Gogmagog
I Will Be There

Gogmagog. The average metalhead, upon hearing this name, racks their brain in a vain attempt to remember something. Gogmagog is an unknown name, it's not their fault. However, if the average metalhead hears "Paul Di'Anno," they immediately perk up. This is precisely the real problem with Gogmagog: not having had the fortune to go beyond the first three-song EP and thus being forced to remain in oblivion; which is a real pity because it was a lineup of great respect: Paul Di'Anno, the legendary first singer of Maiden, Clive Burr, drummer of "The Number of the Beast," Janick Gers, today also in Iron Maiden, Neil Murray, later in Black Sabbath, Pete Willis, of Def Leppard.

A lineup of great respect, which indeed gives us some good songs. "I Will Be There" has a Maiden-like vibe, a more or less romantic lyric (Di'Anno singing a love song? Are you kidding?!) and musically decent, "Living In a Fucking Time Warp" is instead more aggressive, with Paul really being able to unleash. It’s noteworthy how at the time his vocal abilities were still those excellent ones from "Killers." The album closes with "It's Illegal, It's Immoral, It's Unhealthy, But It's Fun," a notch below the other two, a more rocking and light song, clearly designed to rouse crowds in potential live shows with its reckless and easy chorus. In summary, three tracks tending towards hard rock

that make us lament the album's poor sales, a truly forgotten gem, and the subsequent disbandment of the group; as far as I'm concerned, my greatest regret is knowing that this will be the last great appearance of Di'Anno, an excellent singer who squandered his talents but at the time still had much to give.