Band:	Tank
Album:	Filth Hounds Of Hades
Style:	New wave of British heavy metal
Release date:	March 1982
A review by:	omne metallum

01. Shellshock
02. Struck By Lightning
03. Run Like Hell
04. Blood, Guts And Beer
05. That's What Dreams Are Made Of
06. Turn Your Head Around
07. Heavy Artillery
08. Who Needs Love Songs
09. Filth Hounds Of Hades
10. (He Fell In Love With A) Stormtrooper

Cujo?

Tank are a band often given a glancing reference when the topic of NWOBHM is brought up, relegated to a list of other act who were there as an aside after talking about Iron Maiden and Saxon. More fool those persons, for Tank are a band worthy of a spot of their own, thanks to a discography containing slabs of solid metal like Filth Hounds Of Hades.

Indeed, one does not name themselves after one of the most destructive pieces of hardware in modern warfare without meaning business. As a result, Tank take no prisoners with their aural assault; a barrage of battle-hardened metal awaits once you attach your helmet and press play.

One of the first things that you will notice when listening to Filth Hounds Of Hades, and one of the things that makes the band stand apart, is that Tank are a band who are a dirty and gritty metal band, as opposed to many of their contemporaries who were more slick and polished. "Run Like Hell" revels in its rawness, giving tracks a charm and character that having a few rough edges gives an album. Any refinement and polish would miss the point and dimish the impact of the music.

That's not to say Filth Hounds Of Hades is a one trick pony by any means, with songs such as "Heavy Artillery" and "That's What Dreams Are Made Of" mixing in a healthy dose of harmony to boot. "Who Needs Love Songs" mixes in blues rock with a smooth swagger that swings like a sledgehammer, a powerful yet bouncy track that will burrow its way into your head.

While the band has been cast to the wayside, Tank have had their supporters over the years, with Sodom and Destruction keeping their name alive, covering "Turn Your Head Around" and "Shellshock" respectively. The original versions here are far more punky in approach, but more than hold their own and show why Tank are more influential than given credit for.

The brothers Brabb are perhaps the secret weapons here, holding down the drums and guitars were equal firepower, making a song like "Struck By Lightning" more than just another heavy hitter, instead giving it a charm and character via their approaches. Ward's vocals sound like a punk who decided to follow Lemmy's approach, an oddly entertaining sound and one that enhances the title track no doubt.

While the tracks don't fall off the wheels for Tank, there are a few gaps in the armour scattered around. One is that Ward's vocal approach can get incomprehensible at points; his style and reverb creates a mix that descends into gibberish a little too often. The aforementioned Lemmy comparison is one that may have to do with "Fast" Eddie Clarke being the producer. His influence is felt, with the lo-fi rough production and bluesy guitars being something he brought over from Motörhead; unfortunately, while this sound gives the album a charm of its own, it does rob it of its power.

Tank may not have led the NWOBHM charge, but they certainly added a depth to the genre that is sadly overlooked by many. Filth Hounds Of Hades is a good place to start for people wanting to dip their toes into the wider genre beyond the regular suspects.