Necromandus - Orexis Of Death & Live

Something belatedly stirs in Orexis corner

A particularly sad tale, this one. Necromandus were signed to Vertigo in 1973, largely through the prompting of band manager and evangelical superfan Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath. Iommi produced Orexis Of Death for the label and supplied guest guitar on the title track, but the album was shelved, impetus was lost and oblivion beckoned.

Grimmer still, three of the four band members are now dead; but Orexis Of Death makes for a decidedly resonant epitaph. Despite the Sabs connection and the sarcophagus creak of band name and album title, Necromandus were a surprisingly bright and sparky proposition, sounding as though they may have preferred brass rubbing to church defiling. Mogidismo admittedly provides a crisp, stern and Sabsy opener, but the ringing open chords favoured by guitarist Barry (Baz) Dunnery on Nightjar and Homicidal Psychopath suggest the sun-seeking approach of Peter Banks or Alex Lifeson. Better still, Dunnery’s top turn on Gypsy Dancer rivals Pattoperiod Ollie Halsall: and no greater praise is conceivable for any guitarist. The bonus tracks – a cracking eight-song live set from Blackpool Casino in March 1973 – reveal in vocalist Bill Branch’s politely airy betweensong banter just how amiable and unpretentious Iommi’s proggy progenies actually were.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Rise Above | RARCD 05

Reviewed by Marco Rossi
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