TRAITORS GATE - DEVIL TAKES THE HIGH ROAD (1985, Bullet Records) * Original *

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148

TRAITORS GATE - DEVIL TAKES THE HIGH ROAD (1985, Bullet Records)

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1. Devil Takes the High Road

2. Love After Midnight

3. Shoot to Kill

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Almost every hardcore N.W.O.B.H.M. collector I know seems to have a copy of Traitors Gate’s 1984 debut (and only official release) EP. It’s really unfortunate when amazing bands don’t receive much attention in their time only to 20 years later on become genre favourites. Which is really what has happened with Traitors Gate while not being a well known N.W.O.B.H.M. band there’s a huge underground demand for their one and only EP released on English label "Bullet Records" (Often mistaken to be a French label). Which would explain the three figure price tag normally attached to this 12" compared to all the other Bullet LP’s which can be picked up significantly cheaper.

Devil Takes the High Road is a diverse effort as far as material style and aesthetics are concerned. Traitors Gate don’t assume any specific persona with their music which is always good when you’ve got good song writing to back it up. Devil Takes the High Road begins with an ominous wind blowing which is soon joined by some powerful riffs and profound lyrics, pretty much straight away you can tell you’re listening to craftsman who are the best at their trade. Fully utilizing "light & shade" song writing dynamics when the song later speeds up with it’s cutting riffs and duel Carl Sentance style vocals. Persian Risk are an obvious influence playing similar but less varied melodic traditional metal with song writing being a main point of focus. Also being local Welsh heroes would enforce this presumption; it’s easy to love what’s closer to you especially if it’s done as well as Persian Risk. Love after Midnight is the first song that caught my ear initially from this EP. One of the greatest melodic N.W.O.B.H.M. tracks written for sure, With it’s wondering pace and late night rendezvous atmosphere. Not to mention the combination of catchy as hell riffs and vocal arrangements, really something special and underrated by other fans. Shoot to Kill while having more simplistic structures and not focusing on atmosphere quite as much makes up for it in speed and aggression, More comparable to faster acts of the time like; Jaguar or Blitzkrieg.

With good song writing of course musicianship is above average, with the amazing Robby Jones on vocals who sounds something like Carl Sentance though not quite as charismatic or over the top with a little more mid ranged aggression to call upon, but the vocal harmonies are definitely in Persian Risk vein. Guitarist Andy Turner is a song writing man (Being the main song writer aboard) focusing on well written and arranged songs that are melodic yet biting enough to keep them away from the more commercial acts of the time. As appose to being a straight out shredder, though his leads are very stylish and fitting. Drummer Paul House also lays down some nice fills and steady stick work throughout the EP highlighted during the mid-paced Love after Midnight giving him more of a chance to let loose.

Overall Traitors Gate are one of the best of those elegantly melodic, yet biting, "Well spoken" sounding N.W.O.B.H.M. bands of which other include; Persian Risk (Founders of the style?), Tok-io Rose, Mendes Prey etc. They certainly set a high standard of achievement for all of those mentioned bands to compete against with their sublime, diverse song writing and high ability to create mythical-tinged atmosphere material. Current market price for this little beauty ranges from around $150 - $200 US if you find it for any less it’s worth picking up without a second thought. A N.W.O.B.H.M. collectable that’s well worth the praise and price tag, Hell I’d almost pick it up alone for the magnificent illustration work on the front cover.

PAYMENT TERMS = Pay-Pal (quicker & faster for both of us). 

SHIPPING ZONE = Domestic = $3.00

- Worldwide use shipping calculator for First Class International rates [16 Ounces]. Packed very well, for long trips.Yes, I know prices are very high , however records weigh a bit and I make sure to pack very well.

RETURNS = I stand by the quality of all my merchandise. If a problem develops get back to me and we can work something out.

- Took a low quality far length webcam shot of the album next to "The King" to prove I own it. And scanned what I could on my scanner. The record scan should be sufficient.