Origin: UK
Year: 1983
Subgenre: Heavy Metal, NWOBHM
Rating: 82.33 An Excellent Piece Of Work !
The Players:
Alan Marsh Vocals
Andy Boulton Guitar
Ray Dismore Guitar
Andy Robbins Bass
Steve Pierce Drums
Melodic NWOBHM sounds from Salisbury, UK, Tokyo Blade is still going strong today. It's this debut album, released in 1983, that is arguably the band's finest work. The music features strong riffs, catchy songwriting, and well-done vocals. Typical of the NWOBHM, the guitar riffs are fast and powerful. The production is a bit thin, but doesn't distract from the listening experience and is actually pretty typical of the NWOBHM. I will say the guitar tones are loaded with super distortion (reminds me of Chateaux' power-soaked guitars). The superb songwriting does separate Tokyo Blade from its peers; so much so that I rated this debut #20 on my all-time Top 50 NWOBHM albums.
Midnight Rendezvous opens the album in melodic fashion, full of hooks and riffs. Break The Chains, If Heaven Is Hell, and Liar are three of the best and heaviest songs on the album. Tonight is heavy enough, but is merely average and predictable. The rest of the album is very solid and consistent, with killer riffs and hooks aplenty. The maidenesque Highway Passion and Sunrise In Tokyo are particular bright spots, with each having an infectious chorus amidst the equally heavy sounds.
The NWOBHM holds a special place in my musical journey; Tokyo Blade is one of the latecomers of the movement, but is well worth the listen. A great band !
Midnight Rendezvous 82
Break The Chains 84
If Heaven Is Hell 83
Highway Passion 84
Killer City 83
On Through The Night 79
Tonight 78
Liar 83
Sunrise In Tokyo 85
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