"Candlebox's" self-titled debut album, released on July 20, 1993, is a significant entry in the rock landscape of the early '90s. As one of the last bands to ride the massive Seattle grunge wave, "Candlebox" positioned themselves at the forefront of the post-grunge movement. This album is a testament to the band's ability to blend hard rock and blues with post-grunge elements, resulting in a sound that is both familiar and fresh. Formed in late in November 1990, "Candlebox" originally consisted of lead singer Kevin Martin, guitarist Peter Klett, bassist Bardi Martin, and drummer Scott Mercado, "Candlebox" took its name from a line in a "Midnight Oil" song. Their rise to fame was rapid, thanks to a demo tape that found its way to Madonna’s "Maverick" label, securing them a record deal in 1992. Despite some criticism from grunge purists and their leaning more towards classic rock, blues and hard rock, "Candlebox" persevered and honed their craft until their big break with this debut album. Although it took over a year for the album to enter the Billboard 200, it eventually sold over 4 million units in the US. Despite its commercial success, the album often gets overshadowed by other Seattle grunge releases. However, tracks like "Far Behind" and "You" have left a lasting impression, ensuring that "Candlebox" remains a memorable name for those familiar with '90s rock. As a Seattle band that was formed in the early 90s, it was not a surprise that they where influenced by the grunge era. Their debut album took a bit of the heaviness of "Soundgarden" and the cool riffs of "Pearl Jam" but they added other elements from hard rock and blues, so there are moments in this album reminiscent of "Led Zeppelin" and the "Black Crowes". The album opens with nervous laughter before blasting into "Don't You" with a heavy hard rock riff and powerful drumming turning into a "Pearl Jam"-like jam during the verse. No doubt that this track sets an energetic tone to the rest of the album. Then comes "Change" which undoubtedly "changes" the vibe of the album. This was the album's first single and it showcases the band's ability to blend moody, reverb-drenched guitar notes with strong, dynamic choruses. The use of contrast in dynamics adds depth, making it one of the standout tracks on the album. Kevin Martin voice is so versatile and this song is the perfect example, showing his ability to change from the soft law verses to the high screams at the choruses. The third song "You" was the second single from the album and was a minor radio hit. This song features deadened guitar notes and a rotating shuffle. The sustained-notes guitar lead towards the end, combined with Scott Mercado's choppy drumming and Kevin Martin's almost rap-like lyrical rhythm, makes it memorable. In this song "Candlebox" frontman Kevin Martin shared his experience with drug addiction during his youth and this song reflects his journey to overcoming dependency, as he states in his own words: "Come around town, steal another dime, don't you push your drugs in my face Yes, I feel it, feeling fine Don't you push your drugs in my face or I'm gonna put you in your place Fuck you, I don't want it no more" Martin revealed that he stole money from his parents to support his habit. His turning point came on his 18th birthday after seeing Peter Garrett of "Midnight Oil" perform, which inspired him to quit drugs. He repaid his parents and has avoided hard drugs since. "No Sense" shows the great potential of "Candelbox" and its unique style. The Boss-Nova driven drums and interesting guitar and bass interplay make the song very promising. Even the guitar solo goes in this interesting path. However, in the end, it unfortunately falls into a typical grunge formula, making the initial promise feel somewhat unfulfilled. "Far Behind" is undoubtedly the standout track of the album and one of the greatest songs of the early 1990s. "Far Behind" is a heartfelt tribute to the late Andrew Wood of "Mother Love Bone". Kevin Martin, Candlebox's vocalist, first met Wood while working at a Seattle shoe store. Wood encouraged Martin to pursue his music despite any negativity. Wood's death deeply saddened the Seattle music community. Initially, the song's lyrics directly referenced Wood, but Martin changed them in the studio to make the meaning less obvious. This led many to interpret it as a love song, rather than one about death and loss. Kevin Martin's intense vocals, the crisp opening riff, and Peter Klett's fantastic middle lead all contribute to its powerful impact. The song peaked at #18 on the U.S. charts in 1994. After this album's standout track, the album fails to reach the level of creativity. Although the rest of the songs on the album are good, "Candelbox" fails to reach its peak and deliver the greatness of the first half of the album. "Blossom" is slow and methodical, featuring good bass accents by Bardi Martin. Despite falling into the grunge formula, it remains one of the better songs on the album due to its strong composition. "Arrow" goes towards hard rock showcasing the band's raw edge. "Rain" is a bluesy track where Peter Klett's guitar playing really shines. It is the most experimental and longest song on the album, pushing the seven-minute mark. "Mother's Dream" starts with an "Alice In Chains" "Would?" bass line but is lacking the focus needed to make a strong impact. "Cover Me" was the last single from the album. A refreshing slow ballad featuring great strumming and picking by Klett. It stands out as a moment of calm and introspection on the album, following the typical hard rock ballad pattern. The album concludes with "He Calls Home" - A melodramatic ballad about a homeless man, carried mainly by Martin's vocals and Peter Klett's guitar playing, providing a reflective end to the record. In conclusion, "Candlebox" is a perfect representation of the transition period in 1993 between grunge and post-grunge, when alternative rock began to dominate the mainstream. The band achieved both critical and commercial success, with "Far Behind" standing out as a defining song of the decade and with other great tracks like "Change", "You" and "Cover Me". While the rest of the album, though solid, often feels like it is reaching for greatness but falls just short, it still showcases the band's genuine care for their music. Unlike many later post-grunge acts, "Candlebox" effectively uses influences from the Seattle scene without turning into copycats, adding blues and hard rock influences. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Guitarist Carlos Santana is celebrating a birthday today, and we want to tell you 40 facts about him: (Photo: Enwallpaper.com / Joshua N. Timmermans) 1. He was born in Autlán de Navarro, Mexicoת on July 20, 1947. 2. The first instrument he played at age 5 was the violin. His father José Santana was a professional violinist and he inspired him to play the instrument. 3. He switched to playing guitar at the age of 8. 4. He was influenced by guitarists like B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Peter Green, Jimi Hendrix, Hank Marvin, and Mike Bloomfield. 5. In his youth his family moved to Tijuana and from there to San Francisco. Santana became a U.S. resident in 1965. 6. The band named after him was formed in 1966 in the Latin Quarter of San Francisco. 7. The band, originally called "Santana Blues Band", included singer and keyboardist Gregg Rolie. (Photo: Tucker Ranson) 8. The band, which originated in blues, gradually began to combine, folk, jazz, and Latin in its music, as well as African musical instruments, which made its style very different and unique. 9. Santana had to work very hard before he became famous. He played on the streets of San Francisco and even worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant. 10. He was accepted to several universities like "Humboldt State", "California State", and "Northridge", but eventually decided to pursue a musical career. 11. One of his first recordings was on the album "The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper" by the duo Al Cooper and Mike Bloomfield, which was recorded live in 1968. He played there in the song Sonny Boy Williamson. 12. He performed with his band at the Woodstock Festival on August 16, 1969, even before the band's debut album was released. It was one of the best performances at the festival. 