tallchris wrote: Wed Jul 27, 2022 6:21 pm They're more obscure, but I would have included Captain Beyond, Sir Lord Baltimore, and Budgie (and that's just scratching the surface) on this list.

Yup

also

Toad
Jerusalem
May Blitz
Lucifer's Friend
Bull Angus

A brief detour, but let us worship at the altar...

Deep Purple might have taken longer to get to their destination and have a few dud records in their glory years but their best work easily competes w/ Zep and Sabbath - as such they don't belong here.

Blue Cheer and Vanilla Fudge never really moved past their initial work (a naive bombast that was sonically shocking in its day), but IMO both bands are massively overrated, it's telling their most successful moment were cover songs.

Uriah Heep's never achieved major combustion but they were solid w/ great arrangements - by albums 4 and 5 they were almost a proto-prog band, but they never were super hard or heavy.

Even though Rainbow's Rising is really strong, I think UFO might just take it - those Schenker records are killer, he basically invents the NWOBHM playbook but keeps galloping rhythms rockin' and cheese free - no easy task.

I love Deep Purple, but those first two Blue Cheer albums are just wonderful

I'd go with UFO since it's my fave from that list, though they are more late seventies to me.

M.H wrote: Thu Jul 28, 2022 3:17 am

A brief detour, but let us worship at the altar...

This tune really grooves in 7/4 too

enframed wrote: Wed Jul 27, 2022 5:42 pm UFO ought to be an option.

So nerding out on this stuff last night I learned these two making out on the cover are from the Psychic TV/Throbbing Gristle crew. That's two worlds crossing where I'd never expect it.

Blue Cheer of the options. The Groundhogs are a worthy addition too. (and 3rded with the Budgie shoutouts)

Somehow never heard Captain Beyond. Cool riffs, but some Skynard-isms to the vocals I'm not digging.

losthighway wrote: Thu Jul 28, 2022 7:42 am

enframed wrote: Wed Jul 27, 2022 5:42 pm UFO ought to be an option.

So nerding out on this stuff last night I learned these two making out on the cover are from the Psychic TV/Throbbing Gristle crew. That's two worlds crossing where I'd never expect it.

Yes it's Cosey Fanni Tutti and Genesis P-Orridge. The cover was done by Hipgnosis, the design agency of which Peter Christopherson was part. Makes sense in that light.

As for the poll, it's either UFO or Rainbow for me. Can't decide just yet. Tough poll.

UFO with Schenker were also masters of the power ballad:

Might fit in better with Hawkwind, Pink Fairies, etc., but another worthy contender: