Shogun - 31 Days (1987) [2012]

The story tells that after having recorded a successful debut album with Tokyo Blade, singer Alan Marsh was fired due artistic discrepancies. Together with former Chinatown guitar player Danny Gwilym, Marsh formed Shogun in 1984, a name referring to his knowledge and respect for the Oriental culture.

One year after Shogun released their self-titled debut, a very good rocking disc blending Tokyo Blade’s NWOBHM melodic sounds with some Def Leppard re-runs.
In 1987 the band recruited ex-Tokyo Blade rhythm section Andy Wrighton (bass) & Steve Pearce (drums) and sign to Jet Records before releasing their second album “31 Days”.

“31 Days” shows Shogun updating the songwriting style, moving to a more Americanized melodic hard rock sound with AOR touches, still retaining the typical British scent.
The result was this first class keyboard driven Melodic Hard Rock / AOR album with powerful guitars and soaring vocals recalling the style of UK bands like Shy, Peroux and Moritz, or international acts such as White Sister, Skagarack and Surgin.


“31 Days” is an ’80s British Melodic Hard Rock / AOR classic, cult album, fulls of impressive songs in this genre propelled by driving melodic guitars, swirling keyboards and powerful clean vocals.
By 1987, Shogun got the punch from their NWOBHM roots and the catchiness of the Melodic Hard / AOR from the era, and the results in this “31 Days” are to die for.



Tracks:

1 Cloak And Dagger 3:53
2 Shock To The Heart 3:57
3 Voices From The Heart 5:20
4 You Are What You Are 3:37
5 Love Is A Game 3:40
6 Cold Truth 4:15
7 If Tomorrow Comes 4:58
8 Can't Live Without Your Love 5:12
9 First Time 4:17
10 Out Of Love Again 4:14
Bonus Tracks
11 Voices From The Heart (Original Version-Different Lyrics) 5:16
12 Out Of Love Again (Original Arrangement) 4:37

Personnel:

Alan Marsh – lead vocals
Danny Gwilym – guitar
Ian “Attila” Marshall – keyboards
Andy Robbins – bass
Steve Pierce – drums