Coming hot on the heels of the remaster of No Place To Run, the ninth UFO album, The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent, now has the attention. Expanded, remastered from the original tape transfers, and reissued on double CD and triple vinyl, the boxset also includes a new mix of the Hammersmith Odeon show from 29 January 1981. One MetalTalk reader can win a CD Boxset, too, so read on.
UFO – The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent
Release Date: 1 May 2026
Words: Paul Hutchings
With respect to the George Martin produced predecessor, The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent album is just so much better. For me, it is as consistent an album as you can get. Eight quality tracks that flow neatly, beautifully melodic yet still retaining the hard edge that had seen the band hit the heights in the ’70s.
Released in January 1981, The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent saw the band base themselves in London and use three studios to produce the record themselves. Paul Raymond had departed to join former guitarist Michael Schenker in MSG, and into his place stepped Neil Carter.
UFO – Phil Mogg reflects on Deluxe 2026 remaster of The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent, out 1 May 2026 via Chrysalis Records.
According to my recent chat with singer Phil Mogg, Neil played on more of the album than the rumours stated, with it being alleged that engineer Gary Edwards’ brother played most of the keys. Regardless, it is a superb album that showcases Paul ‘Tonka’ Chapman’s quality, probably the finest record of his career and certainly his best with UFO.
Opener Chains Chains kicks things off with a swagger, Chapman’s riff complimented by the thick low-end of Pete Way whilst Andy Parker continues to demonstrate his solidity on drums. Phil is on fine form from the start, with the band’s use of harmonies creating memorable choruses.
Long Gone and the title track follow, clever use of keyboards giving a lush, layered sound that moved slightly away from the heavier rock style on Obsession and Lights Out. The title track is a favourite of mine, although it is Making Moves that is the track from the album played live, making its final appearance at Beatbox in Hannover in June 2022.
Showing their versatility throughout, Lonely Heart is one of the more heavily emotionally charged songs on the album, with Neil Carter adding some inspired saxophone which adds a veritable change of style.
And of course, there is also Tonka’s best solo on the magnificent Profession Of Violence, named after the 1972 book about the Krays. One of the best rock ballads of all time, it is a track that I did not think had ever made it live, although Phil was adamant it had been played (he could not remember where, though!). It is a true fan favourite and still sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.
Added to this release are the two seven-inch versions of Couldn’t Get It Right and Lonely Heart as well as an outtake of It’s Killing Me, which rounds out the first part nicely.
UFO – The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent – “It was really refreshing to hear after we did No Place To Run with Paul.”
Then we get to the live cut, and it is a stonker. Recorded at Hammersmith Odeon on 29 January 1981, this is UFO with Paul and Neil in full flow and demonstrates the power the band brought to bring their classic sound.
Three tracks from the new album are followed by a slew of classics.
There are the staples that formed the backbone of their live set for four decades, including the extended versions of Lights Out and Rock Bottom, but it is also great to hear Long Gone, Chains Chains and Lonely Heart kick things off.
There is a slight croak to Phil’s vocals as the set progresses, but it is hardly surprising, given the amount of touring the band had done around this time. So, whilst we have heard many of these songs many times before, I never tire of listening to Shoot Shoot, Cherry or Doctor Doctor, especially when the band is clearly in one of its most cohesive phases.
Live, they were phenomenal, and this live recording once again demonstrates what a fantastic band UFO were. They remain much missed by me and many other fans across the world.
This updated version is a fine record of a time when they were still a hugely potent force in the world of heavy rock.
UFO The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent (2026 Remaster – Deluxe Edition) is released on double CD and 3LP on 1 May 2026 on Chrysalis Records. Order link: https://ufo.lnk.to/TWTWATI.
If you live in the UK and wish to win a CD boxset of The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent, answer the following question in an email to comp@MetalTalk.net:
Neil Carter joined UFO in 1981 from which band?
The draw will take place at 4pm on Friday 10 April 2026.
UFO The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent (2026 Remaster – Deluxe Edition) is released on double CD and 3LP on 1 May 2026 on Chrysalis Records