| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Paul May & Paul Hodson |
| Record Label: Nu Life / Soundmass | Country Of Origin: UK |
| Year Released: 1994 / 2026 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 / 14 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 44:37 / 65:03 |
The 1994 Nu Life Records third full-length album Get Real from Birmingham, UK based A.N.D. is quite the engaging listen, thanks to its melodic songwriting, musical diversification and faith based lyrics. First impression to the project of vocalist and guitarist Paul May, whom has recorded four albums with original Judas Priest vocalist Al Atkins as part of Atkins May Project, is traditional metal, and while not an inaccurate designation, there is much more musically to A.N.D. It begins from manner in which A.N.D. also derives from blues based hard rock and Southern rock, particularly in the soloing and shuffling guitar harmony department, not to mention calmer ballad like moments and those of an acoustic nature. It also encompasses how the group is willing to branch out and up heaviness into speed metal territory and even take an intricate progressive songwriting route.
Details about A.N.D. remain obscure other than it released in 1990 on Worldwide Records its full-length debut 100 Hours prior to signing with Green Tree Records for its 1992 sophomore effort Madman’s Overture. May later made a decision of faith, which prompted him to write the Get Real material from standpoint of his newfound beliefs and solidify the A.N.D. lineup with fellow believer’s bassist Mick Ponter and drummer Lance Blackwood. Guest musicians include A.N.D. alumni bassist Pete Emms (V-Rats), guitarist John Wylde, and co-producer and keyboardist Paul Hodson.
Out of print and a hard to find collectors item, Get Real was re-mastered (courtesy of Rock Solid Studios, UK) and reissued in November of 2025 by Soundmass Records. Attributing to Paul May is eye catching new cover art and a four page mini booklet including lyrics and liner notes in an easy to read font. Bonus material comes in the form of two songs from Madman’s Overture (“Someday” and “I Wanna Rock”), one off 100 Hours (“Destiny”) and a previously unreleased song from the Get Real sessions, “Judge”.
When listened alongside, the original Nu Life production does not sound bad but also impresses as a bit dry. The Soundmass re-mastering, however, brings the album up to modern standards by injecting a much-needed element of refinement. The resulting cleaner mix allows the more impactful bass and drum presence in addition to rhythm guitar that projects added grit and edge.
“King” opens the album as a short (three-minute) but high-energy slugger walking a fine line between surging heavy metal and rugged hard rock. Guitar, for instance, ranges from classic metal riffing and volatile soloing to bluesy signatures of a plainspoken form. Song pauses at the mid-point for narration from Philippians 2:10-11. Lyric snippet:
King of Kings and Lord of Lords
The mighty Living Word
Crowned with many crowns
The Saviour of the world
Hand of justice, judge of all, the holy Lam of God
His name is victory
His majesty will reign for evermore
“Babylon” ensues but in faster, speed-based based mode. Blackwood takes center stage with his double kick drum, reinforcing the breakneck momentum and curtly woven hooks of a velocity driven form. May demonstrates to be no small talent guitar wise with his fleet soloing - sort of like David Zaffiro (Bloodgood) - that closes songs final minute and half.
After two opening up-tempo cuts, album moves on to mid-paced mauler “For Sale”. With Ponter’s bass solo to start, song powers forward with rhythm guitar slugging in and out of the mix (for the granular verse sections) prior to establishing itself in catchy fashion (emboldening the unaffected refrain). This one does a choice job highlighting the A.N.D. blues based hard rock side.
“Under The Law” maintains the hard rock leanings. Song triggers its way to Rez Band style guitar riffs as cowbell fittingly adorns the backend, staying true to the accessible revealed in the layered vocal melodies to make choice appearance not to mention the blues found in a trudging lead guitar run that would turn the head of Troy Thompson (Bride). Vocally, May might not bring the range of contemporaries Dale Thompson (Bride) and Mike Lee (Barren Cross), but he more than holds his own with a heartfelt and passionate delivery. Lyric snippet:
There ain’t no institution got claims upon my mind
Live by faith and not observation
For faith is justified
Now I believe your liberty
Now I’m not living under law, I’m living free
Cause now I’m living for the Lord
Hes’ all I need
He set me free
“Young Man” is first of albums two choice ballads. It proves calm and reticent, gradually drifting to lush drum signatures underpinning Spanish style guitars and soaring feedback. Three minutes in, however, and “Young Man” makes an about face as hard rock guitars abruptly axe in and take the song to its pivotal close. I can see Bride doing something like this.
