In the early 1980s, the heavy metal scene in the UK was in full swing. Bands like Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and Judas Priest were dominating the charts and filling arenas all over the world. But amid the glitz and glam of the big names, there was a new wave of heavy metal bands bubbling under the surface. These were the bands that would later be known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWoBHM), and one of the most overlooked and underrated bands of that era was Mirage.
Formed in 1983 in the valleys of South East Wales, Mirage was the brainchild of Richard Morgan (aka "Wretch) on vocals, Richard Price on guitar, Carl Skinner on bass and Gerry Turner on drums. The four friends had been playing in various rock and metal bands in the area for several years when they decided to join forces and form Mirage. The band's unique blend of heavy metal and hard-driving rock quickly caught the attention of local record company Notepad Productions, who featured their track "Blind Fury" on a compilation album in 1984.
It wasn't long before Mirage's breakout hit caught the attention of Malc Macmillan, author of the Encyclopaedia of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWoBHM). Macmillan described "Blind Fury" as "truly one of the classic tracks of the entire NWoBHM genre" and praised the band's raw talent and energy.
Despite the critical acclaim, Mirage's career never really took off in the way they had hoped. They continued to play live shows and record new material throughout the mid-80s, but as the decade drew to a close, the band began to lose momentum. By the early 90s, Mirage had disbanded, its members scattered to various other musical projects.
Fast forward a few decades, and knowledge of Mirage is all but forgotten. But thanks to the recent resurgence of interest in NWoBHM, the band is finally getting the recognition they deserve. The rare Notepad Productions VOLUME I album featuring "Blind Fury" has become highly sought after by collectors, with copies selling for hundreds of dollars online. And in 2021, High Roller Records re-released "Blind Fury" and "Twilight Zone" on black and white vinyl, complete with an updated cover featuring Richard Price's original Fender Stratocaster guitar and a Turner family artefact from World War II.
For fans of heavy metal and hard rock, Mirage is a band that shouldn't be missed. Their unique sound and high-energy performances were a testament to the raw power of the NWoBHM movement, and their influence can still be heard in the music of countless modern bands. So if you're looking for some classic metal strip to add to your collection, give Mirage a listen – you won't be disappointed.