Italian band STRANA OFFICINA was formed in 1977, and are referenced as a influential and much too underrated band in the underground Italian metal scene of the 1980’s. Following two initial EP’s they made their full album debut with “Rock’n Roll Prisoners” in 1988, released on vinyl on the short-lived Italian underground label Metalmaster. This reissued edition, courtesy of Italian label Jolly Roger Records, comes with 2 additional bonus tracks.
The story of Strana Officina appears to some extent to be the story of the band that should have been. Following their first two EPs the band had found a label, and actually got a rather well produced album out for this full length debut production, but this turned out to be their last one for a good number of years. While there may be many reasons for such a development, in this case the death of the band’s guitarist and drummer in an accident a few years later presumably played a major part.
As with their EPs, this album showcase a band that explore many different varieties of 80’s heavy metal. Opener King Troll is a solid affair with a strong touch of Motley Crue to it, while the lighter toned and more elegant War Games wouldn’t have been out of place on Ozzy’s “The Ultimate Sin”. The Kiss of Death has strong touches of early Iron maiden, while the longer Black Moon has it’s stylistic feet firmly placed in Black Sabbath territories sometime around the “Heaven and Hell” album. Title track Rock’n Roll Prisoners is a piece of distinctly US sounding hair metal of a more nondescript type as I experience it, while Burnin’ Wings comes across as the bastard child of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Fallin’ Star is more of a hair metal affair again, harder edged in the manner Dokken used to explore it, while concluding piece Don’t Cry is more of a vibrant affair of the kind that for me at least sounds rather similar to Di’anno era Iron Maiden. While perhaps not all that original many of these songs are well made and put together, with a vibrancy and compelling overall nature that have fared fairly well with time, with the not too impressive keyboards used the main sour note on an otherwise fine specimen of underground 80’s heavy metal.
The bonus tracks, live renditions of King Troll and War Games, is a nice supplement to this album, and as they are of a decent enough quality both of them should have an appeal also beyond the band’s main fan base, and as such they can be regarded as a quality addition to the original album and not merely fan service additions.
All in all an entertaining production that covers most of the bases of the most popular variations of mid 1980’s heavy metal in one sitting. While perhaps not a production that will blow anyone away, it’s a charming album, and as with many other productions by underground one that is made with a great deal of passion for the music they have chosen to explore. Diehard fans of traditional 80’s metal of the more accessible kind should take a note of the existence of this one, as I’m fairly sure that the greater majority of them will find this CD to be both entertaining and a noteworthy experience.
My rating: 73/100
