I just don't know how they do it. If you're wondering what I am talking about, this is about the Dutch record companies Headbangers Records and Big Bad Wolf Records. They somehow alwys seem able to find some old gems and then decide to release them. In the case of HEAVY RAIN, they are doing that in conjunction with their Spanish colleagues Guerssen Records. The music on "Heavy Rain" is actually from 1973 and 1974, so over 50 years old. These recordings have been discovered on a tape deck reel, and as far as anyone knows it was the only copy left, making this release a very good move!

HEAVY RAIN is a three piece Heavy Rock/Blues/Psychedelic Rock band from Blackpool, England. I only know that town from the Rock that is a candy stick and the Blackpool Tower, which is the little cousin of the Eiffel Tower. But I certainly have grown to like it a lot more, mainly due to the music on “Heavy Rain”. It is very typical of the early to mid seventies era, with a sound that is a little underwhelming, but also very much complementary to the sounds that HEAVY RAIN is producing during their 50 minutes of (very relative) fame. The sound is dark, moody, but also groovy and very mesmerizing.

The latter also applies to the songs. The first seven sopngs are all off their self titled demo from 1973. It shows us that these guys were very capable of writing good songs, with all the ingredients you might expect from an era when a man called JIMI HENDRIX had just died. It was also the time that a band called PINK FLOYD was (probably sometimes literally) flying high. As a result of the latter you will find the cover “Rising of The Tide – Set The Controls For The Heart of The Sun” as the last song of the demo. And it is a very good and proper rendition.

The last three songs are from some recordings that were done for a debut album that never materialised, “Deluge”. They also prove that HEAVY RAIN was a very talented band that just didn't get the exposure they deserved. The lack of success lead to the disbanding of the band in 1977. When I listen to “Heavy Rain” I can only conclude that they didn't have luck on their side, that it all just didn't turn to their favour in those days. Let's hope that all you lovers of old Heavy Rock/Blues/Psychedelic Rock are willing to give this a chance. I promise you that you won't be disappointed. So, please, do the right thing and order this one at one of the record companies. HEAVY RAIN deserves that at least, and so does “Heavy Rain”.