On May 17, 1969, The Who's Tommy's album was released. A perfect concept album, a masterpiece that is also considered the first rock opera in the history of music. Most of the material for the album was written by the band's guitarist Pete Townshend with the help of bassist John Entwistle who wrote two tracks and drummer Keith Moon who contributed one track. The first seeds for this masterpiece were sown somewhere in 1966 on the album "A Quick One", the band's second album. The theme song on the same album, "A Quick One, While He's Away", is a mini-epic that spans over 9 minutes and tells a short story. The Who will later develop this idea into a complete rock opera that spans an entire album. This would first happen with "Tommy" in 1969 and later also with the masterpiece "Quadrophenia" in 1973. Townshend's genius with "Tommy", is actually in the primacy. The connection between two genres, almost opposites, which previously could not have been thought to be possible to unite together. The first, the extroverted, dramatic and bombastic "opera" genre, based on a complex plot story, and the second, the simple and basic "rock and roll", which manages to summarize an entire story and distill it into a few minutes. This is the first time that a rock work has been written based on a complete plot story and a central character built just like an opera. Townshend was able to take all the elements that exist in opera, and apply and assimilate them into rock and roll. In this way, "Tommy" opens up with "Overture" - an introductory section that includes all the melodies we will meet later in the story, "Underture" - which summarizes the first half of the pieces and includes musical elements that have already been heard, and a concluding section a kind of "Medley" that sums all up. The album also includes musical pieces that are repeated in minor changes, just like in the creation of classical music. But this legendary epic not only created a match between different and contrasting styles of music, but also between Townshend's two great loves - music and literature (Townshend is a "bookworm" that has devoured mythology and philosophy books, among other things). In 1975, the album became a feature film directed by Ken Russell. The film featured stars like: Eric Clapton, Elton John, Tina Turner, Jack Nicholson, Oliver Reed, and of course the singer Roger Daltrey who plays the role of Tommy and more. (Photo: Barrie Wentzell) And now for the plot story behind the musical piece. Tommy is a deaf-mute-blind boy, a pinball game wizard, whose father, Captain Walker, is declared missing and is believed to have been killed during World War I (an idea that would be used 10 years later on the album "The Wall"?). Captain Walker returns home, surprisingly, after many years, on New Year's Eve 1921, and discovers that his wife, Tommy's mother, has found a lover. In a fight between the father and the lover, the father, Captain Walker, was murdered as Tommy witnesses everything. The lover and mother convince Tommy that he has not seen or heard anything and influence him not to say anything about what happened. Following the trauma, Tommy becomes psychosomatically deaf-mute-blind. Over the years Tommy grows up and experiences abuse from family and others, with no ability to stop them or respond. Despite all this, Tommy develops a rare talent in the "pinball" game, becomes a wizard in the game, and accumulates a devout fan base, just like a rock star (again "The Wall"?). Later in the plot, a doctor presents Tommy with a mirror as part of his healing process. In a moment of frustration, Tommy's mother shatters the mirror, after Tommy does not respond to her cries. The experience of smashing the mirror causes Tommy to heal abruptly. Tommy's miraculous recovery and the fact that he's become a pinball wizard with a fan base is causing him a growing complex, he believes he has special powers. Tommy who becomes a real guru - a cult leader, sets up camp with his fan base and tries to lead them "to redemption". However, his fans' dissatisfaction with their situation causes them to rebel against him and destroy the camp. As if in a vicious circle and in response to what is happening, Tommy is locked up again within his detached world. So now take 74 minutes and listen to this wonderful work !!! Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

He is one of the most important artists in the alternative and industrial genres, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer who influenced generations of musicians — meet the mastermind behind "Nine Inch Nails", Trent Reznor. (Photo: Gilbert Florens) = Born on May 17, 1965, in "Mercer", Pennsylvania, Trent Reznor is one of the most groundbreaking and influential musicians in alternative and industrial rock history. = Reznor showed musical talent from a young age, mastering piano, saxophone, and tuba during his high school years. = During high school, he joined the local band "Option 30", performing three shows a week. After a year in college, he dropped out to pursue music full-time and moved to "Cleveland", Ohio. = Reznor played multiple instruments in several local bands, recorded independently, and performed live extensively in his early years. = He eventually got a job at "Right Track Studio" in Cleveland, working as an assistant engineer and janitor. There, he began recording his own demos during studio downtime. (Photo: Nine Inch Nails) = Frustrated by not finding a band that could execute his vision, he was inspired by "Prince" and decided to play all instruments (except drums) himself for his demos. He sent them to multiple labels before signing with "TVT Records". = In 1988, Reznor founded the industrial rock band "Nine Inch Nails", where he became the lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and sole creative force. = In 1989, he released "Nine Inch Nails'" debut and first studio album, "Pretty Hate Machine", an industrial rock milestone. It eventually went Platinum and became one of the first independently released albums to do so. = "Pretty Hate Machine" was critically acclaimed for its blend of electronic, industrial, and synth-pop sounds with deeply personal and dark lyrical themes. = This album established Reznor as a rising force in music, laying the groundwork for the evolution of industrial rock into the mainstream. = With "Nine Inch Nails", Reznor fused electronic, industrial, and alternative rock into a genre-defying sound that influenced an entire generation. = The band gained a reputation for raw, high-intensity live shows, with Reznor obsessively crafting every aspect of their stage production. = Reznor wrote, performed, and produced all material for the band's second album, "The Downward Spiral", released in 1994. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and became one of the most iconic alternative albums of the decade. = That album includes the iconic tracks "Closer", "Hurt", and "March of the Pigs", and it solidified Reznor as a generational voice of angst and pain. = Reznor has said that “Hurt” was written during a period of deep depression and self-loathing — it later gained even more fame when Johnny Cash covered it in 2002. = In 1995 Reznor toured with David Bowie. it was a major artistic milestone for him. = In 1999, Reznor released "Nine Inch Nails'" third studio double album, "The Fragile". Despite mixed reviews at first, it debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and is now considered a cult masterpiece. = The recording of The "Fragile" took over two years, included hundreds of takes, and was described by Reznor as a spiritual and psychological purge. = The fifth studio album, "Year Zero", was released in 2007 and accompanied by an alternate reality game. It peaked at #2 on Billboard and was praised for its dystopian concept and political critique. = In 2018, "Nine Inch Nails" released their ninth studio album, "Bad Witch", completing a trilogy following their two previous EPs "Not the Actual Events" (2016) and "Add Violence" (2017). Reznor plays saxophone on the album which was influenced by David Bowie's final studio album "Blackstar". = By 2020 he has released 11 studio albums with "Nine Inch Nails", the most recent being Ghosts VI: Locusts (2020). = "Nine Inch Nails" has received two Grammy Awards and several nominations. Their discography is consistently listed among the most important in alternative rock history. = Reznor has directed or co-directed many of the band's music videos, which often pushed creative and provocative boundaries in visual storytelling. (Photo: frank micelotta) = In 1994, he produced "Marilyn Manson’s" debut album, "Portrait of an American Family", launching Manson’s controversial and successful career. = In 2010, Reznor began scoring films alongside Atticus Ross. Their first project was "The Social Network", for which they won the Academy Award for Best Original Score. (Photo: GQ) = The Reznor-Ross duo continued their successful collaboration with scores for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (2011) and "Gone Girl" (2014), both directed by David Fincher. = In 2020, they composed the score for Pixar's animated film "Soul", blending electronic and jazz styles. The score won the Academy Award for Best Original Score, shared with jazz musician Jon Batiste. = By 2025 The Reznor-Ross duo released 19 Scores and soundtrack albums including "Tron: Ares", "The Gorge" and "After the Hunt". = Reznor is also known for being a fierce advocate for artist rights, criticizing streaming services and industry models that exploit musicians. = In 2020, "Nine Inch Nails" was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, acknowledging the band’s lasting influence and innovation. = Reznor’s influence spans multiple genres and industries. He is recognized not just for his musical output, but for helping redefine the sound and structure of modern rock and industrial music. = His ability to combine emotional intensity, sonic experimentation, and technical mastery makes him one of the most important artists of the modern era. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Today is the birthday of "Nirvana," bass player Krist Novoselic. In honor of this special day, let's delve into some interesting information about Krist Novoselic. (Photo: Kathy Flynn) 1. He was born on May 16, 1965. His full name is Krist Anthony Novoselic and he was born in California to two Croatian parents who immigrated to the U.S. He has a brother Robert and sister Diana who are three and eight years younger than him. 2. In 1971 his family moved to Aberdeen, Washington in light of rising real estate prices in California but in 1980 his parents sent him to live with relatives in the Croatian city of Zadar for one year after which he returned to Aberdeen. 3. He said that in terms of playing the bass, he was influenced by players such as Paul McCartney, Geezer Butler, John Entwistle, and Gene Simmons. 4. Krist met Kurt Cobain through his brother Robert, and the two became friends mainly based on their shared taste in punk rock music and their love for the local band "The Melvins". (Photo: tumblr.com) 5. Cobain recorded a number of demo songs with his band "Fecal Matter" which he formed in 1985 on tape and asked Krist to listen to it because he wanted to form a band with him. Only after a few months did Krist listen to the tape and agree to Cobain's offer. 6. First the two formed a cover band called "Sellouts" that played "Creedence Clearwater Revival" songs with Cobain on drums and Krist on guitar and vocals. 7. The two enlisted drummer Aaron Burckhard and began working on materials from Cobain's previous band as well as new materials. 8. The two moved to a different apartment and lost touch with their drummer, so they got in touch with their friend, the Melvines' drummer Dale Crover with whom they first recorded demos as Nirvana in January 1988. 9. After replacing a few drummers, they posted a job ad in a local newspaper in which they found drummer Chad Channing, the three immediately started playing together and their first appearance occurred in May 1988. 10. The trio released their debut album "Bleach" in June 1989 under the label that was the heart of the grunge scene at the time in the Seattle "Sub-Pop". Krist contributed to the writing of the album and inspired Cobain's lyrics. 11. Chad left immediately after the album was released and the two found themselves again looking for a drummer. Buzz Osborne, the guitarist and singer of the Melvins, suggested the two come to a show by a band called "Scream". The two were very impressed with the band's drummer Dave Grohl whose band disbanded a few weeks later. 12. Buzz gave Dave's phone to Krist and he called Dave to invite him to auditions for the band, the result of course is already known and the three became Nirvana's classic lineup. (Photo: Ed Sirrs) 13. In September 1991 Nirvana's second album and first with Dave was released "Nevermind". The album, recorded at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, was a phenomenal success against all expectations and was commercially successful worldwide. 14. In 1992 the band played at the MTV music awards event and when Krist started playing the song "Lithuim" he did not hear himself play, he was so upset that threw the bass in the air with the intention of catching it, but he did not appreciate the height and the bass hit him in the face. Primary medical care was given by none other than Brian May. 15. In December 1992, the band released the album "Incesticide" which consisted of b-sides, demos, covers, and radio versions. On this album, Krist contributed to the writing of the songs "Dive", "Hairspray Queen", and "Aneurysm". 