MARZ — Lady of the Night (review)

MARZ — Lady of the Night album cover Demo · 1982 · NWoBHM Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
Certif1ed
If attitude and commitment was everything, then this obscure single from Marz would probably win 3rd prize or something like that - which is no mean feat, given the huge amount of competition.

There's some very tasteful guitar work on here, and some taut changes, and a pleasantly catchy chorus. And did I mention the tasteful guitar work?

Trouble is, the configuration is one flash guitarist and a bunch of guys who've clearly just bought instruments in order to form a band with their mates.

The flip side is better, from a songwriting perspective - one of those nice songs about the whole being in a band and dreaming of making it thing.

So the sound is good and crunchy, the band are tight, and the songs are good.

But you don't get that rush of pure adrenaline that you get when you find a real NWoBHM gem, like the two Bleak House EPs, the Hell or Tyrant demos or anything plucked at random from a Holocaust LP - that feeling like the guys were looking into a crystal ball and seeing the future of heavy metal, and doing their damndest to make it a reality on a tight budget and with crap equipment.

There's none of the authentic smell of bike oil mingled with patchouli, or the atmosphere of the darkened sort of pubs the trendies stayed away from out of pure fear, and nary a whiff of demin and leather.

Instead, you get a feeling that you've heard it all before - possibly in a good way, as neither song is at all bad - and so this particular single is passed over with mild curiosity as you contemplate with wonder the £200+ price tag that collectors put on it.
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