In late 1980, Deverill was headhunted by the Tygers Of Pan Tang and replaced by Carl Sentance, a former band mate of Hughes and Razz in Leading Star. New vocalist in place, Persian Risk issued the now highly collectible 'Calling For You' b/w 'Chase the Dragon' 7" in 1981 before sacking Dave Bell's replacement, Alex Lohfink, and soldiering on as a four-piece. The band made further headway by contributing the aforementioned 'Calling For You' to the "Heavy Metal Heroes Vol.2" compilation (Heavy Metal Records, 1982) and a new cut, '50.000 Stallions', to the "60 Minutes Plus" cassette compilation (Neat Records, 1982), also issued on vinyl as "All Hell Let Loose" by Neat in conjunction with Italy's Base Records label in 1983. Adding to their tally, the band followed it up with the 'Ridin' High' b/w 'Hurt You' 7" single through Neat, which earned Risk their strongest reviews yet.
It would turn out to be the final recording with drummer Razz who was sacked in late 1983. He was briefly superseded by Dixie Lee (ex-Lone Star, Wild Horses) before a more permanent replacement was a found in Steve Hopgood (ex-Chinatown, Shy). The band also added a new second guitarist, Graham Bath (ex-Sphinx). Persian Risk were dealt a significant blow when founding member Phil Campbell successfully auditioned for Motörhead, who would tap his old band for the support slot on their 1984 UK tour. Campbell's successor was Phil Vokins (ex-Tyrant, Wrathchild). Risk also signed a new record deal with London-based Zebra Records and issued the 'Too Different' 12" EP in 1984 which saw the band temper their raw approach in favor of a somewhat more polished sound.
That same year, Persian Risk made their one and only national UK TV appearance when the band performed 3 songs - 'Women In Rock', 'Rise Up', and 'Too Different' - on Channel 4's ECT program. All three songs would later feature on their "Rise Up" LP which finally saw the light of day in 1986 on Metal Masters. By that time, the band had already disintegrated, the result of mounting frustration after years of hard work and failing to get that illusive big break.
Nick Hughes exited to join Idol Rich and is now entrenched in Trance music under the pseudonym Toad. Drummer Steve Hopgood and guitarist Graham Bath both spent time in Paul Di'Anno's Battlezone and Paul Di'Anno's Killers (more recent Hopgood credits include NWOBHM veterans Tank). Guitarist Phil Vokins reunited with former Wrathchild band mates Marc Angel and Eddie Starr in 2006, now going under the name Psychowrath. Vocalist Carl Sentance's post-Risk resume includes recording and touring activities with Tokyo Blade, Tredegar, the Geezer Butler Band, Paul Chapman's Ghost, Krokus, the Power Project (feat. members of Dio and Black Sabbath), and Deep Purple's Don Airey. Sentance issued his first solo album, "Mind Doctor", in 2008.
Original vocalist Jon Deverill now works as a successful actor using the stage name Jon de Ville. He most recently appeared in a national tour of 'Blood Brothers' in 2007 and 'The Sound of Music' in London in 2008. Co-founder/guitarist, Phil Campbell, has been a continuous member of Motörhead for the last 25 years and has recorded a total of 13 studio albums with the band. In 2005, Campbell won a prestigious Grammy Award with Motörhead in the 'Best Metal Performance' category for their cover of Metallica's 'Whiplash.'
Classic line-up:
Carl Sentance - vocals
Phil Campbell - guitars
Nick Hughes - bass
Razz - drums
Persian Risk MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/persianriskuk
Ridin' High
Persian Risk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rubber roll I smell them burning
Speed is my desire
To quench this thirst it takes me higher
My daring trick is to loop the loop of fire
On my machine filled with fuel, I am the flyer
Here in the morning, takes, riding high
It′s never too much for me, I live and die
Close to death is the road I will ride
Man and machine filled with fuel
With you by my side
Wind and rain stormy weather
Into the valley of the shadows I go
With you by my side I am the flyer
Here in the morning, takes, riding high
It's never too much for me, I live and die
Wheels I feel them turning
Rubber roll I smell them burning
Speed is my desire
To quench this thirst it takes me higher
My daring trick is to lop the loop of fire
On my machine filled with fuel
I am the flyer
Here in the morning, takes, riding high
The song 'Ridin' High' by Persian Risk is an ode to the thrill of speed and danger experienced by a daredevil rider. The lyrics are full of adrenaline-fueled imagery that captures the sensation of riding a powerful machine on the edge. The opening lines describe the sensation of the wheels turning and the rubber burning as the rider speeds ahead. The thrill of speed is not enough, as the rider seeks to go higher and quench his thirst for danger. The daring trick of looping the loop of fire is a metaphor for the rider's willingness to push the limits and take on greater risks.
