Friday release # 115 The prog-metal giant "Dream Theater" is releasing its 15th album - "A View from the Top of the World". This is the band's first album recorded in its private studios - "DTHQ (Dream Theater Headquarters)". Work on the album began about a year and a half after the release of the previous album "Distance over Time" in 2019. The band took advantage of the break from live performances and covid-19 quaranteens, with most of the writing done through the "Zoom" App - the band members in the US while singer James LaBrie in Canada. LaBrie took a break between closures and came to New York, to the band's private studio, and record his vocal parts. The album was produced by guitarist John Petrucci and was mixed and mastered by the almighty producer Andy Sneap. Petrucci apparently plays an 8-string guitar this time !!! He was interviewed in August 2020 for "Ultimate Guitar" magazine and stated: "The eight-string project with Ernie Ball Music Man is something we are working on and hoping to have developed as this year goes on. I'm hoping that on the next Dream Theater record I'll be able to explore that." This album is probably going to stretch the boundaries of the band and the listeners according to the band's own publications, which mentioned the following words on its Facebook page: "To stretch beyond our limits To blaze a brand new trail Bold enough to conquer Brave enough to fail ... " The song list reveals 7 songs that spread over 70 minutes and perhaps this indicates the band's intention in the words: "to stretch beyond our borders .. To tell the truth, on first listening we have did not heard any more extreme music or new tricks that we have not already heard from this virtuoso bunch. "Dream Theater" has long succumbed to creative stagnation and would rather stay in its comfort zone than challenge itself and its fans. It started with the first single released from the album - "The Alien". A classic prog-metal piece with all the long-familiar clichés of the band, which did not innovate anything, and it continued with the second single "Invisible Monster", so we did not come with great expectation to get something different on this album. And yet, we must say that we really have no problem with that. We just love everything this virtuoso bunch releases. For us, "Dream" is a symbol of perfectionism. A different level of musicians, precision, synchronization, technique, production, so we feel that this album is far beyond what we are able to discover on first hearing Song List: 1) The Alien (9:32) 2) Answering The Call (7:35) 3) Invisible Monster (6:31) 4) Sleeping Giant (10:05) 5) Transcending Time (6:25) 6) Awaken The Master (9:47) 7) A View From The Top Of The World (20:24) For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music Follow us on Facebook or Subscribe to the website "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog & Radio show, Sundays at 11:00

Friday Release #116 "U.D.O." of Udo Dirkschneider releases it's new album - "Game Over" and without noticing this is already their 17th album. It's absolutely amazing how Udo Dirkschneider does not stop for a moment and continues to release materials from several projects simultaneously. July 2020, U.D.O. Collaborated with "Das Musikkorps der Bundeswehr", the military band of the German Federal Armed Forces, on an album called "We Are One". In March 2021 the band U.D.O.'s fifth live album was released. Named "Live in Bulgaria 2020 - Pandemic Survival Show", which was recorded on September 18, 2020 and was one of the only shows that took place of such magnitude in front of an audience during the Covid-19 lockdowns. This album included a collaboration with his former bandmates Peter Baltes (bass) and Stefan Kaufmann (guitar) and it led to the formation of a new band called "Dirkschneider & The Old Gang" which released an EP called " Arising " in August this year. Today, as mentioned, the 17th studio album was released, Which includes no less than 16 new songs !!! As can be understood even from the title of the album,"Game Over" continues the line of "We Are One" and warns that if humanity will not reconsider it's ways, it could find itself facing deadly consequences. The line of protest that calls for the world's awakening can also be learned from the title of the songs themselves. For example, "Prophecy," "Marching Tank," or "Kids And Guns," which deals with increased arms sales and regulation in the U.S. arms industry, leading to higher homicide rates. Musically we get more of this great thing called U.D.O. - Powerful, melodic and sweeping Power/Symphonic metal. This is the band's first studio album in 3 years, since the excellent "Steelfactory" LP released in 2018. This is the first time the band has written an entire album with the two new members, bassist Tilen Hudrap and guitarist Dee Dammers, who have already visited Israel in a live performance at the Havana Club TLV in April 2019. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music Songs List: 01. Fear Detector 02. Holy Invaders 03. Prophecy 04. Empty Eyes 05. I See Red 06. Metal Never Dies 07. Kids And Guns 08. Like A Beast 09. Don't Wanna Say Goodbye 10. Unbroken 11. Marching Tank 12. Thunder Road 13. Midnight Stranger 14. Speed Seeker 15. Time Control 16. Metal Damnation Follow us on Facebook or Subscribe to the website "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog & Radio show, Sundays at 11:00

On October 22, 1969, the second studio album of "Led Zeppelin" was released - known as "Led Zeppelin II" !! This masterful album was released just 9 months after the debut album "Led Zeppelin". The musical material on the album blends American blues, English folk, and rock with psychedelic touches, and is served on a bed of memorable riffs, bounced to jazzy bass beats, spiced with thunderous drum beats, and caramelized by one divine voice! This feverish stew will give birth to the flagship dish. A new musical style that will later be crowned as "Hard Rock" and will change the face of the music world forever. Unlike the debut album which was recorded entirely in one studio in London in a short time, the second album was recorded in six different studios in North America including New York, Los Angeles, Memphis, and Vancouver. Each song was recorded separately, produced, and mixed separately, making the result no less amazing, as the sound and production are so balanced, uniform, and cohesive, that the whole album seems to have been recorded and edited in one place. The reason for recording the album in so many locations lies in the fact that the band was at that time during a tour to promote their debut album. Despite this, the