HEAVY LOAD-STRONGER THAN EVIL-

As this is the peak performance from Swedish Heavy/hard/Power rockers Heavy Load, the story will maybe haunt them for not being persistant enough just as the brink of breakthrough appeared. This the third released from 1983 and this recording just brings you all the ingredients towards greatnesss with strong songs, furious drive and terrific harmony singing in “fotball chanting choruses”. This is like finding thee pot of gold at the end of the Rainbow. A marvoulus record.

As earlier releases from Heavy Load this record is self financed and this shines through in the lack of the production. The sound frame is predated and there are some vocaltracks that never would have passed with an experienced producer. Never the less the songs are strong with standout tunes like”Run with the Devil” “Singing Swords” and the single out take “Free” with Phil Lynott on bass guitar.  No song falls under the radar and this is  “Stronger than evil” in that sense. 🙂

During the year 1982 Heavy Load got some Airtime in Swedish national Radio with two broadcasted shows in Malmö and Stockholm and this laid the Foundation for the album “Death or Glory” and as this later formed the shape of this album, bad luck hit the band as the bassplayer quit just Before a major tour in Europe in `84. Brothers Ragnar and Styrbjörn Wahlqvist then decided to put their energy in the studio instead of persuing a new bassplayer, a twofaced decision with ill fate. The band never recovered from this.

Whatabout the drummer, Styrbjörn Wahlqvist?? This is in the school of Cozy Powell with strong drive and hard striking abilities. The technical department is ok but there are some hesitation that brings out a few question marks. The hit ratio and no what so ever Dynamics suits the Music like a glove. This is a perfect match but won´t bring down the crowds in a matter of “best drummer Award”.

This is just as with Mecyful Fate and Oz, a great time in Scandinavian metal history. The question rises what could have been with more persistant management. The Heavy/Hard/Power rock market would just explode with arrival of Manowar, Stormwitch etc..and today Hammerfall, Iced Earth etc just reign with great succés…typical.

This is a Classic album that should not perrish under the obscure mark. Good copies are out there but you´ll have to pay for a Classic copy that should contain the album, a great poster and, of course, the merchandise order form…just plain good nostalgia. Great!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

–5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-