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'Head On' is the second studio album by British heavy metal band Samson, released in 1980. The cover art features the band's masked drummer, Thunderstick. Also features Bruce Dickinson on vocals.




I heard about the band Samson some years back and while I had heard mixed reviews about their body of work, I’m not one to pass up a little old school NWOBHM. That being said, Samson was not very high on my priorities list of albums to listen to, that is until I read about “Head On”. I, as I would imagine many others, were immediately drawn to this album purely due to the fact the this was Bruce Dickinson’s debut album. Yes, Iron Maiden, legendary singer, Bruce Dickinson. See, that grabbed your attention, no? Well, that was the similar review I read about the album, so naturally, being a huge Maiden and Dickinson (Solo) fan, “Head On” had to get bumped to the top of the to do list.

Now, as I said, Samson was one of the early NWOBHM acts, release their debut, “Survivors” in 1979 with Paul Samson on vocals. Although Samson would continue his work with vocals, albeit backing vocals, the band would eventually decide to settle on a lead singer. Of course, their sophomore album would feature none other than, Bruce Dickinson, who would use the moniker of “Bruce Bruce”. I don’t want to get into the entire history of the band, but they would go through a number of lineup changes over the course of their career, which went on long after the two albums fronted by Dickinson. Their success is not what we’re here to review, so let’s get on with the music.

The music on “Head On” is a very early rendition of NWOBHM, which, as you would expect, has a heavy dosage of hard rock with just a little extra kick to its sound. There is plenty of 70’s hard rock elements to be heard throughout this album, but like early Saxon and Judas Priest (Sin After Sin) this is heavy metal in its purest form. The guitars, in my opinion, are what stand out the most on this album (sorry, Bruce). The tone is much heavier than your average hard rocking sound, but at the same time, are able to create powerful melodies and melodic rhythms that give NWOBHM it base sound. The passages Paul Samson creates from the opening leads into the playful riffs are a very nice display of not only the guitar work, but a tribute to the songwriting as a whole. This transition, if you will, of the guitar sound allows the spotlight to be shone on Dickinson, but do so in a way as to not become lost in the translation.

As for the drums, well, I can’t say they are anything on the level of what other NWOBHM acts such as Saxon or Demon were able to create, but they standout in their own right. The tapping of the snares are a little too poppy at times, but they carry elements of the 70’s hard rock era in their sound. The same can be said for the bass, which has a strong presence on the album, but I feel, plays more of a compliment to the guitars as opposed to trying to have its own sound.

Of course, there are Dickinson’s vocals. Now, for those expecting Iron Maiden style vocals, you won’t find them here. That is to say, you won’t hear the majesty that Dickinson displayed on Maiden, but that’s not to say you won’t recognize who is singing. Far from it. On “Head On”, Dickinson sings with power, but the style of music the band plays did not call for him to reach the higher pitches and grittier style vocals that would become his trademark in the coming years. Instead, he sings with a very hard rocking, melodic sound that are similar to the pre Rob Halford vocals (his trademark sound that is) on the earlier Priest albums. Are they catchy? Yup. Do they sound crisp and clear? Yup. Are they Maiden? Nope. And that’s a good thing because I don’t think the vocals heard on “Powerslave” or “Piece of Mind” would have work on this album. Instead, the vocals are tailored to the sound Samson was playing at the time and in my opinion, they fit perfect with that overall sound.

I enjoyed “Head On” more than I would have expected and even though there are some tracks that are less than stellar, as a whole this is a nice little piece of NWOBHM. Songs such as “Hard Times” and “Man Watcher” really display the aforementioned abilities of the songwriting and musicianship. The song “Take me to you Leader” comes off as a little sillier, but still carry a nice rhythm and I would say, show off the most Maiden-esque vocals on the album from Dickinson. I have yet to check out any other Samson albums, but aside from “Shock Tactics” (the other Dickinson fronted album) I do intend to listen to a few of their other works. Other than the Dickinson drawn, those looking for that fun, catchy NWOBHM sound should check this out.

Stained Glass Assassin



..::TRACK-LIST::..

1. Hard Times
2. Take It Like A Man
3. Vice Versa
4. Manwatcher
5. Too Close To Rock
6. Thunderburst
7. Hammerhead
8. Hunted
9. Take Me To Your Leader
10. Walking Out On You

Bonus Tracks:
11. Angel With A Machine Gun (7" B-Side)
12. Kingsway Jam
13. Vice Versa (7" Edit)



..::OBSADA::..

'Bruce Bruce' Dickinson - lead vocals
Paul Samson - guitar, vocals, mixing
Chris Aylmer - bass guitar
Thunderstick - drums, vocals




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlc6xrzFfMQ



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