DAMASCUS - COLD HORIZON / OPEN YOUR EYES (EP) (1984, Independent Release)

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DAMASCUS - OPEN YOUR EYES (EP) (1984, Independent Release)

1. Open Your Eyes 3:42

2. Something On My Mind 4:41

3. Cold Horizon 5:17

4. Midnight Train 3:39

- SOME PEOPLE REFER TO THIS EP as Cold Horizon.

Band Line Up:

Billy Downs - Vocals

Dave Bridge - Lead Guitar

Kevin Duncalf - Bass Guitar

Paul Ryan - Drums

Record Label: None (Independent Release)

Catalog #: None

Date Of Release: November 1984

Condition: From my personal collection. PLAYED ONCE. All vinyl has been played (and taped) on high end equipment, thus the cassette bore the brunt of any "wear and tear". Used to mainly listen to stuff on a Walkman at school.

Looking at the album it is EXACTLY as I bought it. It has "that" rough hewn independent release look, the colors are bright (very bright) but there is a tiny "spot" here or there (in the actual printing). Still this is truly in Mint Condition. This is the 2nd pressing of 500 after the first 500 were gone in a flash ... no insert was in the first.

Extras: Yes, a band photo copied insert STILL is in the album.

The first and second pressings (500 copies each) are very rare and expensive. The first pressing had the green, white eyed "monster man" on the front and a DIFFERENT rear cover, the 2nd pressing had the green, white eyed "monster man" on both sides (front & back) and came with a band /album insert not in the first pressing. So, in total it appears only 1,00 were pressed ... not many have survived all these years ... let alone in played once condition.

~ Damascus were a short-lived Liverpool act, best-known for this EP effort, centering on catchy vocal harmonies. It has a very 70’s sound, with comparisons to Uriah Heep, Blue Oyster Cult and Thin Lizzy being possible - but in the NWOBHM style. The sound consists of fairly straight up guitars, heavy and very audible bass, and a good back beat on the drums – with a couple of fairly standard guitar leads, and a couple of really nice ones. Overall it’s an enjoyable little record, however the odds of obtaining the vinyl is next to nil. Have seen a copy or two for $200.00 +.

‘Something On My Mind’ benefits from some skillful standard soloing before a really cool, extended riff comes in adding a real soulful quality to the song. The song centers on soft vocal melodies, with the prominent guitar riffs in this one adding emotion and drive to the music. Your slow track ‘Cold Horizon’ starts things off with a very melancholic guitar, and sad lyrics. Lyrics are poetic, filled with sad metaphors about sad clowns and the like. Things kick off with spine shattering riffs and heightened vocal delivery throughout – making for an all-round enjoyable ballad. A strong, depressive love ballad, with that classic NWOBHM feel. Strong vocal melodies at the end of the song really pick things up, as does a melancholic solo. ‘Midnight Train’ is your more typical NWOBHM track – with that classic, upbeat, fast feel to it. The chorus is pretty cool, again featuring simple but effective riffs and classic rock vocals – passionate and classic. The title track probably tops the others though – benefitting from a few extra touches – such as the vocal solo introduction, and some playful, prominent bass riffage. This one kicks into a lot of Angel Witch-like guitar riffs, and great vocal harmonies in the chorus – very timeless, and reminiscent of Uriah Heep. This is a great track and really the culmination of the bands elements. The chorus here is phenomenal – the excellent vocal harmonization and very emotive guitar leads afterward are awesome. Killer track on this one deserving of a place on a NWOBHM greatest hits collection.

The band could have easily became a well known act with the right guidance and drive ... it is sad that the only vinyl around is this EP.

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~ Merseyside’s Damascus one and only official release was this extremely scarce 12", released in 1984 in two pressings of 500 each. The great scarcity of the EP and the short time existence of Damascus made them one of the NWOBHM’s best kept secrets. And definitely not a cult band (how I hate that term, btw). Isn’t the cover of this alone worth a trillion?

Whenever I play these four track monster, I can hardly believe this band should really fall into oblivion. The material presented here is just too great! Rocking out four melodic and incredibly catchy, tuneful tracks, Damascus produced at least two archetypical songs of the genre as it was already about to crumble apart: "Open your Eyes" and "Something on my Mind". The vocal lines are to be heard to be believed and the guitar and bass lines make me wanna hug the guys in eternal thankfulness for such unpretentious glory! So much atmosphere, such beauty in music was soon to be driven out of Heavy Metal upon the time this EP was released and the 70s ended once and for all; Thrash and Speed bands were taking over and sure, these were exciting times and in 1984, I could hardly listen to a band like Damascus anymore, so dated they sounded within months. But as you grow older, your horizon broadens (hopefully) and at least in my case, I’m now hearing the qualities of bands such as Damascus clearer than I did when the record was still fresh.

"Cold Horizon" is a tricky, quiet little song, a masterpiece again and the closing "Midnight Train" is exactly what you’ll listen to on your iPod, the next time you’re on a train trip, I guarantee. I’d guess younger folks in most cases won’t get the whatabouts of such music, but I simply can not imagine anybody from the old days Metal Militia of Losers from all over the Planet (MMOLFAOTP) wouldn’t get goosebumbs over the melancholy of a song like "Open your Eyes" or "Something on my Mind".

Enjoy this pearl! I would like to dedicate this especially to all the hellhounds and earthdogs, rivetheads and mongobumsers of the old days who are still around in one form or another.

BONUS BLUE VINYL WIKKA SINGLE

Wikka was a power metal band from Toronto, Canada. Until recently their only release was a 4 song EP, simply called Wikka. Now in conjunction with Snakepit magazine a very limited blue vinyl 7" (only 100 were pressed) was released with 2 never heard before songs recorded back in 1987. "Earthdogs" & "Chained Lightning".

Wikka was a great band with amazing guitar and bass riffs, great song structure and catchy tunes, along with Steve Horwood's remarkable vocal performance. One can catch a wiff every now and then of an Iron Maiden Killers era guitar lick. Very well thought out and very well structured songs, with the whole band evolving into a pretty tight unit.

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