Humor, fantasy, life issues, human horror and love matters is not a mix you'd expect in a single Rock/Metal album. Still, Britain's clowns DEEP SWITCH managed to put all these in one songlist creating one of the more diverse and anti-commercial albums of the 80s. "Nine Inches Of God" was originally released in 1986, after the Norwich-based outfit had circulated two equally peculiar demo tapes one year earlier, and for the few that paid attention back then it surely shown it was an album you should definitely had to spend enough time with to catch is spell. It's Shadow Kingdom Records again (what a fine neat label) that represses the mid-80s original product also offering a whole bonus CD with demo takes that any connoisseur of the genre should grab asap.

DEEP SWITCH belongs to the so-called second NWOBHM era; let's say the first one ended somewhere in 1982-1983. But this does not necessarily explain something about their style and sound since - as pre-said - "Nine Inches Of God" represents the spirit of a band with a songwriting pattern and general attitude bearing no similarities with any other band at that time (and until today, I'd dare add). DEEP SWITCH is the kind of band that never relied on making serious Metal music with concepts about battles, fantasy, vagabond life or love issues. Well, I come again: the music was more serious than you'd expect reading the above words but enough lead themes and the vast majority of the lyrics did let such an amount of sarcasm, self-criticism and humorous mood topping the whole deal that it would be really difficult for the average Metal fan to get what the band's message was 25 years ago.

All these resulted in a live/primitive/analog release with a strange/mystique atmosphere (mostly in the minor or even occult scale but without omitting happier parts), but also with a comedy/Monty Python breeze spewing out of the album's grooves. Yeap, "Monty Python" is a key phrase for "Nine Inches Of God"'s profile. Add the fact that enough parts in the album's songs have such variety in tempos and guitar phrases you'd possibly call the band a 'progressive' (or extreme) one and also omit the possibility of listening to this one and only DEEP SWITCH official offering while driving or going out for a beer. It's more likely you'll enjoy this set of songs getting prepared for the unexpected and staying overall totally undistracted.

All this time I try coming up with a couple of other - contemporary or not - bands in reference but in vain... A mix of MARILLION with PAGAN ALTAR, JETHRO TULL and WITCHFINDER GENERAL, DAVID BOWIE and AGONY BAG/BLACK WIDOW would be a fair grotesque allusion, I wonder?...Talking American-wise, on the other hand, PENTAGRAM meeting RIPPER meeting MEAT LOAF(!!!)meeting TROUBLE would not be a comment to throw away.

The first CD in this splendid release has the whole "Nine Inches Of God" 1986 album intact. The bonus disc gathers all of the band's demo recordings. A rich goodie, indeed. Not to forget, the booklet accompanying this re-release is so rich and detailed about the band's history (lineup, recordings, onstage costumes & antics etc, rare photos, lyrics) it can barely fit in the jewel case!

This is one of the most odd, twisted and 'sui generis' albums of all time in the HardRock/Metal history of England. And if you let "Nine Inches Of God" spread all over your self primacy it will possibly hunt you down. Let alone the fact you'll recall your admiration for the efficiency of the Monty Python comedy phenomenon.