Rating: 6/10
Label: Rock Candy/CandyMan 2011
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom
Stampede played the Reading Festival in 1982 (when Twisted Sister also played there) and that's pretty much their legacy in and of metal. That's a bit harsh, if you'd like a quick history, originally formed by the Archer brothers (Reuben - vocals, Laurence - guitar) after they split from Lionheart in 81'. Released the album "Hurricane Town" before they also split in 83' due to an indifferent reception. Lawrence played with UFO and Phil Lynott's Grand Slam while the other members went on to acts such as Waysted and Meat Loaf??? Oh, and Reuben broke his leg badly and quit the music business to form his disign company (yeah, it's important to have two good legs if you're a singer?).
Fast forward to 2011 - what to expect from a band that barely exsisted inbetween a time period of approx 24 months in the early eighties? Well, the label sticker reads "Classic NWOBHM" but that's clearly not the entire truth. In fact, it's rubbish, erase the NWOBHM stamp a.s.a.p. as this platter reeks of typical 'meat and potato' U.K. hardrock of the seventies. Did anyone say UFO? Indeed, not that strange either as Lawrence played on both "High Stakes" and "Dangerous Men" (and 'Live In Japan' for that matter). Reuben is a fine vocalist in the tradition of Phil Mogg and Lawrence's obviously inspired by Michael Schenker.
The production is definitely retro and true to their late seventies sound. The Archer brothers and original bassist Colin Bond (Meat Loaf, Bernie Torme) sticks to what they're good at and keep things rather straightforward and simple on "A Sudden Impulse". Nothing too fancy or out of ordinary, simply just basic U.K. rock in the nice tradition of UFO (only not quite as great).
www.stampederock.com/
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