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The supply of NWOBHM bands that never made it past the odd demo/single/EP stage yet left behind recordings as testaments to their existence seems limitless. At least that is what High Roller Records appears to be out to prove. The very oddly named Truffle mostly played live shows in the late 70s and very early 80s and were talented enough to land opening gigs for Diamond Head, Tank and others. In a story all too familiar to fans of the NWOBHM, they released one single in ‘81 and recorded some songs in ‘83 for a demo, which was never release officially, then packed it in.

2011 finds High Roller packaging the two songs from the single plus five tracks from the demo in the album, If You Really Want. The songs on If You Really Want have that authentic early 80s sound; lots of echo on the vocals and a "live" sound to the instruments. The music is mainly the rocking Heavy Metal that was prevalent at the time. Bassist Russ Horton, who also sang on the first five tracks, does a bit of the Steve Harris gallop and both he and guitarist John Dunning, who sings on the last two songs, sound a bit like Biff Byford, so early Iron Maiden and Saxon would be prime references. The first three songs, from "Thunderbird" through "God of War," are high energy, up-tempo numbers that will please any fan of the NWOBHM. Truffle goes for a slower tempo over the next few songs and they end up sound rather pedestrian. If You Really Want ends on a high note with the excellent title track and its classic guitar solo.

If You Really Want isn't the heaviest thing out there so, if you aren't a fan of the NWOBHM, it might not hold much charm for you. Aficionados of that era, on the other hand, should probably give Truffle a listen. While they aren't the best band never to release an album from the 80s, they are better than a lot that did.