Customer Reviews

Armageddon (Dig)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Armageddon was the last decisive battle for ex-Yardbird Keith Relf. The former lead singer and harmonica player of the band that launched Clapton, Beck and Page, Relf had abandonned his blues-guitar band roots when he founded Renaissance in the late 1960's. Relf left Renaissance after two albums (actually half way threw the second album) due to frustrations with the music business and being tired of touring. However, when he created Armageddon, he was involved with one of the best guitar rock albums of the 70's.

After the disolution of Steamhammer, Relf, and ex-Steamhammer members, Martin Pugh (guitar) and Louis Cennamo (bass) came to L.A. and hooked up with ex-Captain Beyond and Johnny Winter drummer Bobby Caldwell to form Armageddon. Armageddon combined the complex drum patterns of Caldwell, with Pugh's heavy and stylistic riffing and Relf's insightful and searching lyrics to create a haunting and enduring piece of heavy rock.

Criticized as sounding "dated" when initially released, this is one of the strong points of this album. Many of the best hard rock acts of the time (Purple-Stormbringer, Zeppelin-Presence, Sabbath-Sabatoge, etc) were moving on to slicker production of less gritty songs. Armageddon sounded like it was from an earlier and more "real" musical time.

The opening song "Buzzard" is usually listed by fans as the highlight of the album. Borrowing a riff from Steamhammer's "Penumbra," Pugh's guitar soars with speed, control and precision, while Relf's intelligent lyrics rap around the crashing, thunderous drums of Caldwell. It is an exhilarating eight minute flight worth taking over and over again.

While "Buzzard" is one of the album's highlights, it is by no means the sole reason to own this disc. Other particularly strong moments include: the beautiful and stylish "Silver Tightrope," which features an echoing guitar and more contemplative lyrics from Relf, and "Last Stand Before" a Zeppelinesque (Physical Graffiti era) rocker with descriptive and prophetic lyrics. In this one Relf sings "Lost a friend, met his end, way before his time" and "my brother's falling catch him if I can. I see him falling you can join him in his last stand," it makes one wonder if Keith was aware of his own fate.

It's too bad that this proved to be the last stand for Relf and Armageddon. Relf returned to England due to poor health shortly after this was released. Relf's health and reported drug use among some of the band lead to Armageddon failing to release any more material. Relf died shortly after returning to England, when he was electrocuted while playing guitar. He did record one more song "All the Falling Angels" that is included on an album by Illusion called Echanted Caress. (Illusion was the name the original members of Renaissance chose when they reunited. This was because Anne Haslem and her crew had become Renaissance).

Armageddon remains a powerful reminder of what artists where able to due when they were given the creative control to explore.

Not to be confused with the 1970 German band Armaggedon. Bought this on 8 track and have been telling everyone to buy this ever since! Lead guitarist Martin Pugh (from Steamhammer)is AWESOME! "Buzzard" is one of the heaviest songs ever recorded. Though I'm not a huge fan of ballards, " Silver Tightrope" will send chills and sweat up and down your spine. The late Keith Relf of the great Yardbirds sings and though this album came out in '75, you would swear it is from the great 1969 - 1970 heavy/ hard rock period. Bobby Caldwell on percussion is super and it's a shame Relf died before a 2nd album could be made. If you dig Early 70's heavy Rock, BUY THIS and if you don't think it's GREAT, I will buy it off of you.

This was Keith Relf's (ex-Yardbirds and Renaissance) last stand before his untimely death in 1976. He has never sounded better than on the haunting, melodic "Silver Tightrope" (which, uncannily, is a song about death). Guitarist Martin Pugh (ex-Steamhammer) is superb, particularly on the tremendous, driving riff of "Buzzard". He deserves to take his place alongside such 70's axe-Gods as Ritchie Blackmore and Jimmy Page. Louis Cennamo (ex-Renaissance and Steamhammer) lays down a solid bass foundation and the great energy of Bobby Caldwell's spitfire percussion (ex-Captain Beyond and Johnny Winter) rounds it out to make this a real tour de force of hard rock. Combining elements of heavy metal and 60's psychedelia this album absolutely wails!!! A classic masterpiece long overdue for a proper CD reissue. Fans of the Yardbirds, Captain Beyond, Budgie, Steamhammer or Hawkwind will not be disappointed. In my opinion, this is one of the ten best hard rock albums of the 70's. The two opening cuts are well worth the money in themselves. R.I.P. Keith Relf. If the Yardbirds didn't assure his immortality, this record will!

