"Never Turn Your Back on a Friend" is the third studio album by Welsh rock band Budgie. Released in June 1973, it contains one of their most notable and popular songs, "Breadfan." This album showcases Budgie's heavy metal and progressive rock leanings, featuring tight song structures and introspective lyrics.
Formed in Cardiff in 1967, the band consists of Burke Shelley on vocals and bass, Tony Bourge on guitars, and Ray Phillips on drums for this album. It was produced by Budgie and Roger Bain, who was also known for producing early albums by heavy metal pioneers like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest.
"Never Turn Your Back on a Friend" is viewed by many fans and critics as one of Budgie's finer efforts. The album cover shows a literature-crammed Budgie turning its back, based on a saying of guitarist Bourge, which is a pun on the band's name and matching the album title. The album features heavy rock and progressive elements with long songs filled with strong riffing and complex arrangements.
The album's most famous track, "Breadfan," has been extensively covered, with perhaps the most famous version by American heavy metal band Metallica, released in 1988 as a B-side to their single "Harvester of Sorrow." This has increased the album's prominence in the heavy metal scene over the years. As per its critical reception, "Never Turn Your Back on a Friend" is considered a classic, with rock critic Eduardo Rivadavia stating that "one would be hard-pressed to find a better snapshot of Budgie at their absolute best."
