Blitzkrieg only managed to release one official 7″ single before splitting up in late 1981. Otherwise, they had some demos in circulation and a song Inferno on the Lead Weight compilation. Luckily for Blitzkrieg, their solitary release was impressive enough that Metallica ended up covering its eponymous B-side. This bestowed infamy and cult credibility to the defunct band and ensured their return in 1985.
But luck didn’t really have much to do with it cause Blitzkrieg is superb. The unforgettable opening riff might have been purloined from the Focus classic Hocus Pocus but it doesn’t matter because Blitzkrieg conjure up their own metal magic here. The mega-chunk guitars, deadly hooks (“let us have peace, let us have life”) and a dynamic rifferama climax make this mandatory listening. And the less-famous A-side Buried Alive isn’t too shabby either. Stark, driving metal with a piercingly catchy chorus. Just ignore the Bolanesque nonsense lyrics “the Leather Prince, turned to mince”… I can see why Metallica steered clear of that one.
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song thanks to the NWOBHM album that Lars asembled. I also have the 85 CD but never play it.
I didnt even know Metallica covered it at the time I got it!
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I don’t think I’d heard their version until later on too. Maybe the Garage Inc comp?
Anyhoo… the version on Lars’ NWOBHM album is the same as this one… the best version. A lot of comps use a later version but this is the best one! Lars knows…
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And I don’t play the 1985 album much either. I’ve got a comp of earlier demos/rehearsals and stuff from the earlier days… that’s better.
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The 85 album just isn’t very good. It’s too…1985.
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Yeah and it really bugs me that those versions end up on NWOBHM comps. The NWOBHM was just over by then. It wasn’t “New” at any rate!
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Actually scratch that… it wasn’t Garage Inc. I had heard it as a bonus track on KEA I think. There was an edition with it and Am I Evil at the end.
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Yes there was. It was a reissue. A buddy had it on cassette. It was the first time I heard the album. I paused and said “WOAH! I know that song!”
The album was deleted in 94-95. It was going for major coin. Then it was reissued without the two bonus tracks. My CD copy has them. Hard to imagine a time when a Metallica album was deleted. But it happened. Contractual re-negotiations, I believe.
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My friend had it with the bonus tracks. I didnt. I think that version was a US import, couldn’t get it here. He was always over on the US so he came back with cool stuff like that! Even the KEA tab book had those two songs in it!
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Ahh, I see – mincing leather princes – mince pies – Christmas … you’re a smooth operator Scott, I now see that this is in fact a Christmas single. way better than that Jonah Lomu cavalry one too.
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Well spotted! Most of the NWOBHM was actually Christmas songs. A lot of people don’t realise that.
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Venom – In League With Santa, being the obvs choice I guess.
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What a terrific name for a label, Neat Records! Are they still a going concern – or have they been turned to mince as well?
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Not really a going concern. It got bought by Sanctuary/BMG I believe. So you still get reissues and comps with the label but its not a proper label as such.
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I like this. A fair bit actually. I bet that surprises you.
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Not at all. I knew you’d like something decent sooner or later!
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Haha. I walked into that.
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Purloined is a great word. Don’t see it enough in day to day life.
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Blitzkrieg was one of those bands who’s records I saw in the heavy metal band at record shops but never got around to buying. I wish I had, even though I still prefer Metallica’s version of this song.
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Their version is great for sure. Really suits Hetfield’s voice and riffing. I vote for the original but I love both.
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I like the nod to Focus on the opening.
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It’s a good steal and they made it work for them. I didnt even notice the similarity for years!
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I was a big Focus fan and i guess some of the guys in Blitzkieg are too.
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Hocus Pocus was always a hit with metal guys. Gotta love that riff! And a few bands have covered it over the years. Iron Maiden and Helloween spring to mind.
I always loved Sylvia personally! Never got round to their albums though… I’ve got a comp but that’s it.
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Metal guys would eat up Hocus Pocus with Ackkerman (good solo albums) going to town. I have a handful of their albums. It was a no brainer for me since I was doing the King Crimson, Yes, thing and the Jazz Fusion thing. Love music connections.
Sylvia is a toned down piece but very good.
(I’m still getting mileage out of the list you put together. I’ve taken the ones that caught my ear and put them on my spin list. Thanks again for that. Saved me some time and effort plus i got some new listening)
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I thought I’d get into them cause I love KC, Yes, Tull and the like but hadn’t happened… Yet!
Sylvia I saw on the Old Grey Whistle Test here and just loved it. Great version if you can find it on YouTube.
Glad the list was useful. If you ever want any further pointers or recs just hit me up and let me know what stuff you liked.
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I had a friend who had a great sound system and he loved Focus so I guess that was one of the reasons i got into them more than i probably would have.
Off the top of my head a few that grabbed me were Saxon, Diamond Head, Scorpions, UFO, Mastodon, Opeth and a few others. Not bad huh?
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Not too bad at all! A good set of bands there…
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