Certif1ed
I'm normally hyper-critical of anything released after 1983 that is filed under NWoBHM, because, to me, the NWoBHM represents a continual progression from what is effectively hard rock on steroids in the early days to the full blown metal it always promised to become in '83.
After this date, pretty much everything had been said, and the formulae started creeping in, which goes completely against the point of NWoBHM to my mind.
Tyrant, then, releasing this demo at the tai-end, had a lot to live up to, and, frankly, this demo doesn't really have anything new to say - yet the atmosphere of the NWoBHM is almost tangible in Hold Back the Lightning, with its obvious Maiden roots, yet startling freshness.
Even better comes when you turn the single over and are coshed between the eyes with the stonking Eyes of a Stranger, a metal classic that never was. It's that HUGE guitar tone that really impresses at first, then the sheer might of the songwriting which makes your jaw drop, or perhaps it's the hot-water-bottle-burstingness of the Dio-in-a-cement-mixer inspired vocals, then the clever contrivances of the musicians in the arrangement (some nods and winks towards Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, methinks!) - stunning guitar solos and duels, drawn together by tighter than a gnat's chuff performances and wonderful rough production, all make this an absolute must-listen, and arguably a good investment of £700.
But don't just take my word for it - the songs are available for you to listen to right here!