16. In September 1993 the band released their third album "In Utero" which reached number one on the Billboard 200. This was the band's last studio album. 17. In November of that year the band held the amazing and special show "MTV Unplugged". At the same show, Krist played acoustic bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and accordion. The show came out a year later as an album and gave the band a Grammy win. 18. In 1994 the three came together to work on the next album but Cobain's many absences led the two to work together on material for the album such as: "Exhausted", "Big Me", "February Stars", and "Butterflies". 19. In April 1994, the band reached the end of the journey when Cobain committed suicide. Krist worked behind the scenes to release a number of Nirvana albums. He released the special package "With the Lights Out" in 2004, a live performance album called "From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah" and the festive album "20th-anniversary album for Nevermind". 20. After "Nirvana", Krist worked with a large number of artists, set up a number of projects, and released individual albums, among them... 21. The band "Sweet 75" with musicians from Venezuela, released a single album bearing the band name in 1997 22. In 1998 he directed his first film "L7: The Beauty Process", an imaginary documentary about "L7". 23. In 1999 he co-founded with Soundgarden's guitarist the one-time punk rock band called "No WTO Combo". 24. In 2002 he released a solo album with the supergroup "Eyes Adrift" which had members Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets), Bud Gaugh (Sublime). In the band, Krist took over for the first time the lead singer position in a large part of the songs. 25. Although after the release of the album, Krist announced that he was leaving the music business, he was still part of a number of ensembles such as: Giants in the Trees, Filthy Friends, Lepidopterist, and more... 26. Krist has collaborated several times with Dave, on a number of albums, gigs, and singles Among them: "One By One", "Wasting Light" and the tribute album to "Sound City". 27. In 2004 he published his book "Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy!" 28. In 2007, he began writing articles for the Seattle Weekly blog. 29. In 2009 Krist starred as a newspaper supplier in the film "World's Greatest Dad" starring Robbin Williams. 30. In 2022 he formed the supergroup "3rd Secret" along with drummer Matt Cameron and guitarist Kim Thayil. The band released their debut album on April 2022. Listen to "3rd Secret" debut album: Spotify, Apple Music. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

The crazy genius Robert Fripp is celebrating his birthday today, and in honor of the occasion, we have gathered 27 interesting facts about him: (Photo: Steve Morley) 1. He was born in the southeast of England on 16 May 1946. 2. At the age of 10 he received his first guitar as a gift from his parents, and he says that he immediately knew it would change his life. 3. He got guitar lessons from the age of 11. He was a very quick learner. He first studied rock, at the age of 13 he switched to jazz and by 1961, when he was only 15, he had already formed his first band - "The Ravens". 4. In 1965 he began studying economics and history at Bournemouth College, where he met artists such as Andy Summers, John Wetton, and Greg Lake, through whom she would cross paths with them down the road. 5. In 1967 he responded to a newspaper ad of brothers Peter and Michael Giles who were looking for a keyboardist and singer for the band they formed. Although he was neither a keyboardist nor a singer, he auditioned and the three became the trio "Giles, Giles and Fripp" who released in 1968 the album "The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles, and Fripp". (Photo: Progarchives.com) 6. The album didn't sell well, the band disbanded and Fripp together with drummer Michael Giles began planning the formation of the next band. They recruited Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield, and Ian McDonald and founded "King Crimson" in 1968. 7. The band's debut album "In The Court Of The Crimson King" was released in 1969 and was a revolutionary masterpiece that is considered by many to be the first significant progressive rock piece. (Photo: dgmlive.com) 8. Robert Fripp will continue to lead "King Crimson" in his madness and genius for over five decades, to this day, when he serves as the only permanent member of the band. 9. Together with Crimson, Fripp released 13 studio albums, including masterpieces such as the debut album mentioned, "Lizard", "Larks' Tongues in Aspic", "Red", and more. 10. In parallel with his work with "Crimson", Fripp began collaborating with other artists. One of the first and most notable collaborations was with the progressive rock band "Van der Graaf Generator" when they were featured on their masterful albums "H to He, Who Am the Only One" from 1970 and "Pawn Hearts" from 1971. 11. This Fripp collaboration with "Van der Graaf" also continued the cool of Peter Hammill's solo and began with the 1971 album "Fools Mate". 12. In 1972 he also began to serve as a producer. One of his first known productions was of the second album by Robert Wyatt and Dave Sinclair's "Matching Mole" - "Matching Mole's Little Red Record". 13. In the same year, Fripp began his collaboration with Brian Eno on the album "No Pussyfooting" from 1972. This collaboration will continue throughout the 1970s on albums like "Here Come the Warm Jets" and Another Green "World" and will be renewed in the 1990s And 2000s. Working with Eno in the early 1970s presented Fripp's experiments with various musical techniques, including "Frippertronics" - a technique used to play loops of tape recordings. (Photo: Soundcloud.com) 14. Other Fripp recording and guitar tuning techniques that have influenced various producers and musicians are "Soundscapes" which also includes the use of loops, and "New Standard Tuning" which includes the guitar tuning in a non-standard way. 15. Another significant collaboration of Fripp began in 1977 with Peter Gabriel's first solo album in which he also served as producer, and continued with the second and third solo albums from 1978 and 1980. 16. Another collaboration that began in 1977 was with David Bowie. It started with the album "Heroes" and continued with the album "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" from 1980. 17. At the same time, in those years, Fripp was featured on Blondie's 1979 albums "Parallel Lines" and Talking Heads' "Fear of Music". 18. These collaborations coupled with the global music market change and the decline of progressive rock's led Fripp to change phase towards the release of his first solo album "EXPOSURE" from 1979. The album which featured Peter Hammill and Peter Gabriel included some short and less complex songs. 