record company wanted to take advantage of the momentum and put pressure on the band to release a follow-up album. Due to the busy schedule of performances, the band was forced to enter recording studios in the destinations where they performed and this is the reason for the scattering in the recording studios. The album opens up with " Whole Lotta Love " and one of the greatest and most influential riffs in the rock world ever. So let's not ignore the elephant in the room and put things on the table. True, Led Zeppelin is probably the biggest "lenders" in the music world. They did it before and will do it after and only the fact that they did not give credit to the real creators in real-time can be credited against them. In this case, the resemblance to Willie Dixon's song and Steve Marriott's singing style ("Small Faces") on the song "You Need Love" is far from coincidental. But all this does not in any way detract from the greatness of "Led Zeppelin" because the result of all the other artists were missing the "Hand of God" and the "magic touch" of "Led Zeppelin", to make them immortal songs. If only they would give credit to Willie Dixon in the first place for the inspiration and would not wait for the lawsuit then everything would be perfect. But the immortal riff is not the only reason this song is so amazing and memorable. John Bonham 's great and powerful drum sound contributes a lot to the result and was achieved by a trick by recording technician George Chkiantz. The song was recorded at the "Olympic" studios in London which were known for their high ceilings and the wooden floor that swallowed the sounds. To give the drums an open, powerful, and resonant sound, the recording technician placed the drums on an elevated platform and placed microphones in unconventional places. The psychedelic sound of this crazy piece starting at about 1:20, was achieved by Jimmy Page who also produced the album, and recording technician Eddie Kramer, while rioting on the console as they turn every possible button. Another interesting statistic regarding the recording of the song refers to one of the first times the "backward echo" effect was used. It is an effect in which the echo is heard before the singing is heard. Anyone who listens to the song starts at about 4:00, when Robert Plant begins with the phrase "Way down inside ..." the echo can be heard before Robert Plant 's singing. This all happened by mistake when another Robert Plant takes was mixed with the master. When Page and Eddie Kramer discovered this during the mixes they were no longer able to correct the mistake and were left with no choice but to intensify the effect so that it sounded like it was done on purpose. This song was ranked 75th on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 greatest songs of all time. "Q" magazine ranked the song third on the "100 Guitar tracks of All Time" list. The song also ranks third on the list of the 100 greatest rock songs of all time by VH1. The second track " What Is and What Should Never Be " makes bold use of stereo and you can hear the guitar go right and left between the speakers. The uniqueness of the song in its dynamics in the transitions between the quiet passages and the noisy outbursts. This is the first song in which Jimmy Page played the Gibson Les Paul guitar, that later will become his trademark. Until then he had played the Fender Telecaster guitar. It is also the first song in which John Bonham uses the Chinese gong as part of his drum set. You can hear it in the bridge part between Jimmy Page 's riffs. Rumor has it that Robert Plant wrote the lyrics about the affair he had with his wife's younger sister. The third song " The Lemon Song " brings us closer to another "lending" by Jimmy Page , this time from Howlin 'Wolf's "Killing Floor" song. In this case, too there was a lawsuit and here too "Led Zeppelin" had to give credit to the artist and pay royalties. Some of the lyrics were also "borrowed" by Robert Plant from the song "Traveling Riverside Blues" by blues artist Robert Johnson. "Led Zeppelin" also recorded this song which was not included on any record but appeared on the compilation album "Coda" and in a box released by the band. It is interesting to note that the echo in Robert Plant's voice in this song was not created as a result of an effect but only from the special acoustics in the Los Angeles studio. Also in this song, you can hear the Chinese gong of John Bonham who opens the song. From here we move on to one of rock's amazing ballads and one of the most beautiful love songs ever written " Thank You ". The song was written by Robert Plant for his wife Maureen and was supposed to be the first song in which he wrote all the lyrics from beginning to end. But even here there is a light "Lending", Because the lines "If the sun refuses to shine" and "When mountains crumble to the sea" are taken from the song "If 6 Was 9" by Jimi Hendrix . Interestingly, Jimmy Page sings background vocals here. You can hear him do this starting with the words "Little drops of rain". Another interesting statistic is Jimmy Page 's solo played on an acoustic guitar, something Page does not do much. We have to mention John Paul Jones' work with the Hammond organ, which is among his first and most beautiful with the band. The other side of the vinyl begins with the catchy and sweeping guitar line of " Heartbreaker ". It is interesting to note that the amazing and inspiring guitar solo was recorded separately from the song itself and in another studio. During performances, Jimmy Page tends to get carried away with the solo and incorporate various pieces of music such as: "Greensleeves", "59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and even "Bouree" by Bach. " Livin 'Lovin' Maid (She's Just a Woman) " actually connects with "Heartbreaker" and sometimes the radio stations would play them together, but it was never played by the band on shows because Jimmy Page hated it. The song was written about a fan of the band who Used to bother the band members in the band's early days. The song was released as a b-side for the song "Whole Lotta Love" and features background vocals by Jimmy Page who also plays 12-string guitar. The lyrics of the song " Ramble On " were influenced by the books of J.R.R. And The Hobbit's "Frodo Baggins" adventures and it's among the first songs to combine rock and fantasy, a combination that will gain momentum in the genre of hard rock and heavy metal. The song was recorded in New York. This song was not played in the band's live shows from beginning to end and includes John Bonham 's use of percussion, some say even don an empty guitar case. The