Armageddon was the last decisive battle for ex-Yardbird Keith Relf. The former lead singer and harmonica player of the band that launched Clapton, Beck and Page, Relf had abandonned his blues-guitar band roots when he founded Renaissance in the late 1960's.

Relf left Renaissance after two albums (actually half way threw the second album) due to frustrations with the music business and being tired of touring. However, when he created Armageddon, he was involved with one of the best guitar rock albums of the 70's.

After the disolution of Steamhammer, Relf, and ex-Steamhammer members, Martin Pugh (guitar) and Louis Cennamo (bass) came to L.A. and hooked up with ex-Captain Beyond and Johny Winter drummer Bobby Caldwell to form Armageddon. Armageddon combined the complex drum patterns of Caldwell, with Pugh's heavy and stylistic riffing and Relf's insightful and searching lyrics to create a haunting and enduring piece of heavy rock.

Criticized as sounding "dated" when initially released, this is one of the strong points of this album. Many of the best hard rock acts of the time (Purple-Stormbringer, Zeppelin-Presence, Sabbath-Sabatoge, etc) were moving on to slicker production of less gritty songs. Armageddon sounded like it was from an earlier and more "real" musical time.

The opening song "Buzzard" is usually listed by fans as the highlight of the album. Borrowing a riff from Steamhammer's "Penumbra," Pugh's guitar soars with speed, control and precision, while Relf's intelligent lyrics rap around the crashing, thunderous drums of Caldwell. It is an exhilarating eight minute flight worth taking over and over again.

While "Buzzard" is one of the album's highlights, it is by no means the sole reason to own this disc. Other particularly strong moments include: the beautiful and stylish "Silver Tightrope," which features an echoing guitar and more contemplative lyrics from Relf, and "Last Stand Before" a Zeppelinesque (Physical Graffiti era) rocker with descriptive and prophetic lyrics. In this one Relf sings "Lost a friend, met his end, way before his time" and "my brother's falling catch him if I can. I see him falling you can join him in his last stand," it makes one wonder if Keith was aware of his own fate.

It's too bad that this proved to be the last stand for Relf and Armageddon. Relf returned to England due to poor health shortly after this was released. Relf's health and reported drug use among some of the band lead to Armageddon failing to release any more material. Relf died shortly after returning to England, when he was electrocuted while playing guitar.

He did record one more song "All the Falling Angels" that is included on an album by Illusion called Echanted Caress. (Illusion was the name the original members of Renaissance chose when they reunited. This was because Anne Haslem and her crew had become Renaissance).

Armageddon remains a powerful reminder of what artists where able to due when they were given the creative control to explore.

4 1/2 Stars= Minor Masterpiece

Here is an album that was an obscurity even back in its day. A group who we're filled with second string names, but first class talent. Including myself I knew of only a handful of people who ever had this album back in the 70's, & I was turned onto it by a friend who had a friend record a couple of cuts from side two on cassette. I looked long & hard for this album before finding my copy in a used record store.

The album cover is a classic, showing four long haired men in Army fatigues sitting amongst the wreckage of a war torn landscape, then the same four on the back cover sitting in the same position turned to stone in the blinding white light (Armageddon) of the midnight sun... a nuclear explosion? The front & back cover truly portend the music contained with in.