19. In 1982, Fripp began working with guitarist and college-age friend Andy Summers, known from the Police band. Fripp played and produced the album "I Advance Masked". The two continued to collaborate on the 1984 album "Bewitched". 20. Another interesting collaboration of Fripp was with David Sylvian from the band Japan. It started with the excellent album "The First Day" from 1993. 21. In 1993, Fripp released with King Crimson the album "Thrak" which simultaneously plays two different lineups of the same band. 22. Fripp will continue to play with this brilliant idea, with performances that will include a number of the band's lineups, which will sometimes also appoint three drummers on one stage. 22. In 2004, Fripp joined guitarists Joe Satriani and Steve Vai on the "G3 tour". 23. In 2010 he contributed a guitar solo to Nick Cave's "Grinderman". 24. Of course Fripp's list of collaborations is endless, since he is part of about 700 official recordings with various artists. 25. Fripp is ranked 62nd on "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. 26. His influence on guitarists and producers is enormous and from the 1980s he passes it on to future generations also through a master class based on learning to play the electric guitar on a peripheral technique he developed. He was also hosted in Israel with this class. 27. Since the Covid-19 crisis started, Fripp and his wife Toyah Willcox began a tradition of a series of amusing covers to raise morale, released every Sunday. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 16, 1983 "Iron Maiden" released their fourth album "Piece Of Mind". This is the band's second album with singer Bruce Dickinson and the band's first with drummer Nicko McBrain, who replaced Clive Burr, whose health issues have made it difficult for him to keep up with the band's demanding pace. After the dizzying success of her previous album "The Number Of The Beast", expectations from Maidan were particularly high. The million-dollar question was could the band even recreate such success? All the pressure was on Maiden but it managed to channel it in good directions and produce an almost perfect album, its second in a row, all this with the help of legendary producer Martin Birch. This is not the band's best album in the classic lineup (Steve Harris, Dave Murray with Bruce Dickinson, Nicko McBrain, and Adrian Smith), while there are quite a few albums of this band that are better than it. However, it is still an excellent album that marked the band's breakthrough into America and also the one officially made "Iron Maiden" one of the most famous heavy metal bands in the world. Most of the songs on the album were written at the "Le Chalet Hotel" in New Jersey. After completing the writing process, the band flew to the Bahamas to record the album. Lyrically, most of the album's songs are about literature, historical events, and the favorite movies of the band members. This is the band's first album whose name is not taken from the title of one of the songs. The name given to the album during the recordings was "Food for Thought", but later the band members changed it to "Piece of Mind". The album opens up with "Where Eagles Dare" with the powerful and rolling drumming of Nicko McBrain who undoubtedly demonstrates here for the first time his tremendous abilities. Dave and Adrian's guitars sound like two machine guns and fit well into the plot story based on a movie starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood, influenced by the book "Falling to Death" by Alistair Maclean. Dickinson's singing is dynamic and sweeping and his voice almost touches the skies, especially with the roar that simmers the song. Definitely, a great way to open the album. The second track, "Revelations", is among the only songs Dickinson wrote for the band on his own. A simple "heavenly" piece that begins with a slow and broken reef interrupted by a duet of bass and cymbals. The poem was written about Aleister Crowley, the English mystic and founder of religious philosophy Thelma, the same Crowley also known from Ozzy Osbourne's song "Mr. Crowley" and other Bruce poems: "Accident Of Birth" and "Man Of Sorrows". Although the album version of the song is amazing in itself, the song reaches new heights in the band's performances. Just listen to the "Flight 666" or "Live After Death" version of the song and you will immediately understand. It is interesting to note that the song was influenced by a Christian hymn called: "O God of Earth and Altar". If you want you can listen to the resemblance of the melody here: Immediately after comes "The Flight of Icarus", which is also the band's first single in the US, and the band's breakthrough song "Overseas". The song is based on a story from Greek mythology in which Daedalus and his son Icarus escape from King Minus' prison using wax wings. Daedalus warns Icarus not to fly high and close to the sun, but the rebellious Icarus soars too high, its wings melt, and he falls to his death in a place known today as the Icarian Sea. Oddly enough, although this is one of the band's "hits", it was not performed at the show from 1986 until 2018. "Maiden" raises the tempo a bit in the song "Die With Your Boots On" which is without a doubt a catchy song, but it is also perhaps the song with the most superficial lyrics the band has ever written. The other side of the vinyl opens with the anthem "The Trooper" which was the band's most-played song in the US. The rolling drumming is definitely in line with the cavalry rushing forward in the war. It's one of the songs more identified with Maiden so the band decided to name its private beer brand after it. At the end of "The Trooper" and before "Still Life" there is a short speech that is played backward. The piece was created as a mockery and contempt of the band for those who accused it of Satanism, after the release of the album "The Number Of The Beast". Drummer Nicko McBrain is heard trying to sound like the British actor, John Byrd, who imitates the dictator "Idi Amin". In the recording, McBrain says the following words, as they are played backward: "What did she say with the three 'bonce,' do not communicate with things you do not understand" "Still Life," tells of the nightmares of a man who sees demons at the bottom of a dark and deep pool, and for some inexplicable reason is drawn to them. The song opens with a "disassembled" rendition of Harris' bass guitar and a slow, chilling solo, and from there escalates with the development of the plot. The lyrics include a hint of the album's name in the sentence: "Nightmares, Will give me peace of mind". "Quest For Fire" is based on the 1981 French film of the same name. This may be the weakest song on the album and some "Maiden" fans claim that this is also one of their weak songs. Although it's not a masterpiece it's still not a bad