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The Tank debuted with their first album in 1982, during the golden era of N.W.O.B.H.M. The debut album is called "Filth Hounds Of Hades," and it features a rather captivating cover, depicting three hungry and fierce wolves ready to devour everything. An illustration that fully represents the spirit of the band.
The trio presents us with the classic N.W.O.B.H.M., so fashionable at the beginning of the eighties, with small punk influences and a touch of rawness reminiscent of Motorhead. The group consisted of Algy Ward on vocals and bass, Peter Brabbs on guitar, and his brother Mark on drums. The most important albums are certainly the first ones, namely "Filth Hounds Of Hades," "Power Of The Hunter," and "This Means War," recorded in the mid-eighties. I was fortunate to hear and appreciate this album thanks to an old LP copy belonging to a friend's father, who is an eighties metal enthusiast. The Tank presents us with ten solid and explosive tracks, reaching high peaks with the title track and with "Struck By Lightning", "Turn Your Head Around", and "Bloods, Guts And Beer". It all starts with "Shellshock", featuring a powerful riffing in the style of Motorhead, and a strong dose of pure heavy metal that will ignite a long headbanging session. "Struck By Lightning" is a punch in the stomach (perhaps even more painful), with a pounding rhythm section where Algy's abrasive voice takes the spotlight. The chorus has a touch of melody that makes the piece even more engaging and "singable," while Peter's guitar work is precise and fast.
"Run Like Hell" shows Tank's heavier side, with a less obsessive rhythm, a powerful riff, and a more catchy voice, with a refrain reminiscent of Accept. The solos are technical and fast, with Brabbs showcasing his excellent skills. "Bloods, Guts And Beer" is a phenomenal song, with a riff that recalls early Maiden and Blitzkrieg's "Armageddon," supported by a very good performance by Ward, who, in the chorus, takes on the guise of Paul Di'Anno. Truly an incredible album opener for Tank.
"Turn Your Head Around" is a concentration of pure violence and anger played in perfect Tank style, with a pounding start dominated by the abrasive voice, leading into a powerful yet catchy chorus. An incredible song that words cannot describe! "Heavy Artillery" is another powerful track with a tight riffing. The solos are pleasant and catchy, yet always manage to exude a lot of energy. "Who Needs Love Song" has an almost rock-like rhythm, a short but very effective track that keeps the album at a very high level, managing never to fall into the banal, but continuing to showcase interesting pieces! The title track is a wild, almost punk fury, with a sustained pace and a particular focus on very apt instrumental passages. Perhaps a bit too frenzied and chaotic, but still pure anger.
The last track is "He Fell In Love With A Stormtrooper", introduced by a simple main riff that supports the fast-paced rhythm section. The song has an almost punk rhythm, not very frantic but still manages to engage just like the previous tracks. With this very good song, Tank concluded their debut album, achieving great success and becoming one of the most important metal bands.
After "Filth Hounds Of Hades," the trio continued to record albums like "Power Of The Hunter," "This Means War," "Honour And Blood," "Tank," and "Still At War," achieving moderate fame. They can be considered a cult group because they are obviously not known by everyone, but they were a seminal band for subsequent groups. "Filth Hounds Of Hades" is considered by many to be their most beautiful and famous album, marking a fundamental milestone in N.W.O.B.H.M. Another band to rediscover and listen to again because they truly deserve it!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Shellshock (03:10)
Wakey, wakey...
Hated you for far too long, you're just so damn polite
You've been screaming, shouting all night long
That you we've gotta get wrecked tonight...
I don't know when to stop... I just can't get enough...Shellshock!
It's getting late in the evening, I can't wait to turn the lights out...
Come down from the ceiling, don't stop just burn me out...
I don't know when to stop, I just can't get enough...Shellshock!
Some of the things you do... I just don't understand
But those strange things that you do... must mean I'm going mad
I don't know when to stop... I just can't get enough...Shellshock!
Those strange things that you give to me you give me...Shellshock!
03 Run Like Hell (03:39)
Yeah!!! Roll me over and let me see I wanna watch them suffer all these people lookin' down at me
It really make me shudder, they wont explain how their face doesn't look quite the same
Just who is to blame? We'll be hiding just before they take aim
Run Like Hell, they're comin' at me again Run Like Hell. They're lookin' at me again Run Like Hell
Be a hero, you romantic fool. What makes you so special?
Show off your medal you brought back from school a worthless piece of metal
They wont explain how their face doesn't look quite the same
Just who is to blame? We'll be hiding just before they take aim
Run Like Hell, they're comin' at me again Run Like Hell. They're lookin' at me again Run Like Hell
Run Run Run Run Run Run
Cross the boarder to the land of the free you still think it's clever? to let them keep on torturing me
I just hope I never. See you alone When you're walkin' the streets on your own, your own
Just leave me alone You'll be dead long before you get home
Run Like Hell, they're comin' at me again Run Like Hell They're lookin' at me again Run Like Hell
Run Run Run Run Run Run Run Like Hell Run Run Run Run Run Run
04 Blood, Guts and Beer (03:42)
Blood, Guts and Beer...I got a friend real close to me
With the biggest plane you've ever seen and he likes to use it quite a lot
Just look around and you will see why he isn't scared to me
Just tell him when to stop. What's inside me? Blood, Guts and Beer
If you wonder why he don't look pleased he just caught that new disease
Said "she's coming back to me" but now she's not Well she finally says to me
Well we'll just have to see how long it takes for skin to rot
What's inside me? Blood, Guts and Beer, Blood, Guts and Beer, Blood, Guts and Beer
When he broke down in tears I just couldn't believe my ears I could've used a mirage
I gotta get out, you gotta get out...all right I gotta get out, you gotta get out...tonight
What's inside me? Blood, Guts and Beer, Blood, Guts and Beer, Blood, Guts and Beer
What's inside me? Blood, Guts and Beer, Blood, Guts and Beer, Blood, Guts and Beer
09 Filth Hounds of Hades (03:56)
They come out of the woodwork, every time that we're around,
When we play some crumbling ruin, they help us to bring it down,
They're the ones with their hands up, the ones that never let us go,
They'd rather sell their mothers, than miss the gig in Glasgow.
They'll be there Shane, Mick and Flash out there somewhere,
They'll be there Shane, Mick and Flash out there somewhere, where are the Filth Hounds.
They do all the hard work for us, all we do is stand up here,
They know all the words and every chorus, shout them out loud clear,
Out there somewhere, are some people we'll soon get to know,
Some more people who'll sell their mothers, than miss the gig in Glasgow.
They'll be there Shane, Mick and Flash out there somewhere,
They'll be there Shane, Mick and Flash out there somewhere, where are the Filth Hounds,
Where are the Filth Hounds, Where are the Filth Hounds...
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