by John Kindred
– Publisher —
The Deep, while new to the music scene, is not a new band. In fact, the formation of the group can be traced back to 1982, when the group began writing and performing under the moniker Deep Machine. As with any marriage of complex personalities, the band soon split up. But the members went on to play in other bands, such as Minas Tirith, Strutt, Equinox and Vardis, among others. Their musical pursuits didn’t end with Deep Machine.
By 2012, guitarists Paul Smith and Tony Harris, bassist Andy Wrighton, vocalist Tony and drummer Steve Kingsley got together and found that the music they had written in early ‘80s still had that magic spark. With four of the five members committing to reform the band (Andy Wrighton was unable to join the group because of his commitments with Toyko Blade), the band adopted a new name, The Deep. It soon became apparent that Harris was unable to continue to play due to a physical illness. Guitarist Mick Feleppa and bassist Don Whiberley soon were recruited into the band’s ranks, and this solidified the current lineup: Tony Coldham, Paul Smith, Mick Feleppa, Don Whiberley and Steve Kingsley.
From 2013 through early January 2015, the group has spent time at The Vatican recording studios in East End, London, working to deliver its first complete studio album. Titled Premonition, the album features songs that originally were written in ’82, songs from Coldham and Smith’s time in the band Strutt and a song from the ’90’s collaboration between Coldham and Smith from their music project called “The Rodford Files.”
Premonition features visually striking artwork, which was created by CadiesArt (http://cadiesart.com/home.php). This is a tease for any music fan who is inspired by the fantasy aspect of Heavy Metal music. The album features 10 songs that easily were influenced by Metal bands of the ‘70s, such as Rainbow, Deep Purple, Judas Priest and UFO, among many others. And like their peers of the early ‘80s, their music firmly is rooted in what was then known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, NWOBHM.
Premonition combines the best of the ‘70’s classic riff-oriented Rock with the melodic overtures of NWOBHM. The music provides plenty of hooks to tease the metallic palette. Songs such as “You Take My Breath Away,” “Nightstalker” and “Cold Hearted” feature melodic choruses in which the hook sticks to you like glue. “Saga” offers up a very soulful guitar solo. “The Rider” has a very Deep Purple-esque driving, pulsating guitar rhythm. Overall, Premonition is a very balanced and listenable album; it offers fans 10 songs that are finely crafted gems with absolutely no filler.
Feleppa and Smith deliver melodic, soaring solos and versatile rhythmic progressions. Coldham’s voice is merge of Deep Purple’s Ian Gillen and MSG’s Gary Barden, with hints of Doogie White for good measure. The rhythm section of Whilberey and Kingsley provides a solid foundation for the musical arrangements.
While many new and upcoming bands are rediscovering the British’s genre defining era of the ‘80s, The Deep, having lived, performed and breathed life into that decade of discovery, offer the truest and purest reflection of the genre. It should be no surprise that the music maintains the same feel and vibe of that era. And with the technology of today, the music is crisp and polished that lends to the credibility and power of each song.
If flashing back to the early ‘80s, The Deep’s music would be equal to its peers. While they waited a good amount of time to release the music, fans get a CD release that features great songs and great production – so maybe 30-plus years was worth the wait.
Genre: New Wave of British Heavy Metal, NWOBHM
Band:
Tony Coldham – Vocals (Ex-Minas Tirith, Deep Machine, Ocean, Strutt, Airrace)
Paul Smith – Guitars (Ex-Janine, Deep Machine, Strutt, Shattered Hearts, Bug-eyed Starfish)
Mick Feleppa – Guitars (Ex-Great British Heroes, Havoc, Ash, Strutt)
Don Whiberley -Bass (Ex-Equinox)
Steve Kingsley – Drums (Ex-Omega, Deep Machine, Rogue Male, Vardis)
Track Listing:
01. The Rider
02. You Take My Breath Away
03. Night-stalker
04. Cold-hearted
05. All I Want
06. Out Of Touch
07. Premonition
08. Spell-bound
09. Saga
10. Turn Me Loose
Label: Independent
Web: https://www.facebook.com/TheDeepUK
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
