Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Jay Weinberg, former drummer of "Slipknot" and "Suicidal Tendencies", now continuing his career through solo work and other musical projects. Source: Drummer's Review = He was born on September 8, 1990, in New Jersey to Max and Rebekah and has a sister named Ali. = His father is Max Weinberg, the famous drummer of the "E Street Band" Bruce Springsteen's backing band, and also the drummer of the TV shows "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show". = He was the one who exposed Jay to different styles of music and introduced him to different bands from the rock world, in a cosmic way he knew his future. When Jay was 9 years old his father took him to the Ozzfest festival and there he saw and even met the band "Slipknot" backstage, Even then he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up! Over the years Jay kept in touch with the band's manager and with some of the band members. Source: Facebook = As a child, Jay was a talented ice hockey player as a goalkeeper. = Although his father is a talented and famous drummer, the first instrument that Jay learned to play was the guitar, at the age of 9. At the age of 13, he learned to play the bass guitar, and only at the age of 14 did he start playing the drums. He received a few basic lessons from his father and learned everything else on his own. = Apparently his first band was a local metal band called "Chaosis". = After that he played in a punk rock band called "Sadie Mae" and even performed several times with the punk rock band "The Used". = In 2008 after graduating from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School he moved to New York and joined the punk rock band "The Reveling". They released one album and an EP. = That same year, when he was only 18 years old, Jay got to replace his father in Springsteen's performance of the song "Born To Run" in one of the shows on the Magic Tour. It turns out that this was the starting point because less than a year later, due to the busy schedule of "The Tonight Show", Max had to be absent from the Springsteen tour. = And so it happens that in 2009 Jay got to fill the role of drummer for more than half of Springsteen's "Working on a Dream Tour" and this, of course, only after he received the approval of the other members of the band and Steve Van Zandt in particular. Jay gets love and support not only from the band but also from the audience, he gets the nickname "Spark Plug" because his young look with long hair and his playing style very reminiscent of Dave Grohl brought a youthful spirit to the adult stage. Photo: Danny Clinch = In addition to the aforementioned tour, Jay continues to fill in when his father could not perform and at the same time he continues with his band "The Reveling". Jay said that this duality was very exciting, on the one hand playing in stadiums with Springsteen and on the other hand playing in small clubs with his band. = In 2010 Jay joined the old punk rock band "Madball". He recorded with them their seventh album "Empire" which was released that year and was part of the tour to promote the album. After less than a year in the band, Jay left due to "incompatibility in lifestyle". = At the end of 2010, Jay joined the punk rock band "Against Me!" When he fills in for drummer George Rebelo. After a few months with the band, Jay became a permanent drummer and began participating in the recordings of the band's next album. The romance didn't last long and at the end of 2012 Jay left the band when he informed them of his departure through Twitter, the band members did not stay obliging and published a picture of a drum machine!! = After several years on the road performing with various bands around the US, Jay decides to go back to school and begins studying at the Stevens Institute of Technology. In his final year, during the final exams, Jay receives a call from his manager who asks him to come to Los Angeles for auditions. Jay who didn't know what it was about but never said no to the chance to play, takes a flight and arrives in Los Angeles. = Jay arrives in Los Angeles and enters a rehearsal room, the venue manager brings him to the drum set and then tells him: "Alright, there's a drum set. We'll bring in Slipknot in, like, 20 minutes. That cool?" Needless to say, Jay answered in the affirmative and the adrenaline levels in his blood jumped to unimaginable values!! = Jay said that Shawn "Clown" Crahan asked him if he knew any of the band's songs and he answered yes and they started playing 'Before I Forget' and 'Duality', these were the first two songs that Jay played with "Slipknot". When they played the songs Jay said the whole vibe in the room took a turn and electrifying energies began to envelop all the people in the room. The band members were shocked not only by Jay's abilities and talent but also by the musical connection that, like a lightning strike, happened powerfully and in one moment with the other members. = They continued to play, another song and another song and another, in that session they played 20 songs, all of which he played from memory. Jay said that the last time he played "Slipknot" songs was in 2014 and everything he played in that audition he played from memory, his muscles remembered the notes to the songs!! Needless to say, after the session, the band members gave him the OK. Photo: Clemente Ruiz = Jay entered "Slipknot" in a difficult period of crisis after they lost their bassist Paul Gray who died in 2010 and fired their phenomenal drummer Joey Jordison in 2013. Shawn decided that he was giving him a baptism of fire, after all, "Slipknot" is not a normal band, it is a collection of talented psychopaths. He flew with him to Paul's grave in IOWA and brought him to stand in front of the grave for many minutes in order to pay respects and recognize Paul's value and contribution to the band, In addition, he also explained to him what the band's plans are and how he sees him fitting in (really an entry interview for the position). = From there they flew together to the recording studio in Los Angeles and for several weeks in a row, Shawn and Chris Fehn (Shawn's percussionist friend) gave Jay a "Sylphnote Course", tough mentors. They stood in front of him and screamed at him for hours every day, trying to challenge him, make him scramble, get him out of his comfort zone,and hone his talent and abilities. = At the end of the "apprenticeships" the rest of the group entered the studio but did not immediately start working, it was very difficult for them to let go and feel normal in the studio. The same group of people who were unbridled without traces and barriers suddenly looked like a group of yeshiva students waiting for the rabbi to arrive. Corey Taylor said it took a while for them to feel free enough to create in light of Paul's loss. Shawn decided that in order to be inspired but also to pay homage, he places Paul's Ibanez guitar in the recording studio with his mask hanging over it as if he is co-creating and present in the studio. Source: Knotfest = Jay said that as a fan of the band, he really liked Joey and admired his musical talent, but he does not intend to try and step into his huge shoes, but instead take the music to his place and express himself in the band's composition. Source: Rare Gallery = In October 2014, the band "Slipknot" released its fifth album "5: The Gray Chapter", Jay's debut album with the band. = Despite the attempt to maintain anonymity, "Slipknot" does not publish the name of the new band