Editor's Choice... And this time, "The Trials of Van Occupanther", "Midlake's" second album released on July 25, 2006. "Midlake" is an American band formed in 1999 in Denton Texas. The band combines different and varied musical styles, ranging from folk-rock, indie, psychedelic, and even progressive. In 2001, "Midlake" released the first EP called "Milkmaid Grand Army" which was printed in only 1,000 copies, but managed to arouse the interest of the independent record company "Bella Union", which was founded by two members of "Cocteau Twins". The band was signed to the boutique label and in 2004 released their debut album "Bamnan and Slivercork", which combined folk-rock, electronics, and psychedelia and was influenced by bands such as "Grandaddy" and "The Flaming Lips". The album received rave reviews and the band soon began working on a sequel. The band's second album "The Trials of Van Occupanther", released in 2006 and marks a significant development of the band in terms of musical style. This is a melodic and magical album that will throw you hard into the "classic rock" of the seventies. The atmosphere of the seventies strikes us inside from the opening song "Roscoe" which introduces us to the amazing vocal harmonies, which undoubtedly correspond with Buckingham and Nicks' "Fleetwood Mac" era, along with the sound of that band in the Bob Welch era of the early seventies. This classic rock feel continues through the pianos of "Bandits" and the Eric Clapton's guitar solo there. It blends in with folk in songs like "Branches" which includes playing on a french horn and "Young Bride" which includes the violin. It hovers over the entire album with the electric-acoustic combination and a-la "CSNY" vocal harmonies, but gets progressive touches with the delicate flute sounds in songs like "Van Occupanther" and "In This Camp" that evolve with a dynamic and changing composition. So if you fancy a bit of retro folk and classic rock, wrapped in an intelligent and contemporary presentation, the album "The Trials of Van Occupanther" is the album for you. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

The Black Phoenix... On July 25, 1980, the album "Back In Black" was released, the seventh studio album by the band "AC/DC". This is the story of the biggest comeback in the history of Rock. The story of a band that worked hard to gain international recognition, with lots of blood, sweat, and tears, on stage, on bumpy roads, and in cheap motels. A band that, after much effort, finally managed to touch fame, but even before it had time to enjoy its fruits, it experienced a terrible tragedy that shattered everything to pieces. A band that against all odds managed to rise from its own ashes, just like the Phoenix, to "come back in black", bigger, better, stronger... This is the story of "AC/DC" - the story of the "Black Phoenix".... This is the band's first album without lead singer Bon Scott, who just five months earlier, on February 19, 1980, was found dead in his friend's car after a night of revelry and drunkenness. This album is the band's best-selling album in almost 50 years of activity. It ranks forth among the best-selling albums of all time, with an incredible sales figure of about 50 million copies worldwide. An album that ranks 84th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. So, to understand how this all happened, how after the band's total crash it managed to release one of the greatest and most successful albums of all time, one has to go back a bit in time. The band, formed in Australia in 1973 by brothers Angus Young and Malcolm Young, was relatively successful in their country of origin, but for years failed to push the boundaries of their homeland and struggled to gain international recognition, especially in the United States. "Atlantic Records" in the United States refused to release their third 1976 album, "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", as they did not believe in its ability to succeed in sales. Eventually after a lot of hard work, "AC/DC" manages, against all odds, to obtain a recording contract with "Atlantic" and release their amazing breakthrough album "Highway To Hell" in 1979. The story of that album is fascinating in itself, but we will leave it to a separate review that we published on this album. "Highway To Hell" was a resounding success and reached the top of the album charts around the globe and especially in the US. (Photo: Rock History In Pics Twitter) Broken and shattered by the heavy disaster that befell them, the band members were already thinking of disbanding, but it was Bon Scott's family members who persuaded them to move on, claiming that this was his last will. Shortly after the funeral, the band is already looking for a lead singer to step into Bon Scott's big shoes. The search was exhausting and lasted about a month, during which a large number of candidates were examined. At one point the band even considers Malcolm Young to fill the role of lead singer, but then Mutt Lange (who produced the album "Highway To Hell") offers Brian Johnson - the singer of the glam band "Geordie" - as a replacement. Johnson was then 32 years old, he lived with his parents in Newcastle and owned a vinyl roof for the collectible car repair shop. Johnson recalls that he received an invitation to come and meet the band. He entered the rehearsal room and saw the band members bored to death after a whole month of unsuccessful auditions. Malcolm Young was the one who first approached him, offered him a beer, and asked what he wanted to sing. Brian Johnson responded to Tina Turner's "Nutbush City Limits". After finishing the audition round, Johnson was called to the rehearsal room for a second audition, by which time he had already sung "Highway To Hell". On March 29, 1980 - About a month after Bon Scott's death, Malcolm Young called Brian Johnson to inform him that he had been accepted into the band. What fascinated the band members were, among other things, the fact that Johnson did not try to emulate Bon Scott but gave a personal interpretation to his songs. Later Angus Young will also recall that Bon Scott himself told him that he saw Brian Johnson in a live show of "Geordie" and was very impressed with his performance. "Armed" with its new frontman, the band flew to the Bahamas to write and record the new album. (Photo: acdcfans.net) Although the band had first sketches of some songs they had started working on with Bon Scott, they decided to start from scratch, and Johnson was given a free hand to rewrite his own lyrics, as the band did not want to look like they attempt to profit from Bon Scott's death. This album was entirely dedicated to Bon Scott, from beginning to end. The band requested that the album cover will be completely black, as a sign of the heavy grief that fell on them following Bon Scott's death. The "Atlantic" record company initially refused, but eventually, a compromise was reached whereby the band's logo would be framed in a thin gray line on a black background. Unlike the album cover, the music was far from sad and gloomy. The first song on the album "Hells Bells" is a tribute to Bon Scott, but there is also an irony in it with the wink to the previous album, "Highway To Hell", which turned out to be Scott's swan song. Brian Johnson's lyrics speak to his anxieties in trying to adapt to environmental change and the pressure to get used to his new band. Despite the gloomy beginning, the body of the song is more rhythmic and pulsating. The song opens with four church bells ringing before the main riff leading the song enters, as a tribute to Bon Scott. After entering the riff the bell continues to ring another 9 times. It was clear to the band that they would not use a bell effect to honor the memory of their good friend, so they insisted on recording a real church bell. The recordings were not so simple and had to be repeated over and over again, sometimes in different locations, since the ringing of the bell caused wing owners in the area to fly and the heavy wings noise was heard on the recording. No less than 15 microphones placed in different locations around the bell are used for recording to pick up a sound that is as close as possible to the original ring tone. It is interesting to note that when this song was played in performances, Brian Johnson was the one who struck a similar bell that was created especially for the band. This song also expresses, already in its first verse the difficulties the band went through during the recordings in the Bahamas and the fact that they experienced harsh weather during the process. Brian Johnson chose to open the song with the lyrics: "I'm a rolling thunder, a pouring rain I'm comin' on like a hurricane My lightning's flashing across the sky You're only young but you're gonna die" Five songs later, the theme song that opens the second side of the vinyl runs right like a thread from "Highway To Hell" of the previous album, through "Hells Bels" which opens the current album to "Back In Black". The band seems to have put some thought into the location of the songs, which is probably not coincidental. Now imagine the "black phoenix" rising on the "Highway To Hell" to ring the bells, and after being burned in the fire of hell rising from his own ashes, only to return in black. This timeless song opens with one of the most famous counts in rock history, with Phil Rudd's high-hat igniting the song at an incredible pace and Young's guitar producing from its strings one of the greatest riffs ever written. Brian Johnson's singing during the verses is a bit reminiscent of rap singers and the choruses are being built up to the climax with a crescendo. Mutt Lange's production is at its peak with the dual guitar formula which is simply pure energy. Every song on this album is the perfection of writing, performing, and producing. "Hells Bells" and "Back In Black" about which we wrote above. "You Shook Me All Night Long" which is the first single with Brian Johnson, the first song released from the album, and the first that Johnson wrote with the band, and includes guitar work that is among the best of the Young Brothers. Brian Johnson coined the iconic words "She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean" after watching pictures of American girls during the recordings of the album. He suddenly realized that women and cars were very similar. They are fast (run away), disappoint you, but then make you happy again when a "new model" comes out. "Shoot to Thrill" was not released as a single, but was "grinded" on radio stations until it became a classic that even "Marvel" chose it to the soundtrack of "Iron Man 2" and "The Avengers". The guitars in this song sound different from the rest of the album since the recording method were different during which two guitar amplifiers were placed in two different spaces in the studio, when the recorded sound from both was compressed into one of the guitar channels. Angus Young and Malcolm Young were praised for their guitar work in this song, whose solo even went into quite a few charts of the greatest guitar solos of all time. "What Do You Do for Money Honey" with the genius reef, is the ultimate "Gold Digger" anthem and talks about women who instead of working cling to rich men and extort their money. "Given the Dog, a Bone" deals with oral sex, and "Let Me Put My Love into You" which comes right after deals with the same subject only from "another direction", with clever words by Brian Johnson who seems to have tried to continue with his predecessor's lyrical line. In 1985 the song received the "Filthy 15" rating the "worst" rating from the "Parental Censorship Organization" (PMRC) which used to label albums with words dealing with violence, sex, drugs, alcohol, and more. To tell the truth, almost any "AC/DC" song could have met these criteria, but the PMRC members chose this particular song to get the worst rating. Of course, the warning stickers did just the opposite, especially with the fans who were well aware of the lyrical content of the band and only got a nice backwind from the attention their beloved band gets. It is hard to believe but the closing song "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" was actually written as a "filler" by Malcolm Young, at the request of producer Mutt Lange. He wrote it in the studio, within 15 minutes, while the rest of the band went out to dinner. 12 seconds into the song we hear Brian Johnson's cigarette lighter ignite followed by a puff. That's it, he and his friends can relax in the armchair, lift their fingers to all the critics who thought they would not recover from Bon Scott's death, all those who thought rock 'n' roll was just "polluting noise", all those who thought the band recycles itself to death. All of these songs and others have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that "AC/DC" has completed the fastest and biggest comeback in the history of music. "Back In Black" did not renew anything. It did not invent any new musical style nor did it signal any cultural change. Instead, "Back In Black" proved that sometimes greatness is actually in the lack of change. If you do something good, then keep doing the same thing, only bigger, and more powerful. "Back In Black" proved that the genius of "AC/DC" is actually in simplicity and minimalism. If you look at the history of "AC/DC" over the years you can see that the band stuck to more or less the same simple and minimalist formula. With no substantial diversity in style or far-reaching changes in sound, "AC/DC" has managed throughout its career to bring out Masterpiece after Masterpiece, despite the apparent stagnation. Legendary producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who accompanied them on the album "Highway To Hell" recognized this immediately and made sure that the changes he made, to make the band accessible to the general public, would not harm its DNA. More details on the meteoric encounter between the band and Lang in a review of the album celebrating a birthday the next day. 