THIS WEEK I’M LISTENING TO…VARIOUS ARTISTS Steel City Rock (Skullcrusher Records)

It’s not often you come across a compilation so obscure it doesn’t even feature in Malc MacMillan’s exceptionally comprehensive ‘NWOBHM Encyclopedia’, but this release seems to have bypassed even his eagle eyes (and ears) and does have a very interesting backstory. Back in the good old days of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Gaz Holmes was in a Sheffield-based band called Zayus. Once they faltered Holmes, aware of just how difficult it was to get publicity, started ‘Skullcrusher’ fanzine, a proper kitchen table cut ’n’ paste job, which ran for 50 issues. On the back of that, just before he wound up the ’zine, he put together ‘Steel City Rock’, a cassette compilation featuring six Sheffield bands, and it’s this precious little artefact that he’s now issued on CD, on his own – you’ve guessed it – Skullcrusher Records.

It’s an extremely low-fi production (and all the better for it), and the six bands on offer all come from the far side of obscurity, all of which adds to the excitement of the compilation. Only Chinawite are likely to be familiar to NWOBHM aficionados as they went on to release the ‘Blood On the Streets’ 7” in 1983 and then signed to Mausoleum for their sole album, 1984’s ‘Run For Cover’. The other bands – Alyx, Black Mariah, Fallen Angel, Renegade and Storm – all appear to have fallen by the wayside, but listening to their contributions makes you realise that they all have something to contribute to the legend of the NWOBHM. To be fair, Chinawite are probably the best band here, with the bouncy ‘One Way Love’ and their riff-driven title track, but the other outfits all have something to say with Black Mariah’s neck-breaking guitar showcase ‘Drifter’ and Storm’s short and snappy ‘Assassin’ being particular highlights.

‘Steel City Rock’ is a great showcase of grass-roots NWOBHM played by people with enthusiasm and passion, and is an essential addition to any collection. Go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589610639551 to order a copy. And bear in mind that all profits are going to musical activities to help people with early onset dementia, so it’s a win-win all round.

John Tucker August 2026