members until it officially announces them, Jay's name leaked out. Quite surprisingly, since Joey's departure was not pleasant, Jay was received with love by fans and critics alike. He immediately becomes one of the most famous drummers in the world!! = In 2019 "Slipknot" released their sixth album "We Are Not Your Kind". One of the most intriguing talked about and biggest albums in 2019. The album of course snatched first place on the Billboard chart, was a crazy global success, and launched a tour of the biggest concerts in the world. = In 2022 the band released their seventh album "The End, So Far". This was the band's final album to be released through Roadrunner, whom the band signed with in 1998. It is the first studio album to feature percussionist Michael Pfaff, who joined the band in 2019 and is their final studio album to feature sampler and keyboardist Craig Jones before his departure in 2023. = In November 2023 surprisingly, or rather shockingly, the band announced Jay's departure from the band. The news were posted on the band's social media and mysteriously deleted shortly after. The move greatly surprised the fans but especially Jay who received the message in a phone call from one of the band members the night before it was published. In a statement published by the band, it is stated that since "Slipknot" intends to continue to develop, the band decided to make a creation based decision and say goodbye to Jay. In a message to his fans, Jay expressed his surprise at the announcement without providing further details. He conveyed his gratitude for his time with the band, acknowledging that being the drummer of "Slipknot" has garnered him a significant fan base and followers. Jay also mentioned that he is currently undergoing therapy to deal with his departure. = In March 2024 Jay joined the veteran metal band "Suicidal Tendencies". The drummers among us will notice a very lethal chain reaction... Jay who departed from "Slipknot", replaced drummer Greyson Nekrutman who left "Suicidal Tendencies" and moved to play in the band "Sepultura". The one who left "Sepultura" is the drummer Eloy Casagrande who became the new drummer of "Slipknot". = Jay won many titles including "Best Metal Drummer" by MusicRadar magazine in 2019, And Modern Drummer magazine, he won the title "Metal Drummer of the Year" in 2020 and 2022 And Drumeo won the title "Metal Drummer of the Year" in 2021. = He plays on a set made by SJC company with which he does many collaborations, the most prominent of which is the snare drum named after him, he has drumsticks named after him with VATER company and he is a presenter for the electronic drum company Roland. = He finds his peace of mind in painting, he said that with the painting he balances himself against the intensity and aggressiveness of "Slipknot". In 2022 he created his first exhibition as a painter called "A Hollow Realm". Photo: Erica Lauren "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On September 8, 1987, "Rush" released their 12th studio album, "Hold Your Fire". Let's get it out and put things on the table. True, this is the band's most electronic and commercialized album. God! Geddy Lee began composing the songs on a Mac using a sequencer developed for Apple. Alex Lifeson used a synthesizer and a drum machine while writing the music and Neil Peart used electronic drums and a trigger pad that activated electronic percussion, as opposed to using the percussion instruments themselves. Even Geddy Lee's voice is the most mid-range we've ever heard on any of the band's albums. His familiar high-octave notes are almost absent in this album. These facts are so shocking and inconceivable that they should have been considered by the band's fans as betrayal even contempt. but no! It is precisely this album, the one that has gone as far as possible towards the mainstream, with sweet pop songs and a wall of synthesizers, samplers, sequencers, and electronic drums, that proves that "Rush" is much more than a band. It is a multi-armed organism, living, and breathing, with a big heart and a huge soul that stretches from one end of the world to the other. The truth must be told. Any other band that would have dared to make such a dramatic change in its sound and musical style, not only would have been immediately abandoned by its fans, but would also receive bad reviews from critics, and at worst may have had fatal consequences from their record company. But not "Rush" who manages to do the incredible and impossible and make her fans change along with her, develop with her and accept with great appreciation the musical change they are going through. Do you know another band that made its Hard Rock fans fall in love with Prog and Prog and Hard Rock fans accept and appreciate genres like Reggae, Ska, New Wave, Pop, and even Rap? There is only one band in the world that has done it, more than once or twice and in every such transformation, in every metamorphosis, in every such style development, not only has it not lost an audience but its appreciation has increased and it has added another circle of fans who have multiplied and accompanied it throughout through thick and thin. So true, this album was not initially well received among the band's devoted fans, but why does it matter? In the end, after several plays, those same fans began to appreciate this band even more and learned to accept, contain and love this album which also includes excellent songs. Despite its unusual style in the band's repertoire, this album stood the test of time, with songs from it dominating the band's setlists over the years, not to mention multiple plays on US radio stations, especially those of Classic Rock. This album has even produced quite a few "hits", as hard as it is to use that word when talking about "Rush". The album's big hit is without a doubt "Time Stand Still". This is the first song that Neil Peart wrote for the album. A pure and magical mainstream song that was a huge success in the charts on both sides of the ocean. It is the band's only song that gives credit to another artist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Aimee Mann, known among others from the American new wave band "'Til Tuesday", who even sang together with Geddy Lee. By the way, this is not the only song on the album where Aimee Mann contributed her voice. She also sings background vocals in the song "Prime Mover", which was written by Neil Peart as a tribute to episode 57 of his favorite cult series "Twilight Zone" (yes, yes, the same series he also wrote a song for the album "2112"). Alex Lifeson admitted that the band thought a woman's voice would fit the chorus of the song. Geddy Lee was a fan of Kate Bush and Björk and first thought of them for the job. Later came the names of Cyndi Lauper and Chrissie Hynde who celebrated her birthday yesterday, but both were not available for recordings at the time, so an equally talented singer and musician- Aimee Mann was chosen. The opening track "Force Ten" is the last song written by the band for the album. While the band was in the studio, producer Peter Collins thought they should write another song because 9 songs are not enough for the album. So the band did write and record the tenth song at his request, and they did so in just three hours, and even found it appropriate to have fun with the name of the song - "Force 10" for the 10th song. Neil Peart recalled that he received from his friend Pye Dubois (who also helped write the hit "Tom Sawyer") lyrics to a song that he had not yet used, and so