What a blast that was!! Been meaning to check them out for a while. I'm somehow reminded of the late era NWOBHM album "Chasing The Storm" by Tröjan. They have a similar, barely under control, hanging ten, running off the rails, everything's about to explode sound to them.
I haven't seen anyone commenting this yet, but Jim Schumacher, the bassist of the band, has his own yt channel "j schumacher", where he uploads how to play some of the BH songs and makes other more comical videos, which I think are very heartwarming.
Great spotlight Alan. I've only heard of them and even then hardly ever. I'll definitely have a look at streaming them. I'm not up on this style but I liked what I heard.
Cheers, Mike, glad you enjoyed the clips! You've been putting out a lot of good content lately. Sorry I don't always leave a comment; I've been listening to stuff in the background lately so I'm often not at the keyboard.
@@letstalkmetal Thanks Alan. I noticed that your Friday stream is a condensed version on my recent output and King is a great guest so I'm looking forward to watching what you guys chat about 🤘
You're welcome! Digging up overlooked bands who made excellent records is one of the most fun things about being into Metal IMO. It's a genre with so many awesome artists, not just a handful of big names.
I love the band as well, all three albums are great. I saw them with Omen in 2003 and on their "last show" at the Keep It True Festival in 2011, then again in 2019. They were always amazing, I was just standing there smiling from ear to ear... and that was notz (only) the weed, hahaha... They´re just a unique band, very early (fast) Raven stuff would probably be the best comparison.
That's a really good comparison with Raven, I didn't think of that! So cool that you got to see their last show... and then see them again years later :)
I love bands like that, where they sound like they're really enjoying themselves. Those over the top faux English accent vocals on the third song cheered me up no end.
@@letstalkmetal A couple of the guys couldn’t go because of medical stuff, but Jim was there, and he played a couple sets with some members of the other bands. It was fucking awesome, by all account I’ve heard.
I love Brocas Helm and i've seen them twice throughout the years and have also met them. Would love to see them next year at the warm-up for Keep it true, but it was sold out very fast.
It's insane how fast festivals sell out these days :( Still, that's awesome you got to see them twice! I doubt they've ever played within 1,000 miles of my area LOL
@@letstalkmetal I won't give up hope. Got tickets for the festival itself but not the warm-up on thursday. Would have prefered if they played the regular fest. But maybe i can acquire tickets on the secondary market.
Great video and one of the best possible topics. My favorite kind of metal (and music at all). Weird, epic, raw and (as stated) idiosyncratic. Weirdness of Brocas Helm is exceptional even in it's own niche. On par with such odd gems like Lordian Guard or Lords Of The Crimson Alliance. Hail from Poland!
That’s awesome that you did a feature on Brocas Helm. I love their sloppy, yet virtuoso playing, and their quirky writing style. I just wish that they were a little more prolific. Quality over quantity, I guess. Cool vinyl pieces, too. Cheers
Awesome overview of this band! I have a question for you Alan - have you heard the Canadian band Genghis Khan and their album "Who Art in Hell"? I don't see anyone talk about it. Recorded in 1981 and only got an official release February 2023. One English guy in the band - he moved to Canada and formed a band with a very NWOBHM-ish sound. Great hidden gem - the opening title track "Our Father Who Art In Hell" is very memorable!
Yes, I know that one! Frank, who is a regular commenter on my videos, pointed it out to me last year. You're right that it has a very NWOBHM vibe to it. It definitely did not get discussed much last year; I think it just got lost in the never-ending avalanche of new releases.
Oh yes Alan! 5 star metal. Gets filed right along with Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Warlord, the FEG, etc. This is a band you listen to in the basement while your setting up the table and waiting for your friends to show up with the Mountain Dew and Funyons for the Dungeons & Dragons game. Turn it up and pass the graph paper and dice!
cool video alan! never heard and always intrigued by the band.great to learn more about em! they sound insane , especially that drumming on the first two you played.
Cool video and explanation Alan!Really amazing and obscure heavy metal band. I would put them in the USPM category. Anyway i really love all of the 3 albums now. But just like you when i first heard Black Death album and the tittle track i didnt really know what to think it take some time to grow on me and now i freaking love them.
