Death Walks Behind You

Customer Response

ATOMIC CHICKENS
YES THIS LP IS A MAGICALMASREPIECE AND IS SO STEEPED IN EMERSON LAKE AND PALMER BUFOONEREIE

Totally awesone 70's heavy metal
From the same mold as early Uriah Heep, but different, maybe better, with excellent songs, great, heavy melodies, a monsterous beat. A perfect example of the birth of heavy metal.

Atomic Rooster - 'Death Walks Behind You' (Castle)
Originally released in 1971, this was the band's follow-up to their self-titled record with Carl Palmer just before he joined E.L.P. Considered to be Atomic Rooster's best work - period. I've heard several fan's personal accounts of how they purchased this lp the very day it came out, catching Rooster on their only U.S. tour (that I know of) and the fact they like to compare this title with the likes of Flash, Uriah Heep and early Deep Purple. Tracks that are sure to pull you in {like they did me} include the title cut "Death Walks Behind You", the awesome "Tomorrow Night", "Sleeping For Years", the ripping "I Can't Take No More" and "Gershatzer" + the six added bonus songs tagged on - good work, Castle. I only wish that all CD reissues could be as fabulous as this one. Essential.

death waslks behind you
great work by a long forgotten rock great, after carl palmer left this band did some amazing work.

"Sleeping For Years" it is time to shake the foundation
As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

Vincent Cranes greatest contribution to the 2nd Rooster is that there even was a follow-up to the amazing self-titled debut. With Carl Palmer going to Emerson, Lake, & Palmer and Nick Graham heading toward the improvisational outfit "Skin Alley" it seemed a musical death walked behind. Cranes genius should increase a few more points for the replacements. Paul Hammond (First recording session was with Rooster) may not be Palmer but his drumming is tremendous in a demanding album both mentally and physically. John Du Cann from Andromeda (Psychedelic) came aboard as well. Cann walked through the door as a guitar player and singer. Another musician didn't replace Graham's bass. Vincent Crane used the Ray Manzarek (The Doors) idea to cover the bass from the keyboards.

"Death Walks Behind You" The Title track (Fitting as the opener) with the power, conviction, and total gloom is a monsoon. Seeking and destroying everything in its path. A shock to the mind and senses. It is one of the finest tunes from the era and the record was first getting started!

"Vug" already showed the musical diversity. More to the progressive rock sound with all instrumentation, it doesn't need lyrics to engross you every second.

"Tomorrow Night" became the most remembered tune on the album. Catchy, clever, but not common in its construction. There are the Rooster intangibles throughout.

"Seven Streets" brings us back to the darkness. The band keeps us in search for the light. The energy and aggression is an example of why many metal fans of early Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult proudly display this masterpiece in their collections.

"Sleeping For Years" continues the onslaught. The speakers grab you by the throat. The reason Rooster gained such respect (Especially in Europe) they didn't rely on the cliché riffs and simple power chords. There were more complex structures to their compositions.

"I Can't Take It No More" (A John Du Cann penned tune) brings down the altitude only a bit. The words and the music blend as one. Crane stays more in the background, allows the guitar, and drums to be the focal points.

"Nobody Else" Turnabout is fair play. The piano of Crane dominates the spotlight or so we are lead to believe. The first half of the song is Crane solo but then the troops are brought in and it is a full throttle takeover. The pain is evident and we feel it "My whole world has gone away." The most overlooked of the eight original tracks. Give this a couple of listenings to fully appreciate the pain.

"Gershatzer" can be summed up in five words THEY GET RIGHT TO IT. Another instrumental (With a drum-solo to boot) of explosive passion.

Can a five star recording get better? If you get the bonus tracks it does! "The Devil's Answer demo has Carl Palmer and the BBC material will further the destruction (In a good way).

One of the best recordings of its time. The fidelity is fine!

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

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