The Hudson Valley Squares: NWOBHM Debut Album War!

[@jonathancilley9450]

Ralph Tambora is spot on about the song Angel Witch. When you hear the chorus “You’re an Angel Witch, You’re an Angel Witch” it will be stuck in your head for weeks! Great show as always.

[@rasmuspetersen2480]

@@jonathancilley9450 stuck in your head even if you just read it ;)

[@garyjoyce2160]

Ralph is the man. ! He knows his music 🎵 👍💯

[@brandonbelt5055]

5. Tygers of Pan Tang 4. Satan 3. Diamond Head 2. Witchfinder General 1. Angel Witch Angel Witch having a Rod Smallwood type of manager who could have kept them all properly sorted out in the early 80's is one of the greatest "What If's" in metal history.

[@magnum1820]

I had the privilege of seeing Angel Witch in 1980 at a place called the Triad in Bishop Stortford…..they were awesome

[@CrazyCooter-ld6sz]

Great show. Love Karen. Sailing the seas! Rock on.

[@hrothgar64]

Great episode. Just an idea, tell me to shut up if you've tried it in the past and nobody watched, but I wouldn't mind seeing a regular extreme metal show with a regular cast of Ryan, Craig and The Count. Karen and others could join in as and when, but it would be something I'd be interested in watching. You all talking about thrash, death, black, doom etc. It would fit nicely alongside the shows about fusion, prog and horror/sci fi movies. What do others think?

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

I think we can incorporate that more on HVS in general to be honest. It is our 'metal' show on the channel after all!

[@markfurru3368]

Never heard the Tygers of Pan Tang one. Will likely do so soon. The Satan one was decent, but not my all-time favorite. I love both the Angel Witch and Witchfinder General ones, but I can't decide which one I like more. Two albums totally different from each other, but equally awesome! I may be biased, as a huge Metallica fan who felt like a kid in a candy store upon my first time hearing the originals of songs I've loved for a long time, but the Diamond Head one is definitely my favorite!

[@stewy62]

I saw Diamond Head in 1982 I think it was, on the Borrowed Time tour. Before that tour they hired our Student Union building to rehearse (Aston University in Birmingham). Whilst we were having a pint of beer at lunchtime you could hear them playing. When I saw MSG in 1983 on the Assault Attack tour Sean Harris stood next to me in the crowd with his very pretty girlfriend or wife although he didn’t stay for the whole gig 🇬🇧

[@TheVinylOrchard]

Seen diamond head four times. Including support for AcDc at Bon Scott’s last gig in Southampton. Their debut is for me the greatest NWOBHM Lp. I have the original fully signed vinyl. Met them when they supported April Wine too. Head and shoulders above the others. Cheers all

[@ErickNWOBHM]

I know I'm a bit late for the party but terrific episode all!! Right in my wheelhouse. 1. Angel Witch 2. Witchfinder General 3. Tygers of Pan Tang 4. Diamond Head 5. Satan Totally interchangeable, lol

[@JoeDibiase386]

Wow. This is really hard. Great selections. Grew up with all these record 1 Witchfinder General 2 Diamond Head 3 Tygers 4 Angel Witch 5 Satan

[@hevihoo]

1. Diamond Head 2. Satan 3. Angel Witch 4. Witchfinder General 5. Tygers of Pan Tang By the way, you can find Lightning to the Nations on streaming services: the re-recorded version as well as the remaster of the original.

[@darrylamaki2470]

Thank you for a excellent show Killer stuff 🤙🏻

[@stephenbrown4211]

The single Angelwitch was the first NWOBHM record I bought. So when I got the album I wasn’t disappointed and it’s the best Metal album ever.

[@beetlebum7760]

With regard to this video I can highly recommend the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal '79 Revisited" compilation that was released in 1990. Lars Ulrich and music journalist Geoff Barton compiled those tracks that cover the period of 1979-1981. You get a really good collection of tracks by the most important bands of that era and also some lesser known bands. Some important NWOBHM bands missing I can think of include Savage, Demon, Grim Reaper, Satan or Tank (and Motörhead, if you consider them part of the sub-genre). But the great thing is you also get some single/EP tracks by Angel Witch (Extermination Day!!!) or Def Leppard (Getcha Rocks Off) and a fantastic alternate version of Maiden's Sanctuary, all of which could be very rare and expensive if you are after original viny pressings. Not sure though how easy this compilation is to get these days as it has never been reissued. But a quick check on discogs shows that the double CD US version goes for 35 bucks and more.

