On August 24, 1981 "The Rolling Stones" released their 16th studio album "Tattoo You". "Tattoo You" marks a unique chapter in the "Rolling Stones'" extensive discography. The album is widely regarded as a late-career triumph, reinvigorating the band’s sound. Comprised mostly of unreleased tracks from previous recording sessions spanning the '70s, "Tattoo You" showcases the "Stones'" ability to polish and reinvent older material into a fresh and cohesive album. Led by the dynamic Mick Jagger 's vocals and the sublime guitar duo of Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, "Tattoo You" boasts a lineup that includes Bill Wyman on bass and Charlie Watts on drums. However, the album also features previous members and guest musicians like Mick Taylor , Nicky Hopkins, and Billy Preston, enriching the album's tapestry with their unique artistry. From the infectious energy of " Start Me Up " originally rehearsed in 1978 during the "Some Girls" sessions and " Hang Fire " that was worked on in both the "Some Girls" and "Emotional Rescue" sessions, to the soulful balladry of tracks like “ Waiting on a Friend ”, " Tops " both were cut in late 1972 during the "Goats Head Soup" sessions with Mick Taylor and " Worried About You " with Billy Preston on keyboards, this album encapsulates the essence of rock 'n' roll with a touch of blues and a sprinkle of groove. The album is often divided into two thematic halves. Side one, with tracks like “ Start Me Up ”, “ Hang Fire ,” " Black Limousine ", " Neighbors " and more, that captures the band’s signature rock energy. “ Start Me Up ,” originally conceived as a reggae track, evolved into a stadium anthem with an infectious riff and swaggering vocal delivery by Mick Jagger . Its lasting appeal and status as a concert staple cement its place as one of the "Stones'" most enduring hits. " Hang Fire " criticizes England, suggesting its people are lazy and its politicians incompetent. Initially titled "Lazy Bitch," it likely referenced British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. " Black Limousine " was based on Jimmy Reed's blues track "You Don't Have To Go" and reflects the band's rock and roll lifestyle involving women, alcohol, and limousines. Initially recorded during the "Some Girls" sessions in 1978, the song stands out as one of the few credited not just to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards , but also to Ron Wood. Wood mentioned that the guitar riff was influenced by Texas slide blues guitarist Hop Wilson. As the lyrics suggest, " Little T & A " is a great rock N' roll track with Keith Richards on lead vocals and bass. " Neighbours " was inspired by Keith Richards ' real-life experiences with noisy neighbors, leading to his eviction from a New York apartment in 1981. Initially started in 1979 for the "Emotional Rescue" album, the song features Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins who also played in " Slave " and " Waiting on a Friend ". Side two, shifts to a more introspective and mellow tone. Tracks like “ Worried About You ”, " Heaven " and “ Waiting on a Friend ” highlight the band’s versatility and depth. " Heaven " explores themes of sexual ecstasy. While the word "heaven" doesn't appear in the lyrics, even Mick Jagger is unsure how the title was chosen. Keith Richards did not play on this track; instead, Bill Wyman handled guitar, synthesizer, and bass, while Jagger also played guitar. The song's vocals and sound mark it as one of the "Stones'" most psychedelic tracks. Originally started in 1979, it was intended for the "Emotional Rescue" album. “ Waiting on a Friend ”, is a reflective song about friendship, with possible undertones related to drug use, given Keith Richards ' heroin habit at the time, featuring a delicate saxophone solo by Sonny Rollins alongside Mick Taylor , Nicky Hopkins, Jimmy Miller, and Kasper Winding. It is a standout, blending warmth and nostalgia with reflective lyrics. Keith Richards ’ soulful guitar work shines throughout the album, particularly on “ Slave ,” where the groove-heavy, extended jam showcases the "Stones'" affinity for blending rock with blues and funk. This track was originally recorded in 1974 as "The Black And Blue Jam,". Pete Townshend of "The Who" provided backup vocals. The original recording featured Billy Preston, Jeff Beck , and Nicky Hopkins, though their parts were removed in the final version.  Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins was convinced by his wife to collaborate with the "Stones", contributing also to this tracks. The album’s creation, largely fueled by necessity due to the band’s grueling touring schedule, resulted in a collage of reworked outtakes and new recordings. Despite this patchwork approach, "Tattoo You" stands as a testament to the "Rolling Stones'" resilience and adaptability. "Tattoo You" proved that the "Rolling Stones" could still deliver potent and relevant music nearly two decades into their career. The album’s eclectic mix of rockers and ballads reflects the band’s enduring chemistry and ability to draw from their deep well of musical influences. "Tattoo You" was not just a critical success but also a commercial triumph. This album climbed to the top of the US Billboard 200, showcasing the enduring appeal of The "Rolling Stones" music. Surpassing all expectations, "Tattoo You" became the pinnacle of the band's chart achievements, capping off a winning streak of eight consecutive number-one albums in the US that began with " Sticky Fingers " in 1971. The impact of "Tattoo You" transcends its initial release. In 1989, "Rolling Stone" magazine bestowed the album with the honor of being ranked 34 on the list of the "100 greatest albums of the 1980s". Furthermore, it secured a spot on the prestigious list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", ranking at 211 in 2003 and later at 213 in the revised list of 2012. More than that, in 2000 the album was voted number 759 in Colin Larkin's "All Time Top 1000 Albums". Such accolades underscore the lasting influence and significance of this musical masterpiece. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Alice In Chains' sixth album takes it back to the origins, to the place where it all began, and also to the place where a period ended, "Rainier Fog" was released on August 24, 2018 !! It connects directly to Layne Staley and also to the event that took place at the MTV Unplugged show... With 15 years of alcohol and drugs rehabs in his history book, Jerry Cantrell and his bandmates decided to return to the origins, to where the grunge scene took place, the birthplace, and the growth of the big grunge bands. The recordings of the album were set by Alice's members at the famous "Studio X" in Seattle, where the band's last album with Layne was recorded in 1995 and bears the band's name . At this age (54) Jerry recounted: "You are no longer concerned about record companies, schedules, marketing, and distribution, you just come and do the work” (by the way, they financed their previous album “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here” themselves). The band members came to this album with a "blank page", with no prior preparations or solid ideas. They decided to start the writing process in this studio to get inspired. Following the development of William DuVall in the band, which is very reminiscent of the development of Layne, DuVall gets more space and participates in the writing of the lyrics and music. Jerry said that in most cases, especially on recent albums, that was the challenging part for him. He could not write again about his father, write again about his brother or the girlfriend he broke up with, and the days of addiction and hard times were over. It is not difficult to look for topics that are insane, exciting, or touching, but nonetheless, it was very challenging for him. Here DuVall came to the rescue, and beyond the more significant presence in vocals, he was also expressed in writing. The album was mostly recorded in "Studio X", but additional recordings took place in five more studios. One of the studios was Jerry's house and here comes the connection to the MTV Unplugged show. We told you in the review of the Unplugged show