Iona: Don’t Cry for the Innocent.

New Wave of British Heavy Metal Blog

Iona (formerly GBH) hailed from Pontypool in Wales. Active around the late 1970s/early 1980s
during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal explosion. Add the band to the long list of others at
the time with the chops but not the breaks.

It did look promising for Iona early doors when their sole single - Don’t Cry for the Innocent -
soared to #2 in the Melody Maker (remember that?) heavy metal chart.

However that, coupled with a strong local following wasn’t enough for Iona to make the step up.

What a pity – which you’ll appreciate if you can pick up a copy of this superb 10-track anthology
of the band’s work from back then. It’s out on CD thanks to Unslient Tombs Records.

The liner notes (penned by guitarist Andy Berry) state that they liked bands such as UFO, Thin
Lizzy and Wishbone Ash for the combination of melody, harmony and riffing. Plenty of all three
in evidence here.

Check that out for yourself – here is Don’t Cry for the Innocent. Good innit?

https://youtu.be/gCq1JgT9GPg

The next song is another jaunty melodic rocker with a tasty hook – You Ain’t a Lady – which I
believe was the B-side.

The following eight tracks were originally recorded in 1980. Plenty to enjoy too.

Traveller is a particular favourite. Hugely catchy with some bite and an instantly infectious
chorus.

A Million Miles and 666 see Iona stretching out and flexing their musical muscles somewhat in
to more complex/ambitious territory.

Back to the more traditional heavy/melodic for cuts such as Evil Woman and I’ve Got a Lot to
Learn for example.

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 If you like your NWOBHM (or well put together rock in general) which is heavy yet cultured with
those UFO/Lizzy influences then Iona should be right up your street.

As I usually do for these limited releases, I obtained my copy from Sonic Age Records:
https://sonicagerecords.com

It’s always a pleasure to rediscover/discover “lost” bands from the NWOBHM days and it’s
thanks to labels like Unsilent Tombs and their like who specialise in stuff such as this.

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