of locations, so I thought I'd do some research and do a feature on the metal scene in Harrogate.

I'll set the scene for you. Harrogate is a gentile, historic spa-town that borders the North Yorkshire National Park. The population of Harrogate itself, is estimated to be around 75,000, so it's not small, and should be able to keep a metal scene alive.

So, a bit of scene history for you first of all.

Scanning though Metal-Archives, the earliest band I can find from Harrogate were a NWBOHM band called Syar. They were a five piece band, and released an album in 1984 called Death Before Dishonour, through Mausoleum Records, in Belgium. 3 of Syar's members were also in another band called Maineeaxe, who were a lot more active, releasing twofull lengths, an EP and three singles. They were last signed to a label called Powerstation, which no longer exists.

The next band I cam across, were Thrash Metal band Acid Reign. They formed in 1985 after meeting at Granby high school, as it was then, and were very active. In the six years they were together, they released a demo, an EP, two singles, two full lengths, a compilation and they even appeared alongside the mighty Testament, on a split record by Kerrang! At the time they were signed to sub-label of Music for Nations, called Under One Flag and were labelmates to well known British bands, including Venom and Onslaught!

The members of Acid Reign were also very active in other band to at the time. First guitarist