ROXXCALIBUR – NWOBHM From The Vaults (2025) *HQ*
After a ten year hiatus German metallers ROXXCALIBUR are back with a fourth full-length album: ”NWOBHM From The Vaults”. The five-piece delivers forgotten jewels from the pioneering New Wave of British Heavy Metal era – since starting out 2009 with their debut album, the band has been appreciated for its sublimly set up cover versions from oscure ’80s bands – but all good ole metal.
Roxxicalibur dig deep again into the land of obscurity for ”NWOBHM From The Vaults”. Pinpointing 1979-1985 works (outside of the short “Doctor What” instrumental that originally developed in 1963 by Ron Grainer), the 13 main tracks consist of ultra rare seven-inch or regional compilation records which will probably be very new to even the most ardent of followers of the genre.
The members have ties to acts like Manilla Road, Masters of Disguise, the awesome Trance – established musicians who can properly pay homage to this material in ideal execution of the spirit for the cause. add to that a wonderful cover artwork by legend Rodney Matthews (Magnum, Asia) and ”NWOBHM From The Vaults” is a complete NWOBHM feast, with that classic twin guitar attack (each axeman can be heard on their own stereo channel) and a thunderous clean metal singer.
An immediate devil’s horns salute appears in the authentic sounds/tones captured from the production under the hands of guitarist Kalli Goldsmith (right channel). Devoid of digital triggers or loudness/pinned to the grid maneuvers, you’ll feel the crackle of snare hits next to natural bass kicks or energetic tom fills, the warmth of twin guitar harmonies, proper low-end thump with extra hook support, and vocals that carry melodies to another galaxy.
Highlights are numerous. “Fight For Your Freedom” an early standout from the group Energy taken to interesting heights – intertwining early Iron Maiden with the finesse of Diamond Head, the closing twin melodic harmonies from Kalli and Holger Ziegler pure gold.
“Wheels” takes a Tredegar track into the stratosphere due to Alexx Stahl’s higher vocals which ascend through the chorus – another anthem bristling with infectious chord progressions and Neudi’s tasteful kit work. Alien’s “Could Have Done Better” fuses elements of early punk rock and metal into a shorter 2:29 arrangement – the raw nature, swinging back beat, and spitfire lead break hard to ignore.
What made this genre so special is the incorporation of multiple influences to create this explosive style that showcases everything from epic sides to anthem-oriented material – a Dio-like Black Sabbath number such as “Wild Machine” (originally done by Shiva) another stellar cut, Mario getting a small bass showcase spotlight in the instrumental section next to some sinister wah-wah enhanced axe bend activities.
Commercial aspects also spring to mind on “Mystery Girl” – a Storyteller song from 1985 that has qualities of early Riot meets “Living After Midnight” / Judas Priest between the main riff and supportive vocal melodies.
The wealth of material keeps Roxxcalibur front and center in bringing the New Wave of British Heavy Metal to the forefront of the scene album by album.
”NWOBHM From the Vaults” represents another treasure trove of bands unsung who can now make a slightly bigger ripple in the history of the genre thanks to their homage (or tribute) status.
Highly Recommended
01 – Doctor What
02 – Demon Preacher
03 – Fight For Your Freedom
04 – On To The Borderline
05 – Wheels
06 – Only Heaven Knows
07 – Cecil B. Devine
08 – Hawks Of Cairo
09 – Could Have Done Better
10 – Wild Machine
11 – All Over The World
12 – Mystery Girl
13 – Tight Rope
14 – Lean On ‘Em Hard
Alexx Stahl – vocals & backing vocals
Kalli Coldsmith – lead guitar, rhythm guitar (right channel)
Holger Ziegler – lead guitar & rhythm guitar (left channel)
Mario Lang – bass
Neudi – drums
Pre order.
napalmrecords.com/english/roxxcalibur-nwobhm-from-the-vaults-cd.html