[@hrothgar64]

I've got this on original vinyl. A double album. Brilliant compilation. I played it a couple of weeks ago and it still sounds great. The version of Sanctuary was taken from a Radio 1/Friday Rock Show session and features Doug Sampson on drums and Tony Parsons on guitar.

[@countralfus6408]

I have that DBL CD comp🤘

[@mjp8648]

Bought the UK version on double CD when it came out, because there were a few articles (about it) in metal mags at the time. Played it a lot.

[@chrisharris-pr5oi]

Another great topic this week

[@craigburgess7105]

Always Angel Witch for me - bought it at the time, still have it and always loved it. The others all have minor issues for me despite being good. 2 Diamond Head 3 Witchfinder (let down by production but good songs) 4 Satan 5 Tygers (got better after the debut). All good records though.

[@oy6793]

Angel witch is my favorite, need to check that Satan debut,never heard it

[@CathyLahn]

1. ANGEL WITCH 2. SATAN 3. WITCHFINDER GENERAL 4. DIAMOND HEAD 5. TYGERS OF PAN TANG

[@paulh6673]

All classics, but I think I prefer the debuts of Savage and Holocaust to most of these. A vol 2 episode perhaps! Otherwise... 1. Diamond Head 2. Angel Witch 3. Witchfinder General 4. Satan 5. Tygers

[@Fastnbulbous1969]

1. Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations 2. Angel Witch - Angel Witch 3. Satan - Court In The Act 4. Tygers Of Pan Tang - Wild Cat (I like Spellbound even better, unlike all the others here who peaked with debut) 5. Witchfinder General - Death Penalty Other lesser known bands that I rate beyond biggies like Saxon are Riot, Venom, Pagan Altar, Raven, Holocaust, Tokyo Blade, Omega, Saracen, Avenger, Girlschool, Tank, Blitzkrieg, Elixir, Demon, Wolf, Jaguar and Ritual. I posted this idea on another video, but want to make sure Pete sees it and considers it! An awesome series would be to interview original members from a number of bands that had been slogging it out in the years (1974-77) preceding the breakout of the NWOBHM, and ask them two key questions. Martin should be into this since he had a whole book about the birth of metal. 1) When did audiences noticeably start wearing battlejackets and vests with band patches? 2) When (if ever) did your band start self-identifying as "heavy metal" instead of just hard rock? Sabbath called themselves "downer rock" and refused the metal label really until Dio joined. Similarly with Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Budgie and all the other early proto-metal bands. Even with Judas Priest it's been hard to pin down when they publicly referred to themselves as heavy metal. It may not have been until 1978, around the same time they evolved their costumes into the denim and leather style that would be associated with metal, and just before the whole NWOBHM scene broke at the end of that year. Other bands kicking around were Son of a Bitch from Barnsley, South Yorkshire in 1976, who became Saxon a couple years later, Newcastle upon Tyne’s Raven (1974), Nottingham’s Witchfynde (1974), London’s Praying Mantis (1974), Birmingham’s Quartz (originally Bandylegs, 1974), Girlschool (1975), Samson (1977) and Angel Witch (1977), Hartlepool’s White Spirit (1975), Stourbridge’s Diamond Head (1976) and Sheffield's Def Leppard (1977). And of course, a band from Leyton, Greater London in 1975 called Iron Maiden.

[@independenceltd.]

love all of the bands you mentioned, especially Riot, even though they are from NYC

[@Fastnbulbous1969]

@@independenceltd. Ya I meant to mention that I consider them honorary Brits, as they really fit in well with the NWOBHM bands!

[@sabinoabdala5685]

1- Diamond Head 2- Angel Witch 3- Satan 4- Witchfinder General 5 -Tygers of Pan Tang

[@lonewolf6974]

great crew love it

[@ericcotter4684]

As a huge Diamond Head fan, it's hard for me to see what the record labels have done to this band's legendary first album over the years. Ryan's copy is the Metal Blade version, with those goosed up remixed drums that were applied to the tracks in the mid to late 80s and released on several different compilations and versions. Ralph's version is the 2020 version that was entirely re-recorded with the modern band and only Tatler from the original lineup. The original version's production is the clear winner. I am also incredibly jealous of Craig and Ralph seeing that 2002 New Jersey show. Big regret of mine not going to that. And Ryan - I'll take that terrible signed self-titled album off your hands! 😄

[@scorpions1965]

Witchfinder General is *PERFECTION*

[@orchidcarpetcleaningrp6061]

My friends ran a popular disco in the late 80's early 90's.Played Abba,Grease,Lets do the time warp,The Nolans,loads more disco which everybody loved. Without fail though always played Angel Witch just to mix it up.

