Head On Jonesboro GA

Head On

Samson

Sanctuary Records, 1980

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 06/22/2000

I'm starting to wonder what all the fuss has been overSamson.

Sure, they were one of the bands that led the New Wave OfBritish Heavy Metal, never mind the fact they're not one of thebands who leap into your mind when the phrase is mentioned. Sure,this is the band that gave Bruce Dickinson his first shot at thespotlight. Sure, the "hidden identity" of drummer Thunderstick wasan interesting gimmick.

But then, there's the music. After the band's slightly aboveaverage debut Survivors, Dickinson (known at the time as "Bruce Bruce")came on board for Samson's sophomore release Head On. And after spending the better part of the day onthis disc, it has to be said that after 20 years... well, the magicjust ain't there.

Admittedly, Dickinson's vocals were an improvement overguitarist Paul Samson's; Samson fronted the band on Survivors. But when the material isn't the strongest, itreally doesn't matter who is behind the microphone. Songs like"Hard Times," "Manwatcher" and "Too Close To Rock" all just seem towander like lost sheep in a meadow.