that Jerry almost did not come up to perform. That day he ate a rotten sausage and suffered from severe food poisoning that almost completely shut him down. So here the story repeats itself... During the recordings for the album, Jerry had to take a break to attend the birthday party of Sammy Hagar ("Van Helen") which took place in Mexico. Apparently, during the party, he ate something bad and caught severe food poisoning that shut him down for six weeks. Since he did not want to delay the release of the album, he decided to continue the recordings, he invited the recording technician Paul Figueroa to his house and continued from there. We talked about how this album is a return to the origins and especially to the city where it all started. Apart from the studio where the album was recorded, the band held another tribute with the name of the album and the theme song. The name of the album is a tribute to the volcano "Mount Rainier" that dominates the entire Seattle-Tacoma area. On the cover of the album, you can see a triangle of a kind of mountain with the "Eye of God" in the center with a fog around it watching over everyone. The album opens with the song " The One You Know " which leads it to a heavy, strong, and endless riff. The song released as the first single from the album is inspired by the death of David Bowie . Jerry said the song is not at all reminiscent of Bowie's "Fame" song but it is the one who planted the inspiration for writing the song. The second song on the album the title song " Rainier Fog " is a tribute to the grunge scene from which this amazing band came out. The tribute is to everything that happened in that scene, where they came from, what shaped them, all the victories, and all the losses. Jerry and the rest of the band buried many friends from that time and he said it was hard for him to talk all the time about the friends he had lost and the grief. The next song " Red Giant " is very reminiscent of the band's first songs with the heavy riff and the quiet dynamics and the creeping rhythm. Some say that this album in general sounds like a return to the style of the band's first albums in terms of sound, riffs, and melody. (Photo: Johnny Buzzerio) The fourth song on the album is " Fly " which is really reminiscent of the band's previous songs but there is a short and breathtaking solo section !! The song " Drone " features guitarist Chris DeGarmo who was in "Queensrÿche", also originally from Seattle. Jerry told (and we do not know if to believe him) that he had a hard time with the parts of the acoustic guitar so he turned to his good friend Chris who happened to be around at the time. Let's jump to the song " So Far Under " which is all (lyrics and music) written by DuVall, he even plays the guitar solo in the song. There is an interpretation that says that the text of the song reflects the wars and difficult struggles that DuVall experienced in front of the band's fans when he came to fill Layne's place. If we talk about the tribute of this album to the grunge scene in all sorts of aspects then the next song on the album " Never Fade " is a song written by Jerry (music) and DuVall (lyrics). The music was there but Jerry did not find suitable lyrics, One day DuVall was in the studio alone until late and began writing the song. He said he was inspired by the death of his grandmother and the death of Chris Cornell . The song is a tribute to all the friends from Seattle who passed away, friends who will never forget. The album ends with the song " All I Am ", Hard Rock's seven long minutes which according to Jerry reflect the scars a warrior carries on him after all the hard struggles he went through over the years, the scars that shaped his character, and reflect what he is. An interesting ending with introspection! The album reached number 12 on the Billboard 200, a huge success for a band that did have a huge reputation but did not release an album for five years. The band was also surprised by the success of the album in Europe, where it took the top five places in the various charts in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and more. The album also earned the band a Grammy nomination in the Best Rock Album category that year. Feel free to listen to an album that is all a tribute to the grunge scene in Seattle on: 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 John Bush - American heavy metal singer known for his work with "Armored Saint" and "Anthrax": (Photo: Gary Wolstenholme) = He was born on August 24, 1963, in Austin, Texas. = His passion for music ignited at a young age, spending hours poring over his father's vinyl records. = Believe it or not, but Bush was influenced vocally from the "Motown" sound old school R&B and soul bands like "The Four Tops", "The O'Jays", "The Temptations". = Bush started his singing career in 1979 at Woodrow Wilson High School, fronting the band "Royal Decree", with brothers Felipe "Phil" Sandoval (lead guitar) and Gonzalo "Gonzo" Sandoval (drums), and bassist Joey Vera. = In 1982, they all became founding members of "Armored Saint", along with new lead guitarist Dave Prichard. = In 1983 "Armored Saint" released their debut EP "Armored Saint EP". = The band released its debut album "March of the Saint" in 1984. = In the early 1980s, Bush was invited by "Metallica" to join them as lead singer. Even after the release of " Kill ' Em All ", James Hetfield felt unsure about his singing abilities and wanted to concentrate on his guitar, so he personally asked Bush to join "Metallica". Bush turned down the offer as he wanted to stay with "Armored Saint". = In 1984 Bush appeared in "Huey Lewis and the News'" music video for "The Heart of Rock & Roll." = The band released their second album "Delirious Nomad" in 1985. While recording the album, guitarist Phil Sandoval left the band. = In 1987 "Armored Saint" released their third album "Raising Fear" as a four-piece band, as guitarist Phil Sandoval had left during the recording of the previous album. This was the last "Armored Saint" studio album with guitarist Dave Prichard, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1989. = In 1990 "Armored Saint's" guitarist Dave Prichard passed away; the band recorded "Symbol of Salvation" released in 1991 as a tribute. = The song "Hanging Judge" from the album was featured in the 1992 horror film "Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth". = In 1992, after "Armored Saint's" initial breakup, Bush joined "Anthrax" as their lead vocalist. = In 1993 Bush released "Sound of White Noise" with "Anthrax", marking a new era for the band. = Bush was also featured in "Anthrax's" seventh studio album "Stomp 442", released in 1995. = In 1998 Bush recorded "Volume 8: The Threat Is Real" with "Anthrax" amid label difficulties. = In 1999 he reunited with "Armored Saint" and released "Revelation" in 2000. = In 2003 Bush released "We’ve Come for You All", his last studio album with "Anthrax". = In 2004 "Anthrax" released "The Greater of Two Evils" - a re-recording of several of the band's more popular songs from the pre-Bush era. = Bush departed from "Anthrax" in 2005, when Joey Belladonna rejoined for the band's reunion. = In 2009 Bush returned to "Anthrax" for a series of live performances but did not rejoin full-time. = In 2010 he released the album "La Raza" with "Armored Saint". = In 2011 he performed with "Metallica" at their 30th anniversary show, singing "The Four Horsemen." = The same year he was featured in the German instrumental band "Long Distance Calling" self-titled album, performing vocals on "Middleville" - the only track with vocals on that album. = In 2013 he provided vocals for the "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" video game soundtrack. = Bush has done commercial voiceovers for the fast food chain Burger King. = In 2015 he released "Win Hands Down" with "Armored Saint". = In 2018 he was featured on "Metal Allegiance’s" album "Volume II – Power Drunk Majesty". = He appeared on the 2019 David Ellefson album "Sleeping Giants", supplying lead vocals for the track "If You Were God". = He released the excellent " Punching the Sky " with "Armored Saint". in 2020. = He joined the supergroup "Category 7" in 2024, with veteran musicians from bands as "Adrenaline Mob", "Machine Head", "Overkill", "Exodus", and "Shadows Fall". They released their debut eponymous album the same year. = The same year he released a cover version of "The Four Tops" song "One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)" with "Armored Saint" fulfilling his love for the band and the genre he grew up on. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Editor's Choice... And this time, artists recommend. David Bowie noted that this album is one of the albums he would take with him to a lonely island. Jimmy Page said it was his favorite album from the 1990s. His friend Robert Plant also handed out compliments on the album. Bob Dylan argues that this album was written by one of the greatest writers of the decade. Matt Bellamy of "Muse" and Thom Yorke of "Radiohead" noted the album as an influence. Even Paul McCartney , Bono , Morrissey, and Neil Peart Rush's drummer, showered him with praise. Ladies and Gentlemen Jeff Buckley 's "Grace" album !!! This is the only studio album that Jeff Buckley has released in his life. A unique, one-time, and special album that falls into the alternative category, but it is really difficult to define its style, which draws from so many genres. Folk, hard rock, jazz, punk, and we even heard opera. An album that will take you on a mysterious and magical journey. Will excite you, shake, mesmerize and eventually melt you at the sound of the vibrating, powerful, fragile, and out-of-octave Buckley's vocal. This album received high praise and it was clear to everyone that it was going to be the beginning of a wonderful career for singer and musician Jeff Buckley. Unfortunately, however, Jeff was found dead less than three years later in a mysterious drowning accident and all the tremendous potential inherent in this extraordinary artist sank with him into the depths of the Mississippi River. This time we are interested in telling you one or two facts about each song from the album: 1. The song " Mojo Pin " was written by Buckley and Gary Lucas when Buckley was still part of his band Gods & Monsters. The song was first released on Buckley's 1993 EP Live at Sin-é. 2. Buckley wrote the theme song " Grace " after saying goodbye to his girlfriend Rebecca Moore at the airport. In the lyrics of the song, Buckley states that he is not afraid to die... 3. The song " Last Goodbye " which was released as the second single from the album became the most successful song from a commercial album in the US. It was first recorded as his demo in 1990 and was called "Unforgiven". 4. The track " Lilac Wine " is a song written by James Shelton in 1950. Since then the song has been performed by other artists such as Nina Simon, Jeff Beck , Miley Cyrus, and more. 5. The main track on the album " So Real " was written by guitarist Michael Tighe who joined Buckley during the recording of the album. The song entered the album at the expense of the song " Forget Her " which was only included in the extended versions of the album. 6. Although this is a cover version of a song by Leonard Cohen, the song " Hallelujah " performed by Buckley entered the list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. 7. The song " Lover, You Should've Come Over " was influenced by Buckley's breakup with his girlfriend Rebecca Moore, yes that one from No. 2. Buckley noted that he wrote the song at home while he was waiting on the phone, but she did not call... 8. The track " Corpus Christi Carol " is an adaptation of Buckley's interpretation of an ancient 16th-century English hymn. 9. In the song " Eternal Life " Buckley was influenced by one of his favorite bands "Led Zeppelin". 10. Buckley wrote the song " Dream Brother " about his friend Chris Dowd who chose to leave his girlfriend who got pregnant with him. Buckley tried to persuade him through the song not to make the mistake of his father, singer Tim Buckley, who left him as a child. The album Grace is at the top of various lists and ratings, including entering the list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Listen to the album on: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Jazz is flowing in his veins. even though he does not have a driver’s license he has a respectable collection of cars and he came to “Rock” by mistake after giving up a career as a graphic designer. (Photo: Ursula Duren) Here are some interesting facts about Charlie Watts, the "quiet power" behind the biggest rock band in the world: 1. He was born in London and raised in Kingsbury, England on June 2, 1941. His name at birth was Charles Robert Watts. 2. At school Charlie was a good student who also demonstrated talent in music, art, football, and cricket. 3. Charlie grew up in jazz music and admired jazz artists like Charlie Parker. His childhood friend Dave Green (who became a jazz bassist himself) testified that he had a very respectable jazz record collection. (Photo: Hulton Archive) 4. His interest in music led him to acquire Banjo as a child. He soon realized that this was not the instrument for him. He cut its neck and strings and turned it into a drum. When his parents saw what he had made of the banjo they decided to buy him a drum set. 5. After graduating from high school he studied and was trained as a graphic designer. He later began working as a graphic designer for an advertising company called "Charlie Daniels Studios". 6. In parallel with his work as a designer, Charlie continued to develop his music hobby while playing with his childhood friend Dave Green in local cafes and clubs. Their first band that started in 1958 was called "Jo Jones All-Stars". 7. In 1961 Charlie moved to Denmark following a job offer as a graphic designer. At the same time, Alexis Korner approached him and offered to join his band "Blues Incorporated", which hosted artists such as Mick Jagger, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton , and Brian Jones . 8. Watts accepted the offer and in February 1962 returned to London and began playing with Alexis Korner's band while at the same time continuing to work in advertising agencies as a graphic designer. 9. In January 1963, Watts complied with the request of Keith Richards , Mick Jagger , and Brian Jones to join the "Rolling Stones". (Photo: Michael Ward) 10. From that point onwards Watts served as the band's regular drummer. He released with "the Stones" 30 studio albums, 3 mini-albums, 33 live albums, and a similar number of collections. 11. Watts also appeared on the 1972 album " Jamming with Edward ", along with Stones' friends Mick Jagger and Bill Wyman. 12. In addition to his musical contribution to the band, Watts also brought his training as a graphic designer and, among other things, designed the back cover of the album "Between the Buttons". 13. Watts also maintains his great love for Jazz, in several projects of which he was a part of. 14. In the late 90's he and keyboardist Ian Stewart who played on the Rolling Stones albums, formed the band "Rocket 88" - which hosted the best jazz and R&B artists in England. 15. In 1986 he released the album "The Charlie Watts Orchestra Live at Fulham Town Hall" under the band "The Charlie Watts Orchestra". (Photo: Mark Seliger) 16. From 1991 to 1996 he released 4 albums under the band "The Charlie Watts Quintet". 17. In 2000 he and drummer Jim Keltner released the album "The Charlie Watts-Jim Keltner Project". 18. In 2004 he formed a new band called "The Charlie Watts Tentet" with which he released the album "Watts at Scott's". 19. In 2010 he was a part of another band Named "The ABC & D of Boogie Woogie" with which he released two albums in 2010 and 2012. The ensemble included pianists Axel Zwingenberger, Ben Waters, and his childhood friend Dave Green on bass. 20. In 2017 he released the album "Charlie Watts meets the Danish Radio Big Band (Live At Danish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen" which was recorded in 2010. 21. In 1989, Watts was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" as a member of the Rolling Stones. 