JANUARY 1988

ELIXIR – Royal Standard, Walthamstow

On the face of it Elixir are a fine band playing above average British Metal. The problem is that the constant formula they’ve adopted – involving extended lead breaks for either one or both of the guitarists approximately mid-way through every number— does tend to grate on the nerves after a while. Four songs into the set and I was beginning to feel boredom setting in.

Indeed, throughout their set Elixir exhibited an alarming tendency towards unoriginality which, for a band intent on securing a major deal for their next album, is a decided handicap. Despite the fact that another wave of British HM is being mooted in some quarters, talent alone will not ensure Elixir’s place in the second coming and I can see them remaining little more than one of the better acts on the UK club circuit.

LYN GUY