Live shows in the 1985s…. only those who ever been to those shows know how they taste. And they tasted like night train journeys where one had to sit or stand in crowded passageways, no money for train tickets, and of course no money to buy tickets for shows. But nobody really cared. As soon as we learned there was going to be another show somewhere in Poland, no matter where or for how much we started to act.

We didn’t care if our parents were happy about that or not, or if we were penniless or not. We just would get together with other guys and set off to see our bands. Getting to a show venue and then getting inside was what counted. Metal was the only thing that really mattered.

Metal gave us wings; thanks to metal we were able to overcome any obstacles there were at the time. In was pretty much how I managed to get to Hala Arena in Poznan, Poland, to see PRETTY MAIDS, who was, at the time, on tour with HANOI ROCKS. KAT represented Poland. PRETTY MAIDS were promoting their “Red, Hot and Heavy” album released in October of 1984.

The way PRETTY MAIDS` musicians were dressed shocked us. Their clothes were very colorful, much more colourful than most of the people would wear in Poland back then. And their music was very energetic, so energetic we were unable to stand still. We just felt urged to move closer to the stage, join the tightly-packed crowd of metal heads and then absorb the sounds coming from the band. They started with the intro song: “Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Carmina Burana).”

Then another powerful song was upon us – “Back to Back.” What we heard was something truly extraordinary, something mystic and important. And totally different. Our excitement was even stronger when we heard “Cold Killer,” “Waitin' for the Time” and “Battle of Pride.” We were literally shocked. The live version of “Red, Hot and Heavy” is still etched in my mind. Pure madness bordering on possession. During that song I was stomped on by the crowd.

I got bruised really badly, I had to take a breather leaning against the wall until the song was finished. Well, I was OK, nothing serious, just bruised a little. Some punk head kicked me while moshing and I lost my balance, then I was absorbed by the black mass, literally bulldozed into the ground. That was really brutal in those days, and a mosh pit was a serious thing. Anyhow, I was lucky and I survived.  

Anyhow, getting back to the show in Poznan. Apart from the debut album songs, PRETTY MAIDS performed some songs from their MLP as well: “Shelly the Maid,” and “Children of Tomorrow.” I had never heard those songs and it took me some time to get this release on vinyl. I have also managed to get the Rock Arena bootleg. Time-worn memories are back.

Yeah, those were crazy times for sure. I love to recollect those years. The PRETTY MAIDS` show I witnessed in Poznan, Poland I would always associate with some form of “newness” and “freshness.” Those songs were very energizing, catchy and impacting us in a positive way. And the Ronnie Atkin`s vocals were truly memorable. I have recently stumbled across his solo album. He does really well on it, and it`s been ages since I saw them live in Poland, right?

Before I will talk about “Red, Hot and Heavy,” I want to talk about the band’s earliest history, that is, from 1981 until “Future World” (1987). PRETTY MAIDS formed back in 1981, in Horsens, Denmark. Ken Hammer and John Jacobsen created PM band to play THIN LIZZY songs. Ronnie Atkins joined them a year later to replace band`s frontman – John Jacobsen. Sometime later, the group started working on their own songs and release their first, two-song demo in 1982 (featuring “City Light” and “Shelly the Maid”). The demo was not particularly well received, but the band didn’t care. In 1983, they released their second demo titled “Heavy Metal.”

It features two re-recorded demo songs from the band`s first demo, as well as seven brand new songs: “Children of Tomorrow,” “Warchild,” “Nowhere to Run,” “Fantasy,” “Spanish Midnight,” “Victims of Power” and “In the Night.” The demo was sent over to Bullet Records and the label decided to release their 6-song MLP titled simply “Pretty Maids.” The MLP was followed by a UK tour. The MLP got re-released by CBS in 1984 with a different front cover…. we will talk about it later.

Before PRETTY MAIDS started to cooperate with CBS in 1984, they had recorded another demo with four fabulous songs on it: “Queen of Dreams,” “Battle of Pride,” “Cold Killer” and “Night Danger.” It was exactly when PRETTY MAIDS signed to CBS. Two singles were out in 1984: “A Place in the Night/Back to Back” and “Waitin' for the Time (edit version)/Back to Back.” The promotional machine started to accelerate for good.

In October, the band`s debut album was released – “Red, Hot and Heavy.” The line-up on this album was as follows: Ronnie Atkins – vocals, Rick Hanson – guitars, Ken Hammer – guitars, Allan Delong – bass, Phil Moorheed – drums, and Alan Owen – keyboards. The album was successful and became the best debut heavy metal album ever recorded. Many fans started to appreciate PRETTY MAIDS. The band started another European tour and came to Poland in 19985. It should be noted that during their tour in Scandinavia, PM supported BLACK SABBATH themselves!

In 1986, PRETTY MAIDS recorded their second alum – “Future World.” The recording session took place at Bearsville Studios in New York, USA and the songs were produced by Eddie Kramer himself. The album became even more successful than the first full-length. Same year, PM went on their first USA tour, in Europe they played live at “Monsters of Rock,” one of the biggest festivals in Europe at the time.

“Red, Hot and Heavy”

Hard to forget the day when I first heard this album. I had only listened to this album`s songs live, never the studio versions. And I was too emotional to properly focus on music itself. I was just absorbing the sounds coming from the stage, headbanging in a mosh pit and enjoying the moment. The actual worth of “Red, Hot and Heavy” I started to appreciate when I played this album at home. In fact, I dubbed that album onto tape at the music store on Florianska Street, Cracow, Poland. Yes, indeed, the live versions of the album were powerful but the studio ones had plenty of hidden “flavours” which I started to appreciate much, much later.

