Fuckshitupism deluxe.
TRAITOR’S GATE- The Devil takes the High Road 12″EP (Bullet Records, UK, 1983)
Another great yet pretty obscure NWOBHM output comes from TRAITOR’S GATE. The band formed in 1982 and vanished in 1985. If anybody has the 5 song cassette of which the NWOBHM encyclopdia speaks, please share.
The band’s only ever vinyl release features three songs of which two are so-so. “Love after Midnight” is one of the endlessly long rock numbers which would overlap from the late 70s into the 80s (a miracle by itself – somebody once should explore this bizarre phenomenon) . “Shoot to kill” is a fast number with some interesting chords towards the end, but all in all, it’s rather pale. The title track however is of a different caliber. A well crafted, melodramatic number which itself is as good as it gets for this kind of music and reminds me heavily of DAMASCUS. Bluesy vocals and epic Metal – that’s the way to go!
When a band has such a wide range of quality and style on one record, I always wonder what it was actually about. Was “Devil takes the High Road” just a take on the epic Metal the NWOBHM had created, and songs like “Love after Midnight” aimed towards where the band band wanted to go – melodic radio rock? Which was easier to write for the band, the one or the other songs? Which made them feel more comfortable? Or didn’t they see a big difference between the two directions at all?
As it appears, the label ran out of money and only printed a limited number of sleeves. That’s why you often see this sold with copied cover on Ebay.
The Devil takes the High Road.mp3
Love after Midnight.mp3
Shoot to kill.mp3
Adrian Son of Satan wrote:
wow this is great. never had the chance to listen to these songs before. I have high expectations because of Dave Murray (I think) once saying he liked this band a lot.
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Posted on 02-Nov-09 at 7:33 pm | Permalink
Ramon wrote:
Great! i love your uploads, specifically the nwobhm ones!!
thank you for sharing this.
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Posted on 02-Nov-09 at 8:19 pm | Permalink
Pär wrote:
This is a band that I have wanted to hear for a long time now, thanks alot for a great upload!
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Posted on 02-Nov-09 at 8:52 pm | Permalink
anaheim wrote:
erich is that you on facebook (erich *censored*, blond guy with glasses)? you’re HOT
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Posted on 02-Nov-09 at 9:41 pm | Permalink
anaheim wrote:
PS: the first song is good!
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Posted on 02-Nov-09 at 9:43 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Hot? Then it’s me!
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Posted on 02-Nov-09 at 9:49 pm | Permalink
What's the Truth? wrote:
Erich’s alright (why’d you change back from that photo with that epic cross?,) but I’m more interested in that strapping man in Peter’s profile photo.
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Posted on 02-Nov-09 at 10:03 pm | Permalink
Jay Thurston wrote:
This record is silly.
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Posted on 03-Nov-09 at 1:30 am | Permalink
Jay Thurston wrote:
I am thinking that “anaheim” and Erich are going to make “love after midnight”…hahahaha
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Posted on 03-Nov-09 at 1:33 am | Permalink
Nikolas wrote:
Love after Midnight for Erich and anaheim and metal all night…
YEAH!!!! Thanks Erich…. Great shit…
As for HEIR APPARANT’s keep up with the Black Dragon label… fantastic record
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Posted on 03-Nov-09 at 8:50 am | Permalink
rob jones wrote:
An interesting mix of comments on what was our first venture into vinyl. It’s a shame that Andy Turner left the band shortly before release and myself a few months after. He went on to join Monroe, and his melodic song writing is noticable on their recordings. I agree that Love After Midnight does drone on abit and Shoot To Kill is very ropey! They were added very quickly to the single straight from a demo recording and should have been re-recorded, but that’s record companies for you! All the comments, good and bad, are very gratefully received, especially as it’s now 27 years since I wrote it and sang it.
Christ how time flies!!!!!!!! STILL ROCKIN’ THOUGH.
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High Roller Reply:
May 17th, 2010 at 8:40 AM
This does sound interesting! What about a vinyl release of this classic material?
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Posted on 04-Nov-09 at 11:34 am | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Hi Rob and thanks for the comment. It’s alwayas a pleasure hearing from old band members directly. So the two songs on the b-side come from the 5 song demo? Any chance of hearing the other songs as well?
