Originally planned under a different title, but deemed “too harsh” by Herbert Egoldt, “As the Drum Beats” became Brutal Attack's second album. The lineup for this album consisted of Sean Heywood (guitar), Len Fleckney (drums), Martin Cross (bass), and Ken McLellan (vocals). With the exception of Ken, it was a new lineup. Martin Cross had been recruited from Skrewdriver and Len Fleckney had replaced Tony, who had left the band to join the army. Ken considered Len Fleckney to be “probably the best drummer on the nationalist scene today.” Len Fleckney had played with the mod revival band Eleanor Rigby and could be heard on the LP “Censorship,” released in 1987.

Musically, “As the Drum Beats” marked a turning point for the band, which now took a direction that lay “somewhere between skinhead and rock music.” Despite the less than perfect sound, this album has some memorable, melodic, and varied highlights to offer, from the harder numbers like “I Got the Power” and “Red Storm Rising” to the title track “As the Drum Beats.” Overall, this work is a solid and competent album that offered a taste of the Brutal Attack albums that followed.

Strictly limited to 499 units, hand-numbered, digitally remastered (vinyl mastering), completely restored cover and back cover design, available exclusively on black 12-inch vinyl. Contains 10 songs from the 1988 pressing. Three songs fell victim to the current legal situation, only one track had to be digitally adapted, and a sampler song from 1986 was added. Running time just under 37 minutes.

Get your hands on the original pressing from Rock-O-Rama Records now.