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Product Description Hellion began in 1982, when the term "female metal singer" did not exist. By 1983, Hellion's demo recordings (released as a self-titled Mini-LP) climbed to Number 6 on the UK rock charts. In America, their home, Hellion was regarded by the corporate music world as being "too heavy" for a band with a female singer. With fan support compensating for the backing that the corporate record labels did not provide, Hellion's music not only helped redefine the role of female performers in hard rock and heavy metal, but continues to earn respect among both new and old fans. This 2-CD collection takes listeners on a journey "To Hellion and Back" and includes rare, unreleased, and new Hellion songs in addition to fan favorites. The 2-CD set begins in 1983 with tracks from Hellion's Mini-LP and progressed to the present, with "Hell Has No Fury" (featuring the band's new line-up of Ann Boleyn, Simon Wright, Maxxxwell Carlisle, Scott Warren, and Bjorn Englen). Also included on the collection are rare and unreleased demo recordings including some produced by Ronnie James Dio and engineered by Angelo Arcuri in 1984, and by Ken Scott. This 2-CD anthology includes a 16-page full color booklet. The first pressing is autographed by singer Ann Boleyn. Review In the early 1980s, when Ann Boleyn and her band, Hellion, first emerged on the metal music scene, there simply was no other female singer that performed metal at the same level of power, skill, and passion. Hellion initially enjoyed success in England after being snatched up by the now legendary indy label, Music For Nations, who also released early recordings of Metallica, Anthrax, and Mercyful Fate. Hellion's self-produced demo, released as the Hellion "Mini-LP," climbed to number 6 in the British rock charts. Several tracks from the "Mini-LP" begin this 2-disc anthology. In 1984, iconic metal vocalist, Ronnie James Dio, took Hellion under their wing. Not only did he invite Hellion to open for his band, Dio, during the Last In Line tour, but, he also is credited for coaching Ann Boleyn and for producing early Hellion demos. Two of those recordings, thankfully, are on this anthology. The anthology continues to progress with an assortment of recordings and ends up with one new song from Hellion's new line-up which now includes Ann Boleyn, Simon Wright, Maxxxwell Carlisle, Scott Warren, and Bjorn Englen. It is hard to pick favorites out of this CD because there are so many excellent songs. My personal favorites of the previously released songs "Screams In The Night," "Break The Spell," "The Tower of Air," and "Will Not Go Quietly." I am also excited about "Hell Has No Fury," a new song, which combines the galloping excitement of classic Iron Maiden, with the gothic splendor of classic Rainbow, thanks in part to the excellent keyboards of Scott Warren (who played with Heaven and Hell, and also Dio) and epic vocals of Ann Boleyn. Hellion's line-up has changed over the years. But one constant factor that remains ever present is singer, Ann Boleyn. No matter the line-up, Hellion has always featured top-flight musicians. This CD is a great introduction into Hellion who's musical style is traditional power-metal. They remain one of the best metal bands in this genre. --Reagan Davis - Metal Mondays Radio
Growing up as a child in the 80's, I quickly became a huge fan of heavy metal as a whole in particular the subgenres called thrash metal and power metal in particular. While you had your heavy hitters like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, Dio, Mercyful Fate, Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer and Exodus for instance, there were many other great metal bands that had some great music but for one reason or another never really reached anywhere near the level of success and acclaim that these aforementioned bands did.One thing you didn't see much up during the 80's were metal bands fronted by a female lead singer. That would change with the German band Warlock which was fronted by the talented and beautiful Doro Pesch. Warlock would have some commercial success particularly in Europe before eventually splitting up with Doro striking out on a successfull solo career that still continues to this day.The other metal band featuring a female lead singer around that same time was the lesser known Hellion featuring Ann Boleyn on lead vocals. They released a well received self titled e.p. in 1983 before eventaully releasing their first full length album a full 4 years later. Hellion's recorded output varied in quality but each release did feature some quality material that while not reaching the heights that Warlock obtained around the same time, was still a nice diversion from the other more mainstream metal bands around that point and time.Hellion would change members never maintaining a stable linupe with Ann being the only consistent member even until this day. Hellion has also disbanded multiple times over the years but have seen a recent resurgence of interest resulting in Ann putting together a new lineup that is currently touring and planning on recording new material.This resurgence in interest has also resulted in this excellent 2 disc anthology covering the band's entire discography from 1983 to the present hitting the majority of the highlights on both the album and E.P. releases. It also features some cool rarities like a couple of great 1984 demos that were produced by none other than Ronnie James Dio himself (who also managed the band throughout most of the 80's too).Disc one is almost 55 minutes in length whereas disc two is a little over 67 minutes so at the budget price of only 12 dollars that this collection is fetching at most placers, you get a great deal on some fine traditional metal music. The remastering sounds great and thankfully isn't brickwalled so that the music has room to breathe. The booklet contains a great history of the band as well as some nice photos too. What's cool is that I hadn't really thought about this band any since the early 80's when I had obtained their 1983 e.p. through a tape trading dealer in a metal magazine. It's always cool to be able to go back and catch up with a band like Hellion that I really didn't keep up with after that initial great self titled e.p. Some of this is due to the band just never really getting into a groove of releasing truly consistent quality work as well as the constant lineup changes.Ann Boleyn might not have quite the range or power as a vocalist compared to Doro Pesch, but one thing I do respect is that she never used her sex appeal to help gain fame like Warlock did with the admittedly gorgeous Doro Pesch. Hey, sex sells, but integrity and principles are always much more important in my eyes. I can't recommend this collection enough. Hellion delivers some very fine traditional metal on this well done anthology that shows with maybe a few more luck changes and opportunities during their heyday, maybe could have reached the level of success that Ann always strived to achieve. Highly recommended!
