Released on August 31, 2004, "Leviathan" marked the arrival of Mastodon as one of the most important metal bands of the new millennium. At the time, the Atlanta quartet had just begun to break out of the underground with their debut "Remission". Known for their crushing sludge riffs and relentless energy, they had already carved a reputation as a band unafraid to challenge boundaries. With "Leviathan", they decided to reach even further. Inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick , the band crafted a concept album that would not only define their sound but also reshape the landscape of modern heavy music. The recording took place at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle with producer Matt Bayles, who had previously worked with acts like Isis and Botch. The result was an album that combined Mastodon’s sludge-metal roots with a newfound progressive edge, layering intricate rhythms, shifting time signatures, and atmospheric passages into a cohesive whole. It was the second chapter in the band’s elemental tetralogy, symbolizing water, following the fiery aggression of "Remission". The album begins with "Blood and Thunder" , a track that bursts open like a storm at sea. Its riffs crash like tidal waves, and its chorus, featuring a guest roar from Clutch’s Neil Fallon, has become one of the most iconic moments in Mastodon’s career. It sets the tone perfectly for the odyssey that follows. "I Am Ahab"  keeps the momentum with frantic drumming from Brann Dailor, his fills tumbling like rolling surf beneath Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher’s razor-sharp guitars. Then comes "Seabeast" , a song that shows Mastodon’s ability to blend heaviness with haunting melody, capturing both the beauty and the terror of the ocean. On "Iron Tusk" , the band leans into primal groove, its riffs swinging with hypnotic power, while "Megalodon"  surprises with an almost southern-rock breakdown before snapping back into metallic fury. "Naked Burn"  slows things down just enough to let the melodies breathe, before the instrumental closer "Joseph Merrick"  drifts the album into eerie calm, like a ship fading into fog. Upon release, "Leviathan" was met with overwhelming critical acclaim. It was named Album of the Year by Revolver, Kerrang! and Terrorizer in 2004, and has since been hailed as one of the greatest metal albums of the 21st century. Rolling Stone placed it at number 46 on their list of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time. Commercially, it pushed Mastodon into the global spotlight, selling over 100,000 copies in the U.S. within two years and earning the band spots on major tours alongside Slayer and Slipknot. For Listening: Spotify  , Apple Music   "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On September 1, 1980 "Saxon" released its 3rd album "Strong Arm of the Law". This album stands as a cornerstone of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), embodying the raw energy and working-class ethos that defined the movement. As the band's third studio album, it followed the success of "Wheels of Steel" earlier that same year, solidifying "Saxon's" reputation as one of the leading forces in the burgeoning metal scene. From the opening track, " Heavy Metal Thunder ," the album delivers a relentless barrage of powerful riffs, anthemic choruses, and Biff Byford's distinctive, soaring vocals. The song itself became a defining anthem for the genre, encapsulating the rebellious spirit and sonic intensity that NWOBHM was known for. With its fast-paced tempo and aggressive guitar work by Paul Quinn and Graham Oliver, "Heavy Metal Thunder" set the tone for an album that refuses to compromise on its heaviness. The title track, " Strong Arm of the Law ," is another standout, offering a gritty narrative inspired by a real-life encounter the band had with the force of law. According to guitarist Graham Oliver, the title track was inspired by an incident where the band was driving in Whitehall and was subsequently pulled over and searched by the security detail of then British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher. The lyrics, coupled with the pounding rhythm section provided by Steve Dawson on bass and Pete Gill on drums, convey a sense of defiance against authority that resonated with fans. The song’s mid-tempo groove contrasts effectively with the album's faster tracks, showcasing "Saxon's" ability to balance aggression with melody. Tracks like " Taking Your Chances " and " To Hell and Back Again " maintain the album's momentum, featuring galloping rhythms and memorable hooks that highlight the band's tight musicianship. " 20,000 Ft " is another highlight, with its high-octane energy and vivid lyrics that paint a picture of high-speed aerial combat. The song's frenetic pace and dynamic shifts make it one of the album's most exhilarating moments. The album also delves into historical themes with " Dallas 1 PM ," which recounts the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The track is slower and more contemplative, providing a stark contrast to the rest of the album while still maintaining the intensity that "Saxon" is known for. The haunting melody and Byford's somber delivery lend the song a weighty emotional impact. "Strong Arm of the Law" is a concise album, clocking in at just over 37 minutes, but it packs a punch with every track. The production, handled by the band and Pete Hinton, is raw and unpolished, which suits the material perfectly. It captures the live energy of "Saxon", making the listener feel as though they are front and center at one of the band's electrifying performances. Overall, "Strong Arm of the Law" is not just a highlight in "Saxon's" discography but also a seminal album in the history of heavy metal. It captures the essence of the NWOBHM movement, with its combination of speed, power, and working-class grit. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On September 1, 1977, "Rush" released their fifth studio album, "A Farewell to Kings". This is a very important album in the development of the band, both musically and in terms of expanding the range of instruments on which the band members play, but all this would not have happened without the success of the previous album " 2112 ". For those who have not read our review of the album " 2112 ", we will mention that after the release of the third album " Caress Of Steel " the future of "Rush" was not clear at all. The record company sought to terminate the contract with them due to poor sales and only after a massive campaign of persuasion did they agree to give "Rush" one last chance, but on the condition that the band goes in a more commercial direction. The three band members didn't care about the record company's demand. They were confident they were about to record their last album and preferred to go with their music to the end, opening the album with a 20-minute sci-fi epic, which eventually turned out to be a huge success, not only in Canada and the US but also in Europe and around the world. Following the success of " 2112 ", Rush was finally given freedom of creation by the record company to write as they pleased. The freedom of creation allowed the band to continue to experiment and develop musically. In 1977 the band moved to Rockfield Studios in Wales, UK to record "A Farewell to Kings". The band members will tell that the creative process was very significant for them and was a milestone in their musical development. In an interview given by Geddy Lee a few years ago with the release of the expanded edition of the album on the occasion of its 40th anniversary, he noted that this album was very important to him and that he learned a lot during his work. Indeed, "Rush" learned, experimented, and challenged themselves on this album. they broke away from their comfort zone and deepened their grip on the progressive-rock genre, adding more advanced motifs to their work than on previous albums. To emphasize the progressive motifs on the album, the band uses, for the first time, the Minimoog Synthesizer, which substantially diversifies the band's sound and opens up new musical worlds. Although in the album " 2112 " the band also used a mellotron in the song "Tears" and a synthesizer to create the effects in the opening of " 2112 ", in both cases the one who played the instruments was the band's cover designer Hugh Syme. This time Geddy Lee learns and experiences playing this amazing instrument for the first time. . In addition, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson used 12-string guitars, and Neil Peart added to his drum set a wide variety of percussion instruments, including wind chimes, gong, and tubular bells. The band even finds a solution that will make it easier for them to play the new material in live shows, without the assistance of guest musicians. One of the tools that made this possible was the Bass-Pedal Synthesizer used by Alex and Geddy. It is a keyboard that is operated using the legs and allows the band to expand the range of sounds in their performances. The album opens up with the theme song " A Farewell to Kings " with Alex Lifeson 's quiet and caressing classical guitar and the birds chirping in the background, later Geddy Lee joins in with the Minimoog and the atmosphere takes us back 500 years to the Middle Ages. This opening track was recorded outside the studio as the band members watched the rural scenery of Wales. The band's producer Terry Brown placed microphones outside the studio to capture the atmosphere, and the birds chirping in the background at the opening of the song (and also in the song " Xanadu ") are of real birds that were outside the studio at the time of recording. A minute plus into the song and we get the first entry that immediately reminds us that we are dealing with a band whose roots are firmly rooted in Hard Rock. Then, at 1:32 a break, a change of pace, and an entry by Alex Lifeson with the leading riff of the song. We have not yet calmed down from the previous rhythm change and at 3:10, again, a rhythm change with Geddy Lee 's bass solo who as in a relay race hands over the pole to Alex Lifeson who takes us on a trip with his own solo. The band members will testify that this is not a simple song to play due to the unconventional time signatures and the frequent changes in rhythm (we have another one like this at 4:02 and more and more). So maybe this is also the reason why they did not perform this song live. While it is not new to us that Neil Peart is an avid literary lover, the title of the song was taken from Ernest Hemingway's book "A Farewell to Arms". The song ends with the words " Closer To The Heart " which is actually the name of the third song on the album. From there we move on to one of the peaks of this album and one of the band's best songs ever written - the mini-epic " Xanadu ". A track that spans more than 11 minutes and opens with an instrumental section that lasts almost 5 minutes, and is without a doubt one of the longest instrumental openings that exist for a song. The opening is meant to put the listener in the mood and help him imagine as an introduction to the story. Alex Lifeson 's pedal-guided guitar, Peart's spectacular percussion, and the chirping of birds recorded outside the studio lead us down the hall into the story. The lyrics are based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "The Unfinished Kubla Khan" in which Neil Peart talks about the search for the mystical place "Xanadu", which is supposed to grant its finder eternal life. This is Rush's first song in which the Minimoog synthesizer is an integral part. Performing the song live requires a lot of virtuosity from the band. Alex Lifeson plays a 6-string double-necked guitar and a pedal synthesizer. Geddy Lee sings, plays double neck guitar, bass and 6-string guitar, synthesizer, and bass pedals and Neil plays drums and a very wide range of percussion in a way that illustrates his virtuosity and adds to the mystical and mysterious atmosphere of the song. It is interesting to note that the extended version of the album on the occasion of its 40th anniversary includes an accurate and instructive rendition of "Dream Theater" for this masterful song. Another interesting statistic is that in 1980 a movie called "Xanadu" starring Olivia Newton-John was released. "ELO" also co-wrote the soundtrack for a movie with a hit of the same name. Of course, there is no musical connection between the songs, but I wonder if the idea for the film and album came in the wake of "Rush's" interpretation of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem. The other side of the vinyl opens up with the semi-ballad " Closer To the Heart ", which became the band's first hit during the Christmas period of 1977. This is the band's first song in which credit is given to outside writer Peter Talbot who was a friend of Neil Peart . This is one of Rush's most popular songs, which is played in almost all of their performances. The band stopped playing the song during the Vapor Trails tour from 2002, but due to crowd