HOLLAND – Little Monsters ’85 [Bad Reputation remaster] (2025) *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

“Little Monsters” is nothing less than one of the best kept secrets in ’80s U.S. hard rock history, the kind of unappreciated releases that historians have left on the back burner, but which discerning fans of the genre share under the table, sometimes for prohibitive sums.
HOLLAND was the first showcase for Michael Angelo Batio’s phenomenal talent. Michael, with his double, triple and quadruple-necked guitars, his whimsical playing based on a permanent shred. But HOLLAND is indeed that of singer Tom Holland, who for a time took the microphone in an incarnation of STEPPENWOLF between 1979 and 1980.
After this formative stage, the vocalist made a name for himself with THE B’ZZ, and recorded the album Get Up with them in 1982. Two years later, he finally decided to strike out on his own, and hired a session guitarist who was completely unknown to the public to form a quartet capable of satisfying his melodic and energetic ambitions.

HOLLAND was born in 1984, a partnership between Tom and Michael, supported by rhythm section Joey Cetner (bass) and Brad Rohrssen (drums), both ex- KEVIN LEE AND THE LONESOME CITY KINGS.
With such a line-up of experienced young wolves, Tom was finally able to let go and rely on a more than competent team to record ”Little Monsters”, the title of which spoke volumes about the appetite of those involved. Produced by talented Max Carl (worked with 38 Special, Motley Crue) assisted by expert Tom Werman, and with keyboards contribution by session giant Jai Winding, ”Little Monsters” rocks greatly.

Despite the band’s only two years of activity, and this one LP recorded with this line up, HOLLAND band left a lasting mark on the legend, and not just because of the uncharted future of its incredible guitarist.
”Little Monsters” remains a nugget forgotten by time, and it’s still a pleasure to rediscover it with this second edition, enhanced by a full booklet and remastered for the occasion by Bad Reputation specialists.
Highly Recommended

01 – Love In On Time
02 – High Life
03 – Middle Of A Dream
04 – Border Line
05 – Wake Up The Neighborhood
06 – Sacrifice
07 – Gotta Run
08 – Basics Of The Bullet
09 – Keep It To Yourself
10 – I Want It

Tom Holland – Vocals
Michael Batio – Guitar
Joey Cetner – Bass
Brian Rohrssen – Drums
George Merrill, Jai Winding – Keyboards
Tom Werman – Percussion
John Batdorf – Backing Vocals
Max Carl – Backing Vocals

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