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"Metallica's" debut album was released on July 25, 1983 !!! And this time, for a change, let's open with a personal story... A teenage boy in the early 1980s decides to get on the wrong bus and instead of going to school, he is on his way to the center of Tel Aviv, to the "Allegro" legendary record store on Sheinkin Street. Allegro was one of three record stores that were his refuge and balm from the usual difficulties that every teenager goes through in his adolescence, but also a place of pilgrimage where he studied and was educated: eat, drink, and study music. Although the "Allegro" store specialized mainly in classical music, at its southeastern end was a respectable department devoted entirely to the genres of "Heavy Rock" and "Heavy Metal." The one who ran this department with a high hand was Effie "Metal" Shafrir, who served just like a spiritual father to that boy. Effie made sure to feed the boy the right doses of hard rock classics combined with contemporary kicking metal music. One day, Effie "Metal" Shafrir put "Metallica's" album "Kill 'Em All" on the turntable, and as soon as the needle touched the first track of the vinyl record, the boy's head began to spin at the speed of light. Anyone who is familiar with the first vinyl releases of the album knows that on the back of it is written the sentence: "Bang that head that doesn't bang." - R. Burch ‘83. This phrase was dedicated to one of the band's fans called Ray Burch and who was known for the headbanging he performed in the band's first appearances (who knows maybe he's also the first headbanger). The band also dedicated the song "Whiplash" from the album to those fans. "Whiplash" is the punch that a person feels in the neck during a car accident when the head is thrown back and forth, and this is exactly the homage that Metallica sought to convey to fans who moved their heads frantically during performances. This sentence, which for some reason was deleted in the reissues of the album, was so true and genuine. It accurately described the feelings of that boy at that formative moment. Everything he knew up to that moment was not even close to the sounds emanating from the ragged headphones. This combination of hard-core punk with heavy metal created a kind of insane symbiosis that changed his whole worldview. Shortly afterward every album that came out exploded, albums by "Slayer", "Anthrax", and later also "Megadeth", a new world opened up, and thrash metal was born!!! This album is the formation of the band In the making as they say... Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield formed the band, which in its early days included Ron McGovney on bass and Dave Mustaine who came to the band through a newspaper ad, on lead guitar. (Photo: metallica.com) Even before the release of the album, the above-mentioned band released no less than 6 demo "albums" with which they tried to convince record labels and tour directors to let them perform or record. The demos included songs that came out later on the album and also covers. "No Life 'til Leather" is one of the prominent demos that brought the local scene to discover who "Metallica" is. But two significant changes took place in the lineup ahead of the album recording, bassist Ron left the band in light of confrontations he had with Dave, and not long after, Dave was fired from the band in light of the heavy use of alcohol and drugs and the severe quarrels he had with Lars and James. Ron was replaced by bassist Cliff Burton who conditioned his joining on the band's move from Los Angeles to San Francisco and Kirk Hammett who received the invitation to replace Dave on that famous phone call while sitting in the restroom. (Photo: Fin Costello) Since the band did not have the funding or record label to produce the album, Lars called Jon Zazula, a New Jersey record store manager, and metal band publicist, to ask for his support which in return, "Metallica" allowed him to sell the "No Life 'to Leather" demo. This move also helped establish the "Megaforce Records" label, as no record company agreed to fund the album. Kirk who came from the band "Exodus", learned all the songs for the album during his flight to meet the band members. They took producer Paul Curcio and in just two weeks recorded the entire album away from home, at Music America Studios in New York. Since they had no place to live during the recordings, they slept with friends and acquaintances in the city and in "Anthrax's" rehearsal room in New York. The cost of the album is estimated at $ 15,000 which almost led to the bankruptcy of John and his label. That even so he had a hard life finding a distributor. After much effort, John was able to persuade Relativity Records to distribute it. The first two songs the band wrote for the album were "Hit The Light" which opens the album and tells about the thrill the band feels on stage when they see the audience raging, and "Jump In The Fire" which was released as the second single from the album and according to Lars was "Metallica's" reaction to the Iron Maiden's song "Run to The Hills", which was plowing on alternative US radio stations at the time. The band was also looking for one song that would be a little more "catchy" and that was the one. The song was written from Satan's point of view who tempts people to sin, he wrote it in response to the religious coercion he experienced from his mother who was a member of the Messianic organization Jehovah's Witnesses. The song "The