A Sneak Peek... On October 13, 1992 "4 Non Blondes" released their only album "Bigger, Better, Faster, More!" It's not a perfect album... not even close, but it did deliver one hit that we are sure you all know very well - " What's Up? ", which helped it sell like hotcakes, with 6 million copies worldwide. "There are times when we just have to take a deep breath and scream at the top of our lungs, "What's going on?" This is more or less what singer and guitarist Linda Perry felt when she wrote the song that was influenced by the political climate of that time. Contrary to what the first lines of the song say "Twenty-five years and my life is still..." Linda was 24 years old when she wrote the song. It was the second single from the album and it reached number one in many countries, but ironically not in the US. The album has other interesting rock tracks including the first single " Dear Mr. President ", also a kind of protest song about the hierarchy of power and government, and the third single " Spaceman " which Perry wrote in collaboration with bassist Christa Hillhouse. Shortly after the release of the album, during the recording of their second album, the band which started as pure "4 non blonde" girls, broke up. Before disbanding, "4 Non Blondes" managed to write the song "Mary's House" for the soundtrack of the movie "Wayne's World 2" from 1993 and also perform a cover version of "I'm the One" by "Van Halen" on the soundtrack of the movie "Airheads". They also contributed the song "Bless the Beasts and Children" to the "Carpenters" tribute album "If I Were a Carpenter" from 1994, as well as a performance of the song "Misty Mountain Hop" on the 1995 "Led Zeppelin" tribute album "Encomium". After the breakup of the band, Linda Perry became a writer of other artists' songs, including the hits "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera and "Get The Party Started" by Pink. For Listening: Spotify "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

He may be known to you as the energetic frontman of "Van Halen" but he is much more than that. Singer David Lee Roth is celebrating his birthday today and we are here to tell you some interesting facts about him: (Photo: Larry Hulst) 1. He was born in Bloomington, Indiana, the USA on October 10, 1954, to a traditional Jewish family. 2. David Lee Roth is a wild and energetic stage animal. He started performing as a teenager. One of the first bands was the "Red Ball Jets". 3. In 1973 he joined "Mammoth" formed a year earlier by the brothers - guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen . (Photo: Wallpapersden.com) 4. In 1974 the band changed its name to "Van Halen". It was David who suggested the name to the brothers. He thought this name would create a long-term identity as a brand name with artistic and marketing advantages. 5. The band has begun to establish its name in the Los Angeles club and pub scene, thanks to Dave's performance and guitarist Eddie Van Halen 's unique playing. 6. In 1976, Gene Simmons of "Kiss" discovered them and decided to produce a demo tape for them. Simmons passed the tape with a recommendation to the "Kiss" record company, but they foolishly replied that the band had no chance of succeeding. 7. In 1977, "Warner Bros." decided to Sign them on a recording contract. 8. The debut album "Van Halen" was released in 1978 and created a big sensation in the music world. 9. The attention the band received gave them the role of warm-up band in the tour of "Journey" and later of "Black Sabbath". They even managed to "steal the show" from both bands. 10. On the tour with "Journey" Dave managed to make singer Steve Perry cry, after a food fight that took place behind the scenes. 11. In the 1980s he belonged to a group that called itself "Jungle Studs" and went on extreme adventures around the world, including in the Amazon and Nepal. 12. In the late 1990s David was trained as a paramedic (EMT) and engaged in it also in the 2000s. In 2004 he even mentioned it in an interview with "People" magazine saying that being an EMT is a perfect job. 13. He is an eternal bachelor who has never married. He lived the life of a "Rock Star" to the end and not for nothing created the persona of "Diamond Dave". 14. He had a "bonus program" for his tour staff. He allowed each of them to hand out five backstage tickets. The person who handed out the ticket to someone Dave slept with won $ 100. 15. As a reckless bachelor he held an insurance policy for his semen. The policy is intended to indemnify him in the event of an unwanted pregnancy for a sum of one million dollars. Lloyds' London insurance is designed to cover child support in case Dave accidentally gets someone pregnant. 16. To maintain the body of a wild “rock star,” Dave did a lot of sports and among other things ran and finished the New York Marathon. 17. He also specializes in several martial arts, including "jujitsu", "kenjutsu" (sword fighting), and more. 18. Despite this, in 2003 he stopped an intruder who broke into his home with a shotgun. He detained him until the police arrived. 19. He wrote the lyrics to the hit "Jump" after watching the news about someone who threatened to commit suicide by jumping from a tall building. 20. David was the lead singer of "Van Halen" from 1974 to 1985, again in 1996, and from 2006 until its dissolution in 2020. During his membership in the band, he released 7 studio albums and a compilation album that included 2 new songs that were not included in any album. 21. In 2007 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the band "Van Halen". 22. In addition, he has released 6 studio albums and an EP during his solo career. Throughout his career, he has surrounded himself with talented musicians including guitarists Jason Becker and Steve Vai and bassist Billy Sheehan. (Photo: Fanart.tv) 23. Roth is also a businessman. He has a line of skincare products that protect tattooed skin. 24. Dave is also a visual artist who paints and executes and makes drawings in his spare time. In November 2020 he even released a 17-chapter online comic book called "The Roth Project", written and illustrated by him, and also painted the cover of the single "Giddy-Up" released from it. 25. In October 2021 David announced his retirement from the world of music, probably due to medical issues. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

