Sacred Oath
Musical Genre/Type: Ro ck/Metal
Formed: 1983 Split: 1985
Star Trek (Ian Greatrex) - Lead Vocals (Fazeley)
Paul Keeton - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals - (Perrycrofts)
[Also in: The Cradle, The Calling, Scream Dream]
Muz Pickett - Rhythm Guitar (Leyfields)
[Also in: The Cradle]
Niz Concannon - Bass Guitar (Glascote)
[Also in: The Cradle, The Calling]
Vicki Gwinnutt - Drums (Coton Green)
Additional Info:
Star Trek unfortunately passed away a few months ago. R.I.P mate.
Variation No.1: From: November ‘84 to: March ‘85
Same line-up but with Paul Keeton singing and Jim Smith on drums. Star Trek and Vicki left.
Variation No.2: From: April ‘85 to: October/November ‘85
Star Trek re-joined on vocals.
Sacred Oath (Sacred Oath)
Lie With Me, Love With Me (Keeton/Greatrex)
Love Kills (Pickett/Keeton/Greatrex)
On The Borderline (Keeton/Greatrex)
Magdellana (Pickett/Keeton/Greatrex)
Robin Hood (Pickett/Keeton/Greatrex)
End Of The Road (Keeton/Pickett/Concannon/Greatrex)
Take Me To Your Leader (Keeton/Greatrex)
One Day I’ll Be King (Keeton/Pickett/Greatrex)
Afraid Of The Dark (Pickett/Keeton/Greatrex)
Other Songs: Dedikated/Fighter Pilot/You Can’t Kill Love/Protest
First Gig: 27/4/84 - Q.E.M.S
25/08/84
Sacred Oath
Scarab
Tamworth Arts Centre
22/09/84
Sacred Oath
The Parade
Tamworth Arts Centre
09/02/85
Sacred Oath
Scarab
Tamworth Arts Centre
12/05/85
Sacred Oath
Tamworth Arts Centre
14/07/85
Sacred Oath
Arts Centre Fundraiser
Tamworth Arts Centre
16/08/85
Sacred Oath
Gaf The Horse In Tears
Tamworth Arts Centre
Last Gig: Tamworth Arts Centre - September ‘85
Other Gigs: Tamworth Rock Festival 1985. Railway – Birmingham - support to Powerplay, I think. Several Arts Centre gigs - support and headline.
Title: The Power Of The Oath
Track List: Lie With Me, Love With Me; Love Kills; On the Borderline
Format: Demo Tape
Played first gig at Q.E.M.S in April ‘84 (27th I think) after Paul and Niz recruited myself and Star Trek (with my brother Stu on drums). Did our first gig at the Arts Centre in September of the same year supporting Scarab. What a night that was!
I always remember Sam Holliday asking me if we were punk rockers on the quiet as he thought we’d borrowed punk riffs and metallized ‘em as he put it. Recorded ‘The Power Of The Oath’ demo at Expresso Bongo, I think we were one of the first there. Cheers Paul Speare/Phil.
Never forget letting off smokebombs at a couple of Arts Centre gigs only to realise that they were for outdoors only. Doh! A cheap alternative to a smoke machine!
Rock Fest ‘85 was probably our best gig, Buttercup and Rikk Quay made sure we got an encore!
If we had a definitive line-up, it would be the third one with Star Trek and Jim Smith on drums.
We eventually changed style and the name to The Judas Cradle and then of course to The Cradle when Rikk Quay joined on vocals. But that’s another story!
Tamworth Herald – 03/08/84
A NEW YOUNG HEAVY BAND, who are bursting with enthusiasm and a desire to play live, have sent out an appeal for a drummer to complete their line up. Sacred Oath, a band who are keen to get involved in the local scene as soon as possible, want a drummer who is ambitious and almost ready to play gigs. They say they have a sound that is ‘heavy with a melodic feel’.
Tamworth Herald – 24/08/84
TAMWORTH’S music fans will be able to see a totally new band Sacred Oath in action on Saturday night, at the Arts Centre, alongside Birmingham rock band Scarab.
Sacred Oath are a powerful young rock band in the mould of their friendly rivals Wolfsbane.
It will be Sacred Oath’s first major gig and it shows that Tamworth’s scene just keeps rolling on and on.
Thanks to: Muz Pickett
Tamworth Herald – 07/09/84
A NEW EHTHUSIASTIC young rock band have just burst onto the local scene bringing with them a fresh wave of confidence and enthusiasm.
Sacred Oath are a quintet of teenagers who have been fuelled by the new spirit to be found in Tamworth music circles and are determined to take the town by storm.
“We hope a lot of people are going to like us – you don’t have to have long, greasy hair to enjoy us,” said guitarist Paul Keeton.
Sacred Oath so far have two gigs under their belts, the first a bash at their school (QEMS) and the second last Saturday at the Arts Centre with Birmingham band Scarab.
They have several more lined up for the future and say they are hoping to build up a good following before they have a special ‘metal battle’ with their inevitably linked kindred spirits Wolfsbane.
“Obviously Wolfsbane are a really good band so we would like to be ready to offer a real challenge to them when we link up,” said Paul.
Sacred Oath got together earlier this year after Paul, a guitarist, had hit on the idea for a band with bassist Niz Concannon.
The duo enlisted the wonderfully monickered Star Trek on vocals, another guitarist Murray Pickett and then finally female drummer Vick The Viking to complete the picture. Now the band are keen, confident and raring to go.
“We all see the band as a career and not just a bit of fun so we are taking it as seriously as possible,” said Star Trek, a vocalist who no doubt intends to boldly go where no vocalist has been before.
“We may not be the best ban in the world at the moment but we are confident we will be very good indeed,” he said.
As all the band are keen on groups such as Iron Maiden it would be easy to pigeon-hole them as another glammy heavy metal band – but they are quick to refute this.
“We are influenced by a lot of people and yet we don’t really sound like any of them. We see ourselves as an original band who will appeal to a whole variety of people,” said Paul.
Ambitious
The band’s ultimate musical aim is as ambitious as it is confident – “We are all looking forward to the day when Iron Maiden are supporting us at Hammersmith Odeon,” said Paul, “then we will really know that we have arrived.”
For those of you who missed the band on Saturday (we hope to carry a review next week) they will be on show again on September 22 alongside The Visitors, a band who it appears are on the verge of changing their name.
”We all like making the music that we like – now we must just hope that other people like it,” said Star Trek.
SAM HOLLIDAY
Tamworth Herald 21/09/84
TAMWORTH’S ROCK FANS can look forward to another Arts Centre ‘double-header’ this weekend when the venue plays host to two very diverse gigs.
Tonight energetic Burton trio Delusions of Grandeur will return to the centre to play alongside two acts which they say reflect the dual side of their music – new wave band A5 and synth duo Select Elect.
And then 24 hours later there won’t be a synthesiser in sight when new trio The Parade will play alongside youthful power rock outfit Sacred Oath.
Delusions of Grandeur will be coming to the Arts Centre for the second time this evening when they hope to build on their first show a few months ago.
Then the band impressed everyone with their tight modern pop sound – but turned a few people off with their onstage verbosity. But tonight lead singer Geoff Noble has promised more music and less verbals and hopes his band will win over everyone to their powerful entertaining music.
Supporting Delusions to night will be A5, a band who made considerable impression at Tamworth’s pop festival recently. A5’s sound was described by everyone at the time as being new wave meets Hawkwind, which seems to be an apt description of a band who combine very modern touches with effect-induced psychedelia.
Back-up
Select Elect will need no introduction but they have promised a more ‘live’ set than ever before. Th eband say they have become increasingly wary of letting tape recorders do their back-up work so tonight the band will be aiming at playing live as much as possible.
Tonights gig begins around 8pm and tickets from the Arts Centre cost 60p or £1 on the door.
Then on Saturday night the Arts Centre will pay host to two guitar-based bands who couldn’t be further apart musically. Sacred Oath, the young and enthusiastic new heavy group will be playing their second gig in about a month at the centre and will no doubt be out to catch the legions of rock fans who have recently taken Wolfsbane and BHX to their hearts.
Playing with Sacred Oath will be a band new to most people – The Parade. The band, formerly known as The Visitors, are a powerful trio influenced by bands such as Stiff Little Fingers, The Buzzcocks and The Stranglers. As this probably implies, they play new wave orientated music – but the story doesn’t end there.
“We are influenced by a lot of people but we have a sound all of our own,” said guitarist Brian Lacey.
The Parade are a band who feel they have a point to prove and are determined to get away from the image that most people have tried to hang on them that they are a Jam-copy band.
“I never even listen to The Jam anymore and we sound nothing like them. I can’t understand why people think we do, unless it’s just because we are a trip,” said Brian.
The Parade play a set of originals that vary in speed, feeling and sound and they are not sure who they will appeal to.
The Parade will be playing alongside Sacred Oath tomorrow night in a gig that kicks-off at 8pm. Tickets are just 50p and like tonight’s show, an intriguing night is in prospect.
Tamworth Herald 05/10/84
Bands aim for a pure magic
The Parade – Sacred Oath
IN these days when the music profession is regarded as a multi-million pound business, it is sometimes all too easy to forget the real values involved in creating sound.
Music has nothing to do with the pound in your pocket or the record company moguls, it should be all about creating a sound that you love to play and hoping that as many people as possible will love to hear it.
That is why it is always refreshing to see young bands starting out full of enthusiasm and anticipation and as yet untainted by the ugly, industrial reality of the pop biz.
Two such bands are Sacred Oath and The Parade – groups that could not be further apart musically, but who both share a common heartfelt belief in the music they make and the effect it can have on people.
Take Sacred Oath, probably the youngest band in the area, they have a pure non-cynical approach to their sound which makes them enjoyable to watch and very enjoyable to listen to. Their sound is straight and heavy and owes much to ancient punk rock riffs which they have metallised into epic, fully-blown rock numbers.
Musically, they play with an enthusiastic mania made all the more palatable by the admirable democracy of letting both guitarists – Paul Keaton and Murray Pickett - share the inevitable guitar solos. Both have considerable talent and as poseurs, they are even more adept.
Add to this the searching and sometimes very emotional vocals of Star Trek, the bruising bass of Niz Concannon and the almost overwhelming power of female drummer Vick the Viking and you have got a truly winning combination.
They all looked good, smiled a lot and treated the audience to a wonderfully crazed ending when people were diving into the centre of the stage with buoyant glee. All in all a terrific show packed full of potential.
Potential is also a word that sticks in mind about The Parade.
After starting with a little uncertainty, they just got better and better and the crowd became increasingly excited at their music. The music had overtones of The Clash, The Quads and yes, The Jam.
I can’t really understand the group’s claims that they sound nothing like The Jam – it’s as if sounding like one of the greatest groups EVER is a bad thing!
Still, influences or no influences, The Parade are still very much their own band. Some of their songs have infectious tunes and meaningful angry lyrics and if there was one criticism I would make of an otherwise superb night, I would say the band failed to get their true power across by keeping the bass and drums at a disappointingly indistinguishable level.
So two bands to watch out for in the future. Both have a lot to say and a lot to play and until they feel the beckoning clutches of the outside world, they should delight a lot of people with their sheer, honest approach to music.
SAM HOLLIDAY
Tamworth Herald 05/10/84
Bands aim for a pure magic
The Parade – Sacred Oath
IN these days when the music profession is regarded as a multi-million pound business, it is sometimes all too easy to forget the real values involved in creating sound.
Music has nothing to do with the pound in your pocket or the record company moguls, it should be all about creating a sound that you love to play and hoping that as many people as possible will love to hear it.
That is why it is always refreshing to see young bands starting out full of enthusiasm and anticipation and as yet untainted by the ugly, industrial reality of the pop biz.
Two such bands are Sacred Oath and The Parade – groups that could not be further apart musically, but who both share a common heartfelt belief in the music they make and the effect it can have on people.
Take Sacred Oath, probably the youngest band in the area, they have a pure non-cynical approach to their sound which makes them enjoyable to watch and very enjoyable to listen to. Their sound is straight and heavy and owes much to ancient punk rock riffs which they have metallised into epic, fully-blown rock numbers.
Musically, they play with an enthusiastic mania made all the more palatable by the admirable democracy of letting both guitarists – Paul Keaton and Murray Pickett - share the inevitable guitar solos. Both have considerable talent and as poseurs, they are even more adept.
Add to this the searching and sometimes very emotional vocals of Star Trek, the bruising bass of Niz Concannon and the almost overwhelming power of female drummer Vick the Viking and you have got a truly winning combination.
They all looked good, smiled a lot and treated the audience to a wonderfully crazed ending when people were diving into the centre of the stage with buoyant glee. All in all a terrific show packed full of potential.
Potential is also a word that sticks in mind about The Parade.
After starting with a little uncertainty, they just got better and better and the crowd became increasingly excited at their music. The music had overtones of The Clash, The Quads and yes, The Jam.
I can’t really understand the group’s claims that they sound nothing like The Jam – it’s as if sounding like one of the greatest groups EVER is a bad thing!
Still, influences or no influences, The Parade are still very much their own band. Some of their songs have infectious tunes and meaningful angry lyrics and if there was one criticism I would make of an otherwise superb night, I would say the band failed to get their true power across by keeping the bass and drums at a disappointingly indistinguishable level.
So two bands to watch out for in the future. Both have a lot to say and a lot to play and until they feel the beckoning clutches of the outside world, they should delight a lot of people with their sheer, honest approach to music.
SAM HOLLIDAY
Tamworth Herald – 08/02/85
TWO OF TAMWORTH’S best-known heavy bands will hit the Arts Centre stage tomorrow night – both sporting line-up changes.
For Sacred Oath, voted in the Musicbox poll as the top heavy band in the town, there will be a brand new line-up following the recent ‘abdication’ of vocalist Star Trek and drummer Vicky the Viking.
The group have lost none of their enthusiasm however, and are bursting to return to the stage tomorrow night.
Also bristling with enthusiasm are tomorrow night’s other band Scarab who have probably played more gigs in town recently than anyone else.
Scarab will be playing with a new drummer who they confidently believe is the best that Tamworth will have heard for a long time.
Paul Brooks, formerly a session musician has joined Scarab after spending a while teaching young drummers. His hallmark are special drum solos one of which is compared favourably to Motorhead’s “Overkill”.
So another meaty, beaty big and bouncy sound can be expected and tomorrow’s rick double bill gets under way at 8pm.
Tamworth Herald – 15/02/85
THIS week Musicbox is proud to unveil a new feature – Gossipbox. This irregular spot will aim to keep you in touch with all the rumours, whispers and gossip that is circulating about Tamworth’s bands and musicians.
Hopefully it will provide a quick reference guide to what is happening and with whom and if you know any juicy bits of gossip please let us know.
Let’s start with our old favourites Wolfsbane…it seems that this popular glam quartet are planning a big and sinister publicity stunt to get them back into the headlines.
…Meanwhile fellow rockers Sacred Oath unveiled their new drummer Josef Pighand at the Arts Centre last week, and by all accounts the man was very good indeed.
…On the folk circuit it seems Tamworth’s brightest outfit Ruffins Well have been offered a potentially lucrative TV appearance…a man also to be seen on the box rather a lot is Bob Geldof and it seems he got on like a house on fire with our very own Royal Family singer Dave Smith when the duo met up recently…
…Finally this week the happy news that Tamworth’s rock musicians are going to meet up later this year to record a special Band Aid-style song to raise funds for Ethiopia. For more info on this and other topics keep your eye on Musicbox – and of course Gossipbox.
Tamworth Herald – 22/02/85
Smashing time as riot hits stage
TOMORROW night Tamworth Arts Centre will play host to the final of the keenly-fought ‘Battle of the Bands’ contest.
The final, featuring five groups will be the culmination of four strong heats, the last of which is at the Arts Centre tonight (Friday),
Already the contest has attracted great interest and has been packed full of surprises and controversy.
It all began last Thursday when three very different acts – Dance Stance, One On One and The Original Royal Family took to the stage.
Controversy started to rage however, when one of the five judges was disqualified for walking out half-way through the gig of the last band The Royal Family. The disqualification gave One On One a clear victory, making them the first band into the final – and therefore the Bank Holiday rock festival.
Overflowing
Twenty-four hours later at the Arts Centre a packed-to-overflowing audience saw an amazing four-band contest. Childs Play opened the proceedings with their former guitarist, who had been dragged out of the bar because their normal player had disappeared!
The shock continued when Vicious Malicious – an unholy alliance of Select Elect and The Elusive They took to the stage and proceeded to smash up guitars and tape recorders as well as run riot with a chainsaw. The word was bizarre. All part of the act, of course.
And, if that wasn’t enough of a culture shock to the audience, then the new Pulsebeat, who after starting cautiously, had the whole crowd on their feet with some brilliant, individual guitar playing.
By now nothing could be surprising – but last band Scarab almost were. They came on and gave a blinding show bashing out 100mph rock anthems which sent their loyal fans into a state of acute frenzy. They threw in volcano-style fireworks, flashing lights and fake blood to provide a riveting performance. Needless to say they won, so booking their automatic place in tomorrow’s final.
The third heat was held last night (Thursday) and one of the following four acts will be in tomorrows final – Ideal Standard, Spirit of Water and Sitting Pretty.
The final heat will be tonight when Breaking Point, BHX, Sacred Oath and Caprice will battle it out.
Each of the acts has a lot going for them and predicting the result is extremely difficult.
BHX have proved their status by being offered several dates all round the country; Sacred Oath are now back fresher and more determined; Caprice get more confident with every gig and Breaking Point are Breaking point.
Surpassed
Don’t forget there will also be a place in tomorrow’s final for the highest scoring runner-up during the whole contest.
On the first two heats, Childs Play and Pulsebeat both with 59 points held second equal though it is likely that this total will be surpassed tomorrow night.
So an extraordinary night is in prospect. The finalists will be given only 20 minutes to impress the judges that they are Tamworth’s top band. The overall winner will be invited to play at the Young People’s Arts festival night in March where they will also be presented with their winning trophy.
Saturday’s final starts at around 8pm and entry is 60p. it is going to be packed to the rafters so people are advised to arrive early to enjoy this potentially tremendous occasion.
SAM HOLLIDAY
Tamworth Herald – 22/02/85
THIS column’s debut was very well received last week and so we hope to make it a regular feature. If you have news about local bands or musicians be sure to let us know so the truth can be told!
Well we start this week with a happy rumour that Talk Back have been linked with no less a label than EMI. According to my reliable informant, the label are very interested in the ambitious quartet and are considering sending someone up to watch them in action.
On the subject of live action. Sacred Oath are apparently planning to ask Wolfsbane to another ‘Battle of the Bands’ at the Arts Centre. Although Wolfsbane did a similar highly successful thing with BHX last year, the indications are that they won’t pick up the gauntlet. Sacred Oath however, claim that this would be an automatic victory for their outfit.
Sitting Pretty it seems are now ‘back on course’ according to lead singer Mike Turner. They have recruited former Breaking Point drummer Clark Stewart and experienced bass play Steve Parkin to the line-up and although it is the latest in a series of changes, there is a general feeling that this one is going to stick.
Talking of Sitting Pretty, what have their guitarist, Julian Amos, One On One drummer Stuart Blaine and Caprice singer Mike Fleming all got in common?
