early as 78 or earlier, can't remember now. It must be 30-40 songs in total if I remember right. Also some unknown HELL stuff.

[dford]

Looking forward to hearing this one. Ordered it today along with the Demolition Wrecking Crew lp, which I heard was really good as well.

[dford]

How is that RADIUM lp Rob, still need to pick it up. I heard one of the new Paralex tracks, it scared me!

[doomedplanet]

You have to have it!

How is that RADIUM lp Rob, still need to pick it up.

[ION BRITTON]

I share Dan's feelings of hesitation and cautiousness as I have been greatly disappointed with other similar releases in the past, an example that comes immediately to mind is BADGE's Stormrider LP - not a single track on par with 'Silver Woman' on the whole album. It makes you wonder that it wasn't bad luck or the right timing the reason that some bands didn't make it back in the day...
As far as R.A.T. album is concerned: I need to hear a few more times to reach a final conclusion, but for the moment my opinion is that there is no other track as powerful and good as 'Bedtime', no surprise it was the only one that made it to an official release back then. The material generally lacks the power of let's say SCARAB or BLITZKRIEG. On the other hand, I must admit that I always preferred the harder and more metallic side of NWOBHM, so lack of power doesn't necessarily mean 'not good' as well. I'm sure some people enjoy R.A.T.'s style immensely, however my opinion is that if you expect to hear something in the vein of HELL's demos, it wouldn't be bad if you checked it out first before purchasing it blindly.

[Keir]

I agree that none of the tracks had quite the same effect on me as "Bedtime", but I still think it is a solid album with some really great songs. Not even close to the dud that that Badge CD is.

[great_knuthulhu]

The Race Against Time LP has it's qualities, but I would agree that Bedtime is the gem on it. I quite enjoy the rest of it too though. It's raw, gutsy and has some "charm" (which I'm trying to put into words what really consists of, failing badly thus far).