Dealer - First Strike (1986)

Pretty raging NOWOBHM from the '80s. Driving metal boasting some killer, almost thrashy riffs ('When Midnight Comes') and slightly abrasive and tuneless vocals courtesy of Trev Short, but all part of its creaky quality. Amazing to hear a nine-minute epic like 'Final Conflict' which has an early power metal feel to it despite the rather strained vocals which at times verge on breaking point. The guitars on this record are fantastic, and '...Conflict' is easily to the best track, slightly Maidenesque in the vocal attack, and some great heavy drumming too. Catchy hooks, and a real obscure feel means this is a genuine rarity and a fiery track such as 'Victims Of The Night' could well have inspired goodness how many thrash bands back in the '80s. Pretty solid stuff just a shame about the awful '70s sounding name. 7/10