these lyrics were the ones that formed the basis for what eventually became the tenth song - "Force Ten". Already in this opening track, we notice the electronic dominance, with the heavy keyboards and the drum machine, with the dominant bass of Geddy Lee, who manages to remind us that this is Rush after all - a band of phenomenal and virtuoso musicians. Lee plays bass chords in this song. A new technique he began to use at the time. Geddy received the influence of playing in this way from his friend, the jazz player Jeff Berlin. The idea for the third song “Open Secrets” came from a conversation between Neil Peart and Geddy Lee about their friends and acquaintances who went on with their lives without dealing with issues they had, and the impact of neglecting and ignoring these issues on those friends’ lives. Geddy Lee noted that the song underwent many changes on the way to the result, with Geddy Lee's groovy and dominant bass inspiring Neil Peart's rhythm and vice versa. The fourth track on the album "Second Nature" is a quiet and calm song that talks about the great responsibility we have in the choices we make in our daily lives. Neil Peart said the words "Now I lay me down in dreamland" were influenced by an 18th-century bedtime prayer that hung over his grandmother's bed. It is interesting to note that the use of these prayer words is also made in the spoken words part of the song "Enter Sandman" by "Metallica". The opening track on the second side of the vinyl, "Lock and Key", is one of the album's strongest and darkest songs, in which Neil Peart refers to the killer instinct hidden in each of us, and how we should control it and hold it behind "Lock and Key". This is one of the only times "Rush" writes an entire song, lyrics, and music simultaneously. Geddy Lee uses a 5-string bass guitar here. The second track on the second side of the album "Mission" reveals to us where the album's name came from, opening with the words "Hold Your Fire". After Geddy Lee's short vocal opening, Alex Lifeson comes in with his classic New Wave chords and proves how diverse and beautiful his playing can be, even though it's so minimalist on this album. At the same time, starting at 3:04 in the bridge part, you can hear Alex Lifeson's power chords with the sound we are familiar with from the band's classic albums of the 70s. Before concluding we will refer to the band's most controversial song "Tai Shan" which is the penultimate song on the album. Many of the band's fans will tell you that this may be the band's "worst" song in all of its glorious musical career. Even the band members were quoted years later as sorry that the song was included on the album. We think that even though this is the weakest song on the album, it is still not the worst of the band. "Tai Shan" is a song about a sacred mountain in China and the emperor Huang Ti who used to summon all the spirits of the world to the top of the mountain in a spiritual and sacred ceremony. Legend has it that whoever climbs to the top of the mountain and raises his hands to the sky will live to the age of 100. Neil Peart uses here one of the interesting instruments he used during his career - a plastic bottle with water. He used a brush on these bottles to create the wind-blowing sound of the top of the mountain. The music for the song was influenced by classical folk Chinese music and is probably the band's most exceptional experimental experience. Incidentally Aimee Mann's voice in the song "Prime Mover" is played backward in this song. And now you have to listen to this special album to understand what all the fuss is about: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

The song "Children of the Revolution" from "T. Rex" was released on September 8, 1972, and is relevant today just as it was then. This is the seventh single released by "T. Rex". The song "Children of the Revolution" was the first to break the incredible streak of four consecutive singles that conquered the top of the charts in England, when it reached "only" second place. The single, which did not enter any of the band's official albums, was recorded during the sessions for the album "Tanx" and features Elton John on piano and Ringo Starr on drums. The length of the official single is 2:29 minutes, however, there is a version of the song that lasts over 12 minutes. This version was recorded during the sessions for the band's third album - "The Slider". The song was written by Marc Bolan and produced by the legendary Tony Visconti who produced most of the band's albums and is known for productions he performed at the time for artists such as David Bowie, "Gentle Giant", "Strawbs" and more. The song received several interesting cover versions, among them Bono's as part of the soundtrack of the movie "Moulin Rouge" from 2001 and that of "Kesha" from 2020 together with Rolan Bolan son of Marc Bolan. "Kesha" also performed the song live as part of the "Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert", held at Wembley Stadium on September 3, 2022. The song influenced quite a few artists, among them Thurston Moore from "Sonic Youth", who included it in the list of his 25 most loved songs. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On September 8, 1998 "Hole" released their third album "Celebrity Skin". It was a shimmering contrast to the rawness of their earlier work, signaling a bold new direction for the band. This album finds Courtney Love and her bandmates exploring a more polished, pop-oriented sound, with sharp hooks and glossy production that diverges from the grunge aesthetic of "Pretty on the Inside" from 1991 and "Live Through This" from 1994. This time, Courtney Love and the band set out to create what Love dubbed a "California album," reflecting on the glamorous yet toxic underbelly of Los Angeles. And indeed, "Celebrity Skin" balances the band's alt-rock edge with a surprising amount of mainstream appeal. "Celebrity Skin" is notable for its broader collaborative efforts. While Love remained the lyrical architect of the record, five tracks featured instrumental contributions from Billy Corgan of the "Smashing Pumpkins", who helped Love sharpen her craft, pushing her toward more sophisticated song structures. This partnership, along with contributions from musicians like Jordon Zadorozny and "Go-Go's" guitarist Charlotte Caffey, added layers of complexity to the album’s sound. Despite this outside input, the core of "Hole's" identity remained intact, except for drummer Patty Schemel who was replaced by session drummer Deen Castronovo ("Journey", "Bad English", "Hardline"' and more) during the final studio sessions at the urging of producer Beinhorn. The album is layered with metaphors of drowning and death, symbolically reflecting the personal losses experienced by both Erlandson and Auf der Maur, as well as the haunting presence of figures like Jeff Buckley, who had passed away during the album’s creation. These motifs run through songs like "Dying" and "Northern Star," where Love’s voice drips with raw emotion. Musically, "Celebrity Skin" represents a blend of '90s post-grunge and polished alternative rock, with Beinhorn's sleek production steering "Hole" toward a more accessible sound. This shift allowed the band to reach a wider audience. The title track, “Celebrity Skin,” opens the album with a blast of energy. It’s a biting commentary on Hollywood’s obsession with beauty and fame, propelled by a catchy, sun-soaked riff that makes it one of "Hole’s" most accessible songs. Love’s lyrics, both personal and biting, reflect her complicated relationship with stardom, balancing glamor and self-loathing. The song’s infectious chorus—“Oh, make me over!”