13. Following Santana's successful performance in Woodstock, the band gained much publicity, and their first album released about two weeks later reached number four on the Billboard 200. The song "Evil Ways" from the album was ranked among the top ten most played songs in 1969 in the United States. 14. In September 1970 the band released their second album "Abraxas", which reached number one on the Billboard 200, and included the stunning cover of the song "Black Magic Woman", originally performed by Fleetwood Mac. 15. The third album of the band "Santana III" which was released in September 1971, was also a success when it reached number one on the Billboard charts. 16. In October 1972, the band's fourth album "Caravanserai" was released. It marked a turning point in the band's lineup as well as a change in the musical direction. It was the first album with guitarist Neal Schon, who two years later would leave the band together with singer and keyboardist Gregg Rolie in favor of the formation of the band "Journey". 17. In 1972 Santana became interested in the fusion ensemble "Mahavishnu Orchestra" and its guitarist John McLaughlin. 18. The two released the album "Love Devotion Surrender" in 1973, exactly on the exact day of Santana's birthday. 19. In November 1973 Santana released the band's fifth album "Welcome". The album marked a decline in the band's popularity which also continued in the next three albums "Borboletta" from 1974, "Amigos" from 1976, and "Festivál" from 1977, all of which won gold album status, compared to the band's first four albums which gained platinum status and above. 20. The 1980s started well for Santana whose album "Zebop !!" was a great success and included, among other songs, the hit "Winning". 21. However, in 1982 "Santana" released their 13th album - "Shangó" which again marked a decline in the band's popularity, which continued into the 1990s. 22. In 1989 he participated in John Lee Hooker's album "The Healer". 23. Santana returned to Woodstock 25 years later, performing at the 1994 festival. 24. In 1998 he was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". 25. That same year he participated in the song "To Zion" by singer Lauryn Hill, from the excellent album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill". 26. In 1999 Santana released the album "Supernatural" which marked his mighty comeback. 27. The album featured famous musicians such as Dave Matthews, Rob Thomas, Lauryn Hill, Eagle-Eye Cherry, and Eric Clapton. 28. This album was a resounding success and sold about 30 million copies. The album also won nine Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, becoming the best-selling Latin album in the Guinness Book of Records. 29. Santana tried to replicate the success on the 2002 album “Shaman”, which included collaborations with artists like Macy Gray, "P.O.D.", Chad Kroeger, Dido, Seal, and more. 30. He played in the song "Mother Father" from the 2001 album "Everyday" by Dave Matthews Band. 31. In 2005 he was a guest on Buddy Guy's "Bring 'Em In'" album. 32. During his illustrious career he has won 10 Grammy Awards. 33. He owns a restaurant chain called "Maria Maria" (named after his famous poem). 34. He also has a line of shoes called "Carlos by Carlos Santana". 35. In 2001 Santana participated in the song "Whatever Happens" by Michael Jackson from the album "Invincible". 36. He is literally a "bookworm", and loves to read all the time. On his website, you will even find a list of books he has read and recommends0 37. Santana is married to his band drummer Cindy Blackman. He proposed marriage to her during the band's performance in 2010, following her drum solo. 38. In 2010 he released the cover album "Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time", which features collaborations with artists like Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, and Joe Cocker who also share the same birthday with him, Chester Bennington, and more. 39. In 2016 he reunited with bandmates from the 70s, Mike Carabello, Michael Shrieve, Neal Schon, and Gregg Rolie, and released the album "Santana IV". (Photo: Maryanne Bilham) 40. In 2003 Rolling Stone magazine ranked Santana 20th in the list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Santana has released during his illustrious career 26 studio albums under the band that bears his name as well as 7 more studio albums as a solo artist. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July 20, 1973 "Genesis" released it's first live album, simply called "Genesis Live". "Genesis Live" is a mesmerizing testament to the progressive rock prowess of "Genesis", capturing the essence of their captivating live performances during their early 1970s heyday. Recorded during their tour supporting the album "Foxtrot", the live album, this album perfectly showcases the band's musical virtuosity, imaginative storytelling, and theatrical stage presence that established them as one of the leading forces in the progressive rock movement. Initially intended for radio broadcast on the American show "King Biscuit Flower Hour", the album was put together using recordings from two shows: one at "De Montfort Hall" in Leicester and the other at the "Free Trade Hall" in Manchester. The decision to release "Genesis Live" as a budget-priced title was to fill the gap while the band was busy recording "Selling England By The Pound". Despite some initial reluctance from lead singer Peter Gabriel, who felt the album was quickly put together and didn't represent their best work, it became the band's first album to break into the top 10 in the UK, reaching No. 9. However, its US release came after "Selling England By The Pound", which frustrated Gabriel as it included older live material. The album features five tracks: "The Knife" from "Trespass", "The Return Of The Giant Hogweed" and "The Musical Box" from "Nursery Cryme", and "Watcher Of The Skies" and "Get ‘Em Out By Friday" from "Foxtrot". Each track showcases the band's musical brilliance and Peter Gabriel's captivating vocal performances. The album kicks off with "Watcher of the Skies", a track that immediately sets the tone for the entire live experience. Its ethereal keyboard intro, courtesy of the talented Tony Banks, draws listeners into a world of mystique and wonder, while Peter Gabriel's haunting vocals add an otherworldly dimension to the song. The intricate interplay between Steve Hackett's soaring guitar solos and Mike Rutherford's solid bass lines provides a strong foundation for the track's dynamic shifts, showcasing the band's ability to seamlessly transition from gentle melodic passages to more intense, energetic sections. "Get ‘Em Out By Friday" may not reach the same heights as the previous track, but it still delivers compelling performances and highlight the band's theatrical flair, demonstrating the band's ability to blend complex musical arrangements with thought-provoking and imaginative lyrics. This track showcases the band's ability to combine disparate elements seamlessly, effortlessly transitioning between rock, folk, and classical influences, within the same song. With "The Return Of The Giant Hogweed" the band picks up intensity with a powerful performance, much heavier and more dynamic than the studio version of the song, proving the great stage presence of the new lineup. "The Musical Box" is another standout track, considered one of the best compositions by "Genesis". A mesmerizing journey through time and space. Clocking in at over ten minutes, this song highlights the band's penchant for crafting elaborate, multi-part epics. Gabriel's storytelling ability shines through in the vividly evocative lyrics, painting a vivid picture of the song's unsettling narrative. The instrumental prowess of each band member is on full display here, creating a sonic tapestry that keeps the listener fully engaged from start to finish. No wonder It's a fan favorite, since here too the live version is far superior to the studio version, even though at parts when Rutherford comes in with his rhythm guitar, the sound is a bit lacking bass. In our opinion, the band saved the best to last with the closing track "The Knife" taken from "Trespass". This live version of the song stands out as the highlight of the album, featuring significant rearrangements, with a brilliant dynamic and powerful performance that showcases the influence of the new band members, Steve Hackett and Phil Collins. It's interesting to note that the original test pressings included a 23-minute version of "Supper's Ready" from the Leicester show, but it was omitted from the official release, even though the album's front cover photograph was taken during a live performance of the song (with Gabriel donning the "Magog" mask). A live recording of "Supper's Ready" from that same year was released on 1998's 4-CD boxed set, "Genesis Archive 1967–75". The decision to leave it out was due to the economic challenge of issuing a three-sided double-LP. In conclusion, "Genesis Live" is a must-listen for any "Genesis" enthusiast, especially those who cherish the Gabriel-era. This timeless classic captures a pivotal moment in the band's history and showcases the intensity and brilliance of their live performances, easily surpassing their studio recordings. As the only official live release with Peter Gabriel in the band until "Genesis Archive 1967-75," this album solidifies Genesis' reputation as an extraordinary live band. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