The first song "Buzzard" starts out with a staccato buzzing of guitar that progresses into a molten assault on the ears as the rest of the group chimes in on their instruments, the galloping thunder of the drummer is especially good. The beautiful ballad "Silver Tight Rope" is a prime example of how 70's Heavy Metal could produce non clich?d gorgeous balladry unlike 80's power ballads. "Paths & Planes & Future Gains"" is just a killer fast paced 70's metal extravaganza on steroids running at high speed, maybe my favorite cut. "Last Stand Before" is epic in its structure with killer hooky riffs & smart lyrics of human self revelation. "Basking White in the Midnight Sun" is where this major masterpiece of an album falters into minor masterpiece status, though the lyrics are still sharp, the song is far to long & repetitive, but still when in the right mood can pack a wallop for me.

As I stated before this was a rarity even back in its day, but now through the magic of CD reissues you can own this great document of obscure Rock history too! So discover or rediscover a cherished treasure from this band that sadly due to the death of singer Keith Relf only put out one album, but what an album! I think you'll be pleased.

Great 70's one-shot progressive rock supergroup, the artistry outshines any bombast. After 30 years, it is still a good listen. I'm glad it is back in print (for now), as it should be. Too bad there was not a bonus-track from their aborted second album, but why tamper with a classic.

One of the best albums of the 70's here. In fact, one of the best of all time! The quality of work by Keith Relf, Martin Pugh, Louis Cennamo and Bobby Caldwell is, well, ELECTRIFYING! Relf's vocals have never sounded better on any Yardbird recordings. Pugh is a definite guitar wizard; check out "Buzzard". Cennamo and Caldwell provide an excellent beat throughout this amazing disc. "Silver Tightrope" is a song that should be a part of any best of Rock collection!

The sad part is this is the only recording by Armageddon due to the electrocution of lead singer Keith Relf. What a statement this lone recording is though. If you like the Yardbirds, Iron Butterfly, Capt. Beyond, Steamhammer, or, many other hard rockin' groups from the early to mid seventies TRY THIS OUT! This is honestly one of those timeless classics. You will keep it close to your CD player always!

In the era of the late sixties to the mid seventies this is probably one of the greatest, yet underrated rock bands of them all. Back then I always, and I mean always, looked past commercial radio for something more obscure, extremely hard rockin, underground. I found it in Armageddon.

Keith Relf is Armageddon. His vocals are otherworldly.

Martin Pugh's guitar work is in a word, unique. I've never heard anything like it before. Words like sizzle, razor sharp etc. don't begin to describe it.

Louis Cennamo on bass fits perfect.

Bobby Caldwell on drums sounds like a machine. Unbelieveable.

I feel this album will also appeal to the younger motorheads who weren't even around in 1975.

The original liner notes describe it as "highly sophisticated, tangibly moody and breathlessly intense." It is every bit of that. I wore out my first copy and picked up a another one in 1978. It is an ornament that will remain sealed. I then procured a white label promo and played that one almost to death. I have around 2,500 LP's from my party days. This one stands alone as my all time favorite Rock album.

The Import CD does not contain the original liner notes, although it does give a good but brief bio of the group inside. And where the original L.P. had the lyrics printed on the inner sleeve the CD doesn't contain them. But don't let those minor omissions stop you from enjoying one of the greatest underground rock albums ever.
This album should be played LOUD.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

When even the most talented performer is asked by choice or force to work outside their element the normal results aren't pretty. This is only one of the infinite reasons why the self-titled effort from Armageddon is nothing short of spectacular.

Imagine the surprise when Keith Relf a vocalist in the higher echelon decided to branch out from his legendary British Invasion (Yardbirds) singing style for a trip into uncharted waters. Relf had left a permanent stamp of greatness with his contribution to the Yardbirds in the 1960's.

Armageddon (1975) was-Keith Relf on vocals (Yardbirds), Martin Pugh- guitar (From Steamhammer), drummer Bobby Caldwell (Johnny Winter) and bassist Lou Cennamo (Very early Renaissance, Illusion, and Steamhammer).

