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Sunday Old School: Persian Risk

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's lost count of the amount of times the Sunday Old School has dived into the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement and found a subject. Then again, why not? It's the gift that keeps on giving, spawning metal icons, cult heroes and buried treasures, it was a nationwide scene that changed metal forever and gave the world some of the best heavy metal music ever. It was also where members of some of metal's biggest names got their start, including Tygers Of Pan Tang guitarist John Sykes, who went on to to bring some much needed vitality to Thin Lizzy and Motorhead guitarist, Phil Campbell, who was found while playing with today's featured band, Persian Risk.

Campbell formed the band in the Welsh capital city of Cardiff in 1979 and was joined initially in his venture by vocalist Jon Deverill, second guitarist Dave Bell, bass player Nick Hughes, and drummer Russell "Razz" Lemon. Deverill was not to stay in the band for too long however, as he left the following year to join up with the Tygers of Pan Tang and was replaced by Carl Sentance, who had previously performed with Hughes and Razz in a band named, Leading Star. The quintet then released their first seven inch single, "Calling For You" a year later, which has become a highly collectible release among heavy metal fanatics.

Their profile was increased further by the song appearing on the "Heavy Metal Heroes" compilation in 1982, while another song, "50,000 Stallions" was featured on the "60 Minutes Plus" compilation from NWOBHM home base, Neat Records. These releases, along with a very well received single, "Ridin' High," looked set to launch Persian Risk to the big time, but this was delayed when Phil Campbell was chosen as one of the two new guitarists for the legendary band, Motorhead, while Razz was also fired from the group. The duo were replaced by Phil Vokins and Steve Hopgood respectively and thanks to Campbell, accompanied Motorhead on their 1984 tour of the United Kingdom.

Despite the setbacks, Persian Risk were able to sign a record deal with Zebra Records and released their first EP, "Too Different." Some fans of the band were left unimpressed with the sound of the record, considering a little too polished compared to their more raw early material. Nevertheless, it helped earn the group enough interest that they made their first national television appearance later that year on the Channel 4 programme, ECT, performing the title track from the EP as well as, "Women and Rock" and "Rise Up," which was the title track from their debut album, which eventually saw the light of day in 1986.

Unfortunately by this time, Persian Risk had decided to split up and the members went on to different projects, which included Carl Sentance handling vocal duties for Tokyo Blade for a short while and Steve Hopgood joined up with former Iron Maiden vocalist, Paul Di'anno first in Battlezone and then in Killers, both of which also featured another Persian Risk member, Graham Bath at points.

Like so many bands of the NWOBHM movement however, Persian Risk would eventually be brought back to life, when in 2012 Carl Sentance announced that he was would be launching a new version of the band, which to fans disappointment, did not feature any of the other old members. The band released a new album, "Once A King" that same year, which featured re-recordings of old songs as well as new material. Another new full length, "Who Am I?" was then released one year ago on November 6th 2014, following on from the buzz the band generated from performing at such events as Hard Rock Hell in their home nation of Wales. It seems Carl Sentance and Persian Risk don't intend to stop anytime soon and good luck to them, because it would be criminal not to be able to witness a hidden gem like this again.

Persian Risk - "Calling For You"

Persian Risk - "50,000 Stallions"

Persian Risk - "Ridin' High"

Persian Risk - "Women and Rock/Rise Up"

Persian Risk - "Asylum"