On August 20, 1990 "Black Sabbath" released its 15th album "Tyr". This is the band's third album with singer Tony Martin and one of the best of its time. Although it is not a concept album, a large part of the songs in it deal with Norse mythology. Evidence of this can be found, among others, on the album title - "Tyr" which is the son of Odin and to the glory of heroism and individual battles, on the names of the songs such as "The Battle of Tyr", "Odin's Court", "Valhalla" as well as the album cover which includes the Norse inscription "ᛏ ᛉ ᚱ". The lineup on this album is almost identical to the previous album "Headless Cross" and includes guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Cozy Powell who also produced the album, as well as singer Tony Martin and keyboardist Geoff Nicholls. The only change is in the bassist position with the addition of Neil Murray who previously played with "Whitesnake", among others. Referring to the change in the writing themes of the album, compared to the previous album "Headless Cross", guitarist Tony Iommi noted that the album "Headless Cross" was actually the band's first album where singer Tony Martin began writing for the band. Upon entering the band, Tony Martin assumed that in "Black Sabbath" the lyrics should deal with dark subjects such as black magic, Satan, and the devil, therefore in "Headless Cross" the lyrics revolved around them. Iommi explained that it was too much, so he and Cozy asked Martin to be a little more subtle in the writing of the album "Tyr", which led Martin to write about Norse mythology. As well known, Tony Martin joined "Black Sabbath" in 1987 to replace singer Ray Gillen, who didn't "deliver the goods", during the recording of the album "The Eternal Idol". He was brought into the band to re-record all of Ray Gillen's vocal duties to allow for the release of the album. Because Tony arrived after the album was already complete, he did not participate in the creative process, however, after his arrival, he participated in the writing of two additional new songs: "Black Moon" and "Some Kind of Woman", which were not included in the original album and were released only as B-sides. (Photo: I.R.S.) The change in writing topics also brought with it a minor change on the musical side, which went in a darker and heavier direction, but at the same time melodic with increased use of keyboards. Apparently, the change in sound was also because drummer Cozy Powell produced the album along with Tony Iommi and made sure to bring the drums forward in the final mix. The album opens with the epic piece "Anno Mundi (The Vision)" and the Latin lyrics "Spiritus Sanctus Anno Anno Mundi". It's the longest song on the album that reminds us of so many other things "Black Sabbath" has done in the past. For example, the first seconds of the song with the acoustic guitar gave us flashbacks from the song "Children Of The Sea", the heavy riff and especially the bass work after the entrance, starting at minute 0:59, threw us 3 years ahead to another song by the band "Zero the Hero" And the melody in the catchy chorus corresponded a bit to the melody of "The Sign Of The Southern Cross". But don't get us wrong, all these "references" from the "Sabbath" classics only did us good and upgraded the song for us. The translation of the words "Anno Mundi" from Latin is "in the year of the world" and is used to indicate the Hebrew year since the creation of the world. The second track is the exact opposite of the previous one. "The Law Maker" explodes in our faces with the thundering drums of Cozy Powell and the brutal riff of Tony Iommi, who is also responsible for the song's crazy solo. Notice how much Geoff Nicholls' keyboards add-in, even in a song with such a fast tempo. Then comes one of the most beautiful songs on the album, "Jerusalem", which showcases the amazing vocal abilities of Tony Martin, who definitely utilizes his tremendous vocal range to the fullest. It's another epic song tailor-made to be part of a soundtrack of a historical film with consistent and powerful drumming by Cozy Powell, heavy riffs by Tony Iommi, and a dark yet sweeping and hopeful atmosphere by Geoff Nicholls on the keyboards. It's not for nothing that several fans created impromptu music videos clips for the song, based on excerpts from the historical epic movie "Kingdom of Heaven" dealing with the Crusades of the 12th century. It is interesting to note that singer Tony Martin recorded a version of the song as part of his 1992 solo album "Back Where I Belong". The opening of "The Sabbath Stones" took us back to the days of "War Pigs" with "doom metal" seasoning and brooding lyrics. Another great song with a heavy and dark riff and amazing vocals by Tony Martin, who sometimes reminded us a bit of Ronnie James Dio. It is one of the dynamic songs on the album with quite a few amazing changes and transitions, which we would have loved to witness performed live. And here comes the excellent "Nordic" trilogy! Three tracks related to each other in the spirit and subject of the writing. It starts with the instrumental piece "The Battle of Tyr" conducted by keyboardist Geoff Nicholls, who takes us back to the Viking period and brings us up with hammer and ax to the cold north. This keyboard section is meant to put us in the mood and it connects in a simply perfect way to the quiet and exciting "Odin's Court" which is the gateway to what we think is the "main course" of the album - "Valhalla". Regarding the song "Feels Good To Me", the band members stated that it was included on the album solely to provide it with a catchy song that could be used as a single. It's a kind of power ballad that doesn't fit in any way with the musical line of the album, but it's a good song in itself, which delivered the goods and even spawned a music video that was played on MTV at the time. We reached the end of the album with "Heaven in Black" which, together with its predecessor, is perhaps the reason why this album didn't get the place it deserves. In our opinion, the last two songs are a kind of drop from the high level that was presented from the beginning of the album and we can only wonder what would have happened if they had been replaced with songs at the level of their predecessors. For Listening: Youtube, Spotify "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Today we will tell you about the drummer Frankie Banali. (Photo: Christopher Ameruoso) Banali is best known as the drummer of the bands "Quiet Riot" and "W.A.S.P." He was born in Queens, New York on November 14, 1951, but moved to Los Angeles in the mid - 1970s in search of a musical career. He played for several years with various bands, including an incarnation of "Steppenwolf". In 1980 he joined "Quiet Riot" and in 1983 released with them their most successful album "Metal Health" which became the first metal album to conquer the top of the Billboard charts and eventually sold more than 6 million copies. Banali was a member of "Quiet Riot" until 1989 and when the band disbanded he moved to "W.A.S.P.", serving as their regular drummer from the album "The Headless Children" from 1989 until 2004. In 2004 he reunited with Kevin Dobro and the two re-established "Quiet Riot", since then he has performed and released albums until 2019 when the "Hollywood Cowboys" album was released. In April 2019 he has diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. The treatments caused him to miss several shows but he continued as long as his medical condition allowed. After a stubborn and brave fight, Frankie succumbed to the accursed disease on August 20, 2020. He was 68 years old. To listen to his latest album with "Quiet Riot" Click Here: "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On August 20, 1990, "Queensryche's" fourth studio album "Empire" was released. This is the band's breakthrough album to mainstream success, which is also their best-selling album. 