Recorded at The Outhouse Studio, Reading (Tracks 1 & 2)
Tracks 1 & 2 Recorded and mixed by John Mitchell between the 16th & 18th August 1999
Tracks 3 & 4 (Taken from SOUL FIRE)

Razorwire Line-up:
Chris Minney- Vocals & Bass
Dan Peach- Rhythm Guitar
Charlie Cooper- Drums
Brendan Butler- Lead Guitar (Tracks 1 & 2)
Andy Smith- Lead Guitar (Tracks 3 & 4)

Track list:

1. Liar
2. Alone
3. Razerz Of The Underground (Soul Fire Version)
4. Draconian Blues (Soul Fire Version)

In August 1999, Razorwire went into the recording studio to re-record "Shezamin" and "Alone" and record one brand new track- "Liar". All 3 songs were recorded and mixed in 3 days by John Mitchell (the guitarist in Arena). The band were happy with Liar and Alone, but not so happy with the new version of Shezamin. Due to the extra time and better equipment available, these songs were a great improvement on what had come before.

After the chaos surrounding the ill-fated "Soul Fire" EP, it was obvious that a different approach was needed. The high cost of the "Soul Fire" EP had seriously affected sales, so it was decided that the next release should be on cassette tape with a cheap black & white inlay so that they could be sold for £1 each at gigs. It also meant that the band could send out loads to zines and promoters without breaking the bank. The tape featured the best two tracks from the latest recording session in Reading, and the best two tracks from "Soul Fire". The band sold loads of copies everywhere they went. They also recieved loads of great reviews, and doors started to open. The music world had started to take notice of Razorwire.

Shortly after the release of this EP, Dan Carden joined the band as the permanent replacement for Andy Smith. Soon afterwards, Chris decided that he wanted to concentrate on his vocals and frontman performance, so Andy Pancheri was brought in on Bass.

Words from the band:

"Liar is still one of my favorite Razorwire songs, and it's great to play live" -Dan P.

"I remember John (Mitchell) being a particular cunt towards me for some reason all through the recording process, but i soon shut him up with my comments about his best friend's dad...some dead guy called Roy Castle?" - Charlie

REVIEWS

UK Rocknet.com
Review by Ally Elliot

Razorwire are a four piece band based in the Midlands, consisting of Chris Minney on bass and vocals, Dan Peach on rhythm guitar, Charlie Cooper on the drums and Danny Carden on lead guitar. The band have a rock to soft metal style and I found their four track demo "Wired to the sin" uplifting. Just when you thought the days of good old rock were gone, Razorwire makes you sit up and say YES!
Razorwire are you're traditional metal group, with obvious influences including Sabbath, Paradise Lost, Aerosmith, Skid Row, and possibly even Iron Maiden and I often found myself humming along to the bands very catchy tunes and arrangements. The first track "Liar" has a very powerful intro, with a bouncy rhythm , funky bass, great guitar riffs and I detected a slight Korn style slowing down of tempo half way though before returning back to the upbeat tune.
Track two, "Alone" starts off slowly, building up power in a very Maiden way! In fact you would not be surprised if Bruce Dickinson himself were to start crooning over these very powerful riffs. A nice track and not so in your face.
Next came "Razorz of the underground", which I must say this is my least favorite track of the tape. The recording is poor and the intro is off-putting. It seems as if it's not sure if it's coming or going with its constant changes and the bass drums are also overdone. The bands final offering "Draconian Blues" has extremely catchy riffs and simple drumming which brings out the best of Razorwire. A great tune.

Generally the vocals don't always do the music justice, they lack the strength behind them to bring them in line with the power of the instruments playing. I don't think this is due to a lack of talent from the vocalist, just a little more feeling and force needs to be added.
The aesthetics of the tape are not professional, the package being a recording on a blank tape with a printed black and white inlay. Simple but unfortunately cheap (although this is also represented in the cost of their tape at only £1.50) and tacky. A shame so much effort went into the music only to be failed by appearance of their finished product. A minor point? Possibly, but one that was apparent to me in any case.
All in all a very enjoyable tape. Razorwire have obviously worked hard to get this far. A modern band with original material. Got to be good!

