Marseille Four Play

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by Heather McNamara
Staff Writer

Ah, the late 1970s and early ‘80s. The glory days of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, a phenomenon that swept the world and introduced bands that would change the face of rock ‘n’ roll. Among the forerunners of the NWOBHM was a group of five Liverpool lads who changed their name from AC/DC (no joke!) to Marseille, who were the very first of these pioneering metal mavericks to tour the United States. With two albums to their credit, Marseille were on the brink of their big break, but it all came crashing down as their label, Mountain, went belly up and the members broke up to pursue regular jobs.

Now,25 years after their crash-and-burn, four of the original founding members of Marseille, teaming up with new lead singer Nige Roberts, are back with Fourplay, a four-song EP of in-your-face hard rock. Nothing elaborate here or symphonic here, just four rip-roaring songs that take the listener on a trip back in time to British heavy metal’s salad days. Kicking things off is “Are You Ready,” a balls-to-the-wall anthem with a guitar riff that sticks in your head. From there, it’s all crunchy power chords and hooks reminiscent of, but not ripping off, AC/DC.

Marseille may over the hill, but they’ve obviously still got it when it comes to making good time rock, and Fourplay takes the listener on a rippin’ stroll down Memory Lane, yet paves the way for the future for a once-forgotten band.

Web: Official Site

Track Listing:
1. Are You Ready
2. You’re a Woman
3. Heat (Of The Night)
4. Some Like It Hot

HRH Rating: 8/10