Head on

Digitally re-mastered edition of this 1980 album from the British Metal band featuring future Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson. Samson are still rightly regarded as one of the pivotal bands from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement of the 80 's. Taking their name from guitarist and leader, Paul Samson, the band first emerged in 1977. Head on was Samson's second album released in June 1980 and along with Paul Samson and Bruce Dickinson (although then going by his stage name Bruce Bruce), bassist Chris Aylmer and drummer Thunderstick (noted for disguising his identity by wearing S&M masks and playing live in a steel cage), completed the line-up. In deference to the crass cover artwork, the album boasts a breadth of writing and playing ability above much that the NOWBHM movement had to offer. Tracks such as 'Vice Versa', 'Hunted' and 'Walking Out on You' helped the album achieve the band's highest ever chart placing of #34. 'Head On' also displays perfectly the power and range of singer Dickinson whose vocal agility earned him the title, the Air Raid Siren.