EXCALIBUR – The Bitter End [first time on CD remastered +10] (2021)
British heavy rock band EXCALIBUR who emerged on the coat tails of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) in the ’80s, got their 1985 cult debut 6-track mini album “The Bitter End” reissued through No Remorse Records.
The newly remastered version contains a selection of bonus material including the band’s 1984 ‘Back before Dawn’ demo, and the previously unheard original EXCALIBUR own mix of ‘The Bitter End’.
“The Bitter End” was recorded in March 1985 by Paul McBride (vocals), Paul Solynskyj (guitar), Martin Hawthorn (bass) and Mick Dodson (drums) at Woodlands Studios, UK with engineer Neil Ferguson, who went on to produce other famous artists.
This release is a recording snapshot of the band at their early years between 1983 and 1985, as they went from first demo novices lacking studio experience to a band with a firm musical vision for the recording of “The Bitter End”.
A vision that ultimately was not shared by their label Conquest Records who, unknown to the band, remixed the album prior to its release.
Here’s both versions, a long overdue release that fans and collectors have been asking for decades.
Highly Recommended
Excalibur Mix (previously unreleased):
01 – I’m Telling You (Excalibur Mix)
02 – Devil In Disguise (Excalibur Mix)
03 – The Bitter End (Excalibur Mix)
04 – Only Time Can Tell (Excalibur Mix)
05 – Come On and Rock (Excalibur Mix)
Conquest Records Mix:
06 – Haunted By The Shadows (Excalibur Mix)
07 – I’m Telling You (Conquest Records Mix)
08 – Devil In Disguise (Conquest Records Mix)
09 – The Bitter End (Conquest Records Mix)
10 – Only Time Can Tell (Conquest Records Mix)
11 – Come On and Rock (Conquest Records Mix)
12 – Haunted by The Shadows (Conquest Records Mix)
Demos (previously unreleased):
13 – Come On and Rock (Demo 1984)
14 – Only Time Can Tell (Demo 1984)
15 – Haunted By The Shadows (Demo 1984)
16 – Nightmare (Demo 1983)
Paul McBride (vocals)
Paul Solynskyj (guitar)
Martin Hawthorn (bass)
Mick Dodson (drums)
BUY
www.noremorse.gr/el/products/excalibur-bitter-end-incl-bonus-tracks-cd