US and Canadian Heavy Metal 7"-scene
is still one of the least explored niches in the domain of Old Metal Vinyl Collecting, at least in relation to its size and popularity. Hence forum member and long-time fan & collector of rare American 7"s, Kristian "Khnud" Knutsson has taken on this impossible feat of documentation, making this the 3rd and - surely in the long run - largest Singles-Special of The Corroseum to date...
A note on rarity Most of the releases reviewed herein are to be considered rare, usually released in either 500 or 1000 copies by small independent labels, or by the bands themselves. The rating is therefore an attempt at approximating how often an item shows up for sale.
= Rather common, a copy can most likely be found without too much effort
= Uncommon, still turns up a few times per year
= Rare, you'll most likely have to search a bit before you find one
= Very rare, expect to have to search several years before one turns up
= More or less impossible to find. The number of known copies can be counted with the fingers of one hand
Also, please note that rarity scores might change over time. A good example would be the Hazardous Waste 45, which was once believed to have been released in only 200 copies and was at that point a very expensive and desired item. Many years later another 300 copies were discovered in a warehouse and the item is, at the time this is written, reasonably easy to find at an affordable price.
A note on ratingReviews are subjective. What I think is great, someone else might think is crap. And the other way around. I strongly suggest using the reviews as a general guide and not as a definitive quality indicator.
= Bad. You probably don't need this unless you're a manic completist (like yours truly)
= Ok, but nothing spectacular
= Good, definitely worth checking out
= Great, buy or die!
= You need this more than oxygen...
Finally, I'd like to thank John Haupt, without him this project would never have been possible.
Naked Driver - Closer Now / I'm Coming
(Pristine Records, 1988)This is clearly suffering from what I like to call The VAN HALEN Syndrome, meaning it's all about guitar antics and little else. And sadly this is no "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", but at least we don't have to suffer through those keyboards Eddie and company were so fond of using later throughout the 80's. The vocalist sings with a lisp which makes this release somewhat unique, but I'll leave it up to you to decide whether this makes it better or worse. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Naked Truth - Detroit Still Rolls / Like It Is
( Detroit Dunkley Records, 1984)Sadly, this title will fail to convince anyone that Detroit either rocks, or rolls. It takes more than a slightly random guitar solo played over the same verse (or is it the chorus? I can't really tell) over and over again. And when backing it up with lamer than lame garage rock on the b-side, that does it. Detroit might still rock (and roll), but this release surely doesn't. And that's the naked truth. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Nightchild - Remember The Faithful / Hero
(Nightmare Records, 1985)Apart from the fact that the singer sounds VERY much like Dan McCafferty of NAZARETH, this is pure mid tempo metal in the good olde SAXON fashion. And it has a great looking picture sleeve too, just oozing obscure heavy metal goodness in every direction. "Hero" has one of those great sing along choruses that should have been played on every 80's metal youngsters backyard party when the parents are away, if only this obscure Indianapolis quartet had managed to catch the eye of an established record label. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Nite Fire - Tonight / Hold On
(Future Records, 1983)Alas, by this their fourth release, the band has degenerated into feel good high school hard rock. Complete with cowbells, hand claps etc. Catchy, but pretty bland. Quite a disappointment considering their move in the right direction on the excellent "Run From Trouble" 45. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
Norman Lang - Can't Find The Answer / You Should Have Seen
(Sky Records, 1982)I normally don't include major label releases in this project, but I'll make an exception here. Not only did this little release also come out on an obscure Canadian dance music label (featured here, and which definitely qualifies to be included in this project), but on the backside of the over commercial crap fest "Can't Find The Answer", is a rather cool hard rock tune called "You Should Have Seen", which you should definitely see - or at least listen to. Rating: - Rarity: - Country:
