Hellion - To Hellion And Back: The Anthology- 2CD Anthology 1983-2014
Omega
http://www.theomegaorder.com/hellion

Rating:  C

Hellion, led by vocalist Ann Boleyn, is still rocking -against the odds- and over 30 years since they recorded their initial demos.  In fact, Hellion has a new record deal with Cherry Red Records.  The first group of tunes to be released is a double-disc that takes the listener back to the band’s earliest beginnings, and ends with the band in the modern day. 

There have been many musicians in this band through the years, but the one constant has been the true witchy woman, Metal’s first rock Goddess, Ann Boleyn.  She is still spooky, freaky and totally dedicated to Heavy Metal.  In fact, the newer tunes are some of the strongest that Hellion has ever released...  and they should be, as the band is made up of some major talent including former AC/DC and DIO drummer Simon Wright and DIO keyboardist Scott Warren.  On bass is former Yngwie Malmsteen bassist Bjorn Englen, plus up-and-coming lead guitarist Maxxxwell Carlisle.  The album’s new tracks were also produced by Ken Scott, an iconic figure in rock history who has engineered classic works by George Harrison, Supertramp, Kansas, David Bowie and Elton John.  He also produced the classic The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars as well as other iconic David Bowie albums. 

Still, this is Ann’s band, and the strong points are still the passion for what she loves and how she does it.  The weakness for Hellion is that the band was good…just not great.  They had an IT factor, but were never able to write that one HUGE hit or get that big break.  That is not to say that Ann wasn’t busy busting down Metal’s doors, demanding that female Metal Heads be taken seriously.  She is one of the most important personalities in her genre when it comes to promoting woman in Metal!

The 26 tracks on this two-disc set show how Ann has continued to push forward from her naïve beginnings, to her now-seasoned and time tested attitude.  This is a fun album with a lot of good grooves. 

It’s nice to have Hellion back.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE
1. Backstabber
2. Driving Hard
3. Don’t Take No For An Answer
4. Break The Spell
5. Up From The Depths
6. Run For Your Life
7. Get Ready
8. Witching Hour
9. Screams In The Night
10. Upside Down Guitar Solo/
11. The Hand
12. Bad Attitude
13. Tower Of Air

DISC TWO
1. Nevermore
2. Exciter
3. The Evil One
4. Breakdown
5. The Black Book
6. Living In Hell
7. Stormrider
8. Demon Attack
9. Resurrection/Will Not Go Quietly
10. Shit (Is Gonna Hit The Fan)
11. Dead and Gone
12. Dream Deceiver
13. Hell Has No Fury

By Jeb Wright