22. In 2014 he performed with the Rolling Stones in Israel. He visited the Western Wall and noted that the visit was very exciting for him. (Photo: Amit Shabi) 23. He is married to the same woman - Shirley Ann Shepherd, since 1964. Watts and his wife have an Arabian horse farm. 24. Watts has a habit of sketching every new hotel he has stayed in during the band's tour. 25. When bassist Bill Wyman decided to leave the band, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger left Watts with the decision of who would be the bassist to replace him. After many auditions, Watts chose Darryl Jones. 26. In June 2004 It was reported that Watts had been diagnosed with throat cancer, even though he had stopped smoking 15 years earlier. In October of that year, he successfully underwent surgery to remove the tumor. 27. Despite his quiet appearance Watts once punched Mick Jagger in the face after he referred to him as "my drummer". 28. Watts is known as a food dresser. The "Daily Telegraph" put him on the list of the most beautifully dressed men in the world, and in 2006, "Vanity Fair" magazine put him on the international list of the best-dressed men. 29 .. Although Watts does not have a driver's license, he holds a large collection of classic cars. 30. In 2006 'Modern Drummer Magazine, chose Watts along with other great drummers, such as: Ringo Starr and Keith Moon to the magazine's "Hall of Fame". 31. Watts passed away on August 24, 2021, about two months after his 80th birthday. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On August 24, 1983, "Rainbow" released their seventh studio album, "Bent Out Of Shape". The album's name and cover illustrate what the listener will find inside. A band whose shape has completely changed since its early days. Anyone who remembers Ronnie James Dio 's era in "Rainbow" and listens to the album will have a hard time noticing that it's the same band, but still, it's a great one from Ritchie Blackmore & company. On this album, Ritchie Blackmore continued with the line of commercialization that began on the album " Down to Earth " and only expanded from album to album. Cozy Powell , who sensed that this was the direction the band was going to dedicate itself to in subsequent albums, abandoned ship immediately after releasing that album, and he was right about Ritchie Blackmore 's intentions that the American market was very fascinated by. This time Ritchie Blackmore also tried to ride on the back of the relative success of the previous album "Straight Between The Eyes" which came out a year earlier and the musical style is very similar in essence on both albums, with an extra special emphasis on keyboards that have become more dominant. Before the release of the album, Ritchie Blackmore fired drummer Bobby Rondinelli and recruited Chuck Burgi to replace him, but the change is hardly noticeable. Since the departure of Cozy Powell , a huge hole has been created in the band's rhythm section that has greatly influenced its sound, despite the presence of Roger Glover . The one who stands out, especially on this album is Joe Lynn Turner whose singing here is the best of the three Rainbow albums he has participated in. The improvement is especially noticeable in the highs and lows, even in the screams that sometimes even remind us of the greatest in the field, Ian Gillan . Although this is the band's most commercialized album, you can still find here some memorable pieces that we really like. The opening track " Stranded ", the almost poppy ballad " Can't Let You Go " and the catchy track " Street of Dreams " are great songs that are always fun to return to, but they completely do not resemble the "Rainbow" of the previous decade. Those looking for songs closer to basic Hard Rock will find them in " Fire Dance " with the oriental touches that are a bit reminiscent of the Dio era, in " Drinking With The Devil " and in the song " Make Your Move ". The last two songs were pushed towards the end of the album and probably not by chance, since they are a bit different in essence from the rest of the commercial tracks on the album. It is interesting to note that the album includes two good instrumental pieces, the soft and melodic cover " Snowman " and " Anybody There " which was even nominated for a Grammy in the category of the best instrumental rock piece for 1984. This album is Rainbow's Swan Song, after the release of the album Ritchie Blackmore will break up the band in favor of the excellent and successful reunion of "Deep Purple's" MKII lineup that will release its reunion album as early as 1984. In the mid-1990s Ritchie Blackmore will again use the name "Rainbow" but it will already be a completely different lineup with which he released the album " Stranger in Us All " For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Brother Dean DeLeo of "Stone Temple Pilots" celebrates his birthday today, he was born on August 23rd, 1961. (Photo: Stone Temple Pilots) His younger brother, Robert, met vocalist Scott Weiland in a performance of "Black Flag." Robert decided to introduce his guitarist brother to Scott and came up with the idea of ​​forming a band. The three teamed up with drummer Eric Kretz and formed a band. They gave it the name "Mighty Joe Young" inspired by the movie of the same name. They started performing in bars throughout San Diego and the Hollywood area and eventually signed a record deal with "Atlantic Records" in 1992. But they had to change the band name because a blues musician had already taken it. Scott is the one who brought the name "Stone Temple Pilots" just because of the "cool" acronyms taken from the "STP" oil company. The band quickly rose to fame with the release of their debut album "Core" , which sold over 8 million copies. The album was wildly successful because of the singles "Sex Type Thing" and "Plush", which made "STP" one of the most popular grunge bands of the era, although there were always some who questioned its relevance to the scene (especially since it did not come out of Seattle). With their second album "Purple" , they have left all the critics with their jaws open wide and proved that they are not a "stunt" who wants to "surf" over the wave of the Grunge scene, but a real, kicking, and rough rock band. By the way, this album reached the 73rd place on the list of the greatest guitar albums of all time, and this is small proof of Dean DeLeo's amazing abilities. "STP" went on to record three more studio albums: "Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop" (1996)", "No. 4" (1999), and " Shangri-La Dee Da" (2001). In 1997, when Scott decided to go his own way as he battled drugs and addictions, the three decided to form a new band called "Talk Show". They teamed up with singer Dave Coutts from the band "Ten Inch Men" and released one album bearing the band's name. Despite positive reviews, the album failed commercially and the band disbanded. In 2005, singer Richard Patrick of the band "Filter" together with the DeLeo brothers and drummer Ray Luzier (who later joined "Korn") formed the band "Army of Anyone". A year later they released their only album that also bears the band's name. Unfortunately here too the album received positive reviews but failed commercially. The band disbanded after a brief tour to promote the album. In 2008, after a 5-year hiatus, the members of "STP" returned to play together and two years later released their sixth self-titled album. Despite a long absence, the album reached number 2 on Billboard and was a great success. In 2012, friction began again between the band members and Scott, this time the center of the conflict was Scott's singing ability. The album "Core" celebrated 20 years and Scott wanted to go on tour to celebrate the album, but the band members objected, claiming that he would not be able to perform the vocals with the voice problems he has. Scott decided to ignore the band's demands and performed a tribute to the album on his solo tour. Apparently, the tension between the band members reached its peak because in February 2013 the band announced that Scott was fired from the band. In the same year, the three band members added an old and enthusiastic fan named Chester Bennington and together with him released an EP called "High Rise". But the romance didn't last long and Chester returned to Linkin Park. In 2017, after a well-publicized campaign to choose a singer, Jeff Gutt was chosen for the position and successfully stepped into Scott's shoes, and a year later the band released their 7th album, which also bears the band's name. In July 2019, the band together with its new singer held its first performance in Israel and it was an amazing performance that gave its mature fans a delightful taste of the 90s. In 2020 "STP" released its last album to date called "Perdida" . An album that is entirely acoustic and was recorded with vintage analog instruments. 