Nice to hear that you had the same initial reaction that I did :) Yes, USPM is the best place to put them even though they are pretty unique compared to pretty much every other band in that genre, especially re: their speed
@@letstalkmetal yeah i agree. It kinda reminds me of Manilla Road and Cirith Ungol (which are more doomy but still) i think they have a unique sound as well in USPM. Nontheless all great bands there.
Great pick, Alan! I'd describe all three studio albums as real gems. Stylistically, I'd classify them as between Epic and Speed Metal, somewhere between the Exciter you mentioned and - of course - Manilla Road and Cirith Ungol. Maybe with a little early Manowar pathos here and there. Although for me not even close on the same level of finesse, originality and sense for great songwriting as the bands mentioned above. Therefor they do had a significant penchant for completely over-the-top arrangements and ideas always on the verge of total madness. The third album from 2004 shows above all that this band - like Manilla Road, for example - didn't give a shit about contemporary conventions and standards, it sounds just as oldschool as its predecessors from over a decade ago.
Thanks for this Alan I've seen you show black death a couple of times on hm streams but this was my 1st time hearing anything by them and it's very much in my wheelhouse it's just a shame they've been so inconsistent with album releases but hey quality over quantity!
I like the term someone on Metal Archives used the describe their genre: dead-beat dad metal. Oddly seems apt. I haven't listened to the first two albums very much, but I got really into the third album after Cry of the Banshee and Drink the Blood of the Priest were included in the video game Brutal Legend (which, if you're unfamiliar with it, is a video game set in a world made of Heavy Metal; the soundtrack is killer). At least as the third album goes, Brocas Helm aee very unique, catchy, and have absolutely great riffs. The vocals are goofy but fit the music. I need to spend more time with the first two albums.
@@letstalkmetal I'd definitely check out the Brutal Legend soundtrack. I think there's 104 songs from both popular and more obscure bands. Off the topic of my head Scorpions, Riot, Manowar, Slayer, Megadeth, KISS, Motley Crue, Dokken, Quiet Riot, Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Judas Priest, 3 Inches of Blood, Cradle of Filth, Enslaved, Racer X, Budgie, and more. Ozzy, Lemmy, Halford, and Lita Ford all voice major characters in the game (there might be more cameos too).
@@DecayingReverie Cool! I meant to mention it in the video but forgot. I'm not very into video games; I remember hearing about it when it was released but I had completely forgotten about it.
Cool band. I get them mixed up or I associate them or I confuse them… with The Lord Slough Feg 🤔 AnyWho, no matter, thanks for making posting sharing caring… you freaking rule
@@letstalkmetal I never know whether to watch the whole video before I comment, or comment when I start watching. In retrospect, I would’ve waited because who knew you were gonna go into great detail as to why the similarity exists!!😅😄
That's so funny you mentioned cocaine! I thought the same thing ,with a spinal tap humor or something! But fair warning ! Those numb euphoric deception s turn to yellow snow! 🤣
What a blast that was!! Been meaning to check them out for a while. I'm somehow reminded of the late era NWOBHM album "Chasing The Storm" by Tröjan. They have a similar, barely under control, hanging ten, running off the rails, everything's about to explode sound to them.
Yes, though Trojan lack that 'lunatic' vibe that BH incorporates so well
@@letstalkmetal
I'll need a closer listen in order to take in the lunatic fringe factor.
I haven't seen anyone commenting this yet, but Jim Schumacher, the bassist of the band, has his own yt channel "j schumacher", where he uploads how to play some of the BH songs and makes other more comical videos, which I think are very heartwarming.
Oh cool, thanks for posting that. I'll have to check it out.
Great spotlight Alan. I've only heard of them and even then hardly ever. I'll definitely have a look at streaming them. I'm not up on this style but I liked what I heard.
Cheers, Mike, glad you enjoyed the clips! You've been putting out a lot of good content lately. Sorry I don't always leave a comment; I've been listening to stuff in the background lately so I'm often not at the keyboard.
@@letstalkmetal Thanks Alan. I noticed that your Friday stream is a condensed version on my recent output and King is a great guest so I'm looking forward to watching what you guys chat about 🤘
Cool stuff Alan, thanks for turning me on to this unique band! Love discovering old bands that flied under the radar that are diamonds in the rough
You're welcome! Digging up overlooked bands who made excellent records is one of the most fun things about being into Metal IMO. It's a genre with so many awesome artists, not just a handful of big names.
