On October 28, 1977, "Queen" released their sixth studio album "News of the World". The album marked a sharp transition from the symphonic and progressive rock of previous albums, to basic and simple rock. With the rise of punk rock in the UK and especially the success of bands like the Sex Pistols, the band realized it needed to "go with the flow" and made a conscious decision to spontaneously change their musical style to more basic and simple rock, with as minimalist production as possible. The band entered the "Sarm West" and "Wessex" studios in London to record the album. At the same time, the "Sex Pistols" recorded the album "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" at "Wessex Studios", which was also released on the same day with great timing. This neighborhood of Oueen's to punk-rock pioneers led to bizarre encounters between members of the two bands, the best known of which is the encounter between Freddie Mercury and Sid Vicious who stung Freddie and asked if he had already managed to bring the "ballet" to the masses. Freddie of course did not remain obligated and during an NME interview called Sid Vicious "Simon Ferocious" and replied that he and the band were doing their best (bringing the ballet to the masses). The material written for the album is more eclectic and diverse and ranges from a variety of musical styles, from stadium rock of the immortal songs " We Will Rock You " and " We Are the Champions ", through the punk-rock of " Sheer Heart Attack ", blues-rock in the song " Sleeping on the Sidewalk ", to Funk influences (" Get Down, Make Love "), jazz (" My Melancholy Blues ") and even Latin (" Who Needs You "). This diversity is also reflected in the partition of writing between the band members and has a larger contribution by Roger Taylor and John Deacon who each wrote two songs for the album. The album features two of the band's greatest hits: The opening song " We Will Rock You " was written by Brian May following a dream he had. He recalled that during one of the band's performances, the audience sang the anthem of the Liverpool football team "You'll Never Walk Alone". That night he went to bed while pondering what could cause the audience to actively participate while playing the song in performances. The next morning he got up with the idea of a rhythm in his head, that would make the audience stamp their feet and clap along with the band. May thought of a simple 4/4 rhythm that was divided as follows: stamping, stamping, clapping, pausing. How simple and still so amazing! Because this song will become one of the greatest stadium anthems of all time. Immediately after that, comes another huge stadium hit - " We Are the Champions " written by Freddie Mercury back in 1975. Amazingly Mercury also claimed to have thought of football when he wrote the song. He thought of something fans would be able to connect to. He called this song my version of "I Did It My Way". By the way, the song was chosen as the most Catchiest Song Ever . We do not scribble it is scientifically determined. For more details about that, read here : Other interesting songs from the album: " Sheer Heart Attack " is a pure punk-rock song, written back in 1974 and was supposed to be included on the album of the same name, but the band did not finish writing it. In the demo version, Taylor sang the whole song, but the band decided that Freddie would sing the verse and Taylor only the chorus. Roger Taylor , who also wrote the song, also plays bass and rhythm guitar. " All Dead, All Dead " was written and sung by Brian May who also plays the piano. Brian May confirmed that the song was written following the death of his cat. " Spread Your Wings " was written by John Deacon but Freddie Mercury plays the piano in it. It's interesting to note that this is one of Queen's only songs with no background vocals. " Fight from the Inside " was written by Roger Taylor , who also sings and plays on almost all instruments including guitar alongside Brian May . This is one of the songs in which Slash was heavily influenced by its riffs. " Get Down, Make Love " which opens the other side of the vinyl was written by Freddie Mercury . It is interesting to note that the psychedelic sound heard during the song (starting at about 2:35) is not the result of synthesizers but of Brian May 's "Red Special" guitar which was connected to an electro-harmonics effect. " Sleeping on the Sidewalk " written and sung by Brian May is the only song in the band's catalog that was recorded in one take (except for the singing). Proof of this can be found in minor slips in John Deacon 's playing and Brian May 's laughter at the end of the song. The song does not include any Freddie Mercury contribution but he sang it in the band performances. The " Who Needs You " track is a little different in Queen's catalog. It was written by John Deacon who plays along with Brian May on Spanish guitar, May also plays on maracas and Mercury on a Cowbell. " It's Late " was written by Brian May and is also the last single released from the album. Brian May can be heard playing the "tapping" technique that will be known later from guitarist Eddie Van Halen 's playing and is already reflected in "Van Halen"'s debut album which came out four months later. History proves that May did it before, and Steve Hackett of "Genesis" even did it before him. By the way, this song was one of Kurt Cobain's favorites. The jazzy ending track whose name refers to the blues in general - is " My Melancholy Blues ". The song was written and composed by Mercury and deals with fame and what it brings with it. A personal and revealing song, with no guitars or background vocals. A perfect song to sign the album. By the way, we recommend the live version of songs from this album in the recordings from BBC Sessions, especially this song that features a solo by Brian May that does not exist on the album (we said no guitars). Listen here : The name of the album came from the name of a newspaper that came out in England. The cover was influenced by the October 1953 issue of the science fiction magazine "Astounding Science Fiction", when the character of the man holding the robot was replaced with the characters of the band members. Roger Taylor kept a copy of the magazine and really liked the picture. He turned to illustrator Frank Kelly Freas who painted the cover and asked him for permission to use the image for the band's album. He agreed and replaced the character of the dead man with the characters of the band members. Later the robot was also given the name "Frank". It is one of Queen's most successful and best-selling albums in the United States along with the album " The Game ". For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On October 28, 1975 (though some sources suggest dates ranging from late October to early November), Mike Oldfield  released his