instrumental track " Moby Dick " showcases the great abilities of John Bonham on drums. This song evolved from a drumming section called "Pat's Delight" which Bonham named after his wife. Jimmy Page used to catch Bonham jamming in the studio and he recorded parts of these pieces that were put together into this ostentatious drumming piece that sometimes lasted over 20 minutes in live performances, during which John Bonham also drummed with bare hands right up to bloodshed. Bonham's wife noted that the song was called "Moby Dick" since Bonham's son Jason Bonham would ask his father to play the "long song" and when Bonham asked his son why, the son replied that he was as long as Moby. The guitar parts at the beginning and end of this instrumental piece were recorded separately and later incorporated to create the final product. These riffs evolved from a track called "The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair" which the band recorded at BBC Studios in the spring of 1969. Here, too, the riffs were "inspired" by Bobby Parker's 1961 song "Watch Your Step". The album ends with " Bring It On Home ". Here, too, the opening and concluding section of the song was "borrowed" and influenced by a song by Sonny Boy Williamson written by Willie Dixon. The harmonica section was recorded in Vancouver. This immortal album is a milestone in rock music and is considered an influence on the development of hard rock and heavy metal genres. It helped to establish the status of the band as one of the greatest rock bands in history and gave "Led Zeppelin" its big break into the US and the world, with incredible sales figures that even managed to kick The Beatles' " Abbey Road " from the top. For Listening : Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

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

On September 19, 1970, Neil Young's third album, "After the Gold Rush", was released. We start the review of this exemplary album right at the point where we finished the review of his previous album "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" (click on the link and read). About a month after the release of "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere", Young joins Crosby, Stills and Nash and the quartet start working on the album "Déjà Vu", when two months later the band performs at the legendary Woodstock Festival. After the release of "Déjà Vu" and the tour designed to promote it, "Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young" split to record solo albums. David Crosby starts working on material for the album "If I Could Only Remember My Name", Graham Nash collects material for his album "Songs for Beginners" and Stephen Stills enters the studio to record his first solo album "Stephen Stills". Like his three friends, Neil Young is also starting work on his third solo album. While writing the material for the album Young is looking for the perfect balance between the roughness and immaturity that "Crazy Horse" brought to his previous album, and the soft and harmonious sound of "Crosby, Stills & Nash". However, the end result was slightly different from what Young had planned. Young injured his back while trying to lift a heavy wooden board, in a way that made it very difficult for him to stand and play the electric guitar. Under these circumstances, Young abandoned the dirty and rough direction of the electric guitar and focused mostly on acoustic playing. This limitation of Young's, intentionally or not, created an amazing combination of country, folk, rock and gave birth to a masterpiece that was mostly acoustic, partly electric, which undoubtedly greatly influenced the singer/songwriter of the early seventies, such as James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and more. Most of the album was recorded in the basement of Young's home in California. To help him find the balance between "Crazy Horse" and "Crosby, Stills & Nash", Young recruits "Crosby, Stills & Nash" bassist Greg Reeves and Ralph Molina, Danny Whitten and Billy Talbot from "Crazy Horse". It will also be Danny Whitten's latest album with Young, on which Young wrote the song "The Needle And The Damage Done" from "Harvest", after he died of a heroin overdose. (Photo: Joel Bernstein) The album opens up with "Tell Me Why" a song that was first performed on "Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young" shows during their tour that accompanied the album "Déjà Vu". The acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies produce all together an amazing classic song from Young. Although it is a simple and perfect song, Young stopped playing it live at some point, claiming that it was difficult for him to sing words with a shallow meaning. Young meant the words: "Is it hard to make arrangements with yourself? When you're old enough to replay but young enough to sell" Immediately after comes the theme song "After the Gold Rush" which got its name from a screenplay by Dean Stockwell-Herb Berman that Young asked to write the music for. Eventually, the idea for the film did not materialize and Young was left with the title for the song and album. This is a beautiful piano ballad by Young. This song has received cover versions of some interesting artists including Thom York from "Radiohead", "Flaming Lips," and "Dave Matthews Band". The third track "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a charming country ballad with pop-waltz elements, ostensibly written in honor of Graham Nash after he broke up with Joni Mitchell. This is Neil Young's first big hit and the first single released from the album. This song was also played in "Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young" performances during the tour that supported the "Déjà Vu" album. "Southern Man" is an electric and "electrifying" track that is all about "Crazy Horse". Neil Young plays electric guitar and Nils Lofgren who was then only 18, on the piano. It's Young's protest song against the black racism in the southern United States. This song and the song "Alabama" included on Young's 1972 album "Harvest", angered members of the band "Lynyrd Skynyrd", who adored Young and was hurt by them. In response, they wrote their big hit "Sweet Home Alabama" with the following words: "Well, I heard Mister Young sing about her Well, I heard ol' Neil put her down Well, I hope Neil Young will remember A Southern man don't need him around anyhow" Neil Young responded to the song in an interview from 1976 and said he was proud that his name was mentioned in the Skynyrd's song. He also used to play the song in his live performances. (Photo: Dick Barnatt) The track that closes the first