She's one of the greatest vocalists of our generation, and not only is she a huge singer she's also a crazy musician and guitar player!! Lzzy Hale was born on October 10, 1983, so get some interesting facts about her and her band " Halestorm" ... (Photo: Stephen J. Cohen) 1. At the age of 5 she learned to play the piano when at a later stage she learned to play the Keytar (synthesizer with a track) and her brother Arejay learned to play the drums. 2. Only at the age of 16 did she learn to play the guitar. 3. In 1999 when she was 16, she and her brother released an EP called "Don't Mess With the Time Man". 4. In 2003 they added guitarist Joe Hottinger and their father Roger Hale on bass. 5. In 2004 bassist Josh Smith joined the band, a year later they signed a record deal with Atlantic Records and officially became the band Halestorm. (Photo: loudersound.com) 6. In 2006 they released their first official EP called "One and Done" which included 5 songs of a live performance. 7. In 2009 they released their debut album bearing the band's name. The first single from the album was "I Get Off" and it put the album in 40th place on the Billboard 200. 8. In 2012 the band released their second album "The Strange Case Of..." It can be said that this is the band's breakthrough album. The single "Freak Like Me" went straight to number one on the mainstream rock chart, the single "Here's to Us" was performed in the famous series Glee, and the single "Love Bites (So Do I)" gave the band a Grammy win in the Best Hard Rock / Metal Performance category. 9. This Grammy win in 2012 was the first time a band led by a woman was nominated and won the above category. 10. In March 2014, the band participated in a cover album as a tribute to Dio's works called "Ronnie James Dio - This Is Your Life". The band performed the song "Straight Through the Heart" on the album. 11. A year later the band released their third album "Into the Wild Life". The album continued the success of the previous album and reached number 5 on the Billboard 200. 12. In 2018, the band released their fourth album "Vicious" . The album reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 but topped the charts in other U.S. charts. Lzzy said it was the first album that could be felt as a band, a band made up of four people and not one person. 13. The band has released three EPs containing covers for the bands they grew up and adored. "Reanimate: The Covers EP" (2011), "Reanimate 2.0: The Covers EP" (2013), and "Reanimate 3.0: The Covers EP" (2017). 14. Lzzy is the lead writer and leader of the band, she has always said that she loves to write and create songs when she imagines them in a live show. She always likes to feel how the song will be expressed in the performance, this is what guides her in the work. 15. Talking about live shows... Halestorm is a band of live shows! They love to perform and try to perform as much as possible, their average performance per year is more than 250 performances, crazy. (Photo: ultimate-guitar.com) 16. In 2019 Gibson company created a special guitar signature named after Lzzy: Limited Edition Lzzy Hale Signature Explorer Outfit. An Epiphone Explorer model that Lzzy has used most of her career. 17. In August 2020, the band released a special EP. During the Corona period, in light of the distance, and the inability to meet and synchronize many instruments and elements, many artists took their songs, stripped them down, and created different performances on acoustic or digital instruments, performances that reveal their true talent and abilities. "Halestorm" did exactly that on the "Reimagined" EP. In this EP they take five big songs from their repertoire (and they have quite a few) and perform them in a slightly different way and style. 18. In 2021 Gibson announced Lzzy as the brand ambassador !! As the brand's ambassador, she will help create new signature models of Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer. It has also been added to the Gibson Advisory Board, where artists present philanthropic opportunities that fulfill the Gibson Foundation’s mission to create, develop, and support non-profit organizations to promote musicians, youth-focused education, and health initiatives. 19. Lzzy is known for her collaborations with other artists, her presence and vocal and stage give a different, exciting, and mesmerizing dimension. She has collaborated with: Shinedown, Black Stone Cherry, Stone Sour, Dream Theater, In This Moment, and many more. 20. In August 2021, Halestorm released a new single upon its release, Lzzy shared her mental struggles on social media. Lzzy noted that this is a personal song written from the perspective of her mental health. She said she was really "on the edge", but instead of letting herself sink in and dive into the darkness and depression, she decided to write a hard rock song so everyone could scream with it out loud and remember they are not alone. 21. In May 2022, the band released their fifth album "Back from the Dead" . Although it is only the band's fifth album, you can feel that the band has gone through a process of development. In 2025, the band released its excellent sixth album, "Everest," an album that, unlike its predecessors, was written entirely in the studio. Listen to the band's latest album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On October 10, 1969 "King Crimson" made history with their masterful debut album "In The Court Of The Crimson King". This album is nothing less than a Masterpiece. A simply perfect album in every way, which even after more than 50 sounds different, innovative, bold, and special as it sounds when it came out. It is one of the first albums in progressive rock and certainly one of the most important and influential in the genre. An album that no matter what style of music you like, you must have in your music library, period! It's hard to pinpoint one reason that makes this album so magical and special, because there is no such one. It was simply a cosmic, meteoric, and one-time encounter between several factors, which spawned this amazing and historic work. The combination of Robert Fripp 's insane genius, Greg Lake 's heavenly and caressing voice, Ian McDonald 's velvety mellotron sounds, and Michael Giles' mesmerizing drumming, is a musical miracle narrated through Peter Sinfield's dystopian and imaginative lyrics about a chaotic, cold, and alienated world. A meteoric fusion, between classical music, rock, psychedelia, blues, and jazz, that created the "big bang" that gave birth to the progressive rock genre. This album is so important and influential that even the members of "Genesis" hung it on the rehearsal room wall to constantly remind them where they should aim. (Photo: Michael Ochs) The album opens powerfully with " 21st Century Schizoid Man " and the crazy riff that combines Fripp's guitar and McDonald's brass instruments. The Riff was written by Lake and McDonald's even though all four members received credit for it. This riff accompanies us to Greg Lake 's powerful entrance with his monotonous singing that sounds as if it has gone through a distortion effect, but has actually been achieved by maximizing the gain on the console. Peter Sinfield's words are a combination of unrelated sentences that put us in the mind of a troubled person with dark images and references to the Vietnam War as follows: "Politicians' funeral pyre / Innocence raped with napalm fire". This song features an improvised and special passage called "Mirrors" and features one of Robert Fripp 's interesting solos on this album, which even former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said is his all-time favorite solo. Hard to believe but this song was recorded in one take after a strenuous rehearsal performed by the band. It is interesting to note that rapper Kanye West sampled this song as part of