A talented songwriter and fret-melting guitar virtuoso who played with some of the biggest acts of all time in rock and metal, it is still a surprise that more people don’t know the name Bernie Tormé. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, he moved to London in the seventies and was quickly immersed in the growing punk scene. Tormé joined former Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan in 1979, and his guitar talents helped shape Gillan’s heavier sound during his stint with the group. This was followed by a brief stint with Ozzy Osborne filling in for the remainder of the tour following the tragic death of Randy Rhoads. Bernie would later have a frustrating time in the Dee Snider-led Desperado, which split following a record company dispute.

During the early eighties, Bernie formed Tormé, which featured Girl and LA Guns frontman Phil Lewis and Shark Island Bassist Chris Heilmann. Later versions of Tormé included former Samson vocalist Gary Owen, bassist John Pearce and drummer Chris Jones. The Tormé – The Bernie Tormé Archives Vol 2 1985-1993 brings us the best of the era from the much-missed Bernie Tormé.

Their debut release, Back to Babylon (Disc 1), is the perfect blend of hard rock and hair metal with punk influences sprinkled throughout. The opening track All Around the World launches the album with a bang, a rocking high-tempo song with a catchy singalong chorus. Bernie’s guitar talents are of course present throughout the album but tracks like Star and Eyes of the World are worth listening to for their riffs and solos alone. The variety of sounds and influences throughout this album really make it worth listening to a few times to really appreciate them. Fresh out of Girl and before his move to the US to join LA Guns, Phil Lewis is exceptional throughout the album. Bernie’s songwriting and guitar work provides a perfect platform for Phil to shine. The only low point for me is the live cover of Cameo’s Word Up included on this album. Feels like an idea conceived after too many pints.

Tormé’s sophomore release Die Pretty, Die Young (CD 2) picks up from where Back to Babylon left off with the infectious Let it Rock. Songs like Killer, Louise, and Sex Action (not the same song as the LA Guns track of the same name) show the many of the hard rock, hair metal, and sleaze rock building blocks that would later shape the LA Guns sound. Unlike the polished Back to Babylon the different styles break the album into two or three almost distinctive sounds, and the attempted splashes of punk feel clumsier rather than edgy.

The Tormé line-up of Phil Lewis and Bernie Tormé quickly built a reputation for their formidable live shows. Phil’s frontman prowess, combined with Bernie’s charismatic stage presence and face-melting guitar riffs, made Tormé the must-see hard rock act in London at the time. Thankfully, someone had the sense to capture this energy into Official Bootleg (CD 3). This album captures the best tracks from the Lewis/Tormé era in their live and purest format. There is a rawness and energy in most of the songs that feel like they are being belted out at you from a small stage in a packed London live venue.

Following the departure of Phil Lewis and Chris Heilmann, the relaunched lineup of Tormé, Owen, Pearce, and Jones released Demolition Ball (CDs 4 and 5). From the first riff of the opening track, Fallen Angel, it was clear that this version of Tormé would be far heavier than previous iterations of the group. This album has so many great hard rock/metal tracks, including Fallen Angel, Black Sheep and Angel. This album features some of Bernie Tormé’s best guitar work from his by-now extensive canon. Action, Ball & Chain and Spinnin’ Your Wheels are full of blazing runs and string-bending solos that show why people ‘in the know’ consider Bernie an unappreciated virtuoso.

Overall, this is an excellent box set, particularly if you are already a fan of Bernie Tormé’s work. Fans of hard rock or glam/hair metal will enjoy the Phil Lewis era material, and if it had been released at a different time, it would be easy to believe that the hard-hitting Demolition Ball would have been considered a ‘classic’ metal album.

Tormé – The Bernie Tormé Archives Vol 2 1985-1993 releases on July 26th.