He passed away on July 20, 2017 so here are some things you might know or did not know about Chester Bennington... (Photo: Christie Goodwin) 1. His full name is Chester Charles Bennington and he was born in Phoenix, Arizona on March 20, 1976, to a nurse mother and a detective father who specialized in child abuse. 2. From a young age he loved music and grew up on bands like "Depeche Mode" and "Stone Temple Pilots". 3. Chester was sexually abused when he was at the age of 7 by another man, he was afraid to tell anyone or ask for help because he was afraid they would think he was lying or he was gay. He suffered from the abuse until the age of 13. 4. When he was 11 years old his parents divorced and he moved in with his father, while still being abused, his older brother left home and his two sisters were not around. His father, who suffered from mental health problems and worked double shifts, was not at home and Chester was left alone. He hated his family, he had no one to turn to, so he ran away. 5. He ran away to poetry and painting and began writing songs, choruses, and rhymes so that they would help him put some order to his relentless thoughts and emotions while trying to keep his sanity. 6. Chester's first band was "Gray Daze", a post-grunge band he formed with his friends in 1993. They were very well known in Phoenix and performed as an opening act for almost every rock band that performed in the city. (Photo: Pinterest) 7. The band released three albums, a demo album in 1993, the album "Wake/Me" in 1994, and the album "No Sun Today..." in 1997. Beyond being Chester's starting point in music, it was also the one who gave him the lost confidence and self-belief. As one who was also abused at school, he was happy to have a group that he belongs to and which supported him. On June 26, 2020, the band "Gray Daze" released an album consisting of songs from the band's first two albums, with Chester's original recordings voice and a brand new recording of the musical instruments, the album is called "Amends". 8. The problem was that the same group also created a lot of chaos around it with drugs and alcohol, Chester said that it was an endless cycle, when they finish the drugs they switch to alcohol and when it was over they would go back to drugs when occasionally combining sex, just like the cliché... "drug sex and alcohol" only in a very extreme way. 9. In 1993 Chester who was only 17 years old but already drained from drugs and alcohol returned to live with his mother, who was shocked by her son's condition, a broken and pale boy. She locked him up in her house without the possibility of leaving until he recovered. 10. In 1998 the band disbanded. According to Chester, it was due to a lack of originality and interest that led to quarrels and arguments. At the age of 22 when he is married with no musical future, he finds himself working for a digital services company. 11. On his 23rd birthday Chester got a call from Jeff Blue from the Los Angeles record label "Zomba Music" who asked him if he was interested in being a singer in a band, trying to combine rock and hip-hop. Chester who did not really like hip hop but was very interested in the band expressed willingness, to say the least. (Photo: Gary Wolstenholme) 12. On the same day he received a demo with the music of the band "Xero", he ran to the studio and began to record his vocals on the music on the demo. The next day he picked up the phone to Jeff and played the recordings for him, another day passed and Chester was already waiting at nine o'clock in the morning at the "Zomba Music" offices for auditions for the band. 13. Chester who looked skinny and pale with glasses and dressed like a guy from a dark nightclub, opened his mouth roaring into the microphone and the rest is history !! 14. The interesting story about the acquaintance of Chester and Mike Shinoda stems from the way the two learned to know each other. During their first writing, Mike would work with Brad Delson on the music and then, sit down with Chester on the lyrics. Chester lays out in his writing everything he went through and so, without any prior acquaintance, Mike learned about the life of Chester through the songs. 15. As we have mentioned in other posts, "Xero" changed its name to "Hybrid Theory" and tried to get a recording contract, but everyone rejected them until Jeff who helped them initially got a role in the "Warner Bros." record company and signed the band "Linkin Park" to a recording contract. (Photo: Mick Hutson) 16. In October 2000 the band released their first album "Hybrid Theory" despite difficult confrontations, lack of faith, and relentless attempts to change them. The Fantastic Six managed to release an album that took them straight to the moon in business class. 17. The band's second album "Meteora" came out three years later and despite the insane expectations and heavy pressure from all sides, for the album to be as successful as the first album. Linkin Park passed the "second album syndrome" with success and flew to number one on the charts and was a resounding success again. 18. Throughout that period, Chester experienced great suffering despite their insane success. Because he often drank and used drugs, the other members of the band did not share the same. So they distanced themselves from him. Not just because they did not use drugs themselves but because it was impossible to have a conversation with Chester without him losing control. He felt alone and lost as the band rode the success at 120 mph and does not stop for a second. 19. After finishing the tour of the second album, the members returned exhausted and worn out. Chester returned to his home and his unwanted relationship with his first wife and his condition began to deteriorate. He increased his drug and alcohol consumption and went through a lot of anxiety attacks and nervous breakdowns until at some point he decided to go to rehab and put an end to it. (Photo: James Minchin) 20. The recordings for the band's third album "Minutes to Midnight" were the opening of a new area from all aspects. Chester who was clean and sane began to form a warm and cohesive relationship with the rest of the band and together they also decided to go in a slightly different musical direction. The album was released in May 2007. 21. The band then released four more albums, "A Thousand Suns" in 2010, "Living Things" in 2012, "The Hunting Party" in 2014 and "One More Light" in 2017. 22. In 2005 Chester formed a band called "Dead by Sunrise" with guitarist Amir Derakh and guitarist Ryan Shuck both from the band "Orgy". The band's idea came when Chester wrote a number of songs that did not suit Linkin and he felt he had to put them out. They released one album called "Out of Ashes" in October 2009. (Photo: Discogs.com) 23. On May 23, 2013, Chester fulfilled a dream when he took the stage with the idols of his youth, "Stone Temple Pilots". A few months later Chester becomes the band's official singer and they released an EP with five songs called "High Rise" all songs written by Chester and STP. This love story was short and ended in 2015 in light of his commitment to Linkin. 24. Chester is a tattoo enthusiast and has quite a number of tattoos all of which were performed by "Club Tattoo" in Arizona whose owner is Sean Dowdell a childhood friend of Chester. (Photo: Chester Bennington) 25. He also played a number of small roles in several films including: "Crank", "Crank: High Voltage", "Saw 3D" and "Artifact". 