the song "Power" on his fifth album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy", which was released in 2010. The album cover painted by a good friend of Sinfield - Barry Godber probably shows the same Schizoid Man. Barry first listened to the recordings from the album and only then turned to paint the cover, having been inspired by his own reflection in front of his bathroom mirror. This is one of the most impressive and famous covers in the world of music which has really become a cultural icon and is synonymous with the album. "The Screaming Face", "The Album with the Face" or "The Screaming Red Face", that's what we used to call this masterful album thanks to that shaky cover. The second track " I Talk to the Wind " is the perfect negative for the opening song. A quiet, calm, pastoral, and mesmerizing song, which Ian McDonald composed to the words of Peter Sinfield. The song introduces us for the first time to the soft and caressing voice of Greg Lake and it opens with the flutes of McDonald's, who also plays the clarinet and piano as singing background vocals. Robert Fripp 's guitar touches with the palm-muted strings, provide minimalist and ingenious accompaniment to the bass and flute, and Michael Giles' drums seem to hover over them all. At the center of the song is an amazing flute solo by Ian McDonald , who also accompanies us with another solo until the end of the song. It is interesting to note that two different and early versions of the song exist in the demo called "The Brondesbury Tapes (1968)" recorded by Fripp's previous project "Giles, Giles and Fripp", in one of them Judy Dyble from the band "Fairport Convention" is the singer. Watch McDonald perform the magical song and solo with John Wetton who will become a member of the band in 1972, drummer Chester Thompson (Genesis), and guitarist Steve Hackett : The first side of the album ends with " Epitaph ", an immortal, magical and mesmerizing piece, which is without a doubt one of the most unique and stunning pieces in the progressive rock genre. The song, which opens with the timpani drums, rolling and erupting like thunder on a rainy day, also introduces us for the first time to the heavy use of the Mellotron, a special instrument that will become one of the hallmarks that will define the band's sound and the progressive rock genre. The dystopian lyrics refer to the writer's fears about the content of the inscription on his tombstone. Greg Lake noted that this song is just a confused look at a world that has gone crazy. The other side of the album opens with " Moonchild ", a 12-minute piece consisting of two parts: "The Dream" and "The Illusion". The first piece is a sort of short ballad that lasts about two and a half minutes and is led by the mellotron and vibraphone sounds of Ian McDonald , combined with Robert Fripp 's howling guitar. Michael Giles' drumming and his cymbals work here are simply noteworthy. The song's second part is a long instrumental improvisation that lasts until the end. It is interesting to note that the "Doves" used a composition from the first part of the song as part of the song "M62 Song", which was included on their second album "The Last Broadcast". The album is sealed with a powerful climax with the theme song and masterpiece " The Court of the Crimson King ". The song, written by Peter Sinfield and composed by Ian McDonald , is a sweeping musical celebration. Rivers of mellotron, with flute currents, string falls, and dripping drums and cymbals that carry the listener along with the current, into a world full of magic. The main part of the song consists of four verses and an instrumental section called " The Return of the Fire Witch ", which is cut with the famous drum dribble (eighth minute) and leads us to the ending climax which ends abruptly followed by a short reprise called " The Dance of the Puppets ". Watch this amazing song performed by McDonald, John Wetton , Chester Thompson, and Steve Hackett : We assume you've heard it before in the context of quite a few albums, but in this case, it's not a cliché. This phenomenal album has of course shaped the prog genre for generations, but it has also changed the whole world of music. It was a meteoric and one-time encounter between mighty musicians who created this wondrous and eternal magic. Robert Fripp 's innovative and crazy music, Greg Lake 's divine vocals, Ian McDonald 's genius that was hidden in Fripp's shadow but his contribution to this album was tremendous and of course, Michael Giles whose drumming style on this album is still an influence to young drummers. We know you already know it by heart, but if only for its anniversary, click Play and come listen to this Masterpiece : Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On October 9, 1990 year Slayer's "Seasons in the Abyss" was released. Starting with the fast and furious opening "War Ensemble" reminiscent of the " Reign in Blood " album, and ending with "Seasons in the Abyss", whose heaviness corresponds with "Black Sabbath" and its opening riff could have been included on an "Alice In Chains" album, This is the album that best represents the amazing abilities and musical diversity of the band. Although the album " Reign in Blood " is considered the band's musical peak, we often debate with ourselves as to whether "Seasons in the Abyss" deserves this title more, if only because it proves the band's musical maturity and its writing and performance abilities, that have only improved since " Reign in Blood ". So let's tell you a few facts about this excellent album: 1. This is the band's fifth studio album and its third in a row produced by Rick Rubin. 2. It is also the band's first album to enter the Top 40 of the US Billboard 200. 3. And also the band's third consecutive album which reached gold album status, and it even did so faster than the other two. 4. The album combines elements and style from the band's two previous albums, while also in terms of its speed and rhythms it is a kind of average between the fast " Reign in Blood " and the more relaxed "South Of Heaven". 5. The theme song " Seasons in the Abyss " written by guitarist Jeff Hanneman and bassist/singer Tom Araya, is also the band's first song to win a video clip that aired heavily on MTV, especially "Headbangers Ball". The clip was shot, among other places, near the pyramids in Giza, Egypt. 6. The punk metal band "S.O.D." Homage the song and album with their own song called "Seasoning the Obese". 7. The second clip released by the band from the album is "War Ensemble". This Clip too, won a rotation on the "Headbangers Ball". 8. The song " Blood Red " is a song that talks about civilians rebelling against totalitarian regimes. Araya noted that he thought about the events of Tiananmen Square in China and when he wrote the song, he saw before his eyes the picture of the student standing proudly in front of the Chinese tank. 9. " Spirit in Black " is written about the angel of death and the evil spirits that take people's souls. 10. The Track “ Expendable Youth ” refers to gang wars and the fact that they cause unnecessary death of young children. 