Black Rose - Walk It How You Talk It 12" Vinyl LP Album
- A Defiant NWOBHM Statement from the Heart of 1980s British Metal

Released on NEAT Records, this is the second full-length album by British NWOBHM band Black Rose. Produced by Keith Nichol at Impulse 24 Studios, the record channels the raw energy of early '80s metal with ten punchy tracks filled with blazing guitar riffs, pounding drums, and Steve Bardsley's commanding vocals.

Highlights include the anthemic "California USA" and the title track "Walk It How You Talk It", both reflecting themes of rebellion and rock & roll grit. Though it never hit the mainstream, the LP remains a cult favorite among heavy metal collectors, representing a defiant burst of NWOBHM spirit near the genre’s twilight.

Album Description
Band Summary
Album Production Information
Band Members and Musicians
Complete Track Listing
Album Photo Gallery

Black Rose's Walk It How You Talk It: A Fiery Blast of NWOBHM Brilliance

Album Description:

In the heart of the mid-80s, amidst the fading embers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), a band emerged with a roar, ready to rekindle the flames of passion. That band was Black Rose, and their album "Walk It How You Talk It" was a defiant declaration that the spirit of heavy metal was far from extinguished.

Formed in the early 80s, Black Rose had been honing their craft, steadily building a devoted following through relentless touring and a raw, uncompromising sound. "Walk It How You Talk It" was the culmination of their dedication, a ten-track explosion of pure heavy metal energy that captured the essence of the NWOBHM's heyday while injecting it with a fresh dose of adrenaline.

Recorded at Impulse 24 studios in England, the album's production was helmed by Keith Nichol, a seasoned veteran known for his work with NWOBHM legends. His expertise ensured that the band's sound was captured with both clarity and intensity, preserving the raw energy of their live performances.

"Walk It How You Talk It" is a sonic journey through the heart of heavy metal, blending scorching guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and Steve Bardsley's powerful vocals into an irresistible sonic concoction. From the anthemic opener "California U.S.A." to the driving energy of the title track, every song is a testament to the band's passion and skill.

While the album's lyrics explore themes of rebellion, love, and the rock and roll lifestyle, it was the music itself that truly resonated with fans. The band's ability to blend catchy melodies with blistering instrumentals ensured that their songs remained stuck in your head long after the needle lifted from the vinyl.

Though "Walk It How You Talk It" didn't achieve mainstream success, it solidified Black Rose's position as one of the leading lights of the NWOBHM scene. Their music continues to inspire and influence generations of metalheads, a testament to the enduring power of their passion and dedication.

Band Summary: Black Rose

Black Rose was a British heavy metal band formed in the early 1980s in the North East of England. Emerging during the height of the NWOBHM movement, the band built a loyal following through energetic live performances, relentless touring, and a melodic yet heavy sound that blended traditional metal with catchy hooks.

Although they never achieved widespread commercial success, Black Rose contributed meaningfully to the NWOBHM scene. Their albums—most notably “Boys Will Be Boys” (1984) and “Walk It How You Talk It” (1987)—are celebrated by collectors and fans of underground metal. The band’s music features strong guitar work, high-energy vocals, and lyrical themes centered on rebellion, love, and the rock & roll lifestyle.

As part of the NWOBHM, Black Rose shared the stage and spirit with bands like Raven, Fist, and Blitzkrieg, all of whom helped define the British metal underground of the 1980s. While their mainstream breakthrough never materialized, their legacy endures through a dedicated fan base and reissues of their recordings.

Album Production Information:

Album Produced by Keith Nichol and "Black Rose"

Keith Nichol – Producer, Sound Engineer

Neat’s in-house studio hand gives "Wiped Out" that rough-edged Newcastle bite, all speed, sweat, and no velvet padding. Read more...

Keith Nichol, producer and sound engineer closely tied to the Neat Records workshop, helped shape the raw NWOBHM racket coming out of Newcastle in the early 1980s. On "Wiped Out", his production keeps Raven fast, sharp, and slightly dangerous around the edges; the sound is not polished into boredom, thank heavens, but left with enough grit to make the speakers sweat.

Recorded at Impulse 24 England

Music Genre:

NWOBHM New Wave Of British Heavy Metal

Record Label & Catalognr:

NEAT Records NEAT 1034

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Gramophone Record
Album weight: 190 gram

Year & Country:

1987 Made in England

Band Members and Musicians on: Black Rose Walk The Way You Talk it

Gary Todd - Guitars
Pat O'Neill - Guitars
Steve Bardsley - Lead vocals, guitar
Mick Thompson - Bass
Barry Youll - Drums

Complete Track Listing of: Walk It How You Talk It

The Song/tracks on "Walk It How You Talk It" are

Side One:

California USA
EZLY
Don't Fall In love
Bright Lights Burning

Side Two:

Walk It How You Talk It
Shout It Out
Honestly Love You
Party Animal
Want Your Love

Front Cover Photo Of BLACK ROSE - Walk It How You Talk It NWOBHM 12" Vinyl LP Album

Front cover of Black Rose's 1987 NWOBHM album Walk It How You Talk It, showing a stylized woman in a tight purple dress and fishnet stockings walking a curved sidewalk against a brick wall, with sharp white title script and the band name in jagged black letters. — The album cover of *Black Rose – Walk It How You Talk It* features a bold, cartoon-like illustration set against a surreal urban backdrop. A stylized, elongated female figure is shown strutting confidently along a curved, raised white sidewalk that bends dramatically toward the foreground. Her exaggerated proportions and angular limbs emphasize motion and attitude.

She wears a tight, glossy purple mini-dress with matching fishnet stockings and high heels. One garter is visible, adding a touch of provocative flair. Her head is tilted back dramatically, eyes closed, with a long cigarette holder extending from her lips, evoking a sense of rebellious glamor.

Behind her, a reddish-brown brick wall arcs in sync with the sidewalk’s curvature, creating a dynamic sense of perspective. The band’s name, **Black Rose**, appears in the upper left corner in thick, jagged black letters reminiscent of spray paint or graffiti.

The album title, **Walk It How You Talk It**, is scrawled diagonally across the left center of the image in sharp, white, handwritten-style text that reinforces the record’s brash and unapologetic tone. The sky is pale and washed-out, drawing attention entirely to the figure and her assertive posture.

The overall artwork captures the spirit of the late NWOBHM era — loud, stylish, and unashamedly in-your-face.

Photo Of The Back Cover BLACK ROSE - Walk It How You Talk It NWOBHM 12" Vinyl LP Album

Back cover of Black Rose's 1987 NWOBHM vinyl LP Walk It How You Talk It, featuring full band portrait against a magenta background, tracklisting for both sides, and production credits. — The back cover of *Black Rose – Walk It How You Talk It* is a vibrant and bold design dominated by a rich magenta background. Across the top half, the band's logo appears in stylized black and white lettering, positioned prominently between the track listings for both sides of the vinyl LP.

**Side One** lists: California U.S.A., E.Z.L.Y., Don't Fall in Love, and Bright Lights Burnin.
**Side Two** includes: Walk It How You Talk It, Shout It Out, Honestly Love You, Party Animal, and Want Your Love.

Below the tracklist, a full-band portrait stretches across the width of the sleeve. The five members are shown waist-up in a defiant, glam-metal pose. From left to right: **Gary Todd** (guitar) wears aviator sunglasses and a black jacket with a red shirt; **Pat O'Neill** (guitar) sports a longer hairstyle and a leather jacket; **Steve Bardsley** (lead vocals, guitar) stands at center with striking platinum-blonde hair, sunglasses, and a red-striped tank top; **Mick Thompson** (bass) looks directly at the viewer, arms crossed, wearing a black sleeveless shirt; and **Barry Youll** (drums) poses at far right, also wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless black vest over a pink shirt.

Along the bottom edge, production credits are printed in small white text: "Album produced by Black Rose & Keith Nichol – Engineered by Keith Nichol at Impulse 24". A small circular NEAT Records logo appears in the lower left corner, and the phrase "Made in England" is visible in the bottom right.

The band’s coordinated style, use of sunglasses, and confident expressions reflect the visual attitude of late-era NWOBHM, leaning toward the glam-influenced aesthetic that characterized metal in the mid-to-late 1980s.

Close up of Side One record's label BLACK ROSE - Walk It How You Talk It NWOBHM 12" Vinyl LP Album

"Walk It How You Talk It " Record Label Details: NEAT Records 1034 ℗ 1987 Sound Copyright

This image displays the Side One record label of the 1987 Black Rose vinyl LP Walk It How You Talk It, released on NEAT Records under catalogue number NEAT 1034. The label design prominently features NEAT Records’ iconic blue boxing glove logo, outlined in blocky, distressed lettering forming the word "NEAT RECORDS" around the edge of the illustration.

Superimposed over the glove is the band’s name, Black Rose, written in a rough, angular handwritten font in black ink that conveys a sense of urgency and rawness. Just below it, the album title Walk It How You Talk It is also handwritten in black.

The track listing for Side One is printed in a clean, sans-serif font:

1. California U.S.A.
2. E.Z.L.Y.
3. Don’t Fall in Love
4. Bright Lights Burnin’

Small text beneath the tracklist credits Steve Bardsley as the primary songwriter (with co-writing credit to Gary Todd on "Shout It Out", not listed here). It notes: “All songs written by S. Bardsley except Shout It Out written by S. Bardsley, Todd.” Additional credits include “Original Sound Recording by Neat Records © 1987,” “Neat Music Publishing,” and production details: “Produced by Keith Nichol & Black Rose – Recorded at Impulse 24 England.”

The label also states the playback speed as 33 1/3 RPM and includes copyright information on the left edge with “M.C.P.S. ℗ 1987”. Around the outer edge, in small blue capital letters, is a standard copyright warning: “All rights reserved unauthorised copying, public performance and broadcasting of this record forbidden.”

The label's design balances gritty NWOBHM aesthetics with NEAT Records’ recognizable branding, underscoring the underground authenticity and collectible nature of this release.

Black Rose - Walk It How You Talk It 12" Vinyl LP Album - A Defiant NWOBHM Statement from the Heart of 1980s British Metal

Table of Contents