On August 28, 2020 "Metallica" released the album "S&M2". When "Metallica" reunited with the San Francisco Symphony for "S&M2", fans knew they were in for something special. The original "S&M" from 1999 was a groundbreaking fusion of heavy metal and classical music that pushed the boundaries of both genres, largely thanks to the vision of Michael Kamen, the legendary composer and conductor who orchestrated that first collaboration. Two decades later, "S&M2" isn’t just a reprise of that earlier success—it’s a bold evolution that reflects how far both "Metallica" and their music have come, paying homage to Kamen's legacy while exploring new musical territories. This release is a sonic and visual masterpiece that revisits and expands on the original with richer sound, a dynamic setlist, and a stunning video production that captures the grandeur of the performances. Michael Kamen’s influence on the original "S&M" cannot be overstated. His ability to seamlessly blend "Metallica’s" raw energy with the lush sounds of a full orchestra was revolutionary. Kamen’s arrangements elevated tracks like “The Call of Ktulu” and “Nothing Else Matters” to new heights, creating a unique and unforgettable listening experience. Although Kamen passed away in 2003, his spirit is very much alive in "S&M2", with conductors Edwin Outwater and Michael Tilson Thomas filling in for him. The new arrangements, while building on his original work, also take on a life of their own, showcasing how his pioneering efforts continue to inspire and guide "Metallica’s" collaboration with the symphony. The album opens with the familiar, yet still spine-tingling, rendition of “The Ecstasy of Gold,” setting the tone for an experience that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new. Right from the first notes of “The Call of Ktulu,” the symphony’s fuller, more dynamic presence is felt. If those two tracks were an exciting experiment in "S&M", then "S&M2" is a fully realized vision where the orchestra doesn’t just complement the band but becomes an integral part of the music’s soul. The enhanced sound quality is immediately apparent, benefiting from modern production techniques that allow every note, from the subtle strings to the thunderous drums, to shine with crystal clarity. The mix is more balanced, giving the orchestra and the band equal footing, creating a cohesive and powerful listening experience that outshines the original in every way. The setlist of "S&M2" is another highlight, carefully curated to blend classics (Most of which was on the "S&M" setlist), with newer material. While staples like “Master of Puppets”, “One”, "For Whom the Bell Tolls", "Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman" return with renewed vigor, the inclusion of tracks like “The Unforgiven III”, "The Day That Never Comes" and “Moth into Flame” showcases "Metallica’s" evolution over the years. These newer songs not only fit seamlessly within the orchestral framework but also demonstrate the band’s willingness to explore different emotional and musical textures. The setlist also includes deep cuts like "All Within My Hands (Acoustic)" which is a beautiful rendition of the song from the "St. Anger" album, offering fans a broader view of "Metallica’s" discography while still delivering the high-energy performances they crave. Another great surprise in the setlist is Cliff Burton's instrumental "(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth" from the album "Kill 'Em All", which gets a beautiful symphonic arrangement. The comparisons between "S&M" and "S&M2" reveal just how far "Metallica" has come. James Hetfield’s voice carries more emotional weight, particularly on “The Unforgiven III,” a track that wasn’t even conceived when the original "S&M" was recorded. This roaring lion who in the early days of the band felt insecure about his vocal abilities and even invited John Bush to take his place as the band's singer, manages to convey so much emotion in his vocals. It is one of Hetfield's exciting performance as he stands vulnerable and unprotected in front of the crowd without his guitar (we will dare to add - as if he was naked). Another change from the previous release, is Kirk Hammett’s guitar solos. Already searing in 1999, now cut through the orchestral arrangements with even more precision and depth. The real magic of "S&M2" lies in the new interpretations of classic "Metallica" tracks like “Master of Puppets” and “One.” On "S&M", these tracks were thrilling, on "S&M2", they’re transcendent. The symphony’s role has evolved from simply adding layers to creating an entire atmosphere—one that amplifies the intensity and complexity of these metal anthems. But "S&M2" is more than just an album—it’s a full multimedia experience. The video recording of the concert is a must-watch, capturing the energy and intensity of the live performances with stunning cinematography. Directed with a keen eye for detail, the video brings the audience right onto the stage, allowing viewers to feel the palpable connection between "Metallica", the orchestra, and the fans. The accompanying documentary provides additional context, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the preparation and execution of this monumental event. It’s a fascinating look at how two distinct musical worlds come together, and it gives fans a deeper appreciation for the artistry and effort involved. But what truly sets "S&M2" apart from the previous release, is the willingness to push boundaries even further. The inclusion of Alexander Mosolov’s “The Iron Foundry” is a daring choice that pays off brilliantly, showcasing "Metallica’s" commitment to challenging themselves and their audience. It’s a stark contrast to the 1999 album, where the focus was on weaving the band’s hits into a classical context; here, the collaboration feels more adventurous and symbiotic, And reminds us of an equally bold choice of "Deep Purple" in "Concerto for Group and Orchestra". While "S&M" was an audacious experiment that caught the world by surprise, "S&M2" is a triumphant realization of what that experiment set in motion. The performances are tighter, the arrangements are more intricate, and the overall production is more refined. The documentary adds layers to the experience, giving viewers a glimpse into the creative process and the challenges faced along the way. It’s clear that "Metallica" has grown both as musicians and as performers, and this maturity is reflected in every aspect of "S&M2". In conclusion, "S&M2" is a monumental achievement that surpasses the original in almost every way. The album’s pristine sound, thoughtful setlist (although missing a few classics compared to "S&M"), and stunning video production make it an essential listen and watch for any "Metallica" fan. Whether you’re reliving the magic of "S&M" or experiencing this unique fusion for the first time, "S&M2" delivers an unforgettable journey through the sonic landscapes where metal meets symphony, cementing "Metallica’s" legacy as true pioneers of the genre. For Listening:: Spotify, Apple Music The Setlist: CD 1 1. "The Ecstasy of Gold (Live)" 2. "The Call of Ktulu (Live)" 3. "For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live)" 4. "The Day That Never Comes (Live)" 5. "The Memory Remains (Live)" 6. "Confusion (Live)" 7. "Moth Into Flame (Live)" 8. "The Outlaw Torn (Live)" 9. "No Leaf Clover (Live)" 10. "Halo on Fire (Live)" CD 2 1. "Intro to Scythian Suite (Live)" 2. "Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God And The Dance Of The Dark Spirits (Live)" 3. "Intro to The Iron Foundry (Live)" 4. "The Iron Foundry, Opus 19 (Live)" 5. "The Unforgiven III (Live)" 6. "All Within My Hands (Live)" 7. "(Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth (Live)" 8. "Wherever I May Roam (Live)" 9. "One (Live)" 10. "Master of Puppets (Live)" 11. "Nothing Else Matters (Live)" 12. "Enter Sandman (Live)" "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Editor's Choice... And this time, "Time's Up" - "Living Color's" second