11. " Dead Skin Mask " was written about the serial killer Ed Gein, who used to shed his victim's skin and wear it as a garment. At the end of the song you can hear words like "I do not want to play anymore, Mr. Gein." And "LET ME OUT!" 12. The lyrics to the song " Hallowed Point " were written by bassist and singer Tom Araya on the type of bullet called a "hollow point" that does a lot of damage to a person's internal organs when it penetrates the body. He was asked if it was a song against guns and said he was not against but also not in favor, and that he holds a weapon. 13. " Temptation " includes 2 different singing channels by Tom Araya. One channel includes the singing as Tom thought the song should be sung, and the other channel includes Araya singing as guitarist Kerry King asked him to sing. Producer Rick Robin merged the two channels, the band loved the result and it stayed that way on the record. 14. It is of course very difficult for the band to perform the song live because Tom Araya could not sing the two singing roles simultaneously and Kerry King noted that he has difficulty singing and playing together. Eventually, the song was performed live only in 2010, when Tom sang only the singing role of one of the channels. 15. " Born of Fire " was supposed to be instrumental. Guitarist Kerry King improvised lyrics while recording, the band loved it and the instrumental section became a song. 16. The song " Skeletons Of Society " is about the evils in society, the decline of civilization, and the eventual Armageddon we are headed for. 17. In 2014 the band released a special Christmas greeting card featuring the album cover after undergoing a Santa Claus-inspired change. 18. "Children of Bodom" bassist said this album is the best metal album ever created. 19. In 1991, the clip for the song " Seasons in the Abyss " won over the clip " Been Caught Stealing " by "Jane's Addiction", in the competition of the "Foundations Forum". 20. "Loudwire" magazine ranked the album second among Slayer's albums, the first being of course " Reign in Blood ". For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music Follow us on Facebook or Subscribe to our website "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog & Podcast

On October 9, 1976, "Scorpions" released their fourth studio album - "Virgin Killer". This album continues the development process of the band, which left behind the psychedelic roots of " Lonesome Crow " and got closer and closer to the hard rock sound and genre that would characterize it over the next few decades. Simultaneously with the development process that "Scorpions" underwent, the audience also opened up to the band, which on this album managed to establish its status outside Germany as well, mainly in Japan, but not yet in the US. It can be said that "Virgin Killer" continues the formula of the previous excellent album " In Trance ", and includes a balanced mix of fast hard rock songs with "biting" guitars, alongside soft blues ballads with melodic solos. Here, too, Klaus Meine demonstrates his vocal abilities ranging from the loud screams of "Virgin Killer" to the soft, caressing voice of "In Your Park." At the same time, there is a natural development of the band and especially maturation compared to the previous album " In Trance ". There is a combination between the Hendrix guitar sound and the well-known melancholy from the first album " Lonesome Crow ". This time you can also hear the buds of the neoclassical genre that will characterize the excellent guitarist Uli Jon Roth . Similar to the previous album, this album was also produced by Dieter Dierks, who was known for productions for leading bands in the Krautrock genre in West Germany and greatly helped the development of the band's sound. The album opens with two atom bombs. " Pictured Life " with the dual guitar sound, that will become the sound signature of "Scorpions" and will become a classic in the band's repertoire, and the fast and edgy " Catch Your Train " with the dialogue between Klaus Meine 's screams and Uli Jon Roth 's short and instructive guitar sentences, which is simple Proves what a talented and unique guitarist he is. The album continues with " In Your Park " - a melting blues ballad that is one of our band's favorite tracks. What a perfect guitar work by Rudolf Schenker and Uli Jon Roth that opens our hearts with the palm-muted strings, and what powerful and heartbreaking vocals by Klaus Meine . Immediately after comes " Backstage Queen " with the sweeping riff cut by the groovy guitar lines, and the theme song " Virgin Killer " which is the first of 4 written and composed by Uli Jon Roth alone. In contrast to the provocative title, the lyrics of the song were written as a critique of the rapid loss of innocence of young girls and the consequences that follow. The song's melody was influenced by "Kiss" with whom "Scorpions" went on a joint tour, with John Roth playing the riff trying to mimic Kiss' sound, referring to Paul Stanley in a sting with the words "Cause he's a virgin killer!". Maine who listened to Roth was very enthusiastic and asked him to continue developing the idea, and the result was the album's theme song. The other three songs Uli Jon Roth wrote exclusively for the album are " Hell Cat " which also opens the other side of the vinyl and illustrates how much Uli Jon Roth was influenced by Jimi Hendrix both in playing and singing style, " Polar Nights " excelling with the bouncy rhythm and " Yellow Raven " which seals the album with caressing Velvet combined with psychedelia. And it is impossible not to refer to one of the best and least appreciated songs in our opinion - " Crying Days " a song whose one of the riffs sounds like it was taken from a horror movie, but is really far away from there. This is another ballad of the band which sits at the crossroads of solos reminiscent of the psychedelic era, with the sound and musical elements that "Scorpions" will develop down the road, especially in their ballads. The album's original cover caused quite a fuss at the time, after the band decided to include a photo of one of the record company manager's 10-year-old niece in its nakedness, apparently to attract attention and thereby increase awareness. This caused a great scandal which forced the band to release copies of the album with a new cover, in which the members of the "Scorpions" are shown. This scandal continued to haunt the band even years later, when in 2008 Wikipedia decided to use the original cover to display the album which led to the case being reported to the FBI who investigated the matter and found that there was no US law violation. Later there were also demands from the Internet Watch Foundation to remove the page, but today the entry in Wikipedia includes the original image. For Listening : Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Soundgarden's third album "Badmotorfinger" was released on October 8, 1991.! It joins the wonderful Class of '91, a year that saw the release of an insane number of huge albums !! This album was released about two weeks after "Nevermind" and a