third album, “Ommadawn”. After the overwhelming success of " Tubular Bells " and the more introspective “Hergest Ridge,” Oldfield retreated even deeper into solitude to create one of the most personal, spiritual, and musically transcendent albums of his career, showcasing his mastery of world music influences. It was a record born from grief, isolation, and an unquenchable need for artistic liberation. Recorded at “The Beacon,” his remote home studio in Herefordshire, “Ommadawn” was both a reaction to the pressure of fame and an escape from the world’s noise. Oldfield, who played nearly every instrument himself, built a sonic universe from traditional folk sounds, African percussion, Celtic melodies, and haunting choral layers. The recording sessions stretched over several months, marked by personal turmoil and a drive for perfection. Oldfield’s mother passed away shortly after he had begun recording, a tragedy that cast a long shadow over the process. Later, he recalled that working on the album became his only source of comfort — a way to channel grief into creation and turn loss into sound. Every tone, every beat, every harmony was carefully sculpted — sometimes obsessively — until it resonated with raw emotion and healing. As with Oldfield's first two albums, “Ommadawn” is a single same-titled composition divided into Part One and Part Two, each designated to a single side of the LP. The structure enhances the immersive journey, giving the listener the sense of an evolving narrative rather than a collection of separate songs. Supporting Oldfield’s vision were a few key collaborators who added distinct textures and character to the work. His sister Sally Oldfield contributed ethereal backing vocals that glide across the mix, while his brother Terry Oldfield added haunting panpipes passages that deepen the album’s pastoral tone. Pierre Moerlen, already known for his work with “Gong,” brought his distinctive drumming and percussive sophistication, adding rhythmic precision and a subtle world-music energy that perfectly complements the African drum players and Oldfield’s layered arrangements. " Ommadawn (Part One) " begins softly, like the mist rising over green hills. Acoustic guitars shimmer against a backdrop of recorders and gentle choral voices. As the layers unfold, the pastoral calm gives way to rhythmic tension — African drums, pipes, and Oldfield’s electric guitar erupt into a soaring, cathartic climax that embodies both sorrow and release. This section remains one of his most breathtaking achievements: intricate yet organic, powerful yet intimate. " Ommadawn (Part Two) " opens in contrast, returning to reflection and stillness. The melodies are folk-inflected, guiding the listener through a landscape of light after the storm. Towards its close, " On Horseback " appears — a simple, almost childlike song sung by Oldfield himself with the help of a children's choir. What might seem naïve on the surface carries a deep message: after the emotional odyssey of the album, the joy of life itself feels newly rediscovered. Children’s laughter, soft flutes, and acoustic strumming bring the journey to a peaceful, heartwarming close. Upon its release, “Ommadawn” was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart. Many saw it as Oldfield’s most emotionally complete work — a bridge between the structured innovation of “ Tubular Bells ” and the ethereal beauty of later albums like “Incantations.” Decades later, he would return to its spirit on “Return to Ommadawn” (2017). “Ommadawn” stands as a timeless testament to musical purity — an album that feels handcrafted, spiritual, and deeply human. It’s not just a record to be heard, but one to be felt — a journey through solitude, pain, and transcendence, emerging into light. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

He is a musician, charismatic singer, and one of the most complicated people, Scott Weiland was born on October 27, 1967. Let's get to know him a little more... (Photo: medium.com) 1. He was born by the name Scott Richard Kline. 2. His last name was changed at age 5 after being adopted by the Weiland family. 3. Scott grew up and was educated as a Catholic. This education will accompany him also during his adult life and in 2011 he will release a compilation album of Christmas songs. 4. He was a high school football player. 5. Scott was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. 6. For most of his adult life Scott was addicted to drugs and alcohol, he went in and out of rehab many times, and the same he did with prisons. His behavior due to addictions affected his work with the bands he was a member of and often created difficulties and problems. 7. Beyond being best known as a singer for "Stone Temple Pilots" and the supergroup "Velvet Revolver", he also developed a solo career during which he released three studio albums, two cover albums, and a live performance album. 8. On stage Scott was a charismatic, ostentatious, and chaotic character. (Photo: Noel Vasquez) 9. Thanks to his vocal and versatile talent, he entered the Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists by Hit Parader list. 10. One of his big influences was musician David Bowie . 11. Scott mentioned the bands "Pixies", "The Flaming Lips" and "The Beatles" as his favorites. 12. In 1986 Scott formed with his childhood friends Corey Hicock and David Allin a band, which after aseveralexchanges formed a lineup that included guitarist Dean DeLeo , bassist Robert DeLeo , and drummer Eric Kretz, in addition to Scott. 13. In 1990 the same band already named "Mighty Joe Young" enters the studio and records their first demo. 14. About a year later the band ssigneda records contract with the Atlantic company and eenteredthe studio to record their debut album "Core" . 15. During the recordings, the band receives a message from its lawyer that there is a blues artist named Mighty Joe Young and the band is forced to change its name to "Stone Temple Pilots". (Photo: Atlantic) 16. The band members chose the name "Stone Temple Pilots" following stickers of the well-known oil company STP that adorned their rehearsal room. 17. During the tour of the album "Core" Scott was forgotten in Atlanta when he got off the band bus to buy cigarettes. The bus continued south to Florida and only after halfway drive was it discovered that Scott was not on the bus. 18. Scott was using a megaphone as a vocal effect during STP performances. 19. In 1995 Scott formed "The Magnificent Bastards" which recorded only two songs. The song "Mockingbird Girl" tas part of the soundtrack of the movie "Tank Girl" and a cover of the song "How Do You Sleep?" by John Lennon . 20. On November 20, 2000, Scott was invited to the VH1 Storytellers program with "The Doors" (minus Jim Morrison of course), in which he performed two of the band's songs with them: "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" and "Five to one". 21. Later he also recorded with STP a version of the song "Break on Through (To the Other Side)", which opened the tribute album "Stoned Immaculate to" for "The Doors" which was released in 2000. 22. In 2002, STP disbanded following severe disagreements between Scott and the DeLeo brothers. That same year ex-Guns members: Slash , Duff McKagan , M and att Sorum with guitarist Dave Kushner were looking for a singer for their new band. Scott joined them and together they formed "Velvet Revolver". (Photo: musicradar.com) 23. Scott already knew some of Guns members since he trained at the same gym with Duff, was at the same rehab facility with Matt, and played in a few shows with Dave. 24. Scott has released two albums with "Velvet Revolver": "Contraband" (2004) and "Libertad" (2007). 25. In 2006 Scott founded a record company called SoftDrive Records. 26. In 2007 Scott's brother died of heart disease. Scott wrote the songs "For a Brother", and "Pills, Demons & Etc". From the album "Libertad" in memory of his brother. 27. In 2008 Scott signed a distribution contract with Bug Music that allowed him to receive funding to create various projects including writing new music and his part in the STP catalog. 28. In 2009, Scott announced the launch of a clothing collection under the "Weiland for English Laundry" brand. 29. In 2010 STP's sixth and final album was released with Scott named "Stone Temple Pilots",when in 2013 the band finally and officially announced that they were “terminating” their relationship with Scott in light of tensions and confrontations between him and the rest of the band. 30. In 2011 Scott's autobiography "Not Dead & Not for Sale" was published in collaboration with David Ritz. 31. An autobiography reveals that Scott was raped at the age of 12 by an adult who invited him to his home, he repressed that memory until his later years, but it floated in one of the rehab treatments he underwent. 32. In 2015 he formed the supergroup "Art Of Anarchy" together with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns) and John Moyer (Disturbed). The band released an album of the same name that year. 33. In 2017 after Scott's death "Art Of Anarchy" released another album called "The Madness" where already Scott was the singer, Scott Stapp who is familiar to us from the band "Creed". 34. On December 3, 2015, Scott was found lifeless (probably as a result of an overdose) on the bus of his tour, which happened several hours before he was scheduled to take the stage in Minnesota. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Sneak Peek... It is not by chance that this album is called "Full Circle" , it is the band's first album after a break of eight years but also it's last. A closing album of a band that scattered stardust gained fame, touched the sky, and crashed violently on the ground, due to a singer being unable to hold himself, decomposed from chemicals, causing the band to disintegrate. It may sound a little extreme, but many of us, and we allow ourselves to say it, are a little pleased with it, since that is what led to the birth of the band "Alter Bridge". Creed's fourth and final album was released on October 27, 2009, the first album since the band disbanded in 2004. A time when Scott Stapp was trying to find a way back to life and the rest of the band formed for them one of the great bands of the modern age. Three singles came out of the album, "Overcome", "Rain" and "A Thousand Faces" . Despite mixed reviews from critics as well as fans, the album reached number two on the Billboard 200, selling more than 100,000 copies in its first week. So if you want to cuddle up to what was clicked on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On October 27 "Triumph" released their tenth and last album "Edge of Excess". The album marked the beginning of the end for "Triumph", since it was the first album not to feature Rik Emmett on guitar and lead vocals, leaving Gil Moore as the sole lead vocalist. We always said the "Triumph's" added value is the fact that they have two excellent lead vocalist who enrich the band sound and allow them to be more versatile writing their musical material. With Rik Emmett 's departure "Triumph" lost their added value and more. Known for his virtuosic guitar work, smooth vocals, and songwriting, Emmett had been central to "Triumph's" signature sound. His decision to leave in 1988, due to artistic and business differences, left "Triumph" with a significant gap, impacting both the band’s creative dynamics and their fan base’s expectations. Emmett’s blend of progressive rock elements, soaring vocals and melodic sense had always added depth and diversity to "Triumph’s" music, setting them apart from typical hard rock bands. Without him, the band faced an identity shift, with "Edge of Excess" representing their attempt to reforge a path forward. After a few years of inactivity, Moore and bassist Mike Levine recruited session Canadian guitarist Phil X (In his first recording as a member of a band) to replace Emmett. Phil X’s addition brought undeniable energy and talent, yet his playing style leaned toward a straightforward, gritty hard rock approach, contrasting Emmett's nuanced, multi-genre technique. Not only that, but Phil X only played guitar leaving Gil Moore to sing all vocal duties. This shift changed "Triumph's" landscape, favoring harder-edged riffs and a raw, blues-inflected style over the intricate compositions and guitar and vocal harmonies fans expected. This contributed to the album's overall heavier, darker tone, aligning "Triumph" with early ’90s rock trends but losing some of the adventurousness that Emmett brought. Opening with “ Child of the City ,” the album instantly throws listeners into a grittier atmosphere, as Phil X’s guitar riffs drive a rawer, punchier edge. His playing throughout the album adds an aggressive flair that shifts "Triumph" away from their traditional melodic style. The change of style brought with it an almost complete loss of identity. Tracks like “ Turn My Head ” and “ Troublemaker ” (featured in the 1992 movie "Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth") are riff-heavy, straightforward rockers that feel infused with the influences of bands like "Guns N' Roses" and "Van Halen". " Riding High Again " riff sounds a bit like "Metallica's" "Enter Sandman", “ Love in a Minute ” reveal a push for anthemic riff Like "AC/DC", all reflecting the era’s hard rock. Even the album two ballads, " It's Over " and " Somewhere Tonight " sound like "Guns" meets "Bon Jovi". In sum, "Edge of Excess" is a bold experiment, but it is lacking the classic "Triumph" touch. Sadly, with the departure of Rik Emmet "Triumph" lost it's identity. They tried to navigate through a changing rock landscape without its compass, but got lost on the way. No wonder it was the last album of this Great band. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