5 successful singles were released from this double album, led by "Silent Lucidity", which even earned the band two Grammy nominations. The album was produced by Peter Collins who was responsible for the production of four albums by "Rush" during the 1980s and 1990s. Although Collins also produced the band's previous album "Operation: Mindcrime", this time it was a completely different story. Collins and the band members disassembled the DNA of the previous album into tiny elements, separated the "Progressive" from the "Metal", added pinch of "Soft" to the "Rock" and divided the "Queen" from "Reich". For those of you who were fans of the band in real time and accompanied its musical development since the early 1980s, this album was surely received with astonishment. If there is any focus for comparison, then this album represents for "Queensryche" what The Black Album was for "Metallica". On the one hand, a breakthrough album that exposed them to a large audience, on the other hand, a loss of the musical line that characterized the band in the previous album and also the abandonment of some of the old fans in favor of new ones who came under the breakthrough sponsorship. Don't get us wrong, "Queensryche" always knew how to experiment with different styles, they were not born as a Prog Metal band and among others "Rage for Order" that was released in 1984 will prove it. But on this album "Queensryche" made their bravest move, took it as far as possible, and released under their hands an album that the word "commercial" screams from every note of it. The change can already be heard in the opening song "Best I Can". The keyboard intro, the synthesizer "carpets" played by guitarist Chris DeGarmo underneath the guitar riff and the choral in the background leaves no room for doubt about the change in the musical style. The song written about people with disabilities and their determination in achieving goals was also the third single released from the album. And yet, it's one of the band's favorite albums for us. There is no doubt that "Queensryche" is at its peak here, in terms of writing and performance ability, even if these are not complex in comparison to the previous album "Operation: Mindcrime". The synchronization between all the band members is perfect, especially between the two guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, who complement each other and share guitar solos, with a slight advantage to the amazing Chris DeGarmo. Songs like "Jet City Woman" written by singer Geoff Tate for his then-stewardess partner, "Della Brown" with Eddie Jackson's funky bass stretching for more than 7 minutes about a woman who has it all, but ends up at the bottom, "Another Rainy Night (Without You)" written by Tate and inspired by Seattle, the band's hometown, the theme song "Empire" with the sweeping riff, the melting "Anybody Listening?" and of course, the perfect "Silent Lucidity" with the strings arrangements of Michael Kamen, which for some reason reminds us of "Pink Floyd", all these and more leave no room for doubt. This is a good album that is definitely worth investing in. So if you still did not listen to it or just want to remember this pure beauty, click on one of the links and enjoy: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

One of the most polarizing frontmen of the late-1990s and early-2000s, Fred Durst became the face of nu-metal, leading "Limp Bizkit" to multi-platinum success while stirring controversy at every step. His red cap, aggressive stage presence, and fusion of rap and metal made him both a cultural icon and a frequent target of criticism. Photo: Patric Ford = Born William Frederick Durst on August 20, 1970, in Jacksonville, Florida. = Spent his childhood in Gastonia, North Carolina, raised by his mother Anita and stepfather Bill. As a child, he was bullied, which he incorporated into his music. = Grew up listening to a mix of rock and hip hop, with influences ranging from Led Zeppelin, Kiss, and Black Sabbath to Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys. = At the age of 12, Durst took an interest in breakdancing, hip hop, punk rock, and heavy metal. He began to rap, skate, beatbox, and DJ. = After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in search of stability and direction. = It is not clear for how long he served (a few months or two years), but he took an early discharge, the strict discipline clashed with his rebellious nature, though he later said he began conceptualizing the idea of fusing rap and heavy rock during his short Navy stint. = He returned to Jacksonville and worked as a tattoo artist, his shop became a hub for meeting musicians and future collaborators. Photo: Billboard = In 1994, he formed "Limp Bizkit" with bassist Sam Rivers, drummer John Otto, and guitarist Wes Borland. Later on DJ Lethal, formerly of the hip hop group "House of Pain", joined the band as a turntablist. = The deliberately provocative band name "Limp Bizkit" was chosen by Durst to repel casual listeners and appeal only to genuine fans. = Befriended "Korn" while tattooing their members he was able to persuade bassist Reginald Arvizu to listen to demos of the songs "Pollution", "Counterfeit", and "Stalemate", and handed them the demo tape. Korn introduced the band to producer Ross Robinson, leading to a deal with Flip/Interscope. = Limp Bizkit released debut album "Three Dollar Bill, Y’all\$" (1997), Its raw production, Borland’s experimental guitar work, and Durst’s aggressive rap-vocals stood out in the late-90s heavy scene. = The album included a ferocious cover of George Michael’s "Faith", which became a surprise hit on MTV, helping to put "Limp Bizkit" on the map. = While sales were modest at first, the debut established the band’s reputation as a dangerous live act and opened doors to touring with "Korn", "Primus", and "Faith No More". = Durst became known for wearing his signature red New York Yankees cap backwards. What began as a simple style choice became a polarizing symbol, turning him into a pop culture figure, praised by fans but mocked by critics who saw it as emblematic of nu-metal excess. "I always knew the guy in the red cap was not me. I'm Dr Frankenstein and that's my creature." = The breakthrough came with second album "Significant Other" (1999), which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 643,000. Singles like "Nookie", "Break Stuff", and "Re-Arranged" turned Durst into one of the most recognizable frontmen in the world. = By this time, "Limp Bizkit" had become one of the leading forces of the nu-metal movement, alongside Korn and Slipknot = Fred writes most of the band’s lyrics, usually drawing from personal experiences, cultural frustration, or tongue-in-cheek humor. Known for being heavily involved in production decisions, he often takes a co-producer or executive producer role on albums. = In June 1999, Durst was appointed Senior Vice President of A&R at Interscope. He utilized his connections through the label and scouted numerous bands, landing record deals for "Cold", "Staind", "Puddle of Mudd", and "She Wants Revenge". = At the notorious Woodstock ’99 festival, during the performance of "Break Stuff", Durst encouraged the crowd to "let it all out," which spiraled into riots, fires, and violence, resulting in widespread blame in the press and one of rock’s most infamous live moments. = The third album "Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water" (2000) was a cultural phenomenon, debuted at No. 1 with 1.05 million copies sold first week, becoming the fastest-selling rock album in U.S. history at the time and later achieving multi-platinum status. Singles like "My Generation", "Rollin’", and "My Way" dominated MTV and cemented Durst’s image as one of late-’90s rock’s most visible figures. = The band engine and main force, Wes Borland, left the band in 2001, citing creative differences, burnout, and frustration with the band’s mainstream image. = Follow-up album "Results May Vary" (2003) marked a turbulent period after Wes left and was replaced by Mike Smith. The album was less successful but featured a popular cover of "Behind Blue Eyes". = In July 2003, Limp Bizkit was the opening act for Metallica on the Summer Sanitarium Tour. During Limp Bizkit performance the crowd chanting "fuck Fred Durst" and pelting the stage with garbage, Durst erupted after six songs, threw the microphone down and walked off stage. = In 2005, Durst reunited with Borland to record the politically darker EP "The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1)". Minimal promotion led to weak sales. = Between 2005 and 2011, Durst switched to the big screen, focused on the directing films like "The Education of Charlie Banks" (2007), which won a Tribeca Film Festival award, and "The Longshots" (2008), starring