KATMANDU (Japanese Release) With the decline of 80s hard rock, a movement to re-evaluate the appeal of steadfast British hard rock emerged amidst the upheaval in the metal world, as usual. KATMANDU was one of the bands that attracted attention in this context. Unfortunately, the band disappeared after only this one album, but they remain a memorable presence. The band consisted of four members, centered around Dave King, formerly of FASTWAY and hailed as the second coming of Robert Plant, and Mandy Meyer, a talented guitarist who later joined KROKUS, ASIA, and then Gotthard. With a strong 70s vibe, the album has a Zeppelin-esque feel, and a broad sense of musicality, such as covering a U2 song, making it a unique album. Dave King later formed the band Flogging Molly, a band that created the unique genre of Irish trad punk, and is active in it. Here, he demonstrates his versatile vocals, including expressive slow numbers and metallic shouts. As the saying goes, "old is new again," this album combines the coolness of traditional British hard rock with a modern sense of melody, and I think it's a highly regarded hidden gem. Playback confirmed.