studio album released on August 28, 1990. So for those unfamiliar with "Living Color" is an American Funk Metal / Alternative Metal band formed in 1984 and which included guitarist Vernon Reid, bassist Muzz Skillings, singer Corey Glover and drummer Will Calhoun. The band got its name from the fact that all four of its members were dark-skinned, young African-Americans who sought to prove that Metal is not dominated solely by the white race. (Photo: Legacyrecordings.com) These are four talented artists who knew how to combine different styles, such as Heavy Metal, Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop, Punk, and Alternative. Even before Ice-T's "Body Count", "Living Color" members proved that Black Power knows how to bang your head as well as its pale colleagues, while releasing their successful debut album "Vivid" in 1988. The hit "Cult of Personality" which has a good rotation on MTV, gave the band recognition that soon led them from small shows at the New York "CBGB" to the warm-up act of no less than "the Rolling Stones" and "Guns N' Roses". The album received rave reviews and reached number six on the Billboard 200. With this momentum and success, "Living Color" arrives in the studio to record their second album. Similar to the previous album, the band combines different and weird styles such as Jazz, Punk, Blues, Hip Hop Funk, Thrash Metal, and even touches of Electronica. Believe it or not but the list of artists featured on this album is so eclectic that it includes rapper Queen Latifah, rock and roll star Little Richard, jazz saxophonist Maceo Parker, bassist James Earl Jones and immortal singer Mick Jagger who was also featured on the previous album The band. Although the album was not as successful as the band's previous album, it is definitely an excellent album, noisier, louder, and in our opinion even better as a whole. It won the band a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance and gave it a ticket to the first Lollapalooza Festival in 1991, alongside the giant bands of the era. So let's listen to songs like "Love Rears Its Ugly Head" whose opening includes a sample from Nat King Cole's "Lush Life" song, the song "Elvis Is Dead" which features Mick Jagger and Little Richard and includes the protest phrase "I've got a reason to believe we all will not be received at Graceland" which corresponds with a similar line but with the opposite meaning in Paul Simon's song "Graceland", the track "Information Overload" with the chainsaw guitar intro that for a moment made us think we were listening to a thrash metal song, "Type", "New Jack Theme" which was released as the first single from the album and also includes a protest video clip designed to highlight the gap between classes in the US, "Pride", "This Is The Life" and more. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

So how should we start the story of this masterpiece album? An album that was part of the beginning of an amazing and phenomenal music scene called Grunge! A band made up of many, rare and extraordinary talents. "Pearl Jam's" album "Ten" was released on August 27, 1991, and it is an essential part of our review series on the class of '91 albums. We brought to you many stories which began with tragedy, a characteristic that very much represents the essence of the grunge scene. Today's story is no different... In 1990, when "Alice in Chains" released their first album, "Soundgarden" was about to release their second album, and "Nirvana" was a step before the release of their meteoric album. "Mother Love Bone", one of the biggest and most promising bands in the scene, has lost its main protagonist, Andrew Wood. Just before the release of its first album, "Apple". Andrew's death created a very strong shock wave that hit quite a few of those musicians and talents in Seattle. Anyone who has seen the movie "Singles" and the documentaries "Hype!" and "Pearl Jam Twenty" will immediately be impressed by the family, friendly and collaborative vibe that was in Seattle at the time. It made us envious and passionate to live in the same Seattle apartments and neighborhoods. As far as the grunge scene is concerned, we can continue telling that story, but let's get back to our main theme. (Photo: bandcamp.com) With the death of Andrew, bassist Jeff Ament and guitarist Stone Gossard, who were part of "Mother Love Bone", went through a very difficult time. They literally fell apart and were unable to hold themselves or any musical instruments whatsoever. They were sure that for them it was the end of the road, but after a few months the urge to play and create did not let go of them and they felt they had to go back to creating music. Stone joined Mike McCready, whose band "Shadow" broke up, and they began playing together, all that time Mike did not let go of Stone and kept trying to persuade him to back to playing with Jeff. The three did join forces and entered the studio. Backed by their "Soundgarden" friend, drummer Matt Cameron, and additional support from drummer Chris Friel from Mike's previous band, they recorded a number of instrumental pieces. Five tracks were recorded in that session and were called: "Dollar Short", "Agytian Crave", "Footsteps", "Richard's E" and "E Ballad" (you will soon understand why this demo is so important). The tracks were recorded on a tape called "Stone Gossard Demos '91". The three created this demo to try to find a drummer and singer for a band that might develop into something later on, with no solid intentions or action plan to form a new rock band. (Photo: bandcamp.com) In September 1990, after many trips to Seattle, this tape found its way to a city called San Diego. A journey of more than two thousand miles made this cute tape from the hands of the first drummer of "Red Hot Chili Peppers", who is none other than Jack Irons, straight into the hands of an anonymous guy named Eddie Vedder. The graceful guy, who had nothing to do with what had happened in the meantime in the grunge scene in Seattle, listened to the tape, finished, took his surfboard, and went surfing in the ocean. It may sound like a very sticky Hollywood movie, but Eddie himself testified that after listening to the tape he went surfing and while riding the waves he "wrote" the lyrics. Immediately after finishing the surf Eddie ran to his apartment, wrote the lyrics to three tracks from the tape, and recorded the melody for each of the three: "Dollar Short", "Agytian Crave", "Footsteps". These tracks are what we know today as "Footsteps" (released as a B-side on the single "Jeremy"), and the songs "Once" and "Alive". Let's dwell a little on these three songs. Here we begin to understand that Eddie is not only a singer with a phenomenal voice that hurts your soul and manages to penetrate into the small capillaries of the soul, but he is first and foremost what is called in professional parlance Songwriter. His ability to write lyrics to tunes is simply amazing. He is able to write lyrics to a song while listening to a melody for the first time and not just any lyrics but penetrating, tearing, exciting, and even disturbing lyrics. He claims he always walks around with a notebook and pencil and always writes about the here and now, so he is very connected to what he is creating. Eddie Vedder created a trilogy of rock opera from the three songs and called it "Momma-Son". The trilogy begins with the song "Alive", in which a child discovers that his father is a stepfather and feels that he has been living a lie all his life. It continues with "Once", in which the boy loses his sanity and puts out all his aggression in murder. The trilogy ends with "Footsteps", in which he is sentenced to death and looks back on his life from a prison cell. Let's go back to the main story, tape... Eddie... lyrics... recorded the melody and sent back to Seattle. The three got the tape back in the mail and were amazed by the voice of the guy who came out of the double-cassette tape speakers. They were shocked by the lyrics written for the tracks