Key Records - 1986
7.5/10
Looking back on bands with one album that never really took off from the 1980s always seems to have a bit of a special place in my heart. Nine times out of ten, they reside somewhere on the traditional metal or early thrash end of things, feeling a bit undercooked (which only adds to the charm). Florida’s Leather Nunn fit this exact description, putting out Take The Night in 1986 and bouncing without another word. Three years following would see the band’s breakup.
From the get-go, the raw veneer is coupled with buzzsaw-like guitar coats to give this an extra sense of heaviness. Admittedly, this does clip away a potential boost to the already heavy riffs that would deliver with more power, but that’s a mild complaint. Despite sporting such a coarse foundation, the vocals never venture into harsh territory. On the other hand, the solos are plenty striking, and the bass rumbles can be felt wonderfully. The steadier flow of the title track with its “power stance riffs” really showcases this beautifully.
Saying that the songwriting on Take The Night is memorable would be a bit of a stretch, as a lot of this blends in decently with the basics of the style at the time. Variance on the basic riffing structure is somewhat lacking, but at least the one trick is a good one. “Taken Ground” and its edgier gallop holds a bit more oomph, this one also being a tune I would say fits what a majority of this album follows structurally. I wouldn’t call this a ballad, but “Take Me Back” diverts from the more monotone layout and injects emotion heavier than anywhere else on the disc. Same could probably be said about “You’re The One.”
It’s a shame that Leather Nunn ended so early, because this shows some serious potential for growth amidst what’s already plenty strong. Taking this basic foundation and applying unique tricks and a slightly more focused aim could have seen a perfect record. Regardless, this is a very worthwhile spin, and it’s quite digestible. Fans of Wolf, Steeler, Bride, or early Motley Crue should give this a shot.
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