Ice Cube. He also made smaller acting appearances. = In 2009, the original lineup reunited and began touring. Photo: Limp Bizkit = The sixth album "Gold Cobra" (2011) which was issued 8 years after the previous album and considered to be the first comeback of the band, debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200. Though reviews were mixed, fans welcomed the return of the classic lineup. = Until 2021, Durst and the band worked inconsistently on new material (notably the long-unreleased "Stampede of the Disco Elephants") while Durst continued film work, including directing the controversial thriller "The Fanatic" (2019) starring John Travolta. = In 2021, Durst re-emerged at Lollapalooza, but this time without the red cap and with a viral “dad vibes” persona, gray hair, retro clothing, and tongue-in-cheek stage presence. Photo: Getty = Later that year, "Limp Bizkit" released their seventh studio album "Still Sucks" (2021), their first in a decade. It was praised by critics and fans for its nostalgic energy and featured the single "Dad Vibes". = He collaborated with many artists across genres, including Method Man, Lil Wayne, and others, cementing his role in merging rap and rock into mainstream culture. = Fred was also well known for his abrasive personality, with numerous public feuds involving celebrities such as Eminem, Trent Reznor, Scott Stapp, Brian Molko, and Corey Taylor, which bolstered his reputation as one of rock's most contentious frontmen. Photo: Jim Dyson = Despite, or because of, his polarizing persona, Fred Durst remains a defining figure of nu-metal, remembered for his red cap, MTV dominance, live performance, and his role in bringing rap-metal to the mainstream. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Singer, songwriter and bassist Phil Lynott is best known as the leader of the band "Thin Lizzy", but he is certainly much more than that. (Photo: Rockandrollgarage.com) Here are 42 facts about the talented musician: 1. He was born in England on August 20, 1949 but grew up in Dublin, Ireland. 2. In his youth he used to visit the church regularly and even seriously considered becoming a pastor. 3. He loved the "MARVEL" comic books. 4. The name for the band "Thin Lizzy" he based on the character "Tin Lizzie" from the children's comic "The Dandy". (Photo: Fanart.TV) 5. He was a movie buff. His favorite movie was , Casablanca". 6. Maybe a little hard to believe but he also served as a model. 7. In 1968, when he was only 19 years old he had a son born out of wedlock. The boy Macdaragh Lambe was sent for adoption and only discovered in 2003 that his father was Phil Lynott. 8. Phil Lynott also had a brother and sister whom his mother gave up for adoption. Phil did not know about it either and his mother revealed it in a book she published after his death. 9. Believe it or not Phil Lynott never issued a driver's license. 10. He always used to sit in the front seat next to the driver even in the band's shuttle vehicles and when he took taxis. 11. In 1968 he formed the band "Skid Row" (unrelated to the American band from the '80s), of which Gary Moore was also a member. 12. In 1969 he formed "Thin Lizzy" in Dublin, a band that would inspire many hard rock and heavy metal bands that would follow. 13. Lynott and his friends from "Thin Lizzy" objected to the release of the song "Whiskey in the Jar" as a single, they thought the song did not represent their sound and style very well. The record company insisted and released it as a single that brought the band its first hit. 14. During the recordings of the second album "Thin Lizzy" in 1972 Lynott was a member. for a very short time in a supergroup called "Baby Face" and included Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Paice from "Deep Purple" and Paul Rodgers from the bands "Free" and "Bad Company". 15. He left the supergroup shortly afterward because he did not want to be a small part of a band but to lead a band of his own. 16. Due to the financial difficulties of Lynott and his friends at "Thin Lizzy" at the time, they released in 1973 an album that mostly included covers of "Deep Purple" songs under the name "Funky Junction". 17. On this album the band members received 1,000 Pound but they did not receive any credit on the album cover. Even the picture of the band featured on the cover was of another band. Lynott did not want to sing on this album as he thought (and rightly so) that his voice did not match Ian Gillan's. 18. He adored Jimi Hendrix in part because he too was dark-skinned. 19. On the 10th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's death, Lynott, he recorded with the original members of "Thin Lizzy" a song called "Song For Jimi". It was a one-time tribute and the song was released in 1980 as a single. 20. Lynott admired "ZZ Top" He admitted that the song "Leave This Town" from the album "Renegade" was greatly influenced by his admiration for the band. 21. He wrote the album "Johnny the Fox" from 1976 when he had hepatitis. He was hospitalized and had an acoustic guitar and that's how he wrote most of the songs. 22. He wrote the song "Warriors" from the album "Jailbreak" about hard drug addiction, referring to addicts as "warriors". He thought of Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman when he wrote the song. 24. The songs "Cowboy Song" and "Massacre" dealing with American themes he wrote after his band began performing in the US regularly. 25. He played bass and sang on the "So Alone" album by Johny Thunders, guitarist "The New York Dolls" released in 1978. 26. This was not Lynott's only flirtation with the Punk Rock genre, that year he was also part of a side project that included members of the "Sex Pistols" and was called "Greedy Bastards". 27. He was one of the judges in the 1978 Miss World pageant. 28. He participated in Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds project and contributed his voice to the album "Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds" which was released in 1978, as Parson Nathaniel. 29. Lynott collaborated with Gary Moore on the album "Back on the Streets". He sang and played bass and guitar and even wrote with Gary Moore some of the songs for the album, in particular, the hit "Parisienne Walkways". 28. In 1982 he collaborated with guitarist John Sykes on the song "Please Don't Leave Me". This collaboration was the trigger for the addition of the talented John Sykes later that year to "Thin Lizzy" as a replacement for the equally talented Snowy White. 30. He returned to collaborate with Gary Moore on his 1985 album "Run for Cover," where he also sang, played bass, and co-wrote some of the songs. 31. Despite the relatively short period in which he was active, Phil released along with "Thin Lizzy" no less than 12 studio albums, the same number of live albums, and 7 EPs. (Photo: Harry Potts) 32. In parallel with his work with "Thin Lizzy" he released two solo albums in 1980 and 1982. On both albums, he collaborated with other artists including Mark Knopfler, Jimmy Bain, and Midge Ure, while the first album also featured Snowy White and Gary Moore. 33. The song "Yellow Pearl" which he co-wrote with Midge Ure and which was included on the solo album "Solo in Soho" from 1980, served as the opening intro of the weekly TV show "Top Of The Pops" from 1981 to 1986. 34. Lynott helped Midge Ure and "Ultravox" get a recording contract. 35. After hearing the band's demo tape, Lynott also helped "Boomtown Rats" and Bob Geldof to get a recording contract. 36. Despite the above, the two did not return the favor and did not invite him and his band to participate in the "Live Aid" show, even though they both were among its organizers. 37. Lynott released two poetry books one "Songs for While I'm Away" which was released in 1974 and the other "Philip" which came out in 1977. 38. Phil Lynott died on January 4, 1986, at the age of only 36, as a result of complications caused by increased drug and alcohol use. 39. The list of artists influenced by Phil Lynott's works is long and varied and songs he has written have been covered by artists ranging from Sade through "Pulp" to "Metallica". 40. In 2005 a statue of Lynott was placed on Grafton Street in Dublin, Ireland. 41. On August 20, 2021, his 72nd birthday, a monument in his honor was unveiled in the center of his hometown of West Bromwich. The unveiling ceremony of the 2-meter-high statue is broadcast live for the benefit of his fans all over the world. 