Album returns to classic metal territory with “Overdrive”. What we have is a keyed up tune exhibiting knife-edge intensity bristling with an anthem like aura, punchy hooks and strident rhythms. The unyieldingly catchy guitar riffs sound as if taken from second Saint album Time’s End from 1986. Lyric snippet:
There’s no remorse, there’s no mercy now
Dog eat dog, gonna tear you down
Fear the future, modern man
Soon your system gonna die my friend
How many hearts are crying for life?
How many souls are walking to the light?
Reach to the true direction, to the Christ!
Or this world will bury you alive, its overdrive
“The Day” is another speed based cut akin to “Babylon”. A power metal feel not unlike Sacred Warrior’s “Children Of The Light (off 1988’s Rebellion) manifest from the non-stop double kick drums and proliferating mettle. That said, a somewhat same-like feel manifests when listened alongside “Babylon” leaving impression a pair of rapid-fire cuts might be too much for a ten-song album, keeping in mind each is solid when approached separately.
A.N.D. stays true to its blues-rock side on “The Way”. Song revels in grainy Southern slide guitar impelled by shuffling bass, simmering from the guitar and vocal interplay commanding its verse sections and heartfelt emotion imbuing the impactful refrain. I see fans of Cornerstone, F.O.G., The Rex Carroll Band and Sign Of Jonah taking to his one. Lyric snippet:
Hey there have you heard the news?
Have you read all about it?
You’ve got the right to choose!
The way, the truth, the life
Out of the darkness, into the light
Jesus is the way, He is the life
The truth today, the spirit here inside
The way the truth, the life
“This Child” represents a portent five-minute acoustic ballad. The delicate melody it exudes joins with flattering harmonica, as May lends a softer and smoother vocal touch. Lyrics touch upon the worshipful in making a faith based statement:
This means forever
You are my guiding light
My walk on water
You are my spirit of life
When I call Your name
You fill me again
This child’s not the same
My father, my friend
Closing nine-minute progressive epic “Touch The Sky” is not so much albums best track as it is a strong contender for 1994 song of the year. It literally throws the kitchen sink at the listener: drum solo to start, soaring harmonies, distorted- feedback, churning rhythm guitar, generous instrumental interludes and intense affections. The indelible at moments notice melody ensures that “Touch The Sky” - as with all great progressive music - remains a compelling listen despite the span.
Of the bonus material “Judge” is such quality it could easily have been the eleventh song on Get Real. It begins to ominous sound effect and ringing bells ahead of turning into a classic metal stomper, bursting of unyielding guitar riffs, befitting catchy hooks, and smoldering guitar leads to relish. A whispered voice repeating the Lords Prayer pillars the haunting clime.
I also take to “Someday”, a nine and half minute progressive masterpiece opening its first half instrumentally to soaring feedback and piano ahead of turning into a metal anthem inbred to epic overtures and portentous melody, and “Destiny”, shorter at four minute but articulating a commercial sound rooted eighties melodic hard rock signatures. Lone bonus track to come into question is “I Wanna Rock”, a generic pro rock song that while not bad – it hits hard as anything from A.N.D. - I do not find anything special either.
If great albums encompass great songs then such is the case with third A.N.D. full-length effort Get Real. Yes, a foundation of traditional metal, but also much more in form of hard rock, blues, speed metal, ballads and progressive rock. Regardless of style, each song impresses as well conceived and expertly performed. Credit Soundmass Records for making such a high quality work available again with not just upgraded re-mastering and packaging but choice bonus material. If you missed Get Real back in the day or interested in a vastly improved version, make the Soundmass reissue a priority purchase.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “King” (3:05), “Babylon” (4:22), “For Sale” (4:05), “Under Law” (3:58), “Young Man” (4:39), “Overdrive” (4:00), “The Day” (3:09), “The Way” (3:45), “This Child” (4:51), “Touch The Sky” (8:43), “Judge” (5:34), “Someday” (9:30), “I Wanna Rock” (2:47), “Destiny” (4:12)
Musicians
Paul May - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Mick Ponter - Bass
Lance Blackwood - Drums
Guest Musicians
John Wylde - Guitars
Pete Emms - Bass
Paul Hodson - Keyboards
Roly Bell - Harmonica