little more than a month after "Ten". So, on one hand, it suffered from the hysterical success of those two albums that overshadowed it (especially "Nevermind" which broke out faster), but on the other hand, it gained greater exposure as it was part of the huge grunge surge. Let us say that this is a sophisticated album, maybe we should be rude and say that this is a much more sophisticated album than "Nevermind". The lyrics on the album are much more exposed on the one hand and very metaphorical on the other, in a way that gives the listener a sense of belonging and the possibility of interpreting the text in the way that suits him best. Beyond that, the rhythm, the fragility, the syncopations, the rhythms, and the beats on this album are something that sounds like no other. An alternative time signature is called. But let's ignore the definitions, just listen and understand that in no small number of songs like "Rusty Cage", "Holy Water", and "Jesus Christ Pose" the parts are arranged and divided differently and abnormally compared to what we are used to. No wonder Matt Cameron called this album a "Weird science project". The band members said they were free to explore and discover, this was the atmosphere that also continued with them along the way. They know that they are undergoing a transformation as human beings and therefore their music, they have not defined themselves or aimed at a particular thing but have created what felt good and right to them. They felt they brought to the music a lot of things that other bands did not dare to bring at that time, elements that were mostly influenced by the punk bands of the 80s. Critics claimed that Chris Cornell has made a significant leap here in terms of the lyrics of the songs, an example of this is in the song "Outshined" which is one of Cornell's most personal songs which summarizes and distills for 5 minutes of music the secret of "Mania Depression" which he experiences over the years, when one day he feels on the top of the world and in another moment in the depths of the gutters. The addition of bassist Ben Shepherd was a significant catalyst in the leap from the previous albums, the band members said he brought with him a fresh and creative approach, and his writing and creative abilities influenced everyone. But we think the big leap was in Chris and the friends' perception of the music, in thinking outside the box, in innovation, this is indeed only their third album but the first where the writing is done in collaboration with all the band members together. No wonder this album was less successful than its brothers, since it is less "commercial" and has fewer melodic or light-hearted elements. There is an amazing music display here but it is hard to digest so it needed a very strong boost. And this push came precisely from the direction of "Nirvana". After Kurt Cobain told "Guns N 'Roses" no! As an opening act for their "Use Your Illusion" tour, Chris and his friends jumped at the chance and indeed received the international exposure they deserved as part of that tour. Although a few years later Chris claimed it was just a nightmare to perform in front of 40,000 people for 35 minutes day after day, when none of them knew you and everyone was waiting for Guns. Anyone who has experienced this album real-timeline could say that although it may have been harder to digest than his other brothers which born that month, even though it did not include "hits", even though it was less "commercially successful" than his brother, it was still clear that this was a different and special child. Indeed, over the years and from the height of the age of the two albums things look a little different. The album cover that became the band's iconic symbol was created by guitarist Mark Dancey from the band "Big Chief" who was a friend of Kim Thayil. The band members loved the picture with the spark plug in the center and the jagged elements around, it felt very aggressive to them. Kim Thayil was also the one who suggested the name of the album after playing the riff from the song "Bad Motor Scooter" by "Montrose". The limited edition of the album included another disc called "Satanoscillatemymetallicsonatas". And if you still do not understand what we mean, just think about the feelings that go through your body when you hear the guitar howls that open the song "Rusty Cage" and the whole album. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

As you noticed, October is a busy month for "Alter Bridge", during which 4 out of their 6 albums (including the last one) were released... Here is another one of them "ABIII, " released on October 8, 2010. Let's start by drawing a clear conclusion based on our discussion of "Blackbird." It's evident that if this band had a professional or consistent marketing department (the downside of frequently changing record labels), their commercial success would likely be significantly higher. However, Alter Bridge typically avoids releasing music videos, partnering with major music labels, or using commercial promotion channels. Instead, they rely on hard work and grassroots efforts, primarily through live performances in clubs, stadiums, and festivals. While fans appreciate their authenticity and resistance to commercialism, there's a sense of missed opportunities due to the band's choices. Many people remain unaware of the remarkable entity known as "Alter Bridge," and that's something we aim to address here. After the triumph of "Blackbird," expectations for this talented quartet were sky-high, and they not only met those expectations but also exceeded them. This album stands as one of the band's finest, if not the absolute pinnacle (with the only real contender being "Blackbird"). To give you a sense of its impact, Rick Florino from the "Artistdirect" website awarded the album a perfect score of 5 out of 5 and hailed it as one of the finest rock albums of 2010, labeling it a "masterpiece" that underscores the band's exceptional talent. Compared to the band's prior work, this album stands out as remarkably advanced and dynamic. The song structures are more versatile, intricate, and diverse than anything the band had previously attempted. These attributes were so prominent that some even categorized this album as falling within the Progressive Metal genre. However, what truly sets this album apart from its predecessors is not just its musical composition but, more importantly, its lyrical content. It's often referred to as a "Loose Concept Album," essentially a mini-concept album with a central theme, rather than a continuous motif that threads through the album from start to finish. The central theme revolves around a character grappling with their place in a world marked by emptiness and skepticism. This character reevaluates their emotions and thoughts, which were once their only certainties, all conveyed through Myles Kennedy's emotive vocals. In this album, Alter Bridge delves into darker themes compared to their two previous releases. This shift is immediately apparent in the opening track, "Slip To The Void," where Myles Kennedy's haunting whispers