Shiva ~ England

Continuance (1983 / 2004)

I've spoken about Shiva's sole album before (see below), as I found it to be one of the NWOBHM's more intriguing releases. A combination of heavy metal and Rush-like textures and more complex songwriting. The aptly named Continuance was ultimately meant to be the second album. The label (Heavy Metal Records) were struggling financially - as were the band - so things weren't going too well to begin with. After recording the first five centerpiece tracks found here, they excitedly played them for the label, only to be rejected. Not "heavy" enough they claimed. Ha! There's a twist from the usual not "commercial" enough. In hearing this, the label wasn't wrong, if heaviness was to be the deciding factor. If anything, Shiva had honed their songwriting skills and offers up more ear-friendly tracks. But the key ingredients of Firedance remain, that of the complex breaks and extended guitar soloing. I've read some counterpoint reviews stating that Shiva really weren't influenced by Rush. Listen to the 9+ minute 'Eden (Silent Running)' and get back to me on that. These guys have Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures written all over them, minus the synthesizers of course. Filling out the disc are two more demo tracks featuring a different drummer, and five other demos from various parts of their career - all from the earlier days. I found most of these just as good as their "two" albums proper. So if you're a fan of Firedance, you'll want this too. If unfamiliar with Shiva, then start with Firedance and go from there.

Ownership: 2004 Majestic Rock (CD). With booklet containing lyrics and a full history in microscopic print crammed onto 2 pages. With a normal font it would have been 8 pages I think! Acquired in 2021.

1/5/21 (review)

Firedance (1982)

---1/6/14

I'm such a sucker for the older NWOBHM bands, before they felt compelled to be in lockstep with the "scene", and here they just sort of made things up as they went along. Very much like my favorite progressive rock bands of the early 70s. Has more of a Rush influence than usual for a UK band from this era. There's some commercial stuff here that keeps it from a higher rating (especially on Side 2), but it's still a great listen. It'll probably grow on me over time (and it has!). File this one in the innovative early metal category next to Legend (UK), Diamond Head, Sacred Blade, and Manilla Road.

Ownership: 1982 Heavy Metal Records (LP). With lyrics. Acquired in 2020.

First copy: British Steel Russia (CD). Pirate. Acquired in 2014 (was supposed to be the original CD, but I got gypped). Replaced with the above.

1/6/14 (review); 6/11/20 (update)

6/11/20 (new entry)