PRE-ORDER: SPARTAN WARRIOR (UK) "Steel n' Chains" LP SPLATTER

Originally released in 1983, Spartan Warrior’s debut album Steel N’ Chains is a true lost gem of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Based in Sunderland, in the north east of the UK, the band only released one further album and a pair of tracks on a compilation album before hitting the buffers, yet they gigged hard and worked up a following which ensured they weren’t forgotten. Spartan Warrior came into being when a local band named Deceiver – featuring bassist Tom Spencer and drummer Gordon Webster – were looking for a new vocalist and David Wilkinson successfully auditioned. Over time, Wilkinson’s brother Neil and another guitarist, John Stormont, joined the band, and it was this line-up that recorded two songs, ‘Steel N’ Chains’ and ‘Easy Prey’ (mistakenly titled ‘Comes As No Surprise’ on the LP sleeve) for Guardian Records’ Pure Overkill compilation. The label offered Spartan Warrior a record deal and, with Stormont now replaced by Paul Swaddle, a further eight songs were recorded and with the addition of the Pure Overkill recordings Steel N’ Chains was complete. The record sold well and the buzz around the band reached Roadrunner Records who signed them for a second album, although after its release David Wilkinson left and the band struggled to continue, splitting by the mid-1980s. The band reformed around 2006 and have played a number of festivals across Europe. But it all started here with their classy debut record, Steel N’ Chains. A great album from a great band.

JOHN TUCKER May 2025

Dave Wilkinson - Vocals

Neil Wilkinson - Guitars

Paul Swaddle - Guitars

Tom Spencer - Bass

Gordon Webster - Drums

01 Cold Hearted

02 Stormer

03 Easy Prey

04 Breakin' Sweat

05 Steel n'Chains

06 It's Alright

07 Hell Hath No Mercy

08 Don't Wanna Be a Loser

09 Witchfinder

10 Hunted