side of the vinyl "Till the Morning Comes" is a short 1:17 minute segment that includes only two lines. It is a cheerful French-scented country song, based on piano and featuring a short trumpet solo and choral-style background vocals that also includes Stephen Stills contributing his voice. The other side of the album opens with "Oh Lonesome Me" the only cover version of Don Gibson's 1957 song. It is a simple country song that gained a foothold many years after it was written, if only because of the many cover versions of artists who performed it. "Don't Let It Bring You Down" is a slow song with an amazing melody and melancholic atmosphere that also matches the lyrics. The song also appears in an extended version on the excellent "Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young" live album "4 Way Street". At the beginning of the song in this live version Young addresses the audience and says, "Here is a new song. It's guaranteed to bring you right down". This song has received cover versions of many good artists, including Sting, Annie Lennox, "Guns N 'Roses" and even Chris Cornell, that performed the song during the "Songbook" tour. The third track on the second side "Birds" is a slow and minimalist ballad that includes only a piano and the vocals of Neil Young. The song that features beautiful vocal harmonies in the chorus speaks of the loss of love, while Young turns in the song to his loved one whom he is about to leave. It is a track with a special structure, if only because of the fact that the chorus in it has 6 lines. (Photo: Joel Bernstein) The next track "When You Dance I Can Really Love" is Young's second single from the album and one of the audience's favorite songs on live gigs. It is played by members of "Crazy Horse" along with Jack Nitzsche who previously played with "the Rolling Stones", on the piano. Nitzsche adds memorable piano touches to the song that add a bit of a light and fresh spirit to this rough and heavy song. "I Believe in You" is another country ballad featuring complex harmonies, which was released as the third single from the album. It was one of Young's first songs recorded for the album back in 1969, during a session with "Crazy Horse" before Neil Young's injury. Similar to the first side of the album, the second side also ends with a short song lasting only 1:33 minutes. "Cripple Creek Ferry" is a classic and beautiful country rock song that has a lot of potential and that we think ends too quickly. With the release of the album, it received mostly mixed reviews from critics, but these reviews changed from end to end over the years, when in the mid-70s the Rolling Stone magazine referred to the album as a masterpiece. Today it can already be clearly said that this is one of the greatest albums in Neil Young's glorious catalog. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

He is an artist in every part of his body, actor, musician, producer, singer and composer and he was born on September 3, 1961. Photo: Kfir Ziv = Yermi was born in Chicago, USA as Jeremy David Kaplan, the third of four brothers. On July 4, 1969, when he was 8 years old, Yermi immigrated to Israel with his family. = His father, Irving Kaplan, was a television director which led Yermi to play several roles in tv series and movies. = He appeared in the poetry segment In Our Post Office, which was broadcast in the seventies in many rebroadcasts on educational television, as part of the series "Neighbors" for learning English for the 5th grade. In "The Adventures of Scooterman", in the role of Oswald, the nephew of Dr. Upbaked (in the episode "The Accidental Astronaut"). He also participated in the western "Phantom Kid" in 1975, and played the role of Ephraim Levy in the Israeli film "Operation Jonathan" by Menachem Golan in 1977. = In 1978, while studying at the Tel Aviv Alliance High School, Yermi together with another guy named Rami Kleinstein who studied a grade below him, founded the band "Eclipse". The two also included Yermi's brother, Aharon and Dori Amarilio. The band won first place in a talent competition in youth city, recorded several songs and even appeared on the popular show "Ad Pop". = Yermi was indeed a drummer in the band, but over time he became a gifted multi-instrumentalist and learned to play a wide variety of instruments with great talent. = During his military service, when he plays in several bands, including "Eclipse" Yermi receives an offer to replace Sami Abzerdel, the drummer of the band "Tislam" who was considering leaving. Yermi liked the idea but in the end Sami decided to stay in the band. = After his military service Yermi began to study law at Tel Aviv University but the interest did not last and after a short time he abandoned his studies in favor of traveling abroad. Yermi was looking to travel and discover new places but also to discover himself, to find his independent musical path. = In 1986, after returning from abroad, Yermi became involved with his friend from school, Klinstein, and participated in Klinstein's debut album "On the Day of the Bomb" which was released that year. He recorded background vocals on the album and participated in the writing of the song "Where I Stand". That year he also wrote English versions of Rita's songs, for an album she recorded in the Netherlands. = On Kleinstein's recommendation, Yermi was signed by Roni Brown to the "Helicon" record company which he managed. Yermi worked on new songs and even recorded two of them "Looking for" and "Caps it" which were supposed to be part of his debut album, but the album was not completed or issued. These songs were performed for the first time at the concerts of the "Doppler Phenomenon" band with whom Yermi played at that time. = At that time Yermi was in a relationship with the singer Dana Berger . Their separation served as an inspiration for their friend Hami Rodner, who wrote about them the song "Nafalt Hazak". When the song was released on the radio it caused a media storm, but eventually became a hit. = Yermi went to find his musical path again and this time he went to the USA for several months. Apparently even then it still didn't happen because when he returned to Israel in 1989 he started playing in a number of different bands. Yermi played guitar in the band "Eifu Hayeled", he played drums in the "Taarovet Escot" band and was a vocalist in the "Explosion Survivors" band. = None of the bands really broke out at that time, until 1991 saw the release of the debut album of "Taarovet Escot" which was a great success for which Yrami left the other bands. = The band was founded by Assaf Amdursky and Amir "Django" Rossiano, who were childhood friends, at