they recorded and got captivated by Eddie's charms. They immediately invited Eddie to "audition" in Seattle. On October 13, Eddie Vedder landed in Seattle. Why is it so important to know on what date he landed? So this is - very important and thanks for asking! During that flight, one of the most moving songs (in our opinion) and the toughest and strongest competitor of "Nutshell" (of "Alice") was written, the song "Black"! That instrumental piece from the demo tape called "E Ballad" became on the flight from San Diego to Seattle one of the most famous and moving rock ballads that every time we listen to it a little tear runs down our cheeks. (Photo: Pearl Jam) Okay. Let's go down with Eddie Vedder and his new friends, who now also include new drummer Dave Krusen, to a small underground basement in Seattle. The basement is full of rough and heavy wooden tables and many tools are made of rusty iron that has been sitting there for several years. Eddie said that the atmosphere in the basement, with the smell of wood and rust, with all the tools and tables around, contributed to the atmosphere and the creation of the album. After a week of rehearsals, the group wrote 11 songs. The chemistry between the guys was very reminiscent of a "Harry Potter" or "Strange Things" scene, with blue sparks of electricity flying in space every time the guys played. Immediately afterwards they signed a contract with the record company "Epic" and entered the "London Bridge Studios" in Seattle with producer Rick Parashar to record the album. The recording of the album lasted only one month and was done on a meager budget of about $ 70,000. This was made possible not only because the chemistry between the members was almost perfect but also because most of the music was already prepared and written by Stone and Jeff, who led the creation of the album. Needless to say, it never occurred to any of the band members that this album would be even a tenth of the success it had. So what do we have in the album? The album opens with the song "Once", which is the middle part of the trilogy written by Eddie Vedder. An opening section of percussion and rustling opens the album before the silence is aggressively cut with the rough guitars of Stone and Mike. What a pleasure, what an amazing riff that from the very beginning lifts us up and reflects the madness that grips a child as he slowly loses his sanity and becomes a serial killer. Strong and difficult opening to the album! We immediately move on to one of the biggest songs on the album, a hit on every scale, with "The Mad Riff", the second single from the album "Even Flow". During rehearsals for the song, the band members felt it was going to be a hit but they did not imagine it would be so difficult to record it. Turns out it was the hardest song to record on the album. They recorded it more than 70 times and rehearsed it so many times that they could no longer stand each other. Dave said he had a very hard time keeping the pace and making the transitions accurately, it got to a point where they even cut some of his drums in the song because he increased the tempo too much. Speaking of the drummer, the song was recorded again in 1992 for the soundtrack of the movie "Singles" with drummer Dave Abbruzzese (we'll talk about it later). The lyrics of the song describe the life of a homeless man who lives on the street, eats cans, and looks insane. Eddie Vedder is known for his tendency to critique, reflect and bring up social issues that burn in him in the songs. This is one of the three songs for which music videos were filmed, with this clip being composed of the band's footage at gigs. It does not stop for a moment, but slows down a bit and moves on to "Alive", another undisputed hit from the album that came out as the first single. The song is the first part of the trilogy we mentioned earlier. The song tells the story of a boy who discovers later in life that his father is his stepfather and his biological father actually passed away. Because he is very similar to his biological father, his mother develops feelings for him and sexual attraction because she still maintains a love for his biological father. The first and last parts of the song were taken from the life of Eddie Vedder, who also grew up with a stepfather, but the central part of the song is imaginary. When Mike McCready was asked about the famous solo in the song he was quick to share that he "stole" the piece from guitarist Ace Frehley, who played the solo on "She" and copied the solo from "The Doors" guitarist Robby Krieger, who played the piece on "Five to One". This is the second song for which a music video was filmed and this clip was also composed of the band's footage during gigs. "Why Go" begins with the bouncy drumming and bass that accompanies straight into Eddie's nervous and defiant muzzle. His voice sounds so nervous and attacking here that it's hard to ignore the story the young guy throws at us. "Why go home?" He asks. Why go home when you can be hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital? The insurance company is celebrating the hospitalization when the poor young girl just smoked some marijuana. The young woman spent two years in the hospital trying to prove her sanity. According to interviews with Eddie Vedder, her name is Heather. Now let's stop for a moment, take a break and move on to one of the most exciting songs on the album. "Black", Mike McCready's caressing guitar with the fingering floating over the strings and Eddie's gentle voice just envelops your whole body. Throughout the song, you range from suffocation and dryness in the throat to cuddling and total release. It's hard to put into words what this song conveys. The song talks about a relationship, doubt related to separation, and doubt related to death. Without a doubt, this is a difficult, complex and painful relationship, which at some point crashes and creates a longing and desire for another life. The song begins quiet, calm, and caressing and slowly intensifies and continues to its last part as the guitar burns the broken heart throughout the end of the song. Eddie Vedder emphatically insisted that this song would not become a single because he did not want the "industry" to ruin this emotional song and turn it into a superficial and cold hit. It's also hard not to comment on the show's versions, which have brought this song to much greater heights than the album's version. Another big hit and a third single from the album is the song "Jeremy". The main riff of the song was written by Jeff on bass guitar with 12 strings. Although the parts of the song were built and sat well it was very difficult to connect them. The transitions between the parts to the chorus and then to the breakup were complex and challenged the band members. The lyrics of the song are based on two incidents that occurred in reality. In one case, a 15-year-old boy named Jeremy shot himself in front of the teacher and his classmates. It was on the same evening Eddie Vedder wrote the song. The second case is one that happened to Eddie in his youth when a classmate started shooting inside a classroom at school. Eddie wanted to give these events meaning beyond a paragraph and a half article on the back page of the newspaper. This is what opens and closes the music video of the song: a picture of a small paragraph on a piece of newspaper. Speaking of music videos, the clip of this song is what changed the band's attitude towards music videos and is the only clip that tells a story. It's worth mentioning that the known version of the clip was censored and did not include the scene where the boy puts a gun in his mouth. Only in 2020 did the band release the full, uncensored version on the occasion of "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" in the USA. After the clip came out on MTV and was aired non-stop, one of Jeff's friends told him that he was very disappointed with the clip because it was completely different from the meaning of the song as he imagined it. The