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 23, 2013, "Avenged Sevenfold" released its sixth album, it had a clear direction and an understandable plan, but the band did not imagine that this album would reach what it reached and make it one of the biggest metal bands of that year! Even if you are not a devout fan of the band but have listened to the band's five previous albums, we are sure that you too have felt the development that the band is going through, the maturity, and constant evolution. Tragically, the band's big leap occurred on their previous album, "Nightmare" an album that was a significant landmark after the death of the band's drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan in 2009, who was not only a great drummer but also the charismatic and creative force in the band. The band members who entered a very difficult crisis managed to deal with it strongly and came out strengthened and victorious with an album that went straight to 1st place in the charts. And let us mention the song "Trumpet Call" by "Walkways" because just like the song say, the band A7X (the band's nickname) went through a process... From Survive to Revive and finally to Thrive The band's new line-up, which included drummer Arin Ilejay (who played on the previous album's tour), produces here the first full-length album after the tragedy. And not just any album, an album that is a landmark in the band's history just like Metallica's Black Album (to be continued). The band presents a new and impressive level of music. True, you can say that this is a natural development and the result of maturity, but this will only diminish the value and power of this album. It seems that the members of the band decided to abandon the metal-core style that characterizes it and explode into the world of hard rock and classic metal. (Photo: Avenged Sevenfold) Singer and leader of the band M. Shadow said that they wanted to bring the influences from the world of classic metal and classic rock of the 80s and 90s but add the element of A7X. There are indeed songs here like "This Means War" and "Heretic" that sound like they were taken from Metallica's Black Album, "Doing Time" which is taken from Guns' "Use Your Illusion" and many other influences from Megadeth, and Led Zeppelin but, and there is a big BUT!!! The A7X has its own distinct DNA, no matter how much you try to compare or dress it up with the hallmarks of other bands it will always sound like itself. Why? Because of Shadow's voice, because of Synyster Gates' guitars, and of course because of the drumming style that Rev used in the band. All of these constitute a distinct DNA that is not implied in two faces! This album is strong, powerful, and furious, it will unleash deadly lightning bolts on you that will stab your body and blast you with powerful thunders that will shake your body. Although the drummer Iljai does an amazing job here and tries to maintain the continuity of Rev's style, those who make the essence of the work here, the core of the album, are the original quartet who proves here a huge musical talent. Gates with solos taken from the pantheon of guitars, Zacky with hitting and addictive riffs, Johnny with the strong bass, and Shadow, who took a vocal leap here. This album has riffs and melodies designed to grab you and shake you hard. Songs that will stick with you on the first note and make you want to sing them out loud just like it happened here in Israel at the band's concert that took place in 2018. So it's true, some will say it's commercialization, just like they said about Metallica and that's why the comparison is made. Still, it doesn't really matter when the music is great, penetrating, empowering, and exciting and that's exactly what this album is!! The album opens with the song 'Shepherd of Fire' which introduces you to a dramatic scene of the sound of bells and whispering flames with brass instruments directly bringing the power of the drums and the low riff that was in the background after 1.04 minutes explodes and you look down in amazement and realize that you are just floating in the air, what a huge opening song for the album. The band members said that they wanted to create a dramatic and powerful opening for the album to give the listeners the feeling that they are going to listen to something big. We don't calm yet and immediately move on to the first single and the theme song of the album "Hail to the King" which came out and burned all the radio stations and charts. What a beautiful riff, what a beautiful chorus, and what a beautiful voice of Shadow, we are hooked!! A stadium song designed to lift the crowd into the atmosphere and shake it hard, oh yes... and then comes the solo !! Gates said that for this song he took inspiration from the jazz player Django Reinhardt and incorporated elements he knows how to play in his music. Moving on to "Doing Time" which comes straight from Guns' style, from the guitars, through the vocals to the structure of the song, but say what you will, it's pure pleasure. It doesn't sound like a cover or imitation, it sounds exactly what it is, it's an inspiration/influence! And if we were talking about Guns then let's move on to Metallica with "This Means War" (this is guaranteed to be the last comparison), the strong pulsating beats, and the heavy and slow riff, what a treat. It gets into the veins and cannot be stopped so don't try to resist or deny it, it is strong!! Gates wanted the listeners to not stop moving throughout the song to the sounds of the guitar and drums and he succeeded. A dramatic opening on "Requiem" and immediately we continue the line of the previous song with the bass drum pounding like a hammer and the thick and heavy guitars like an old metronome moving from side to side. The band members said that the song was inspired by the work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and we are sure that if he had listened (or felt it) to the song and especially to the solo he would have been proud. We also have to mention Shadow's vocal power which here reaches unimaginable heights. About the opening part of the song "Crimson Day" Gates said that he had never heard or recorded such a clean form of guitar, the recording was made by a microphone sitting on the amplifier and not from the guitar directly to the console. The sound gives an amazing volume to the song and together with Shadow's vocals, it is simply moving, a classic in the making. The next song "Heretic" is the first song written for the album and it sounds more like the previous songs of the band. Gates said that in this song they wanted to bring a bit of their progressive style and bring out the instruments in a unique harmony. This song gives a slightly different tone to the album. Now we are coming home with "Coming Home", all the members of the band give here a strong and disruptive rock'n'roll work. A beautiful sweeping melody with moving words that take you to the end. A song that the band members created to express the love they have for home and the homesickness whenever they are on the road. The album closes with two songs that are actually one story in two parts, "Planets" which is a meteoric war that causes an apocalypse that eventually leads to "Acid Rain". Gates said that it was very difficult to write these two songs in terms of the structure, vocals, lyrics, and guitars but what an epic ending, exciting for an amazing album!! The band has always stood out for the weight it gave to melodies and choruses in the structures of its songs and here it is expressed with greater power. There are indeed plenty of catchy riffs and anthemic choruses here, but the band stays true to itself and brings its enormous talent to the fore in an amazing way. 