pressure and knowing how popular it was in South America, it was included in the setlists of the band's shows in Rio, which was also recorded and released on audio and video. Unlike "Rush's" complex material, this is a seemingly musically uncomplicated song, especially when compared to the previous song " Xanadu ". At the same time, the bridge after the second verse reminds us that this is still "Rush" and what at first seems simple turn out to be more complex. The second track on the second side of the vynil " Cinderella Man " is one of the band's only songs where the lyrics were not written by drummer Neil Peart , but Geddy Lee . Geddy Also wrote the music that was influenced by the movie "Mr. Deeds Goes To Town" from 1936 starring Gary Cooper. The film tells the story of a man from a small town who gets a big inheritance and is considered crazy when he starts spending all his money on helping the poor. Musically there is a very interesting melody here with a beautiful combination of Alex Lifeson 's acoustic and electric guitars with Geddy Lee 's very bold and special bass playing, especially in the slightly funky transition section. The third track on the second side of the album " Madrigal ", is perhaps the weakest and strangest track on it. The piece is led by Geddy Lee 's minimog synthesizer which sounds just like a whistle, with a soft guitar, a bit of jazzy bass playing, and a bit more percussion. Seemingly it seems to be a song about dragons and knights but in fact, whoever delves into the lyrics will find that it is a kind of love song. The album ends with " Cygnus X-1 Book 1: The Voyage " which is the first of two books, while the second part continues on the band's next album " Hemispheres " which was released in 1978 and is called "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres". The work "Cygnus X-1 Book 1" is divided into three parts and tells the story of an explorer on a spaceship named "Rocinante" who makes his way to the black hole "Cygnus X-1", while believing he can cross it and discover what is beyond it. The first part of the epic track begins with "space" sounds and effects and with word recitation performed by producer Terry Brown. The "spacy" section is interrupted by Geddy Lee 's wild bass riff with syncopations and frequent 3/4, 7/8, 3/4, and 4/4 rhythm changes that last until the guitar and drums join in. At the end of the musical section, Geddy Lee enters singing and describing the black hole and what will happen to whoever falls into it. The second part of the work tells the story of the explorer's journey towards the black hole, the track includes a wild "Wah, wah" solo by Alex Lifeson . The third part of the work tells how the explorer approached the black hole hand is ship got out of control and was sucked very powerfully into the black hole. This part of the song records the highest vocal range of Geddy Lee ever recorded (9:30 min to song). This concludes the album and also the first book of the story. The second book found on the album " Hemispheres " tells how the same explorer survived and managed to get out on the other side of the black hole into Olympus. In conclusion, this is an essential album in the "Rush" catalog which contributed greatly to the development of the band both musically and in terms of the range of instruments and sound. But the importance of the album is not only in the band's development, as it is one of the milestones in the development of the Prog-Metal genre, that began on the band's previous album and will continue to intensify on the next album. For listening to the album in the original version : Spotify , Apple Music For listening to the extended 40th ann. version : Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Here are some interesting facts about Micky Moody, best known as the guitarist and a former member of the rock bands "Juicy Lucy" "Whitesnake" and "Snafu": (Photo: Ken Ansted) = He was born Michael Joseph Moody on August 30, 1950 in Middlesbrough, England. = While attending school in Middlesbrough, Moody formed "The Roadrunners" with local musicians, including Paul Rodgers , later of "Free" and "Bad Company". The band evolved into "The Wildflowers" and moved to London but eventually disbanded. = In the Late 1960s Moody returned to Middlesbrough, took classical guitar lessons, and became interested in slide guitar techniques. = In 1967 he joined "Tramline", a band formed by local singer John McCo. They signed a deal with "Island Records" and released two albums: "Somewhere Down The Line" in 1968, and "Moves of Vegetable Centuries" in 1969. = In 1970 he joined "Juicy Lucy" as a guitarist, replacing Neil Hubbard, and recorded three albums with them, starting with "Lie Back and Enjoy It" from 1970. = In 1973 he co-founded "Snafu", a band that blended funk-rock with U.S. down-home grooves. "Snafu" released three albums: "Snafu" (1973), "Situation Normal" (1974), and "All Funked Up" (1975). = In 1975 Moody played slide guitar on Roger Chapman's debut solo album "Chappo". = In 1977 he contributed to Graham Bonnet's album "Graham Bonnet" and Gerry Rafferty's "City to City". (Photo: Fin Costello) = The same year he collaborated with David Coverdale on the album "White Snake", co-writing four songs, including the title track. = In 1978 he joined "Whitesnake", founded by David Coverdale , contributing to their debut EP "Snakebite" and the album "Trouble". = He continued to be part of "Whitesnake" on the albums "Trouble" (1978) and " Lovehunter " (1979) where he co-wrote songs, including the title track and " Rock 'n' Roll Women ", mastering his slide guitar playing technique. = In 1980 he contributed to "Whitesnake's" " Ready An' Willing " album, co-writing the hit single "Fool for Your Loving", the title track, "Ain't Gonna Cry No More" where his slide guitar playing shines, and more. = The same year Moody was part of the excellent "Whitesnake's" live album " Live... in the Heart of the City ". = Also in 1980 Moody played slide guitar on Ray Jackson's "In the Night". = In 1981 he played on "Whitesnake's" "Come an' Get It" album. = The same year he played guitar on Graham Bonnet's "Line-Up" album and co-wrote three songs. = In 1982, after recording "Saints & Sinners", "Whitesnake" was reformed with Mel Galley replacing Bernie Marsden . = In 1983 Coverdale replaced Ian Paice and Neil Murray with Cozy Powell and Colin Hodgkinson. Moody was unhappy with the direction the new band was taking but recorded " Slide It In ", before departing the band. = In the years 1983-1984 Moody returned to session