42. In addition and simultaneously, a documentary called "Phil Lynott: Songs For While I'm Away" was released to theaters that day. It tells the story of Phil Lynott and includes interviews with James Hetfield, Adam Clayton, Midge Ure, and more: "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Dimebag Darrell's Guitar playing was so different and unique and his guitar sound was so innovative that he literally created with his band - "Pantera" a new sub-genre in metal - Groove-Metal, which would later also form the basis for Nu-Metal. (Photo: Martyn Goodacre) He is one of the "Transformers of Metal" do not know who these are? Come read the review we wrote on Pantera's Cowboys from Hell, and you will understand. The band changed their face from end to end on this album and moved from the Glam Metal scene to Heavy and Thrash Metal, with Dimebag having a huge impact on its sound and style, being among those primarily responsible for its huge success. Let's tell you some interesting facts about the very talented guitarist : 1. He was born on August 20, 1966, in Ennis, Texas, USA, as Darrell Lance Abbott. 2. The first instrument he played as a child was the drums. He switched to guitar only at the age of 12. 3. Already at the age of 14 he won the competition for young guitarists on the radio station Q102 from Texas USA. He continued to win many more competitions until he was eventually banned from the competition to give others a chance to win as well. 4. His father was a creator and producer in the field of Country music, Darrell spent quite a bit with him in the studio and absorbed from him. This influence among other things led to the project and the album "Rebel Meets Rebel" released in 2006 combined country, blues, and metal. 5. The first live show he attended was "Kiss". He was also part of the "Kiss Army". 6. Dimebag's admiration for "Kiss" guitarist Ace Frehley was so great that he said that without Ace Frehley there would be no Dimebag. 7. Dimebag even had an Ace Frehley tattoo on his chest. 8. He stated that the most influential guitarists (besides Ace) on him, were Tony Iommi, Eddie Van Halen, and former "Def Leppard" guitarist Pete Willis. 9. In 1989 Dave Mustaine asked him to join "Megadeth". He refused because the invitation did not include his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul. 10. He contributed quite a few solos to the band "Anthrax" until "Anthrax" bassist Frank Bello stated that he was actually the sixth member of the band. 11. This may surprise some of you, but he loved "Nickelback" and even contributed a solo to them in the cover version of the song "Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting" by Elton John. 12. The Love was mutual "Nickelback" Sampled his solo as part of their song "Side of a Bullet". 13. He changed his name from Diamond to Dimebag only on the 1994 album "Far Beyond Driven". 14. He participates in the soundtrack of the movie "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in the song "Light Comes Out of Black". 15. There is an alcoholic cocktail he invented and named after him - "Black Tooth Grin". 16. He also contributed a solo to the legendary King Diamond on his 1998 album "Voodoo". 17. He had another side project with his brother Vinnie Paul - the cover band "Gasoline". 18. He had a regular column in "Guitar World" magazine where he wrote about the great instrument and gave tips for playing the guitar. In 2003 his writings became the book "Guitar World Presents: Dimebag Darrell's Riffer Madness". 19. He was most identified with Dean Guitars. Already at the age of 16, he got one like this. 20. His solo in the song "Cemetery Gates" from the album "Cowboys from Hell" was ranked in a poll conducted by "Guitar World" magazine in 35th place on the list of the 100 best solos of all time. 21. He was murdered on December 8, 2004, by a disturbed fan, during a performance of "Damageplan" in Columbus Ohio, he was then only 38 years old. 22. His killer, was upset about the fact that "Pantera" had disbanded, and this was probably the reason for the murder. 23. He was buried in his hometown of Arlington. The coffin was decorated with figures of members of the band "Kiss" whom he admired. 24. Legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen placed one of his guitars (the famous Bumblebee guitar with the stripes in yellow and black) that Dimebag loved, inside the coffin. 25. Eddie intended to make a copy for Dimebag but after his assassination, Eddie Van Halen said Dimebag's playing was so original, so he only deserves the original guitar. 26. Beyond Eddie Van Halen's Bumblebee guitar with whom he was buried, bottles of his favorite drink "Crown Royal" were also placed in his grave. The coffin bore the "Kiss" logo and was donated by Gene Simmons. 27. Guitarist Zakk Wylde was a friend of Dimebag. He dedicated the song "In This River" by "Black Label Society" to him, The song also includes a very touching clip featuring the characters of Dimebag and Zack as children. 28. The song "Aesthetics Of Hate" by the band "Machine Head" was written by Robert Flynn after he saw a profanity written by a guy William Grim in an extreme right-wing forum, in which he writes that Dimebag was untalented and everyone who admires him is an inferior person. 29. Dimebag was assassinated on the exact same day that John Lennon was assassinated in 1980, also shot by a gun from a disturbed fan. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Today before 30 years, "Guns N 'Roses" made a revolution in the world of music, releasing the double album "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II". Stay tuned for another review in the 1991 masterpiece album series - "Class of 91'". After three years of eager anticipation (four if you don't count the "G N 'R Lies" album), the active and dangerous volcano called "Guns N' Roses" has finally erupted. On September 17, 1991, at midnight, the band released an insane amount of music material. Two double albums (equivalent to four vinyl records), 30 songs, and over two and a half hours of music !!! The albums sold an insane amount of 500,000 copies in the first two hours of the sale. Immediately upon their release, the albums took first and second place on the Billboard 200 charts and clung to the top for a long time. The first place was taken by the younger brother "Use Your Illusion II", with sales of about one hundred thousand more copies than his older brother. The two albums together eventually reached sales of over 14 million copies and helped the band establish its status as the biggest rock band of the time. We said volcano and really meant it. The amount of material the band has collected since the release of their debut album has grown and accumulated to huge proportions, when as early as September 1990 the band had over 30 songs ready and the members had to make decisions on how they are going to release all this material. And the pressures on this formidable volcano were not only from within the band but also from outside. After the dizzying success of "Appetite for Destruction", the expectation from the band to release new material was immense. This expectation only intensified when from April 1990, we received teases and hints of materials that will be included in the album. Bootlegs from the band's live shows began to sell in large quantities, with this pressure causing the band to embark on a worldwide tour even before the album came out. We received the first teaser on April 7, 1990 (more than a year before the release of the albums), as part of the band's performance at the "Farm Aid IV" festival. The band performed the song "Civil War" for the first time and even then it was possible to understand that the M1 0.3 semi-automatic rifle, became a 7.62 Mag full machine gun and that the band is already ready to conquer the world. What obscured the premiere performance of the song "Civil War" was the fact that this would be the band's last appearance with drummer and original member Steven Adler, who was soon fired from "Guns N' Roses". Axl Rose later said that the band gave Adler countless opportunities to solve his drug problem, and only after nothing helped they decided to fire him. Izzy Stradlin said in a November 1992 interview that he