The Almighty Release Powetrippin’ – 26th Feb on Cherry Red
13th January 2021 0 By Jon DeauxâWe were on tour in Germany opening for Iron Maiden when Powertrippinâ crashed into the UK National Chart at #5. The Maiden boys held a party for us that night in their hotel to celebrate. We suddenly felt very validated, looking back I think we were â
Ricky Warwick
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Although initially inspired by punk, when Scottish school friends Stump Monroe (drums), Floyd London (bass) and Ricky Warwick (guitar, vocals) joined forces with guitarist Tantrum in 1988, they chose a harder rocking, heavy metal sound. Snapped up by Polydor Records for 1989 debut âBlood, Fire & Loveâ, their more punk infused aggressive approach was a welcome relief from the glam orientated sounds imported from across the Atlantic. This was followed by âSoul Destructionâ in 1991, and then âPowertrippinââ in 1993.
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The Almighty demonstrated that British hard rock had plenty to offer at the beginning of the decade, and in 1991 The Almighty were special guests of Megadeth, a tour where Alice In Chains were the opening act. This tour highlighted which way the wind was blowing, away from hairspray bands in favour of something grungier from the Pacific Northwest of America. âPowertrippinââ was also the first album to feature guitarist Pete Friesen, replacing original member, Tantrum.
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As well as the singles âAddictionâ, âOver The Edgeâ and âOut Of Seasonâ, this expanded, deluxe reissue of âPowertrippinââ includes the B-Sides âBlindâ, âBodiesâ (originally by the Sex Pistols), âInsomniaâ, âIn A Rutâ (originally by The Ruts) and âFuckinâ Upâ (originally by Neil Young and Crazy Horse). Live versions of âTakinâ Holdâ, âJesus Loves YouâŚBut I Donâtâ and âPowertrippinââ illustrate what a powerful band The Almighty have always been on stage. The bonus disc also includes demo versions of âFree âNâ Easyâ and the title track from Soul Destruction: which was never officially recorded or appeared on the final album. Plus thereâs even time for an acoustic take of Neil Youngâs âRockinâ In The Free Worldâ!
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This release features a fully illustrated booklet, complete with detailed liner notes from Malcolm Dome based on interviews with the band.
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Disc One: Original Album
1. Addiction
2. Possession
3. Over The Edge
4. Jesus Loves YouâŚBut I Donât
5. Sick & Wired
6. Powertrippinâ
7. Takinâ Hold
8. Out Of Season
9. Life Blood
10. Instinct
11. Meathook
12. Eye To Eye
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  Disc Two: Bonus Tracks
1. Takinâ Hold (Live)
2. Jesus Loves YouâŚBut I Donât (Live)
3. Powertrippinâ (Live)
4. Blind (B-Side)
5. Soul Destruction (Demo)
6. Addiction (Radio Edit)
7. Insomnia (B-Side)
8. Wild And Wonderful (Demo Version)
9. Fuckinâ Up (B-Side)
10. Out Of Season (Demo Version)
11. Bodies (B-Side)
12. Free âNâ Easy (Demo Version)
13. Rockinâ In The Free World (Acoustic Version)
14. Hell To Pay (Acoustic Version)
15. In A Rut (B-Side)
16. Out Of Season (Radio Edit)
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