(1984, 10 Records)
Thinking of the recent passing of guitar legend Gary Moore I decided to write a review for one of the Irish divine guitarist’s solo albums from his Hard Rock era. And if most of you would bet for the impressive “Wild Frontier” LP, then you lost since I picked up my personal favorite from 1984, “Victims Of The Future”. Let’s see why...
Gary Moore was already a household name in the early 80s, with his THIN LIZZY credit alone being an ace in his portfolio. Personal releases had gradually brought him in a high-esteem status with tons of fans and musicians recognizing and applauding his sharp hardrockin’ attack mixed with an exquisite sense of melody, not to forget his astonishing soloing creativity. In “Victims Of The Future” the man was (now/again) backed by a team of wonderful players, including bass icons Neil Murray (WHITESNAKE, BLACK SABBATH, MSG) and Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, URIAH HEEP), the one and only multi-talented Neil Carter (U.F.O., WILD HORSES) and drumming emblem Ian Paice (DEEP PURPLE). Accompanied by his growing myth, all what Moore was now needed was a set of songs to break the rules.
And what a collection of thunderous numbers did this LP include…Released in America (were the guitarist did not ever seem to kick some commercial ass) with an alternative cover and some songlist come-and-go’s, “Victims Of The Future” sees Moore shining bright in his red uniform and it’s no excess to shout out this is the most ‘Metal’ album he had till then (or ever) produced. The opening self-titled anthem speaks for itself in its crawling mid-tempo heavy-duty form, while the frenzied drum-kicking “Teenage Idol” salutes your shakin’ temper in awe. “Shapes Of Things” (a cover version of the YARDBIRDS classic) carries on the adrenaline guitar-fury madness while the first long version of “Empty Rooms” can definitely leave you breathless. “Murder In The Skies” portrays the Gary Moore stellar technique at full blast and some shrieking vocals dressed in a radical energy you can’t ignore. “All I Want” shows a musician-oriented shakin’-all-over tempo with an American touch, but with “Hold On To Love” it’s the sense of challenging melancholy flowing all over. “Law Of The Jungle” wraps up the original UK release in a heavyhittin’ monstrous way.
It’s no lie core Gary Moore followers consider this LP to be his most genuine Hard Rock offering. “Victims Of The Future” is intense, melodic, angry, has challenging social lyrics parts and finally can be proud of being a solid moment in the career of a guitarist responsible for being a source of inspiration for countless axemen in the hardrock/Metal scene, from Randy Rhoads and John Norum to Vivian Campell and Adrian Smith. If I had to pick one and only one LP from this pre-Blues period, I think this one would be the most fitting choice. Many people remember Moore for e.g. the “Wild Frontier” or “Still Got The Blues” hitmakers, but I really feel “Victims Of The Future” is the album the restless hardrocker or vivid metalhead should firstly check out.
Tracklist
01. Victims Of The Future
02. Teenage Idol
03. Shapes Of Things
04. Empty Rooms
05. Murder In The Skies
06. All I Want
07. Hold On To Love
08. Law Of The Jungle
Lineup
Gary Moore - Guitar, Lead Vocals
Neil Murray, Mo Foster, Bob Daisley - Bass
Neil Carter - Keyboards, Vocals
Ian Paice - Drums