would have preferred to continue with Adler but they could not wait any longer until he settled down. Circumstances summoned to the band an equally talented drummer - Matt Sorum. About two months later on June 26, 1990, the band released their live version of Dylan's song "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", as part of the soundtrack of the movie "Days of Thunder", starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The song had meteoric success and became instantly an anthem for the masses. Next ... In an interview with MTV on Kurt Loder on August 31, 1990, Axl Rose revealed that the band was working on another cover version of Paul McCartney and "Wings" from 1973 - "Live And Let Die". Axl said they approached the song in thrill and admiration when at first they even thought they could not play it at all due to its complexity, but after a few rehearsals, things started to connect. Another song that Kurt talked about in that interview was "Coma" which he co-wrote with Slash, about the overdoses they took. Axl Rose said that this song is Slash's baby and that it is a strange track without a chorus that stretches over more than 10 minutes. In January 1991 we received three new pieces of information on the album in the form of the songs "Double Talkin 'Jive", "You Could Be Mine", "Estranged" and "Dead Horse" which were played at the band's performances in Rio. Later in June 1991 "You Could Be Mine" which talks about Izzy Stradlin's relationship with his ex-girlfriend Angela Nicoletti was released as the first single from the album. It was also the theme song of the hit film "Terminator 2". The song won a spectacular clip starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, that had heavy rotation on MTV. The clip shows Schwarzenegger "on a deadly mission" to locate and eliminate the band members. At this point, after releasing so many clues, even the "non-believers" already knew it was going to be a meteoric album. The volcano was about to erupt! And it did erupt, in a big way. On September 17, the two double albums were released simultaneously and at the same time the single for the song "Don't Cry" was released. These albums feature an experienced and mature band that has come a long way in terms of their style and sound since their debut album "Appetite for Destruction". Although the band did not abandon its aggressive and rough Hard Rock sound, it added elements of blues, punk, folk, rock 'n' roll, progressive, and even classical music to its songs. Some of the band's songs became more complex and longer compared to the first album and in another part, the piano was used as the main and essential instrument. As part of their musical development and the process of expanding the range of sounds, the band added keyboardist Dizzy Reed as a permanent member. The band's maturation was also reflected in the openness, in which its members allowed more artists to enter the studio during the recording of the albums. One of these prominent artists was Shannon Hoon who was the lead singer of "Blind Melon". Hoon who was Axl Rose's friend was invited to the studio and was featured in several songs as a background vocalist, including "Live and Let Die", "November Rain", "You Ain't the First" and "The Garden", while co-singing "Don't Cry" with Axl Rose and even appears in a video clip that accompanied it. (Photo: Ilpo Musto) If we go back for a moment to the changes that "Guns N 'Roses" went through during the recording of the albums, then these were not accepted unanimously among all the band members. They are the result of disagreements during writing and recording, mainly between Slash and Izzy Stradlin on the one hand and Axl on the other. Slash and Izzy thought the band should keep its familiar sound from the first album while Axl Rose asked the band to experiment in new directions and adopt a cleaner sound that would make it accessible to the masses and make it the biggest band in the world. Axl Rose's hand was on top, but it was a small victory in a battle while the war was lost, since not long after the cracks within the band will begin to show. The singles released from the album instantly became hysterical hits that conquered the top of the charts all over the world and proved the band's dominance in the music market for almost 3 years when the last single, the masterpiece "Estranged" was released in January 1994. As part of the diversity of styles on these albums, other band members were also given the opportunity to "use their voice". Duff McKagan sang "So Fine"ת which he dedicated to Johnny Thunders, a member of the "New York Dolls" who passed away that year. Izzy Stradlin was also surprised not only as a gifted writer but also as a lead singer in the songs "Dust N 'Bones" and "14 Years", which he wrote as a child about a complex relationship with a woman. Izzy Stradlin also participates as a co-lead vocalist along with Axl Rose in the songs "Double Talkin 'Jive" and "You Ain't The First". Some of the songs on the album were written in the early days of the band and before the release of their debut album and can even be found in old bootlegs. Among them: "Back Off Bitch" written about Axl's girlfriend Gina Siler who moved with him to Los Angeles in 1982 but dumped him in 1983, "Bad Obsession" which talks about drug rehab, and in which Michael Monroe from the band "Hanoi Rocks" plays saxophone and harmonica, "Don't Cry" which refers to Monique Lewis who was Axel's girlfriend and whose face is tattooed on his right shoulder and "November Rain" which is the longest song to ever enter the top ten on the Billboard charts. Other notable songs with interesting facts are: "Right Next Door to Hell" which opens the first album and tells the story of Axl's neighbor Gabriella Kantor who caused his arrest after accusing him of beating her with a bottle of wine, "The Garden" starring Alice Cooper, "Dead Horse" that Axl wrote the acoustic guitar riff for, "Get In The Ring" that was written about the critics who gave "Guns" bad reviews at the beginning of their journey and "Pretty Tied Up" where Izzy Stradlin plays the sitar. Very unfortunate that the meteoric success these albums brought the band was also the one that will ultimately lead to its slow disintegration. After the release of the albums, the band continued on the world tour, which they began even before their release. This tour may have included tremendous performances of over three hours but it will be mostly remembered as the one where Axl Rose just lost it. He was late for performances, off-key in singing, hit fans, abandoned shows in the middle, disappeared from the stage for long minutes leaving his friends uncertain if he is going to be back, and even caused the cancellations of some shows. Axl Rose's behavior did not go unnoticed by the Israeli fans during the band's performance at Hayarkon Park on 22/05/1993 when Axl Rose initially refused to take the stage and only after many pleas did he kindly arrive late for the show. This bullying behavior of Axl Rose which even started while writing the material for the album is the one that apparently led Izzy Stradlin to leave the band at the height of its success. Stradlin's departure left a deep hole in the band, but most of all in the heart of Axl Rose who was his best friend since they were young. A hole that even the talented guitarist Gilby Clarke could not fill. Although as a result of this unnecessary conflict the world lost many years of marvelous music, this talented band was able to produce these magnificent albums with material equivalent to four albums with immortal songs engraved forever in the history of music. For listening to the first album: Spotify, Apple Music For listening to the second album: Spotify, Apple Music Follow us on Facebook or Subscribe to our website "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog & Podcast

