473 - Samson Riding with the Angels 1981

Samson's best album, 1981's "Shock Tactics", was the last to feature singer Bruce Dickinson (then known simply as Bruce Bruce). The band's songwriting had improved and was comparable to other up-and-coming British heavy metal bands at the time, such as Saxon, Diamond Head, and Iron Maiden. The band also benefited greatly by the presence of producer Tony Platt, known for his work with AC/DC, among other heavy metal acts. Kicking off with their best-known song, "Riding with the Angels" (penned by ex-Argent singer Russ Ballard).

227 - Samson Vice Versa 1980

Bluesier than most of their nwobhm conterparts guitarist Paul Samson had been around the scene a few years and this release was actually their second full length album. They had their gimmick in the shape of drummer Thunderstick complete with rapists mask and sometimes caged drum kit but this album marks the debut of singer Bruce Bruce (so named after the Monty Python Australian sketch) who of course would later drop a Bruce as it were and become Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden fame.
Their first album, "Head On", contains top-notch NWOBHM, featuring raw, energetic performances capped with often naive lyrics. The blues rock plodder "Vice Versa" is superb. A typically British metal sounding instrumental section and a lovely time change to the slower section before building it back up again this song is an example of just what Samson were capable of.