Chances are, if you’re an Iron Maiden fan, you have heard of the name Samson. Before the famous Bruce Dickinson joined Maiden for their classic album
The Number of the Beast, he was singing for another New Wave of British Heavy Metal outfit, Samson. This band was formed in ’77, by guitarist Paul Samson, and recorded their debut
Survivors in 1979, which still featured the guitarist on both guitar and vocals. It was for their second album
Head On that they came across Bruce Dickinson, then calling himself ‘Bruce Bruce’, who would earn the band some recognition with his powerful vocal chords, along with drummer Thunderstick, noted for his live performances in a metal cage. It is also him who is featured on the cover art of this album.
The immediate question that arises is obvious: is Samson just as much worth the trouble as Iron Maiden? There is a very simple answer to that, and that is no. Samson lacked standout talent and uniqueness to really separate them from their NWOBHM-contemporaries, but were nevertheless a decent band, tilted higher with exceptional vocal qualities.
Dickinson’s first appearance isn’t all that notable however, as he had not developed his voice to the extent he reached in 1982. Perhaps not even a bad thing, because the practice he got in his first long-time band must have probably helped him getting through the audition for Maiden, and certainly helped
666 acquire higher levels. On this album, Dickinson’s clean singing lacks the extra pound of power, and so do his screams. Still, it is almost as enjoyable as his performance in his later career.
As for the rest of Samson, they each play their part well. It should be noted that though they were often seen as a part of the NWOBHM, Samson’s direction lay very much in the vein of traditional hard rock, though the heavy metal elements are definitely present. Samson lays a solid, blues-rooted (as almost everything from the time) guitar basis, in the simple rock n’ roll manner of the likes of Angus Young, though he is not much of a show-off. His solos are decent and effective.
Of the rhythm section, bass player Chris Aylmer shows the greatest talent. It is good to hear that
Head On is not entirely guitar- and vocal-driven, as the bass is clearly noticeable. Like the guitar, it doesn’t get too extravagant, but remains more effective than can be said of many other 80’s hard rock/heavy metal acts. Thunderstick doesn’t do much to change that feeling either. He doesn’t exactly live up to his impressive name (though I’m sure his live performances were worthwhile), but he gets the job done.
Head On’s material ranges from generic but enjoyable (
Hard Times,
Take it Like a Man) to a few cases of generic and annoying (
Too Close to Rock,
Hunted), but has some definite standouts, such as the catchy
Vice Versa, which is probably Dickinson’s best performance on the album, and the 6:35 closer
Walking Out on You, which does a very solid effort at straying from the somewhat unoriginal style of the rest of the album in trying to be epic. The most interesting track for Maiden fans is
Thunderburst, an instrumental co-written by Steve Harris (that’s right). It doesn’t stop there, because those of you who have heard the excellent
Killers will notice the strong connection to its similar-length opener
The Ides of March. Seeing that appeared in 1981, and this a year before, we now know that Harris already had its basis already written up. Apparently Maiden were already familiar with Samson.
What Head On remains is a decent album from a decent band, made all the more interesting because of Dickinson’s presence. It’s mostly standard-fare, it’s also mostly enjoyable, and it can be enjoyed by anyone with liking for the British New Wave of Heavy Metal. Enough said.
- Paul Bruce ‘Bruce Bruce’ Dickinson ~ Vocals
- Paul Samson ~ Guitar
- Chris Aylmer ~ Bass Guitar
- Barry ‘Thunderstick’ Graham ~ Drums
