Sargent Fury Do You Remember – The Anthology
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
German melodic rock band Sargant Fury was one of those bands that seemed to exist just under the radar, going unnoticed by just about everyone (except the Japanese, who have proven time and again that they know a good thing when they hear it). The band, which featured English singer Andrew McDermott (who would go on to sing for the progressive metal band Threshold on their best albums), had a polished, melodic sound that was similar to bands like Giant, Bad English and Tyketto, but with a uniquely European feel.
Working with the top producers in the field, Sargant Fury issued a string of first rate melodic rock albums in the first half of the 1990s. Until now, these albums were only available as pricey, out of print Japanese imports. Fortunately, reissue label Divebomb Records (a branch of Tribunal Records) has made the complete Sargant Fury catalog available again with the box set Do You Remember – The Anthology. Here’s what the limited run set has to offer:
Disc 1 – Still Want More
Released at the height of the “arena rock” era, Sargant Fury’s 1991 debut album probably would have been a huge hit in the US if it had received even a fraction of the attention it deserved. Victory mainman Tommy Newton produced this one, and supplied some backing vocals.
Lineup:
Andrew McDermott – Vocals
Kal Steffen – Guitars
Olaf Grosser – Guitars
Bauke de Groot – Bass
Helko Helke – Drums
Track Listing:
1. Still You Want More
2. No. 9
3. Mind Games
4. Love Me
5. Stand Up
6. Me
7. Do You Still Remember
8. Love on the Run
9. Slow ‘n Easy
10. Just One Night
11. Losing Control
12. Don’t You Know
Disc 2 – Little Fish
Production duties on the band’s 1993 album were handled by Charlie Baurfeind, whose work with Angra and Gamma Ray (and later Blind Guardian and Helloween) made him one of the top producers in the power metal genre. Victory’s Fernando Garcia and Ralf Scheepers (then of Gamma Ray and now of Primal Fear) made guest appearances on this album, which included a memorable cover of Abba’s “Eagle.” Sargant Fury beat Rob Rock to the punch on that one!
Lineup:
Andrew McDermott – Vocals
Kal Steffen – Guitars
Olaf Grosser – Guitars
Bauke de Groot – Bass
Helko Helke – Drums
Track Listing:
1. Out
2. New Direction
3. No. 7
4. Little Fish
5. Eagle
6. T.T.A.
7. Goodbye
8. Change
9. Eternal Champion
10. Wrong Place – Wrong Time
11. Tomorrow
Disc 3 – Turn the Page
Released in 1995, this was the band’s final album. For any other band, this probably would have been the album where they made a weak attempt at going grunge. Fortunately Sargant Fury stuck to their guns, the result of which may be the strongest of their three albums. Charlie Bauerfeind again produced this one, alongside noted power metal producer Sascha Paeth. Saxon guitarist Paul Quinn makes an appearance on Turn the Page, as do Bauerfeind and Paeth. The album includes a pair of cover songs – the Flashdance anthem “Maniac” (beating Firewind to that one by more than a decade) and Bad Company’s “Can’t Get Enough.”
Lineup:
Andrew McDermott – Vocals
Kal Steffen – Guitars
Olaf Grosser – Guitars
Carsten Rebenstach – Bass
Helko Helke – Drums
Bauke de Groot – Additional Bass
Track Listing:
1. Turn the Page
2. Best I Can
3. Crack in the Mirror
4. Time
5. K.Y. Jelly (God Above)
6. No Other Way
7. Maniac
8. Without You
9. Main Attraction
10. Can’t Get Enough
11. Lucky Day
12. From a Distance
There isn’t any bonus material in this set, but the albums have all been digitally remastered, which is the real bonus. Just the fact that they’re all available in one affordable package is reason for melodic rock collectors to celebrate. If you’re a fan of bands like Tyketto, Giant, Harem Scarem and Threshold, and missed Sargant Fury the first time around, you’ll definitely want to grab Do You Remember – The Anthology while it’s still available. Divebomb only issued 1000 sets and it’s only available in CD format – no MP3s.
HRH Rating: 8.5/10
Online: www.tribunalrecords.net