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 9 (US) and August 22 (UK), 1969 "Blind Faith" released their self-titled album "Blind Faith". This is a one-off masterpiece album by the "Blind Faith" supergroup, leaving a remarkable yet brief chapter in rock history. Released in 1969, it represents the culmination of immense talent, ambition, and, ultimately, the pressures that led to the band's short-lived existence. Despite the group's rapid dissolution, the album remains a classic, a snapshot of four musicians at the peak of their powers. Formation of the Band The origins of "Blind Faith" lie in the dissolution of "Cream" in late 1968. "Cream" was a groundbreaking trio that achieved massive commercial success and brought international fame to its members: Eric Clapton , Ginger Baker , and Jack Bruce. However, the band was plagued by internal tensions, primarily between Baker and Bruce, which Clapton struggled to mediate. Frustrated with the escalating animosity and tired of the commercially driven blues, Clapton sought a fresh, experimental approach to music. Meanwhile, Steve Winwood, facing similar creative constraints after 3 years with the "Spencer Davis Group", formed "Traffic" in 1967. By late 1968, "Traffic" was on hiatus for Christmas, and Winwood began jamming with Clapton at Clapton's basement in Surrey, England. These sessions were promising, they immediately discovered they had incredible chemistry, but Clapton was hesitant to commit to another group, especially one that might fall into the "supergroup" mold that the press and music industry were eagerly anticipating. The big turning point came when one evening, Ginger Baker unexpectedly appeared at a jam session with Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood. While Winwood was delighted, Clapton felt uneasy, as the casual, agenda-free sessions were now becoming something more serious. Despite Clapton’s reservations—particularly about reuniting with Baker so soon after "Cream’s" breakup—Winwood convinced him that Baker’s drumming was essential to their sound. Ric Grech, then a bassist with "Family", was later recruited to complete the lineup, leaving his former band in the middle of a U.S. tour. The band was officially announced in February 1969, and the name "Blind Faith" was chosen by Clapton to reflect what the fans had as they came out to see them without hearing any of their music first. The Album Immediately upon it's release, "Blind Faith" became an instant hit, topping the charts in both the UK and the US. Despite its brief runtime of just six tracks, the album is a testament to the band’s collective prowess and musical synergy. The album opens up with "Had to Cry Today"  - A blues-infused track written by Winwood that kicks off the album with powerful riffs and exceptional interplay between Clapton’s guitar and Winwood’s vocals. Then come the classic "Can’t Find My Way Home" . An acoustic ballad, featuring Winwood’s ethereal vocals, and one of the album’s standout tracks that remains a staple of classic rock radio. Winwood wrote this song when he was only 21 and Clapton played acoustic guitar on this track, which is something he rarely did. The only track on the album not written by a band member is "Well All Right" . A high-energy cover of Buddy Holly’s song, this track showcases the band’s ability to reinvent rock and roll standards with fresh vigor. Although the reason for selecting this particular Buddy Holly song is unclear, its excellent arrangement on the album likely justifies its inclusion. Then comes the masterpiece "Presence of the Lord"  - Clapton’s spiritual anthem, this track evolves from a quiet ballad into a full-blown rock epic, featuring one of his most memorable solos. Eric Clapton wrote it as a personal testimony of faith, marking the first time he wrote all the lyrics for a song. Though deeply personal, Clapton chose not to sing it himself, opting instead for Steve Winwood’s lead vocals, as he believed Winwood was a superior singer. The song reflects Clapton's growing comfort with his life after leaving "Cream", but also his struggles with drug addiction and his feelings for George Harrison 's wife, whom he later married. Clapton described the track as a "song of gratitude," expressing thanks to a higher power for whatever happens, a theme he would revisit in his solo work during the 1970s. The fifth track - "Sea of Joy"  - was written by Winwood, and it blends rock, folk, and psychedelia, enhanced by Ric Grech’s violin work. The album closes with the extended jam of "Do What You Like"  , allowing each member to shine in their respective solos, but also highlighting the band’s internal dynamics. Written by Ginger Baker this 15-minute track dominates the album’s second side, with Afro-funk vibe which foreshadows the creative direction Baker would later explore with his band "Ginger Baker's Air Force" and in his collaborations with African music legend Fela Kuti. Album Cover Controversy The album cover in the UK, designed by Bob Seidemann, was controversial from the start. Featuring an 11-year-old girl named Mariora Goschen, topless, holding a silver airplane hood ornament. Many found it disturbing, leading to alternative covers being used in some regions. This controversy only added to the mystique of the album. The Short-Lived Legacy The first "Blind Faith" concert was on 7 June 1969ת before the album was released, in front of an estimated 100,000 fans in Hyde Park, London, but they felt that they had not rehearsed enough and were unprepared. "Blind Faith" disbanded just weeks after the album release, largely due to the pressures of expectations and the internal conflicts that arose. Just weeks later of the album release, "Blind Faith" played their final show in Hawaii, on 24 August . To Clapton, the band felt too much like another version of "Cream", which he wanted to move beyond. He was disillusioned with the “supergroup” concept and the fame it brought. When Delaney and Bonnie invited him to join their group, he eagerly accepted, forming the more low-key "Delaney & Bonnie and Friends" and leading to the breakup of "Blind Faith". Winwood eventually returned to "Traffic", while Baker formed "Ginger Baker’s Air Force". Ric Grech also went on to various other projects. Despite its short existence, "Blind Faith’s" sole album remains a landmark in rock music. It captures the spirit of late-1960s experimentation and the extraordinary musicianship of its members. "Blind Faith" is a testament to what could have been if the band would have continued together, and a reminder that even fleeting collaborations can produce timeless art. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

He is one of the "natural phenomena" of the music world and one of the most exciting composers, writers, and singers of the 90s and perhaps even of all time. He penetrates your heart in a way that is hard to explain in words. He is Layne Staley !! (Photo: Metalheadzone.com) 1. He was born Layne Rutherford Staley on August 22, 1967, in Kirkland, Washington. 2. When he was 7 his parents divorced and he moved in with his mother and stepfather, he even briefly changed his last name to Elmer. 3. When he was 9 he wrote in "All About Me" - an American children's book where all the children write things about themselves, that when he grows up he wants to be a singer. By the way, Jerry Cantrell wrote in the same book that he wants to be a "rock star" when he grows up. (Photo: Quizforfan.com) 4. He was exposed to music through his parents who listened to: "Black Sabbath" and "Deep Purple". Later on, he was also influenced by artists like "The Stooges", "Anthrax", "Judas Priest", "Saxon", "Rainbow", "Mercyful Fate" and more ... 5. He hated his middle name and changed it when he was a teenager to Thomas, because he loved "Motley Crue" and admired their drummer Tommy Lee. 6. He started playing drums at the age of 12. Later he was a member of several glam bands, but he always dreamed of being a singer. 