'The Big H' was to be the last release for NWOBHM outfit 'Hellanbach', who dissolved soon after this release having failed to garner the attention the band thought they deserved. From a personal point of view, I enjoyed 'Now Hear This', but 'The Big H' shows little to no development, 'Jimmy Brash's' vocal talents seem to get exposed more here than on the debut and the material for the most is poorly written and sounds rushed. The only line-up change sees drummer 'Steve Walker' stepping aside for 'Barry Hopper', although musically this makes no appreciable difference.

The opener 'Beaten to the Bone' fails to launch the album off on a high note, a short, generic, underdeveloped, poorly sung offering that's nothing more than album filler- a very poor choice to lead with. Coming back with a little more purpose is the 'Van Halen' influenced 'The Main Man', while 'Nobody's Fool' is a reworking of a track from their debuting 'Guardian' EP, but still nothing better than a genre staple. The pace is picked up with the more lively 'Bandit's Run', which despite some initial promise, fails to capitalist and concludes with some shoddy sound effects. Finally things start to look up with, 'S.P.G.C.' the brisket and easily the finest cut present, the song as a whole embraces the energy of the genre, while being graced with some fine 'Dave Patton' solos. A cover of 'Elton John's' well worn 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' ensues in disappointing fashion, 'Jimmy Brash' doesn't work the lyrics with much conviction, while the melody comes across as mechanical. 'Van Halen' territory is again explored with 'Panic State O.D.', but even by some of their dreary efforts this is poor and unimaginative stuff. Oh dear 'Hellanbach' should have learnt from their debut, which was graced with the awful 'Everybody wants to be a Cat' and they have gone one worse with the truly dire 'Daddy Dig those Cats'. The album continues to peter out with the final pairing, first of which is the dull mid-tempo affair 'When all is Said and Done', while 'Urban Paranoia' only fairs marginally better thanks to some improved instrumental work.

Sorry fellow NWOBHM fans, the debut had promise but this is forgettable stuff and in hindsight can see why the band soon disintegrated after it's release.