Rock Candy Records [release date: 18.03.22]
Icon’s debut album from 1984 has recently been remastered by leading UK Reissue label, Rock Candy Records.
The fact that the band’s set list in those early days included material by Deep Purple and Judas Priest is a pretty good indicator of the content.
It’s not easy creating the raw, primitive excitement of life-on-the-streets heavy metal in a tiny studio on a limited budget.
Producer, Mike Varney, had the touch though, teasing out the tunes, ramping up the action at the right moments, getting the best from vocalist Stephen Clifford and guitarists John Aquilino and Dan Wexler.
The fiery, fiercely dramatic ‘Under My Gun’ and the closing ballad, ‘It’s Up To You’ indicated an earthiness and a maturity in the songwriting that would lead to greater things.
And you can hear confirmation in the pounding, percussive ‘Through The Night’ and ‘On Your Feet’ (an FM Radio hit), of just why Capitol Records signed them up for their follow up album, Night Of The Crime, a year later.
The label makes a more than decent stab at remastering the album.
As you would expect, the recording levels in a 1984 budget studio are often no more than bedside radio quality, so there are a lot of limitations when remastering.
So they’ve been smart. The guitars, which arguably were always a bit low in the mix to begin with, have been moved up a few notches, and the thud and thunder of the rhythm section have been give pride of place. Sounds good.
Icon, the album, was a confident beginning on what turned out to be an erratic career path for the band, subsequently losing key members and recording contracts. En route, they created several albums of classic metal and an enviable reputation, with little tangible reward. ****
review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 6 October 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 8 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
IZZY REIGN Spooky Scary Skeletons (FiXT)
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
