"Victims of Circumstance" is a studio album by the English rock band Barclay James Harvest. It's the band's twelfth studio album and was released in April 1984. The album was recorded at the Far Studios in Franfurt, Germany, displaying a more synthesized sound compared to their previous work.
The band members participating in the album were Les Holroyd, John Lees, and Mel Pritchard. This album consists of ten tracks, including the title track "Victims of Circumstance," and the popular hits "Hold On" and "Inside My Nightmare."
The album expresses a more mainstream, pop-orientated sound, steering away from the progressive rock that the band was initially renowned for. Lyrically, the album explores themes of contemporary society, personal experiences, and philosophical musings.
Despite the band's effort to adapt to the changing music scene in the '80s, the album didn't chart highly in the UK or the US. Nevertheless, "Victims of Circumstance" enabled Barclay James Harvest to maintain their popularity in mainland Europe, where they had a substantial fan base. Over time, it has come to be regarded by fans as a significant release in the group's discography.