—is emblematic of the album’s underlying tension between outward appearance and inner turmoil. Tracks like “Malibu” further exemplify this tension. Lyrically, it’s a reflection on recovery and rebirth, while musically, it’s a polished alt-rock gem that leans into radio-friendly melodies. The album as a whole presents a veneer of California sunshine, but it never fully lets go of the darkness underneath, a duality that Love masterfully plays with throughout. However, "Hole" doesn’t completely abandon their gritty roots. Songs like “Awful” and “Playing Your Song” still carry a biting edge, with Love’s snarling vocals and the band’s grunge-driven instrumentation cutting through the more refined production. This gives the album a sense of balance, ensuring that longtime fans won’t feel alienated by the band’s new sound. While "Celebrity Skin" might lack the raw emotional intensity of "Live Through This", it succeeds in creating a sonic landscape that feels fresh, cohesive, and distinctly Californian. Love’s vulnerability is still present, but it’s wrapped in layers of irony and detachment, reflecting her own struggles with fame during the 1990s. In the end, "Celebrity Skin" stands as a landmark album not only for "Hole" but also for 90s rock in general. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to evolve and adapt without losing their edge, and it remains an enduring piece of alternative rock history, blending introspection with the allure of Hollywood glamor. It is the band's most successful album to date and it is featured in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On September 2, 2003, "Dance of Death", the 13th studio album by "Iron Maiden" was released in Japan (and then on 8 September 2003 in the rest of the world). We want to tell you 17 interesting facts about it: 1. This is the band's second studio album after the comeback of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith to the band. 2. The album was recorded entirely on analog reel tape. 3. The album features the band's only song which is entirely acoustic - "Journeyman". 4. The song was "electric" originally, but the band members thought that after more than an hour of loud music, it would not hurt the listener to enjoy something acoustic. 5. The electric version of the song can be found on the EP released by the band in March 2004 and is called "No More Lies". Link to listen to the electric version: 6. The album includes the song "New Frontier", which is the band's only song written by drummer Nicko McBrain. McBrain, who was "reborn" as a Christian, wrote the song as a protest against the cloning of animals and the fear that they would eventually reach humans. 7. It's also Iron Maiden's only album in which all six members of the band received writing credit. 8. The theme song from the album was written by Janick Gers inspired by a scene from Ingrid Bergman's "The Seventh Seal" movie, in which characters were seen performing the "Dance of Death". He wrote the music and told the subject to Steve Harris who wrote the lyrics and melody. During the tour that accompanied the album, Bruce Dickinson performed the song in a very theatrical way, changing several costumes. See here: 9. "Montségur" was written about the fall of the Cathares religious order on a Crusade in 1244. Bruce Dickinson noted that when he wrote the poem he thought that history was repeating itself and the story of the Cathares religious order reminds in one way or another similar cases in human history. 10. The epic piece "Paschendale" was written by Adrian Smith שbout the terrible battle of the same name from World War I. In a battle that lasted about four months, the Allied powers managed to advance only about ten kilometers into the German lines, at the cost of over half a million wounded, captured, or killed on both sides. Smith noted that this time he tried to write a complex song with progressive influences and many rhythm changes, in contrast to most of his songs, which are shorter and more catchy. 11. "Face in the Sand" was written by Bruce Dickinson under the influence of media coverage of the Second Gulf War that broke out in Iraq when the album was recorded. 12. This is the only song from "Iron Maiden" in which Nicko McBrain uses a double bass pedal. 13. Two singles have been released from the album, the first, "Wildest Dreams", is the opening song of the album which was written by Adrian Smith and Steve Harris. The song reminds us how short life is and how to make the most of it. Smith noted that the song for him is a kind of combination of "Number of the Beast" and "Run to the Hills". 14. The clip for the song is a 3D computer animation that shows the band on an abandoned star fighting the character of Eddie. See here: 15. The second single "Rainmaker" was written by Dave Murray, Steve Harris, and Bruce Dickinson. Bruce noted the guitar riff sounded to him like drops of rain hence the name. 16. The B-side of the single included the song "More Tea Vicar" - a kind of Dickinson parody in the style of "rap", which completes a kind of parody sequence of b-sides, after "Pass the Jam", which was the b-side of "Wildest Dreams". 17. The album cover was created by David Patchett who asked for his name to be deleted from the credits, after the band chose (that is what he claimed) an unfinished version of the painting. Dickinson was later quoted as saying that the album cover was "embarrassing". For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

This album is the complete opposite of the "Black Album" in any way you look at it (and not only on the cover colors of the black/white) and it was issued (according to the band's official website) on September 7, 1988. When you listen to this album and then to the "Black Album", you realize very quickly what all the fuss was about around "Metallica's" upheaval. What was so different, and what significant change did the band go through? This album is what brought its success among metal lovers even before the success of the "Black Album" in the mainstream. This is the album that puts the stamp that "Metallica" is one of the metal promises that is going to march this genre into the future. So let's start telling the story... 1. Let's start with a quote from James Hetfield: "It was just us really showing off" Songs that are no less than 6 minutes, more than three or four riffs in a song, and a significant number of breakpoints and transitions. No doubt it feels that they came to prove something. They came to prove that they are talented, that they know how to write and create rhythmic, fast, and complex trash metal music and they most of all came to show that they can !! 