work, recording with Mike Oldfield , Gary Glitter, and others. = In the late 1980s he formed the "Moody Marsden Band" with Bernie Marsden , releasing the album "Never Turn Our Back on the Blues". = During the 1990s Moody toured with Roger Chapman and reunited with Bernie Marsden in the "Moody Marsden Band". = In 1997 he formed "The Snakes" with Jørn Lande and Neil Murray , releasing "Once Bitten" in 1998. = In 2000 Moody released his first solo album "I Eat Them For Breakfast". = The same year he released "The Night the Guitars Came to Play" with "The Moody Marsden Band". = In 2002 he released "Burst the Bubble" with "The Company of Snakes". = In 2006 he released his autobiography "Playing with Trumpets – A Rock 'n' Roll Apprenticeship" and the solo album "Don't Blame Me". = In the years 2007-2009 he released two instrumental albums, "Acoustic Journeyman" (2007) and "Electric Journeyman" (2009). = In 2011 he co-founded "Snakecharmer", a band featuring former "Whitesnake" colleagues. they released the album "Snakecharmer" in 2013. = In 2016 Moody released the album "Black & Chrome" with Ali Maas as the duo "Maas & Moody" and published his memoir "Snakes and Ladders". = In 2017 he Released "Second Skin" with "Snakecharmer". = In 2020 he released a second album with Ali Maas - "Who’s Directing Your Movie?". = Moody has performed live with so many artist like: Eric Clapton , Alvin Lee , Mick Taylor , Bruce Dickinson , Sam Brown, Gary Brooker, Rick Wakeman, Jon Lord , "Uriah Heep", Alice Cooper , Brian Auger, Paul Weller, Meat Loaf and more. = Moody has been an active session musician and his website lists over 100 albums to which he has contributed. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

A Sneak Peek... Disturbed's fifth album "Asylum" was released on August 31, 2010. This is the fourth consecutive album that put the band straight at number one on the Billboard 200. On this album, David Draiman decided to go further and darker with the lyrics, but it also affected the music. In the songs, David shared experiences and especially messages on topics that are important to him and experiences he had in recent years. Dan tried to calm it down a bit and saying in interviews before the release of the album that they are not trying to lead a protest or revolution movement but are definitely trying to get people to think and try to look at things a little differently. In the period following the band's previous album, David went through a difficult period from which he drew inspiration for writing the lyrics. His wife left him, he was betrayed by his best friend, and in addition, he had to put his beloved dog for many years to sleep. The first single from the album "Another Way to Die" talks about global warming and the use of the earth's resources to the point of non-existence. The third song on the album "The Infection" refers to David's depression, like a creature that eats you from the inside out. One of the most famous and powerful songs for us as Jews is the song "Never Again" which refers to the Holocaust, especially to those who deny it and especially that it will never happen again. David is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor. You probably now remember the founding moments when the band performed in Israel and David gave an exciting and sweeping patriotic show, let's remember together !! The album was a bit of a musical change in the band's style but without a doubt retains its characteristics and presents the band on one of its talented, complex, and accurate albums !! Listen to the album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On August 31, 1999, Megadeth took "Uncalculated Risk" when she released the album "Risk". This is the band's eighth studio album and the first since 1990 that included a change in the band's lineup, with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso replacing Nick Menza. It is also the latest album featuring guitarist Marty Friedman who later left the band. The album's name came from a comment from Metallica's drummer Lars Ulrich , who told Dave Mustaine that he should take more risks when it comes to the band's musical line. The risk was indeed taken and the result was an unusual album that was radically different from the rest of the band's albums. "Megadeth" has completely abandoned the Thrash Metal style that characterized its classic albums, and created an album that included different and varied musical styles, from Industrial, through Alternative, Grunge, Glam Metal, and even Country Rock. The fundamental change in style can already be heard in the opening track " Insomnia " which takes us deep into the Industrial style and a combination of Electronic Metal a-la "Nine Inch Nails". Immediately after that comes " Prince of Darkness " which certainly does not sound like a tribute to the real Prince of Darkness. This is the album's darkest and heaviest song, and whoever listens to it will immediately understand how far the band has gone. If this song would have entered the "Rust In Peace" album, for example, it would have been considered a ballad. The song " Crush 'Em " and its opening track " Enter the Arena " were intended by Dave Mustaine to serve as an entry song for wrestling matches, but it's a song with a rather bland melody that is hard to see which WWE star decide to enter the arena with it. Even Mustaine was quoted saying that this is perhaps the most idiotic song he has ever written. Jean-Claude Van Damme probably thought otherwise, because this song was included in the soundtrack to the movie "Universal Soldier: The Return," which was released that year. " The Doctor Is Calling " features slight Doom touches and is Dave Mustaine 's attempt to sound dark and mysterious. The really interesting opening riff reminds us of "Metallica's" "The Thing That Should Not Be", and the question is why an artist in Mustaine's class, who created so many classics with his own hands, was not more careful and invited himself to the obvious comparison. " I'll Be There " is a kind of rock ballad that would not embarrass any Glam Metal band and is one of the band's catchy songs. The second single "Breadline" is not far away and is definitely meant to flirt with commercial radio stations. " Wanderlust " features a "Wild West" vibe that for some reason reminds us of Bon Jovi's "Dead or Alive" minus the slide guitar. " Ecstasy " could easily have been a hit in early 90s alternative charts. It seems to us that you have already grasped the idea, as this album continues to be scattered among a variety of