The second stanza continues the theme of danger and risk-taking, as the rider and his machine are described as being filled with fuel, ready to take on the road. The presence of a companion is acknowledged but does not detract from the sense of solitary exhilaration. Stormy weather and the valley of shadows serve as metaphors for the obstacles and risks the rider must face. But with the companion by his side, the rider feels invincible and like a true flyer.
In the final stanza, the lyrics return to the opening lines, emphasizing the thrill of speed and the daring trick of looping the loop of fire. The rider's machine is once again described as being filled with fuel, emphasizing the sense of power and danger. The chorus repeats the line 'Here in the morning, takes, riding high', suggesting that the high of danger and adrenaline is a constant draw for the rider.
Overall, the song 'Ridin' High' is a celebration of the sensation of danger and the thrill of speed. The lyrics use powerful imagery to capture the high of adrenaline and the sense of power that comes from taking risks.
Line by Line Meaning
Wheels I feel them turning
I feel the wheels of my motorcycle turning and propelling me forward.
Rubber roll I smell them burning
I can smell the burning rubber of my motorcycle's tires as I speed down the road.
Speed is my desire
My desire is to go faster and faster on my motorcycle and feel the rush of adrenaline that comes with it.
To quench this thirst it takes me higher
The need to feed my thirst for speed and excitement drives me to push the limits of what I can do on my motorcycle.
My daring trick is to loop the loop of fire
I enjoy performing dangerous stunts on my motorcycle, like riding through a loop of fire.
On my machine filled with fuel, I am the flyer
I feel like I am flying on my motorcycle, which is powered by fuel.
Here in the morning, takes, riding high
I feel alive and exhilarated while riding my motorcycle in the morning, experiencing the sensation of 'riding high.'
It's never too much for me, I live and die
I am always willing to push further and take more risks on my motorcycle, even if it means risking my life for the thrill of the ride.
Close to death is the road I will ride
I am aware that the risks I take on my motorcycle can be deadly, but I am willing to accept that as part of the experience.
Man and machine filled with fuel
Both myself and my motorcycle are powered by fuel, and we work together as a single entity when I am riding it.
With you by my side
The person listening to the song is imagined as being present with the singer, either as a fellow rider or as a spectator enjoying the ride.
Wind and rain stormy weather
Even in bad weather conditions, I am willing to ride my motorcycle and take on the challenge.
Into the valley of the shadows I go
I am fearless and unafraid to face whatever may come my way while riding my motorcycle, even if it means facing danger or death.
Writer(s): Cole Porter
Contributed by Max R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Classic Heavy Metal Vault
One of the absolute best NWOBHM songs. The riffs are FUCKING BOSS.
Rahn Appraisals
One of the best vocalists to come out of the NWOBHM. Thank you for posting this. I have "Rise Up", but neither this nor "5000 Stallions" are on it. Please post more of their rarities, as I'd like to hear everything they've done.
Laurenz Gräff Ilpenstein
Yep.. Now with Nazareth
Rahn Appraisals
I love that note he hits at 2:07
JeikHeikkinen
He's great singer. Great Heavy Metal singer.
james frank
Had a promotional single of this on 45rpm vinyl. . grreat track !
MSGDK
I had it in a N.W.O.B.H.M collection many years ago. Thanks for the upload.
wade sprynczynatyk
Nice 👍
Evil Twin-After-Midnight
Is this the oldies corner (I'm 40) love my metal; been banging since 73 with Zep on the babysitters turntable
JOEL MARCIANO VIEIRA
Hell yeah