Budgie (1971)

Looking back on it, I honestly wonder why it took me a decade and a half to finally get into this band. True, finding their albums in the shops (and finding the shops in general) was difficult but after loving Metallica's covers of their tunes since I was barely a teenager should have kicked me in the backside and picked up a record or 2. Well, it took a trip to Waterloo Records in Austin, TX and a discounted copy of "If I Were Britannia I'd Waive the Rules" to get me into the game. I'm thankful that I did and I then began my journey into the Welsh Wilderness that is Budgie. I picked this up a few months later and I was impressed at their ability to have so much of their distinctive sound already in place so early in the game. Right from the get-go "Guts" has that great Sabbathean riff over that almost funky backbeat and the Geddy Lee-esque vocals from Burke Shelley that the band would become famous for. Many people have gone on about how criminally underrated guitarist Tony Bourge is and it only takes a few minutes on here to see how correct they are. Much like Iommi, his heavy, semi-laconic style has a devastating effect on the band's sound giving it a slow menace that drives songs like "The Author" and "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman". Shelley also would throw in brief acoustic numbers in-between the riffage of the rockers and the first of these would be "Everything In My Heart". This practice would continue through the rest of the decade and I for one like the contrast of the material. I feel that the album really starts cooking on side two with "Rape of the Locks" and the underrated "All Night Petrol" (which Shelley claimed was a filler track no less!) and the brutal "Homicidal Suicidal" with Shelley's howling vocals over a punishing riff. It's a shame that this band remained in the shadows while so many of their contemporaries scaled the heights of stardom. That point is driven home with the alternate mix of the original "Crash Course in Brain Surgery", one of the tracks eventually made famous by Metallica some 16 or so years later. Chances are good that even if you are an ardent hard rock fan, you probably haven't heard this. Change that and get started on this band today. You will be thankful you did.

Had this on an a imported CD which was a good listen. BUDGIE fans would love this on vinyl.

Great album great service

Though this is their only album I've fully listened to, I daresay Budgie's eponymous album ranks among the best hard-rock acts ever. Its sound is as heavy as any of those Black Sabbath's glorious first productions (with Osborne), but unequivocally original. A solid album in its own right.

Great Album. Pioneers of heavy metal

The first time heard album of Budgie. I love Budgie group becouse the sound was different rock and later i know this music is rock metall. This Album is special album for me. I remember when i was younger alldays listen music of Budgie.

Calidad del producto, rapidez en el envío, todo muy bien.

Great pressing, sound and fast shipping.