26. Chester suffered all his life from depression and mental health problems which led him to consume drugs and alcohol in a massive matter, he had better and worse times but it was always there in the background. He committed suicide by hanging himself and was found by his housemaid around nine in the morning at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California. The day he died should have been Chris Cornell's 53rd birthday he also committed suicide two months earlier. 27. In honor of the 20th-anniversary celebrations of the band's second album "Meteora", the band released a video clip for one of the songs that were shelved during the work on the album. Like many other songs that were recorded but not released, the song "Lost" was re-produced and reworked and was released in February 2023. 28. The band continues Chester's way and on Feb 2024 they release a new single. The single is part of the album "Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000–2023)" that will be out on April 12th. This will be a greatest hits album which spans the band's best-selling singles from 2000 to 2023 and will also include some new songs reproduced by the band. The most appropriate album for this post is the band's latest album "One More Light" which despite its poppy nature, the lyrics of the album feel as if they were preparing for his death. You can 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 July 20, 1999, "Metallica" took the stage for the second time in Israel, this time at the Amphi Park in "Rishon Lezion". It is doubtful that the residents of the "Kiryat Rishon" neighborhood living right in front of the park in Rishon Lezion were prepared for what happened that historic and hysterical evening, but surely the animals in the nearby "Chai Kief" suffered greatly that night. Six years after their previous visit to the Holy Land (30/6/1993) which you can read about here, the band members landed on the morning of July 19, 1999, with their private plane at Atarot Airport in Jerusalem. It was the last show on a long and tedious tour that began nearly four years earlier in Hawaii, USA, and the band members came to give a tremendous and glorious final show. arm-upAfter w show from the "HaYehudim" that the members of Metallica chose as the opening act, we got a heavy and loud bombard of the best "hits": "Master of Puppets", "For Whom the Bell Tolls", "Sad but True", "Wherever I May Roam", "One" and of course "Nothing Else Matters", "Enter Sandman", "Creeping Death" and "Seek & Destroy" played during the two crazy encores the band played. The show was even broadcast on the radio and can be listened to at the following link, only, unfortunately, the first three songs were not included in the same broadcast. Setlist: Breadfan (Budgie) Master of Puppets For Whom the Bell Tolls Fuel King Nothing Bleeding Me Sad but True Turn the Page (Bob Seger) Wherever I May Roam One Fight Fire With Fire Nothing Else Matters Creeping Death Enter Sandman Seek & Destroy Battery "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

He is one of the greatest musicians of the 90s and one of the greatest voices of all time. We do not really know how to open this review so let's just start... (Photo: Jeff Lipsky) 1. His full name is Christopher John Boyle and he was born on July 20th, 1964, and raised in Seattle, Washington 2. After his parents divorced, his two older brothers and three younger sisters adopted his mother's last name - Cornell. 3. Already at a young age Cornell had to deal with depression, he was lonely and avoided social relations. He had many fears and also suicidal tendencies that he had to deal with all his life. These were mainly the reasons why drugs and alcohol were an integral part of his life. 4. Growing up at home with alcoholic parents was the "best" refuge for a child suffering from depression and it contributed greatly to his exposure to alcohol and drugs. Already at the age of 12, he started consuming alcohol and various drugs that were available at home. He said that alcohol is what led to heavy drugs, he gives you the confidence that you can take any drug possible and nothing will happen to you. 5. His first exposure to music was around the age of 9 when he found a collection of "The Beatles" records in the basement of an abandoned house on the street where he lived. For several years he listened only to these albums. (Photo: Gie Knaeps) 6. Although he learned to play the piano and guitar, the first instrument that made him love rock music was a snare drum that his mother bought him. Aside from drugs and alcohol, the refuge that saved him was music, it was his means of channeling all his hard feelings and emotions out, living with himself peacefully and genuinely. 7. In 1982 Chris was a drummer in the band "Face to Face" which he formed together with bassist Duncan Elder and guitarist Bruce Sandelin (Photo: tumblr.com) 8. It appears that in the same year Chris formed another band called "The Shemps", a cover band that performed in small clubs in Seattle. The band also included bassist Hiro Yamamoto and guitarist Kim Thayil. (Photo: Wikimedia) 9. In 1984, Cornell's most famous band "Soundgarden" was formed. Hiro on bass, Kim on the guitar, and Cornell on the drums and vocals. A year later they enlisted drummer Scott Sundquist to allow Chris to concentrate on singing but he very quickly left and was replaced by Matt Cameron. (Photo: Jay Blakesburg) 10. In 1987 the band signed with the label "Sub Pop" which was the mainstay of the grunge scene and released their first EP "Screaming Life", a year later they released their second EP "Fopp". These two EPs created a very big buzz around the band and it became a popular band in Seattle. 11. In 1988 the band signed with the label "SST Records" and released their debut album "Ultramega OK", the album created huge exposure for the band and even a nomination for a Grammy Award. As a result, "Soundgarden" was signed with the big label "A&M Records" and became the first band from the grunge scene in Seattle to sign a record deal with a big label. 12. In 1989 the band released their second album "Louder Than Love". On this album, "Soundgarden" first introduced its special time signature (a rhythm that is not arranged in 4 regular bars) and took it one step further toward metal. This is their first album to enter the Billboard 200 and this is also Hiro's last album with the band replaced by bassist Ben Shepherd. 13. In March 1990 Chris lost his good friend Andrew Wood, the two had very close friends and Wood's death had a very severe impact on Chris. He thought going out with his band on a tour would help him overcome the loss but he realized he was wrong and as soon as he returned from the tour, along with drummer Cameron and friends from Wood's band "Mother Love Bone", Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, and "new" friends Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready they created the album and temporary band "Temple Of The Dog" which was all created in Wood's memory. They released their self-titled album in 1991. (Photo: tumblr.com) 14. In the same year when the grunge scene became big in the US and just before it broke into the rest of the world, the band released their third album "Badmotorfinger". With singles like "Jesus Christ Pose", "Outshined" and "Rusty Cage". With a Grammy nomination, the album became to be one of the most successful. They became the band that brought it to the mainstream and was the preparation for the success of the next album. 15. In 1992 Chris takes part in "Alice In Chains" EP called "SAP", together with Mark Arm from the band "Mudhoney", the two get credit in the album's liner notes as "Alice Mudgarden". 16. In 1994 the band released their fourth album "Superunknown". It's considered the band's most successful album, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 and producing singles such as "Spoonman", "The Day I Tried to Live", "Black Hole Sun", and "My Wave" and "Fell on Black Days". The album was nominated for three Grammy Awards and won two. (Photo: soundgardenworld.com) 17. In 1996 the band released their fifth album "Down On the Upside". On this album, the band moved away from their grunge roots and experimented with other musical genres, with less powerful riffs and the additions of instruments with acoustic sounds. The album did not succeed like its predecessor. It produced singles such as: "Pretty Noose", "Burden in My Hand", "Blow Up the Outside World" and "Ty Cobb/Rhinosaur". 