Description

Still sealed digipak

“Indisputably HR as opposed to HM… with their steady building, definitely dynamic song structure” – Geoff Barton – Kerrang! 1981

Originating in 1981 from Pontefract, Yorkshire in the United Kingdom, Mendes Prey is one of many acts who may not have received their just due the first time around in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene. From 1982-1986 they released two singles and made two compilation appearances, but never had the opportunity to record a full-length album. Finally someone gathered up all of their recordings to get this 16-track compilation off the ground. The Never Ending Road shows Mendes Prey songwriting history and most of these tracks have been unreleased until now. The bell chimes and windy soundtrack signals the opening strains of Red Alert, the guitar parts giving way to the mysterious, goose bump melodies from vocalist John Seymour – a track that has a lot of Angel Witch meets Trespass feel to it. Mark Sutcliffe as a guitarist has a lot of boogie and galloping tricks up his Hard Rock and Metal licks – I can tell everything from Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy to Scorpions factors into a lot of his versatile abilities on stunners such as Running For You and Take Me Cross the River. Keyboards factor into Listen in almost a synth-pop manner, and it seems like the drumming has that computerized 80s feel as well – and I don’t know if necessarily most NWOBHM fans will appreciate this lighter, commercial song. Closing with two live tracks (of which Flight to Moscow has a lot of UFO texture to it and works best despite the rawer nature of the recording), I consider The Never Ending Road essential to all followers of British metal from the 1980’s – as there was plenty of quality to be had in the scene, and this band deserve a wider, deeper look for the quality is present. 16 tracks and 72 minutes of Melodic Heavy Metal and Hard Rock done with British class and style.

Track listing:
1. Red Alert
2. Runnin For You
3. What The Hell’s Going On
4. On To The Borderline
5. Cry For The World
6. Lone Survivor
7. Take Me Cross The Water
8. Drifting
9. Don’t Shine
10. Losin Man
11. I Beg For Mercy
12. Can You Believe It?
13. Listen
14. Breakin My heart
15. Drifting-live
16. Flight To Moscow-live