Written By: Moti Kupfer Release date - 20.08.1991 "Hey, yeah, yeah, Di bi bi bip, di bi bi bi di Bi di-di-le-di ba da ba da ba da ba Da ba da ba da ba da ba" Don't try this at home, as they say, but when Chris Barron happily let his voice bounce through a song about "Two Princes", everything seemed to flow almost effortlessly for him and for "Spin Doctors". Just how far did that song travel? All the way to Israel. In 1994, far from New York and inside the Telad studios in Ramat HaSharon, a cult comedy show called "Ha-Comedy Store" began airing. Built around a rapid succession of sketches performed by a group of comedians, the program included Zvika Hadar, who created one of its most memorable characters, Jojo Khalastra. Jojo opened his segment with a song that by then was familiar to millions around the world: "Two Princes" by "Spin Doctors". It would eventually become the music that closed another successful episode of "Ha-Comedy Store". But before that hit became quite so enormous, "Spin Doctors" spent roughly a year and a half watching their debut album "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" slowly fight its way out of relative obscurity. The album was released on August 20, 1991, but its commercial explosion would come much later. Even after a year and a half, drummer Aaron Comess recalled that it had sold only around 60,000 copies, respectable numbers but hardly an indication of the phenomenon it was about to become. During the mid-to-late 1980s, rock's mainstream was dominated on one side by pop-friendly hair metal bands such as "Bon Jovi" and the dirtier, more dangerous excess of bands like "Mötley Crüe", while another corner of the landscape belonged to darker alternative acts such as "R.E.M." and "The Cure". Then "Grateful Dead" scored an unexpected mainstream resurgence in 1987, helping bring the culture surrounding the jam bands of the 1960s and 1970s back into wider view. Veteran acts including "The Allman Brothers Band", "Little Feat" and "The Doobie Brothers" also returned to activity around this period. At the same time, a new generation of improvisation-heavy bands was beginning to emerge in the space between the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s. "Widespread Panic", "Phish" and "Blues Traveler" built devoted audiences largely through relentless touring and live performances, but none had yet truly carried the jam-band mentality into mainstream pop. "Spin Doctors" were about to change that. The band's roots can be traced to late-1980s New York and a group originally known as "Trucking Company", which included guitarist Eric Schenkman and harmonica player John Popper. Chris Barron, a friend of Popper's from Princeton High School, would eventually become part of the developing lineup. Chris Barron was born on February 5, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where his father was stationed during the Vietnam War. Years later, Barron would become instantly recognizable not only for his elastic voice but also for the wonderfully eccentric hats that became part of his early-1990s image. After his family returned to the United States, Barron attended Princeton High School in New Jersey, where he met John Popper. The two became close friends and regularly jammed together after school. Barron later spent a year studying at Bennington College in Vermont and played with two local bands before returning to Princeton. He took a restaurant job while throwing himself increasingly into songwriting. During this period, he wrote early versions of material that would eventually include "Jimmy Olsen's Blues" and "Two Princes". His friendship with Popper would prove crucial. Popper was increasingly committed to "Blues Traveler", but he was also involved with "Trucking Company". Barron eventually became involved with the latter project, joining a musical circle that would provide the foundations for "Spin Doctors". When Popper chose to concentrate full-time on "Blues Traveler", Barron and Schenkman continued developing the other band. Drummer Aaron Comess entered the picture and eventually brought bassist Mark White into the fold, completing what would become the classic "Spin Doctors" lineup by 1989. The musical transformation also demanded a new identity. "Trucking Company" became "Spin Doctors", a name coined by Schenkman that suited a group whose music refused to stay comfortably inside one category. Funk, blues, rock, pop and the free-flowing mentality of the jam-band scene were all becoming part of the same musical conversation. With a stable lineup finally in place, "Spin Doctors" began rehearsing and playing live with almost obsessive intensity. They worked the New York club and college circuit, gradually building an audience through performances that were rarely identical from one night to the next. The band encouraged the taping of its concerts, embraced improvisation and developed extended jams that naturally invited comparisons with the jam-band culture associated with acts such as "Grateful Dead". That live experience was essential to the chemistry heard on "Pocket Full of Kryptonite". This wasn't a group assembled inside a recording studio and taught how to sound like a band. These were musicians who had already learned to communicate through countless hours onstage, stretching songs, reacting to one another and allowing funk grooves to collide with blues, rock and improvisation. "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" was recorded during 1990 at several New York-area studios, including the Power Station and RPM Studios in Manhattan, before finally being released on August 20, 1991. Yet the album did not immediately explode. Its ascent was gradual, driven by touring, word of mouth, radio and eventually MTV. Even the band apparently had to push its label to recognize the commercial potential sitting on the record. Comess later remembered suggesting songs including "Two Princes", "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" and "Jimmy Olsen's Blues", only to be told that they were not hits and that the band wasn't grungy enough for the moment. Eventually, "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" gave "Spin Doctors" the breakthrough they needed. Behind its playful rhythm and Barron's loose vocal delivery was something considerably more personal. The singer has repeatedly explained that the inspiration was not an ex-girlfriend, as many assumed, but his stepmother. Asked directly about its origins, Barron said: "That song is actually about my stepmom, my dad's ex-wife." Years later, Barron revealed just how discouraging she had been toward his musical ambitions. He recalled that she predicted he would end up working as a janitor and playing guitar for rats in a school basement. Instead, "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" climbed to No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Then came the song that changed everything. "Two Princes" transformed "Spin Doctors" from a successful touring band into one of the most recognizable rock acts of the early 1990s. Barron frames the lyric almost like a miniature fairy tale: two princes want the same woman, but one offers wealth and status while the other can offer little beyond love and sincerity. The fantasy imagery was no accident. Barron was deeply interested in literature and later explained: "I loved The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." He had written the song when he was only 19, still carrying his childhood fascination with wizards, kings, queens and fantasy stories into his songwriting. The contrast is part of what makes "Two Princes" so effective. The story sounds almost medieval, but the music couldn't be more immediate: Schenkman's sharp guitar attack, White's elastic funk bass, Comess' deceptively busy groove and Barron's unmistakable vocal phrasing turn a simple romantic proposition into one of the defining rock singles of the decade. It would eventually reach No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, taking "Spin Doctors" somewhere that few of their fellow jam-scene contemporaries had managed to go: straight into the heart of mainstream pop culture. Strong airplay for the first two singles on MTV, followed by the band's appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in October 1992, gave "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" another major boost. The album was certified Gold in September 1992, reached the one-million mark in January 1993 and entered the Billboard Top 10 the following month. By June 1993 it had gone triple platinum in the United States. Eventually, it sold more than five million copies in the U.S. and another five million internationally, an extraordinary journey for an album that had initially taken its time finding an audience. Another standout is the opening track, "Jimmy Olsen's Blues", written