the end of 1989. Amdursky added Yermi, after Hami Rodner met the two at the "Desert" pub, where the three worked together for a short period. = The debut performance of "Taarovet Escot" took place in December 1989. At the beginning of its journey, the guitarist Yuval Lieblich was also a member of the band. In October 1991, the band released their debut album on the "Had Artzi" record company. Almost all the songs on the album were written and composed jointly by Amdorski and Django, except for the song "I'm not ready to leave here" which was written and composed by Yermi. The arrangements and musical production were performed jointly by the three members of the band. The band's biggest hit from the album was "My Intimate Room", which gained great popularity on the radio and in the Israeli rock scene in those years, which was also the band's only hit. = In 1992, Yermi participated in the recording of the debut album of the band "Doppler Phenomenon", he performed the role of drums and participated in writing the song "Kotefet". = In the same year, he participated in a rock opera called "Sexodos", written and directed by the vocalist of "Doppler Phenomenon", Baruch Friedland, an opera performed at the Arad Festival, in a musical production by Gilad Atzmon, together with the band "Taarovet Escot". = In April 1993, during the work on the second album of "Taarovet Escot" Yermi left the band, as a result the band broke up and each of its three members went on their own solo career. = This time it seems that the timing was right and in 1994 Yermi founded the "Flower Band". The band signs with the record company "NMC" and releases its debut album "Yermi Kaplan and the Flowers" which is actually Yermi's first solo album. All the songs on the album were written and composed by Yermi, with most of them talking about pain and also a little hard to digest musically. = The album doesn't really take off until the band goes on tour during which Yermi bursts into consciousness. His strength and great talent is revealed as a charismatic vocalist and an engrossing performer, his presence on stage is frenzied, as he never stops being in constant motion. Among the successful songs of the album were "Modedet", "Lama Lo Hegat" and "Masheho Hayav Lehishtanot". = Still in the same year, he records a new cover for the song "Gali" by Ehud Manor and Kobi Oshrat, in honor of a Hanukkah Special held at the IDF's Gala. The cover was included as a bonus in a later edition of the album "Yermi Kaplan and the Flowers". = His second album "Good Morning" was released in 1995 and this time Yermi was without the Flower Band. Also in this album, all the songs were written by him, including "Hadafok Haze" and "Sooner or Later". = In 1996, he wrote, composed and recorded the song "Already Now" which was the opening song of the series "Inverted" which became a hit and was a great success. The song was included as a bonus on the "Good Morning" album, in a later release. = In 1999 his third album "For Worse and Better" was released. Most of the songs on the album deal with family and relationship issues, of which the songs "Kola Vebra", "Opportunity" and "For Bad and Good" were successful. Similar to his previous album, Yermi wrote the lyrics and melodies and produced the music for this album as well. = In 2003, his fourth album, "The Lost Time", was released, which received good reviews. The album was produced by him and by Eyal Katsav and included a number of hits, including "Rishon Shabbat", "Start from Zero" and "I will change". = In May 2004 the band "Taarovet Escot" reunited for several performances, in November 2007 they reunited again for a one-off show, and again in September 2011, in honor of Yeremi's 50th birthday. = In 2006 Yermi participated in an episode of the series "The Champion" as an ophthalmologist. In 2007 he played in the children's series "Rosh Gadol" and the drama series "Maybe this time", and in 2010 he played in the series "Pilots' Wives". = In 2010, his fifth album "Desire" was released, from the album several singles were released that were successful such as: "Everybody can", "How right you are" and "You will have more". = In 2015 he released the album "Patish", which combines rock and electronic music, together with Spencer Russo, Matan Spencer and Uri Russo, a pair of young producers. The album was financed by the audience through the Headstart campaign. = In 2019 he produced a cabaret show called "Yermi Kaplan performs Elton John", in which of course he performs Elton John 's greatest hits while in between he combines historical details about Elton's career. The show is performed to this day. = In 2020, just before the outbreak of the COVID virus, he released a new single called "In the end I'm left with nothing" and immediately after that he released another single called "I'll bring you back in time". = In May 2023, Yermi announced a break from performances due to an unexpected surgery on the neck vertebrae, which put the function of his limbs in danger. He underwent a complex procedure designed to preserve the function of his organs, and in July of that year he shared a photo of himself from the hospital bed and expressed his gratitude for the messages, concern and care he received. He Shared: "So now that I've come to terms with my situation, I'm taking action. I'm doing it with a very heavy feeling and after much deliberation. The reality phase - I'm forced to stop and postpone all performances from the date set for the surgery until a complete recovery (about three months). The 'Yermi does Yermi' tour which has not yet started and has already sold hundreds of tickets, will have to wait." = Yermi collaborated and was involved in writing, arranging and producing many songs with many artists including the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, Lior Farhi, Hami Rodner, Dana Berger, Eliran Avitar Levy and many others. = As of today, Yermi performs as a guest and is on tour with the "Yermi Kaplan Performs Elton John" cabaret and 'Yermi does Yermi'. Listen to Yermi's compilation album: 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

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

