TOKYO BLADE midnight rendezvous RR125514

Today’s entry takes us to the heart of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with a classic EP from Tokyo Blade. We are looking at the 1984 European release of Midnight Rendezvous, issued on Roadrunner Records with the catalog number RR 125514.

This 12-inch, 45 RPM EP captures the band’s definitive early lineup, featuring vocalist Alan Marsh and the twin-guitar attack of Andy Boulton and John Wiggins. It represents the band at their most energetic, delivering the melodic yet aggressive sound that made them NWOBHM favorites alongside bands like Iron Maiden.

The EP features five tracks:
A1: Midnight Rendezvous
A2: Mean Streak
B1: If Heaven Is Hell (Long Version)
B2: Highway Passion
B3: Death On Main Street

The A-side features two of their most enduring anthems. Midnight Rendezvous is a perfect example of the genre’s driving rhythm and catchy choruses, while Mean Streak delivers a harder edge.

For collectors, the B-side is particularly interesting. It includes a Long Version of the epic If Heaven Is Hell, giving the track more room to breathe. It also includes Highway Passion and Death On Main Street, tracks that helped define their debut album era (which was titled Midnight Rendezvous in some territories outside the UK).

RR 125514 is a high-energy release played at 45 RPM for maximum audio fidelity. It stands as an essential document of Tokyo Blade’s golden era, capturing the spirit of 1984 heavy metal perfectly.