October 26, 1981 is a historic day for "Iron Maiden". Today in 1981, Bruce Dickinson first appeared on stage with the band at the "Palasport" hall in Bologna, Italy. (Photo: Maidenrevelations.com) Bruce Dickinson officially joined the band exactly one month earlier, on September 26, 1981. Read more about Bruce's selection process here : The choice of Bruce Dickinson was quick, decisive and absolute. To put it bluntly, Paul DiAnno made his last appearance with the band on September 10 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the band officially announcing Bruce's joining the band about two weeks later. A few days after the dismissal of Paul DiAnno and after Bruce's successful audition for the band, Dickinson was offered the role of singer, when along with the announcement he was told that he has a month to prepare for his first live show with the band. "Iron Maiden" was scheduled to perform for 5 days in a row in Italy, the first of which was as mentioned in the "Palasport" hall in the city of Bologna on October 26, 1981. It was not a simple job at all. Bruce had to learn about 20 songs played during the tour in a very short time. But "Bruce almighty" took the stage that night in Bologna and simply burned it to the ground. The band played a set of 17 songs, when at the end of the show called to the stage, time after time, for no less than three encores, the last of which was "I've Got The Fire" by "Montrose". Amazingly this live show was documented on video. Admittedly the quality is awful, but you can still learn from it about Bruce's amazing performance and his tremendous voice. This is an equally historic moment, which if not worth watching, then at least listening, here: At the end of the show it was very clear to the rest of the band members that they had made the right choice and that Bruce Dickinson was the right singer for "Iron Maiden". Bruce's joining "Iron Maiden" will elevate the band to new heights and make it the greatest metal band of all time. List of songs played that evening: 01. Sanctuary 02. Purgatory 03. Wrathchild 04. Twilight Zone 05. Remember Tomorrow 06. Genghis Khan 07. Killers 08. Another Life 09. Innocent Exile 10. Running Free 11. Murders In The Rue Morgue 12. Phantom Of The Opera 13. Iron Maiden Encore: 14. Transylvania 15. Drifter Encore 2: 16. Prowler Encore 3: 17. I've Got The Fire (Montrose Cover) "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Last week we celebrated "Morning View" birthday and today we are talking about the album that comes before it, the breakthrough album "Make Yourself" by the band "Incubus" which was released on October 26, 1999. Here are some facts about the album: 1. This is the band's third album, but the first to put them on the album charts. 2. After only two weeks of working on the album, the band members were no longer satisfied with their producer, so they fired him a continued by themselves. 3. Only at the mix stage of the album they add producer Scott Litt (who produced the REM albums) and he brought his contribution to the finish of the album. 4. On this album, the band tried to make their music more accessible and melodic, compared to the previous two albums which were very eclectic and diverse. 5. Until the release of this album, no song by the band was played on US radio stations and this is their third album !! 6. The first single from the album was "Pardon Me" . This song was not really successful at the beginning and in fact, the radio stations did not play it at all. Brandon Boyd and Mike Einziger decided to perform an acoustic version of the song while hosted on various radio stations promoting the album. The acoustic version gained momentum, there was a crazy demand from listeners to play the song and many radio stations started playing it, including the famous radio station The World Famous KROQ. 7. After the success of the acoustic version of "Pardon Me", the radio stations also started playing the electric version of the song which further increased the exposure to the album. In order to support the increasing exposure of the album, the band released a music video for the song, which was a success on MTV. 8. The second single from the album was "Stellar" which along with the music video on MTV won a lot of air time. 9. But... 10. The big breakthrough of the album came with the release of the third single “Drive” (which came out almost a year after the album's release). The song went directly into 3rd place in the alternative chart and from there climbed to first place, where it stayed for 6 consecutive weeks. In addition, it reached the top ten in the Billboard 100 singles chart. It was this single that led to the band's big break into the mainstream. 11. We will never forget the clip for the song where Brandon sits on the wooden floor and paints a self-portrait while the band members play. 12. The album has a number of other unusual and amazing songs in nature such as: the mesmerizing "Warmth" , the rough "When It Comes" , the exciting "I Miss You" and the bouncy "Consequence" . 13. Simultaneously with the release of the album, the band performed with every headline band that they could put their hands or instruments on, among others, they performed with: Primus, Buckethead, System Of A Down, Mr. Bungle, Deftones, and the famous Ozzfest. 14. This album is part of the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list. So now you must listen to the album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

The album "No. 4" , the fourth "Stone Temple Pilots" was released on October 26, 1999 !! This album comes after a forced break the band has taken since the release of the album "Tiny Music… Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop", three years earlier. In early 1992, cracks began to form in the band, which only expanded over the years, largely due to Scott Weiland 's severe drug addiction problem. This rift widened and reached its peak after the release of the album "Tiny Music..." in 1996. Scott's growing addiction, behavioral problems, and inability to function pushed the other three members to form a side project in the meantime, hoping they could return to function as a band after Scott regained consciousness. Together with singer Dave Coutts from the band "In Inch Man", they formed a new band called "Talk Show" and even released an album bearing the band's name in 1997. Scott who felt a kind of resentment against his friends over the move slandered them in the media but took the time to fight his severe addiction. As part of the cleanup process, he worked on his first solo album "12 Bar Blues" which was released in March 1998 and received good reviews. (Photo: medium.com) But apparently, time really heals the wounds because the four friends have managed to transcend