Black Widow

Musically a million miles from the abrasive melancholy of modern Satanic music Black Widow were nonetheless immersed in occult authenticity both lyrically and on the live stage. Of all the bands featured on this compilation here rests one of the more dedicated bands paying homage to the mysteries of the other world.
Formed in Leicester and originally known as 'Pesky Gee' with one album released on Pye Records titled 'Exclamation Mark'. The band featured, Jim Gannon [lead guitars], Zoot Taylor [organ], Kip Trevor [vocals], Clive Jones [flute, Sax], Bob Bond [bass], Clive Box [drums] and Kay Garret [vocals]. The band changed their name to Black Widow and in early 1970 Black Widow released their first album 'Sacrifice' which contained mystical and demonic lyrics set to a contemporary rock backdrop and a stage show that featured the sacrifice of a naked female. Hostile press persuaded the band to move away from the occultist theme and the following albums 'Black Widow' ['71] and 'Three ['72] were more commercial and lacked the strengths of 'Sacrifice', and this led to the band disbanding. The track featured on this cd is the first recording of 'Come to the Sabbat' later to be re-recorded for the 'Sacrifice' album. The other recordings laid down in late '69 which were also to be found on the 'Sacrifice' album have since been re-mastered from the original acetate and released on the 'Return to the Sabbat' album on Mystic Records. The arrangements are similar to the 'Sacrifice' album but the vocals are totally different.

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Atomic Rooster

Vincent Crane was originally in 'The Crazy world of Arthur Brown' and co-wrote the classic track 'Fire' which went to Number one in '68 in the British charts. Vincent left the band due to health problems and formed Atomic Roster in 1969 with Carl Palmer [Drums] and Nick Graham [bass]. The first album 'Atomic Rooster' was released in 1970 and just prior to this John du Cann had replaced Nick Graham on Bass and Paul Hammond moved onto the drum kit to replace Carl Palmer who went on to become a part of Emerson, Lake and Palmer. The second album 'Death Walks Behind You' came out in 1971 and contained a dark, almost satanic image, which Vincent moved away from for the third release 'In hearing of '. The lighter, funk/ soul sound on this album caused John du Cann and Paul Hammond to leave and with them the dark, hard rock sound Atomic Rooster once encapsulated. After resurgence in the early eighties and a series of ups and downs spanning seven albums and numerous other involvement's, Vincent Crane committed suicide on 4th February 1989. The dark shadow that always troubled his mind had finally consumed his very will to live. The track 'Death Walks Behind You' featured here is a testimony of a bands razor sharp song craft and a fine tribute to a man who gave the Rock and Metal fraternity so much to remember.

www.atomicrooster.com

Official UK Albums 
(Label & Cat. No. Title/Release Date/Chart Position) 
B&C CAS1010..............Atomic Rooster (Feb 1970 No.49) 
B&C CAS1026..............Death Walks Behind You (Sept 1970 No.12) 
Pegasus PEG1.................In Hearing Of... (July 1971 No.18) 
Dawn DNLS3038...........Made In England (1972) 
Dawn DNLS3049...........Nice `N' Greasy (1973) 
EMI EMC3341...............Atomic Rooster (Sept 8th 1980) 
Towerbell TOWLP004....Headline News (June 1983)

Black Sabbath

Formed in 1968 and unlike the subtle late sixties mystical atmosphere created by Black Widow, this Birmingham four piece shuddered the senses with bone crunching riffs and an even darker atmosphere. Regarded by many as the fathers of Heavy Metal the band were originally known as Polka Tulk and then Earth and played the local pub and clubs with a high energy blend of blues and rock. Featuring Ozzy Osbourne [vocals], Tony Iommi [guitar], Geezer Butler [bass] and Bill Ward [Drums], the bands debut album 'Black Sabbath' was released in 1970. Later that year 'Paranoid' reached Number One in the British charts and Number eight in the U.S. In '71 'Master of Reality' was released followed by 'Vol. 4 in early '72. The rest is history so to speak. The track featured on this compilation is 'Black Sabbath' from the album of the same name. A classic and definitive Black Sabbath track, which raises the hairs on your arse and turns the blood into ice.

www.blacksabbath.com

Album discography
Black Sabbath 1970
Paranoid 1970
Masters of Reality 1971
Vol.4 1972
Sabotage 1975
We Sold our Souls for Rock 'N Roll 1975
Technical Ecstasy 1976
Never say Die 1978
Heaven and Hell 1980
Mob Rules 1981
Live Evil 1982
Born Again 1983
Seventh Star 1986
The Eternal Idol 1987
Headless Cross1989
TYR 1990
Dehumanizer 1992
Cross Purposes 1994
Cross Purposes Live 1995
Forbidden 1995
The Sabbath Stones 1996
Reunion 1998