and the chilling atmosphere send shivers down your spine. This song not only serves as the album's introduction but is also a staple in the band's live performances. As the song unfolds, Mark Tremonti's explosive riffs and Myles Kennedy's electrifying vocals take center stage, setting the tone for the heavy, raw, and enthralling journey that lies ahead in this album. It's a complete showcase of what's to come. And when it comes to the lyrics, the album starts with a gentle hint of something profound about to transpire. The character in the song begins to question the decisions they've made and the consequences these choices may hold for their future. The album's second track, "Isolation," not only marked the album's first single but remains the band's most successful single to date, reigning atop the mainstream rock chart for an impressive 7 weeks. "Isolation" is an explosive blend of powerful riffs and captivating melodies that flow in an almost intoxicating manner between the verses and the chorus. It's a total addiction! However, the lyrics here delve into a complex narrative. The character portrayed is emotionally detached and isolated, unable to break through the walls they've built due to fear and insecurity. This emotional barricade leads to the loss of their happiness and joy. The track "Ghost of Days Gone By" provides a somewhat lighter tone on the album, except for its heavier and darker transition section. Lyrically, it deviates from the album's central theme and instead expresses a longing for the past, acknowledging the inexorable passage of time. Now, "All Hope Is Gone" opens with a beautiful, uplifting melody that gradually builds, featuring Myles Kennedy's exceptional vocals. The harmonious chorus sung by Myles and Mark is incredibly powerful, conveying a sense of hope slipping away in their voices. It's a desperate cry to hold on, even when it feels like "All hope is gone." As for that part you mentioned about the song's breaking section, all I can say is, turn the volume to the maximum and let your eardrums revel in the sheer intensity! With "Still Remains," Alter Bridge delves into the language of metal. The opening riff and the powerful pauses at the end of each riff line will make you headbang with all your might. The riff in the transition section starting around the 2:40 mark is straight-up metal and an absolute joy. In this song, the character takes on a role resembling that of a father figure, dealing with a child who yearns to break free and live life on their terms, despite the support and guidance offered. Eventually, the child returns to the place where their true freedom lies. As for "Wonderful Life," it's an emotional ballad that envelops you, providing a warm embrace while Myles Kennedy's vocals invite you to sing along incessantly and perhaps shed a tear due to his mesmerizing voice. The lyrics here are so moving that words can't do them justice; it's best to simply surrender to the emotion they convey. As we enter the second half of the album with "I Know It Hurts," it's safe to say that there hasn't been a weak moment so far. The tempo is raised a bit, and the song's central theme deals with overcoming obstacles. Mark Tremonti's solo towards the end of the song is nothing short of breathtaking, a testament to his exceptional talent. This song feels like a direct continuation of the preceding one, aiming to bolster the character and instill hope. Slowing down a bit with "Show Me a Sign," we find that it's Mark Tremonti's favorite from the album. This track, perhaps the darkest and saddest on the album, at times echoes Tremonti's work with his band "Creed" on the album "Human Clay." "Fallout" was penned during a sound check for one of the band's performances promoting the album "Blackbird." It delves into the ongoing struggles of the album's main character. Interestingly, Myles Kennedy's mother band, "The Mayfield Four," also has an album bearing the same name. "Coeur d'Alene" is a reference to a lake where Myles and his father used to spend time, symbolizing a sense of "home" – that familiar and safe place to turn to when one doesn't want to feel alone. This song brings joy and companionship. Approaching the end of the album with the song "Life Must Go On," the intro feels like a blend of "My Sacrifice" by Tremonti's previous band and "Down To My Last" from Alter Bridge's debut album, "One Day Remains." The rhythm is relatively relaxed, reminiscent of "Breathe Again." The song continually builds, increasing its emotional intensity, and Mark Tremonti's melodic solo played over Myles Kennedy's vocals, intensifies the emotion. Finally, the closing song, "Words Darker Than Their Wings," takes us to the first vocal duet between Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy. It's beautiful and sweet, portraying a dialogue of hope, much like the one Myles had with his best friend, which served as the inspiration for the song's lyrics. The 12-string guitar adds a beautiful touch to the track, and Myles' soaring vocal at the end resonates like a heavenly chorus, as if Jeff Buckley of "Grace" applauds this remarkable band from the gates of heaven, acknowledging that Alter Bridge is indeed doing the right thing, and doing it exceedingly well. It's a fitting end to this masterful album, a testament to their unwavering commitment. Listen to the album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

"Bounce", Bon Jovi's eighth studio album, was released on October 8, 2002. Let's tell 19 facts for 19 years since the album's release: 1. The title of the album was influenced by the events of September 11. It was the band's statement that America as a nation could "return" to the state it was before the disaster. 2. The album went straight into second place on the Billboard 200 chart, the band's highest place to date. 3. This time too the band wrote an unimaginable amount of 40 songs, of which only 12 entered the album. 4. While writing the material for the album Jon Bon Jovi was still committed to the Ally McBeal TV series in which he played, so he lived in Richie Sambora 's home in Los Angeles where they wrote some of the songs. 5. Here too Desmond Child helped write 4 of the 12 songs on the album and also helped produce the album. 6. Other writers who participated in the writing process are musician and producer Billy Falcon and the Swedish producer and songwriter Andreas Carlsson, who wrote for many artists from pop to hard rock, from Britney Spears to "Def Leppard". 7. The opening song " Undivided " was directly influenced by the events of 9/11 and it simply says that humanity is stronger together than apart. 8. The second song " Everyday " was also affected by the events of 9/11. It talks about the need to make the most of life and live each day as if it were your last day on earth. 9. " The Distance " is written about couples who are forced to live far from each other. Richie said he thought of a soldier fighting on the front far from his partner. The strings in the song were produced by Desmond Child, he wanted the song to sound like it was a part of a movie soundtrack. As if the camera is accompanying the couple. 