Swindon This Is Swindon (compilation) [1980]

WARNING: This release is not remotely extreme in any way, shape or form. If that bothers you, go give Black Pentacle a visit. This certainly deviates from the norm here at Court In The Act, but it's a good deviation in my eyes (which are currently fucked over by hayfever). This is an obscure compilation of bands from Swindon in the early eighties - indeed, these seem to be the only tracks which exist for each of these groups according to last.fm (although Bantu share their name with a reggae artist). So, what about the music? Well, I'm not very good in this area, but I believe this is a rather catchy take on new wave with just a little smattering of punk added for the sake of it - all four bands play similar styles too. I found this on the wonderful no longer forgotten music blog.

320 kbps

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Re-upload: Discharge - Realities Of War EP [1980]

Another pre-'Hear Nothing...' Discharge release here. Discharge are pretty much the kings of hardcore punk, despite ill-advised trips to glam metal on 'Grave New World'. This EP was recorded in 3 hours, and so has a great punk vibe to it, throughout its 5 minutes.

Re-upload notes: Although it doesn't quite touch on the quality of Why or Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing, Realities Of War is certainly a solid release, even by Discharge standards. It's the first studio evidence of the d-beat as far as I'm aware (their '77 demo is just straight up punk), which adds historical value to the release.

192 kbps

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Judas Priest - British Steel [1980]

Despite the pretty poor likes of tracks on here like 'Living After Midnight' and 'Breaking The Law', this is still yet another Priest classic. People say not to fuck with the Priest, and I'm more than tempted to concur. 'Metal Gods' indeed.

128 kbps

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Riot - Fire Down Under [1980]

Did I hear someone say good old-fashioned heavy metal? No? Well have some anyway; I recently discovered this gem on my travels through heavy land while trying to listen to an album from every genre of metal. Needless to say I failed in this quest but I did pick up this beautiful album in my attempt. Riot were an American band from New York formed in 1975, they never really achieved much success despite releasing two or three great albums at various points across the '80s. No, I haven't got a clue what the fuck they were smoking when deciding on album artwork but apparently that 'thing' is a man with a seal's head called Johnny. It's supposed to be their mascot, you know, like Eddie but no where near as cool... but it's all about the music, right?

.mp3 @ 320kbps

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Yes - Drama [1980]

There are tons of Yes albums that I could post that you prog fans will have listened to countless times before (such as "Relayer", "Close to the Edge" and the hilariously poncy "Tales From Topographic Oceans"), but - and I'm going to sound like a massive hipster for saying this - their lesser-known works are among their best.

Here we have "Drama", the first of only two Yes albums not to feature Jon Anderson on vocals (the other being newly-released "Fly From Here"; expect a review soon). It instead contains Trevor Horn of The Buggles fame. And instead of keyboardist Rick Wakeman, we have another Buggles member: Geoff Downes. Continuing from the musical direction begun in 1978's "Tormato", this album is a mixture of agressive riffs, chilling instrumental passages and extremely well-pulled-off singing from Horn. The result is perhaps Yes' most under-appreciated work. Definitely listen to "Machine Messiah" and "Tempus Fugit".

M4a, ~320 kbps (VBR)

(n.b. This version is the 2004 re-issue, which contains tracks recorded for the album by the previous Yes lineup with Jon and Rick before they left the band, that are also worth checking out.)


Persona 101: Link is not currently active. It will come back if JohnRCC feels like it - this is more likely if email shows demand for it. 13/7/11

Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden [1980]

Iron Maiden, the kings of metal. Two things tell you if what you're listening to is a Maiden song; the first, Steve Harris' galloping bass lines, the second, Bruce Dickinson's voice. But while Steve has always been there, there was a time when Bruce was not... well there have been two actually, but we'll ignore the second. This is an album from that period, Iron Maiden's first and the one that would set them up to conquer the metal world. There can sometimes be quite a split opinion over this album, the fags that prefer their later work will complain about how simple the songs are and how Paul Di'Anno (the vocalist on this) sounds too punky and isn't Bruce. Then there are the other fags who think this is their best album and everything after their second release is shit... because Bruce is not Paul Di'Anno. Or, like me, you could stop whining and like both styles. This is an album filled with catchy riffs, awesome bass and generally brilliant songs including concert staple title track 'Iron Maiden.' Enjoy.

.m4a @ 320kbps VBR

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Angel Witch - Angel Witch [1980]

This is one of the, if not the, best albums of the NWOBHM movement. Although not as well known as Maiden, Saxon or even Diamond Head, this is now finally beginning to receive the attention it deserves.

N.B. The file is big because of the bonus tracks.

320 kbps

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Diamond Head - Lightning To The Nations [1980]

This is a classic of the NWOBHM era - given publicity when Metallica covered 'Am I Evil?'. Despite that, it is an excellent album, and every song on here is fantastic in its own right, from epics like 'Sucking My Love' to the title track.

~155 kbps VBR

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Black Sabbath - Heaven And Hell [1980]

Black Sabbath's first album with Ronnie James Dio, and it's one of their best. This marked a solid move away from doomy sounds and more into the area of classic heavy metal; this is still much loved today.

192 kbps

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