Well, strange as it may seem, they have all been members of heavy band BHX at one stage. This was just one of the fascinating facts I picked up when researching BHX’s history for their forthcoming national tour programme. The tour has already started to blossom with venues as glamorous as Dudley, Blackburn and Stoke-on-Trent on the itinerary. More info later.
And finally this week, news that former Classified Ads members Derek Goodwin and Paul Clements have formed a new ‘sexdeath’ combo on Manchester. The duo’s first manic performance was described as a ‘hideous noise’ which apparently pleased both members very much indeed. It’s all a far cry from the Classified Ads playing ‘Telephone’ but then again who remembers the band anyway?
SAM HOLLIDAY
Tamworth Herald – 22/03/85
Paul Keeton, the former Sacred Oath guitarist, has come to the aid of BHX. Ambitious Paul has joined the band after former guitarist Keith Edwards pulled out just weeks before the group’s first-ever national tour.
Tamworth Herald – 10/05/85
SACRED OATH return to the Tamworth stage on Saturday night when they will be playing at the Arts Centre with leading Lichfield outfit Arabia. Sacred Oath, who many people thought would split when Paul Keeton took up membership of BHX, should hit the stage at around 8pm and have promised a good show to their loyal local following. The band now have some backing from PR Promotions a new Lichfield-based management firm who are moving into PA hire. There will be more details about the service they offer in a future MUSICBOX.
Tamworth Herald – 12/07/85
YOUNG TAMWORTH MUSICIANS, alarmed by a closure threat facing the town’s Arts Centre, are planning a series of money-raising concerts.
The events, starting tomorrow (Saturday) are being arranged by local bands as their attempt to stave off a cash crisis that hangs over the building.
“Without the Arts Centre, bands like us would have nowhere to play and we wouldn’t be here now,” said Paul Keeton, singer with Sacred Oath who are staging tomorrow night’s event.
“It is a terrible situation and I am sure a lot of bands will be keen to help out the Arts Centre,” said Paul.
The group have chosen the Arts Centre itself to stage Saturday night’s show. And they are convinced it will be the first of many such concerts.
“We are also thinking about setting up a 12-hour sponsored show involving a host of bands with all of the money going to the Arts Centre,” said Paul.
Destroy
Sacred Oath say the loss of the Arts Centre would not only destroy the Tamworth rock scene but would also be a body-blow to everyone else in the town who likes live entertainment.
“It is a unique centre in Tamworth. Without it the bottom would fall out of the cultural scene and we must do everything we can,” said the group’s drummer Josef Pighand.
Arts Centre administrator Nick Ewbank said he was ‘overwhelmed’ at the enthusiasm of local groups about the concert venue.
“There has been a very positive response and it shows that the Arts Centre is very important to a lot of young people in the town,” he said.
Saturday night’s show starts at 8pm and all the proceeds from the 60p entrance fee will go to the Arts Centre.
Tamworth Herald – 16/08/85
THERE are two gigs to look out for this week-end at Tamworth Arts Centre. Tonight (Friday) it is the pairing of young metal outfit Sacred Oath and the older – and certainly not metal! – Gaf The Horse In Tears.
Sacred Oath who will be recording their first demo at the Expresso Bongo studios this week, will be playing a set largely made up of new numbers.
The ever-enthusiastic band are also busy organising a coach to a prestigious gig at Nottingham Palais with Killer Elite. If you would like to join the group on the coach, give Paul a ring.
Tamworth Herald – 13/09/85
Scarab are back. The band who made the Arts Centre their metallic shrine have re-formed as a three-piece with Paul Britton moving to bass and vocals and Dave Parrish and Paul Brooks staying at their old instruments. They have already lined-up a gig at the Coach and Horses, West Bromwich with Sacred Oath and a coach is being laid on for Tamworth fans. Tickets cost £2 and can be bought from the Arts Centre. If you are wondering, by the way, whether Scarab have softened up while they have been away, think again! According to group secretary Angela Parrish “their new image makes Metallica sound like the Dooleys”.
