Gun

Album art done by Yes landscaper Roger Dean in his Hieronymus Bosch phase, The Gun’s debut album is mostly remembered for the oft-covered lead-off single “Race with the Devil,” a tune tackled by everyone from NWOBHM demolition women Girlschool to Japanese murder doom act Church of Misery. Strangely, it’s one of the less wild tracks on this heavy psych gem, although its insistent riff fires the bullet that would later hit speed metal’s bullseye. The inclusion of the horn section adds an extra spark of madness. First side also has the spaghetti western-style parable of “The Sad Saga of the Boy and the Bee” and instrumental “Rupert’s Travels,” which David Arnold may have borrowed from for the Chris Cornell Bond theme “You Know My Name.” The highlight of side two, “Take Off,” evokes the demonic mosh pit on the cover. Guitarist Adrian Gurvitz would go on to play with Ginger Baker and then write songs for Kenny G, so his experience with both madness and horns came in handy.