[@patrickmurphy4297]

I love the album choices here...all are terrific. NOW I'm waiting for a show where you rank the 14th albums of 5 different bands...

[@DokkenSabbath]

1. Angel Witch 2. Diamond Head 3. Satan 4. Tygers of Pan Tang 5. Witchfinder General All classic phenomenal albums!

[@christianhaynes1954]

Im with you Craig. Tygers is my #1 💪

[@deanleslie3269]

Man,I think Zeeb Parkes is Witchfinder General's secret weapon,the best thing about the band,because he has such an unusual voice. I think the second album is better,less obvious Sabbath worship.

[@atik-rgt-uk]

Kerrang mag and the Friday rock show with Tommy Vance was all I had as a kid to make sure I spent my meagre sheckles on something heavy lol

[@HaakonOdinsson]

Ah the memories of getting excited that the Friday rick show with Tommy was about to start. Made loads of tapes, which I still have. I’ve also got loads of shows digitised. Loved Kerrang! Back in the day as well, could wait to get a copy in my hands and I still have my first issue in a frame (away from light). Before that I got Sounds and I cut out flyers to put on the wall, lol

[@HaakonOdinsson]

*rock, not Rick, lol

[@atik-rgt-uk]

@@HaakonOdinsson those were exciting times for me,finger paused on the pause button waiting to release it without getting any dj voice at the start lol wish I still had mine man 👍

[@HaakonOdinsson]

@@atik-rgt-uk I taped the whole show, dj and all, but the first few shows I listened to I did the same as you. Did my head in, lol, so I decided just to tape the lot, thank god. Now when I play them, it’s like listening to the show again 🙂 Wish they could bring those times back

[@HaakonOdinsson]

@@atik-rgt-uk did you do any tape trading back then?

[@antonisanagnopoulos8570]

5. Witchfinder General 4. Tygers of Pan Tang 3. Satan 2. Diamond Head (one of my favorite 10-20 heavy metal records) 1. Angel Witch (one of my favorite 10 heavy metal records. also the most advanced, the most METAL release from the NWOBHM bands in 1980, songs, cover, lyrics, everything)

[@martinillingworth3130]

Ryan: I saw DiamondHead on 1st April 1982 at The Mayfair in Newcastle upon-Tyne. Excellent 👌

[@gregoryg3256]

🌠 HEY GUYS ....U ROCK !!!

[@utvf68]

5. Witchfinder General 4. Satan 3. Angel Witch 2. Tygers of Pan Tang 1. Diamond Head

[@stephenbrown4211]

The Witchfinder General cover caused a lot of controversy here in the UK as it was shot in a real churchyard. Even the vicar didn’t know about it and was so incensed you expected him to call up the ghost of Matthew Hopkins

[@rasmuspetersen2480]

After a bit of digging in to the old memory bank 1 Diamond Head 2 Satan 3 Angle Witch 4 Tygers 5 Wychfinder

[@johndentry9622]

When Ralph described the meaning behind the Angel Witch album, I'm wondering if that's a reference to John Milton's book Paradise Lost...

[@thekivster]

Could’ve included Pagan Altar head too

[@barrysmith152]

5. Satan 4. Witchfinder General 3. Angel Witch 2. Diamond Head 1. Tygers

[@petegreenfield3645]

1. Diamond Head 2. Satan 3.Witchfinder General 4. Angel Witch 5. Tygers Of Pan Tang

[@Matias-music-71]

Tygers for me then Diamond Head .., I mean come on Karen , nothing better than the memories of that blasting out of the speakers of my uncles 1980 Camaro while rolling about town .., and girls in cut off Jeans .., man those were the days ..,

[@Jackylone-]

1. Witchfinder General 2 .Angel Witch 3. Diamond Head 4. Satan 5. Tygers of Pan Tang

[@gordy3714]

Check out Millennium Millennium from 1984 the first song Gang War is a classic.

[@neonknight821]

I thought for sure Angel Witch was gonna win this. I remember just a few months ago on an episode of Friday at the Funhouse w/Martin Popoff ranking top 20 favorite NWOBHM albums…not including the big four…. Pete had Angel Witch ‘Angel Witch’ number one and Diamond Head ‘Lightning to the Nations’ number two

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

I got back and forth between these all the time!

