Originally released in 1973 this 2001 German remastered reissue from Eagle Records features almost all the original tracks (12 instead of 13) but includes one not on the original 'Razamanaz' (alternate edit) listed as a bonus track along with 'Hard Living' & 'Spinning Top'.
After two unsuccessful albums, Nazareth decided that hard, ferocious rock would be their calling card from then on. The result was the mighty "Razamanaz", one of the greatest hard rock albums ever, and one that makes anything by Sabbath sound lame in comparison. Of course, the title track is a blistering display of guts and aggression, right up there with Purple's "Highway Star" and Sabbath's "Paranoid". Turn this bad boy up real loud and be prepared for an adrenaline rush like you've never experienced before! The riff is a slightly modified version of Deep Purple's "Speed King", but this does not detract from it's greatness, believe me. Other than the first part of the riff, it actually sounds nothing like "Speed King" at all. Anyway, great, vicious vocals from Dan, and Manny gets in his usual scorching guitar licks (if you think this is wild, it's nothing compared to the first live version on BACK TO THE TRENCHES, which makes this studio version sound almost boring!). The band's take on Leon Russell's "Alcatraz" is equally ferocious, with a pounding riff and that great, sinister beat. "Vigilante Man" is fantastic, mainly because of the way it goes from a slow, bluesy tune to an all-out furious rocker. Great, great stuff. The re-make of "Woke Up This Morning" from the EXERCISES album is great fun. A nice, bluesy tune. "Night Woman" has a drum beat that sounds a lot like Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love", but the tune is glorious. One of those great sing-along types. Very catchy. "Bad Bad Boy" is one of my personal favorite Naz tunes ever. KILLER song! Spectacular riff, and you just gotta love the way Dan wails out "I'M A BAD BAD BOY, AND I'M GONNA STEAL YOUR LOVE!". It just makes me lament the fact that these guys were so damn underrated. "Broken Down Angel" was of course the big hit on the album. But, as is usually the case with radio hits, it's nowhere near the best song on here. Great chorus, though. And "Sold My Soul" isn't anything special, just an evil-sounding, Black Sabbath type of song.
All in all, though, this is one of hard rock's many masterpieces. Such a shame that it's not available in America.
Of course, the title track is a blistering display of guts and aggression, right up there with Purple's "Highway Star" and Sabbath's "Paranoid". Turn this bad boy up real loud and be prepared for an adrenaline rush like you've never experienced before! The riff is a slightly modified version of Deep Purple's "Speed King", but this does not detract from it's greatness, believe me. Other than the first part of the riff, it actually sounds nothing like "Speed King" at all. Anyway, great, vicious vocals from Dan, and Manny gets in his usual scorching guitar licks (if you think this is wild, it's nothing compared to the first live version on BACK TO THE TRENCHES, which makes this studio version sound almost boring!). The band's take on Leon Russell's "Alcatraz" is equally ferocious, with a pounding riff and that great, sinister beat. "Vigilante Man" is fantastic, mainly because of the way it goes from a slow, bluesy tune to an all-out furious rocker. Great, great stuff. The re-make of "Woke Up This Morning" from the EXERCISES album is great fun. A nice, bluesy tune. "Night Woman" has a drum beat that sounds a lot like Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love", but the tune is glorious. One of those great sing-along types. Very catchy. "Bad Bad Boy" is one of my personal favorite Naz tunes ever. KILLER song! Spectacular riff, and you just gotta love the way Dan wails out "I'M A BAD BAD BOY, AND I'M GONNA STEAL YOUR LOVE!". It just makes me lament the fact that these guys were so damn underrated. "Broken Down Angel" was of course the big hit on the album. But, as is usually the case with radio hits, it's nowhere near the best song on here. Great chorus, though. And "Sold My Soul" isn't anything special, just an evil-sounding, Black Sabbath type of song.
All in all, though, this is one of hard rock's many masterpieces. Such a shame that it's not available in America.