Tamworth Herald – 20/09/85
PLEASURE TRIUMPHS OVER THE PAIN!
Sacred Oath – Demo
HEADACHES AND MUSIC do not make happy cocktails. So when I put on Sacred Oath’s tape on Sunday afternoon with my head feeling like it had been kicked repeatedly by al elephant in Doc Martens. I was all ready to hate everything I heard.
But I didn’t. In fact, quite the contrary, Sacred Oath may not have found a rival for Hedex just yet, but one thing’s for certain, they have made a tape they can be very proud of.
To be honest, the songs are not the ones that really hit me when the band played at the August festival.
There, they bowled over a lot of people with a spirited brand of what they see as alternative heavy rock sound. The emphasis at the Festival was on speed and power, but on the tape they have decided to use the equally powerful weapon of subtlety and melody.
It is the sort of tape where, headache or no headache, the songs improve with every playing. The opener, for example ‘Lie With Me, Love With Me’ has so much going on that you need a couple of playings to fully appreciate it.
It has a catchy, well-structured melody which perfectly compliments Ian Greatorex’s pleasing, well-toned vocal.
The worst thing about this very neat song is the title. If the band want to get away from the heavy metal image then they will have to drop heavy metal clichés like this but ‘Lie’ has enough touches to keep it interesting after a number of playings.
Equally able to sustain the interest is ‘Love Kills’ a mellow, mature number with a well balanced mixture of acoustic, rhythmic and lead breaks.
The dual guitar work of Paul Keeton and Murray Pickett has a faraway, dreamy feel and the song as a whole has more than the odd shade of Queen.
It could have made the ‘A’ side if there was one, but the band chose to extend the track perhaps beyond its natural length and keep it as the strong moody bridge between the two more direct songs that sandwich it.
Closing the tape is an archetypal ‘rock’ song ‘On The Borderline’. This has another nice melody with some razor-edged guitars which build into a strong thumping chorus where the loveable drummer Josef goes all out to wreck the skins with considerable success.
Once again it could have been tightened up a little – there is one gratuitous guitar solo at the end for example but as a song it is crisp, lively and enjoyable.
Maturity
All in all a very inventive and enjoyable tape, skilfully produced by Expresso Bongo merchants Paul Speare and Phil Smith. I still don’t know how to categorise Sacred Oath but one thing is certain they have improved beyond recognition in the past few months.
It is an improvement based on maturity and there is no doubt that Sacred Oath circa 1985 make Sacred Oath circa 1984 pale into metallic insignificance. It they can develop this much in such a short time, their future can only be bright and I for one am keen to see what they come up with next.
I just hope the next time I won’t have a bottle of paracetamol by my side!!
Sam Holliday
Tamworth Herald – 20/09/85
Also returning to the scene of one of their former crimes are Powerplay who will be teaming up with Sacred Oath at The Railway in Birmingham on Monday. Like Sacred Oath, Powerplay have just released a demo and Musicbox hopes to take a look at it later.
Tamworth Herald – 11/10/85
STAR TREK has boldly gone where no man has been before – right into the back of a van. For the blond bombshell lead singer of Sacred Oath was involved in a motorbike accident recently which left him with arm, hip and pride injuries.
All we can do is wish him a speedy recovery and remind Star Trek that motorbikes can be more trouble that the Starship Enterprise.
Tamworth Herald – 08/11/85
SACRED OATH have sent out an urgent appeal for a stand-in vocalist. The band’s current singer Star Trek is likely to be out of action until April because of an accident, and the rest of the group are determined to keep active. Anyone with a liking for heavy and more alternative sounds who would care to try and help out the band can ring Paul.
Tamworth Herald – 22/11/85
TAMWORTH Arts Centre is the venue for the second consecutive week for an exciting concert this Sunday. The band on view is The Judas Cradle, previously Sacred Oath, who will be bringing their new sound and image to the Centre for the first time. If they are half as good as they were at last year’s Festival it promises to be a tremendous show so don’t miss out. Also appearing are top psychedelic band Mourn Blade. |
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