PÅ STERKE VINGER

I would like to thank Magne Røskaft of Some Progressive Rock from Norway for introducing me to HOST. HOST released two albums in the mid-70s before calling it quits. Their sound combined seventies hard-rock/metal with prog, and Norwegian folk. Both albums are excellent, but "På Sterke Vinger" is my favorite so far. The main reason for that is that many sections remind me of early IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST (Sad Wings of Destiny-era). But "På Sterke Vinger" was released in 1974! Those sections feature MAIDEN-like twin-guitar duels, galloping rhythms, and Harris-like bass playing. The music here is a bit more complex, and less heavy, than MAIDEN, but the similarities are surprising. HOST also enjoyed to mix Norwegian vocals, melodies, and rhythms into their hard-prog sound which sounds very unique. Overall, this is an excellent album that will please early-metal collectors as well as most prog fans.