The Black Museum is dedicated to telling the fascinating story of Twentieth Century Heavy Metal in one gig.
Originally included on the band’s 1979 album Bomber, the definitive version appears on 1980’s Golden Years live EP.
Arguably the best song to come out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, it first appeared in October 1980. A regular in Metallica’s early sets, it was released as the B-side to 1984’s Creeping Death.
Beginning as a track called “The Mechanix”, written by Dave Mustaine, Four Horsemen was given a melodic middle section and new lyrics when the guitarist was fired. It’s the second song on the band’s 1983 debut album, Kill ’Em All.
The first track from the Greek black metal masters’ 1996 album Triarchy of the Lost Lovers.
A creeping, heavy blues number from Sabbath’s second album ‘Paranoid’ (1970). It appears twice in the film of the ‘Back to the Beginning’ concert, performed by Pantera and Rival Sons.
The title track of Manowar’s 1982 debut album – arguably the first ‘Power Metal’ LP.
The second track from the 1996 ‘X Factor’ album. One of a very few Blaze Bayley-era songs to survive in the Maiden set after the return of Bruce Dickinson.
These songs featured in our first set and might well make a return at some point.
Originally recorded by blues rockers Fleetwood Mac, Priest covered the song on their 1979 ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ album. However, that version pales against the live take which appeared on the magisterial ‘Unleashed in the East’, a year later.
A deep cut from the thrash titans’ fifth album (1990’s Seasons in the Abyss). The lyrics are – unintentionally – an uncanny echo of those from Electric Funeral (see ‘In Rehearsal’).
Taken from the 1994 album Wolverine Blues that launched the ‘Death ’n’ Roll’ sub-genre.
Literally Bon Scott’s last hurrah – performed on Top of the Pops in February 1980, 12 days before his death. Axl Rose’s favourite AC/DC song apparently.
Live recording · 4:36
Lead guitar
Head of music at one of London’s best-known state secondary schools, Pranay has a Master of Music degree from the University of Surrey. A teenage star of the Delhi shredding scene, he was a member of Gothic symphonic metal band Winter’s Eve and played lead on their debut album, Shards.
Rhythm guitar
The man who brought the Black Museum together. He may have more guitars than chords, but the gap is closing.
Drums
No, it’s not ‘The Deep’ – but the Black Museum’s very own drumming superhero. Once lent his kit to Deep Purple’s Ian Paice.
Bass
Cajoled into the Black Museum on the basis we would be playing some ‘heavy’ Indie tunes, Phil is learning to embrace his inner head-banger song by song.
Vocals
Aged 15 in 1979, Alastair was there at the birth of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and has a copy of Def Leppard’s ‘Getcha Rocks Off’ EP on Bludgeon Riffola to prove it.
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Mailing list coming soonIf you’d like to book the Black Museum or ask any questions about the band and its set, please contact Alastair at amclellan89@gmail.com.
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