High Roller Records, double black vinyl, ltd 200, gatefold cover, 8 page booklet printed on uncoated paper, Original studio reel transfer by Eroc. Original cassette and vinyl transfer, audio restoration and mastering by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in August 2019. Cutting by SST Germany on Neumann machines for optimal quality on all levels... Although Random Black only released one song back in the heady days of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal – their track ‘Ophelia’ graced the Ebony Records’ compilation ‘Metal Warriors’ – there was considerably more to the band than just one track, and their story almost personifies the NWOBHM and the grit and determination needed to keep a band together. With just one demo in the bag, Random Black had already pretty much gone their separate ways when a chance encounter in 1981 led to the recruitment of Mark Kirkman, an able lead player and songwriter dubbed ‘the fastest guitarist in Southend’. With Kirkman on board the band members regained their motivation and determination, and a second demo (this one recorded by Procol Harum’s Matthew Fisher) led them to Ebony Records in Hull. Like many such bands though, a seeming rotating-door of musicians coming and going hindered Random Black’s progress and they eventually ground to a halt, regrouping at the end of 1984 just to put a few favourite compositions to tape. These songs, together with the band’s two full demos and ‘Ophelia’ are included here, together with some reworkings of Random Black recordings Kirkman worked on with ex-Bitches Sin vocalist Tony Tomkinson behind the mic. Kirkman’ departure from Random Black saw the band fold shortly afterwards. He then hooked up with ex-Crucifixion members Chris Mann and Pete Morgan to form Redline, and continues to play alongside Mann to this day in Beggar.
| Item weight: | 0,58 kg |
