Angel Air\/Border<\/p>\n
When the NWOBHM succumbed, temporary, in the mid eighties, MOURNBLADE mixed the genre with punk (also down for the moment) and space rock. Vocalist Dunken Mullet and guitarist Rich Jones formed the nucleus of the band, and started it all in 1983. The name was pilfered, just as TYGERS OF PAN TANG and STORMBRINGER, from Science Fiction. Inspiration came ore precisely from the writings of Michael Moorcock, from whom the band got permission to use the name at a book fair. Between 1984-85 the band performed approximately 400 gigs in venues such as The Marquee, the 100 Club, and Dingwalls. Is the magic still present some 26 years later? <\/p>\n
Punk\/metal and a dose of HAWKWIND, that was apparently a new concept in the mid nineties. MOURNBLADE are normally included in the second or possibly third wave of the NWOBHM, which by then was petering out. But the mix of MOT\u00d6RHEAD\/HAWKWIND and fantasy called \u201cAnthem of Chaos\u201d has a straightforward riff, a heavy keyboard intro and Dunken\u00b4s voice, which you probably either love or hate. Swords were important to this lot of cause, as was space rock patented keyboard patterns, as in the first part of \u201cServants of Fate\u201d. Post-NWOBHM feels like a terma that does them justice, but they sure are spaced out. But they made entertaining music, and good use of Derek Jasnoch\u00b4s keyboards. By 1985 they had switched rhythm section presenting ex WHITE LIGHTNING bass man Derek Max Goddard, and drummer Jeff Ward. The odd thing about Rich\u00b4s guitar work is that it is not outstanding, but still strangely enchanting most of the time. Space rock takes over in \u201cScience Fiction\u201d. The keyboards are allowed to dominate, complete with an odd chorus and lyrics that may well be conceived over some dodgy Afghan pot. The live tracks from 1985 were recorded on a tape recorder, leaving them authentically shaky. The vocals were up front in the mix, some of the space rock is lost to the punk\/NWOBHM pace and lyrics of a battle axe and frozen corpses enforce that. MOURNBLADE must have been a sight for sore eyes with their make-up, lightning effects, a big black sword and all. Add to that the intensity in the tracks. They make one big return to Space Opera with \u201cTitanium Hero\u201d, with an opening not far from the sound of a dentist\u00b4s drill. The ending of the gig is ecstatic with \u201cSidewinder\/The Sorcerer\u201d and \u201cServants of Fate\u201d. The oddest thing here is the 2009 remix of \u201cTitanium Hero\u201d by David Bickley. It sort of leaves you with a faded taste, modern, dance friendly and all. But who cares, after such a fantastic trip in the time machine. I now hope for part 2, or maybe the re-release of the bands first full-length album \u201cTime\u00b4s Running Out\u201d.<\/p>\n
Track List
\nAnthem of Chaos
\nServants of Fate
\nThe Stairway
\nThe Machinery of Joy
\nScience Fiction
\nDesolation
\nIn the Arms of Morpheus (Live)
\nEternal Champion (Live)
\nHunter Killer (Live)
\nBattlezone (Live)
\nTitanium Hero (Live)
\nSidewinder\/The Sorcerer (Live)
\nServants of Fate (Live)
\nTitanium Hero (Remix)<\/p>\n