BLUE BLUD – The Big Noise ’89 [Japanese Edition] (1989), MP3+FLAC

Suffolk-based melodic rockers Blue Blud first came together as a three-piece back in late 1986, featuring former Trespass members the Sutcliffe brothers alongside ‘Robo’ Crawte handling bass duties. Following a self-funded five-track EP released in 1987, the band brought in a dedicated lead vocalist and landed a three-album deal with Music For Nations.

Their debut full-length, “The Big Noise,” came out in 1989, with this particular Japanese edition following in February of 1990.

Musically, Blue Blud managed to fuse the big-haired American metal sound so prevalent in the eighties with a more melodic, European-flavored take on hard-edged AOR. The band excelled at crafting memorable choruses, layered vocal harmonies, and melodic guitar riffs, all wrapped in arrangements that feel remarkably polished and well thought out.

The record opens with “One More Night,” a track built around a punchy, aggressive central riff paired with an extremely catchy hook. Tracks like “Don’t Turn Out the Light” and “Secret Lover” demonstrate the band’s knack for merging British hard rock roots with the kind of refined, American-style melodic rock sensibility typical of AOR.

There’s genuinely not a single weak moment across the entirety of “The Big Noise,” and Blue Blud clearly stood above much of the typical glam metal and edgier AOR acts of that period. For anyone who loves this genre and the late-eighties sound in general, this record is essential listening.

Standout, sing-along tracks like “Running Back,” alongside the previously mentioned “Don’t Turn Out the Light” and “One More Night,” plus the impressive mid-tempo cut “Secret Lover,” all demonstrate that this band clearly had what it took to become genuine stars.

The album earned strong praise from both fans and critics alike upon release. Blue Blud had no trouble landing live shows, sharing stages with major acts of the era including Tigertailz, Lizzy Borden, Faith No More, White Lion, and Tygers Of Pan Tang.

The band later rebranded as Blue Blood for their sophomore effort before eventually disbanding once the Sutcliffe brothers decided to revive Trespass.

If you’re after big, sing-along melodic hard rock choruses backed by excellent guitar work and quality musicianship throughout, “The Big Noise” deserves a spot in your collection right now.

Highly recommended.

Tracklist:
1. One More Night
2. Running Back
3. Don’t Turn Out The Light
4. Love Grows Wild
5. Never Rains In England
6. Secret Lover
7. My Idea Of Heaven
8. I Can’t Wait
9. Night Time City
10. Road To Ruin

Lineup:
Phil Kane – Lead Vocals
Mark Sutcliffe – Guitar, Vocals
Paul Sutcliffe – Drums, Vocals
‘Robo’ Dave Crawte – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Rob Ariss – Keyboards, Vocals

turbo FLAC