BRAND NEW, SEALED VINYL RECORD on "bicolor vinyl". Limited to 400 copies.

LP + bonus 7"

TANK - This Means War 

High Roller Records, red/ black bi-color vinyl, ltd 400, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover with 5mm spine, 4 page insert, double sided poster, 2 track red vinyl bonus 7" with p/s and insert, Original transfer by Marcus Mossmann (R.I.P.) at PHONOGRAPHIC ARTIFACTS in March 2021. Audio cleaning, restoration and mastering by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in April 2021. Cutting by SST Germany on Neumann machines for optimal quality on all levels... The ultimate audiophile edition of this eternal NWOBHM classic!




Heavy Metal powerhouse TANK were one of the originators along with the likes of SAXON, ANVIL and RAVEN. Like their contemporaries of the NWOBHM era, TANK also shaped and forged their sound in the 100% traditional way with passion and total commitment to the moment. But what sets them apart from the whole NWOBHM movement, was surely their adrenaline fueling raw intensity. No wonder why their first four official full-lengths are regarded as classic blueprints of Metal which embody power, persistence and no-compromise. Now, High Roller Records are offering a highly tempting reissue of their third full-length “This Means War”, originally released in 1983. You can pause to reflect that this album is almost 40 years old! That also makes it hard to believe, because the original version still sounds very refreshing. So, what more onlookers can find from this cleaned, restored and re-mastered edition (by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony) of this eternal classic. It’s the boost in the unmistakable sound of TANK. Also, to remind again, the heavy intensity TANK captured on this record, none can replicate. Interestingly enough, while their earlier stuff had its firm roots in Punk, in 1983 the band was on route to make “This Means War” as fist-pumping heavy as the previous two albums. So, on this album, the classic three-piece line-up was extended to four, with the addition of second guitarist Mick Tucker (ex – WHITE SPIRIT). Remarkable enough history inside, they also made that move with hopes that by being a 4-piece it would rid them of the ‘Sons of MOTÖRHEAD’ tag that the British press insisted on using. Whether that hope realized or never counted, with this new front the guitar duo of Mick Tucker and Peter Brabbs brings out the heavy TANK out of crumbs. They stopped continuing to indulge in the MOTÖRHEAD – esque mix of Metal and Punk. Instead, the new incorporation of a second guitar (with soaring solos and hooks) into their music truly amplified their uniquely heavy and intense song structures. Undoubtedly, elements from here, transitioned into the later Speed and Thrash Metal wave, which was just breaking over frenetically all around. Instantly, all that can be felt, while enjoying the upbeat anthems like the 8-minute opener ‘Just Like Something From Hell’, the brilliantly titled ‘Laughing In The Face Of Death’, the pulsing dexterity of ‘Hot Lead, Cold Steel’ (and, its lyrical prowess), subtility of ‘Echoes Of A Distant Battle’ or that defying legend of title track with the unmistakable voice of the front man Algy Ward. It’s no wonder that countless fellow musicians and filth hounds will always swear by TANK of that era. This re-issue will also surprise more (apart from electric blue / black marbled vinyl, booklet, double sided poster) with the presence of two bonus tracks entitled ‘The Man That Never Was’ and ‘Whichcatchewedmycuckoo’ (oddest title ever!). TANK hoarders, be warned.
SHIPS SAFE!!!

TANK's third full length called "This Means War" is the best one they've ever recorded... yet. It's very hard to describe the sound of TANK but a little hint is that they're not very far away from Motorhead, little more punkish metal with simple, but catchy, riffs, simple songstructures and a vocalist that sounds somewhere between Lemmy and Gene Simmons, still with a very unique voice.

On to the songs:
The album starts of with "Just Like Something From Hell". The intro contains some cool synth leads and then turns over to the fast main riff with a high pitched "AAAHHH" by Algy Ward. The verses are good and chorus is just awesome, the song is over 8 minutes long and withholds many great guitarsolos shifting between Mich Tucker and Peter Brabbs. Fucking excellent. 10/10

Second song is "Hot Lead And Cold Steel", which is little slower compared to the first one. This is a decent song with some good riffs, but it gets a little repetetive and boring sometimes, especially the chorus. The best thing with this song is the catchy pre-chorus and the mid section with the solos. 6/10

Third song is the title track that starts of with a catchy intro riff and then leads into a great mid paced verse, pre chorus and then the chorus - "Do you know just what this means... WAR" This is a very good song with, as always, awesome solos. 9/10

The B-side starts off with "Laughing In The Face Of Death" which raises the tempo once again with some great riffs, pretty fast vocals and a great chorus. This songs reminds me a bit of the faster Accept songs with the double bass drum and song structure. 8/10

"(If we go) We Go Down Fighting" starts with a cool bass intro soon joined by a cool riff, this song is equal to "Hot Lead And Cold Steel". Mid paced, good pre chorus and then boring chorus, but then again outstanding solos and a slower mid section that is very good. 7/10

"I (Won't Ever Let You Down)" is a very catchy tune with some singalong-alike chorus. Good riffs, especially the riffs right before the chorus. The song speeds up a little during the solo and then returns to the chorus then fades out (like most songs on this album). 8/10

The last song is "Echoes Of A Distant Battle" which is in overall a good song with some few downs. The lyrics is very well written and describes the heat of a battle. The riffs is very good with galloping verses. The outro has some strange drums and very strange choir vocals, i have no idea what they're singing or why they're there at all. 8/10

This album, or any TANK album, does'nt offer much variation, most of the songs are mid paced, fades out and lyrics about war. I still think that each song brings something good to the album, some songs could bring more and be better but it's still a very good album well worth buying.