band members were very affected by this feedback and since then they have decided that they avoid releasing music videos to their songs, mainly because they want the listeners to give the songs their interpretation and the band or industry will not dictate the interpretation to the listeners through video clips. Now let's try to relax a bit with "Oceans", which takes us on a cruise in the great ocean or rather in the great flood, a flood of torrential rain. Imagine a scene where Eddie Vedder comes standing in the street, in shorts, locked outside the rehearsal room. Since no one hears him, he decides to take out a piece of paper and a pen and write a song. He listens to the sounds and vibrations of the bass through the door and window and writes the song "Oceans" (did we mention he is a phenomenal songwriter?). Of course, as soon as the bass stopped playing he immediately knocked on the door and the boys let him in. This song was the fourth single from the album, after Eddie vehemently refused to release "Black" as a single. Have you relaxed a bit? good. Now let's get upset again. "Porch" is the only song on the album written entirely by Eddie Vedder the music and lyrics. Although Eddie's tone sounds aggressive and nervous, it's a kind of love song that comes to convey a message that if you love someone then tell him that. Really poetic! By the way, this is usually the song that when played in performances Eddie begins to climb on all sorts of constructions and jump from them to the audience (when he was young). Again we relax, but this time in the "Garden". The name of the song is related to a cemetery and the song goes out against wars and against harsh political measures that lead to severe losses. The solo in the song feels like a cry to heaven. Back up on the roller coaster to "Deep", with the scorching guitars and Dave's bouncing rhythm! On this occasion, we will note that "Deep", "Porch", "Why Go" and "Garden" are the only songs on the album that were written during the recording of the album and were not part of the demo recordings of Stone and Jeff. Finish with one of the other songs that are so moving on this album and that is "Release". The song is one of the first songs Eddie Vedder wrote with the band and is actually the first song that helped them connect and find a common denominator. The song was recorded when the band members improvised and played together and Eddie joined in, inventing the lyrics as he did so. Eddie claimed that he did not agree to write the lyrics on paper, not even in the release of the album because it was so improvised and spiritual. It's not clear exactly why, some speculate it's because of the story with his real father, but it's one of the most moving songs for Eddie. So what's your story with the drummer? Immediately after the recordings ended, Dave (the drummer) left the band and hospitalized himself in an alcohol rehab facility. Dave said the band gave him a lot of opportunities and tried to support him in every way possible but it didn’t work out. He was unable to function and express himself in sessions with the band. Upon his departure, he was replaced by Matt Chamberlain, who went on tour with the band and left them in late 1991, as a result of other commitments. Then Matt was replaced by Dave Abbruzzese. We talked about how Dave was the perfect drummer for "Pearl Jam" in the "Ten" era and co-created "Vs" and then "Vitalogy". In our opinion, after he left, the band changed completely and lost all connection to what was on the album we are talking about here. Why is the name of the album "Ten"? The band's name before "Pearl Jam" was "Mookie Blaylock", after the NBA basketball player Daron 'Mookie' Blaylock which they admired. Since the record company feared exposure to lawsuits, especially because at the time Mookie was signing a major contract with "Nike", they asked the band members to change the name, and thus "Pearl Jam" was formed. Fine, but what's the connection to the album's title you ask? Well, the number on Mookie's shirt was 10! Watch Jeff Ament meet Mookie here: What is the story of the cover? The album cover shows the band members photographed during the recording, standing in front of a wooden sign of the band's name "Pearl jam", with their hands raised high and holding each other. The woodcut was constructed by Jeff Ament who explained that the original concept was to convey the message that the band members are united and entering the world of music as a real band. Something that was supposed to convey the concept of "all for one". Many of you are wondering why the CD cover folds into a poster. So it turns out that the band members were really upset that the record company did not release the album on vinyl. Eddie Vedder said that when they realized that wasn't going to happen, they insisted that the cover at least be reminiscent of the record days, and that's how the idea of ​​the poster was born. The problem was that the poster was too complex to fold and the band members had to help assemble the first discs. (Photo: Pearl Jam) The album did not sell many copies immediately upon its release. To be honest, the album started very slowly, and only in the second half of 1992 did it gain momentum along with the whole grunge scene. Just a year after its release, the album reached number eight on the Billboard 200, when it eventually went on to climb to second place. The album lasted for 261 weeks on the chart and became one of the only 15 albums of all time that lasted so many weeks on the chart. "Jeremy" is one of the most popular songs on the album and it gave the band two nominations for the Grammy Award in 1993. Despite the album's insane success, the band members have often been heard saying that they are very unhappy with the sound of the album. Stone said they used a lot of reverb and a lot of dubbing, which made the sound very "over-rocked" in his words. Eddie even claimed he was able to listen to all of the band's previous albums except for this album! The band members did not expect the album to be so hugely successful. Not only did they not expect it, but they also did not really want it (here we are moving uncomfortably in the chair). Like "Nirvana", "Pearl Jam" did not like all the success and what accompanies it, but Eddie, unlike Kurt Cobain, expressed his opinion publicly and defied the industry and what it produces from the success. In March 2009 the album was released in a new version and was called "Ten Redux". The album came out in four different versions, which included a vinyl version (which was not released in 1991), a version with an unplugged DVD, and a version with a remix of all the songs as well as six more songs. An Exemplary album... A timeless album Album... Now Obviously, you want to listen to it now, so here it is, please listen on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Bassist and singer Tim Bogert passed away on January 13, 2021, at the age of 76. (Photo: Klaus Hiltscher - Flickr) He was born on August 27, 1944 in New York as John Voorhis "Tim" Bogert III. He was one of the first bassists to use the distortion effect for a bass guitar and his playing was unique and groundbreaking. In 1967 he formed "Vanilla Fudge", together with the legendary drummer Carmine Appice. "Vanilla Fudge" has been the connecting factor between Psychedelia and Metal and has greatly influenced artists like "The Nice", "Deep Purple", "Yes", "Styx", "Led Zeppelin" and "Uriah Heep". The band released 5 albums in a two-year period between 1967 and 1969, with Tim serving as bassist, singer and co-writer. The band managed to attract a lot of attention from critics and fans already on the first album which included an amazing cover of the song "You Keep Me Hangin' On" first performed by "the Supremes". In 1970 Bogart and Carmine formed the band "Cactus" which released four albums within two years, including the excellent debut album 'Ot' n 'Sweaty from 1972. In 1972 he teamed up with legendary guitarist Jeff Beck to form the Power Trio "Beck, Bogert & Appice", where he performed, among others, an amazing cover of Stevie Wonder's song "Superstition". In 1975 he played on the album "The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll all-star" by Bo Diddley. Tim later reunite with "Vanilla Fudge" and was part of the bands "Bobby and the Midnites" and "Hollywood Monsters" which also included drummer Vinny Appice keyboardist Don Airey and singer Paul Di'Anno. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Today is Alex Lifeson's birthday and this is a good opportunity to tell you some interesting facts about him: (Photo: Rush R30 30th Anniversary Tour Book) 1. Alex was born on August 27, 1953, as Aleksandar Živojinović in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, to Serbian immigrant parents. 2. The stage name "Lifeson" is actually a translation of his original surname Živojinović, which means "Son of Life". 3. When he was young, Alex's parents enrolled him in viola lessons, but he did not like it. 4. At the age of 13, he received a guitar from his father as a Christmas present, and he has been connected to the instrument ever since. 5 His first electric guitar was an inexpensive red Japanese-made Canora that cost his parents less than $60. Geddy Lee also played a Canora bass at the time, and the two painted their instruments themselves in an attempt to make them look like those played by the members of "Cream". Decades later, Lifeson's guitar was discovered in "Rush"'s storage and restored for him. 6. His playing was influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Steve Hackett. 7 At the age of 17, Lifeson appeared in the Canadian documentary "Come on Children", which followed the lives of ten teenagers. In one of its most memorable scenes, he is seen arguing with his parents about his desire to leave school and dedicate his life to music. Decades later, the scene appeared in the "Rush" documentaries "Beyond the Lighted Stage" and "Time Stand Still". 8. In 1968 he formed the band "Projection" with his neighbor drummer John Rutsey and bassist and singer Jeff Jones. Later the band's name will be changed to "Rush" and Jeff Jones will be replaced by Geddy Lee, Alex's friend from high school. (Photo: News.2112.net) 9. In October 1970, his eldest son was born to his then-girlfriend Charlene. Alex was only 17 at the time, four years before "Rush" released their debut album. He married Charlene in 1975, their second son was born in 1977, and they remain married to this day. 10. For the most part, Alex and Geddy Lee, are responsible for composing the music on "Rush"'s albums. 11. In addition to being the guitarist of "Rush", he has played keyboards, bass pedals, bouzouki and mandolin on the band's albums, as well as contributing backing vocals. 12. During "Rush"'s live performances, Alex also used pedals with his feet to trigger synthesizers, backing vocals and various effects that helped complete the band's sound. 13. His bandmates, bassist and singer Geddy Lee, and drummer Neil Peart nicknamed him "Lerxst". 14. Over the years, Lifeson has been recognized as one of rock's greatest guitarists. Among other honors, he was included on "Rolling Stone"'s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists, while readers of "Guitar World" ranked him third, behind Eddie Van Halen and Brian May. 15. Alex is both a certified pilot and a painter. 16 The fact that Lifeson is a pilot also has an interesting connection to one of "Rush"'s most famous pieces. During a flight back to Toronto in a small plane, the band heard a navigation beacon transmitting the letters YYZ, Toronto's airport code, in Morse code. The rhythm caught their attention and became the basis for the opening of the instrumental "YYZ" from "Moving Pictures". 17. In 1996, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors. (Photo: BBC.com) 18. In 1994, Lifeson became a co-owner of "The Orbit Room", a live music club in Toronto. Over the years, it became a well-known venue in the local music scene, and Lifeson would occasionally visit and even take the stage to play with musicians performing there. The club closed in 2020. 19 Lifeson was the first member of "Rush" to release a solo album, with his 1996 project "Victor". He served as producer, recording engineer, arranger and mixer. His son Adrian played on two tracks, while his good friend Les Claypool of "Primus" also appeared on the album. 20. Alex has contributed his guitar skills to numerous artists. Among other appearances, he played the guitar solo on "Anesthetize" from "Porcupine Tree"'s album "Fear of a Blank Planet". 21. Alex is also known as a music producer. He worked with "3 Doors Down" and produced three songs for the band: "Dangerous Game", "Dead Love" and "Wasted Me". The early versions of all three tracks produced by Lifeson were later included on the 20th anniversary expanded edition of "Away from the Sun", released in 2023. 22 Although he neither produced nor participated in any way in "Metallica"'s "Master Of Puppets", Lifeson and his "Rush" bandmates received a special acknowledgment in the album's liner notes. 23. During the recording of "Rush"'s 2002 comeback album "Vapor Trails", Lifeson used no fewer than 50 different guitars, partly as a result of the decision to make it the band's first album since the 1970s without keyboards. 24. During "Rush"'s induction into the "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame" in 2013, Lifeson delivered his famous "Blah Blah Blah" speech, an unusual acceptance speech in which he replaced almost everything he wanted to say with "blah blah blah" for more than two minutes. Lifeson had actually prepared a real speech beforehand, but shortly before taking the stage he decided to abandon it and go with the spontaneous idea instead. Even Geddy Lee and Neil Peart had no idea what he was planning. 25. On New Year's Eve 2003, Lifeson and his son Justin became involved in a confrontation with police at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Florida. During his arrest, Lifeson's nose was broken and he was shocked six times with a Taser. The incident led to lengthy legal proceedings, with Lifeson maintaining that the police had used excessive force against him. 26. Gibson released a special version of its famous Les Paul designed specifically for Lifeson. The "Alex Lifeson Axcess Les Paul" includes, among other features, a tremolo system and specially selected pickups. 27. Amplifier manufacturer Hughes & Kettner also released a signature amplifier bearing Alex's name. Lifeson donated his royalties from the amplifier to UNICEF. (Photo: News.2112.net) 28. Lifeson wrote the music for "Rush"'s 18th studio album, "Snakes & Arrows", on acoustic guitar, following advice from none other than David Gilmour, who favored this approach to songwriting. At Alex's request, Gilmour was thanked in the album's liner notes. 29. Lifeson's playing has influenced many notable guitarists. Among those who have cited him as an influence are Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci, Steven Wilson and Steve Rothery. 30 Lifeson even has a chord closely associated with him, known as "The Alex Lifeson Chord" or "The Hemispheres Chord". It is the famous chord that opens "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres", based on an F# shape with open upper strings that give it the wide, ringing sound so strongly associated with his playing. John Petrucci of "Dream Theater" even chose it as the one chord he would take with him to a desert island, saying it should be called "The Alex Lifeson Chord". 31. In June 2021, he released two new instrumental pieces, "Kabul Blues/Spy House". 32. OOn April 8, 2022, the debut album by the project "Envy Of None" was released, featuring Lifeson alongside singer Maiah Wynne, among others. In 2023, the band released the EP "That Was Then", followed by the album "Stygian Wavz" in 2025. 33. On May 20, 2022, an auction was held in which Lifeson sold dozens of guitars and instruments from his personal collection. Among them was his custom-built 1976 Gibson ES-355TD, nicknamed "Whitey", which sold for $384,000, as well as the Hentor Sportscaster built for him in 1980. 