[@kenfrederick6223]

1. Diamond Head 2. Angel Witch 3 Satan 4. Witchfinder General 5.Tygers Of Pan Tang.

[@stephencritchley]

top one for me is Diamond Head. Shame there was no real promotion at the time. Picked mine up when I saw the at the Lion in Warrington a few days after it first came out. 1 Diamond Head 2 Angel Witch3 3 Satan 4 Witchfinder General 5 Tygers of Pan Tang

[@independenceltd.]

this is brutal 1. Tygers of Pan Tang - Wild Cat 2. Witchfinder General - Death Penalty 3. Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations 4. Angel Witch - Angel Witch 5. Satan - Court in the Act

[@steinarskaaland1570]

1 Tygers of Pan Tang 2 Angel Witch 3 Diamond Head 4 Witchfinder General 5 Satan

[@mechanicalanimal125]

very close for first place for me, but i gotta go with 1. Diamond Head 2. Angel Witch 3. Witchfinder General 4. Tygers of Pan Tang 5. Satan (never could get into them)

[@atik-rgt-uk]

And I had that 'molly hatchet' thing with a uk band demon,bought an album blind as a kid cos it was mentioned in kerrang,very disappointed lol I was expecting a menacing sound,it wasnt

[@jimekberg]

1. Diamond Head 'Lightning to the Nations' 2. Witchfinder General 'Death Penalty' 3. Satan 'Court in the Act' 4. Tygers of Pan Tang 'Wild Cat' 5. Angel Witch 'Angel Witch`

[@MetalPersonJ]

1. Satan- Court In The Act 2. Angel Witch- Angel Witch 3. Diamond Head- Am I Evil 4. Witchfinder General- Death Penalty never heard Tygers of Pant Tang.

[@chriswoosley1697]

ANGELWITCH BY FAR,...no contest,....it smokes all of them ,,,a masterpiece...every song...over Maiden ,Tygers,Lep,..W.G.,Witchfynde,even Diamond Head,..its just a flawless album,..period

[@HaakonOdinsson]

For me, Angel Witch, Diamond Head, Tygers of Pan Tang, Witchfinder General, Satan

[@inmyhouse11]

Angel Witch Satan Tygers Witchfinder Diamond Head

[@user-zx8de8op9l]

Angel Witch, Venom, Diamond Head (No Ethel the Frog, Dumpy's Rusty Nuts)

[@kevinbrown5146]

1. Angel Witch 2. Witchfinder 3. Diamond Head 4. Satan 5. Tygers

[@beetlebum7760]

Don’t really understand your complaints about the sound quality of the version of Lightning to the Nations that’s available on Spotify. It’s a remastered version from 2021 which is supposed to be remastered from the original master tapes. Sounds great to my ears. The new cover though is terrible.

[@KevinButler-bm8lw]

For me the easy win is Diamond Head, they delivered a perfect debut, Angelwitch badly missed a trick for me similar to what Leppard did, they watered down their offering. If Angelwitch dropped Free Man, White Witch, Sorcerers, hell maybe even Gorgon----include. Baphomet, Flight Nineteen, definitely close with Extermination Day., I'd probably go with Hades Paradise over Gorgon, anyway, they could have delivered my all time fav NWOBHM album if gone that route, would still make my second fav in this batch. Tygers debut was weak in comparison to what followed, if Witchfynde debut was in it would be interesting, I really rate that album, definitely more than Witchfinder General.

[@atik-rgt-uk]

The lazy vocals on tygers album and maybe cos it was the first album i bought myself is why I still love it,agree its a bit samey though but I love it all the same

[@DiamondKing666]

5. witchfinder General 4. Diamond Head 3. tygers of pan Tang 2. Angel witch 1. Satan Not a big Fan of the witchfinder album, all other ones are pretty Great to masterpieces.

[@johncahill985]

I saw DIamond Head over 20 times . The band should have made it, but a number of reasons why they did not make it was they came after Bands Like Maiden, Saxon and Leppard got their deals. so found it hard to get a deal. Their were managed by their step dad, a nice man when I met him but perjaps they needed a more experienced manager. MCA made a nimber of bad decisions and have a poor track record with hard rock and metal bands. WIth regards to the theme of freedom. Britian was in state of mass protest, most of the bands came from working class backgrounds. we had massive strikes and protest going on at the time, Music for most of us was a way to escape and feel part of something.