themselves, resolve their differences, and return to work together in early 1998. The reunion instilled in the band positive energies that the four members poured into the writing process. Scott described the process as positive, with all the songs being written by all the members together in the studio. He noted that the legendary producer who regularly worked with the band, Brendan O'Brien, pushed them to put their heart and soul into the piece. Bassist Robert DeLeo noted that Scott was as clear and focused as in the days of his debut album "Core" and this pushed the band to create with positive energies. It should be noted that at that time quite a few rock bands chose to change style and even experiment a bit with synthesizers and electronics. Examples can be found on "Smashing Pumpkins' "Adore" album and "Bush's" "The Science Of Things" album that came out on the very same day. To this must be added the fact that the band's previous album "Tiny Music..." from 1996 was also quite experimental and different from the band's basic DNA. Despite this and perhaps because of this, the band members consciously chose to return to their roots, to the basic guitar rock, and worked on creating a heavy album similar to the debut album “Core”. And the result was accordingly. "No. 4" is a live and kicking guitar rock album. You can already hear it from the opening track "Down" which is also the leading single from the album. The heavy opening riff and saw with the guitar deliberately tuned down, is a statement of intent by the band on what we are going to get next. The second track "Heaven & Hot Rods" is remarkably reminiscent of the sound, vibe, and rhythm of "Sex Type Thing", the second track from the album "Core". The attack continues with songs like "No Way Out" , "Glide" which is one of the best songs on the album, written as a tribute to the garage band "MC5" (not Grunge) from the '60s and with "Sex & Violence" who all continue to correspond with the album "Core". True, this album also has the pop / rocky "Pruno" and the slightly "trippy" that is reminiscent of what the band did on the previous two albums, the relatively calm and quiet "Sour Girl" and the moving ballad "Atlanta" both written about the breakup of Scott's relationship with his first wife Janina Castaneda, but the heart of this album lies deeper in the rough guitar rock of the early 90s than with the commercial wave that attacked the alternative bands at the end of the decade. Unfortunately shortly after the album was released Scott returned to prison again and spent a year there on drug possession and violating the terms of his previous release. Under these circumstances, the band could not promote the album through a proper tour. The demons from the past reopened the cracks that had just been reunited, but the band managed to continue on its fuel vapor for one more album "Shangri-La Dee Da" before splitting up again in 2002 until the 2008 reunion album. VH1 Channel documented the album on the Storytellers program recorded in 2000 in which the band members play and narrate the album. The album "No. 4" marked the beginning of the end and is probably also the band's last good album, which failed to recreate in the current lineup its great moments left somewhere in the 90s. Listen to the album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

"Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory", the fifth studio album of "Dream Theater", was released October 26, 1999 This is the band's first concept album and without a doubt one of it's greatest. The album that opened with the metronome rhythm, that alternates from right to left ear and back again, undoubtedly put listeners and fans into complete hypnosis, as one could no longer remain indifferent in the face of this amazing and ambitious work. The tragic story of love, betrayal, murder and reincarnation is undoubtedly a masterpiece in the prog-metal genre. It opens in the present when Nicholas, a troubled man that visits a hypnotist. Through regression therapy, Nicholas learns about his past life and we learn about the reason he came for therapy ( Strange Deja Vu ). The anesthetized Nicholas first meets Victoria Page, learning about her brutal 1928 murder and her love triangle with Senator Edward Baines ( The Miracle ) and his brother Julian Baines ( The Sleeper ). He realizes that the reason for the strange dreams that befell him was a kind of call for help from Victoria who wants the truth about her murder to be revealed. Through newspaper reports, stories from an old man ( Fatal Tragedy ) and memories sent from his subconscious, Nicholas slowly puts together the tragic puzzle. He realizes he was Victoria in his previous life and they actually share the same soul ( Through My Words ). He also learned that the love of Victoria and Julian brought them south, where Victoria had an affair with his brother, the senator. When the couple reconciles, the enraged Edward commits a double murder, which he successfully drops on Julian as suicide and murder. Although he is broken and sad by the sensational revelation of Victoria's tragic fate, the story brings Nicholas peace of mind that he did not have for a long time. He also understands that death is not the end, and for evidence, he continues as an incarnation of Victoria's soul ( The Spirit Carries On ). (Photo: This Day In Metal) Encouraged by the thought of spiritual continuity Nicholas returns home and turns the TV on. There is a report about the death of John F. Kennedy. To distract himself from the news Nichols put a record on the turntable. A door opens, and a burglar enters ... the hypnotist says "Open your eyes Nicholas ...", Nicholas panting shouts, the needle is blown off the record, and a static noise ..... The conclusion from this ending is that the hypnotist is in fact the reincarnation of Edward's soul and after he murdered Nicholas the circle of life was closed again. The end of this story is also the beginning of the band's next album, as the static noise at the end of the album opens the song " Glass Prison " from the album " Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence " and this is the start of a continuous chain, where the ending of the album "Six Degrees" is identical to the opening of the next album etc... "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory" is actually a sequel to "Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper", from the band's second album: " Images and Words ". Guitarist John Petrucci added "Pt. 1" to the song title as a comic act, and at the time he did not really thought that there would be a second part. This is without a doubt a complex album in terms of the plot story. The contribution of the four lyricists ( Mike Portnoy , John Petrucci , John Myung , and vocalist James LaBrie ) helped to create a wonderfully cohesive narrative. Also in terms of playing and