Hull's NWOBHM "legends" Salem - recording further new tracks - booked at festivals in Italy and Germany

Salem was founded in late 1979 by two former members from the “Metal for Muthas” stars Ethel The Frog – Paul Tognola (vocals and guitar) and Paul Conyers (drums). Adrian Jenkinson was drafted as the bass player and the first band meeting with Paul Macnamara (lead guitar) was 2 January 1980 in The Red Lion pub in Anlaby, Hull, Yorkshire.

This line-up – after a period of song writing and rehearsal – began gigging in Hull and district, and recorded the first demo on 4 January 1981 at Fairview Studios in Willerby, Hull (where Def Leppard recorded their first music).

Simon Saxby (vocals) joined Salem following Paul Tognola’s departure for The Crack in March 1981 and the band continued to perform.

However, the Salem sound was founded on two guitars and twin-lead melodies so Mark Allison joined to add that depth. This line-up gigged regularly and released its own double A-side single “Cold As Steel / Reach For Eternity” in 1982, recorded on 4 April 1982 at Fairview Studios. Paul Macnamara was interviewed by Kerrang! – soon to become the world’s biggest selling weekly rock magazine – in May 1982 (No. 15) and singles were sold globally.

Paul Conyers had to leave due to other professional commitments and Paul “Animal” Mendham took up the drum stool.

This final Salem line-up continued to gig prolifically in the North and North East of England with a hardcore of fans. They soon recorded another demo at Adda Studios in east Hull, for the first time capturing the fans’ favourite “The Keeper of the Keys”. This raw session caught the passion of the live performances.

As a result of Salem winning a “battle of the bands” at Huddersfield Polytechnic, Salem recorded the last demo at September Sound, Huddersfield, in March 1983, which best demonstrated the maturing song writing of the band. Although a number of record companies gave the music the green light, the band imploded and played their last, sell-out gig in Hull on 31 May 1983.

In June 2010, High Roller Records and Pure Steel Records released the remastered recordings by Salem on the double-album “In The Beginning …” on vinyl and CD.

The band played it first gig in 27 years in hometown Hull in November 2010.

In 2011, Salem recorded three new tracks (available on a limited edition EP) and played again at The Adelphi on 9 December.

Salem is currently recording further music and booking gigs, including the Heavy Metal Festival V in Italy and Metal Shock in Germany.

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