NWOBHM classic and a personal favorite
G. Van Der Bent | Katwijk, The Netherlands | 07/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm kind of reviewing this because of their albums 'Hellenbach' and 'The Big H' which I think any NWOBHM fan should own, besides this compilation, which has some great extras.A few years ago when I started working at my current employer I used to spin this tape daily on my walkman. Years before that I already played the first album to death while taking long train journeys to and from college.What's so great about Hellanbach is that they weren't a pure British metal act. They also included American elements in their music, especially by a wellknown metalband which earned them the nickname 'VanHalenbach'.
Hellanbach's songs are quick, short and catchy and just boil over with energy. The ones from the Big H are more poppier (like THE MAIN MAN, BEATEN TO THE BONE and the very emotional WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE). The ones from the first album aren't flukes neither with TIMES ARE GETTING HARDER, LOOK AT ME and offcourse DANCIN and have more of a hardrock/ metal edge.All and all this is a very obscure band, but like I stated one of my personal favorites (I am by the way an avid NWOBHM collector). This has real emotional value for me. It makes the early eighties come to life again and it pulled me through some rough times.I just have to say. Jimmy Brash, if you're still outthere, It'd be great hearing from you. Whatever happened to you guys?"