styles without one clear direction, and this is just a small problem. The bigger problem, is that Dave Mustaine decided to release this album under the name "Megadeth". Had this album come out for example under the name "MD.45", as a solo album or another side project, it might have been received more sympathetically, since by and large there are no bad songs here at all that we even like, only they are completely non-Megadeth ones. For Listening : Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Here are some interesting facts about Van Morrison, a singer-songwriter and musician from Northern Ireland: (Photo: Last.fm) = He was born on August 31, 1945, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. His full name is George Ivan Morrison. = Morrison's early exposure to music included his father's extensive record collection, which was at the time one of the largest record collections in Northern Ireland, featuring jazz and blues. = Morrison's father bought him his first acoustic guitar when he was 11. He learned to play rudimentary chords from a song book. = In 1957, at the age of twelve, Morrison formed his first band, a skiffle group called "The Sputniks", named after the satellite, "Sputnik 1". = At 14, he formed "Midnight Special", another modified skiffle band and played at a school concert. = Later he talked his father into buying him a tenor saxophone, and took saxophone and music reading lessons. = At age 17, Morrison toured Europe for the first time with a band called "the International Monarchs". The band disbanded in 1963 after returning to Belfast. = In 1964 Morrison formed the band "Them", which became known for the hit "Gloria". = Morrison's vocal style is known for its expressiveness, blending soul, jazz, and blues, with frequent improvisation. = His lyrics often explore themes of spirituality, love, and the mystical, reflecting his Irish heritage. = In 1967 Morrison released his debut solo album, "Blowin' Your Mind!", featuring the hit single "Brown Eyed Girl." = The song was listed at No. 21 on the "Rolling Stone/MTV" list of "100 Greatest Pop Songs" and as No. 49 on "VH1's" list of the "100 Greatest Rock Songs", No. 110 on the "Rolling Stone magazine" list of "500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and in January 2007 it was inducted into the "Grammy Hall of Fame". = In 1968 Morrison released the album "Astral Weeks", now considered one of his masterpieces. The album has been placed on many lists of best albums including number two on the "Rolling Stone magazine's" "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". = In 1970 his album "Moondance" achieved commercial success, blending jazz, soul, and Irish folk. = He produced the album himself as he felt like nobody else knew what he wanted. = The album was listed at number sixty-five on the "Rolling Stone magazine's" "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". = In 1971 Morrison released "Tupelo Honey", known for its title track and the single "Wild Night." = In 1972 Morrison’s album "Saint Dominic's Preview" showcased his evolving musical style, with a mix of longer and more complex tracks. = Morrison's album "Hard Nose the Highway" from 1973 received mixed reviews, but featured the fan-favorite "Warm Love." = In 1974 he released "It's Too Late to Stop Now" with his eleven-piece band, The Caledonia Soul Orchestra. The album is often considered as one of the best live albums ever. = The same year he released "Veedon Fleece" reflecting his Irish roots with a more Celtic, acoustic approach. = In 1976 Morrison appeared in "The Band's" " The Last Waltz " concert. = In 1977 Morrison released "A Period of Transition" which marked a change in Morrison's musical style towards a more rhythm and blues sound. In this album he collaborated with Dr. John. = In 1978 Morrison released "Wavelength", which was more radio-friendly and garnered commercial success and was at that time the fastest-selling album of his career. = In 1979 he released "Into the Music" that was critically acclaimed for its spiritual and personal lyrics. = In 1980 Morrison released "Common One" and continued his exploration of spiritual themes, with long, meditative tracks. The album consisted of six songs; the longest, "Summertime in England", lasted fifteen and a half minutes. = In 1982 Morrison released "Beautiful Vision", which had him returning once again to the music of his Northern Irish roots. = In 1983 Morrison's "Inarticulate Speech of the Heart" was released. it was a move towards creating music for meditation with synthesizers, uilleann pipes and flute sounds. Four of the tracks were instrumentals. = His 1985 "A Sense of Wonder" original pressings had to be recalled when the W. B. Yeats estate refused to allow Morrison's musical version of the poem "Crazy Jane on God" to be included, as they believed his poems should only be set to classical music. He substituted it with "If You Only Knew". = In 1986 he released "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher", continuing his exploration of introspective and spiritual themes. = His 1987 album "Poetic Champions Compose", considered to be one of his recording highlights of the 1980s. It includes the romantic ballad, "Someone Like You", that has been featured in the soundtracks of several movies, including 1995's "French Kiss", and in 2001, both "Someone Like You" and "Bridget Jones's Diary". = The same year Morrison received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. = In 1989 Morrison released "Avalon Sunset" that included the hit "Have I Told You Lately," blending spirituality and romance. = In 1990 he participated in " The Wall - Live In Berlin " show. = In 1993 Morrison was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. = In 1995 "Days Like This" was released, featuring the song "No Religion," and a diverse group of songs offering a variety of moods and styles. = In 1996 Morrison was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", recognizing his significant impact on the music industry. = In 1997 he collaborated with Georgie Fame on the live jazz performances "How Long Has This Been Going On" and "Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison". = In 2002 he released "Down the Road" which showcased his continued exploration of blues and R&B influences. = In 2003 Morrison was inducted into the "Songwriters Hall of Fame", acknowledging his contributions as a lyricist and composer. = In 2004 "Magic Time" was released, receiving praise for its blend of jazz, blues, and Celtic influences. = In 2005 