Alcatrazz's fifth album "V" and it's first with singer Doogie White, was released on October 15, 2021.
This is the band's second album within a year, after 34 years of musical drought. The title of the album "V" is related to the fact that this is the band's fifth album, but also to the fact that this is a kind of Victory of the band. It is also interesting that the band chose to release the album exactly on the day their debut album "No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll" was released in 1983.
"Alcatrazz" was formed in 1983, and knew how to combine a mix of heavy metal melodies performed by guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen and later Steve Vai. That same year the band released their debut album "No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll", which featured the hit "Island in the Sun". The band continued to build popularity with the album "Disturbing the Peace" which was released in 1985 and included the hit "God Blessed Video". After the third album "Dangerous Games" from 1986, the band ceased to exist and for 34 years did not release any new material.
As you may recall, the trigger for the release of the comeback album "Born Innocent" in 2020 were three reunion shows of the band, which were held in 2017 in Japan. The performances were recorded on the live album / DVD called - "Parole Denied - Tokyo 2017". The reactions the band received pushed the members to write new material.
The album "Born Innocent" featured a reunion of the legendary singer Graham Bonnet with the two original members of the band, keyboardist Jimmy Waldo and bassist Gary Shea, adding guitarist Aish Joe Stump, known from the bands "Trash Broadway" and "Reign of Terror" and Mark Benquechea on drums.
This lineup continues in the current album, with the exception of singer Graham Bonnet who retired from the band on December 4, 2020, due to disagreements with the rest of his bandmates over the management of the band. Bonnet has announced that he does not intend to give up the band's name and that he will continue to use the name "Alcatrazz". He added that he is working on an album with the band's new lineup. It seems that the unfortunate case of "Queensryche" who in 2013 released two albums of two different lineups of the band, is about to repeat itself here as well.
Whoever replaces Graham Bonnet as a singer is none other than the legendary Doogie White, who was known among others as the frontman of "Rainbow", Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker and more.
In June 2021, the first single from the album "Turn of the Wheel" was released. It was also the first to be written by the new line-up featuring singer Doogie White."
About a month later the second and excellent single "Sword of Deliverance" was released and proved that the album "V" is going to be an amazing album for the second time in a row. Doggy White defined it as: "mighty, metal monument! A call to arms for the Alcatrazz collective"
At the beginning of October 2021, the band released another single - "Grace of God" which addresses the fear of going to war in the Middle Ages, invading countries you did not know and conquering nations you did not know existed, for your king. Notice the similarity to Ritchie Blackmore in the playing of guitarist Joe Stump especially during the solo.
Song List:
Guardian Angel
Nightwatch
Sword Of Deliverance
Turn Of The Wheel
Blackheart
Grace Of God
Return To Nevermore
Target
Maybe Tomorrow
House Of Lies
Alice’s Eyes
Dark Day For My Soul