[@Joefaf104]

It’s funny Craig mentioned the Angel witch, Angel Witch, Angel Witch thing…. Can someone correct me, but thinking Bad Company had a #1 somg there same idea.. Bad Compnay on Bad Company by Bad Company

[@karenlaprez8358]

Black Sabbath on Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath hahaha

[@ashbowen6551]

Tank--Filth Hounds

[@peterbrickley6041]

1.aw 2.wg 3.dh 4. S5. Topt

[@dylanzoller9464]

5 witchfinder general 4 tygers of pan tang 3 angel witch 2 satan 1 diamond head

[@orchidcarpetcleaningrp6061]

Witchfinder General like Demon the name and album covers on early albums always not what it says on the tin. As a not crazy speed or trash merchant preferr them personally .That said the vocals and production kinda grate.

[@PerfectMask1]

I just don't get the love for Satan. My top 5: 1. Diamond Head 2. Angel Witch 3. Tygers... 4.Witchfinder... 5. Satan

[@soundsandvisionsHQ]

When are you gonna' cover the New Wave of Czechoslovakian Reggae Metal????

[@FizzzieCat]

Angel Witch or Diamond Head far ahead of the rest. The pre-curser to Metallica and the rest.

[@RickNBacker]

I prefer Raven - Rock Until You Drop

[@monkeyhousescouse]

1. Angelwitch 2. Tygers 3. Satan And I agree with Ryan - the remake of Diamond Head is AWFUL! And all their material (to my ears) is poor ! I just find them boring...😮 😅

[@christophercoles4401]

For me it's Lightning To The Nations by Diamond Head. Period. End of story. As far as I'm concerned nothing else really comes close.

[@logancollins7097]

You're a smart man Chris

[@christophercoles4401]

@logancollins7097 Thanks for the kind words Logan. But I just like what I like. There are no right or wrong answers here.

[@Arutha_Con_Doin]

If i would get a Dollar for every time somebody says "this was so hard" on one of these ranking shows, i would be a millionaire by now 😂

[@AlexDizzys]

Witchfinder General's Death Penalty is the only album of those I've heard. Some songs of Satan and Diamond Head but never been a fan. Not important bands.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

How can you say they weren’t important if you haven’t even heard them? Highly important albums to the 80s metal scene.

[@AlexDizzys]

@@seaoftranquilityprog I'll put it this way. If they were as important as Maiden, Saxon or Motorhead I'd be familiar with their music. Be realistic, they didn't make it, we can ask ourselves why. It's all we can do.

[@peterpardo7563]

@@AlexDizzys because all of them basically broke up shortly after they started, or went through massive line-up changes or long bouts of inactivity. Not every great band gets signed to a major label deal and becomes huge...By your logic, Witchfinder General is arguably the least respected of all these bands historically, yet it's the only one you deemed worth a listen, so, excuse me if I don't take your opinion on this as all that meaningful. There's making insightful comments, and there's consistently just trying to make trollish comments that aren't based on fact and just trying to contradict everything said on this channel.

[@AlexDizzys]

@@peterpardo7563 The reason why those bands never signed proper record deals is because they simply weren't that good. I like Witchfinder General but you can't compare them to the best ones of the genere.

[@jimekberg]

@@AlexDizzys So, why has Metallica covered a lot of the Diamond Head songs ?

[@martymartin2894]

I couldn't listen to a band with the name satan, what an awful name for a band.

[@peterpardo7563]

There are lots of bad names for bands out there...judge them by the music, not the band name.

[@karenlaprez8358]

Not the best name, but truly a great band.

[@CathyLahn]

Give me a break. It's not a bad name. Especially for a metal band. It's not a great name, but it's decent in my book.

[@martymartin2894]

@CathyLahn I wouldn't get to support a band who names themselves after Satan I would feel it unlucky to even bring their albums into my house.

[@CathyLahn]

@martymartin2894 Well, then, I think you're kind of an overly superstitious person...like one of those old puritan witch hunters, or the "Church Lady," played by Dana Carvey on SNL. Honestly, if I called my band "The Leeches" would we have to suck? Or would buying our record make you feel like you were going to lose blood? Feh...

[@lance98541]

1. Witchfinder General 2 .Angel Witch 3. Diamond Head 4. Satan 5. Tygers of Pan Tang

[@MCDLHOTP]

1. Witchfinder General 2. Satan 3. Angel Witch 4. Diamond Head 5. Tygers of Pan Tang