2. James and Lars Ulrich brought the producer Mike Clink to work on this album because they really liked the work he did with "Guns N' Roses" on the album "Appetite For Destruction" (they even became obsessed with this album), but this combination did not last long and very quickly they stopped working with him until their veteran producer Flemming Rasmussen was available and came to replace Mike. 3. The first thing you notice when listening to the album is the sterile production and dry/shallow sound of the album. The guitars sound very high, synthetic with no low frequencies at all, the drums sound like dry beats without volume and we will talk more about the bass later. Rasmussen claimed that this was not his intention at all and that it was a move that took place in the mix/mastering stage. Photo: Ross Halfin 4. The two alpha males, James and Lars decided that the best way to create this album is when only the two are the ones who create, build, and assemble all the parts in the songs. There was no collaboration between the band members until the final stages of the recordings, even Kirk Hammet was invited to the studio only in the last ten days of the recordings. Not to mention Jason Newsted who recorded all the bass parts alone with the technician, without any of the band members or the producer !! As Lars called it: "It was me and James running everything with an iron fist" 5. The album was written and recorded in the shadow of Cliff Burton's death. The bass player who was killed two years earlier left his friends stunned, hurt, and full of anger and aggression. Lars claimed they did not allow themselves to stop any activity because they feared they would lose the momentum they had gained and everything would be lost. They were afraid of drowning "in the depths" and disappearing from the face of the earth. So, after exactly one month and a day since Cliff's death, they have already performed with the band's new bassist Jason. Sure you're asking yourself but what about the bass story on the album ??? So let's move on to the next point. 6. There are a few different versions and stories about the bass saga on this album, unequivocally and without a doubt everyone will agree that you can't hear the bass at all on this album. Jason did not even hear the bass after his recordings and when he was present to hear in the final mix that he was completely gone he was disappointed and hurt to the depths of his soul. The question is Why? - Hetfield recently claimed on Loudwire that since they performed the mix while touring (then there were no headphones but only monitors) they were exhausted and due to the noise their ears could not pick up the loud sounds so they kept asking Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero, who were responsible for the mix to amplify the high frequencies. - Hetfield himself also claimed then, that since the frequencies and sounds of the bass were so identical to the guitar, they simply disappeared within. It was impossible to tell when the guitar started and when the bass was ending and for that Jason claimed, that was what he knew how to do. In his previous band, he and the guitars created a wall sound together, they played the same thing. Here no one has mentored or worked with Jason. - Steve Thompson, on the other hand, claimed that Lars came to him in the mix stage and asked him to lower the bass until he reached a point where he could barely hear it, and hence he will lower it by another 6-8 decibels. Steve thought it was a kid's joke or prank they wanted to do to Jason, but indeed Lars insisted it would be the final version. Feel free to listen to the version of the album with the bass amplified: 7. Metallica members call this album the "Complaints" album because of the lyrics of the songs. At the time Lars and James were regularly watching CNN to get ideas for the songs and also because their concern for issues related to the environment, politics, and society in general increased. Thus were written songs like "Blackened" which talks about environmental destruction, "And Justice For All" which talks about political corruption, and anti-war songs like "One". 8. The riff of the song "One" was based on an idea from the song "Buried Alive" taken from the album "Black Metal" by the band "Venom". 9. The song "One" is also "Metallica's" first song to have a music video. "Metallica" hired two filmmakers to create the "One" music video based on the 1971 film "Johnny Got His Gun". It conquered the MTV screen and became one of the most popular music videos of its time. read more about it here: "Metallica "One" Video Debuted on MTV". 10. In order to continue showing the clip for the song without having to pay royalties to the creators of the original film, "Metallica"'s members acquired the rights to the film. 11. It is also the first song to be nominated "Metallica" for the Grammy Award and bring them to perform at the 31st Grammy Awards in 1989. "Metallica's" members debated the show and the nomination as it was against everything it represented, but they decided they could not give up such an opportunity to show the world who "Metallica" is. The fact that they eventually lost the award only strengthened their status and credibility among metal lovers. They called it 'GRAMMY Award Losers'. Read more about it here: "Metallica Vs. Jethro Tull". 12. The album cover shows "Lady Justice" whose source is the goddess of justice from Roman mythology. She is shown full of cracks, tied with ropes, her scales full of dollar bills, and part of her chest bare. The painting was created by Stephen Gorman who developed the idea of ​​James and Lars to reflect on the topics the texts on the album talk about. The commercial leap was significant even compared with "Master of Puppets", which had already been a major success for the band, selling around 300,000 copies in its first three weeks and more than half a million during its first year. With "...And Justice for All", "Metallica" continued its rise into the mainstream, with the album reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200. 14. The reviews of the album were divided, on the one hand, it was considered a groundbreaking, complex, progressive, and amazing album and on the other hand, some thought it was too ambitious and did not fit the band's capabilities and did not fit the genre of the time. Without a doubt, this is one of the most important albums in rock history, and as we started the review, if you read the review on the "Black Album" you will understand exactly why everyone is talking about this change that "Metallica" has gone through and why it has so influenced its fans and genre lovers in general. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Today we will tell you about the phenomenal drummer Keith Moon who will forever remain 32 years old. (Photo: Thewho.com) Moon is one of Rock's most influential drummers. His influence is so dominant that even legendary drummers like John Bonham, Neil Peart, Mitch Mitchell, and others have said they were influenced by him. So let's tell 32 facts about Keith Moon's 32 living years: 1. He was born in London on 23 August 1946 as Keith John Moon. 2. As a child he was a hyperactive boy with a well-developed imagination, who was very fond of music. 3. At the age of 12 he started playing the trumpet in the school band, but did not really connect to the instrument that was also difficult to play for him. 4. He took drum lessons from drummer Carlo Little from the band "Screaming Lord Sutch", he paid 10 shillings per lesson. 5. The first serious band of which he was a member since 1962, was a cover band called "the Beachcombers". 6. The first musical influences on Moon were of Rhythm and Blues, Surf, and Jazz. He mostly admired jazz drummer Gene Krupa, and in the beginning, tried to emulate his style. 7. In 1964 he successfully auditioned for "The Who" replacing Doug Sandom. 8. The first single he recorded with the band was "I Can't Explain". The producer brought a session player to the studio as a backup because he thought that as a new drummer Moon would not be able to deliver the goods, but Moon tossed the session player out of the studio and performed his part flawlessly. 