composition, it is a masterpiece, there is no other way to describe it. In this album, the band has reached insane levels of playing and creation. The instrumental track " Overture 1928 " presents the musical themes we will encounter throughout the album, such as " The Dance of Eternity ", " One Last Time " and more. From there we move on from an unforgettable musical odyssey to each other, all of which blend in perfectly with the plot story. Throughout the album the band keeps us in suspense, always surprising, always challenging, and always doing the unexpected. " Fatal Tragedy ", is a heavy song with a strong gothic influence, ending with a long instrumental section. The hypnotist then leads us directly to the even heavier " Beyond This Life ", which teaches us what the newspaper reported on Victoria's murder. After 11 minutes of madness, we finally get a chance to relax a bit with " Through Her Eyes " and John Petrucci 's heartbreaking guitar and with guest singer Theresa Thomason. The sixth part of the work " Home " is without a doubt one of the best tracks on the album and perhaps also one of the best in the band's repertoire. This song also corresponds with " Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper ". From there we continue to the seventh part " The Dance of Eternity " an instrumental track with virtuoso playing that drops the listener's jaw, even compared to the high standards of this amazing band. The eighth part " The Spirit Carries On " is one of the band's melodic pieces and probably also the "hit" of the album, as far as this word can be used in the same sentence with "Dream Theater". This exciting track which also features a gospel choir, forms a hallway to the finale track “ Finally Free ” which reveals the truth about Victoria’s death and features an amazing Mike Portnoy playing that amplifies the epic ending of the album. It's interesting to note that this is the band's first album with the virtuoso keyboardist Jordan Rudess , which already here show his insane abilities and how much he influences the sound and style of the band. This album is without a doubt one of the band's creative highlights and is a prog-metal classic. A must-have album for any metalhead and progger, beginner or veteran. For Listening : Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On October 25, 1968, "The New Yardbirds" made their debut under the new name "Led Zeppelin". (Photo: Jimmy Page on Twitter) The performance was held at the "University of Surrey" in England. On what led to the choice of the name "Led Zeppelin" and the timing, read here: So our story begins on March 25, 1965, the day Eric Clapton decides to leave The Yardbirds. The departure is attributed to the band's breakthrough hit "For Your Love" and the fact that Clapton, a bluesiest at heart and soul, disliked the commercial line he claimed "The Yardbirds" had adopted. Clapton joined "John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers", not long before recommending a talented young studio player named Jimmy Page as his replacement. The young Page who feared being in the middle of intrigue and politics that cause Clapton's departure, recommended Jeff Beck as a replacement and indeed Beck made his live debut with "The Yardbirds" just two days after Eric Clapton 's departure. Although page politely declined to join the band, he maintained contact with Beck and the other members of the "Yardbirds". In May 1966 Jeff Beck entered the studio and recorded the instrumental piece "Beck's Bolero", which would 10 months later become Beck's first "hit" as part of his solo career. Jimmy Page , Keith Moon , and John Paul Jones were present in the studio during the recordings. This recording introduces Page to the idea of ​​forming a supergroup that will include himself, Jeff Beck , Keith Moon , John Entwistle and Steve Winwood. When John Entwistle heard the idea he immediately said that this "supergroup" would fall just like a lead balloon and Keith Moon sharpened the sentence noting that they will fall like "Lead Zeppelin". Although all the musicians continued with their original bands, Keith Moon 's words were burned in Jimmy Page 's memory and they would pop up at the right time and in the right place, two years later. About a month after the recording of "Beck's Bolero", "The Yardbirds' bassist Paul Samwell-Smith abandons the show, during a performance at "Queen's College" in Oxford, while intoxicated. Jimmy Page who happens to be in the audience stepped up to the stage and replaces him playing bass guitar. After the show everyone agrees that Page will continue to play bass for the band, until guitarist Chris Dreja learns the bass roles and moves on to playing the instrument. Jimmy Page later became the band's second guitarist alongside Jeff Beck , who officially left the band in November 1966, to continue his solo career. The band continued as a quartet with Jimmy Page as the sole guitarist until July 1968, when the band made its final appearance. Drummer Jim McCarty and vocalist Keith Relf left the band due to musical disagreements, not before granting the band's name and all rights to Page and bassist Chris Dreja. The two saw this as an opportunity to form a new and fresh lineup and they began looking for new band members. Jimmy Page first approached Terry Reid to fill the role of lead singer, but due to a recording contract, he could not accept the role, but recommended a young and unknown singer at the time, named Robert Plant . Plant accepted the role and recommended his childhood friend drummer John Bonham . After Dreja left the band for a career in photography, Jimmy Page complied with John Paul Jones' request to accept him as the band's bass player. As you may recall, John Paul Jones has played with Jimmy Page in the past, including the same famous recording session "Beck's Bolero". Thus the new lineup was completed. On September 7, 1968, the band made their debut in Denmark under the name "The New Yardbirds" and continued their tour in Scandinavia and later in England. At the same time, the band entered the studio to record their first album, which will later be called "Led Zeppelin". During the tour, the band was notified of the legal breakup of "The Yardbirds". The announcement included a ban on using the band name. This happened around the time of the performance at Surrey University, with which we began this review. Having no choice, the band members had to think of an alternative name for the band. Page recalled the sarcastic remark of Keith Moon and John Entwistle and suggested the name "Lead Zeppelin." At the suggestion of the band's director Peter Grant, the word "Lead" was replaced with "Led", thus finally determining the band's name. However, the name change was made at the last minute and after the posters of the show at Surrey University had already been printed, so these still included