song. The words are a bit strange but you can understand them since they are based on the movie. The music is simple but catchy. The intro riff is especially cool and he builds the song well. The best moments of the song are the two melodic solos of Adrian Smith and Dave Murray. "Sun And Steel" is based on the story of the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi. A simple song with only 2 verses and a particularly catchy chorus, but no more than that, and maybe that's why it got to be lost in "Maiden's" glorious catalog. The latest piece on the album "To Tame A Land" is also the longest and is based on the novel by Frank Herbert "Dune". The original title of the song was indeed meant to be "Dune", but to avoid copyright claims it was decided to choose a different name. This is a track that hints at prog-metal with Spanish-style guitar and riffs, built slowly to the last verse and Bruce's epic scream at the end, followed by a melodic and long instrumental section that includes (how not) two Dave and Adrian solos that goes almost to the end of the song, Which ends the same way he started. "Piece Of Mind" was perhaps "Maiden's" best album at the time of its release, however, over the years and after the band released masterpieces such as "Powerslave", "Somewhere in Time" and "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son", it's hard to stand behind a statement Such. At the same time, without a doubt, this is one of the band's biggest albums featuring some of its timeless numbers. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Pearl Jam's sixth studio album, "Binaural," released on May 16, 2000, marked a significant departure from the band's previous album, "Yield," embracing a more experimental and atmospheric approach. Building upon their evolution since "No Code" and "Vitalogy," "Pearl Jam's" "Binaural" found the group roaring back to life without dramatically altering the direction they had been following. The album's title, "Binaural," refers to the recording technique employed throughout the record, utilizing two microphones to create a stereo effect that simulates the way sound is heard by human ears. This technique aimed to provide a more immersive and natural listening experience, capturing the essence of "Pearl Jam's" musical vision. "Binaural" features a diverse range of songs that delve into introspection, emotional struggles, and societal issues. "Pearl Jam's" lyrics continue their tradition of addressing personal and political topics with thought-provoking depth. Despite "Pearl Jam's" status as the last remaining intact member of the old Grunge guard, in this album, it is already safe to say that they finished their musical change. "Binaural" showcase "Pearl Jam" as a classicist rock band, crafting vibrant and beautiful alternative rock songs that stood apart from the popular music landscape of the time. The album's seamless flow and grandeur, thanks to Tchad Blake's production, gave the songs a broad atmospheric quality. With "Binaural", "Pearl Jam" showcased their willingness to experiment with different musical styles while staying true to their compassionate and sincere approach. They managed to craft diverse and compelling music, incorporating elements of grunge, alternative rock, and subtle hints of psychedelic sounds. The addition of "Soundgarden" drummer Matt Cameron proved to be a stroke of genius, as his contributions elevated the songs to new heights. From the punchy and punk-inspired tracks like "Breakerfall", "God's Dice", and "Evacuation" (for which he wrote the music)ת through the soaring ballads and to the emotionally charged mid-paced "Light Years" to "Insignificance" "Pearl Jam" displayed their ability to deliver diverse and powerful music. The interplay between Cameron's rock-driven drumming, Jeff Ament's rolling basslines, and the complementary guitar work of Mike McCready and Stone Gossard add depth and richness to each song. While the band experienced a state of flux during the album's creation, with Mike McCready in treatment and Eddie Vedder grappling with writer's block (which was even mentioned in the closing song "Parting Ways" as a hidden track named "Writer's Block" at 6:49), it also presented opportunities for diversity. Gossard's songwriting contributions, include the quaint and lovely "Thin Air", the acoustic folk of "Of the Girl" and the Honky-tonk-blusy "Rival". Ament brought "Gods' Dice" and "Nothing As It Seems" which emerged as the album's centerpiece and co-wrote "Sleight of Hand" with Vedder. Despite their personal challenges, the band maintained a high level of songwriting quality throughout the record, showcasing the band's collective strength. The album received positive reviews from critics and achieved success on the charts, reaching the top ten in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. "Binaural" demonstrated "Pearl Jam's" continued evolution as a band, their growth as artists, and their ability to captivate audiences with their powerful and emotionally charged rock music. With "Binaural", "Pearl Jam" solidified their position as a band unafraid to push boundaries and explore new music territories. The album stands as a testament to their growth and artistic maturity, reaffirming their status as one of the most influential and enduring rock bands of their generation. It can be said that "Binaural" serves as a testament to their ability to stay true to their roots while embracing experimentation. It is not by chance that the respected British music magazine "NME" gave the album 9 out of ten stars. "Binaural" restored the hope of many "Pearl Jam" fans, which was still not lost at this point. For Listening: Spotify Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 15, 1990 "Dio" released their fifth studio album - "Lock Up the Wolves". The album was a significant change for the band in terms of lineup, musical style, and reception. The album features a complete change in the band lineup, with a new, younger, and international crew, comprising Jens Johansson on keyboards (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen), Teddy Cook on bass, Simon Wright on drums (ex-AC/DC), and Rowan Robertson as the new guitar wizard. Robertson won the role after Ronnie James Dio received 5000 tapes for consideration. About half the album was written when former members Jimmy Bain and Vinny Appice were still in the band, and they appear on several writing credits. Robertson has a co-write on every song, and Johansson has two, while Cook has one. The album features a mixture of styles ranging from fast and energetic like "Walk on Water" to slower and bluesy like "Evil on Queen Street" or "Twisted". However, the album's overall pace is slower, at times monotonous, aside from "Wild One", which has a groove nearing Speed or even Thrash Metal, making the decision to place it as the opening