On August 12, 1983 "Queensrÿche" released "Queensrÿche EP". This release marks the official debut of one of progressive metal's most influential bands. Despite being only a four-track release (in its original release) and more heavy metal oriented, this EP showcases the band's early potential and offers a glimpse into the sound that would define their career. "Queensrÿche's" origins trace back to the late 1970s in Bellevue, Washington, when guitarist Michael Wilton formed the band "Joker", which later included guitarist Chris DeGarmo . In 1980, Wilton and drummer Scott Rockenfield started "Cross+Fire", covering songs by "Iron Maiden" and "Judas Priest" while practicing in Rockenfield's garage, known as "The Dungeon." DeGarmo and bassist Eddie Jackson joined, and the band was renamed "The Mob" after the "Black Sabbath" song " The Mob Rules ." They recruited Geoff Tate from "Babylon" to sing for a local rock festival. Although Tate left initially, he returned in 1981 to help record a demo with the band, which included four tracks That eventually will form this EP: " Queen of the Reich ," " Nightrider ," " Blinded ," and " The Lady Wore Black ." After a year of being rejected by record labels, the band, managed by Kim and Diana Harris of "Easy Street Records", decided to change their name to "Queensrÿche", inspired by the song " Queen of the Reich ," with the spelling modified to avoid Nazi associations. The band gained significant attention after their demo was reviewed by "Kerrang!" magazine, leading to the release of this historical EP. The EP opens up with "Queen of the Reich" a powerful anthem that immediately establishes "Queensrÿche's" identity. With Geoff Tate 's soaring vocals, driving riffs from Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, and Scott Rockenfield's intense drumming, the song is a high-energy introduction that has since become a fan favorite. The influence of bands like "Iron Maiden" is evident, yet "Queensrÿche" manages to bring their own unique style, blending heavy metal with a hint of the progressive elements they would later expand upon. The band issued a video clip for the song which was included in "Kerrang!" VHS video collection and drew much attention to this new emerging band. The second track " Nightrider " continues the EP's momentum with its galloping rhythm and dark lyrics. The dual guitar work is particularly strong here, creating a complex, layered sound that would become one of the band's trademarks. Starting with the Rob Halford -like scream at 0:28 Tate's vocal range is again on full display, reinforcing his reputation as one of the era's most dynamic frontmen. The follow-up track "Blinded" introduces more of the band's progressive tendencies, with time signature changes and intricate guitar solos, some of which reminded us of "Mercyful Fate's" style. "Blinded" is a standout for its ambitious structure, hinting at the more complex compositions that would characterize their later work. The lyrics delve into themes of perception and reality, a precursor to the conceptual storytelling that would define albums like " Operation : Mindcrime ". Closing out the EP is " The Lady Wore Black " a slower, more atmospheric track that showcases the band's versatility. The song's haunting melody and introspective lyrics contrast with the EP's more aggressive tracks, adding depth to the overall sound. It's a perfect example of "Queensrÿche's" ability to blend emotion with technical proficiency. This was the only track on the EP which Tate co-wrote with the band. He was asked to join the band for the recording sessions, and in the same week wrote the lyrics to one unfinished song, which became "The Lady Wore Black". Interestingly, A live (and much better in our opinion) version of the song could be found on the band's debut album "The Warning" 2003 reissue. This EP was initially self-released on "206 Records" but quickly gained traction, leading to a deal with EMI. It set the stage for "Queensrÿche's" future success, demonstrating their potential to break into the mainstream metal scene. The EP's success eventually convinced Tate to leave his other band, "Myth", and join "Queensrÿche" as their permanent lead singer. The "Queensrÿche EP" is not just a collection of songs but a statement of intent, showing a young band ready to push the boundaries of heavy metal. In 2005, "Queensrÿche EP" was ranked number 336 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Here are some interesting facts about Steve Hillage best known as the guitarist of "Khan", "Gong" and "System 7". = He was born in the name of Stephen Simpson Hillage on August 2, 1951, in Chingford, Essex London, England. = While attending the City of London School, formed his first band "Uriel" in 1967 with Dave Stewart, Mont Campbell, and Clive Brooks. They later reunited as "Arzachel" and recorded a self-titled psychedelic rock album in 1969. = In 1969, Hillage began studying philosophy and history at the University of Kent, where he mingled with "Caravan" and "Spirogyra", early members of the Canterbury scene. = He formed "Khan" in 1971 with Nick Greenwood (ex–Crazy World of Arthur Brown), releasing the album "Space Shanty" in 1972. Dave Stewart joined the band for recording and touring. = Hillage disbanded Khan in October 1972 after creative disagreements. = He played in Kevin Ayers’ live band Decadence in early 1973 and appeared on Ayers’ album "Bananamour". = Hillage joined "Gong" in January 1973, contributing to the "Radio Gnome Invisible" trilogy: "Flying Teapot" (1973), "Angel’s Egg" (1973), "You" (1974), featuring his future partner Miquette Giraudy. = He performed live with Mike Oldfield  and Pierre Moerlen on " Tubular Bells " at Queen Elizabeth Hall (1973) and in the BBC's Second House broadcast. = Hillage recorded his debut solo album "Fish Rising" (1975) at The Manor Studios with "Gong" members and Dave Stewart. = He departed "Gong" in December 1975 due to creative tensions and pressure to lead the band after Daevid Allen's exit. = He moved to the U.S. to record "L" (1976) with Todd Rundgren and "Utopia". The album included covers of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "It’s All Too Much". = Hillage toured with a new band featuring Clive Bunker ("Jethro Tull"), Colin Bass ("Camel"), Christian Boulé, and Giraudy. Debuted live supporting "Queen" in Hyde Park (1976) and later toured the U.S. supporting "Electric Light Orchestra". = On 20th March 1977, Hillage gave a concert as part of the “L” tour at the Otto Hahn School in Bensberg, Germany, which was recorded by WDR and broadcast on German television. = He performed again with Mike Oldfield and the Scottish National Orchestra on " Tubular Bells " in 1977. = He produced and performed on Nik Turner’s 1978 album "Xitintoday", also collaborated with "The Radio Actors", recording "Nuclear Waste" lead vocals by Sting. = Hillage embraced funk and fusion influences and recorded "Motivation Radio" (1977) in L.A. with Malcolm Cecil of "TONTO". = He released "Green" (1978), co-produced with Nick Mason  of "Pink Floyd", featuring ambient textures and live electronics. = Hillage performed at "Reading Festival" 