Glam Punk Suicide # 6
Review by Leanne

An absolute joy was this demo, I knew I was going to enjoy them when I saw the influences of Paradise Lost and The Sisters Of Mercy on the cover and the contents didn't disappoint. Hard Rock with an American swagger mixed with the doom of a British rainy day. The only drawback was the fact that the band relied a bit too heavily on their influences. I look forward to hearing more from the mighty Razorwire, especially as they haven?t yet fell under the dreaded trap of "Nu Metal". Yet.

Sound Check Issue # 11
Review by Kev Rice

Chugging powerful heavy metal band that pride themselves on their energy, heaviness and power. Vocally reminiscent of Mr Mustaine from Megadeth. Uptempo groove with plenty of crunch on opening track "Liar", the second starts off with an anthemic guitar hook blasting into a Megadeth footstomper ending in a blur of drumming and fluent guitar soloing - Nice!! An accompanying photo shows the vocalist / bassist wearing a t-shirt with the words "Razorwire fucked my mother" - Nice!! "Razors of the underground" kicks off like Almighty and early Crue - we like this! Check it out at only £1.50 a bargain, but "OI!" keep away from my mother you lot!!

Black Velvet Issue # 24
Review by Shari

4 piece unsigned band Razorwire have an intensity similar to a gale force wind - not content to blow you along gently, Dan Peach and co. whack you with such a huge gust that knocks you senseless sideways. "Liar" is a dragon breathing fire - fast, meaty and electric. Unfortunately, Chris Minney's whiney, scratchy moans almost tear your ears apart and ruin an otherwise interesting experience. The same goes for "Alone", "Razers Of The Underground (Demo)" and "Dragonian Blues (Demo)". Not quite sure why tracks three and four have the word "demo" in brackets since surely the whole tape is one long demo.
Preferably Razorwire should keep the intensity, come up with a few catchier tunes and maybe slightly easier on the ear vocals.

Dilemm-ahhh! 'Zine # 4
Review by Deano

After you have pressed play on your tape machine you have just enough time to sit yourself down, as a blast of pure brilliance spurts out your speakers.
First track "Liar" sets the pace, and what a pace. This demo twists and turns like an insomniac on caffeine trying to sleep.
2nd track "Alone" starts off in a slow piano type sound, bringing you to one of the best guitar licks in quite a while.
"Razerz of the underground" has a very catchy chorus & "Draconian Blues" is just great.
Overall, a demo from a band with great musicianship..........and songs to go with it. With a little push, RAZORWIRE will be huge.

Intoxicated 'Zine # 12
Review by Graham Finney

I didn't expect to like this lot one bit but, you know what, I bloody did! Influenced by the traditional metal bands, Razorwire don't offer up any shocks, what they do churn out is some well played, competant traditional metal. In fact, listening to track two (ignoring the vocals), I picked up a hint of One Second era Paradise Lost in that guitar sound. Not exactly "razor" sharp but, at the same time, not a bad effort.

Terrorizer # 76
Review by Steve Tovey

Razorwire- "Wired to the sun"
Razorwire's wired to the sun is let down by the cringe-worthy out of tune helium vocals "decorating" their crunching thrash-y-metal with a older Sentenced bent. Otherwise, this is promising, if a little ChugaDeth (5/10).

Attitude #16 (March 2000)
Review by Wolfbitch

Wired to the sin? Wired to the eighties more like. This English quartet's style seems to be very traditional eighties rock/metal influenced by the likes of Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and the odd touch of Skid Row.

The most modern element of their demo can be found on the fourth and final song Draconian Blues, which has a Paradise Lost-style (surprise surprise) lead guitar bolted onto the basic trad rock framework. Vocally there is a definite resemblance to Dave Mustaine, adding to the general atmosphere of cheesiness created by twiddling guitar solos and the odd "ooh" thrown in for good measure.

Frankly, I'm puzzled. It's a bit early I think for an eighties retro-thing to be happening with a band who look quite young from the fuzzy photo on the demo's inlay. It's nevertheless pretty enjoyable for a demo with the usual muddy production problems. The musicianship is pretty good, with my only gripe being the second song Alone, where the drummer seems to want to outpace the rest of the band in the speedier sections.

Verdict: Rather dated, but quite good.