Unfortunately, for the musical world we lost Keith after the one and only treasure the band would leave us. Clocking in at about forty-one minutes the album is timeless. Every facet is brilliant from the cover that shows the destruction in the background, the musicians selected to record, and the life or death effort put into every note and lyric.

When the words heavy and metal are together to most it conjures up negative thoughts. The preconceived notion that it is all about being loud and how many of the same useless riffs will be repeated is forever branded in the brain. There is also "Intelligent Metal." Records such as this one, Deep Purple with Ritchie Blackmore, Blue Oyster Cult in the early days, and Black Sabbath with Ozzy should never be placed in the same cookie jar as the thousands of groups known for their hair and not talent.

Track 1 is appropriately titled "Buzzard." There is no preparation for what's to come. A vacuum with the power of a tank sucks you through the wall with no escape. You are in a trance as the sonic blast emanates for eight minutes. If the speakers and your body need recovery, there will be brief calm before the next storm.

Track 2 "Silver Tightrope" is beauty plain and simple. The perfect mix of Pugh's guitar (With such clarity he can be in the room with you) and Relf's extraordinary vocals create a song of beauty.

Track 3 "Paths And Planes And Future Gains" continues the theme of the opening cut. Once again a destructive force leaves no stone unturned. The energy and aggression don't dissipate. Pugh's guitar is a machete sparing nothing.

Track 4 "Last Stand Before" features well-written words that are delivered in majestic fashion by Relf. His range is tested throughout, as is inflection. There would be no doubting the outcome. Listen for tremendous production during Pugh's solo, as the sound changes from speaker to speaker. The octane a shade lower than the previous track but not any less stellar. You may even hear Relf pull out a harmonica from the Yardbird days!

Track 5- "Basking In The White Of The Midnight Sun (Warning Comin' On/Basking In The White Of The Midnight Sun (Reprise)" Somehow the band is still standing although the listener has long been rendered unconscious. The conclusion is more firepower and a terrific vocal delivery from Mr. Relf.

There aren't enough superlatives that would give proper justice to the artistry of the Armageddon debut. There is a reason above all others that this should be in the CD collection. Keeping Keith's memory alive with the brilliant Yardbirds reissues and his final gift to us is paramount.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

I don't know, maybe this deserves 5 stars. It is unique and interesting, but it isn't a masterpiece or the best album of all time. This album is 40 minutes long. It has 3 tracks at 8 minutes, one at 11 and one at 4. The translation to CD is excellent and the sound quality is perfect. I think this is one case where the CD is better than the LP (especially since there are no pops hisses).

This album is best known for the track Silver Tightrope, which got a ton of FM radio play, back when FM radio meant adventure and music. But, Armageddon would be a one hit wonder (by FM radio standards). None of the other tracks on the album got any air play. And there is good reason for this. The remaining tracks basically sound the same and are almost indistinguishable from each other. It is not that they are bad, they just are not unique. They all feature a driving beat, repetitive beat and loud guitars, with a mixture of a blues and psychodelic sound.

This ablum has a unique sound that could take you into a different world. This is the type of album you would play on rainy afternoon while you were extremely high. You would play it loud and burn off 40 minutes. When the music ended and there was silence, your head would be spinning, you would get up off your beanbag and hit the fridge for some munchies. Then you'd go get a beer. But, you wouldn't really remember listening to the music.

But, the real beauty of this ablum is the track Silver Tightrope. It is unlike anything on the rest of this album or anywhere else. It is simply one of the great songs from the seventies. It is one of those eight minute tracks that you wish would go on much longer.

Armageddon is another Keith Relf project. He formed the Yardbirds which featured Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page and ultimately lead to Led Zeppelin (Dazed and Confused was originally played by the Yardbirds). He then went on to form Renaissance, one of the first art rock bands. He stayed with Renaissance for only 2 albums and somewhere during the second album the band renamed itself Illusion (which also the name of the second Renaissance album). Renaissance reformed with completely different musicians. Armageddon was formed with Relf and the bassist from Renaissance. Armageddon disbanded when Relf was electrocuted playing guitar in his bathtub (no joke).