from the perspective of Jimmy Olsen, the young photographer from the Superman universe. But Barron's clever twist is that this isn't really a song about Superman at all. Instead, he focuses on the ordinary guy living in the shadow of Clark Kent and hopelessly attracted to Lois Lane. Jimmy has no superpowers and no heroic alter ego, just jealousy, insecurity and the impossible task of competing with Superman. In an album named after the one substance capable of weakening the Man of Steel, beginning with the frustrated voice of an ordinary man trying to compete with him feels particularly appropriate. "What Time Is It?" turns a seemingly innocent question into one of the album's loosest funk-rock workouts. The title sounds like nothing more than a musician asking when the band is supposed to play, while stories surrounding the song have also connected the phrase with Barron and the band's marijuana-fueled lifestyle at the time. There is no sufficiently reliable source confirming that specific story word for word, however, so it is better treated as part of the mythology surrounding the song rather than established fact. Elsewhere, "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" repeatedly returns to relationships and the complicated balance required to make them work, exploring attraction, dependence and the need for enough emotional space to allow both people to breathe. The closing "Shinbone Alley/Hard to Exist" moves away from the album's brighter pop instincts and back toward the environment that created "Spin Doctors" in the first place. It paints a restless portrait of life in New York City, filled with the contradictions, characters and rough edges of the streets around them. The extended track also gives the musicians room to stretch out, reconnecting the studio album with the improvisational jam-band mentality that had shaped them onstage long before MTV discovered "Two Princes". And there is even an Israeli connection to the later history of "Spin Doctors". After Anthony Krizan left in 1996, Israeli guitarist Eran Tabib was selected following an audition process and became the band's guitarist. He remained with the group until 1999 and played guitar on their fourth studio album, "Here Comes the Bride". For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

One of the biggest and most influential vocalists in the history of Rock - Robert Plant celebrates his birthday today !!! (Photo: Michael Putland) Here are 20 interesting facts about him: 1. It has a tenor voice with an extra wide range that allows him to sing in a large variety of music styles, without difficulty. 2. One of the great influences on him musically is Elvis Presley. Plant also tends to warm up his voice before performances with Elvis's songs. 3. He has a regular ritual to iron his clothes before performances. One of his odd demands in contracts is that he has an ironing board backstage. 4. He was not Jimmy Page's first choice when he started putting together what would later become "Led Zeppelin". Page thought of Steve Marriot from "Small Faces", Terry Reid, Donovan, and Stevie Winwood before he thought of Robert Plant. 5. Plant was the one who recommended John Bonham as the band's drummer to Jimmy Page. 6. Six of the nine songs on the debut album "Led Zeppelin" were written in collaboration with Plant, but he did not receive credit for them due to a contractual commitment to the previous record company. 7. The song "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" won a cover version on Led Zeppelin's debut album following Page and Plant's love for Joan Baez's version of the song, from 1962. 8. The lyrics to the song "Black Dog" were written by Robert Plant about a dog that walked around near the recording studio during the recording of the album "Led Zeppelin". 9. He wrote the lyrics for "Immigrant Song" from the album "Led Zeppelin III" after Led Zeppelin visited Iceland, as the lyrics reveal: "We Came From the Land of Ice and Snow". 10. The song "Kashmir" was influenced by Robert Plant's visit to Morocco. 11. He recorded the album "Presence" in a wheelchair after having a car accident. 12. On July 26, 1977, his son Karac, then only 5 years old, died of a stomach virus. Planet experiences collapse due to the tragic event. 13. He dedicated the song "All My Love" from the album "In Through The Out Door" to his son Karac. It was not the only song. "I Believe" from his 1993 solo album "Fate of Nations" was also dedicated to him. 14. He recorded the album "In Through The Out Door" with "Led Zeppelin" in studios owned by "ABBA". 15. He donated $ 10,000 to a radio station in Oregon that promised they would no longer play "Stairway To Heaven" again. 16. In response to the "Beastie Boys'" samples of "Led Zeppelin's" songs on their debut album "Licensed to Ill", Plant thought of sampling "Beastie Boys'" tracks on his fourth album "Now And Zen". In the end, he sampled excerpts from the mother band "Led Zeppelin". 17. He deliberately released the album "Now And Zen" on February 29, 1988, a unique date that only returns once every four years, apparently because this is his fourth album. 18. Plant has no musical education. Despite this, Plant was ranked by VH1 in third place on the list of greatest rock singers of all time. They also ranked it 37th among the sexiest artists. 19. In 2006 "Hit Parader" magazine crowned Planet the best metal singer of all time, ahead of Rob Halford, Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale, and Ian Gillan who celebrated his birthday yesterday. 20. In 2011, Rolling Stone magazine readers ranked Plant number one on the list of greatest singers of all time. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On August 19, 1985, Yngwie Malmsteen released his second album - “Marching Out”. As the album title hints ("Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force"), in this album Yngwie decided to move from a solo virtuoso into something that felt like a full band effort. After the instrumental fireworks of “Rising Force”, which stunned the metal world a year earlier, Yngwie moved quickly to record a follow-up. But this time, the atmosphere was different. Jeff Scott Soto, who had sung only two tracks on the debut, now became a central voice—literally and figuratively. He co-wrote four songs and sang on eight of them, giving the record a far more collaborative, band-oriented identity. Alongside him stood Jens Johansson on keyboards, his brother Anders Johansson on drums, and bassist Marcel Jacob, whose entry into the fold would spark a lifelong creative bond with Soto (Soto and Jacob would go on to form "Talisman", and side projects like "Human Clay" and "Humanimal". Still, as much as it looked like a band project, it was always Yngwie’s empire. “Marching Out” was recorded at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles and Skyline Studios in Topanga, California, with Yngwie himself handling production. The album begins with “Prelude”, a brief instrumental that sets the stage before the explosion of “I’ll See the Light, Tonight”—one of Yngwie’s most iconic songs with a frequent presence on his live setlist. Its opening riff, Anders’s thunderous drums, and Soto’s piercing scream combine into a dramatic statement. The chemistry between Soto and Malmsteen is undeniable, their co-writing producing a track that balances virtuosic guitar with ferocious vocals. On 1:15 Min. Yngwie shows his phenomenal skills with a 1 min solo starting as neo-classic developing into full metal shredder. “Don’t Let It End” contrasts with a delicate acoustic intro and falsetto vocals before swelling into an atmospheric Hard Rocker. Yngwie is relatively subdued in his playing, leaving more room for Soto to show his vocal dynamics. “Disciples of Hell” is one of the best songs on the album. It starts with a clasic-acoustic 1 minute guitar intro before it shifts gears into a darker territory, with Soto adopting a deeper timbre as Malmsteen unleash his classical-metal fury. Perhaps the most memorable anthem in the album is “I Am a Viking”. a slower, darker march that leans into myth and fantasy. Soto’s commanding growl and Yngwie’s perfectly placed solo elevate it into one of the album’s classics. The instrumental “Overture 1383” finds Yngwie blending his classical influences with hard rock rhythms, balancing acoustic flourishes and electric