7. In 1984 he joined the band "Sleze". The band was formed by guitarists Johnny Bacolas, Zoli Semanate, drummer James Bergstrom and bassist Byron Hansen, who studied together at "Shorewood High School". They were looking for a singer and came across Ken Elmer who was Layne's stepbrother who suggested his brother to the band. Layne who was a drummer at the time agreed to audition, the four were amazed by Layne's shy and introverted voice and accepted him to the band. 8. The band performed mostly with covers of Glam and Speed Metal bands. They underwent several lineup changes and at one point even changed their name to "Alice N' Chains", but disbanded in 1987. 9. We've told you before how Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell met when Jerry was homeless and Layne was looking to form a band. 10. We also told you that when Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney , and Mike Starr decided to form a band they wanted Layne Staley as a singer, but he refused because he wanted to form his own band and not join an existing one. To persuade him to join their band the three members decided to audition very bad singers when Layne Staley was present in the studio. His breaking point was after a particularly hallucinatory audition of a stripper who wanted to be a singer and was probably really bad. 11. The band's name was changed several times until it was decided to adopt the name of Layne Staley's previous band with a slight change. Thus was the name "Alice in Chains". (Photo: Annamaria Disanto) 12. The first demo of the band "The Treehouse Tapes" was completed in 1988 and found its way to Kelly Curtis and Susan Silver who managed the bands "Mother Love Bone," and "Soundgarden". The two gave the demo to "Columbia Records" and they signed the band on a recording contract in September 1989. 13. The band's debut album " Facelift " was released on August 21, 1990. The second single from the album "Man In The Box" was written by Layne and became a hysterical hit. Other singles from the album are: "We Die Young", "Sea of Sorrow" and "Bleed the Freak." This is the first album from the Grunge scene to be certified Gold and it was also nominated for a Grammy. 14. Layne said he wrote the song "Man In The Box" inspired by a dinner he attended with executives from "Columbia Records". At that time Layne was interested in government censorship. At that dinner, there were vegetarian people and they told him how the meat he eats is grown. Calves that are grown in places as crowded as small boxes. It inspired him to write a protest song against the government and the media that shape a citizen's thoughts into a box. 15. After the release of the album, the band went on a tour that lasted two years and even participated in the famous movie " Singles " which refers to the Grunge scene of the 90s in Seattle. 16. In February 1992 the band released their first EP "SAP" which consists entirely of acoustic songs. The album features Ann Wilson from "Heart" and another duo called "Alice Mudgarden", namely Chris Cornell and Mark Arm . 17. In September of that year the second album of "Alice in Chains" called " Dirt ", was released. This is the band's most successful album that created crazy hits like "Would?", "Rooster", "Them Bones" and more ... Layne was the one who designed the sun logo on the album, which was also nominated for a Grammy Award. 18. Layne who was addicted to drugs and alcohol at the time, tried to quit and went into rehab several times but without success. During the tour of the album, the band's manager brought two bodyguards to accompany Layne to prevent people from bringing him drugs, but of course, the attempt was unsuccessful and Layne continued with drugs and alcohol. 19. Layne sang with Ann Wilson a cover of Bob Dylan 's song "Ring Them Bells", which was released on "Heart"'s "Desire Walks On" album from 1993. 20. The band's second EP, which is also entirely acoustic called " Jar OF Flies " was released in January 1994 and became the first EP in history to go straight to number one on the Billboard charts. 21. After the release of the EP, Layne's condition began to deteriorate as a result of heavy drug use. He put himself in a rehab facility and at the same time started working with several musicians on a project called "Mad Season". 22. The band "Mad Season" was formed by guitarist Mike McCready and bassist John Baker Saunders from "The Walkabouts" after returning from a joint stay at a drug rehab facility. The two decided to briמg in drummer Barrett Martin from "Screaming Trees". Mike was looking for a singer, and he thought it would be very helpful for Layne to be in the company of people who had been also in rehab to stop the drug use. The band released one, unique, masterful, and special album called "Above". (Photo: Colombia Records) 23. Let's go back to "Alice" ... In July 1994, the band temporarily disbanded for six months and returned in November 1995, when the release of their third album " Alice In Chains ". The album reached directly to first place on the chart and from it came the singles: "Grind", "Heaven Beside You" and "Again". 24. At the beginning of Alice's career, Jerry was a leader in everything related to writing music and lyrics but over time Layne became more involved and his participants in writing lyrics grew. The lyrics to this album for example were mostly written by Layne, except for three songs "Grind", "Heaven Beside You" and "Over Now". 25. At that time Layne's condition began to deteriorate significantly so the band did not go on tour to promote the album. Jerry said it was very frustrating for them, but as they stood together in the good moments they stood together in the difficult ones. As one whose drugs have been with him almost all his life, Layne felt that if in the past they had created good memories for him Occasionally, then this time they were already creating only bad memories and that was not something he wanted. 26. In April 1996, "Alice in Chains" held one of the biggest and most talked-about shows ever - the " MTV Unplugged ". Jerry went up to the stage sick as a result of stomach poisoning, but this was hardly seen on him. In contrast, Layne who was deep in drugs at the time seemed painful, broken, distant, and sometimes disconnected. 27. In October 1996 Layne's ex-fiancée Demri Lara Parrott died of an overdose, Layne who took her death in a very severe manner was placed under suicide supervision for 24 hours. Some say her death is what accelerated the process of deterioration in Layne's condition which failed to recover from the incident. 28. In 1998 Lane recorded with the supergroup "Class of '99" a cover of the song "Another Brick In The Wall" by Pink Floyd, as part of the soundtrack to the horror film "The Faculty". The band members included Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Martyn LeNoble (Porno For Pyros), and Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction). 29. In October 1998, members of "Alice in Chains" recorded two new songs, "Get Born Again" and "Died" which entered the band's compilation album "Music Bank", which was released in 1999. These were the last songs Layne recorded with the band. 30. That same month Layne attended Jerry Cantrell's debut show, following his first solo album, which was held in Seattle, but he refused to go up and sing with him despite Jerry's many pleas. 31. From then until the day he died, Layne was confined to his home in Seattle, rarely going out and meeting family and friends. The band members and family would call, send him letters and even knock on his door, but Layne would hardly reply. He was completely isolated and despite attempts by friends and family, he did not let anyone approach him except Mike Starr who claimed he was with him on his birthday, which occurred the day before Layne's death. 32. On April 19 2002, Layne's account manager called his former manager Susan Silver, after failing to reach him and informed her that Layne had not withdrawn money from his account for two weeks. Susan called Layne's mother Nancy McCallum and she immediately called the police, who along with his stepfather found him lifeless. 33. Post-mortem revealed that Layne died as a result of mixing heroin and cocaine two weeks before his body was discovered, on April 5th, 2002. 