Stampede - A Sudden Impulse
Rock Candy Records
www.rockcandyrecords.com

Rating: B

Back in 1983, a band called Stampede was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.  They released one album and then.. poof...disappeared. Fast-forward to 2006 Rock Candy Records re-released the bands album, titled, Hurricane Town.  The band's fans, and fans of the NWOBHM, were waiting and snatched the album up.  The songwriting team of Reuben Archer and Laurence Archer found new life, inspired by the new interest in their band.  They ended up writing the album A Sudden Impulse and reunited with original bassist, Colin Bond.  New drummer, Steve Graystone, and a young hotshot  guitar player named Chris Clowsley rounded out the new lineup.

The album is straightforward early 80's hard rock.  "Send Me Down An Angel" is the best song on the disc and howls with guitars and solos.  "Jessie," "Having Fun," "Make A Change" and "Hard Rock Hell" all will have fists in the air. 

While Stampede is doing nothing to break out of the box, they are being true to who they were and getting a second chance to strut their stuff... and good stuff it is.  This is simply a bunch of dudes who love the tunes crankin' out some killer riffs and garage rock.  Damn, this shit is what is missing in the world of rock.  Hats off to Rock Candy for keeping it real and making it fun again.

By Jeb Wright