Morrison was awarded the "ASCAP" (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) Founders Award. = In 2008 Morrison performed "Astral Weeks" live for the first time in 40 years, leading to the release of "Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl". = In 2009 the "Rolling Stone Magazine" ranked Morrison 42nd on their list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time." = In 2012 he released "Born to Sing: No Plan B", returning to jazz and blues, with socially conscious lyrics. = In 2015 Morrison was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming Sir Van Morrison for his services to music and tourism in Northern Ireland. = The same year he released "Duets: Re-working the Catalogue" featured collaborations with artists like Bobby Womack and Mark Knopfler . = The album "Keep Me Singing" was released in 2016, featuring the hit "Too Late" and marking a return to original material. = In 2017 Morrison released "Roll with the Punches" exploring blues and jazz standards. The album featured Jeff Beck on guitar. The album consists of five original songs and ten covers like Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home to Me". = The same year Morrison received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at the 2017 "Americana Music Honors & Awards" ceremony. = In 2018 he released "You're Driving Me Crazy", a collaboration with organist Joey DeFrancesco. = In 2019 he released "Three Chords & the Truth" featured original songs with a return to his classic sound. = In 2020 Morrison released three anti-lockdown songs that drew significant controversy. = In 2021 he released his 42nd studio album "Latest Record Project, Volume 1", featuring 28 tracks and exploring contemporary issues, including the song "They Own the Media" faced with antisemitism claims. = In 2022 Morrison received the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor from the "Songwriters Hall of Fame". = In 2023 Morrison returned to his roots with two albums: "Moving on Skiffle", paying homage to the skiffle genre that influenced his early musical development and "Accentuate the Positive" which is his 45th studio album. = Morrison has influenced artists like Bruce Springsteen , Bono , and Elvis Costello across various genres. = Morrison is often cited as one of the greatest singer-songwriters of his generation, with a significant influence on rock, folk, and soul music. 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On August 30, 2004, in Europe and September 7, 2004, in the U.S., "Dio" released their 10th studio album "Master of the Moon". This is the final studio album from "Dio". Produced by Ronnie James Dio , this release marks a return to familiar territory with guitarist Craig Goldy, who previously played on " Dream Evil " from 1987 and " Magica " (2000) and bass player Jeff Pilson ("Dokken", "Foreigner") who previously played on " Strange Highways " and " Angry Machines ". The lineup also features drummer Simon Wright almost a permanent member who has been replacing Vinny Appice in the years 1989–1991, and then from 1998 on , and keyboardist Scott Warren who has been in the band since 1993. Musically, "Master of the Moon" leans into the doom-metal, mid-tempo grooves that became "Dio’s" trademark in later years. Compared to the more aggressive "Killing the Dragon" from 2002, this album adopts a slower, darker tone, full of brooding riffs and atmospheric arrangements. Goldy’s return brings a welcome familiarity to the guitar work, though the solos and riffs often feel more restrained, serving the songs without overpowering them. Jeff Pilson's bass provides a sturdy foundation, and Simon Wright 's drumming is tight and precise, even if it doesn’t break much new ground. The opening track " One More for the Road " is a fast-paced heavy metal "Dio" familiar tune, but it doesn't hint at what comes next. The title track, " Master of the Moon ," follows with a slow-mystic, foreboding atmosphere, setting the tone with Ronnie James Dio ’s powerful, operatic vocals and Goldy’s heavy, deliberate riffing. " The End of the World " carries a sinister, apocalyptic theme and one of the catchiest grooves on the album. " Shivers " features some of Goldy’s best riff work, harkening back to the more energetic rock feel of "Dio’s" earlier efforts, but the main riff reminds us of "Metallica's" " For Whom The Bells Tolls ", and the pre-choros melody is a bit reminiscent of " Hungry For Heaven " from the " Sacred Heart " Album. One of the standout tracks, " Death by Love ," was co-written by Chuck Garric, a former touring bassist from the " Magica " era. Its driving tempo and melodic hooks give it a hard-hitting edge that contrasts with the album's darker material. The Japanese edition of the album also includes the bonus track " The Prisoner of Paradise ," offering a rare addition for die-hard fans. (Photo: alchetron.com ) Lyrically, Dio delves into some of his most cynical and politically charged material to date. In interviews, he remarked that many of the lyrics reflect "the dangers we face almost every day in modern life," adding a timely, socially conscious layer to his usual mystical and mythical storytelling. Tracks like " Living the Lie " and " The Eyes " explore themes of deception, surveillance, and control, while " The Man Who Would Be King " takes a look at the destructive nature of unchecked power. Supporting "Master of the Moon", Dio delivered setlists that spanned his entire career, including classics from his "Rainbow" and "Black Sabbath" years. However, due to prior commitments, Jeff Pilson couldn’t join the tour, and Rudy Sarzo stepped in to handle bass duties on the road. While "Master of the Moon" doesn’t quite reach the iconic heights of "Dio’s" earlier works like " Holy Diver " or " The Last In Line ", it remains a respectable swan song. The album is steeped in the same mysticism, operatic flair, and dark themes that defined "Dio's" career. However, some songs do fall into a repetitive structure, and the slower pace may not resonate with all fans. Nonetheless, Ronnie James Dio ’s vocal prowess and the return of Craig Goldy bring a sense of closure to this final chapter. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Guitarist Rudolf Schenker celebrates his birthday today !! (Photo: Timetorock.ru) He was born on August 31, 1948, in Hildesheim, Germany. Rudolf is the older brother of virtuoso guitarist Michael Schenker . He is 7 years older than him. Rudolf and Michael were influenced by bands like "Deep Purple," "Led Zeppelin," "Wishbone Ash" and more. Rudolf Schenker founded "Scorpions" in 1965 and is the only permanent member of the band since its inception to this day. From the beginning of the band's career until the joining of singer Klaus Meine in 1969, Rudolf also served as the band's singer. Rudolf is the living spirit and lead writer of the band, who co-wrote most of its songs during their 50 years of activity, from the album " Lonesome Crow " in 1972 to the present day. The Gibson Flying V guitar has become Rudolf's trademark. His brother Michael, also started playing guitars of this kind following Rudolf. This guitar is so identified with Rudolf that during Scorpions' acoustic show - "Acoustica" Gibson created an acoustic model of the V-shaped guitar, especially for him. Although Rudolph serves as the band's rhythm guitarist, he plays solos in quite a few iconic songs of the band such as: Always Somewhere, "Still Loving You", "Send Me an Angel", "Lady Starlight", "Dynamite", "Big City Nights", "Wind of Change", "When The Smoke is Going Down", "Animal Magnetism" and more. He also serves as the band's background vocalist, but in a number of the band's songs, he sings solo, such as: "Hey You", "They Need a Million", Drifting Sun" and more. The character that appears on the cover of the album "Blackout" is his (yes, the one with the forks in his eyes). The same character also appears in the clip for the song "No One Like You" from the same album. See here: To date, Schenker and the Scorpions have released 19 studio albums. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

We do not write much about albums that invented and created a new musical genre, the debut album of "Santana", released on August 30, 1969, is one of them. We're talking about the "Latin Rock" genre that was born today in 1969, when Santana released their debut album. It is a subgenre of Rock that consists of a great mix of styles, mainly Rock, Blues, Cuban music, African rhythms as well as touches of Folk, Jazz, and Psychedelia. So to understand what led to the creation of the new music genre, we need to go back to the Latin Quarter in San Francisco in 1966. Guitarist Carlos Santana , a native-born of Mexico, accepted the invitation of guitarist Tom Fraser who wanted to form a new rock band. They were joined by Marcus Malone on percussion, Rod Harper on drums, Sergio "Gus" Rodriguez on bass, and keyboardist and singer Gregg Rolie, thus creating the band's first lineup. In the beginning, the band was called "Santana Blues Band" but later its name was shortened to "Santana". Beginning in 1967 the band performed at local clubs, but had difficulty obtaining a recording contract. At the time Carlos Santana was working as a dishwasher in restaurants and tour organizer Chet Helms even advised him to keep his job as he did not see a future for the band. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives) The struggle for success was showing its signs, and until the band manages to secure a recording contract with Columbia in 1969, only Carlos Santana , Gregg Rolie, and Marcus Malone remain members of the original line-up. Later they were joined by David Brown on bass, Michael Shrieve on drums, and Michael Carabello and José "Chepito" Areas both on percussion. The band members entered the recording studio in May 1969. Most of the original material on the album was born from jam sessions and improvisations, which is probably why four of the nine tracks included in the album are instrumental tracks. Members of "Santana" were unaware that the magic they created during those jam sessions, would actually give birth to a new musical style. Lucky for the band their manager Bill Graham was asked to help organize the iconic Woodstock Festival. Graham agreed to help, but on one condition, that "Santana" will be added to the list of artists that perform at the festival. This condition turned out to be one of Graham's ingenious moves, which brought the band a lot of international publicity and launched the sales figures of their debut album, which was released exactly two weeks after that historic festival. "Santana" performed on the afternoon of the second day of the Woodstock Festival, August 16, 1969. It was one of the best performances at the festival, thanks in part to the impressive, improvised, and exciting performance of the instrumental track "Soul Sacrifice". Following their successful performance at the Woodstock Festival, "Santana" became the talk of the day, and their debut album, released two weeks later, reached number four on the Billboard 200. The hit "Evil Ways" originally recorded by Willie Bobo in 1965 was ranked among the top ten most played songs in 1969 in the United States. The first single released from the album was "Jingo", an adaptation of the 1960 "Jin-Go-Lo-Ba", by Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji, who also received credit for writing. This piece well illustrates the band's unique style. The African rhythms produced by drummer Mike Shrieve, accompanied by the two percussionists Carabello and Areas, are combined with the Latin touches from Santana's guitar. The reviews praised, and the headlines heralded the arrival of a new musical style. Rolling Stone magazine called the album "Masterpiece of Technique." This album has rightly won the 150th place on the Rolling Stone list of 500 greatest albums of all time. For Listening : Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Here are some interesting facts about guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine: (Photo: Masquerade Atlanta) = Tony MacAlpine was born on August 29, 1960, in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. = He began playing piano at age 5 and guitar at 12. He studied classical piano and violin at the Springfield Conservatory of Music in Massachusetts. = During the early 1980s MacAlpine attended the University of Hartford in Connecticut, where he focused on classical piano. His influences included Frédéric Chopin, whose études he frequently interpreted on his albums. = In 1984 MacAlpine released his debut album, "Edge of Insanity", which showcased his virtuoso guitar skills, but also his keyboards and bass skills. Bassist Billy Sheehan played on all tracks of the album except three. = In 1986 MacAlpine released his second album, "Maximum Security", which solidified his place in the neoclassical metal genre. = The Same year he played guitar in the supergroup "M.A.R.S." (the initial of each musician's last name: guitarist Tony M acAlpine, drummer Tommy A ldridge , singer Rob R ock, and bassist