18. After the tour to promote the album, disagreements began between the band members, especially between Cornell and Kim. Cornell wanted to keep moving from the heavy reefs and distortion to other directions and Kim opposed the idea. By 1997 it was no longer possible to bridge the gaps and one of the five big bands of the grunge disbanded. 19. That year Chris experienced a very difficult time, his big band broke up and his marriage fell apart as well. He felt he had nothing to hold on to and the accelerating depression took over completely. He isolated himself from everyone and deteriorated severely with drug use and starvation. 20. In 1999 Chris released his debut album "Euphoria Morning". From the album came the single "Can't Change Me" which was nominated for a Grammy and the single "Preaching the End of the World", but despite that, it was not a great success. However, the tour turned out to be a dizzying success, accompanied by huge demand throughout the United States. 21. In 2000, courtesy of producer Rick Rubin, Chris joined the "Rage Against the Machine" trio and co-founded with them one of the great supergroups in the rock world "Audioslave". A deadly and powerful combination of three musicians with a singer who can break down walls. Strong lyrics are combined with strong riffs, and dynamics combined with a melody that can shatter anything that stands in their way. In 2002, the band's debut album bearing the band's name was released and included the singles: "Cochise", "Like a Stone", "Show Me How to" "Live", "I Am the Highway" and "What You Are". The album was a great success and reached number 7 on the Billboard 200, to this day it is considered the band's most successful album. 22. After struggling with his fears, in 2002 Cornell put himself in a rehab facility and decided he needed to completely change his life. In an interview with Guitar.com magazine in 1999, Chris talked about dealing with depression: "Sometimes it's just a chemical reaction. It doesn't seem to come from nowhere or for any reason and whenever I was in a kind of depression, I tried over the years not only to imagine what it feels like not to be there, but to try to remind myself that I can just wake up the next day and it can disappear because that way It happens, not worrying about it. When I feel great, I remember the depression and think about the differences of how I feel and why I would feel that way and not create an emotional response one way or another. You just have to understand that these are life patterns and you just have to get through them." (Photo: Interscope) 23. In 2005 the lethal band released their second album "Out of Exile" which went straight to number one on the Billboard 200 and came out with the singles: "Be Yourself", "Your Time Has Come", "Doesn't Remind Me" and "Out of Exile". Cornell said that on this album he wrote the most personal songs he had ever written, especially in light of the period he went through 5 years before. 24. That same year Audioslave became the first American band to perform in front of a live audience in Cuba and it was also the band's longest show. 25. A year later the band's third album, "Revelations" was released. Tom Morello described the album As "Earth, Wind and Fire" meet "Led Zeppelin". Only two singles came out of the album: "Original Fire" and "Revelations". Morello said it was amazing to see Chris fight alcohol and drugs and stay clean in the recordings of the band's albums. 26. Cornell wrote all the lyrics on Audioslave's albums but the music was written by everyone together. Both Morello and Cornell said that the process of writing and creating together was significantly better, more mature, and more creative than with their previous bands. 27. In 2007 the supergroup came to an end, the rage trio reunited for a short time with Zack de la Rocha, and Cornell continued his solo career releasing his second solo album "Carry On", which reached number 17 on Billboard but was not a huge success, Chris said that many materials on the album are songs he could not have released with Audioslave. The singles from the album were: "You Know My Name", "No Such Thing", "Arms Around Your Love" and "She'll Never Be Your Man". 28. In 2008 Cornell wrote the song "Light On" for David Cook, one of the participants in the seventh season of "American Idol". Cornell was impressed by David Cook's performances in the show, especially the one of "Billie Jean," which was faithful to Chris' version from the album "Carry On" and decided to write the song for him. 29. In 2009 Cornell released his third solo album "Scream", the album was completely different from anything Chris had done up to that point. It is just like it sounds, Chris Cornell meets Timbaland, a poppy production of music with Chris' voice and lyrics. The two said that this is the best album they have created, which by the way, was Chris' most successful and reached number ten on the Billboard 200. 30. In the same year, Chris made his first appearance in Israel in front of 10,000 people at the exhibition center in Tel Aviv. 31. In 2010 after 12 years of hiatus "Soundgarden" returned and reunited. The first song to come out after the reunion was "Live to Rise" which was recorded in 2012 specifically for the movie "The Avengers". This is not the only song Cornell wrote for a movie/tv series. Listen to the playlist at the end of this review and you will find out more. 32. In 2011 Chris embarked on one of the most amazing tours of his career (in our opinion), one of the most exciting, honest, and sweeping shows called "Songbook". The shows that took place mostly in the US included songs from Chris' entire repertoire. In November of that year, the album of that tour came out which is a must-have album! 33. In 2012, Cornell came to Israel for the second time and held two performances, one at "Nokia Hall" in Tel Aviv and the other at the "Shoni Amphitheater". 34. At the end of 2012, Soundgarden's sixth and final album "King Animal" was released, 16 years after the release of the fifth album. Three singles came out of the album: "Been Away Too Long", "By Crooked Steps" and "Halfway There". All band members felt that this album was a direct sequel to "Down The Upside" as if only a year / two had passed since the album. 35. A seventh album was also due out, but after Cornell's death, the band decided to break up. There are still some details about the existence of a seventh album and the band members are trying to end the recordings with Cornell's voice but they are experiencing delays, it is currently unknown if this is true or when it is due out. 36. In 2014 Cornell gain arrived in Israel, this time with his band "Soundgarden" for a phenomenal show at Bloomfield Stadium, we have no way of describing what this show did to us and the imprint it left on us, let's say that Kim's guitar echo still resonates in our heads even today. (Photo: Valerie Kuypers) 37. In 2015 Chris released his latest solo album "Higher Truth". This is a calm and relaxed album that Chris recorded with producer Brendan O'Brien and it feels like Chris’ last breath. 38. In May 2016 we were privileged to see Cornell at the Tel Aviv Hall of Culture, in one of the most exciting performances of our lives, it was a "Songbook" style performance where Cornell performed alone on stage with an acoustic guitar, fully exposed giving out his soul. There was another performance in "Caesarea" as well. 39. On May 18, 2017, Cornell was found lifeless by his security guard in the shower in the MGM Grand Hotel room in Michigan after a "Soundgarden" show at the "Fox Theater". The cause of death was defined as suicide by hanging. 40. Throughout his career, Cornell has collaborated with artists such as "Slash", "Zac Brown Band" and "Santana". We have prepared a special playlist for you, for such a talented and special artist that for sure we have not been able to cover his entire career or even explain what impact he has had on the world of music. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July 19, 1990, the only album by one of Seattle's major bands, "Mother Love Bone", was released. The debut album of this special band came out under a heavy cloud of tragedy when just four months before the release of the album, the colorful and charismatic character, the band's leading man - singer Andrew Wood passed away as a result of an overdose. The passing of Andrew dealt a devastating blow to his friends within Seattle's music scene, potentially even proving fatal to the emerging community and culture in the city. Although many were aware of his struggles with drugs and alcohol addiction, the full extent of it remained largely unknown. It was the profound impact of Andrew's death on the Seattle scene that served as the inspiration for the movie "Singles". (Photo: James Bland) "I felt really alone when Andy passed away," Chris Cornell said in '92. "I spent a lot of time with him and tried to help him get out of the pain creatively. Most of the time I really didn't know Andy was using." Things were supposed to turn out quite differently for "Mother Love Bone". Originally, the album was supposed to be released on the same month that Wood died and there was a massive expectation around it and a very big buzz, much thanks to the success of the EP that came out a year earlier called "Shine", but not only. The band's special live shows have been well-known throughout Seattle. In addition to Andrew, Jeff Ament on bass, Stone Gossard on guitar, Bruce Fairweather on guitar along with drummer Greg Gilmore, created their own special style that combined traditional genres with their own twist. On this album, the quintet combined funk-metal, flash (yes, there is such a genre), bluesy rock like "Led Zeppelin", glam charisma with grunge and hard rock aggression, and lots, and lots of soul. Although clearly feeling the influences of Robert Plant in the song "Stargazer", "Jane's addictive" and groovy style in the song "Stardog Champion" and even a little Axl Rose in the song "Holy Roller", this album had its uniqueness, he was among the first to produce a new style. If you think about it in depth, this album is closer to glam than grunge. Songs like "Crown Of Thrones" or "Gentle Groove" could easily fit as a ballad on "Poison" or "Cinderella" albums, rather than on "Soundgarden" or "Nirvana" albums. But nonetheless, this album has its groove, and its all-too-unique vibe, which will have such an impact on the Seattle scene and be among the leading and significant in the emerging style. As you know, even before the album came out and with Wood's death, "Mother Love Bone's" life ended, after a difficult period, the band members continued their musical career and formed "Pearl Jam", Bruce joined the band "Love Battery" and Greg moved behind the scenes and console and began working as a producer. It is impossible not to mention that one of the amazing things that came out of this tragic event, was the album and the band "Temple Of The Dog", which took its name from one of the most beautiful and moving songs on the album "Man of Golden Words". So feel free to listen to the album 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 Malka "Yo Yo" Spigel, Israeli musician and artist and the founding member of the Israeli-Belgian rock band "Minimal Compact": Photo: Stefan Oracle = Malka Spigel was born in Israel in July 19, 1954. = Spigel grew up in Bat Yam and later in Kibbutz Marhavia, exploring music on her own despite limited access to records. = In the early 80s Spigel moved from Tel Aviv to Amsterdam. She was initially not a musician, but the girlfriend of Rami Fortis. = In 1980, "Minimal Compact" was formed by Sami Birnbach and Rami Fortis, as a sequel to a band called "S.O.B" which they formed in Amsterdam, together with Malka Spiegel, Berry Sakharof, and Neti Weissman. = The band's activities in Amsterdam were unsuccessful, and Fortis returned to Israel, but the other members of the group continued to work together in Belgium and their joint activities gave birth to "Minimal Compact". = Malka realized she could be a musician despite not being technically trained. Berry Sakharof was the one who helped her play the bass guitar. = Spigel played bass guitar and contributed vocals for "Minimal Compact". = In 1981 the band was signed by the independent record company "Crammed" and produced an EP that included the song "Static Dancing". = In 1982 came out their first full-length album "One by One" which was recorded in London and included the songs "Babylonian Tower", "Disguise" and "It Takes a Lifetime". The inside cover of the album stated that Rami Fortis is a member of the band "In Exile". = In 1984, Fortis returned to "Minimal Compact" and took part in the recording of their album "Deadly Weapons". Mlka's bass playing was an integral part of the band's sound. = In 1985 came out the fourth album, "Raging Souls" which is considered the band's most successful. That was when Spigel met Colin Newman of "Wire", who was producing the album. = The album featured the song "When I Go" which is sang by Malka and considered one of the best of "Minimal Compact". The song also featured in the Wim Wenders movie "Wings of Desire." = In 1986 Malka Spigel and Colin Newman began working together on his albums "Commercial Suicide" and "It Seems." They got married the same year. = In 1987, "Minimal Compact" released their fifth studio album "The Figure One Cuts". The album continues the line of the previous album and contains the song "Is It So?" which is a solo contribution by Malka. = In addition to the studio albums, "Minimal Compact" collaborated with esteemed musicians like "Tuxedomoon's" Peter Principle and John Fryer. = "Minimal Compact" was involved in several soundtracks, including the film "Wings of Desire", "Fuck Your Dreams This Is Heaven", "Made to Measure Vol. 1", "Lowlands Flight (Made to Measure Vol. 10)" As well as the live album "Minimal Compact Live". Photo: Roy Tee = In 1989 Malka wrote lyrics for three tracks of the Rami Fortis & Berry Sakharof "Foreign Affair" album. = In 1990 Malka contributed vocals to the album "You" by "Tuxedomoon". = In 1991 Malka contributed vocals to Berry Sakharof's debut album, "All or Nothing" ("Hakol O Clum"), only that it was recorded backward under the influence of the "Tears For Fears" song "Sowing The Seeds Of Love". = In 1992 Spigel and Newman moved to London and established the swim ~ label to release their projects and other artists' works. = In 1993 Spigel released her first solo album, "Rosh Balata," on the swim ~ label. The album was well-received, particularly in Europe, and drew comparisons to Björk. = In 1994 Spigel and Newman formed the project "Immersion" and released "Oscillating." They also created an exhibiting at "The Irish Museum of Modern Art" in Dublin. = In 1996 Spigel began establishing herself as a visual artist, furthering her education with a degree in fine art, specializing in video and photography. = In 1997 She released two more solo albums, "Hide" and "My Pet Fish," and collaborated on Colin Newman's "Bastard." = In 1999 Spigel and Newman released "Low Impact" with Immersion and a live album, "Live." Photo: Toby Mason = In the years 2000-2002 Spigel continued her studies and created video work with Immersion and for other bands. = In 2004 She co-founded "Githead" with Colin Newman, Robin Rimbaud, and Max Franken. "Githead" released their debut EP, "Headgit." Music journalist Joe Tangari praised Spigel's contributions, particularly her bass work and vocal complexity. = In 2005 "Githead" released their first full-length album, "Profile." = In 2007 "Githead" released "Art Pop." = In 2009 "Githead" released their third album, "Landing." = In 2012 Spigel released the solo album "Every Day Is Like the First Day," a collaboration with Newman. = In 2014 "Githead" released their fourth album, "Waiting for a Sign," and Spigel released another solo album, "Gliding." = In 2015 Minimal Compact reunited for a series of live shows. = In 2019 Minimal Compact released "Creation is Perfect," featuring new versions of their classic songs and a new track. = In 2020 Malka Spigel released her fourth solo album, "Gliding & Hiding," which combined new tracks with previously unreleased material from the 1990s. = Malka Spigel lives in Brighton and continues her work as a musician and visual artist. She exhibits her visual art in prominent venues such as The Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Royal Festival Hall. She frequently visits Israel, maintaining strong ties to her childhood home and the cultural scene there. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Brian May, born July 19, 1947, is celebrating his birthday today !!! Here are 15 interesting facts about the gifted guitarist: (Photo: Queen On Twitter) 1. Brian May is a Doctor of Astrophysics. 2. He has published two articles on the history of the universe. 3. He built his "Red Special" guitar with the help of his father when he was sixteen. It lasted a year and a half with the guitar neck made from a mahogany fireplace, the body from an oak table, and the brackets from bicycle wheels. 4. He built the guitar because he had no money to buy a "Fender Stratocaster" or "Gibson Les Paul" guitar. The cost of the materials for the guitar he built was only a few pounds. 5. Instead of a guitar pick May uses a Sixpence coin that came out of circulation in the 1970s. In 1993 more were produced at May's request. 6. May performed in Israel in 1993 as a warm-up for Guns N' Roses, together with a "dream team" that included, among others, drummer Cozy Powell and bassist Neil Murray. 7. May played the solo in the song "When Death Calls" from the "Headless Cross" album of "Black Sabbath", from 1989. 8. May also collaborated with "Soundgarden" playing guitar on the song "New Damage", which appeared on Greenpeace's 1994 Alternative NRG collection. 9. May will also collaborate with Chris Cornell, on the song "Someone To Die For" which appears in the soundtrack of the movie "Spiderman 2" and is sung by Jimmy Gnecco. 10. He also collaborated with the "Foo Fighters" as part of the soundtrack of "Mission: Impossible 2", playing a cover version of the song "Have A Cigar" by "Pink Floyd". 11. May also collaborated with guitarist Eddie Van Halen on the "Star Fleet Project" that May released independently. (Photo: Tony Iommi Facebook Page) 12. He was knighted to the Order of the British Empire. 13. May is a good friend of Tony Iommi, he has appeared in two songs from Iommi's first solo album - "Iommi" released in 2000. 14. As of 2013 we started getting teasers from the two about their joint “Riffs” project, and on July 10, 2020, we received a signal from Brian May stating that the “Riffs” project still has a chance. 15. In June 2020 May was chosen as the greatest guitarist of all time by the readers of "Total Guitar" magazine. He has beaten other guitar legends like Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, and more. So let's wish Brian May many more years full of activity and good music. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July, 19, 1993 "Deep Purple" Released its 14th studio album "The Battle Rages On...". It was the last album for the classic MKII lineup of the band, which reunited for the second time after their initial reunion for 1984's "Perfect Strangers" album. It is also the last "Deep Purple" album to feature Ritchie Blackmore. The album title appears to reflect the continued tension between the band members, especially between Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan. The creation of the album was marred by internal conflict and lineup changes. Initially, Joe Lynn Turner who was the band lead singer on "Slaves and Masters" (1992) was involved in the early sessions but was fired, with Mike DiMeo briefly considered as his replacement, after being asked by Ritchie Blackmore to join the band. However, after he recorded some demos with the band, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, and Roger Glover, along with the band's management and record company, insisted on the return of Ian Gillan. Gillan rejoined the band in late 1992, reforming the MK II lineup and reworking much of the existing material intended for Turner and DiMeo. This reworking of material by Gillan allegedly infuriated Ritchie Blackmore, who believed the original versions were more melodic, resulting in Blackmore's departure after a show on November 17, 1993, in Helsinki, Finland. Undoubtedly, this is not one of the best "Deep Purple" Albums, The contrary. But despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, the tension between the band members brought a unique intensity to some of the songs on the album. Blackmore's reluctance to reunite with Gillan was evident, but it seems that this friction fueled a creative energy that can be heard in some of the songs. The title track "The Battle Rages On" is a powerful opener with an oriental influence, like the early "Rainbow" material. Remarkable guitar work by Blackmore, and commanding vocals from Gillan screeming "Kill 'em all", are setting the tone for the album with a strong start. The follow up "Lick It Up" is a groovy, straight-up rocker with a strong guitar riff and catchy chorus. Though not particularly one of the best in the album, the song stands on its own merits with another great guitar solo and a solid drum beat. The third track "Anya" is undoubtedly the best on the album. A classic "Deep Purple" hymn featuring divine keyboards by Jon Lord and impeccable performances from all members. The acoustic intro from Blackmore is subtle, leading into a hard rock mood with fantastic keyboarding and a strong guitar solo. Those who has a good ear will definitely notice Blackmore copying from himself, with one of the song riffs resembling the one from the song "Stranded" by "Rainbow", taken from the album "Bent Out Of Shape". The next track "Talk About Love" is reminiscent of "Led Zeppelin's" "Nobody’s Fault But Mine", especially the Ian Paice drumming. This track is a traditional rock song rooted in Proto-Prog territory, showcasing solid rock and roll with a familiar vibe. The fifth song "Time to Kill" is a more mainstream one with a catchy chorus aimed for the radio. This song evokes the classic rock era, with a vibe that reminds us of a blend of "Foreigner", "the Doobie Brothers" and "Lynyrd Skynyrd", offering a commercial and catchy tune. The next song "Ramshackle Man" is a good old rock n’ roll song with a riff reminiscent of "Booker T. & The M.G.'s" "Green Onion" and "Led Zeppelin’s" "How Many More Times", featuring a great guitar solo by Blackmore. Next comes "A Twist in the Tale" One of the fast numbers on the album, with an incredible rhythm and fabulous drumming by Ian Paice. The song changes direction halfway through, showcasing truly progressive elements. Again in this song, you will notice Blackmore copying from himself, this time from "Spotlight Kid", taken from the album "Difficult to Cure" by "Rainbow". We are getting close the end with "Nasty Piece of Work" while the groove and tempo sound a bit stock, the organ work at the start and haunting vocal harmonies make it a catchy and enjoyable track. Somehow Gillan's singing and the vibes reminded us of his days with "Black Sabbath" on the album "Born Again". One of the unique songs on the album is "Solitaire". A standout track with immersive melodies and top-notch performances from all musicians. Ian Paice’s drumming, and Jon Lord's organ solo in particular, shines through repeated listens. Closing the album is "One Man’s Meat" A heavy, rocking that, while not adding significantly to the album, completes the collection of tracks. Following the album's release and subsequent tour, Blackmore left the band, and American guitarist Joe Satriani stepped in as a temporary replacement for the remainder of the tour. Some working tracks from "The Battle Rages On" sessions later appeared on Joe Lynn Turner's solo releases under different titles. "The Battle Rages On" may have received mixed reviews initially, with some critics and fans expressing disappointment. However, over time, it has garnered appreciation for its unique place in "Deep Purple's" history. The album captures the raw, competitive energy of its creators, resulting in a work that, despite its flaws, stands as a testament to the band's enduring legacy. While "The Battle Rages On" may lack the balance of "Deep Purple's" earlier masterpieces, it is a significant and ultimately rewarding chapter in their storied history. It reminds us that even in the face of internal strife, great art can emerge, enduring the test of time. For those willing to give an underdog a chance, this album proves to be a worthy addition to the "Deep Purple" catalog, blending traditional hard rock with hints of progressive flair. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