From the very first moments of “Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Carmina Burana),” I could tell this album was very unique and emotional. But when “Back to Back” began I was euphoric. What I admire this band for is its rough energy; it is very wild and catchy at the same time. Even today, I must say this stuff is very enjoyable, it still holds up. “Back to Back” is a pure hit song, plain and simple, especially when performed live.

The fans get literally crazy when confronted with its live version. The guitar solos are truly magical, they are so fantastic!!! This orchestration is very rich in sounds; it is easy to fall in love with this band when songs like this one are played on your stereo. Ok,

I am still impressed by “Back to Back” when the title song is served – “Red, Hot and Heavy.” And this mid-paced track is amazing too, very original and stuff. I simply love music like this one. Ronnie`s vocals are damn unique, damn excellent. And these catchy refrains…this song is a true heavy metal hymn, plain and simple. This is how pure heavy metal ought to sound like. Next comes “Waitin' for the Time,” a slightly less aggressive song with some keyboards here and there. Still catchy, all right. At the time, the use of keyboards was not too popular in heavy metal, but it worked perfectly with PRETTY MAIDS` music.

This song has plenty of positive energy and it is just a good listen, all over. And these acoustic guitar riffs are so well-composed. Dramatic, excellent and the two harmonic solos this song features are just fantastic. “Cold Killer” is another superb song this amazing album has. The guitar sound is very rough and aggressive, and when combined with Ronnie`s throaty vocals its power makes you kneel to its awesomeness.

It is very catchy too, plenty of untamed energy in this one, that’s for sure. This song’s lyrics deal with cosmic weapons and the keyboards provide very good background for this sort of themes. “Battle of Pride” combines roughness and catchiness in one.

The band perfectly toys with catchy melodies and the collages of sounds they create in result are stunningly good. “Night Danger” is very energetic and aggressive, don’t listen to this song while driving or you will get a speeding ticket, seriously! Pure, untamed energy. “A Place in the Night” is full of acoustic parts make this music much more noble. This is another radio hit, this song and shows clearly how powerful PRETTY MAIDS` music is. I mean they are very rough and aggressive but catchy at the same time.

The guitar riffs combined with the rough sound is something to write home about, no joke. “Queen of Dreams” is a anthemic song with keyboards` fanfares. This it very pathos and full of primitive, primordial energy. Very catchy and melodic and the vocals by Ronnie are just perfect. This is the very music I adore. The last song on this album is THIN LIZZY`s cover song, since you guys remember what band initially inspired PRETTY MAIDS to start playing music, right? “Little Darling” is perfectly executed, I prefer this version much better than the original one. It is definitely more energetic and faster. I would like to know Phil Lynott`s reaction to this version and I hope he had a chance to listen to this PRETTY MAIDS alternative.

Their next album is at a completely different level. First off, the songs were recorded together with master Eddie Kramer, that is, the guy who had already cooperated with such top bands as THE BEATLES, KISS, LED ZEPPELIN, THE ROLLING STONES, DAVID BOWIE to name but a few. Secondly, the studio used to record this album was of much better quality. And the music is catchier too, better arranged, more relaxed and you can easily tell how much the band progressed when it comes to writing music.

Seems like the European tour helped PM a lot. PRETTY MAIDS indeed progressed considerably. New songs appear much more mature, more energetic and aggressive. Many think this album is PRETTY MAIDS` best full length recording and I reckon it`s true because it became much more successful than the previous one. The first song on this album is close to what speed metal is – the atmosphere is very much electrified.

The guitars are razor sharp. This is what HEAVY METAL is all about. I adore this song for its untamed aggressiveness…sure, there are some slower parts so one can take a breather. It all is perfectly combined with each other. This song is prefect; there is a lot going on in it. No wonder it was chosen to be the title album. We came to rock is another radio hit song, no doubt. Very catchy and moving but still very heavy metal, this song. Ronnie`s vocals are just perfect, damn, he can sing, this guy. “Love Games” is another radio hit, yet this song is quite soft. Actually, way too soft, in my opinion, and but for Ronnie`s vocals it`d be too meek.

This song sounds very “American,” so to say, and well, it is not bad and the solo is excellent, but overall this cut seems too “mainstream,” yeah. “Yellow Rain” is another radio-hit song. A nice ballad with plenty of acoustic guitar riffs in it. This is the first part of it, the second is much faster and, as a result, this song becomes more varied. This is exactly how to compose a good song. The B-side starts with very energetic “Loud and Proud.” It has plenty of keyboards in it but “accessibility” of the song is not disturbed.

The keys sound the way they should. This is very powerful yet still melodic. You sort of feel obliged to start singing along with this song; a very good track with two harmonic guitar parts, fantastic. “Rodeo” is a rather typical, mid-paced song with a catchy refrain. “Needles in the Dark” is another favourite song this album features. I like songs which are as dynamic as this one. It has plenty of a “live show” energy in it. Truly memorable. “Eye of the Storm” is a beautiful ballad.

I am very sentimental about this song because it reminds me of some good things from my youth. One of the better metal ballads; and I will tell you that ballads were very popular back then. “Long Way to Go” is the last song ending this album. And this is another hit, simply put. I must say this recording has plenty of positive energy in it. This album is just perfect, lock stock and barrel. “Future World” is an exceptional album, a truly timeless classic.

I love to play these albums now and then! They are a perfect antidote for everydayness’s spleen and greyness.

NecronosferatuS