Even without the technological aspects of the present, throughout the 80s, bands were able to produce albums year after year, while also committing themselves to tours to support previous releases. It still amazes me, putting down so much work in the studio in so little time. So it came to the point where in 1981 VARDIS released their sophomore album, this time as an official studio recording, titled "The World's Insane". Clinging to the efforts of the debut, yet appeared to have turned a blind eye towards the evolution of NWOBHM into rather rockier spectrums. Dissonance Productions also delivered this next stage in VARDIS' journey, and with a few bonuses featured. This album is considered a milestone in VARDIS' career and apparently regarded as one of their top. I gather that I am almost in the same notion.

Frankly, I expected a heavier album by the trio. Certainly, not something that would remind me of IRON MAIDEN or SAXON or RAVEN or DIAMOND HEAD for that matter, yet a chip off the Rock N' Roll and more into the depths of the NWOBHM institution. On the other hand, VARDIS remained attached to their baby steps of the British movement and at the same time, going backwards in time to the late 60's Boogie Rock days or even earlier, I am talking about the first strings of Rock N' Roll in the late 50's. VARDIS actually created a slightly heavier manifold of the riffery of those days, as if some of the songs' main riffs were driven by Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls Of Fire". Needless to say that on this album, VARDIS kept maintaining their STATUS QUO atmosphere without being considered as a tribute band no more. In general, this is quite an impressive bowl of soup, three decades of music squashed for the production of the other side of what is rendered as British Metal, more like the cheery end.

Turning the dopy 70's Space Rock into a catchy Hard Rock emblem that remained easy on the lips. VARDIS skillfully covered HAWKWIND's prime hit, "Silver Machine". I think that old Lemmy was proud of that back then, he probably was when coming to think of it. "Blue Rock (I Miss You)" drives down the road of the late 50's into the valley of the late 60's, a profound shot at the heart of Rock N' Roll's past featuring a stellar lead guitar solo in the spirit of the coming storm. "Steamin' Along" set out to be an easy living tune, running on the freight train in a kind of a cheerful mood, all out in the open, a simple catchy track of crunchy Rock. "Curse The Gods" is possibly one of the few tunes that were almost the present state of the British Metal scene, still in purgatory between Rock and Metal. A Hard N' Heavy vibe that is really good and somewhat diverse than the radio friendlies. Additional efforts recommended: Title track "The World's Insane" and "Love Is Dead".

In comparison to the debut, "The World's Insane" is a way better result. Though expecting a metallic delivery, VARDIS' swinging within Rock music paid off.