10. The song " Joey " was influenced by the song "Levon" by Elton John, from 1971. The character tells about his friendship with Joey. 11. " Misunderstood " was written by Jon Bon Jovi when he thought about his relationship with his family. He wrote about situations where the wrong things are said to your loved ones and then having to bear the results. 12. The ballad " All About Lovin' You " was also written under the influence of the events of 9/11. It talks about how after a terrible tragedy people suddenly rediscover love. 13. " Hook Me Up " was written under the influence of a newspaper article, about a Palestinian who is allegedly trying to connect with the outside world through an old radio transmitter. 14. The track " Right Side of Wrong " was influenced by the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". It talks about "criminals" who have a heart of gold. 15. " Love Me Back to Life ", tells about the disappointment from all that going on in the world and the need for someone that will make us appreciate the world again. 16. " You Had Me from Hello " talks about a long-standing relationship, in which one can see something new and beautiful in his partner every day. 17. The theme song " Bounce " also refers as mentioned to the 9/11 event and the strength that people in America in general and New York in particular have. The song started with other lyrics from the sports field, but after the 9/11 events, the lyrics were rewritten. 18. " Open All Night " is actually Jovi's dialogue between the character of Bon Jovi and Ally McBeal in the series "Ally McBeal". 19. Five singles from the album were released in the following order: " Everyday ", " Misunderstood ", " All About Lovin' You ", " Bounce " and " The Distance ". For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

A Sneak Peek... On October 8, 2012, "High Rise" , the only "Stone Temple Pilots" EP with Chester Bennington was released. This is the band's first EP and also the first official release with their "temporary" singer Chester Bennington . He is not considered one of the band members but as an addition, in the credit of the album it says: "Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington". In February 2013, three members of the STP band fired singer, songwriter, and founder Scott Weiland . Weiland who claimed to have seen his dismissal through a newspaper article decided to fight back. Several months of legal battles between the band members froze its activities until the members reached an agreement that allowed the band to continue without Scott. The three remaining friends decided to turn to a young guy whose biggest dream was to be part of a famous grunge band he admired so much. Chester Bennington of course embraced the offer with both hands and the quartet made their debut at the event of the famous radio station KROQ in May 2013. (Photo: Chapman Baehler) Since all parties were not clear if this collaboration is long-term, they were in no hurry to enter the studio to work on a full studio album. Chester said they decided to take the whole thing, step by step and not jump ahead. They chose to start with an initial "soundcheck" so they could hear how they sound together. They went into the studio and recorded only five songs that came out as an EP called "High Rise". Two years later Chester decided he wanted to focus on "Linkin Park" so he left STP. A month later Scott Weiland was found dead on his Tour Bus, during his solo tour. Two years later STP announced that they had found a new singer and added Jeff Gutt as their lead vocalist. In March 2018 they released their first album with Jeff and gave it the band name. A New Beginning! Listen to the EP on: Youtube , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On September 15, 1972, "Genesis" released their fourth studio album album "Foxtrot". This is the album with which "Genesis" broke into consciousness when it finally managed to reach the British charts and even enjoy the praise of the critics. But more than that, this is the album where "Genesis" broke their own boundaries. It was the band's second album with the classic line-up, which included Mike Rutherford , Tony Banks , Steve Hackett , Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel . It is a direct continuation of the previous album " Nursery Cryme ", both in terms of the musical line and style as well as in terms of sound and atmosphere. We dare to say that the two albums are more or less at the same level of writing and performance, this is "Genesis" at its best, during its golden age with its fantastic five members. Even the covers of the two albums correspond with each other. But still, this time something was different. There is another "added value" in this album which indicates that this is where everything started to come together for this great band. So what is that "added value"? Remember how once when we bought a new car or left the garage with a new engine or after an overhaul, there was a recommendation to give the car a "running-in period"? This run-in period is intended, among other things, to allow the adjustment of the piston rings to the cylinders and all the engine components to work optimally, synchronized and lubricated. The professionals advised us to do the same "run" while driving calmly, without rapid acceleration, without unnecessary loading and without special maneuvers. If we compare it to the process that "Genesis" went through at that time, then the album " Nursery Cryme " was released during the band's "running-in" period. The new components that had just been installed in the bands "engine", did an excellent job, but were still in the stages of synchronization, adjustment and formation with the rest of the band parts. This is why "Genesis" was a bit more calculated and careful then. Phil Collins and Steve Hackett were still new to the band, and although they breathed new life into it, they were still in the stages of the process of forming with the other members of the band, which culminated in the "Foxtrot" album. Why, you ask? Because in this album the band reached a perfect synchronization that made them feel safe enough to dare. How safe? Look at the second side of the vinyl and you will understand. We're talking about the grandiose seven-part epic " Supper's Ready " - a complex musical piece that is undoubtedly one of "Genesis'" creative peaks, with simply perfect writing and performance. The idea for this epic piece came up in Peter Gabriel 's house. He and his wife took drugs, had a hallucination when suddenly Gabriel saw seven figures walking on the lawn outside his house. This is where the seven parts of this epic were born. They correspond with the seven characters in that Gabriel envisioned, each character embodies a short poem written and composed at a different time and after compositions resulted in this perfect work. The words were written by Gabriel, but the melody was written jointly by all the members of the band, and there is no doubt that the "run-in period" we talked about above is what contributed to this perfection that spans over 23 