Description
2015 re-issue of this classic 1981 NWOBHM album with 4 bonus tracks
Surely one of the New Wave of British Heavy Metals most gimmicky acts (alongside Ethel The Frog), the sarcastically named Handsome Beasts arguably obtained far more notoriety in their time because of frontman Garry Dallaways enormous girth than their actual music. The former was of course immortalized on the hilarious cover image gracing their 1981 debut album, Bestiality (featuring a buck-naked Dallaway and a perplexed looking pig), while the latter was inevitably overshadowed by the band’s self-deprecating antics, and never did fit in completely with the N.W.O.B.H.M. sound, anyway. Formed as far back as 1972 and consisting of Dallaway, bassist Steven Hough, drummer Pete Malbasa, and guitarist Phil Aston (one of many that would cycle through the group) by 1980, Handsome Beasts had gradually built their reputation by playing clubs and pubs throughout the British Midlands; their hard-rocking fare, amusing song subjects, and Dallaway’s powerful, soulful voice helping them become quite the crowd-pleasers. Keen to associate the group with the wildly hyped N.W.O.B.H.M. movement, their management team decided to found the Heavy Metal label with the express purpose of releasing Handsome Beasts first singles (1980s All Riot Now, 1981’s Breaker and Sweeties) and eventually the aforementioned album, which featured guitarist Paul Robins. Bestiality also made it onto Kerrang! magazine’s Top 30 Kuts chart in early 1982, but then quickly faded from sight, along with the band, as both their management and Heavy Metal Records chose to focus their attentions on other up-and-coming acts. Handsome Beasts did carry on, however, breaking up and making up under several different lineups well into the new millennium, releasing 1990’s The Beast Within, 2004’s 04, and taking part in occasional nostalgia tours with other N.W.O.B.H.M. bands like the Tygers of Pan Tang. Sadly, vocalist Garry Dallaway suffered a fatal heart attack on August 20, 2006, but the band carries on with his self-appointed successor Simon Hall handling vocals. The allbum Beastiality rocks with a spiffy 70s niche and a straight-laced groove that’s a little dated compared to some of their contemporaries landmark work during this period. But while Iron Maiden and Witchfinder General were leaning towards darker realms and advancing the sound of metal as we know it, The Beasts were content to continue forging ahead the heavy, but decidedly cheerier brand of rock n roll that Motorhead and the Nuge had cranked loud and proud throughout the previous decade. Simple blues-based riffs are the order of the (half) hour, paired with mostly laid-back tempos and attempts at catchy vocal hooks. Overall, this NWOBHM act certainly has their own approach, however remain deeply entrenched in 70’s rock traditions – with touches of Sabbath, and even The Who coming through at times, though I don’t know if this was the intention. Most material is simplistic and at a slower pace, yet the distinct sound the band has, along with the certain presence of Galway adds some spark and panache. Some great lyrics including in the track Another Day with the overall sound of the album hampering much needed dynamics. This one’s worthy of checking out for NWOBHM fan. Simplistic, yet enjoyable.
Track listing:
1. Sweeties
2. Davids Song
3. Breaker
4. One In A Crowd
5. Local Heroes
6. Another Day
7. Crazy
8. Tearing Me Apart
9. High Speed
10. The Mark Of The Beast-from the All Riot Now single 1980
11. All Riot Now-from the All Riot Now single 1980
12. Sweeties-from the Sweeties single 1981
13. Youre On Your Own-from the Sweeties single 1981