NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON A FRIEND

This album was may first encounter with Budgie,circa late 1973,when I first heard Baby please,don't goand from that moment on,to probably eternity, I am,and will be in the future,a devoted Budgie fan.I own this album in both CD and LP format,if ever Japanese mini lp sleeve edition becomes available,I'll be first to own it,this is to show how much I appreciate album and the band itself. Never turn your back on a friend,IMHO,is a definitive Budgie record,a step into legend,and artistic & musical statement worthy of a greatest Welsh band ever.From opening barage of Breadfan,Metallica's favorite cover song,to beautifuly crafted Parents ,this album rocks hard and along w/Sabbath was probably heaviest stuff you could hear during early to mid 70's.Production values are much better than on first two albums,sound is huge and still retains underground feel band is known for.Main architect of Budgie's heavy sound was Tony Bourge,his ability to create that trademark guitar sound(kinda mix of Tony Iommi and Leslie West,but in esence highly original sound)translated in monster riffs and complimented by huge drumming by Ray Phillips and rumbling bass work of Burke Shelley,makes Budgie one of the biggest names in HR/HM history.Considering qualites Budgie possesed, question is why this band has not earned more recognition with both critics and music consumers?From personal experience I can say that many progheads I know love Budgie and Never turn yor back.. album in particular as one of the cornerstones of British underground heavy scene and consider band as a real godfather of HM movement to come years later,a New wave of British Heavy metal. Definitely best Budgie album deserves absolute attention from all progheads,a must for prog-metal fans.This album started it all.