track very logical. "Lock Up the Wolves" is not without its standout tracks. "Hey Angel" has a catchy and memorable melody as if it was taken from the "Dream Evil" sessions. "Lock Up The Wolves" is a strong, dark track, which showcases Dio's powerful voice. "Night Music" has one of the best guitar solos on the album and it's guitar intro reminded us of Angus Young's guitar picking, and "Evil on Queen Street" is a great blues track that takes its title from a deli in Toronto that had a sandwich with that name. Unfortunately, "Lock Up the Wolves" was not well-received by critics and fans alike. Dio himself expressed dissatisfaction with the album's predecessor, "Dream Evil", feeling that the songwriting was unfinished and needed tightening up. Some of the changes he made in "Lock Up the Wolves" were a response to that, but even so, the album failed to impress, and that affected the band's status in the metal community, while the album became the lowest-charting "Dio" record apart from the live "Intermission". In the broader context, 1990 was very confusing for the metal scene. A time of change, showing great bands shifting and moving toward different directions and sounds. For some the change was great and rewording, like in the case of "Painkiller", "Cowboys from Hell" and "Rust In Peace", but others got lost in the way, like with albums such as "No Prayer for the Dying", "Slaves and Masters" and "Eat the Heat". Unfortunately, "Lock Up the Wolves" is more related to the latter group. It was Dio's lowest point after 4 great albums, but it still has its moments of brilliance. No wonder that after its release Ronnie James Dio took time off from "Dio" with a brief "Black Sabbath" reunion on the album "Dehumanizer", giving him time to think about his next move... For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 15, 1992, "Testament" released their fifth album, "The Ritual". This is the band's last album in their classical lineup, with drummer Louie Clemente and super guitarist Alex Skolnick, who will return to the band in 2005. The album marks a turning point for the band musically and its experience in other musical directions, including more melodic and slower songs. This is not a significant change as the old and familiar "Testament" can still be found on the album in heavy and fast sections like "Agony". On the other hand, there are quieter and more melodic tracks like "Return To Serenity", which is perhaps the best metal ballad ever written, and also more progressive and mystical tracks like the excellent theme song "The Ritual". When the album first came out there were those who criticized "Testament's" attempt to follow in the footsteps of Metallica's black album, which came out a year earlier. Listening to songs like "Electric Crown," "So Many Lies" and "Let Go Of My World" might explain what those critics meant. Today, however, it can already be said that the criticism was a bit excessive and the years that have passed since the album's release unequivocally prove that it was simply not properly appreciated. The songs mentioned above are absolute anthems that we listen to up to this day. True, the old and familiar "Testament" softened a bit on this album and focused more on melody and emotion, but still, this album is better than many other albums released at the time in the thrash scene. On this album, the band reached musical maturity. Chuck Billy proved he can sing and Alex Skolnick has shown that metal can hit you hard even without fast guitars and aggression. The bottom line, this is a good album by a band trying to go in a new direction at a time when the thrash scene has almost reached saturation, and there is nothing wrong with that. On the contrary! It proves how versatile and diverse this band is. If you are looking for a classic thrash at Testament, this is definitely not the place to start. However, if you're looking for a bit of variety, like Chuck Billy's voice clean and less rough, and you have no aversion to melody and slower rhythms, then take 55 minutes of free time and enjoy an extraordinary moment in the career of this great band. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 15, 1976, "Rising", Rainbow's second album, was released. This is without a doubt "Rainbow's" most balanced album and some argue that it is the band's best. What is certain is that this album is still considered a milestone in the history of hard rock and metal, With a clear impact on the sub-genres Power, Symphonic, Prog and even Speed Metal. Readers of the famous "Kerrang!" magazine even chose it in October 1981 as the best heavy metal album of all time. The story of the album recording begins with the end of the recording of the band's successful debut album, simply called "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow". The musicians on the debut album were all from the ELF band, which also included singer Ronnie James Dio. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore was not happy with the performance of the line-up that included ELF members, so he refused to go on tour with them. Immediately after recording the debut album, Blackmore fired all the band members except Dio, and recruited new musicians, masters of instruments each in his own field. Keyboardist Tony Carey, bassist Jimmy Bain, and legendary drummer Cozy Powell, whose powerful drumming will impact the band's sound. With this new lineup "Rainbow'" embarked on their first tour starting in Montreal in November 1975 and during that time the band began writing material for their second album "Rising". (Photo: Classic Rock In Pics on Twitter) In February 1976 the band went on to record the album, which was recorded in Munich Germany in less than a month, under the watchful eye of "super" producer Martin Birch. Drummer Cozy Powell said in a 1996 interview that most of the album's songs were recorded in one or two takes, which is probably also why no demo versions or early recordings of songs from the album can be found. Known as a freak of control, Blackmore gave the new band members, in a completely uncharacteristic move, musical freedom of action, and this was expressed both in terms of content and sound, fundamentally different from the previous album, more compact, dynamic, and aggressive. Proof of the freedom of action given to the musicians can be found already at the opening of the album, in the song "Tarot Woman" which opens with an intro synthesizer, long, wild and dramatic, long before Blackmore's riffs segment and break it out into a fade-out into the song. From there we move on to the song "Run With The Wolf" which has a "groovy-bluesy" sound that is a bit reminiscent of what Coverdale and "Whitesnake" will do not long after. Blackmore's guitar work here is noteworthy, the drumming of Cozy Powell is heavy and steady and the sound of a dominant and powerful Dio. At this