![]() |
| Pic copyright by the photographer |
Biography
Founder member Bill Beadle Lead Vocalist/Guitarist and band songwriter formed Sacrilege in 1982/83 with best friend Alex Cookson. After advertising in Melody Maker they were joined by Rick Burgess on Drums and Steve Barrs on Bass. The Band Recorded 4 tracks for a Demo in 1983. They were then billed as best new band of 1983 and appeared on Television on the 6 episode David Jensen shows which on their week also featured The Stranglers and U2. From the TV appearance followed a UK tour of smaller venues finishing with a gig at London’s Marquee. Sacrilege were then asked to play on John Glovers Street-Tunes label which was to be a compilation album featuring other bands such as Saxon, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Black Alice and a few more bands that were being Billed under the banner “New Wave Of British Heavy metal”. Unfortunately this got cancelled at the last moment when one of John Glovers other bands, Go West, got a Number one hit and all monies were put into promoting them and the album was sadly put on the back burner
In 1983 Sacrilege Recorded the Gates Of Hell Album, which at the time was classed as a Demo. Sacrilege had a line up change Late in 1984 and were joined by Max Chan (Bass) and Steve On (Drums) In that year they made their second Demo.
This era of Sacrilege ended when Bill stopped playing for about 25 years between 1987 and 2012 after getting disillusioned with a number of things and decided to raise a family.
In 2007 Bill decided to rerecord the old Sacrilege songs and write and record new material. Guitarist Pekka Loikkenan put the solo’s to Bills new work. In 2007 the album Sacrilege was released. Sacrilege were back and sounding great. In 2011 Bill wrote The Album The Wraith which is a soundtrack album based on the TV Series Stargate Atlantis, this album featured Neil Abnett on Lead, Neil was so Impressed with all the Sacrilege music he persuaded Bill to play Live again. Sacrilege made their return to the stage on 25th October 2012 with new band members and keeping their theatrical stage show that they we known for in the 80s. In 2013 Sacrilege released Sacrosanct. After a few band member changes trying to find the right combination Bill met with Neil Turnbull who was in NWOBHM band Dervish in the 80s and struck up a great friendship sharing the same vision to take Sacrilege forward. Now joined by Jeff Rolland on Bass and Eddie Webb on Lead Guitar Sacrilege are back for good.
In 2015 German Label Pure Steel Records Signed Sacrilege for a two album deal it comprised of a compilation of their first 5 albums called Ashes to ashes plus a brand new album called six6six. The two albums have received much worldwide critical acclaim; this has enabled Sacrilege to play to the large audiences they once enjoyed in the 80s. They are playing in Europe with the likes of Onslaught and Hell and are planning many more dates at venues and festivals in various European countries, last year they Played the Malta Metal fest where they were vote band of the festival.
In such a short space of time since the band’s comeback they have signed a record deal and accumulated fans worldwide. The Band have now racked up over 44,000 plays on their Reverbnation site. With a new album scheduled for release in 2018/9. Sacrilege have risen from their own ashes to become a force to be reckoned with.
They oozed everything a great rock band is about from their aura, stage set, music, and the way they delivered their songs. - Dafty News
Sacrilege were simply Magnificent. - Mark Taylor of MetalTalk.net on the bands Mearfest performance
http://powermetal.de/review/review-Sacrilege/Six6Six,26403,26302.html: “[‘Eyes of the Lord’ is] a song that leaves nothing to be desired and will convince any KIT or Headbangers open air audience." "Six6Six" is an excellent album. The gloomy, slightly diabolic touch is conveyed well, but does not neglect the melodic factor. Class album!!” [Reviewer: Kerbinator. Publication: Monkey Castle (Germany). Rating: 8/10]
8/10 rating of “Six6Six” by Powermetal.De (http://powermetal.de/review/review-Sacrilege/Six6Six,26403.html) From review of “Six6Six” by Crossfire Metal at http://www.crossfiremetal.de/10700-0-SACRILEGE-SIX6SIX.html : “...very strong material. ” [Reviewer: Joxe Schaefer. Publication: Crossfire Metal (Germany). Rating: 8/10]
From review of “Six6Six” by Frenzy Fire at http://www.frenzyfire.co.uk/fa_sacrilegereviews1.htm : “Overall, a fusion of very heavy hard rock and doom metal to let everyone know that Sacrilege and the sound of true British NWOBHM is still alive.
” [Reviewer: Mathew Collins. Publication: Frenzy Fire.]
http://brutifulmetalradio.crazy4us.com/t729-sacrilege-ashes-to-ashescompilation-2015-album-review : “If you want standout tracks then the trio of 'Ashes To Ashes', 'The Unknown Soldier' and 'Gates Of Hell' which appear towards the end of the album are a good place to start but there isn't anything included here that is subpar or filler!"
"If you want to hear Sacrilege at their absolute best then you HAVE to see them live because that's where the magic really happens.”
[Reviewer: Rick Tilley. Publication: Brutiful Metal Radio. Rating: 8/10]
From review of “Ashes To Ashes” at http://powermetal.de/review/reviewSacrilege/Ashes_To_Ashes,26693,26600.html : “[Ashes To Ashes”] is a real feast for the ears, which cannot be missed by the advocates of epic classic metal sounds.”
[Reviewer: Björn Backes. Publication: Powermetal.De (Germany). Rating: 8.5/10]
Sacrilege provided a respite from the thrash and impressed with a tremendous sound, a set of super-strong songs and a confident performance that won them many new fans on the day and deservedly so. http://www.metaltalk.net/columns2016/201601122.php Reviewer: Steve Göldby. Metaltalk.net Titanfest Novermber 19th 2016
Current Line up:
Bill Beadle – Vocals/Guitar Neil Turnbull – Drums Jeff Rolland – Bass Eddie Webb – Lead Guitar
Discography:
1983 Gates of Hell Demo 1983 TV Show Video 1983 Gates of Hell Full Album 2009 Sacrilege Album 2011 The Unknown Soldier Album 2011 The Wraith Album 2013 Sacrosanct Album 2015 Six6six Album Pure Steel Records 2015 Ashes to ashes Compilation Pure steel Records 2017 Lies Video Single
Contact and Info Links
Band Management. Bill Beadle - +44 7788492390 or class62@yahoo.com 317 Barnsole Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 4JE, UK Homepage: www.sacrilegenwobhm.com Email: sacrilegerock@gmail.com or class62@yahoo.com Web / Social Media : Facebook: www.facebook.com/sacrilegerock Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHuIikE-bSc Music: www.soundcloud.com/billsacrilege Latest album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpcqMLfI2rI Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/sacrilege Twitter: www.twitter.com/billsacrilege
Tour Schedule 2019
06-April-19
Sacrilege at The Melbourn Rock bar
Sacrilege play the Melbourn rock bar for the first time.
Whaddon Road, Meldreth. SG8 5RL
13-April-19
Sacrilege and Desolation Angels at The Red Lion, Gravesend
Sacrilege with desolation Angels at the Red Lion Gravesend
03-May-19
Moonlight Music hall, Diest
Sacrilege on our European tour
04-May-19
Bambi Galore, Hamburg, Germany
Sacrilege play in Germany For the first time
05-May-19
Ragnarok, Opitter, Belgium
Sacrilege return to Ragnarok
23-May-2019
Sacrilege,desolation Angels and Satans Empire at Trillions, Newcastle
Sacrilege continue the NWOBHM tour this time in Newcastle
24-May-19
Bannermans, Edinburgh
Sacrilege return to Scotland with our Friends Desolation Angels and Satans Empire on the NWOBHM Tour
25-May-19
The Cathouse, Glasgow
Sacrilege return to Scotland with our Friends Desolation Angels and Satans Empire on the NWOBHM Tour
27-July-19
Sacrilege at The Musician, Leicester
Sacrilege back at The Musician
03-August-2019
Sacrilege back home at The Carlisle,hastings
Sacrilege return to their home venue.
14-December-19
Sacrilege at The Carlisle, Hastings
Sacrilege back Home at The Carlisle

