In todays Throwback Thursday post we want to introduce you to a Welsh band known as Persian Risk! Some of you may have heard of them especially with their connection to some famous musicians? Let us know in the comments.

Persian Risk is a heavy metal band formed in Cardiff, Wales, in 1979, during the formative years of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). While early materials from the band once cited 1980 as their founding year, later sources confirmed that 1979 marked their true beginning. Persian Risk quickly built a reputation for their melodic yet powerful sound, often characterized by themes of fantasy, life, and relationships, and gained momentum through live shows, positive press, and radio airplay.

The original incarnation of the band developed from the ashes of a Cardiff group called Leading Star, with vocalist Carl Sentance at the helm. Persian Risk soon established themselves on the UK club and metal circuits, sharing stages with many contemporaries and notably supporting Motörhead during their 1984 UK tour. Their early recordings, including the singles “Calling for You” and “Ridin’ High,” captured the raw energy of the era and received attention through various influential metal compilations of the time.

In 1986, the band’s initial run came to an end when Sentance accepted an offer to sing for Tokyo Blade on a European tour, followed closely by his involvement with the Geezer Butler Band. Persian Risk went quiet following his departure, but the name resurfaced in the early 1990s when Sentance, then living in Florida, started a new version of the band under the title “Persian Risk USA” and recorded a small number of tracks. These recordings, while not widely distributed, kept the name alive.

After a long hiatus, Persian Risk returned in 2012 when Carl Sentance reformed the group with an entirely new lineup. This new phase saw the release of two full-length albums, Once a King in 2012 and Who Am I? in 2014, showcasing a more modern production while still rooted in classic heavy metal traditions. A compilation featuring both albums was released in 2019.

Throughout its history, Persian Risk has seen numerous musicians pass through its ranks, including guitarist Phil Campbell, who would go on to join Motörhead, as well as players connected to bands such as Sabbat, Battlezone, Tank, Thunder, and Messiah’s Kiss. The band remained independent for most of its existence, never officially signing with a major label, and operated outside the mainstream music industry.

Despite extended periods of inactivity and numerous lineup changes, Persian Risk has maintained a presence in the NWOBHM legacy through reissues, compilation appearances, and continued interest from genre collectors and fans. Though the current status of the band remains unclear, its role in the UK’s heavy metal history is firmly established.

References: nwobhm Metal Archives