I love the band as well, all three albums are great. I saw them with Omen in 2003 and on their "last show" at the Keep It True Festival in 2011, then again in 2019. They were always amazing, I was just standing there smiling from ear to ear... and that was notz (only) the weed, hahaha...
They´re just a unique band, very early (fast) Raven stuff would probably be the best comparison.
That's a really good comparison with Raven, I didn't think of that! So cool that you got to see their last show... and then see them again years later :)
I hate myself for not “getting them.” But you totally redeemed them for me. I dunno what the hell was I thinking!?
They are an easy one to miss; many of us didn't like them on first impression.
I love bands like that, where they sound like they're really enjoying themselves. Those over the top faux English accent vocals on the third song cheered me up no end.
'Fun' is definitely one of the key words that describes BROCAS HELM :)
Great band! A really original, almost 70s prog meets nwobhm meets 70s proto metal type of sound. Very talented guys!
Agreed! Really unique sound even after all these years
They just played Heavy Metal Thunderstrike in Finland a couple days ago.
I heard about that! Sarah from BangerTV mentioned it but she didn't get to see them
@@letstalkmetal A couple of the guys couldn’t go because of medical stuff, but Jim was there, and he played a couple sets with some members of the other bands. It was fucking awesome, by all account I’ve heard.
@@Newhalflife Thanks for the details, I hadn't heard that some of them couldn't make it. Glad they found a way to make it work out.
th-cam.com/video/OliheR_RxsE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=TemLFMLh88T0qmnr
🤘🏼
I love Brocas Helm and i've seen them twice throughout the years and have also met them. Would love to see them next year at the warm-up for Keep it true, but it was sold out very fast.
It's insane how fast festivals sell out these days :( Still, that's awesome you got to see them twice! I doubt they've ever played within 1,000 miles of my area LOL
@@letstalkmetal I won't give up hope. Got tickets for the festival itself but not the warm-up on thursday. Would have prefered if they played the regular fest. But maybe i can acquire tickets on the secondary market.
@@Goatscythe Good luck, I hope you can score the ticket!
Great video and one of the best possible topics.
My favorite kind of metal (and music at all).
Weird, epic, raw and (as stated) idiosyncratic.
Weirdness of Brocas Helm is exceptional even in it's own niche. On par with such odd gems like Lordian Guard or Lords Of The Crimson Alliance.
Hail from Poland!
That’s awesome that you did a feature on Brocas Helm. I love their sloppy, yet virtuoso playing, and their quirky writing style. I just wish that they were a little more prolific. Quality over quantity, I guess. Cool vinyl pieces, too. Cheers
Thanks! I too wish they'd put out a bit more stuff. Such a great, unique sound.
Awesome overview of this band! I have a question for you Alan - have you heard the Canadian band Genghis Khan and their album "Who Art in Hell"? I don't see anyone talk about it. Recorded in 1981 and only got an official release February 2023. One English guy in the band - he moved to Canada and formed a band with a very NWOBHM-ish sound. Great hidden gem - the opening title track "Our Father Who Art In Hell" is very memorable!
Yes, I know that one! Frank, who is a regular commenter on my videos, pointed it out to me last year. You're right that it has a very NWOBHM vibe to it. It definitely did not get discussed much last year; I think it just got lost in the never-ending avalanche of new releases.
Oh yes Alan! 5 star metal. Gets filed right along with Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Warlord, the FEG, etc. This is a band you listen to in the basement while your setting up the table and waiting for your friends to show up with the Mountain Dew and Funyons for the Dungeons & Dragons game. Turn it up and pass the graph paper and dice!
LOL Absolutely! If that's not a level 20 Chaotic Neutral Paladin on the cover art then I don't know what is!
Sounds like my kind of band! I'm going to have to check'em out. Thanks for the video Alan!
Cheers Glen, hope you enjoy digging into their catalog!
cool video alan! never heard and always intrigued by the band.great to learn more about em! they sound insane , especially that drumming on the first two you played.
