siLLy puPPy The NWOBM heavy metal scene of the early 80s launched heavy metal music into the mainstream with bands like Iron Maiden, Saxon, Def Leppard and Angel Witch becoming some of the most popular metal acts of all time however for every success story there was a case of broken dreams that never went anywhere. This band being the perfect example.

Coming from the city of Peterborough just north of London, MITHRANDIR existed for a mere three years from 1980 to 1983 and in that time only released one single “Dreamers of Fortune / After Tomorrow" and the MAGICK E.P. which may as well have been just another single as it only featured three tracks that didn’t even make it to the 13 minute mark.

This quartet of Graham Gargiulo (vocals), Paul Chester (guitar), Keith Billson (drums) and Dale Crue (bass) sounded a good ten years behind the scene on this short three track run. Sounding more like 70s hard rock than fully developed heavy metal, somehow this band got lumped into the NWOBHM scene for its time and place of existence but these guys were clearly not ready for primetime at this stage.

First of all this is a shoddy demo quality recording with lo-fi production that does not suit the NWOBHM style as it does the murky evil sounds of black metal. The musicians weren’t very skilled at all playing rather at rather mediocre hard rock speed however the compositions themselves do sound more like what was contemporary. The absolute worst part about this band was the awful vocalist who could not hit the notes at all.

The whole thing sounds very amateurish and not even close to the quality of the bands that were already hitting the big time. It’s no wonder this band called it a day and has been totally forgotten from the annals of history however it’s worth a spin if you are interested in digging up lesser known bands that sorta suck. The songs themselves aren’t bad but the execution sure is. Pretty much a collectors thing only as this was released only once on a vinyl 7” and will probably never be again

Certif1ed Mithrandir were a band forging a path of their own among the Judas Priest tribute bands, Quo heads and AC/DC freaks.

This second demo of theirs is an intriguing follow up to the Magick EP, with the early Budgie influence and a light smattering perhaps of Led Zeppelin the only clues as to the roots of the music.

Dreamers of Fortune is a highly unlikely single A-side choice, a mix of jangly folk and groove rock with nice tempo changes and well crafted arrangement details.

After Tomorrow is more of a heads down rocker - and I still find the rather wispy guitar sound I noted on their debut EP the most curious aspect of their overall sound - this is not muscular "look at me" music, this is sensitively crafed hard rock music for the poetic mind with a keen sense of beauty in simplicity. The guitar solo is a masterpiece of this peculiar, somewhat introverted approach.

In summary, this is not something you'd necessarily get into on first listen, largely because of the budget production and limited rehearsal time - and I like it all the more for that.

It's definitely not something you'd be headbanging like a lunatic to either - but that is, after all, only one side of metal. This is the other, more thoughtful side of metal, right at its birth - with the assistance of Budgie, Zeppelin and Rush.

Certif1ed Wild Magick?

2 pieces which at best can be described as interesting and one monster killer epic make up this debut EP from Mithrandir, which is generally held in awe by those who know about it. For sure, that must be because of the final piece, "Call of The Wild", because the other two songs aren't anything to go crazy about.

Eyes of Madness suffers in general synchronisation and weak drumming, but the vocals, recalling Burke Shelley or perhaps Geddy Lee, lend an exciting ambience. The guitar tones are intriguing too - not overtly heavy, and decidedly wispy in the guitar solo, recalling 1960s psychedelia. The piece has good overall pathos, despite the execution.

Pretty much can be said for the more uptempo song All The Time Nonstop - the vocals are easily the most impressive aspect, until it ends, at which time you realise that you've been listening to something quite special, in a kind of DIY way. There are more than nods and winks to Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton alongside the more standard NWoBHM riffing, and again, the song's structuring makes it feel very short.

Call of The Wild wraps up the EP, and again, I'm reminded heavily of Budgie.

The late 1960/early 1970s vibe is strongest in this piece, which is also the most interesting, with plenty of drama. The big, heavy, doomy riffs are all that remind you that you're listening to something from the early 1980s, and very different to standard NWoBHM fayre. Its epic 6:45 duration assists greatly in this, and the structing borders on Progressive Rock. Interestingly, the band are a good deal tighter and seem more comfortable with this more complex style than the simpler pieces that precede it.

If you're a fan of the more off-the-wall hard rock, especially in the older style, then this is a must for "Call of the Wild" alone, which gains the EP the extra star and a half. Otherwise, collectors only.