Freddy Lidquist - "Menu" 1970

Menu was recorded and released in 1970, and as far back as the 60's Freddy Lidquist was known as one of the two premier guitarists (the other being Terji Rypdal), and the "Hendrix" of Norway. Freddy started out as a member of Gibbons in the early 60's, and by 1965 he was the lead guitar player in The Beatnicks, and in 1966 went on to The Vanguards. Replacing Rypdal who went on to play organ until he quit, diving into psychedelia with The Dream. By 1969 Lindquist had quit, returning to The Beatnicks for a couple more singles before leaving for good. (the band then went on to become Titanic)

With hard rock being the new formula, Lindquist went on to form Jumbo, inspired by the likes of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, etc. and released two singles. By 1970, it was his time for a proper solo album and he went on to play a majority of the instrumentation on "Menu."As with many other album's of this type from the era, it went largely unplayed by radio and low sales forced it into eventual oblivion.
After a lengthy career as a session musician, "Menu" was rediscovered in the 1980's and has become a long sought after collectors item since. It was first re-issued in 1991.


 

Wildfire - "Smokin'" 1970

From Austin, TX. and Laguna Beach, CA. Wildfire was Randy Love (guitar/vocals), Danny Jamison (bass/lead vocals), and Donny Martin (drums). Love and Jamison had previously been members of Phil Pearlman's band that recorded a rare surf 45 as "Phil and the Flakes"
From 1969-'72, when Wildfire broke up, the band made Austin it's home three quarters of the year during the University of TX fall and spring semesters and returned to Southern California during the summers.

The band was known for their extremely LOUD amplification thanks to powerful Quilter Amps, and high energy songs that left more established bands in awe. When Wildfire determined it was time to cut a demo album they began in California at The Beach Boy's recording studio, putting down bass and guitar tracks. (guitarist Randy Love is Beach Boys' Mike Love's cousin.) A Texas promoter convinced the band that Texas was where they wanted to record, so they returned to Austin eventually ending up at Sonobeat's Josie Studio. (the same place and nearly the same time as Vince Mariani and Cold Sun/Dark Shadows). Sonobeat owner, Bill Josie Sr. produced Wildfire's 8 song album in what was almost certainly the first of Sonobeat's 'work for hire' sessions -- those in which Sonobeat simply provided engineering and studio time for an hourly fee.
Since the band paid for the sessions, the band owned the master tapes and self-released this album. (which has come to be known as "Smokin'"). It was released in a plain white jacket bearing hand numbered stickers.

The initial pressing (the band recalls 100 to 1,000 copies) and rapidly sold out.
According to Pat Quilter, these were the only recordings made with Quilter Amplifiers at top volume.
Sadly, the original master tapes were lost long ago and there isn't a production copy in Sonobeat's archive.

Warlord - s/t 1974-1977

Founded in 1974 and disbanded in '76, Warlord never really received any recognition in it's native Britain. Here is a 2002 release of unreleased material from the mid-seventies from this underground doom band. Heavy duty Sabbath/Black Widow style. Formed by Ivan Coutts (keyboards) when he left The Blacksmiths in search of new blood to take it a step further. He met John Alexander, a guitarist from a band called the Falling Leaves along with vocalist Richard Roffy.
The band never got a chance to record an album.
This release includes demos made from 1974 to 1977, with some additional live material, along with liner notes and a full band history.
The band was revived briefly in 1977 only to record a few demos and then finally folded.
An interesting piece of first hand metal history.


 

The Damnation of Adam Blessing - s/t 1969, "The Second Damnation" 1970

Cleveland acid rock combo The Damnation of Adam Blessing A.K.A. Damnation, was formed in 1968. Often the band would lend support to locals The James Gang, as well as act's such as Janis Joplin, Alice Cooper, Grand Funk, and Eric Clapton to name but a few.
T.DOAB was formed from the remnants of two garage bands: The Society, and Dust (not to be confused with the New York trio Ft. Marc Bell of the same name) who were led by front man Adam Blessing (Bill Constable), and included guitarists Jim Quinn, Bob Kalamasz, bassist Ray Benich, and drummer Bill Schwark. The band eventually signed with United Artists and released their debut self titled album in 1969, which saw the band touring in support of The Faces. The band's second effort; "Second Damnation" followed the next year and 1971's "Which is Justice, Which is the Thief."
The group also released another album under the name Glory (not to beconfused with the San Diego band of the same name and of the era) in 1973 on the U.A. subsidiary Avalanche before disbanding.
http://damnationofadamblessing.net/
https://www.facebook.com/The-Damnation-of-Adam-Blessing-120585534622784/
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-damnation-of-adam-blessing-mn0002294454

Friedhof - s/t 1971

Friedhof (German for "graveyard"), made just this one LP (another LP in the trend of "one and done" in true 1971 fashion) in their short active period in early 70's Germany. The album is a collection of five tracks which represent a hard guitar driven psychedelic rock (definite nods to Blackmore, et.al) It could also be labeled a "jam band" of sorts. A definite must for guitar fans and fans of any type of chaotic, loud, frenzied type musical mayhem. Intense? Yes. Obscure? YES. Fun, Hell yes. The album is extremely well balanced and any of these songs could be called a highlight.
A definite shame these guys only made the one LP before vanishing into obscurity.
File under Power Trio/Kraut/Proto-Metal.
Play loud.
I fucking love it.

Jodo - "Guts" 1971

Jodo was formed from a band called Axe, who had a minor hit with a song called "Running Wild", and who's sole album was only released in the U.S. at the time. Killer heavy rock with ultra loud fuzzed out guitars and melodic vocals. Engineered by Marin Birch (Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, B.O.C.) and produced by Derek Lawrence (Depp Purple, Green Bullforog). Some great stoner blues with socially conscious lyrics, gritty with a heavy blues swagger.
Recommended to those who like Orang-Utan, Black Cat Bones, Stonehouse, or Cactus.

"One of the best heavy rock albums from the 70's, A very good surprise!" - John Sykes