The Sensational Alex Harvey Band ‎– Rock Drill

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band – Rock Drill

Rock Drill is the seventh studio album by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, capturing the Scottish group's distinctive blend of hard rock, theatrical storytelling, progressive arrangements and offbeat musical experimentation. Originally released in Europe in 1977 and in the UK in 1978, it stands as the band's final studio album with Alex Harvey, bringing their unconventional approach to rock to a striking conclusion.

Led by the charismatic and unpredictable Alex Harvey, the band built its reputation on a sound that combined heavy guitar riffs, dramatic vocals, dark humour and a willingness to move beyond conventional rock songwriting. Guitarist Zal Cleminson, bassist Chris Glen, drummer Ted McKenna and keyboard player Tommy Eyre provide the musical framework on Rock Drill, delivering an album that balances muscular rock passages with more unusual compositions and theatrical flourishes.

The first side is built around The Rock Drill Suite, a four-part sequence that gives the album a distinctly progressive structure. The title track establishes the record's forceful character before The Dolphins introduces a more expansive and melodic dimension. Rock & Rool brings the band's characteristic irreverence to the fore, while King Kong offers a distinctive interpretation of Max Steiner's famous theme from the 1933 film. Together, the four pieces demonstrate the band's ability to combine hard-edged rock with ambitious arrangements and unexpected twists.

The second side explores a more varied collection of musical ideas. Booids draws on traditional material, while Who Murdered Sex? returns to the band's provocative lyrical approach. Nightmare City brings a darker atmosphere, and Water Beastie adds another example of the group's unconventional songwriting. The album closes with Mrs. Blackhouse, a track associated with the UK Mountain Records edition.

The album's release history is particularly interesting to collectors. The original European Vertigo edition included No Complaints Department, a song omitted from the UK Mountain Records pressing and replaced by Mrs. Blackhouse. This difference makes it important to distinguish between editions when cataloguing or collecting the album.

For listeners interested in Scottish rock, theatrical hard rock and the more eccentric side of 1970s progressive music, Rock Drill offers a fascinating final chapter in the original band's studio catalogue. Its combination of powerful performances, unusual subject matter and adventurous arrangements reflects the individuality that made The Sensational Alex Harvey Band such a distinctive presence in British rock.

Tracklist

Side A – The Rock Drill Suite

A1. Rock Drill
A2. The Dolphins
A3. Rock & Rool
A4. King Kong

Side B

B1. Booids
B2. Who Murdered Sex?
B3. Nightmare City
B4. Water Beastie
B5. Mrs. Blackhouse