Those were different times, and that is a certainty. In 70s in the UK, a new music movement started that changed the face of Rock and took it to new levels. However, the true buzz took flight in the 80s, yet before that came the first examples of heavier Rock, cutting edge material that proclaimed that there are things happening. Underneath the palms of the reigning giants, a few names started bleeping into recognition. Guitarist / Vocalist Paul Samson made his move under the moniker SAMSON, bursting with a self-titled debut in 1979, and taking part in the ongoing change. A piece of history no doubt, not just because IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson fronted the band right after the album's recording was already finished, but due to interest created around it. Dissonance Productions made sure that this release would come alive once again in the second decade of the 00s along with additional fortunes that you will find out about soon enough.

Back in those days there were plenty fuzzy and obscure releases, mingling various elements of Rock, Jazz and Blues into mesmerizing monstrosities. SAMSON's music and sound seemed to had taken the harder edge of Rock and encrusted it with a decent amount of psychedelia and Blues, sounding like earlier versions of DEEP PURPLE / LED ZEPPELIN and small bits of PINK FLOYD, of course all rounded up together. At times there appeared to be a wave of a drugged haze, a smokey veil that showed one of the 70s elements, a kind of an appetizer to be honest, as there is something quite magical in it. The band's usage of keyboards became their benefit, contributing to their obscure sense, yet I think that Paul Samon's guitar playing, rhythm section and several of the composed guitar riffages made the difference.

In general, the songwriting is varied, memorable, sometimes hooking and able to leave a mark. "Tomorrow or Yesterday" is this album's treasure piece, noting the change of seasons in Rock, between  the subtly of the old dreamy gloom and right into the crunchier twists of Rock N' Roll and Heavy Rock (notice that I didn't mention Heavy Metal, or did I?). "Wrong Side of Time" maintained a moderately spacey vibe, enticing with its sorrowful balladry nature, living up to be a well-made Rock venture sharing nostalgic moments. "Big Brother" and "Inside Out" continuing the slick slides of the boogie fame, contagious Bluesy Hard Rock tunes right on the edge of the upcoming heaviness and melody. "Mr Rock 'n' Roll", one of this reissue version's bonus, is a solid ball of Rock, straight to the point glitter and rather hook-laden with its riffs and chorus.

In addition to the eight tracks on the original album, there are extra nine songs. Two of a single that was released prior to the album and special alternative versions of the album's songs with Bruce Dickinson at the helm of the vocals. His voice surely upgraded the songs to new levels and you are bound to take pleasure of one of the greatest voices in Metal music.

This debut release is a collector's item and should be cherished. If this isn't the band's prime release, it is a piece of the evolutionary state that Rock undergone back in the day, inches before it became Metal.