1978 with "Sham 69", showing stylistic openness beyond prog. = In 1979 he issued the double LP "Live Herald", blending live performances and studio tracks. = The same year he created ambient milestone "Rainbow Dome Musick" with Giraudy, commissioned for the Festival for Mind, Body and Spirit. =More in the same year - he released "Open", featuring Jean-Philippe Rykiel, and toured across Europe. = Also in 1979, he performed at Glastonbury Festival, after which he reassessed the "guitar hero" persona and shifted focus to studio production. = Hillage released two studio albums with Giraudy in 1982: "For To Next" and "And Not Or" – both named after BASIC programming commands, featuring electronic textures. = He worked as a record producer during the 1980s for acts including "Simple Minds", "It Bites", Murray Head, Cock Robin, Tony Banks , and Robyn Hitchcock. = After hearing "The Orb" playing his 1979 ambient record "Rainbow Dome Musick", Hillage and Giraudy began performing in the early 1990s as ambient dance act, merging trance, techno, and ambient. = "System 7's" debut from 1991 featured collaborators such as Paul Oakenfold, Derrick May, and Alex Paterson of "The Orb". = Hillage helped establish the "Dance Tent" at Glastonbury Festival in the early '90s, bridging psychedelia and rave culture. = He released numerous albums under "System 7" across the '90s and 2000s, collaborating with Youth, Steve Broughton, and Mick MacNeil. = Hillage returned to "Gong" for the "Gong Family Unconvention" in Amsterdam (2006), performing "Radio Gnome Trilogy" material. = He participated in "Gong’s" 2008 and 2009 concerts and produced their 2009 album "2032". The same year he also came to Israel for live shows with "Gong". = After leaving "Gong" again post-2010, guested on "Rejoice! I'm Dead" (2016), the first "Gong" album after Daevid Allen’s death. = He collaborated live with "Ozric Tentacles" on the album "Spirals in Hyperspace" (2004). = In the years 2015-2018 He performed with "Hawkwind" at several events, including :" Hawkeaster festival"  (2018). = Hillage reunited with "Gong's" current lineup in 2019 for a Steve Hillage Band tour where "Gong" served as his backing band. = He was awarded the "Visionary" award at the 2013 Progressive Music Awards. = His song "Light in the Sky" from "Motivation Radio" was used as the theme for The Sunday Night Project   on Channel 4. = He contributed guitar to William Shatner’s 2011 cover of "Rocket Man". = Hillage is known for cosmic themes, soaring glissando guitar solos, ambient textures, and fusing psychedelia with electronic dance music. = He is a key figure linking Canterbury Scene, progressive rock, ambient, and trance. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Happy birthday to singer, guitarist, and producer Joe Lynn Turner. (Photo: Facebook: Joe Lynn Turner) He was born on August 2, 1951, as Joseph Arthur Mark Linquito. As a child, he grew up on artists like Jimi Hendrix , "Led Zeppelin" and "Free". The first instrument he played was an accordion and later he played the guitar. The first band he formed already in school was "Ezra". They played cover versions of rock bands, but also original material. In 1977 he joined the band "Fandango" where he played guitar and sang. Together with the band, Turner released 4 albums. After the breakup of "Fandango", he got a phone call from guitarist Ritchie Blackmore , who invited him to audition. He rose to fame as a singer on the band "Rainbow" in which he was a member for three consecutive studio albums " Difficult to Cure ", " Straight Between The Eyes " and " Bent Out Of Shape " - the same number as the albums in which Ronnie James Dio was a member of the band. With "Rainbow" he released quite a few hits that were quite successful on charts such as: "I Surrender", "Can't Happen Here", "Stone Cold", "Street of Dreams" and "Can't Let You Go". After the breakup of "Rainbow", Turner releases his first solo album "Rescue You", which was released in 1985. Later, Turner will release 9 more studio albums, and 3 EPs. And two live albums, as part of his solo career. In 1987 Lynn Turner joined legendary guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen and released with him the album "Odyssey" in 1988, and the live album " Trial by Fire: Live in Leningrad " in 1989. In 1989 Turner replaced Ian Gillan after he was fired from "Deep Purple" and released the studio album "Slaves and Masters" in 1990. As part of the tour to promote the album, Lynn Turner came to Israel with "Deep Purple" for two performances. The first took place on September 28, 1991, in Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, and the second at Tzemach Beach. Although it was all members of the MKII band minus singer Ian Gillan and although expectations from the show were high, there was disappointment among the Israeli audience. Blackmore was not focused and on the performance of Tzemach Beach, he did not even go up to the stage during the Encore. Lynn Turner is a good singer, but it turns out that Gillan's songs can only be sung by Gillan. In 1990, Lynn Turner contributed his voice to the song "Killer", taken from the album "The Privilege of Power" by "Riot". He later moved to the "Mother's Army" supergroup with bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Carmine Appice. This is a progressive group with which Turner released three studio albums from 1993 to 1998. In 2001, together with bassist and singer Glenn Hughes , he formed the band "Hughes Turner Project". As part of this band, he released two studio albums. In 2008 he formed the tribute band for "Rainbow" - "Over the Rainbow", along with former band members Bobby Rondinelli, Greg Smith, Paul Morris, and with the son of Ritchie Blackmore Jürgen on guitar. In 2021, he was a guest on two songs from the album "Immortal" by "Michael Schenker Group". In 2022 he released his 11th studio album "Belly of the Beast". At the same time, he publicly revealed that already at the age of 3 he was diagnosed with a rare baldness disease and that he had to wear a wig from the age of 14. Lynn Turner has a lot of collaborations and was also a member of other interesting projects such as: the supergroup "RATED X" with bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice , singer Brazen Abbot from Finland, "Michael Men Project", Akira Kajiyama, "Sunstorm" and more. Turner is also known as a highly sought-after backing singer and he has contributed his voice to quite a few well-known artists such as Billy Joel , Michael Bolton, and even Bonnie Taylor and singer Cher. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On August 2, 1978 "Boston" released their second album "Don't Look Back". After the unprecedented success of the debut album " Boston ", the pressure on Tom Scholz and his friends to create a follow-up on the same level, was enormous. They turned overnight from an anonymous band playing in bars and small clubs to a band that fills stadiums. At that time, the album " Boston " was considered the best-selling debut album in the world, with sales of about 20 million copies, so it was clear that it would be very difficult to reproduce this success. Indeed, this album fell far short of the debut " Boston " album, both in terms of musical material and in terms of sales (about 8 million copies only). Still, there are some brilliant moments in this album, which are among the best produced by the perfectionist Tom Scholz, so you shouldn't even consider skipping it. Despite the tremendous success of the band, which opened up possibilities and doors of renowned and leading studios and producers, once again Tom Scholz decided to record, produce and master the album in the private studio he built in his home basement. As you may remember, after graduating with honors from MIT, Schultz began working in the development department of the "Polaroid Corporation" and in his free time, he built a recording studio in the basement of his house, full of equipment, electronic components, and effects, where the band's debut album - " Boston " was recorded. Scholz, who is a perfectionist and multi-instrumentalist, decided to recreate the recording process from the debut album, when he plays most of the instruments and is accompanied by Brad Delp on vocals and Sib Hashian on drums. The two remaining band members hardly contributed to the recording process. Guitarist Barry Goudreau played a few solos and bassist Fran Sheehan played only in one song. Even in this case, the greatness of the album rests on the fusion of Scholz's unique guitar sounds mixed with the amazing vocal abilities of vocalist Brad Delp . Scholz's genius is once again reflected in the tremendous production, the unique sound, and the never-ending layers of instruments, channels, and effects, which make this album, as well as its predecessor, sound fresh and innovative even after more than four decades, have passed since its recording. (Photo: Andrew Csillag) As for the musical material, some of the songs on the album were written by Scholtz back in the early seventies, at the same time he wrote the songs for the debut album " Boston ". The theme song " Don't Look Back ", which also opens the album is actually the last song written and recorded for it. Scholtz noted that everything happened so quickly that he didn't even have time to record a demo for the song. Well, "fast" for the perfectionist Scholtz is a relative matter, because he nevertheless testified that he made more than 60 edits on Sib Hashian's drum parts, until he was satisfied. It was the first single released from the album and it immediately became a hit led by Scholz's infectious guitar riff and the vocal harmonies of Brad Delp , who is also responsible for the background vocals. According to Scholtz, Fran Sheehan only played a few bass notes on the song, while guitarist Barry Goudreau only played the solo in the intro and outro which Scholtz praised. It is undoubtedly one of the greatest (and longest) songs on the album and it includes a relatively quiet transition section, from which everything is gradually rebuilt, until its peak intensity at the end. The second and third tracks on the album " The Journey/It's Easy " try to follow "Foreplay/Long Time" from the previous album. " The Journey " is a short atmospheric instrumental piece that connects the opening track to the following section. Just like in a "Journey", the section includes dramatic effects that get more and more intense until the sudden burst into the " It's Easy " track. In 1987, Scholtz stated that " The Journey " was his favorite of all the songs on the first three "Boston" albums and that he regretted that it was not longer. He described listening to it as follows: "I'm floating through space, cruising in an airplane over the clouds". " A Man I'll Never Be " that closes the first side is probably the best song on the album. It opens like a typical "power ballad", but is much more than that. What upgrades this song for us is the melodic guitar line that penetrates the soul and of course the layers of guitar riffs that are among Scholtz's best and the mighty voice of Brad Delp who is also responsible for all the background vocals that at times sound like a full choir. All the instruments in the song, except for the drums played by Sib Hashian, are played by Scholtz. In fact Scholz, Delp , and Hashian were the only ones present in the studio when the song was recorded. One of the most beautiful moments in the song is towards the end, when the layers of guitars give way to a Hammond organ played by Scholtz, before the short piano outro that closes the song and the first side of the vinyl. This piano was actually the only piece on the entire album that was recorded in an outside recording studio, simply because Scholtz couldn't fit a grand piano into his basement. The second side of the album is weaker than the previous one, and indeed Scholtz later admitted that only the first side of the album was recorded perfectly and to his complete satisfaction. It opened with " Feelin' Satisfied " which was the third single from the album. A bouncy rock 'n' roll piece with a sweeping riff and beat, which at times rests on the claps of the band members and other guests who came to the studio. It is followed by " Party " written by Scholtz in collaboration with Brad Delp . It is one of the least powerful songs on the album, but it actually proves its greatness, because it is still a good song. Its riff sounds like an imitation of "Smokin'" from the previous album, but that doesn't bother us at all. We are nearing the end with " Used to Bad News " which opens with a different and more airy sound of organ and arpeggio chords. A melodic track written by Brad Delp in which Scholtz puts the layers of guitars aside and focuses on playing the Hammond organ, which takes the lead in many sections. The album ends with " Don't Be Afraid " which despite the amazing vocal quality in it, the excellent control of the guitar, and the special dynamics of the drums, still does not deliver the goods compared to the debut album. After the release of the album, the band went on tour and at the beginning of 1980 already started working on their third album " Third Stage ", but a long legal battle delayed its release for more than eight years. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website