Old Metalheads remember that NWOBHM wasn't a way of playing Metal, but a movement that unleashed a musical assault throughout, bringing Metal back from underground, and its echoes were so strong that created many musical scenarios on countries where Metal wasn't known. But commercially speaking, NWOBHM brooded only two giants, a few great names, and a vast number of underground names. And speaking honestly, there were names that deserve to be giants due their remarkable works. The legendary quintet BLITZKRIEG is one of them, and if you don't know their work, the EP "Loud and Proud" is a good release for that.

Their musical work is based on the trademark sound of NWOBHM: fine melodies that come from 70's Hard Rock with the weight and aggressiveness of traditional Heavy Metal. But on the hands of Brian and his comrades, these elements sound fresh, new and personal. The sound quality is what could be expected from a legend of NWOBHM that honors its past, but lives in the present: a strong, heavy and powerful sonority that allows the listeners to understand what is being played, but with instrumental tunes that seems handcrafted, because the band isn't looking for something modern of its music.

The material of this EP is, in its greater part, different versions for songs that are presented on "Judge Not!", but how good is to hear such energetic and melodic work. "Loud and Proud" is the same song presented on "Judge Not!", heavy and filled with energy coming from its tempos (what means a solid work done by bass guitar and drums). "Without You (alternate version)" is a bit different from the version presented on the album, because the accessible melodies of it are led by Brian's voice (and not from Alan, as it was previously). "Falling Into Darkness (orchestrated version)" is heavy and has a slow insight, filled with excellent guitars, but being remixed and shows some orchestral arrangements. On "Together (We Are Strong)", another song with an accessible feeling, differs from the version presented on "Theatre of the Damned", because it was recorded in a similar way of the original version of the demo. As anyone can see, "After Dark" is an old song that comes from "Unholy Trinity" (the band's second album), who was re-recorded as a bonus track for "Judge Not!", and its aggressiveness and weight didn't change in comparison with its original form (and the vocals are great). And "School's Out" is a version of the quintet for the old classic of ALICE COOPER, being a bit more heavier and uses some different elements (as double bass drumming), and tons of melodic weight.

Maybe "Loud and Proud" would not be attractive for beginners that think that NWOBHM is only done by its greater names, but it's a great release for those that know that BLITZKRIEG's fire power is still deadly!