Rudy S arzo.) and contributed to the album "Project: Driver". = Also in 1986, MacAlpine played keyboards on Vinnie Moore's debut album, "Mind's Eye". = In 1987 he contributed keyboards to Joey Tafolla's debut album, "Out of the Sun". = In 1990 he released "Eyes of the World" under the band name "MacAlpine," aiming for a more commercial hard rock sound. = In 1992 MacAlpine returned to instrumental work with the album "Freedom to Fly". = In the years 1993-1996 MacAlpine released a series of instrumental albums on Shrapnel Records: "Madness" (1993), "Premonition" (1994), "Evolution" (1995), and "Violent Machine" (1996). = In 1997 he released "Live Insanity", his first solo live album. = In 1999 MacAlpine experimented with vocals on "Master of Paradise", where he took on singing duties. = The same year he played guitar on Vinnie Moore’s album "The Maze". = In the years 2000-2006 MacAlpine was part of the progressive metal supergroup "Planet X" including keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Virgil Donati, contributing to their albums "Universe" (2000), "Live from Oz" (2002), and "MoonBabies" (2002). = In the years 2000-2010 MacAlpine was part of the jazz-fusion band "CAB", playing guitar and keyboards. He released multiple albums with them, including "CAB" (2000), "CAB 2" (2001), "CAB 4" (2003), and "Theatre de Marionnettes" (2008). = In 2000 he was featured in Mark Boals' album "Ring of Fire". MacAlpine will continue to collaborate with Boals on his next solo album "Edge of the World". = In 2001 MacAlpine released "Chromaticity", a blend of metal, classical, and jazz elements. = In the years 2001-2005 MacAlpine played guitar and keyboards in Steve Vai ’s touring band, "The Breed", appearing on the "Live at the Astoria London" DVD (2003) and the "G3" tour DVDs: "G3 Live in Denver" (2004) and "G3: Live in Tokyo" (2005). = In 2002 he joined the neoclassical/progressive/power metal supergroup "Ring of Fire" with Mark Boals, Virgil Donati and Philip Bynoe. He released two albums with them - "Dreamtower" from 2002 and Lapse of Reality from 2004 as well as a live album, "Burning Live In Tokyo" in 2002. = After disbanding "Ring of Fire", Boals, MacAlpine, and Donati later formed The Progressive Metal act "Seven the Hardway". They released their self-titled album in 2010. = And that's where the Israeli side comes in. In 2011, guitarist Nili Brosh (sister of guitarist Eitan Brosh) joined the band "Seven the Hardway" along with guitarist Tony MacAlpine. Nili then went on to join McAlpine on tour with his band in Europe and the United States, and again in 2014 for the "Maximum Security tour". = In 2007 he Contributed to the album "Clinophobia" by "Devil's Slingshot", with Virgil Donati and Billy Sheehan. = In 2009 MacAlpine rejoined "Planet X" for live performances. = In 2010 MacAlpine contributed to Dave Weiner's album "On Revolute". = In 2011 he released his self-titled eleventh studio album "Tony MacAlpine" through Steve Vai ’s Favored Nations label. It was his first solo release in ten years, and the first to feature his extensive use of seven- and eight-string guitars, which began in the days he spent with "Planet X". = The same year he guest appeared on Derek Sherinian's album "Oceana". = In 2012 Tony MacAlpine Toured Europe and Asia with the instrumental supergroup "PSMS"( Portnoy /Sheehan/MacAlpine/Sherinian). Their live material was released as the DVD "Instrumental Inspirations". = In 2013 "PSMS" released the live album "Live in Tokyo". = In 2014 MacAlpine played on "Ring of Fire's" album "Battle of Leningrad". = In 2015 he released his twelfth studio album, "Concrete Gardens", featuring guest appearances from guitarists like Jeff Loomis. = In 2017 he Released "Death of Roses", the first part of a planned two-part album series. = In 2018 he released "Twelve Twelve", the second part of the "Death of Roses" series. = The same year he appeared on Michel Polnareff's album "Enfin!". = In 2021 MacAlpine released the album "Equilibrium". = The same year he released "Live in Tokyo", a live album recorded during his 2017 tour in Japan. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Thirty Seconds To Mars' second album "A Beautiful Lie" was released on August 30, 2005. This is the breakthrough album of this special band that was a musical leap forward and brought the band international exposure. In contrast to the previous album which was written and recorded mostly by the brothers, Jared Leto and Shannon Leto , on this album joins and co-write guitarist Tomo Miličević who will become a permanent member of the band and be part of its next albums and bassist Matt Wachter who participates exclusively on this album. Photo: wired.com You will not find here masterpieces, complex songs, and honed techniques. On the contrary, it is a basic rock, energetic, exciting, and powerful album that aims to bring you joy and come to the band's performances so that you can sing out loud. The band is undoubtedly undergoing a welcome change here with a leap forward in terms of the production and melody of the songs. Leto decides to give the lyrics on this album a more personal and inner meaning unlike the previous album, he shares his feelings, experiences, and point of view on himself and the world. Four singles were released from the album that starred at the top of the charts and brought this album to international exposure. The first single "Attack" is a tactical bomb, an anthem that is made and produced well and honestly magnetizes you to the album. In the second single "The Kill" Leto takes his soul out and uses all his vocal abilities, a song built on silence/noise, low and high, take you like a swing to Leto's whispers and screams. The third single "From Yesterday" which generated a well-produced music video that came straight from Leto's second career, is an epic and dramatic song that unquestionably sweeps you away and yet feels very honest and genuine. The fourth and final single bearing the name of the album is also accompanied by drama but is much more aggressive and powerful, Shannon's rhythm keeps you tight close to the speakers and allows Leto to penetrate with his views on life and its definition. The album gained high spots in the charts around the world and with the help of the music videos that were broadcast non-stop, it gained enormous exposure and put "Mars" on the world rock map. This is an album of pure pleasure that is fun to listen to and also roars in the band's live shows. Listen to the album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website