UFO – No Place To Run (2025 Remaster)

By the dawn of the 1980s, British hard rock juggernauts UFO were at a crossroads. Having climbed the mountain with their string of stellar 1970s releases, including Lights Out and Obsession, the sudden departure of lead guitarist Michael Schenker could’ve spelled the end. But instead of crashing, UFO recalibrated. Enter Paul “Tonka” Chapman, a Welsh six-stringer who’d previously played with the band on the road. 1980’s No Place to Run marked the beginning of this new chapter—an album that had to prove Chapman was more than just a stand-in. Fast forward to 2025, and this freshly remastered deluxe edition brings the record back into the spotlight, complete with a blistering live show and a sharp new mix that breathes new life into a pivotal moment in the band’s legacy.

Production

The original album had pedigree from the jump: produced by none other than Sir George Martin, the legendary Beatles producer, and recorded at AIR Studios in sunny Montserrat. At the time, that was a left-field move for a gritty British hard rock act more used to rainy London than Caribbean breezes. The 2025 remaster respects that legacy while giving it a sonic punch for modern ears. Remastered from the original tapes and cut at AIR Mastering, the result is a warm yet aggressive sound that highlights the twin engines of Phil Mogg’s charismatic vocals and Chapman’s meaty guitar work. Songs like the title track “No Place to Run” and the cover of “Mystery Train” hit harder than ever.

The real gift to fans, though, is the bonus: a live set from the band’s November 16, 1980 appearance at The Marquee in Soho. Mixed by veteran engineer Brian Kehew from original multi-tracks, this recording captures UFO in their prime—tight, dangerous, and feeding off the energy of a jam-packed club. The set proves beyond doubt that Chapman could hold his own under pressure, and Mogg remains one of the most underrated frontmen in rock history. The 3LP package has liner notes by Michael Hann that include fresh interviews with Phil Mogg and drummer Andy Parker—adding context and insight to an already rich offering.

Final Notes

No Place to Run may not have been universally praised on release, but in hindsight—and especially through the lens of this stellar 2025 remaster—it stands as a powerful transition point for UFO. Chapman’s guitar work brings a heavier, more streetwise edge to the band’s sound, and the George Martin production now shines more brightly thanks to the careful remaster. Add in the incendiary live performance from The Marquee and you’ve got a package that’s more than just a reissue—it’s a resurrection.

Whether you’re a long-time UFO fanatic or discovering the band for the first time, this deluxe edition is essential listening. For its historical importance, high-caliber remastering, and that killer live set, No Place to Run (2025 Remaster) earns a thunderous 8.6 out of 10.

Lineup

• Phil Mogg – vocals
• Paul Chapman – lead guitar
• Paul Raymond – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Pete Way – bass
• Andy Parker – drums

Production

• George Martin – producer, mixing
• Geoff Emerick – engineer, mixing
• Steve Churchyard – assistant engineer
• John Wall – tape operator (Montserrat)
• Nigel Walker – tape operator (London)

No Place to Run – Tracklist

1. Alpha Centauri
2. Young Blood
3. Lettin’ Go
4. No Place to Run
5. Mystery Train
6. Take It or Leave It
7. This Fire Burns Tonight
8. Money Money
9. Gone in the Night
10. Anyday

Live at the Marquee, London, November 16th, 1980 – Newly Mixed

1. Introduction
2. Chains Chains
3. Lettin’ Go
4. Long Gone
5. Cherry
6. Only You Can Rock Me
7. No Place to Run
8. Love to Love
9. Hot ‘N’ Ready
10. Mystery Train
11. Too Hot to Handle
12. Lights Out
13. Rock Bottom
14. Doctor Doctor