34. On August 10, 2022, he reunited with Geddy Lee to perform "Closer to the Heart" with "Primus" and "South Park" co-creator Matt Stone on drums during "South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert". 35. Lifeson and Lee reunited again later that year during the two "Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts" held in memory of drummer Taylor Hawkins. 36 In 2026, Lifeson returned to activity with "Rush" alongside Geddy Lee as part of the "Fifty Something" tour, their first tour together since the conclusion of "R40" in 2015. They were joined by drummer Anika Nilles, with the shows celebrating more than 50 years of "Rush"'s music while also honoring the memory and legacy of Neil Peart. Following enormous demand, the tour was expanded, with dates in South America, the UK and Europe scheduled for 2027. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Here are some interesting facts about the Scottish musician Neil Murray, best known as the former bassist of "Whitesnake", "Black Sabbath", Gary Moore and many more: (Photo: Richard Ecclestone) = He was born on 27 August, 1950 in Edinburgh, Scotland. His full name is Philip Neil Murray. = His first musical instrument was drums, but in 1967 he switches from drums to bass and forms his first band, "Slap Happy and the Dum-Dums". = Murray was heavily influenced by Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce, and later by "Motown" legend James Jamerson and Tim Bogert of "Vanilla Fudge", "Cactus" and "Beck, Bogert & Appice". = In 1971 Murray joins the progressive rock band "Hanson" and records "Now Hear This". = In 1973 he briefly played with the jazz-fusion band "Gilgamesh". = In the years 1974-1975 Murray toured with "Cozy Powell's Hammer" alongside Don Airey and Bernie Marsden. = In 1976 he joined "Colosseum II" where he met Gary Moore, they recorded the album "Strange New Flesh". = In 1977 Neil teamed up again with ex-"Gilgamesh" keyboardist Alan Gowen in "National Health". They recorded a self-titled album the same year. = In 1978 Murray worked with Bill Bruford, playing on the rehearsals for Bruford's "Feels Good to Me" debut solo album, standing in for Jeff Berlin. The album cover read 'Thanks to Neil Murray: A bass player when I needed one'. = The same year Murray joins "Whitesnake", and recorded "Snakebite" and "Trouble". He becomes a key member of the band during their rise to fame. = Murrey continued to record and perform with "Whitesnake" on great albums like: "Lovehunter" (1979), "Ready An' Willing" (1980), "Live... in the Heart of the City" (1980), "Come an' Get It" (1981), "Saints & Sinners" (1982). = In 1982 Neil left "Whitesnake" with Ian Paice, the two join Gary Moore. They recorded the album "Corridors of Power" released that year. = Murray and Paice will continue to record "Victims of the Future" (1983) and "Rockin' Every Night – Live in Japan" (1983) with Gary Moore. = After his departure from "Whitesnake", Murray also briefly formed "Badlands" (not the American band featuring Jake E. Lee) with "Uriah Heep's" John Sloman on vocals and future "Thin Lizzy's" John Sykes on guitars. The band only produced demos. = In the years 1979–1982 Murray participating in a number of solo albums of Bernie Marsden, Graham Bonnet, Cozy Powell, "Forcefield" Jon Lord and more. = In 1983 Murray rejoins "Whitesnake" to record the US version of "Slide It In". = In 1985 Murray was part of the "Phenomena" project contributing to their debut eponymous album released the same year. He will also contribute to their second album "Dream Runner' releases in 1987. = The same year he was part of the "Gogmagog" supergroup, featuring former "Iron Maiden" singer Paul Di'Anno, future "Iron Maiden" guitarist Janick Gers (ex-Ian Gillan), ex-"Def Leppard" guitarist Pete Willis and another ex-"Iron Maiden" member Clive Burr on drums. The band released an EP "I Will Be There". = In 1987 Neil left "Whitesnake" after the band shifts to a more Americanized sound. = The same year he joined Japanese band "Vow Wow" and records four albums with them starting with "V" released in 1987. = In 1989 Murray joined "Black Sabbath", recording their 17th album "Tyr" released in 1990. = In 1992 he joined "Brian May's band", touring and recording "Back to the Light" released the same year. = In 1994 Neil rejoinrd "Black Sabbath", recording "Forbidden" and touring in support of it. = In 1997-1998 Murray played with "Peter Green's Splinter Group", recording "Peter Green Splinter Group" and "The Robert Johnson Songbook". = In 1998 Neil was featured in Brian May's "Another World" album. = He forms "The Company of Snakes" in 1999, with Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody, focusing on classic "Whitesnake" material. = He released two albums with with "the Company of Snakes" - "Here They Go Again" in 2001 and "Burst the Bubble" in 2002. = In 2002 Neil joins the house band for the "Queen" musical "We Will Rock You" in London. = In 2005 Murray Joins "M3 Classic Whitesnake", reuniting with former "Whitesnake" members. = In 2008 he plays on "Michael Schenker Group's" album "In the Midst of Beauty". = In 2013 Murray joins "Snakecharmer", a band featuring former "Whitesnake" members, releasing their debut album "Snakecharmer". = In 2017 He Recorded "Second Skin" with "Snakecharmer". "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Queens of the Stone Age's album "Songs for the Deaf" was released on August 27, 2002. Let us share 18 facts about the album: 1. This is the band's third album. 2. The drummer on the album is none other than Dave Grohl known from the "Nirvana" and the "Foo Fighters". 3. Grohl not only played on the album but also went with the band on a tour that accompanied it. 4. The one who plays guitar here (beyond Josh Homme) is Troy Van Leeuwen, the producer, and guitarist of the supergroup A Perfect Circle. 5. Another guest on the album is Mark Lanegan known among others from the band Screaming Trees. Mark was also a guest on the previous album and wrote some of the songs, including the hit "No One Knows". (Photo: Hayley Madden) 6. This concept album takes the listener on a journey across the California desert, from Los Angeles to Joshua Terry. 7. As you can hear from the first seconds of the album, the driver switches between regional radio stations as he progresses through the journey, including through the cities of Banning and Chino Hills. 8. Three singles were released from the album - "No One Knows", "Go with the Flow", and "First It Giveth". 9. The song "No One Knows" riff originally came from the song "Cold Sore Superstars" taken from Josh Homme's project called Desert Sessions. The song can be found on The Desert Sessions Volumes 7 & 10. This is the band's first hit which reached number one on Billboard. 11. This made Dave Grohl the first musician to win first place on Billboard with three different bands ("Queens", "The Foos" and "Nirvana"). 12. Another song from the album The Desert Sessions Volumes 7 & 8 that Homme "imported" for the album is "Hanging Tree". 13. It is the band's most successful and best-selling album with sales of over a million copies across Europe alone. 14. It is also its first album to reach gold status. 15. The second single "Go with the Flow" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Show, but lost to Evanescence's "Bring Me to Life". 16. The third single "First It Giveth" was written about the role of drugs in creating inspiration in the process of writing music. 17. The intro to the song "A Song for the Dead" is a homage to the song "Slip It In" by the band Black Flag. 18. At the end of the song "Songs for the Deaf", after a piece of silence there is an outreach of the band playing the song "Feel Good Hit of the Summer", taken from its previous album. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Pearl Jam's fourth album came out exactly 5 years after the album "Ten" and was released on August 27, 1996. This is the band's controversial album which marked the new direction it is going, after the albums "Ten", "VS" and "Vitalogy" which retained more or less the same musical style. "No Code" was undoubtedly a different species that caused the abandonment of some of the band's fans. It came out after the band's problematic and well-publicized tour, which was in the eye of the storm of their well-publicized confrontation with Ticketmaster. A confrontation that was also the trigger for the departure of drummer Dave Abbruzzese as a result of that confrontation (to this day we mourn his departure). Creating this album was also different and more difficult than its predecessors. The band members were tired and exhausted and were unable to work together in the studio. Jeff Ament even claimed that he was hardly a co-writer. Jack Irons (the one who brought the tape to Eddie) replaced Dave and was the only one who managed to connect the band, get them to talk about the things that bother them, and be their psychological mentor. Some say that without Jack this album would not have been released... Three singles were released from the album. "Who You Are" whose music was written by Jack Irons in collaboration with Stone Gossard inspired by drum solos by Max Roach, the American jazz drummer, "Hail, Hail" which is one of the songs that still somehow reminds us of the old (and good) Pearl Jam, and of course the melting "Off He Goes" that Eddie Vedder noted he wrote about himself, about the moments when he felt like he's just a shity friend- or in his own words: "This is about being friends with an asshole..." Although the album was a turning point for the band that included a musical change and received quite chilling reviews, it still reached number one on the Billboard 200 (which the album Ten failed to do at the time). The band celebrated in 2021 the 25th anniversary of the album with a special broadcast of a live performance which took place in Moline IL, on October 17, 2014, where the band performed the studio album entirely. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Stone Sour's debut album, which also bears the band's name, was released on August 27, 2002. Let's share some facts about him... 1. The band, which was formed in 1992 even before Slipknot, went on a "break" in 1997 and returned to activity again in 2000, immediately after the Slipknot tour that supported the release of the album "Iowa". 2. When Slipknot was on hiatus after the tour, Corey Taylor (Slipknot's singer) found some free time and met with guitarist Josh Rand for a session of "pleasant" tunes. The two write 14 songs and feel that there is something serious here that can be worked on and decide to form a band. (Photo: Amazon.com) 3. The two enlist Slipknot guitarist Jim Root, drummer Joel Ekman, and bassist Shawn Economaki and begin work on the band's first album. 4. The first two singles that came out of the album were "Bother" which came out even before the release of the album as a single from the movie Spider-Man, followed by the single "Get Inside" which is also the band's first music video. The third single released a year after the album's release was "Inhale". 5. The two singles "Get Inside" and "Inhale" nominated the band for the Grammy Awards in 2003 and 2004 in the Best Metal Performance category but did not translate into a win. 6. In contrast to Corey's crazy roars on Slipknot's albums, in this album Corey proves for the first time that he also has a very diverse singing ability and not just the ability to roar. These are the first buds of one of the most talented and great vocalists of our generation. Undoubtedly you can feel (as he also claimed) the influences of Soundgarden and Alice in Chains in his singing. 7. Although there are tracks on the album that feel like they were taken from Slipknot's hidden recordings, there are also quite a few songs that sound completely different and convey a kind of emotion and atmosphere that is first revealed by Corey and the band as in the song "Bother" and "Take a Number." 8. This album features three more members of Slipknot, Sid Wilson on the turntables, Denny Gibbs on the keyboards, and Dan Spain on the percussion. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Thirty Seconds to Mars' debut album, which bears the band's name, was released on August 27, 2002. Thirty Seconds to Mars was founded by the Leto brothers in 1998, Jared Leto is the most famous of the two since he is a very successful film actor (Suicide Squad, Lord of War, Dallas Buyers Club, Requiem for a Dream and many more great ones). Anyone familiar with the last two in parentheses knows that Jared is a super-talented actor who performs roles that require dramatic mental and physical change. We encounter a lot of singers who become actors or actors who become singers, in most cases, the matter is not really successful and the talent does not exactly flow to the other areas. But in this case, Jared's musical talent is enormous, both in his ability to sing, in his ability to write, and in his ability to produce. Undoubtedly the guy is an avant-garde artist in every limb of his body. Jared took on the role of guitars and bass and Shannon Leto took on the role of percussion, meaning Jared does everything and Shannon supports him. The two have played together since childhood and have always dreamed of creating music and forming a band. So after a lot of sessions and rehearsals together they decided to expand and take on guitarist Solon Bixler and guitarist bassist Kevin Drake. The four have been plowing the little Los Angeles clubs for several years while at the same time, Jared finishes writing for the debut album. Along the way, they record a number of songs for the demo that rolled between the record companies and found itself on Immortal Records' contract with the band in 1999. (Photo: Chuff Media) In 2001 they decided to move into a secluded studio in Wyoming with producer Bob Ezrin producing bands like Pink Floyd, Alice Copper, Kiss, and more big and good. What a pleasure to take a producer you grew up on his records to show you the way and guide you on your first album, they felt he was the only one who could help them create the music they wanted. He helped them create an album with depth and meaning, understand the structure that the album should have, and direct them to create a whole concept rather than a collection of songs. The other producer who helped them on the album and also played some of the instruments was Brian Virtue who also produced big bands like Audioslave, Jane’s Addiction, Deftones, and more. The album was a concept album that focuses on human struggle and self-definition, Jared used personal texts that use elements and ideas from other worlds to illustrate real personal situations. Sounds a bit delusional and dramatic right? That’s how he is Jared, a frantically creative avant-garde artist who tries to use all his senses. The album combines sounds of rock and advanced metal with influences and elements from the new wave, "space" rock, and electronics but most of it feels like strong hard rock. This is without a doubt a very dynamic, different, and interesting album !! We really like this band that even performed in Israel at the beginning of the big break that came with their second album. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

