UFO / No Place To Run 2025 Remaster – ‘Certainly A Special Time For The Band’

Often overshadowed by the Schenker years, No Place To Run is certainly no slouch in the UFO discography. Coming at a time when hard rock and Heavy Metal were at a crossroads, the band recruited Cardiffian Paul ‘Tonka’ Chapman on guitar and headed for Monserratt with producer George Martin. What could possibly go wrong?

UFO – No Place To Run [2025 Remaster – Deluxe Edition]

Release Date: 15 August 2025

Words: Paul Hutchings

Reflecting on the album forty five years later Phil Mogg said, “The thing that sticks in my mind from recording No Place To Run was the complete miss match with UFO / George Martin (who was a lovely chap) and nothing summed it up more than when George would say to Geoff (Emerick, sound engineer): ‘Well Geoff, it’s six o’clock, time for a G&T out on the veranda.’ How very civilised.”

As it happened, No Place To Run turned out to be an excellent record.

Although the production remains a little flat in comparison to those previous Ron Nevison produced releases, there is plenty to enjoy. 

UFO were riding high. Strangers In The Night alongside Obsession and Lights Out, had pushed the band’s profile sky high, and this culminated in their legendary five-night residency at Hammersmith Odeon as part of the No Place To Run tour.

Listening to an album that is 45 years old brings back plenty of warm memories, even though I was a mere ten years old and still finding my way around the Metal scene.

It was not until the Mechanix tour that I saw the band in Cardiff, a week after my 13th birthday (when I saw Thin Lizzy no less), by which time, the line-up had changed again, and the band were careering towards their first split.

The dramatic Sci-Fi tones of Alpha Centauri flood the speakers, inviting you to join the band in a different world. It is a curious opening song, long enough to stand alone, yet clearly an opener that is designed to build tension and atmosphere.

Something unique to our beloved genres, and potentially provoking cries of “get on with it” when played live.

Still, it builds the tension and slips neatly into Lettin’ Go, which provides instant reassurance that UFO were still very much alive and kicking. A classic in all senses, the chugging rhythm of Way and Parker allows Chapman to show his chops right from the off.

And he does that time and again across the album, proving that the Welsh could match the Germans in fretboard intensity. 

My first encounters with UFO on vinyl were their inclusion on the K-Tel compilations Axe Attack, Vol. 1 & 2. Volume 1 introduced me to Doctor Doctor, whilst Volume 2 curiously plumped for the band’s cover of Mystery Train, originally by Herman Parker Jr and Sam Phillips in 1953.

Phil Mogg told me in our recent chat why it was on the album. “We were doing that live, I think, before the album,” he said, “and I guess it developed a kind of identity, one you sort of hang on to and you’ll play it, and you go out, so we rocked it up a bit and put it on the album”.

It certainly is a rocked-up version, and one that allowed Chapman to show his style. The live version is even more impressive.

As with most UFO albums, there are some hidden gems. Lettin’ Go is magnificent from start to finish. This Fire Burns Tonight features Phil in brilliant form and is a beautifully composed song. Gone In The Night shows the band could still blend melancholy with the best, whilst Young Blood has long been a firm fan favourite.

And then there is the magnificent title track.

It is a story told in the best UFO traditions, a smouldering narrative which features some delightful melody, enhanced by the simple beat, Chapman’s riff and Phil’s trademark vocals.

Never overstaying the welcome, it’s over in under four minutes, but so much is crammed into it. At times, it is not even heavy rock, but as it swings this way and that, it is simply UFO at their best. 

In fact, on repeated listen, one could argue that No Place To Run is more consistent than some of those albums that preceded it. Of the final three tracks, it is only the finale of Anyday which is a bit of a weakling, and the different style and bluesy exploration brings its own kind of class. 

There are three alternative versions of songs which do not add a great deal but are always worth a listen before we move onto the extra disc, which is a previously unreleased mix of Live at The Marquee, London, from 16 November 1980.

UFO – Live At The Marquee

Mixed by Brian Kehew from the original multi-track tapes, UFO Live At The Marquee, is a fine snapshot of the band in their prime.

Given the status of the band at the time, seeing them up close and personal in this legendary venue would have been amazing.

By all accounts, only three tracks from this show, Lettin’ Go, Mystery Train and No Place To Run have ever been officially released. Whilst there are plenty of live recordings out there, this set, which runs over 80 minutes, is a sheer delight to listen to.

Neil Carter had replaced Paul Raymond on keys and rhythm guitar, but otherwise the line-up remains as it was on No Place To Run. Amongst the highlights, well, let’s face it, this is a live set with nothing but highlights.

There are glorious versions of Love To Love, Cherry, Hot And Ready and Mystery Train, as well as the classics like Lights Out and Rock Bottom that formed the backbone of the band’s set for nearly 40 years. 

And if you ever wanted proof that ‘Tonka’ could step into the Mad Axeman’s shoes, then this is the evidence as he flies around his guitar with such fluidity one can only sit back and absorb it.

Kehew sums it up in his quote in the liner notes. “Paul Chapman’s guitar sound here is really superb, a thick and singing B.C.Rich-into-Marshall tone… No Place To Run is certainly a special time for the band, the peak of their public acceptance.

“With the music world shifting into new wave and synth-pop around them, they stayed true to their roots and delivered yet another classic album.”

Another year, and another anniversary, and with No Place To Run, it is a reminder, if we ever needed it, that UFO were one of the most incredible bands the UK ever produced.

UFO No Place To Run (2025 Remaster – Deluxe Edition) is released on double CD and 3LP on 15 August 2025 on Chrysalis Records. Order link: https://UFO.lnk.to/NPT.

Both versions feature new liner notes by Michael Hann with interviews with Phil Mogg and drummer Andy Parker.

UFO – No Place To Run – 2025 Remaster

LP1 / CD1

Alpha Centuri
Lettin’ Go
Mystery Train
This Fire Burns Tonight
Gone In The Night
YoungBlood
No Place To Run
Take It Or Leave It
Money, Money
Anyday

LP2 & LP3 / CD2

Live at The Marquee, London, 16th November 1980 – Newly Mixed / Previously Unreleased

Introduction
Chains Chains
Lettin’ Go
Long Gone
Cherry
Only You Can Rock Me
No Place To Run
Love To Love
Hot And Ready
Mystery Train
Too Hot To Handle
Lights Out
Rock Bottom
Doctor Doctor