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Posted on 04-Nov-09 at 2:07 pm | Permalink
anaheim wrote:
erich check this:
http://www.electronicbeats.net/Music/Features/Best-of-the-Noughties-Top-10-music-blogs#
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Posted on 05-Nov-09 at 9:08 am | Permalink
Hugo wrote:
Definitely one of my top 5 NWOBHM!! Killer stuff!! Cheers!!
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Posted on 05-Nov-09 at 1:30 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
That’s nice to see, Anaheim.
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Posted on 05-Nov-09 at 7:48 pm | Permalink
Adrian Son of Satan wrote:
Time for some new old music :-9
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Posted on 08-Nov-09 at 8:12 pm | Permalink
chano wrote:
this is just pathetic… I hate heavy metal.
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Posted on 09-Nov-09 at 5:18 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Good music is always pathetic, Chano!
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Posted on 09-Nov-09 at 5:55 pm | Permalink
Jay Thurston wrote:
I am with Chano…now can we have some old punk stuff??? Thanks senior Erich. Hey, Erich, do you have anything by the Abusers from Norway?? It was Knut and Tomas Dahl of Turbonegros old band. Just curious.
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Posted on 10-Nov-09 at 3:29 am | Permalink
oldthrashermaniac wrote:
glad to see this Ep in best quality. definitely one of my fave nwobhm output. Perhaps because of the simplistic artwork that has its peculiar fascination. far from being a well balanced record, it’s still enjoyable. Those were the days when heavy metal was played with a lot of bona fide. Now i’d like to listen to the full original 5 track demo. I have other 2 “Traitors Gate” demo, one genuine and the other one might be a completely different band for the sound is too different.
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Posted on 10-Nov-09 at 11:57 am | Permalink
elliott wrote:
i don’t know i don’t think you post enough metal. i do love met and punk so what ever you post is good for me. but i do love metal. please post some more metal soon.
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Posted on 10-Nov-09 at 2:44 pm | Permalink
What's the Truth? wrote:
Haha 1 metal post after 4 punk ones and people are already complaining. If this post isn’t Good Bad music, then what is?
I’m one of those people who can’t understand how someone could like (some) punk and not (some) metal and vice versa, and speaking of which, Erich, did that book arrive yet? I’d be interested in hearing your impressions whenever you’ve gotten through it/have the time, because I’m debating whether to get it myself.
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Posted on 10-Nov-09 at 3:25 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Glad to read some people do enjoy this. Oldthrashermaniac – how about sharing those demos? WTT: I’m so on your side concerning the metal / punk issue. Those identity politics some blockheads are still stuck with are scary, aren’t they.
As for the book: Sorry for not yet responding to your message, but I’m totally snowed under in work, romance and fucktheworldism.
No I had not time or energy yet to order the book. But it’s on my list. The documentary however made a lasting impression and I know from other people too who were very impressed by it. Thanks for this, I wouldn’t have known without you.
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Posted on 10-Nov-09 at 4:31 pm | Permalink
What's the Truth? wrote:
No worries, take your time with the response! Work, romance, and fucktheworldism are important and time-consuming. No problem about the documentary…it’s always a pleasure to spread the word about stuff like that.
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Posted on 10-Nov-09 at 5:58 pm | Permalink
chano wrote:
i do like metal, but not THIS kind of metal… I’m more the Black Sabbath/Saint Vitus type…
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Posted on 12-Nov-09 at 7:50 am | Permalink
elliott wrote:
i have a lot of nwobhm on my computer thanks to you erich haha. before it was hardcore and some death-black and some grind. now i have a crap load of nwobhm and old punk. and let’s not forget i had a lot of thrash. but anyway i didn’t like this kind of metal at first but i’ve grown to love it.
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Posted on 12-Nov-09 at 11:07 am | Permalink
oldthrashermaniac wrote:
Erich
please contact me at jnfernaldemos@hotmail.com for those demos. There must be something wrong with my browser and i can’t open your “contact” link. Drop me a line to my email and i’ll send you the demos
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Posted on 17-Nov-09 at 6:26 pm | Permalink