A Sneak Peek... On July 18, 1995 "Megadeth" released it's first EP "Hidden Treasures". As it name implies this EP really contains "Hidden Treasures". This It is a compilation album that features songs that the band recorded for various projects, including film soundtracks and tribute albums. Four tracks from the EP were released as singles, and three received Grammy Award nominations for Best Metal Performance. The background of the EP reveals that many of the songs were contributed to film soundtracks. "No More Mr. Nice Guy" - an Alice Cooper cover, was recorded for the "Shocker" soundtrack from 1989 and marked drummer Nick Menza's recording debut with the band. "Go to Hell" was taken from "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" soundtrack released in 1991 and it features the same prayer used in "Enter Sandman" by Metallica ("Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.."). "Angry Again", from the "Last Action Hero" soundtrack of 1993, received a Grammy nomination, as did "99 Ways to Die" from "The Beavis and Butt-head Experience" soundtrack of the same year. "Breakpoint" is taken from the "Super Mario Bros." soundtrack from 1993. "Diadems" appeared on the "Demon Knight" soundtrack from 1995, and the band contributed a cover of "Black Sabbath's" "Paranoid" to the "Nativity in Black" tribute album, released in 1994. closing the mini album is another cover "Problems" originally by the "Sex Pistols", which was a b-side of the "A Tout le Monde" single released in 1995. While the EP received mediocre reviews from critics, with some expressing praise for specific tracks like "99 Ways to Die" and "Angry Again", it was also criticized for lacking standout songs. Despite this, the material on the EP was credited with helping expand "Megadeth's" MTV audience in the early 1990s. Regarding sales, "Hidden Treasures" initially debuted at number 90 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold 13,000 copies in its first week. By December 2005, it had sold 286,000 copies in the United States. It achieved moderate success on album charts in the UK but did not attain significant popularity. The EP was initially released in Europe as a bonus disc for a special edition of "Youthanasia" but later became available as a stand-alone release in Japan and the US. Though it has gone out of print in the US, it was reissued in 2007 for the Japanese and European markets. For listening: Spotify, Apple music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July 18, 1969, "The Doors" released their fourth studio album, "The Soft Parade". 1969 was a difficult and not an easy year for "The Doors" and this album only added to the problems at home and abroadת that the band had to deal with. It all started in March during the band's performance in Miami, Florida. Singer Jim Morrison is suspected of exposing his penis in public during the show. He was arrested and put on trial, and the band was forced to pay large sums of money during and after the trial. This incident was the first to herald the beginning of the band's disintegration. As a result, many great entrepreneurs have started canceling performances and some say that as a result the band was not even invited to the mythical Woodstock Festival held in the summer of that year. The meteoric band that was accustomed to consecutive sold-out shows, suddenly found itself having a hard time getting performances. In addition, the single "Touch Me" which was released several months before the unnecessary incident, suddenly took on a completely different meaning and US radio stations refrained from playing it. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle "outside", the band recorded their fourth album "The Soft Parade", and so the "home" issues also began to emerge. (Photo: The Doors on Instagram) Jim Morrison's alcohol problem worsened and this further highlighted the negative aspects of his personality. He rarely came to the studio and showed up for recordings only when he really had to. He started talking about a solo career at the time and it only further clouded the atmosphere that was tense in the first place. While Morrison struggled with alcohol use and unstable behavior, guitarist Robby Krieger had to stand out and wrote half of the material for the album, including all four singles released from it. And if that's not enough, then the "explosion" came already in the recording of the song that opens the album "Tell All the People", written by guitarist Robby Krieger. The song included the lyrics: "Can't you see me growing, get your guns, The time has come To follow me down". Morrison thought the lyrics encouraged violence and he refused to sing them. When Krieger insisted Morrison agreed to sing the words but demanded that the credit for writing the song to be given only to Robby Krieger, to avoid any connection to them. This led to the fact that this album was the first in the band's history, in which credit was given to the writer of each song individually. Now add to all this burning fuss the fact that producer Paul Rothchild pushed the band to use brass and string instruments and thus brought about a radical change in sound and style, as you can already hear from the first note of the album, and here's another reason why this album became controversial and drew harsh reviews. And yet, and perhaps precisely because of that, we find it to be one of the band's most fascinating albums. When you remove all the fog and commotion around it, you can find a diverse, unique, and interesting album by a great band that stood at a musical crossroads that year, and there is not necessarily anything wrong with that. The album features the big hit "Touch Me" whose original name was "Hit Me" written by Robby Krieger, apparently following the quarrels he had with his girlfriend at the time. Another version says that the song was written at all about the game "Blackjack" as the line implies "c'mon hit me, babe, I am not afraid". Either way, there is no doubt that Jim Morrison was the one who insisted on changing the name of the song to "Touch Me". It is interesting to note that the amazing saxophone solo Outro is played by Curtis Amy that beyond being an artist in his own right, was also a session player who played with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and Carole King on the excellent album "Tapestry" from 1971. The piece "Shaman's Blues" written by Morrison is simply mesmerizing. It puts the listener into a kind of trance to John Densmore's strange drumming rhythm, just like in "Shamanism." The song features an excellent vocal performance by Morrison and a howling guitar riff throughout. Interestingly, the bass line in the song is very reminiscent of that of Roger Waters in the song "Money" by Pink Floyd. The songs "Do It" and "Wild Child" is the closest of all on the album to the root style of "The Doors". "Wild Child" features a sweeping blues rock riff and later a notable slide work by Krieger. Densmore's drumming is also amazing. Morrison's philosophical words have raised questions for years. The exact meaning of words is not clear to this day, but the guesses about the protagonist of the song ranged from Jesus to Morrison himself. The song "Runnin 'Blue" was written as a tribute to Otis Redding who passed away in 1967, only 26 years old. The song opens with a kind of acapella in which Morrison sings the lyrics: "Poor Otis, dead and gone Left me here to sing his song Pretty little girl with the red dress on Poor Otis, dead and gone" Beyond the dominant brass instruments, the song includes other instruments such as a mandolin played by Jesse McReynolds and a violin played by Jimmy Buchanan, both of which are intended to enhance the country style in the choruses. It's the only "Doors" song in which Robby Krieger shares lead vocals with Morrison. The arrangement of Paul Harris' strings and brass instruments in the song "Wishful Sinful" simply goes out of the ordinary and enhances the beauty of the song. A perfect mixture of violins, flutes, an English horn, and more that blends well with Robbie Krieger's mesmerizing guitar and Morrison's melancholic voice, they all sit on the rhythm division of bass player Harvey Brooks and Densmore's drums. The album ends powerfully with the theme "The Soft Parade" which lasts more than 8 minutes and which opens with the famous speech (shouting) section of Morrison, that grouped the lyrics from parts of songs he wrote at different times. A crazy and awesome piece that includes a combination of several musical styles rock, blues, baroque, soul, and even children's music. For listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website