format: Mini-LP
year: 1986
country: Sweden
label: Dolphin Records
#: DLRM 8601
info: Innesleeve with lyrics and photos. Embossed sleeve.
style: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
Side A:
Not to be mistaken with Good HAZY MLP, a.k.a. The White One. This is Bad HAZY MLP :(
I'm exaggerating a bit of course, but in order to underline that blacker & older doesn't always mean better & heavier,
some generalizations were deemed necessary.
So, it's a debut and obviously the more amateurish and patchy of their 2 releases. It's especially prominent in the opening "On The Run" since it's almost the same brand of melodic Hard Rock that they did so well on their sophomore release, only a bit wimpier, clumsier and dull'er. There are also the obvious fillers, like the rock-edition of an old Bellman* piece and the mandatory schmallad (guess which one). Somewhere out in the multiverse there is however instead a 7" edition of this release which sheltered its HM populace from this tripe, stuck with the core essentials and did this interdimensional version of the band a whole lot more good, and that is the hypothetical "Rock Tonight / A Sight Of Action" single. Both songs are sung by female keyboardist Mia von Barde, and while her voice is good but unremarkable, fem vox always gives a little extra twist to old obscure recordings like these. My main point is that at least the 'A-side' here is quite the little diamond in the rough! "Rock Tonight" kicks some serious arse and
sounds like the coolest, homiest, cathiest d.i.y. Hard Rock 7"s of 1979, be it from Sweden or the UK and it really wipes the floor with all other tunes on the album. The title track does carry some weight as well, as the chorus has a fair amount of oomph, though it's maybe not quite as action-packed as it wants to be. Still, catchy shit for sure.
This EP should be both cheaper and slightly easier to find than the superior follow-up, so
open minded fans of homey private releases could do worse, but please, don't judge the band on their first try..
* =
This 18th century composer has been a popular choice for Swedish rock artists to cover for decades - one of the most well-known Metallic examples would be "Epistle No. 81" featured on Candlemass' "Ancient Dreams" album...