Week 2: Budgie - You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk

The artist: Although Budgie have some recognition in heavy metal, at times it seems they don't get the praise they actually deserve. For a band that played metal well before the term heavy metal was known as well as predating other big acts like Iron Maiden and even Judas Priest, it's injustice that most of their recognition these days comes from Metallica's cover of Breadfan. Putting that aside, Budgie do have an awesome name for their band. Maybe that's because you're listening to someone who has a pet budgie but it's good to know these guys acknowledge the awesomeness of that particular bird species.

The album: Never Turn Your Back on a Friend was released in 1973 and this was a time when metal wasn't fully developed. While Black Sabbath were storming the world with their heavy sound which no-one ever heard of before, Budgie sat down and recorded a masterpeice of their own. Although this is the only album of theirs I have so far, there's no doubting the awesomeness of this album as well as the metal elements. Sure, it may sound more hard rock than heavy metal but considering Breadfan, their cover of Baby Please Don't Go and this week's pick, Budgie should qualify as a metal band.

The song: Budgie provide a very interesting structure of the song. It starts off with a great drum solo by Ray Phillips going on for a minute and a half. Right afterwards you are given great riffage and bassline with the works of Tony Bourge and Burke Shelley respectively. The bass is crystal clear thanks to great sound production. More about the bass, Shelley doesn't cease his awesomeness on the bass guitar as he provides another great bassline at 5 minutes in which will easily remind any Maiden fan of Phantom of the Opera. That's not all, though as Tony Bourge plays another excellent riff for the song and makes a great part for the last section of the song. Overall, it's a fantastic song and with the twists and turns Budgie take, it proves to be just as good as Breadfan and Parents, the most well known tracks on the album.