point, the listener should already be beginning to understand that this is an excellent and quality album. The song "Starstruck" continues the groovy line of its predecessor and is also the best song on the first side of the album. Blackmore's catchy riffs, Carrie's "Jon Lord" ish organ, and Dio's powerful vocals sound the closest to Deep Purple that "Rainbow" will ever hear. The song was written about a Blackmore fan named Muriel who was his "stalker" for a very long time. The track that seals the first side of the album "Do You Close Your Eyes", is also the shortest on the album. A direct and focused number that includes a simple but incredibly catchy reef of Blackmore. The other side of the vinyl includes only 2 songs, and it opens with one of Rainbow's great tracks and arguably the most prominent track on the album - "Stargazer". The song opens with an intro of thunderous and rolling drumming from the legendary Cozy Powell and from there develops into an epic work of over eight minutes, featuring progressive-oriental elements. The mystical lyrics were written by Dio and they tell the legend of a sorcerer who obsessively longs to fly and enslaves a huge army of people so that they can build a tower for him, from which he can take off and fly. The people hope that their slavery will cease, as the construction of the tower takes place in very difficult conditions (In the heat and rain, with whips and chains). Eventually, the sorcerer climbs to the top of the tower, but instead of soaring up he falls and finds his death like any other mortal. By the way, in the lyrics you can also find a hint of the name of the band and the album in the sentence: Look at his tower of stone I see a rainbow rising, and indeed the rainbow is "shone" in this album and song. Interesting that the original melody of the song was written on cello. Blackmore, who at the time was experimenting with cello, began playing the main riff, and the rest is history. Perhaps this is also the reason why the Munich Philharmonic participates in the recording of the song. The track that seals the album "A Light In the Black" is another long, powerful, and epic section that is a direct sequel to its predecessor, only more rhythmic and powerful. Blackmore's classic intro, Jimmy Bain's stunning baseline, Dio's dynamic voice, and Tony Curry's virtuoso synthesizer solo sweep the song to the end of the album in a powerful climax. Immediately after the release of the album, the band went on a tour, this time already in a well-formed and well-oiled lineup. Unfortunately, only a small part of the album's songs was included in the setlist in the performances that accompanied the release of the album. "Stargazer" and "Do You Close Your Eyes" were written before the album was recorded and appeared in the setlist of all the band's performances from the end of 75 and during the year 76. "A Light in the Black" which seals the album dropped from the setlist in early 1976 and the song "Starstruck" Got a minimalist and abbreviated version as part of the song "Man on the Silver Mountain". It can be summed up and said that "Rainbow" reached the peak of their work and performance on this album. In almost 50 years since its release, so many masterpieces have been released in hard rock and metal. At the same time, it can be said with almost certainty that only a handful of metal albums from the 70s reached the level of compositions and music that "Rainbow" reached on this album, so in light of the period in which it came out, this is a perfect album. The impact of this album has resonated for decades to this day, and it is also considered by many to be "Rainbow's" best album. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

He is a musical genius, a distinct and amazing musical autodidact, a multi-instrumental virtuoso, and an original and influential musician and composer. Here are some interesting facts about Mike Oldfield: (Photo: Virgin Records) 1. He was born Michael Gordon Oldfield on May 15, 1953, in Reading, Berkshire, England. 2. He started playing the guitar at the age of 10. At the age of 12 he was already performing in clubs with an electric guitar. 3. At the age of 14 he formed a duo called Sally-Angie, with his older sister Sally. In 1968 they released an album called "Children Of The Sun", most of which were their original compositions. 4. In 1970 he joined the progressive rock band "Kevin Ayers and the Whole World". He played guitar, bass, and other instruments during his time with the band. 5. Mike Oldfield is known for his unique guitar-playing technique. He is one of the few that plays the electric guitar with his fingers and don't use a pick. 6. In 1973, Mike Oldfield released his groundbreaking debut solo album, "Tubular Bells." The album featured an array of instruments played solely by Oldfield, with mesmerizing and intricate compositions. (Photo: Virgin Records) 7. Mike started composing "Tubular Bells" at the age of 17. He played all instruments on the album which includes more than 250 layers of sounds. 8. The album was the first to be released through the new "Virgin Records" company It topped the UK Albums Chart and achieved international success and became a defining album of the progressive rock genre. 9. But Oldfield didn't stop there. He brought this magnificent album to the stage. When he was only 20 years old, he arranged a live performance of the whole album. It took 21 musicians (including Mick Taylor) and 12 singers among others his sister Sally Oldfield to perform all of Oldfield's roles and instruments on the original album. 10. Following the success of "Tubular Bells," Oldfield continued to experiment and push musical boundaries. In 1974, he released "Hergest Ridge," a beautiful and pastoral album. 11. Then came another masterpiece album - "Ommadawn" released in 1975, which showcased Oldfield mastery of world music influences. 12. In 1977, Mike Oldfield recorded the overture of "Wilhelm Tell" by Rossini. He played all the instruments. 13. Oldfield's album "Incantations" (1978) further displayed his ability to create intricate and epic compositions, often spanning multiple movements. In 1982, Oldfield released the album "Five Miles Out", which included the hit single "Family Man," featuring Scottish singer Maggie Reilly. 15. In 1983, Oldfield released the album "Crises," which featured the hit single "Moonlight Shadow", with vocals by Maggie Reilly. The song became an international success and remains one of his most recognizable tracks. 16. Oldfield continued to collaborate with Maggie Reilly on his next album, "Discovery" (1984), which included the hit single "To France". Oldfield's albums "Islands" (1987) and "Earth Moving" (1989) showcased his ability to adapt to evolving music trends while maintaining his distinct style. 