Forgotten Gems:Satanic Rites-Which Way The Wind Blows

Cult Metal Classics 2010 Re-Release

Despite their ominous name Satanic Rites are not some occult/black metal band. In fact this nwobhm band took their name from the film "The Satanic Rites Of Dracula" staring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. In hindsight probably not the best idea if you are looking for universal appeal (fellow nwobhm band Satan observed this and changed their name to Blind Fury to shake the satanic tag) but hindsight is always 20/20. Released in 1985 Which Way The Wind Blows was late for the party anyway even with a questionable band name. By that point the musical landscape had shifted and instead of British metal it was American hair metal and thrash. Satanic Rites never stood a chance. Thankfully though we are a world that always looks back with a sense of nostalgia and records like this are given a second chance. The re-release from Cult Metal Classics breaths new life into this obscure female fronted metal act. Front woman Deborah Webster has one of those powerful voices like Lita Ford, Pat Benatar or Stevie Nicks. Out of the gate she grabs your attention on "Burn In Hell" a galloping rock number with a razor sharp guitar sound courtesy of guitarist Stuart Page. "Matter Of Evolution" follows with some fancy keyboard playing by Kevin Doyle and finds Deborah and the band building up steam. With a rhythm section comprised of David Ingham (bass) and David Kershaw (drums) Satanic Rites offers tracks like "Don't Tell Lies" and "Fear Of The Night" which would have found a place among Lita Ford and Heart fan's in the early 80's. While the band is often grouped within the genre of nwobhm Which Way The Wind Blows is more closer in fact to late 70's hard rock in nature. While fan's of bands like Saxon, Angel Witch and Blitzkrieg will love the guitars it seems like Satanic Rites were aiming for something more different along the lines of Great Briton's Hammerhead. "Turn Around" has an almost psychedelic doom feeling to it and offers an interesting diversion to it. "Slam The Door" is quite heavy and will appease fans of classic metal with it's driving sound and catchy lyrics. "Law Of The Land" offers solid hard rock while "Feel The Power" reminded me a bit of Girlschool. Tacked onto this re-release is the group's debut single "Live To Ride/Hit And Run" which is worth the price of admission along. "Live To Ride" is one of my favorite singles of all time. A glorious biker anthem it is heavy metal gold. NWOBHM purists own themselves a duty to check this song out. It's that good. In all this is one of my favorite hidden treasures along with their follow up No Use Crying. Cult Metal Classics does a great job with this release and I couldn't be any more happy with it. Fans of Girlschool, Rock Goddess, Lita Ford, Warlock and Lee Aaron should take notice. This is some quality female fronted hard rock/metal that gets better with every spin.