the caption "New Yardbirds featuring Jimmy Page". At the same time, the band had time to replace the banner outside the "great hall" in Surrey, so it read: "Tonight! The Ex-Yardbirds" with "Led Zeppelin" written underneath in smaller font. In 2003 a poster of this historic show was sold for a fantastic sum of 2,400 Pounds. As mentioned, the poster reads the band's name as "New Yardbirds featuring Jimmy Page" and it carries the location of the show: "Surrey University" and the date: Friday 25 OCT. The setlist of this historic show included six songs: "Communication Breakdown", "I Can't Quit You Baby", "You Shook Me", "Dazed & Confused", "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" and "How Many More Times". About three months after the show on January 12, 1969, "Led Zeppelin" will release their first album and changed the rock world forever. It is interesting to note, that in 2008 Jimmy Page received an honorary doctorate from the same "Surrey" University for his contribution to the music industry. What's more interesting is Reg Jones' version of what happened that night. Jones was the lead singer of the band "The Way Of Life" in which John Bonham was also a member. He was the one who drove Bonham and Robert Plant to the show and this is what he said: "I drove John and Robert to their first engagement as "Led Zeppelin" in my Jaguar. It was at Surrey University in Guilford. There was a huge banner outside that read: 'Tonight! The Ex-Yardbirds' . Underneath in smaller lettering, it said 'Led Zeppelin'. After the gig, I couldn't start the Jaguar and we all came home on the train." "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

He is most famous as the drummer of the "Chilies" but he also writes and collaborates with many artists and he also has a "double", a very famous actor who resembles. Drummer Chad Smith was born on October 25, 1961, so here are some interesting facts about him... (Photo: Laura Glass) = He learned to play drums at the age of 7 and was very influenced by bands like: Rush, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin, and more... = One of the people who influenced his drumming style was Larry Fratangelo, a percussionist who played with him in one of the bands when he was a teenager. He exposed him to the Funk and R&B style. From there he started listening to drummers like: David Garibaldi, Jabo Starks, Clyde Stubblefield, and more... = In December 1988 after the band "Red Hot Chili Peppers" fired their drummer D.H. Peligro and auditioned to find a new drummer, Chad accepted the role. = A few months later in 1989, the band released their fourth but first album with Chad, the album "Mother's Milk". = Two years later the band's breakthrough album "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" was released. The album went straight into third place on the Billboard charts and has sold double-digit numbers of millions of copies to date. = After a number of guitarist exchanges in 1995, the band released their third album "One Hot Minute" with guitarist Dave Navarro . = In 1999 the band released their seventh and most successful album to date "Californication" when guitarist John Frusciante returned to the band. (Photo: Warner Music) = But after the release of the other two albums "By the Way" which came out in 2002 and "Stadium Arcadium" which came out in 2006 (and became the band's first album to take first place on Billboard) John again left the band. In 2011 the band released their tenth album "I'm With You" with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. = In 2012, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. = Four years later the band's 11th album "The Getaway" was released. = In 2019 the band announced John's return to the lineup after 10 years of absence. John's return apparently created an inexplicable electrochemical process that resulted in an unprecedented burst of creativity. The band members together with the producer Rick Rubin, created up to 50 songs with 40 of them planned to be released as one album consisting of more than 7 physical discs. The record company opposed the idea and finally reached an agreement with the band to release 34 songs over two different albums. = In 2022, the band released two albums (its 12th and 13th) with an interval of only 6 months from each other. The first "Unlimited Love" was released in April and the second "Return of the Dream Canteen" was released in October. Chad said that they always create and record more songs than what is finally released on the album and those songs are shelved or released as B-Sides, but this time they felt that all the songs were very good and that they did not want to shelve any of them. = In 2007 together with the famous "Deep Purple" bassist Glenn Hughes Chad formed a band called "Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats" which focused on punk and fusion. The band has released two studio albums "Meet the Meatbats" (2009), "More Meat" (2010), and a live performance album "Live Meat And Potatoes" (2012). = In 2008 Chad joined the crazy supergroup "Chickenfoot" which included Sammy Hagar (Van Helen), Joe Satriani (renowned guitarist), and Michael Anthony (Van Helen). The band released two studio albums "Chickenfoot" in 2009 and "Chickenfoot III" in 2011, as well as a live album "LV" in 2012. = In 2010 he released a children's album called “Rhythm Train” with singer Dick Van Dyke, an album that was highly acclaimed and successful. = During 2015-2019 he was part of the studio band "8G Band" in the famous guest show "Late Night with Seth Meyers" = From May 2018 he started broadcasting a radio show called "Volume West" together with broadcaster Lyndsey Parker on SiriusXM radio = Chad is considered one of the great and esteemed studio drummers, he has collaborated with a wide variety of artists such as: Johnny Cash, John Fogerty, Dixie Chicks, Jennifer Nettles, Kid Rock, and more... (Photo: Wagner Meier) = He recorded with Glenn Hughes four studio albums. = He recorded with Joe Satriani his 2018 album "What Happens Next". = He co-wrote and recorded all the drum roles on Ozzy Osbourne 's 12th album named "Ordinary Man" which came out in 2020. He recorded and co-wrote the album with Duff McKagan (Guns) and producer Andrew Watt. He again collaborated and recorded the drum role on almost all the songs on Ozzy's 13th album "Patient Number 9" released in 2022. = In 2021, he performed the role of drums in Miley Cyrus' cover of the song "Nothing Else Matters" as part of the thirtieth anniversary celebrations of Metallica's Black Album . = Later that year he joined Eddie Vedder' s solo live band along with Josh Klinghoffer (who was a guitarist in RHCP), producer Andrew Watt along with Glen Hansard on guitars, and Pino Palladino on bass. The band got its name from the last solo album Eddie released in 2022. = In 2022, Chad participated in the