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Like every scene, the 70s British prog rock movement had its bands that came and went without creating a ripple
- some justifiably, some inexplicably - and unfortunately Steel Mill were one such victim. Jewels Of The Forest 
(Green Eyed God Plus) neatly brings together their sole album, 1972’s Green Eyed God, along with the two singles 
that comprised the band’s entire output. Also included are recently discovered demos, and, most surprisingly, a 
brand new track recorded earlier this year. Green Eyed God was only released in Germany upon its completion in 
1972 and it wasn’t until 1975, long after the band’s demise, that it appeared on domestic shores. Listening now 
to this little progressive masterpiece it is truly mystifying as to why any label would sit on this little gem, with its 
quintessentially English mix of prog, folk, hard rock and blues. The riffs in the likes of opener ‘Blood Runs Deep’, 
highlight ‘Black Jewel Of The Forest’ and the fine title track have an edge and darkness not unlike Iommi’s finest, 
yet take on a calmer, more unsettling air amongst the rural atmospheres that quickly emerges as distinctly 
Steel Mill. Green Eyed God has that quality so rare in progressive music in that it is all done in a much understated 
manner - there are no self-indulgent wig-outs or flamboyant displays of showmanship and virtuosity; the album 
just leaves behind a warm glow of satisfaction, and some damn good hooks stuck in the brain. Going beyond the 
original album and into the rest of Jewels Of The Forest, the two b-sides, whilst nice in and of themselves, were 
rightly left off the album; both ‘Get On The Line’ and ‘Zangwill’ are catchy, upbeat numbers, but are very much 
at odds with the centrepiece. The five newly unearthed demos date from two years previous and show the very 
interesting evolution of Steel Mill from their bluesy, Cream-like, late 60s scene origins. These curios are a long way 
from where the band ended up, and with good reason: all the positives of Green Eyed God are missing from these 
non-descript, derivative slabs of blues rock. Last, but by no means least, we have ‘A Forgotten Future / A Future 
Past’, the first recording by a newly reformed Steel Mill – complete with all five original members. It is both 
comforting and disconcerting that it is barely noticeable that this and the first eight tracks on the disc were 
recorded some 38 years apart. ‘A Forgotten Future/A Future Past’ has that wonderful laid back Steel Mill sound 
with a great crunching riff at its epicentre; but are the band just trying to recapture a long lost past? Perhaps 
that is a question for the future. For now revel in the timely re-release of the lost classic that is Green Eyed God.

Tracks Green Eyed God LP 1971
01. Blood Runs Deep 5:05
02. Summer's Child 4:25
03. Mijo and the Laying of the Witch 7:52
04. Treadmill 4:00
05. Green Eyed God 9:45
06. Turn the Page Over 3:52
07. Black Jewel of the Forest 6:04
08. Har Fleur 0:48
Extra Tracks
09. Get on the Line (single 1972 mono) 4:15
10.Zangwill (single 1971 mono)3:43
11.Green Eyed God (single 1971 mono) 3:46
12.Confusion (demo 1970) 3:50
13.Monday Arrives (demo 1970) 3:15
14.Super Clean Man (demo 1970) 3:33
15.Keep Working (demo 1970) 3:56
16.Growing Bald (demo 1970) 3:52
17.A Forgotten Future/A Future Past (new track 2010) 5:00

Steel Mill
David "Dave" Morris - Keyboards, Vocals, Derek Chandler - Bass, 1969-71, Jeff Watts - Bass, 1971-72
Terry Williams - Guitar, 1969-72, John Challenger - Saxophone, Woodwinds, Alan Plaice - Guitar, 1972
Ricky (Aka Rupert Bear) - Drums, 1970, Chris "The Rat" Martin - Drums, 1970-72
Danny Easterbrook - Bass, 1972, Colin Short - Drums, 1969-70