RARE CLEAN ORIG = BROCAS HELM = INTO BATTLE = DARK HEAVY PSYCH PROG SF HARD ROCK

$

36

PLEASE READ BEFORE BIDDING: Please read the entire auction listing, including shipping costs, before writing to ask a question.   OUR GOAL IS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. In order to meet that goal, we will ALWAYS work with our customers on any concerns that may arise. In the unlikely instance that you feel the need to open a resolution dispute before working with us, you will immediately be blocked from any further chance to acquire the rare music we present each and every week.   Payment is required within seven days. We mail all paid items ONE WEEK after auctions end. Please keep in mind our listings are time consuming in detail and we are often traveling to find these gems, which at times delays the delivery schedule by a day or two. We ALWAYS process and ship every paid order. We have no control over parcels once they are mailed from our local Post Office.Overseas mail to some countries (Italy, Russia, France, in particular) has become very slow. Opening a dispute for slow mail is unacceptable and will result in blocking the bidder. We work hard to provide excellent service as is represented by our 8000 plus positive feedback.   We use a VPI machine and thoroughly clean all records. Each order is carefully packaged by removing the LP from the jacket to avoid seam splits, use of 3 ml plastic cover sleeves over each LP and jacket, cardboard pad inserts, and placed in sturdy record mailers for safe delivery.   We take Customer Service seriously, and want you to be satisfied. Please give us 5 stars in each category through the feedback system, and we will be able to effectively continue to fulfill your passion for rare and collectible music! We have served thousands of satisfied customers - far more than our feedback records indicate - and our aim is to continue to do so. Thank you for your interest and support. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SHIPPING:   USA ~ 1 LP = $4.00 Media Priority rates vary by area; please inquire.   All Canadian and Overseas shipping ~ eBay requires Priority shipping rates on any order $400+ ~ Also, in the best interest of all of us, safe Express shipping rates on any order totaling $500+   CANADA ~ 1 single disc LP = $8.50.   OVERSEAS (all Countries) ~ 1 single disc LP = $17.00.   Discount shipping on multiple LPs in same order.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VERY RARE PROMO ORIGINAL!

CLEAN ORIGINAL !                    

SOUGHT AFTER LOCAL NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PRESSING              

                        BROCAS HELM

           INTO BATTLE           

                       USA - FIRST STRIKE - FSR 801 

MINTY CLEAN VINYL + scarce lyrics insert

RARE and worldly sought after = thee Original first pressing, a local Northern California small pressing. The very first album by a an ominous crew of dark wizards ringing in with a killer heavy-progressive sound -- filled to the brim with outstanding tracks across both sides....We've known for a while now that this album is especially wanted in Germany & Europe where it has fetched top three figure $ prices in recent years...

Either Brocas Helm are amazing geniuses, or the luckiest musicians alive. Somehow, through this thrilling mess of distortion, terrible production, and strong vocals complete with occasional faux British accent, they managed to create an album with an atmosphere genuinely MEDIEVAL. Not just about the Middle Ages, or evocative of them, this actually sounds like the Middle Ages in all its chaotic violent glory; the guitars are vicious, and abrasive... Grittier than a blacksmith's ass and twice as hairy. They play an eccentric, deformed Frankenstein of NWOBHM, 70s rock progressive heavy-rock, and vaguely minstrel-ish melodies rife with dual leads, solos, and greasy basement riffs. The bass occasionally triples in volume and plays a lead or two (really, listen to "Warriors of the Dark"). The production sounds like you're hearing the band practice downstairs below your bathroom, with the sound filtering up through the plumbing. The vocals mix in quite effectively and the whole thing has this killer charm to it, a manic energy which animates this shambling horror... like a lightning bolt from hell.

"Dark Rider" starts off energetic and fun, then when you think it's over a bass lead opens the coda: a melancholy medieval instrumental. Plenty of song build up, but building down in such an abrupt fashion is just bizarre. "Into the Ithilstone" has a moody, reserved chorus with breaks between for a rocking riff exposition. "Beneath a Haunted Moon" is almost doom metal, with slow riffs punctuated by tom fills and "featuring" practically muttered vocals, contrasting with rock leads and some good ol' NWOBHM gallop. The dual-guitar leads are fantastic, such as the ones opening the title track and ending "Dark Rider". The rhythm section also bears mentioning, as each member pulls his weight; the often phenomenal bass work is given the spotlight and the drummer plays interesting and inventive fills, never predictable.

The most important part of Brocas Helm, however, is the atmosphere. Somehow, out of all this arises a powerful feeling; to call it "epic" would be obvious, but that's what it is. The other side to the violent chaotic nature of the Middle Ages is, of course, its honor, heroism, and humanity. The chorus of "Ravenwreck", with that guitar solo playing over the main riff, despite hard rockin' tendencies, radiate a certain feeling that evokes a pretty melancholy. The protagonist to the title track is a Lancelot-style tragic character, loving the queen of his king whom he now must fight against with his halberd and laser. "Ravenwreck" tells the story of a guy who practiced rock 'n' roll until he died, and now he eternally sails the seas on a ghost ship packed with electric guitars and amplifiers, for some reason or another. Folks, if you think we're joking, read the lyrics. Kafka on acid couldn't make this stuff up. They explicitly and continuously weave heavy-rock rhythms into their songs of myth and fantasy -- Brocas Helm execute them in a deft and original way and it works (well, except "Here to Rock", the album's only blunder). "Metallic Fury" for example features lyrics rife with strong imagery and metaphor, while in "Warriors of the Dark" the hero slays the dragon with his guitar and a killing chord. Yes, it sounds silly in synopsis, but the lyrics are genuinely well-written, and that is one of the strangest parts of the band. Who would guess the musicians who came up with this lurching heavy prog/MWOBHM music could write way-out concepts so poetically? It's the lyrics above all that convince us that yes, Brocas Helm knew what they were doing. Plenty of bands, even some of the best, clearly fumble around with ideas they only dimly comprehend consciously, but Brocas Helm had something very specific in mind, something they succeeded in conveying. The triumph and tragedy inherent in the epic legends of old are made new again.

Into Battle is a proud and powerful album of hyperkinetic epics. It's fantasy heavy prog rock that pounds liquor and gobbles acid and loves to rock and roll, weaving in psychedelic elements as well....

Mettalic Fury

Into Battle

Here To Rock

Beneath A Haunted Moon

Warriors Of The Dark

Preludious

Ravenwreck

Dark Rider

Night Siege

Into The Ithilstone

CONDITION: The cover: SOLID = "EX" (excellent) has only a little sticker removal stain at top right, otherwidse M- all the way around ...no split seams, no bends, no writing 

The vinyl: all clean and clear over both sides, M- ...plays perfect.

keeper!

A GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE'S COLLECTION !

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record