IAN GILLAN BAND – SCARABUS – 1977 (UK) hard rock

The third and final studio release from the Ian Gillan Band found the band attempting to widen their audience, by returning to a more basic style of hard rock. The songs aren't heavy metal by any means, but are more stripped down than on their previous two albums. There are several heavier numbers, with a decided Purple-ish feel, that are very well done. The title track is one, a riff driven number with fantasy lyrics that are very untypical of Gillan's usual style. "Pre-Release" is another riff driven song, which wouldn't have been out of place on a Purple album. "Mad Elaine" is a driving rock song, with excellent keyboard and guitar solos. The last of the really heavy songs is the albums closer, "Fools Mate". Almost a metal-jazz song, the two styles are welded together nearly perfectly. The only down side is Gillan's insistence on screaming the entire chorus. Not a pleasant experience. The non-heavy songs are also great. The two best are "Slags To Bitches" and "Apathy". The former is a lyrical follow-up to "Anyone's Daughter" on Purple's Fireball album, with great piano work by Colin Towns. The latter is a slow groove, with outstanding ensemble playing by the entire band.
1 Scarabus 4:53
2 Twin Exhausted 4:08
3 Poor Boy Hero 3:08
4 Mercury High 3:31
5 Pre-Release 4:22
6 Slags to Bitches 5:09
7 Apathy 4:19
8 Mad Elaine 4:15
9 Country Lights 3:16
10 Fool's Mate 4:19

Well this is at least a particial return to hard rock, not a million miles from what Purple where doing with Bollin on Come Taste The Band. The real treat is the title track, which is more than a little similar to Sabbath's "Disturbing The Priest" on Born Again. The album pretty much goes down hill from there (and that's the first song). Still if you don't pay to much attention it's kind of a fun listen.

Highly recommended!
Rip from CD 256@ (full artwork included)
Download link
http://link-protector.com/314183/