Saw them live last year at Hells heroes festival. Only caught half of their set though
That's still awesome that you got to see them live \m/
Cool video and explanation Alan!Really amazing and obscure heavy metal band. I would put them in the USPM category. Anyway i really love all of the 3 albums now. But just like you when i first heard Black Death album and the tittle track i didnt really know what to think it take some time to grow on me and now i freaking love them.
Nice to hear that you had the same initial reaction that I did :) Yes, USPM is the best place to put them even though they are pretty unique compared to pretty much every other band in that genre, especially re: their speed
@@letstalkmetal yeah i agree. It kinda reminds me of Manilla Road and Cirith Ungol (which are more doomy but still) i think they have a unique sound as well in USPM. Nontheless all great bands there.
@@metalhead7319 Someone in another comment referred to them as Epic Speed Metal and I kinda love that description :)
@@letstalkmetal i mean i wouldnt argue with that. They have speed, epicness and power.
Cheers!
Great pick, Alan! I'd describe all three studio albums as real gems. Stylistically, I'd classify them as between Epic and Speed Metal, somewhere between the Exciter you mentioned and - of course - Manilla Road and Cirith Ungol. Maybe with a little early Manowar pathos here and there. Although for me not even close on the same level of finesse, originality and sense for great songwriting as the bands mentioned above. Therefor they do had a significant penchant for completely over-the-top arrangements and ideas always on the verge of total madness. The third album from 2004 shows above all that this band - like Manilla Road, for example - didn't give a shit about contemporary conventions and standards, it sounds just as oldschool as its predecessors from over a decade ago.
Well said Mike, and I like the idea of BH defining Epic Speed Metal :)
Thanks for this Alan I've seen you show black death a couple of times on hm streams but this was my 1st time hearing anything by them and it's very much in my wheelhouse it's just a shame they've been so inconsistent with album releases but hey quality over quantity!
Yep, better 3 excellent albums than 3 excellent albums plus 5 crappy ones :)
I like the term someone on Metal Archives used the describe their genre: dead-beat dad metal. Oddly seems apt. I haven't listened to the first two albums very much, but I got really into the third album after Cry of the Banshee and Drink the Blood of the Priest were included in the video game Brutal Legend (which, if you're unfamiliar with it, is a video game set in a world made of Heavy Metal; the soundtrack is killer). At least as the third album goes, Brocas Helm aee very unique, catchy, and have absolutely great riffs. The vocals are goofy but fit the music. I need to spend more time with the first two albums.
I think you'll really like the first two since you enjoy DotC so much. 'Deadbeat Dad Metal', LOL I would not have thought of that
First two are even weirder.
Songs on Black Death have messed up, bizzare songwiriting (in oddly good way).
@@letstalkmetal I'd definitely check out the Brutal Legend soundtrack. I think there's 104 songs from both popular and more obscure bands. Off the topic of my head Scorpions, Riot, Manowar, Slayer, Megadeth, KISS, Motley Crue, Dokken, Quiet Riot, Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Judas Priest, 3 Inches of Blood, Cradle of Filth, Enslaved, Racer X, Budgie, and more. Ozzy, Lemmy, Halford, and Lita Ford all voice major characters in the game (there might be more cameos too).
@@DecayingReverie Cool! I meant to mention it in the video but forgot. I'm not very into video games; I remember hearing about it when it was released but I had completely forgotten about it.
@@Navarothravenheart2688 Well said!
Cool band. I get them mixed up or I associate them or I confuse them… with The Lord Slough Feg 🤔
AnyWho, no matter, thanks for making posting sharing caring… you freaking rule
Cheers James! The similarities with Slough Feg are unmistakable.
@@letstalkmetal I never know whether to watch the whole video before I comment, or comment when I start watching. In retrospect, I would’ve waited because who knew you were gonna go into great detail as to why the similarity exists!!😅😄
@@jamesgwarrior1981 :D
That's so funny you mentioned cocaine! I thought the same thing ,with a spinal tap humor or something! But fair warning ! Those numb euphoric deception s turn to yellow snow! 🤣
LOL
Broke-Ass helm sounds good
LOL well I doubt they made much money from the band so that name is probably apt
@@letstalkmetal i agree but it's. Up my ally 4 sure Alan.