9. Upon joining the band he immediately caused a change in the dynamics of the songs, as his rhythms used to follow the singing, instead of playing a uniform and regular rhythm synchronized with the bass guitar. 10. He had a special playing style. While the popular patterned use of a rhythm consisted of Hi-Hat, Bass Drum, and Snare, Keith built his own rhythms as he ran on all parts of the drum set with almost no fixed pattern. He made increased use of Ride and Crash at the expense of Hi-Hat. 11. Over the years his drum set has grown and numbered more and more parts. 12. He was among the first drummers to use a double bass drum, when after a conversation with drummer Ginger Baker he decided to attach two bass drums together. Arranging the drum set in this way expanded his playing abilities. 13. Unlike John Bonham and Ginger Baker, although he was a tremendous drummer he did not like to perform drum solos at shows. 14. He was not a successful singer and therefore was not present in the studio while recording the singing parts on the band's albums. Despite this, you can hear him singing songs like "Bell Boy" and "Barbara Ann" from the album "Quadrophenia". 15. It was Moon's idea to incorporate a violin in the song "Baba O'riley" from the album "Who's Next". 16. Moon was nicknamed "Moon the Loon" among his acquaintances, due to his insane nature. 17. He was known as someone who used to destroy and dismantle his drum set at the end of the show. 18. Sometimes he filled one of the drums with water and put goldfish in it. See here: 19. Other times he even put in his drum an explosive that exploded at the end of the show. In one case this explosion caused a slight deafening of Pete Townshend. See here: 20. Moon also built up a reputation for being a particularly destructive guy after destroying hotel rooms, friends' homes, and even destroying his own home. 21. In 1970 Moon was involved in a car accident outside a pub in London, in which run over his friend Cornelius Boland to death. He was acquitted of dangerous driving but this has haunted him all his life. 22. On March 17, 1966, Moon secretly married his then-pregnant girlfriend Kim Kerrigan. Their daughter Amanda was born 4 months later. 23. Moon is partly responsible for choosing the name of "Led Zeppelin". In May 1966 he participated in the recording of Jeff Beck's "Beck's Bolero". John Entwistle, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones were also present at the studio. The recording introduced Page to the idea of ​​forming a supergroup, but when John Entwistle heard this, he immediately said that they would fall just like a lead balloon and Keith Moon sharpened the sentence, noting that they would fall like "Lead Zeppelin". 24. In 1971 he was a guest on Frank Zappa's "200 Motels" movie. He played a nun who was afraid to die from a drug overdose. (Photo: Soundsof71.tumblr.com) 25. In 1974 he appeared in the movie "Son of Dracula" The movie also starred Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Peter Frampton, Harry Nilsson, and more. 26. He also played David "Ernie" in the 1969 film "Tommy" based on the band's rock opera. 27. Keith played with John Bonham on the same stage at the "Led Zeppelin" performance on July 23, 1973. 28. In 1974 he released his only solo album called "Two Sides Of The Moon" inspired by the masterful "Pink Floyd" album released a year earlier. 29. This album failed commercially and Moon hardly drummed in it, he left it to Ringo Starr among others. 30. On the last night of his life, September 6, 1978, Keith Moon and Annette Walter-Lax were guests of Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney at a preview screening of "The Buddy Holly Story". 31. He died in his sleep on September 7, 1978, at the age of 32, from an overdose of chlormethiazole, a drug he had taken as part of his alcohol withdrawal attempts. The death happened in the apartment he rented from singer Harry Nilsson, exactly the same apartment where Cass Elliot was found dead 4 years earlier, also at the age of 32. It was not an intentional suicide, he was just so drunk that every time he woke up he did not remember taking the pills. 32. He is ranked second on the list of the 100 greatest drummers of all time, after John Bonham who was influenced by him. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On September 6, 1987 "Pink Floyd" released their 13th studio album - "A Momentary Lapse of Reason". Here are 13 interesting facts about "Pink Floyd's" 13th album: 1. This is the first "Pink Floyd" album without Roger Waters, who left the band in 1985. The release of the album was accompanied by a legal battle over the use of the band name. Just 3 months after the release of the album this legal dispute was settled in a way that David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright could have used the band name. 2. The album was originally supposed to be David Gilmour's solo album. Only at an advanced stage of writing did Gilmore decide to turn the album into a "Pink Floyd" project. 3. Most of the album was recorded at David Gilmore's private boat house - Astoria. Producer Bob Ezrin noted that the atmosphere there was peaceful and very special, which among other things gave him the inspiration for the special opening of the album, where the sounds of rowing in the river water are heard. 4. Richard Wright joined the recordings only late after his wife approached David Gilmour. This was after most of the keyboard parts had already been written, so Wright participated in the playing and contributed background vocals only in some of the songs. 5. Due to contractual matters Richard Wright could not serve as a full member of the band and was employed by David Gilmour at a weekly salary of $ 11,000. 6. Nick Mason was also not a full partner in the creation and playing in this album. His absence is especially noticeable in the songs "The Dogs of War" and "Sorrow" in which Carmine Appice and Jim Keltner were the drummers. 7. Nick Mason, on the other hand, got to contribute his voice on the spoken words of the songs "Signs of Life" and "Learning to Fly". Mason's voice on the song "Learning to Fly" was recorded on his first solo flight. 8. The one who plays bass on the album is Tony Levin, who is known, among others, from "King Crimson". 9. Another interesting partner who co-wrote the song "One Slip" with Gilmore, is Phil Manzanera best known from "Roxy Music". 10. The album cover was aimed to annoy Roger Waters. The band invited none other than Storm Thorgerson to design the album cover. Thorgerson designed, among other things, the cover of Pink Floyd's "Animals", an album in which Waters' dominance became essential. 11. To reinforce the message to Waters, the remaining "Pink Floyd" members were photographed on the inside cover, something that has not been done since the 1971 album "Meddle". 12. The impressive Album Cover includes 800 beds that were rented ahead of time and brought especially to Saunton Sands Beach in North Devon - where some scenes from "The Wall" movie were filmed, and here's another statement from the band in the direction of Waters. 13. The tour that accompanied the album was among the band's most successful, with around 200 shows in front of approximately 4.5 million people worldwide and revenues of more than £60 million. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Editor's Choice... And this time ... the album "Don't Break the Oath", the second studio album by "Mercyful Fate", which was released on September 7, 1984. Please note, this time it is not just our choice. This is a recommendation from the members of "Metallica", no less, who adored "Mercyful Fate" and even spent quite a time with them during the recording of the album "Ride The Lightning" which was released that year. What's more, the "Mercyful Fate" rehearsal room was near the recording studio where the members of "Metallica" recorded the album "Ride The Lightning", with the songs "Fade to Black", "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Escape" is written in the same rehearsal room of "Mercyful Fate". This album is in our humble opinion the pinnacle of "Mercyful Fate"'s work. We are aware that some will claim that the debut album "Melissa", which was released a year earlier, is the better of the two. Well, "Melissa" as well as the EP released in 1982 - "Mercyful Fate" are both great albums that were the first buds to define a new Black Metal genre. At the same time, we still believe that as a complete and perfect piece of work this album surpasses the previous ones and is a good place to start, for those unfamiliar with the band. So for the benefit of those unfamiliar, "Mercyful Fate" is a Danish Heavy Metal band formed in Copenhagen in 1981 by singer King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann, both are also the band's lead writers. "Mercyful Fate" belongs to the first wave of bands that have defined the sub-genre of Black Metal, with a preoccupation with anti-Christ, Satanism, and various pagan rituals. The band's power is mainly based on the singer King Diamond's vocals and his wide vocal range that simply serves as an additional instrument for the band, in addition to the duel-guitar playing of guitarists Hank Shermann and Michael Denner, whose collaboration resembles one of the great and well-known dues in metal - Glenn Tipton and K. K. Downing from "Judas Priest". (Photo: Subcultureentertainment.com) This album is one of the most influential and well-known in the black metal scene, but not necessarily due to the musical style which mainly includes a combination of Heavy Metal roots such as "Judas Priest" we mentioned above, with progressive motifs, dynamic playing, and frequent rhythm changes, as illustrated in the album's closing song "Come to the Sabbath". The influence on the second generation of black metal bands comes from the writing themes on the album. This can be learned from the opening song "A Dangerous Meeting" which refers to a kind of dangerous séance ceremony. The lyrics blend perfectly with the dark and heavy riffs and the chilling and frightening singing of King Diamond. It is interesting to note that the ending riff of the song starting from 4:10 minute is reminiscent of the ending riff of the song "Shame On The Night" by "Dio" (starting at 3:21), from the masterful album "Holy Diver" which came out a year earlier. All the songs on this album maintain a high level of writing and performance, with King Diamond writing all the lyrics while the music was mostly written by Hank Shermann in collaboration with Denner and Diamond. Among the recommended songs, is the opening track mentioned above, "Desecration of Souls" with the sweeping rhythm and amazing melody in King Diamond's singing, "Night of the Unborn" with Timi "Grabber" Hansen's amazing bass work, the theme song that functions as a mini-epic song Over 7 minutes, the catchy "Gypsy" and of course the final song "Come to the Sabbath" the most "advanced" of all. For listening under the warning: "Not for the faint of heart": Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

"Stone Sour's" "Audio Secrecy' album was released on September 7, 2010 !!! Let's divide the review of this album into two... the Listener side and the Creative side... The Listener side... The band's third album continues the line of its first two albums but with a more refined approach, both in lyrics and music (this is the band's only album without the Parental Advisory sticker). It could be called another stage in the band's development or musical maturity, but it feels a lot less rough and aggressive than the previous ones and the level of production involved is high. There are fewer "gimmicks" and musical exercises, and the structure of the songs is more moderate (and a bit monotonous) but do not think for a moment that the talents of Jim Root, Josh Rand, Corey Taylor, and Roy Mayorga are not felt or expressed here. Melodic, pleasant, and poppy songs like "Dying", "Hesitate", "Miracles", "Pieces" and "Imperfect" alongside some aggressive flickers befitting "Stone Sour". It’s always fun to see a band that is able to change its sound without completely losing its essence or DNA, which is exactly what "Stone Sour" achieved here. They prove that it is possible to make the sound of a rock band bigger without necessarily making it more prominent. The Creator side... Here is an example of the record company and management intervening to create something different from what the band wants, and how the impact of business interests is reflected in the work itself. The band worked for two months on some estate in Nashville to write the album and they were ready to go into the studio to start recording. But hold on to your horses... The record company did not allow the band to enter the recording studio !! Atlantic, which was the band's management company at the time, did not allow the band to go in to record because they felt the songs were not good enough. They kept demanding the band work over and over again until they brought the songs they were looking for. Atlantic required the band to work with producer Rob Cavallo to create a more poppy and approachable album for the mainstream, but nonetheless, the band managed to bring in the producer they are used to working with from previous albums Nick Raskulinecz. Despite opposition from band members, the management company refused to accept the songs they wrote and forced them to include songs that Corey wrote for his solo album such as "Pieces", "Imperfect" and more, despite opposition from the other band members. They just "took all the wind out of the sails" and the energy out of the songs. There were a lot of things on this album that the record company forced the band to do and since Corey and his friends were so eager to release this album they succumbed to a great deal of pressure and dictation. The mix for the album was also done on the road between "Stone Sour" and "Slipknot" and the members had a very minor impact on it. No wonder Corey described the album as: "One hiccup in my career" There is a 45-minute film in the Special Edition version called "MAKING OF AUDIO SECRECY" documenting the recordings of the album, we recommend watching the segment of the recording of the song Miracles (funny...) For some reason since Corey's announcement of the band's permanent hiatus, its Instagram has not stopped working... Interesting ... Still, we really like this album and it is worth listening to on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