18. Oldfield's diverse collaborations include working with artists such as Adrian Belew on the album "Earth Moving", Bonnie Tyler on "Islands," and more. 19. In 1992, Oldfield composed the score for the critically acclaimed film "The Killing Fields", directed by Roland Joffé. 20. Oldfield's album "Tubular Bells II" (1992) served as a highly anticipated sequel to his iconic debut album. It showcased his continued musical evolution while paying homage to the original work. 21. In 1998, Oldfield released "Tubular Bells III," another successful installment in the "Tubular Bells" series. The album featured new compositions and innovative arrangements. 22. Throughout his career, Oldfield has released several albums exploring new age and ambient music, including "Songs of Distant Earth" (1994), inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's novel, and "Voyager" (1996), which draws inspiration from NASA's Voyager space missions. (Photo: Virgin Records) 23. Oldfield's later albums include "Man on the Rocks" (2014), which marked a return to a more rock-oriented sound, and "Return to Ommadawn" (2017), a sequel to his classic album "Ommadawn." 24. Over the course of his career, Mike Oldfield has received numerous awards and accolades. He has been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Instrumental Composition for "Tubular Bells – Theme from The Exorcist" and "Best New Age Album" for "Voyager". 25. Oldfield's contributions to music and his enduring influence have earned him a dedicated fan base worldwide. His ability to create diverse and innovative compositions spanning various genres has solidified his status as a pioneering and respected musician. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 12, 2021, Myles Kennedy released "The Ides Of March". Myles Kennedy has demonstrated his exceptional vocal skills in various musical projects, including "Alter Bridge," his collaboration with Slash, and as a solo artist. He is considered to be one of the most skilled and talented vocalists in modern rock music. In 2021, some people might not find Myles Kennedy's style of earnest and classic hard rock exciting, but regardless of personal taste, his second solo album following 2018's "Year of the Tiger" shows that he is extremely skilled at his craft. While the opening of a song like "In Stride" may sound familiar with its Southern-fried, country slide guitar, Myles's smooth and distinctive voice quickly captures your attention and makes you nod your head along to the music. The Ides Of March is a great pleasure for Myles' devoted fans. Unlike his previous album, which had a country vibe, this album has a more down-to-earth, bluesy hard rock sound that tones down what we're used to hearing from Myles. Nonetheless, listeners can still appreciate Myles' exceptional vocal range, well-crafted lyrics, and excellent production value, and have a great time enjoying his talent as a musician. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Linkin Park's third album has something symbolic. It symbolizes the process of puberty of a child who becomes a man. Let us open with a quote from Chester Bennington: “We thought,‘ Fine, you’re pissing us off. We’re going to make something so different that you can shove nu-metal up your ass” After two crazy and highly successful albums "Hybrid Theory" and "Meteora," the band members took a break to concentrate a bit on their personal lives. After the hurricane success in sales, performances, interviews, and a schedule of rock stars. They wanted to be with their families, with friends, and even to go to the grocery store (do you believe it?) To feel a little normal and put all this craziness on Pause. But of course, over time they could not stop creating, Mike Shinoda set up the hip hop project "Fort Minor" and Chester the rock band "Dead By Sunrise" when before that the collaboration with Jay-Z called "Collision Course" came out. The work on the album began in 2006 when the members were searching for themselves different and varied ideas and reach a state where they recorded dozens of demos that eventually drain into about 50-60 songs. From that point, they begin to work in-depth and formulate final materials. If in the previous albums, the working time on the album lasted about six months, here the members reached 14 months, a fact which in itself implies the way they work and how many attempts and various dilemmas they went through. For the album, they enlisted the megastar producer Rick Rubin alongside Mike, who is already regularly in charge of the production, a collaboration that has also continued for the next two albums that generally feature long-distance trips to new music spaces. The band members just could not repeat themselves and maintain the same musical genre, both in terms of creation and in terms of musical relevance. To tell the truth, it would have seemed a bit lame and untalented, especially given the fact that along with their puberty, their fans have also matured. So it was decided to adopt the maturity which is reflected in the fact that... Many orchestral strings were added with the help of Canadian conductor and composer David Campbell. Mike's rap segments have dropped significantly (for just two songs) and are a larger volume form in harmony with Chester as background vocals. Joe Hahn's scratching has dropped significantly compared to previous albums as Han moves to a more electronic position. However... The guitars got a different volume and character, with occasional small flickers of solos and mostly strong riffs in the chorus. Unusual and amazing is the song No More Sorrow. A lot of use of electronic sounds that create a dramatic atmosphere and dynamics is very different from the use made of them in previous albums. Two more elements have proven to be the puberty of the bunch with the spikes and wide pants. The first (and do not laugh) is the Parental Advisory warning that, unlike the previous two albums, does not exist on this album, and the second element is the reference to politics and the environment that is clearly reflected in the lyrics of the songs and also in the clip of the first single from "What I Done". If we're already talking about this song, then it's hard not to refer to the lyrics of the song which is a kind of farewell song of the band to what it was... "In this farewell / There’s no blood, there’s no alibi / ’Cause I’ve drawn regret / From the truth of a thousand lies / So let mercy come and wash away" This album is unquestionably a dizzying success for the band. It immediately snatched first place in the Billboard 200 and even more, he won first place in more than 20 countries worldwide!! Looking back this is undoubtedly the album that was the band's opening shot in long-distance running and different, weird musical spaces, remember the DNA discussions, so this is one of them. Listen to the album on Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website