Nazareth
Rampant

THE REVIEW

1974.

Deep Purple release ''Burn'' after revolutionizing the world of Hard Rock with Gillan on vocals, Kiss and Rush make their debut with their self-titled albums, and UFO lay down the law with ''Phaenomenon'', featuring a great Michael Schenker on guitar. Meanwhile, from Scotland, Nazareth, riding the wave of success with albums like ''Razamanaz'' and ''Loud'N'Proud'', release ''Rampant'', an album that showcases the considerable maturity of the group's sound compared to the past. This is raw, dirty Hard Rock, which will make many lovers of virtuosity turn up their noses. But Nazareth is this; they are the point after zero, the foundation on which thousands of future bands will rest. Dan McCafferty’s voice, perhaps the true distinguishing element, is more abrasive than ever. Did someone mention Brian Johnson or Axel Rose?

There's no denying the influence these gentlemen had on AC/DC, partly due to their carefree approach to music and partly because of the dirty sound that Australians love. Back to Rampant, it boasts a phase with instruments that is undoubtedly superior to previous works, also thanks to not-bad guitar work by Manny Charlton. There's a bit of everything here, Hard Rock, Blues, and allow me to say the first cries of AOR; I hope no one insults me if I say that Nazareth might be the first AOR band. Hard Rock predominates with the first track, ''Silver Dollar Forger'', followed immediately by Blues with the excellent ''Glad When You're Gone''. The ballads are truly gems, where these guys were undoubtedly masters, like ''Loved and Lost'' and ''Sunshine''. It's hard to choose the best song of the lot, but I vote for Jet Leg, with a truly not-bad drive, try it to believe it. The album continues with its ups and downs but flows beautifully.

Carefree and no-frills music, but isn't that what 70s Hard Rock is all about?