She's a musician, she's a creator and she's not "pretending" at all. Chrissie Hynde was born on September 7, 1951 Friend, the famous tennis player John McEnroe claims that apart from Janis Joplin she is the greatest rocker !! So let's get to know the woman behind The Pretenders. (Photo: npr.org Courtesy of the artist) 1. Her full name is Christine Ellen Hynde and she was born in Arkon, Ohio. 2. When she was in high school she did not go out to parties or dates, she spent most of her time going to band shows. She was mostly in love with Brian Jones and Iggy Pop. 3. She attended Kent State University of the Arts where she deepened her love of painting and at the same time began playing in a band called "Sun. Mon. Mat." 4. In 1973 she moved to London, she met music reporter Nick Kent and he arranged for her a job at music magazine NME. 5. To get a work permit in England she applied to marry Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious from the "Sex Pistols" but apparently, it did not work out. 6. In 1976 she moved to France and tried to form a band but it did not succeed and a short time after she returned to London just at the beginning of the crystallization of the punk movement. 7. Although she learned to play the acoustic guitar as a child, in London she acquired her true playing abilities and became a talented guitarist. 8. She responded to a newspaper ad and joined a band called "999", she felt the band was not taking off (it has released 11 albums to date) and tried to form a band together with Mick Jones from "The Clash" but it also failed. 9. She continued to travel the world and tried several other bands until 1978 when she made a demo tape, and gave it to Dave Hill the owner of the Real Records label and he went in to manage her career. 10. That same year she joined bassist Pete Farndon and the two formed a band with James Honeyman-Scott on guitars and keyboards, Martin Chambers on drums and gave themselves the name "The Pretenders" inspired by the song "The Great Pretender". (Photo: singersroom.com) 11. One of the people who influenced her the most and also connected her to the band's drummer Martin, is Lemmy Kilmister from the band "Motörhead". Chrissy said that Lemmy was a role model for her, he represented everything rock and roll. Without whom "the Pretenders" would not exist. 12. In November 1979 the band released their first official single "Brass In Pocket" which reached straight to number one in January 1980 along with the debut album bearing the band name. 13. The name of the band's third album "Learning to Crawl" which was released in 1984 was given by Hynde after her baby daughter, Natalie Ray Hynde, had just learned to crawl while the band was looking for a name for the album. 14. Over the years, Chrissy has released 10 albums with the band, with the largest gap between albums being between 2008 and 2016. The band's 12th album "Relentless" was released in 2023!! 15. You're sure you heard the band name as part of the rock classics but did not always know how to associate the songs, so here are some of the highlights: "I'll Stand By You", "Brass In Pocket", "Don't Get Me Wrong", "Back On The Chain Gang", "Hymn to Her "and many more !! 16. Throughout the life of the band to this day the band members have all changed frequently except for Chrissie who is the band's sole writer, creator, singer, and leader. 17. Apart from her career with the band Chrissie has collaborated with many artists, here are some of the standouts among them: 18. She collaborated with the band UB40 on the cover of the song "I Got You, Babe." Of Sony and sang in 1985. 19. She was a guest on INXS '"Full Moon, Dirty Hearts" album released in 1993. 20. She recorded a duet with Frank Sinatra on the duet album he released in 1994 called "Duets II". 21. In 1999 she organized with Carla Lane a charity show in memory of her close friend Linda McCartney, the show was led by Chrissie and was called "Here, There and Everywhere - A Concert for Linda". 22. Chrissie also started a solo career alongside the band and released two albums. In 2014 she released the album "Stockholm" and in 2019 she released the album "Valve Bone Woe". 23. On the album "Stockholm" she hosts her friend John the tennis player (this is top notch) as the guitarist who plays on the album. 24. Chrissie is a vegetarian since the age of 18 and is very active in the PETA and Animal Rights Association. Listen to the band's last album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On August 30, 2004, in Europe and September 7, 2004, in the U.S., "Dio" released their 10th studio album "Master of the Moon". This is the final studio album from "Dio". Produced by Ronnie James Dio, this release marks a return to familiar territory with guitarist Craig Goldy, who previously played on "Dream Evil" from 1987 and "Magica" (2000) and bass player Jeff Pilson ("Dokken", "Foreigner") who previously played on "Strange Highways" and "Angry Machines". The lineup also features drummer Simon Wright almost a permanent member who has been replacing Vinny Appice in the years 1989–1991, and then from 1998 on, and keyboardist Scott Warren who has been in the band since 1993. Musically, "Master of the Moon" leans into the doom-metal, mid-tempo grooves that became "Dio’s" trademark in later years. Compared to the more aggressive "Killing the Dragon" from 2002, this album adopts a slower, darker tone, full of brooding riffs and atmospheric arrangements. Goldy’s return brings a welcome familiarity to the guitar work, though the solos and riffs often feel more restrained, serving the songs without overpowering them. Jeff Pilson's bass provides a sturdy foundation, and Simon Wright's drumming is tight and precise, even if it doesn’t break much new ground. The opening track "One More for the Road" is a fast-paced heavy metal "Dio" familiar tune, but it doesn't hint at what comes next. The title track, "Master of the Moon," follows with a slow-mystic, foreboding atmosphere, setting the tone with Ronnie James Dio’s powerful, operatic vocals and Goldy’s heavy, deliberate riffing. "The End of the World" carries a sinister, apocalyptic theme and one of the catchiest grooves on the album. "Shivers" features some of Goldy’s best riff work, harkening back to the more energetic rock feel of "Dio’s" earlier efforts, but the main riff reminds us of "Metallica's" "For Whom The Bells Tolls", and the pre-choros melody is a bit reminiscent of "Hungry For Heaven" from the "Sacred Heart" Album. One of the standout tracks, "Death by Love," was co-written by Chuck Garric, a former touring bassist from the "Magica" era. Its driving tempo and melodic hooks give it a hard-hitting edge that contrasts with the album's darker material. The Japanese edition of the album also includes the bonus track "The Prisoner of Paradise," offering a rare addition for die-hard fans. (Photo: alchetron.com) Lyrically, Dio delves into some of his most cynical and politically charged material to date. In interviews, he remarked that many of the lyrics reflect "the dangers we face almost every day in modern life," adding a timely, socially conscious layer to his usual mystical and mythical storytelling. Tracks like "Living the Lie" and "The Eyes" explore themes of deception, surveillance, and control, while "The Man Who Would Be King" takes a look at the destructive nature of unchecked power. Supporting "Master of the Moon", Dio delivered setlists that spanned his entire career, including classics from his "Rainbow" and "Black Sabbath" years. However, due to prior commitments, Jeff Pilson couldn’t join the tour, and Rudy Sarzo stepped in to handle bass duties on the road. While "Master of the Moon" doesn’t quite reach the iconic heights of "Dio’s" earlier works like "Holy Diver" or "The Last In Line", it remains a respectable swan song. The album is steeped in the same mysticism, operatic flair, and dark themes that defined "Dio's" career. However, some songs do fall into a repetitive structure, and the slower pace may not resonate with all fans. Nonetheless, Ronnie James Dio’s vocal prowess and the return of Craig Goldy bring a sense of closure to this final chapter. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website