A Sneak Peek... Breaking Benjamin's debut album was released on August 27, 2002 !! An album that marks the beginning of a band formed by Benjamin Burnley that went through a number of challenges, upheavals, and difficulties, especially by Burnley himself. Burnley formed the band in 1998 in California, playing mostly soft rock and covers for bands like Weezer and the Beatles. Upon leaving California Burnley disbanded the band and formed a new band called Plan 9. They began to play louder and heavier music than his previous lineup and began to gain momentum in the small clubs. Burnley's previous two band members have reunited with him and the band's name has been changed again but this time to Breaking Benjamin. For those who do not know, we shared that the band got its name from a complaint from one of the club owners in which the band appeared and Benjamin broke the microphone there. A radio broadcaster named Freddie Fabbri loved the band's material and frequently aired the song "Polyamorous". Following the broadcast and the band's performances, she gained momentum and the broadcaster decided to support and produce their first EP in order to obtain a record contract. In early 2002, the band performed at a special band discover event, where they were "discovered" by an agent of Hollywood Records and signed a contract. Immediately after signing, they went on to record the album with the support of producer Ulrich Wild. Although he had very great potential and many critics praised the album, he did not reach the top of the Billboard 200 but at least he got in there, as he did reach number two on the Heatseekers chart. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On August 20, 2008, Slipknot's fourth album, "All Hope Is Gone," was released. The album is incredibly diverse and was produced under challenging and tense conditions, prompting us to offer an equally diverse review. So, listen to the album using the link below and begin reading... In 2008, the band members reunited in their hometown after not seeing each other for three years to record an album. This album would become the band's most successful but also marked the end of the core group that formed Slipknot. Unlike their previous albums, this creation involved all nine members collaborating together for the first time. However, this collaboration was fraught with aggression, disputes, tension, and chaos. In this album, "Slipknot" seems to blend elements from their earlier works with new aspects. The opening tracks "Gematria (The Killing Name)" and "All Hope Is Gone" are harsher than the band's previous work but somewhat reminiscent of their debut album. "Gehenna" recalls the second album, while "Dead Memories" and "Snuff" offer tragic and poignant moments. As you listen, you might often question your place within the album, wondering if you're still on the same record or if the player has skipped to another. There's a lack of flow or connection between the songs, which can feel jarring and even painful at times. This might explain why only a few tracks from the album are well-remembered or known, while many others seem to have faded into obscurity. Photo: Roadrunner Records All the band members said it was their least favorite album, except for one person: Joey Jordison! Joey stated it was precisely the album he wanted to create with "Slipknot," just the way he envisioned it sounding, and it ended up being his favorite. He might have been right because it was the band's first album to reach number one, until two years ago when "We Are Not Your Kind" also claimed the top spot. It's no surprise he felt this was exactly what he wanted, as after everyone interfered with each other's playing, singing, producing, and processing... During the drum recordings, Joey locked himself in a room and recorded all the drum tracks alone! Clown mentioned it was very frustrating and offensive that everyone was on one side of the studio while Joey was locked in another room with no one allowed to enter. He said he wanted to blow the door open with his shotgun but feared it might harm someone. The lack of musical consistency on this album... could this be why Joey was dismissed? It's challenging to get nine people into the studio to record an album. Jim Root expressed his disappointment with the album's producer, Dave Fortman, because he couldn't get everyone to work together. From the start, some members came in with emotional baggage because they hadn't had the chance to influence the previous albums. It's well-known that Clown, Corey Taylor, and Joey are at the forefront of the band's creative process. So, with all the emotional baggage, the lack of direction for the album, the frictions, and the internal politics... things only got worse during the album's creation. Add to that Clown losing his dad, Corey going through a divorce, and Joey locking himself in the room... It's like a kindergarten party... that's what it was! They all claim that this is essentially what made the album what it is; you can feel the cracks opening up, the tension, the frustration, and the emotional charge. The hostile conditions are what gave this album its aggression, cruelty, and eclectic nature. From the opening song "Gematria" through the anthems "Psychosocial" and "This Cold Black" to the twisted song "Wherein Lies Continue", all are moments that define this record. You experience a range from melodies and moving lyrics to relentless bursts of energy accompanied by lyrics that can depress you. But in hindsight, this is essentially the essence of the band. We must mention the most captivating song on the album, which gained a haunting acoustic rendition during Corey's solo performances—"Snuff." This track stands out on the record as an unusual ballad, unlike anything "Slipknot" has done before, offering a deeply emotional journey from beginning to end. It starts with intense bitterness, transitions to heartbreak, and concludes with a romantic release, crafting an epic narrative. As we noted initially, this album also signified the breakup of the band's core. "Slipknot" was established by Clown, Joey, and Paul Gray around 1995. Approximately two years after this album's release, Paul passed away from a morphine overdose, profoundly impacting the band members, particularly Clown and Corey. They were uncertain about the band's future and felt it was impossible to continue without him (somewhat reminiscent of Cliff Burton's story). The day after his passing, the remaining band members held a press conference with Paul's widow without their masks, a unique event that never occurred again. Roughly five years following the album's release, the band members officially announced Joey's departure. There are numerous rumors regarding the separation process and reasons for his dismissal, but it is known that Joey was suffering from a severe muscle disease that prevented him from keeping up with the music. Additionally, it's known that after this album, there were significant disagreements about the musical direction between Joey and the other band members. Beyond topping the sales charts and receiving Grammy nominations, this album propelled "Slipknot" to the height of live performances at the time. In 2009, the band launched a world tour to promote the album, which Joey described as Mayhem. From the very first show in Seattle, the band members realized this would be one of the greatest tours they had ever experienced. During this show, Sid broke both of his legs after jumping from a height of 4 meters. For the first time in a long while, they felt both excited and stressed about the performance. Clown mentioned that they filled themselves with hatred and aggression to harness the power and convey the energy "Slipknot" wanted to share with the audience. Indeed, in June 2009, the tour reached its peak when "Slipknot" headlined the "Download" festival for the first time in their career. Corey cried inside his mask at the end of the show, looking at his bandmates and knowing they had done an amazing job; he felt they appreciated each other more, even if just for a moment. Since then, "Slipknot" has headlined the festival three more times (2013, 2015, and 2019). Incidentally, the band was supposed to visit Israel during this tour, but the show was canceled. Hopefully, they will come someday... We'll conclude with a quote from Clown featured on the album: “I don’t have bad memories, I don’t have any regrets, I’m not mad at anyone, it’s just what a family does. A family fights. A family throws punches. A family bleeds, a family doesn’t talk, a family locks doors. That’s what we are, and that was my family’s last album”. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website