second tribute show for drummer Taylor Hawkins that took place in Los Angeles. (Photo: Michael Buckner) = Chad is very well known for the appearance resemblance he has with actor Will Ferrel, who is six years younger than him. After the noise created by the thing, the two appeared on "The Tonight Show" starring Jimmy Fallon and then held several charity shows together. (Photo: Douglas Gorenstein) "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On October 25, 1993, "Strange Highways", Dio's sixth studio album, was released. This is probably Dio's heaviest and darkest album, whose style is closer to "Black Sabbath" than to Dio's first albums. An album that many of the metal lovers and even Dio's fans probably skipped. It was released at a time when metal was getting a knockout from the grunge and the alternative genres and at a time when metal dinosaurs were considered archaic and less relevant. We're here to tell you that this is a good album, if it was just released at another time in Ronnie James Dio 's career, probably would have gotten more attention than the one he got at the time. The story of this album begins a few months after the release of "Black Sabbath's" excellent album " Dehumanizer ". Ronnie James Dio 's renewed and short affair with "Black Sabbath" came to a screeching halt in November 1992, just five months after the album " Dehumanizer " was launched. Dio left the band with a door slam, after his band mates ask him to go on a joint tour with Ozzy Osbourne and serve as his warm-up show. The plan was that during the show, Ozzy would go on stage and perform 4 songs with the band, but that was too much for Dio's ego, who simply abandoned the tour while in progress. Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice , who left "Sabbath" with him, began reuniting "Dio" band, since the lineup that accompanied the album " Lock Up the Wolves " from 1990 disbanded. Dio turns to his longtime friend, bassist Jimmy Bain , but in the end he choose Jeff Pilson, who is known, among other things, for his membership in "Dokken". For the X-Men position, Dio chooses guitarist Tracy Grijalva, known as Tracy G, a fairly anonymous guitarist until then. Tracy will have a significant impact on the sound and style of the album. This is the first Dio's lineup since the first album, that does not have 5 members and which does not include a keyboardist. This fact alone proves the radical musical line change. True, Jeff Pilson gets credit for playing keyboards, but these are minor "ornaments" that don't really impact the final outcome. By the way, Pilson did not got credit for singing on this album, but he "helps" Dio with background vocals, as he did in his previous band "Dokken". This can be best heard in the song "Hollywood Black" from the album, the second song in the video here: So as we mentioned above, this album is probably the heaviest and darkest of Dio's albums and it competes against the band's next album - " Angry Machines " for this title. In terms of the music, this album is much closer to the musical line of Dehumanizer , than a sequel to the band's previous album " Lock Up  the Wolves ". Dio noted that he was angry and furious at the time and this is certainly was reflected on the final product. The riffs are heavier, slower, gloomier, and sometimes even "grungier". The solos are more bluesy and Tracy G's playing is at times reminiscent of Tony Iommi . Jeff Pilson's formidable bass is also closer to Geezer Butler 's playing than Jimmy Bain 's who accompanied the band's first four albums. Listen to him in the song " Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost " for example and understand what we are talking about. But most of all, the change is reflected in Dio's singing. It is less reminiscent of his first albums. It's nervous, aggressive, angry, threatening and sometimes scary, just like it was on "Black Sabbath's" " Dehumanizer " album. Even the lyrics got a twist on this album. Dio abandons the worlds of fantasy, magic and dragons and moves on to discuss more mature and personal issues. The album opens with " Jesus, Mary & the Holy Ghost " with Tracy G's guitar howl leading us to one of the more special riffs we've heard on Dio's albums. And the bass, what a tremendous and powerful bass ... and how beautiful is the melodic transition section in the middle of the song that uses the children's prayer before bed: "Now I lay me down to sleep ...." And Tracy's solo here proves that he is not a bad guitarist at all, Both in terms of the sounds he produces from the guitar and in terms of his brilliant performance. Immediately after that comes " Firehead ", which opens up with Tracy Vs. Vinny's guitar-drum fight, moves to a slow, groovy and heavy riff and then, suddenly out of nowhere, surprises us at 2:18 with doubling the tempo after Tracy's brilliant solo, only to return to the heavy pace half a minute later. The theme song " Strange Highways " opens with Tracy's arpeggio and Dio's soft and melodic vocals that remind us of his first albums, but make no mistake, it was a brief flicker that creates a stark contrast to the album's "Doomy" style. That fact explodes in our faces with the gloomy and slow riff with and the heavy and thunderous drumming that comes just a minute into the song, while at 3:30 comes the beautiful and melodic transition section that connects to Tracy's brilliant solo. The fourth track " Hollywood Black " is a song that began on the Black" Sabbath's sessions for the album " Dehumanizer ", perhaps the closest to Dio's first albums, in terms of melody and vocals, minus the transition part. The first side of the album ends with " Evilution " with Philson's amazing bass work and Dio's vicious singing that sends chills through our bones. The other side of the vinyl opens with " Pain " one of our favorite songs on the album. Dio sounds just plain angry and intimidating, the riff is ragged and heavy and the drumming is powerful and cruel. The album continues with " One Foot in the Grave " which does increase the tempo a bit compared to its predecessor, but it's maybe the weakest on the album. Immediately after that comes the album's ballad in the form of " Give Her the Gun ", a dark song about sexual abuse that includes a lot of contrasts both in terms of melody and in terms of lyrics that in some do not match a ballad. And notice this, we think this is the first time we've heard the word "I Love You" in a Dio song. From there we move on to " Blood from a Stone " and Tracy's amazing shredding with Pilson's brilliant bass playing. Before the end comes " Here's to You ", the fastest song on the album on the verge of speed metal, and it seems to us that Dio decided to leave the anger behind towards the end of the album, and raise a glass with us before the storm of " Bring Down the Rain ". For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website