Nightmare at Maple Cross

Nightmare at Maple Cross
Studio album by
Girlschool
ReleasedMay 1986
RecordedJackson's Studios (Rickmansworth, England)
GenreHeavy metal
Length34:47
LabelGWR
ProducerVic Maile
Girlschool chronology
Running Wild
(1985) 		Nightmare at Maple Cross
(1986) 		Take a Bite
(1988)
Singles from Nightmare at Maple Cross
  1. "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am) / Never Too Late"
    Released: April 1986
  2. "All Day All Night / Play with Fire"
    Released: April 1987
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert ChristgauB+[2]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal3/10[3]
Kerrang![4]
Metal Hammer5/7[5]

Nightmare at Maple Cross is the sixth studio album by the English heavy metal band Girlschool, released in 1986 by GWR Records. Under the direction of producer Vic Maile, this album marks the return of the band to the sound of their earlier works and to a four-piece formation. All tracks were composed by the four musicians, except for the cover of Mud's "Tiger Feet". The US version of the album included a duet with Gary Glitter covering his song, "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)".

Contemporary reviews

In the May 1988 issue of Circus magazine, music critic Paul Gallotta welcomed the release as a major surprise, noting that it marked a significant stylistic upgrade. The reviewer observed that while the British formation's prior career had been somewhat erratic—a fact he attributed to numerous personnel changes—the new material delivered a powerful impact capable of eclipsing most of their contemporary competition. Gallotta drew stylistic comparisons to Slade and Motörhead, arguing that the integration of infectious hooks and heavy, aggressive energy elevated the musicians into the upper tier of the genre. The publication specifically singled out tracks such as "All Day All Night" and "Turn It Up" as definitive entry points, while also advising audiences to anticipate the forthcoming North American concert tour.[6]

Track listing

All tracks by Girlschool, except "Tiger Feet" by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."All Day, All Night"3:32
2."Play with Fire"2:43
3."Danger Sign"3:19
4."Never Too Late"3:23
5."Tiger Feet" (Mud cover)4:33
Side two
No.TitleLength
6."Back for More"3:32
7."Let's Go Crazy"3:27
8."You Got Me (Under Your Spell)"3:57
9."Let's Break Out"3:01
10."Turn It Up"3:20
  • Track 6, in the US, was "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)", re-numbering the tracks for a total of eleven in that region.

Personnel

Band members
  • Kim McAulliffe – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Cris Bonacci – lead guitar
  • Gil Weston-Jones – bass
  • Denise Dufort – drums
Production

References

  1. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Girlschool – Nightmare at Maple Cross review". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert (1987). "Girlschool – Nightmare at Maple Cross review". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  3. ^ Popoff, Martin (1 November 2005). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 133. ISBN 978-1894959315.
  4. ^ Dome, Malcolm (2 October 1986). "Girlschool – Nightmare at Maple Cross". Kerrang!. No. 130. p. 21.
  5. ^ Ling, Dave (November 1986). "Albums: Girlschool – Nightmare at Maple Cross". Metal Hammer. No. 11. London: Metal Hammer (UK) Productions Ltd. p. 73.
  6. ^ Gallotta, Paul (31 May 1988). "Longplayers: Girlschool – Nightmare at Maple Cross (Roadracer/MCA)". Circus. New York: Circus Enterprises Corporation. p. 102. ISSN 0009-7365.

Further reading

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