THE APTLY NAMED 'Charge' was Bow Wow's third album, originally released in 1977, and showcased a mature, and in some ways a more refined, approach to the band's evolving sound. Their previous record had, for all intents and purposes, been an all-out assault on the senses, but with this new album they rather cleverly fused intense hard rock riffing with a sense of mature drama, which suggested Bow Wow were not just a one dimensional beast. There is no suggestion, however, that the band had abandoned their loud and proud full-on roots. Indeed, some of the material showcased on this album is heavier and more intensely sinister than anything they had previously recorded. Clearly, though, Bow Wow were rapidly expanding their horizons, setting their sights on the big prize, with a view to taking on the gods of Western rock and beating them at their own game. And let us not forget guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto's increasing expertise on guitar. Above all else, this album demonstrates what an incredible player he had been developing into, which was carving out a superior reputation amongst not only his Japanese peers but also internationally. Truly breathtaking, a number of solos on this record are monumental statements, confirming that Yamamoto was not only a masterful Japanese player but also one of the most innovative his generation.