shredding. It’s a reminder that behind the speed and fire lies a composer’s ear. “Anguish and Fear” then ups the tempo again, with Yngwie and Jens trading blistering solos in a guitar-keyboard duel that makes the track one of the album’s highlights. “On the Run Again”, a reworked version of Yngwie’s earlier Steeler track “Victim of the City,” has the most pure "heavy metal" riffs, and sees Soto attack the vocals with rock grit. “Soldier Without Faith” expands into over 6:00 minutes epic territory, with its extended intro of explosions and keyboard atmospheric. “Caught in the Middle” follows with heavy riffs and relentless double bass drumming, only to be lifted mid-song by another inspired guitar-keyboard exchange. Finally, the album closes with the title track, “Marching Out”, a showcase of both power and restraint. The shred gives way to a tender, melodic fade, leaving the listener suspended, wanting more. Commercially, “Marching Out” was a success, reaching No. 52 on the Billboard 200 and holding its ground for 28 weeks. Critics were split—some praising its raw aggression compared to “Rising Force”, others calling the lyrics and fantasy themes overindulgent—but fans recognized it as the true launch of Yngwie’s career as a leader of his own "Rising Force". This would also be the last studio album with Jeff Scott Soto, though he briefly returned during the “Trilogy” tour before Yngwie’s near-fatal car accident cut it short. Regrettably, Soto did not reappear as lead vocalist until the 1996 album "Inspiration", but what they created here has endured as one of the most important vocal-guitar collaborations in neoclassical metal. In the end, “Marching Out” is both a guitarist’s triumphant statement and one of Neoclassical metal most influential albums. It remains one of Yngwie’s most accessible and enduring works, a snapshot of the moment when classical music met heavy metal guitar shredder. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Today we will tell you about the Swedish singer best known as the lead vocalist of "Europe" - Joey Tempest: 1. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden as Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson, on August 19, 1963. 2. At the age of eight, he showed early musical interest by recording songs with a tape recorder off the radio and television. 3. He learned to play the piano and, with the help of a friend of his father's, began playing basic chords on his sister's acoustic guitar. 4. During his teenage years, Joey played in several bands, including "Jet", "Blazer", "Made in Hong Kong", and "Roxanne", where he took on various roles like rhythm guitar, bass, and lead vocals. 5. His musical influences included bands like "Thin Lizzy" and "Led Zeppelin". 6. In 1979, Joey adopted the stage name "Joey Tempest," inspired by both Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and the song "Sparks of the Tempest" by the band "Kansas". 7. Together with guitarist John Norum, bassist Peter Olsson, and drummer Tony Reno, he formed the band "Force", which later evolved into "Europe". (Photo: Fanart.TV) 8. "Force" gained recognition in the Stockholm suburbs and changed their name to "Europe" after winning the Rock-SM music competition in 1982. 9. "Europe" released their self-titled debut album in 1983, containing songs like "In the Future to Come" and "Seven Doors Hotel" which was the first single for the band and one of the first songs Joey ever wrote, inspired by the Italian horror film "The Beyond". 10. Already at this point Joey was the main songwriter for the band, writing all songs, lyrics and music, except one instrumental track. 11. In 1984 the band released their second studio album "Wings of Tomorrow", setting the foundation for their rock sound. Again Joey wrote all tracks except an instrumental track written by John Norum. 12. Four singles were released from this album, including "Dreamer" and "Open Your Heart" (which will be re-recorded for the album "Out of This World"). 13. The huge breakthrough came in 1986 with the band's third album "The Final Countdown" which propelled Europe to international stardom, with the title track becoming a worldwide hit. 14. Again Tempest penned all of Europe's biggest hits from that album, including "Rock the Night" "Cherokee", "Danger on the Track", "Carrie" and the iconic "The Final Countdown". 15. Judging only by the outtake from the album - "On Broken Wings", then this album was just perfect. 16. "Europe" continued to release albums like "Out of This World" (1988), "Prisoners in Paradise" (1991), and then went on a hiatus in 1992 after a farewell concert. 17. In 1995, Joey Tempest released his solo debut album, "A Place to Call Home," showcasing his singer-songwriter skills and selling well both in Sweden and internationally. 18. "Azalea Place" followed in 1997, exploring more experimental and improvised musical territories. 19. "Joey Tempest," his third solo album, was released in 2002 and demonstrated his continued evolution as a musician. 20. Outside of "Europe", Joey contributed to various projects, Including on his friend John Norum's "Face the Truth" album and writing and producing for artists like Tone Norum - John Norum's sister. 21. "Europe" made a comeback in 2004 with "Start from the Dark"ת followed by the albums "Secret Society" (2006), "Last Look at Eden" (2009), "Bag of Bones" (2012), "War of Kings" (2015), "Walk the Earth" (2017). 22. In Addition to the 11 Studio albums with "Europe" Joey released 'with the band an EP, 5 Compilations albums, and 8 Live Albums, On of the is "Almost Unplugged" from 2008, containing stripped-down versions of "Europe" songs and some covers songs of "Pink Floyd", "Led Zeppelin", "Thin Lizzy", "UFO" and more. 23. Joey Tempest resides in London with his wife Lisa Worthington and their children, James Joakim and Jack Johnston Larsson. 24. He does not have any social media pages apart from the official ones for "Europe" listed on their website. 25. Known for his charismatic stage presence, beautiful writing ability, and powerful vocal range, he continued to be a significant presence in the music industry. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Today, August 19, is John Deacon's birthday!!! (Photo: iheart.com) Here are Some interesting facts about "Queen"'s bass player: 1. John's first job was distributing newspapers. 2. On "Queen"'s debut album his name was written as "Deacon John". It was an idea of drummer Roger Taylor who thought it would sound more interesting and Deacon agreed. 3. In addition to his involvement in writing and performing the songs John was also involved in the financial management of "Queen". Rumor has it that he continues to be involved in Queen's business side even today. 4. For most of his years with "Queen" John played "Fender Precision Bass". 5. Before joining the band he studied electronics at Chelsea College London. 6. John is known as an avid fan of fried peanuts. 7. In 1972 he created the amplifier "Deaky Amp" which Brian May used throughout His career in "Queen". The amplifier got its name from the nickname that John had among the band members "Deaky". 8. The death of Freddie Mercury greatly affected him and in 1997 he finally retired from the music business and did not continue with "Queen" like Brian May and Roger Taylor. 9. His last appearance as a full member of the band "Queen" was during the Freddie Mercury Tribute Show held on April 20, 1992. 10. John has written at least one song in every band album since the third and is responsible for creating quite a few hits like: "Misfire", "You're My Best Friend", "Another One Bites The Dust", "I Want to Break Free" and many more good ones. 11. He wrote the song "You're My Best Friend" for his wife Veronica Tetzlaff. In the song, he plays on an electric piano which he learned to play right before he wrote the song. 12. At "Queen's" shows John had a small bar hidden behind his amplifier which contained a variety of wines, beers, and soft drinks. 13. In 2013 a new strain of dragonfly was discovered in Brazil and the name given to it is "Heteragrion johndeaconi" after John. 14. The only thing John wanted to hear on his monitor at "Queen's" shows was Roger Taylor's snare drum and hi-hat. 15. In 1985 he bought a Porsche, had an accident with it, and lost his driver's license. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website