For as long as I can remember music has played a big part in my life. Having been introduced to music by my parents (Dad with the Rolling Stones, which was cool, and Mum with Abba and Boney M – not so cool!) the first single that I remember buying was Ant Music by Adam & The Ants way back in 1980. This led to me becoming quite addicted to this group to the point where I recall playing the part of Adam Ant (dressed as a very dapper highwayman!) in a junior school assembly!
This addiction didn’t last long though as I soon moved through the musical spectrum to Status Quo (who were the first band that I saw live at their End of the Road gig at Crystal Palace FC in July 1984) and Marillion before finally discovering heavy metal with Iron Maiden, Saxon and AC/DC. I recall being fascinated by the imagery and power of metal from the off. I spent many a long hour listening to Maiden’s first 3 albums and perusing in detail the great cover art by Derek Riggs.
My first metal gig was in September 1985 when I saw Saxon supported by Pretty Maids at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The main memory from this was that me and my mates were at the back of the upstairs circle surrounded by Hells Angels who kept offering us jelly babies! The gig was pretty cool though and I was now well and truly hooked on the majesty and power of heavy metal.
I started to be introduced to heavier stuff by a couple of mates (cheers Gary and Nick – I remember the wow factor when first hearing Venom), one of whom lent me the Music For Nations compilation album called Hell on Earth, which included tracks by Mercyful Fate, Manowar & Tank. However, it was the last track on the A side that changed my outlook on music forever and introduced me to the band that I have adored since that fateful day. The track was Metal Militia and the band was the mighty Metallica. Within weeks I’d purchased both Kill ‘Em All and Ride The Lightning and become totally addicted to this great band from San Francisco.
The first time that I saw Metallica live probably still ranks as one of my favourite gigs of all time. Almost exactly a year to the date (21st September 1986 to be precise) that I saw Saxon, Metallica played Hammersmith Odeon with Anthrax in tow on the Master of Puppets tour. Me and my mate Steve were about 6 rows from the stage and totally exhilarated by the whole experience. Little were we to know that it would be Cliff Burton’s last ever Metallica gig on UK soil…….
The late 80’s and early 90’s were a great time to be into metal as all the various sub-genres started to appear and mutate. The original US thrash bands were still going strong and had spawned a number of new bands and scenes. Europe started to catch on and the excellent Noise Records roster provided a number of my faves from this period, namely Celtic Frost (yes the title of my blog is a nod to the Frosties), Kreator and Helloween.
The UK thrash scene was pretty healthy too, with Onslaught, Sabbat and Acid Reign being among my faves. However, I have the legendary John Peel to thank for turning me on to UK grindcore/hardcore and the likes of Napalm Death, Carcass, Electro Hippies, Civilised Society and Bolt Thrower. Many a happy night was spent in pubs like the Fulham Greyhound and the George Robey surrounded by punks, crusties and metalheads watching numerous bands like Dr & The Crippens, Extreme Noise Terror and Carcass destroy the stage.
As always new genres kept appearing and when I discovered death metal (probably through early Morbid Angel, Nihilist and Massacre) I was once again blown away. Whilst the US scene got the most attention (in particular the great Florida bands such as Obituary and Deicide), I always preferred bands from the Scandinavian scene, especially the likes of Entombed, Dismember and Grave. I got into tape trading and for a few years exchanged tapes with fellow traders all over the world – happy days indeed!
As far as musical devotion goes those years were probably when I was most into the whole scene. Understandably family and work started to take over in the 90’s and whilst still buying music and going to gigs I was not as addicted as I had been.
Whilst still loving all things heavy I now listen to all sorts from slow and heavy DOOM metal (Conan, Monolord, Windhand etc.) through to instrumental post rock (Pelican are one of my all time fave bands). If it’s got a good beat there’s every chance that I might enjoy it!
I could undoubtedly babble on for hours about my love for music, hence why I’ve started this blog. I intend to update it with album and gig reviews and anything else music related that I believe warrants inclusion. I hope you enjoy it – let me know!
Jules Throne 