34. On August 22, 2019 (Layne's 52nd birthday), the Seattle Mayor announced "Layne Staley Day". In Layne's memory and recognition for his contribution to Seattle music, his parents founded an organization and a fund that supports Seattle music artists who are addicted to drugs. For listening to the compilation album with the last two songs that Layne recorded with "Alice": Spotify "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On August 21, 2015, "Disturbed" released their sixth studio album, "Immortalized", marking their return after a five-year hiatus. The break came after a relentless run of four consecutive number-one albums and constant touring that left the band physically and mentally drained. In 2011, David Draiman , Dan Donegan, Mike Wengren, and John Moyer decided to step away. Each pursued separate paths: Draiman formed Device, Donegan and Wengren created Fight or Flight, while Moyer collaborated with other projects. The hiatus also gave the members time for family and reflection, with Draiman marrying and becoming a father. But in early 2014, a private dinner between Draiman, Donegan, and Wengren rekindled the spark. By January 2015 they were in Las Vegas at The Hideout Recording Studio, this time with producer Kevin Churko. For the first time, Moyer did not participate in the recording sessions, at the time of recording he was deeply involved in other projects. During the band’s hiatus he had become the touring bassist for "Adrenaline Mob" and also worked with other acts like "Operation: Mindcrime". Donegan took over all bass duties, adding another layer of intimacy to the process. Photo: Travis Shinn The collaboration with Churko was a significant shift. After years of self-producing, the band felt it was time for a new perspective. Donegan explained that they wanted a fresher sound after such a long break: “It was nice to have, kind of, a new production element to it and things that pushed us and challenged us to raise the bar.” Draiman added that the writing process was more cooperative than ever: “Everything was really put under the microscope and everybody had an opinion, and, believe me, everyone was voicing them loudly... We were very, very cooperative with one another, very professional the entire time.” The result was an album that not only felt familiar but also carried a sharpened edge. The album opens with "The Eye of the Storm" , an instrumental intro that builds cinematic tension before bursting into the title track, "Immortalized" . A defiant anthem, it captures the very essence of the comeback, a declaration that Disturbed was reborn and stronger than ever. It drives forward with a march reminiscent of "Metallica", setting the stage for the power to follow. "The Vengeful One"  was the first single released, dropping without warning in June 2015. Its animated video reintroduced "The Guy", the band’s mascot, as a destroyer of corrupt media and modern chaos. The song surged on the charts, quickly reminding fans of Disturbed’s trademark blend of groove, aggression, and anthemic hooks. Among the deeper cuts, "The Light"  stands out. Donegan has called it his personal favorite, praising its hopeful message: “Sometimes darkness can show you the light.” Its music video, telling the story of a firefighter disfigured by flames who finds love, mirrors the theme of resilience that runs through the album. Its synth-infused melody and uplifting atmosphere, comparing its layered polish to the accessibility of "Linkin Park". "Save Our Last Goodbye"  adds a personal and emotional dimension, enhanced by a voicemail snippet from a late friend, giving the track a haunting human touch. In contrast, "Fire It Up"  is playful and controversial, opening with the sound of a bong hit, as Draiman admitted he often wrote after smoking cannabis. The true centerpiece of "Immortalized" is without doubt Disturbed’s cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s "The Sound of Silence" . With Donegan on piano, Wengren adding timpani, and Draiman delivering a haunting vocal, the song became one of the band’s greatest successes. It climbed to 42 on the Billboard Hot 100—the highest charting single of their career—and introduced them to a wider audience beyond the metal world. The deluxe edition offered further highlights. "Legion of Monsters"  was inspired by Rolling Stone’s 2013 cover featuring the Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Draiman had publicly condemned the magazine for “glorifying killers” in a viral Facebook rant, and the song serves as a fierce criticism of media sensationalism, warning of the danger of inspiring others to commit similar acts. When "Immortalized" was released, it stormed to number one on the Billboard 200, selling 98,000 units in its first week. This achievement gave Disturbed their fifth consecutive 1 debut, putting them in the company of "Metallica" and "Dave Matthews Band" as the only groups to reach such a streak. Critics were mixed mainly around admiring the album’s energy and heaviness but pointing out its reliance on familiar formulas. Yet fans embraced it as a triumphant return, with its balance of heavy grooves, melodic hooks, and emotional depth. Ten years on, "Immortalized" is remembered not as a reinvention, but as a reaffirmation. It proved that Disturbed could disappear, reemerge, and still dominate, armed with their signature sound, sharpened production, and one song that transcended genres to become immortal in its own right. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Singer, songwriter and producer Serj Tankian is celebrating his birthday today !!! (Photo: pxfuel.com) = He was born in Beirut on August 21, 1967, to an Armenian family. = In 1975 he emigrated with his family to the United States, where they settled in Los Angeles. = He attended the Armenian school "Rose and Alex Pilibos" in Los Angeles, where his future "System Of A Down" friends also studied, bassist Shavo Odadjian and drummer Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian. = Guitarist Daron Malakian also attended the same school, but he was a few years younger than Tankian and due to age differences they did not meet. = Serj and Darron eventually met in 1992. They were in the same rehearsal room, each with his own band. Daron Malakian played guitar and sang in his band and Serj played keyboards for his. = The two formed a band called "Soil" together with bassist Dave Hakopyan and drummer Domingo Laraino, and with Shavo Odadjian who became their manager and later guitarist. = After the dissolution of "Soil" Serj, Darron, and Wadajian who moved to play bass guitar, founded "System of a Down". = The band's first album was released in June 1998 and was produced by Rick Rubin . All but one of the song lyrics on the album were written by Serj, who also composed some of them. Tankian was also responsible for playing the keyboards and samples. = The band's big break was with the release of their second album "Toxicity" which became the first album to be released in America after the events of September 11th. = In addition to playing the keyboards, Tankian was also responsible for strings arrangements on this album and also played guitar on the song "Aerials". = In parallel with his activities in "System of a Down", Serj served as vocalist with other ensembles and/or artists such as: "Mushroom Cult", "Hed PE", Tony Iommi , "Deftones" and more. = Serj also has a solo career in which he has released 5 studio albums that range between different musical styles including even jazz and symphony. = He also has two collaborative albums, the first from 2003 with musician Arto Tunçboyacıyan and the second from 2020 with singer Jimmy Urine from the electro-punk band "Mindless Self Indulgence". = He also wrote soundtracks for 10 movies and computer games and recorded a special rendition of the song "Rains of Castamere" in honor of the last season of "Game of Thrones". = Serj is also an album producer and among others produced Buckethead 's album "Enter the Chicken", in which he is also featured in singing. = Tankian is also the owner of "Serjical Strike Records", which gives artists who have been rejected by the big companies the opportunity to release albums. = Serj is the brother-in-law of John Dolmayan the drummer of "SOAD". Serj's wife and John's wife are sisters. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website