minutes. The opening and closing sections of the piece are of the same melody, only the closing section is powerful and grandiose compared to the opening section, and includes the couplet "The New Jerusalem" and Tony Banks ' Hammond solo which is performed in a symmetrical 4/4 scale, but sits on the instruments of the other members The band that plays in an asymmetric weight of 9/8. In between, we have the five additional chapters that deal with various topics, from sex surgeries to apocalypse. But this album is definitely not just the marvelous epic work that ends it. It features the syncopated opener " Watcher of The Skies ", with Tony Banks ' mesmerizing Melotron intro, about an alien arriving to earth. It has the caressing ballad " Time Table " written by Tony Banks and performed with such beautiful sensitivity by Peter Gabriel . There is the rhythmic piece " Get 'Em Out by Friday " in which Gabriel goes out against the rich landlords who evict the poor tenants from their apartments and there are the two pieces in which the abundance of acoustic/classical guitars would indicate that Steve Hackett was more involved in their writing: "Can-Utility and the Coastliners " that ends the first side of the vinyl and the instrumental piece " Horizons " that opens the second side. And if we have already mentioned the "added value" that this album has over its predecessor, then it is impossible not to mention the album cover and that wonderful moment when Peter Gabriel decided to breathe life into it and bring it to the stage. This was the moment when Gabriel's theatricality was externalized and became an integral part of the crazy shows that defined the band. The album cover corresponded with the cover of the previous album which was also drawn by Paul Whitehead and it shows a fox dressed in a red dress standing on ice (in light of the pun "The Fox On The Rocks" from the piece "Supper's Ready"). In addition, the cover shows the "four horsemen" from the story of the apocalypse (which is also mentioned in the epic work "Supper's Ready"), who are busy hunting foxes. This cover came to life one day when Peter Gabriel impulsively borrowed a red dress from his wife and, without informing the rest of the band, took the stage wearing it along with a fox mask. This unexpected move stunned both the audience and his bandmates, marking a turning point that redefined the band's performances. For listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Just yesterday we covered "Blackbird" and here comes another one from this wonderful band. On October 7, 2016, the album "The Last Hero", "Alter Bridge" fifth album was released. So let's start with a quote (we like to do this now and then) from Mark Tremonti about the album... "It is similar to Fortress and Blackbird but with a darker sound" After reading a bit about the previous two albums, here is some information about the aforementioned album: 1. This is the fourth consecutive album of the band in which the producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette participates, who has produced all the band's albums since "Blackbird" as well as all "Tremonti" albums. 2. This album marks the third time in which the band changes record companies, after the album "Blackbird" the band changed the record company to "Universal Republic" and after the album "Fortress" they switched to the company "Roadrunner" and EMI, this album is already released with Record companies "Caroline" and "Naplam". 3. In this album, the band uses 7-string guitars for the first time. 4. The album includes 13 songs, of which 4 singles were released in order: "Show Me a Leader", "My Champion", "Poison In Your Veins" and "Cradle to the Grave". 5. The album was written in 2015 when the two main writers Myles Kennedy and Tremonti were on tour with their projects. Myles with "Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators" as part of the promotion of the album "World On Fire" and Mark with "Tremonti" on a tour to promote his album "Cauterize" . 6. This is the band's first album to touch political and social issues, although Myles stated that they didn't intend to upset anyone with direct statements. The name of the album comes from the idea of ​​a social hero who will grow and come from the people and create dissonance for the leaders who exist today. 7. Myles wrote most of the riffs for the theme song. This song, despite its complexity, was written in the studio during the recording process, as opposed to 90% of the album's material that was prepared in advance. 8. The lyrics of the song "Show Me a Leader" were written by Myles following his frustration with the prevailing situation in the world and the fact that it lacks reliable and effective leadership. Myles also wrote the intro to the song, with Tramonti bringing the verse part. 9. The lyrics of the song "My Champion" were written by Myles about his childhood, and about the frustration of a small and underdeveloped boy who he claims had to try very hard to keep up with his friends. Tremonti played the riff to Myles for the first time on an acoustic guitar. Myles said the riff was so good that it didn't change the vibe of the song even though it was played acoustically. 10. The song "Poison In Your Veins" was written by Myles about the desire to break free and rise above the poisonous and paralyzing fear that stops many people from moving forward and achieving things in life. The song comes to encourage people to live with a dare, take risks, and believe in themselves. The chorus to this song is one of Tremonti's favorites in terms of melody. Tremonti stated that he likes when the chorus blows up in your face, because a chorus should be something energetic that you always want to come back to, and the chorus in this song was exactly that in his opinion. But what made this song complete and loved by the other members of the band and the producer Baskette according to Tremonti, was the moment when he came up with the riff for the verse. According to him, everyone immediately fell in love with the combination of the riffs of the verses and the chorus. 11. The band's logo in this album changes to a cleaner and simpler look, without additional lines for the letters, especially when the first and last letter change their design without the addition of the circular lines. 12. This is the first album where Myles wrote and prepared his solos in advance, unlike the previous albums where he improvised while rehearsing and recording the album. 13. This is one of the band's heaviest albums that doesn't let the listener rest, not even for a single moment. As in war, the battle continues until the last hero. Some say the album is too long and even exhausting, but we like it that way. 14. There is no song in this album under 4 minutes when the entire album is 66 minutes long. 15. The album cover was designed by Mark's brother, Dan Tremonti, who is also the in-house designer for the band and the band "Tremonti". Dan Tremonti designed the album cover inspired by Marvel superheroes with a Sparta combination. Listen to the album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website