The common thread through Virgin Soldiers, Sump and Manpower was Steve Williamson. The combined catalogue is as impressive as it was under-rated. 

 

Virgin Soldiers were one of the hardest working bands of the Melbourne Metal scene from 1980-1990. Drummer Rob Boundy describes the band’s music as “English influenced hard rock with an aggressive Aussie edge”. You can hear the influence of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Judas Priest, UFO, AC/DC and Rose Tattoo.

 

Their self-titled mini LP from 1987 (on their own Soldier Records) received rave reviews in the English Metal Press, with Kerrang! Reviewer Chris Watts saying their version of the Beatle’s Come Together was better than Aerosmith’s!

 

1997's Sump album, Taken by Storm, shows a tight, loud, hard rocking band who could cut it with the best of them. And the Manpower project was an EP of killer cover versions with the highlight being an awesome version of Cheap Tricks 'I Want You to Want Me'

 

Virgin Soldiers, Sump, and Maxpower are all available digitally worldwide.

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