Four Horsemen" is another song that Dave co-wrote. This is an incarnation of the song "The Mechanix" that appeared in a demo from 1982 - "No Life 'Til Leather", and later also appeared in its original version on the debut album of Dave "Megadeth's" band from 1985 - "Killing Is My Business..." at 3:26 of The song can be found in a rhythm reminiscent of the song "Sweet Home Alabama." Dave noted that at the time he listened a lot to "Lynyrd Skynyrd" and that was his tribute to the Southern Blues band. The title of the song, which speaks of "the four riders", is taken from John in the New Testament, but also contains a wink to the four members of the band. The song "Motorbreath" is the only one of the band whose credit is given solely to James Hetfield and it talks about people doing nothing with their debtors. The instrumental track "Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)" is one of Rock's greatest and most appreciated bass solo pieces, showcasing Cliff Burton's amazing abilities. And his virtuosic abilities as well as his ability to compose, arrange and control the bass guitar with effects like distortion and wah-wah which is mostly known to be used by guitars at that time. The song "Seek & Destroy" was based by Hetfield on the song "Dead Reckoning" by the "Diamond Head" band, which was the band he adored and as mentioned, also performed several covers for its songs. This album, which celebrates its birthday today, is one of the first moments in which the Thrash Metal genre was documented, a genre that set new standards in music. Extremely high speed, accuracy, power, and endurance. Just at the same time that glam and heavy metal began to lift their heads, four Los Angeles-San Francisco punks made sure to push the metal straight up the $#% $. Not for nothing did they intend to crown the name of the album "Metal up your ass", but the record company's resolute opposition forced them to change the title to something a little more refined and exclusive: "Kill 'Em All". Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July 25, 1969 "Jethro Tull" released their second album "Stand Up". This album emerged during a pivotal moment for the band, as their original guitarist Mick Abrahams left due to creative differences with frontman Ian Anderson. While their 1968 debut album, "This Was", was rooted in blues rock, Anderson sought to blend folk, jazz, and classical influences into their sound. The album still shows a great blues influence, as in the first track "A New Day Yesterday", but it masterfully balances other genres, resonating with fans and reaching No. 1 on the UK album charts. "Jethro Tull's" origins trace back to the early 1960s in Blackpool, England, where several future members were part of "John Evan Band". By 1967, Ian Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick moved to London and teamed up with Abrahams and drummer Clive Bunker. Naming themselves after an 18th-century agriculturist, "Jethro Tull" quickly made their mark in the London club scene. Anderson, initially a guitarist, adopted the flute as his main instrument, feeling he couldn’t compete with the likes of Eric Clapton. The use of the flute expanded in this album as of the range of musical instruments Ian Anderson played, like the Hammond organ, mandolin, balalaika and more. After Abrahams' departure, the band briefly recruited Tony Iommi, who later returned to his group "Earth" (soon to be renamed "Black Sabbath"). Martin Barre was eventually chosen as the new guitarist, solidifying the lineup for decades. Prior to recording "Stand Up", the band released the single "Living in the Past," which became one of their most iconic songs and marked Barre’s first recording with "Jethro Tull". Although it is not a concept album, the lyrics refer to Anderson's "shaky" relationship with his parents, especially in the song "Back to the Family" and "To a Thousand Mothers" and a mixture of biographical anecdotes or experiences from his personal life. The difficult life before the band's success was described in the song "We Were Meant To Know" - in memory of the difficult life that Anderson and bassist Glen Cornick had at the head of the group. This poem also describes financial and physical difficulties they experienced and to some extent related to their relationship with the family. The album opens with a bluesy, riff-heavy track that sets a robust tone - "A New Day Yesterday". Barre’s guitar work is prominent with a stereo-shifting guitar effect, giving the song a raw edge, while Anderson's gritty vocals and dynamic flute playing add a unique layer. The second track "Jeffrey Goes to Leicester Square" veers into folk territory with its acoustic arrangement where Anderson played on a balalaika and sing whimsical lyrics. The softer sound contrasts nicely with the album’s heavier moments, showcasing the band’s versatility. The track includes guitar and bass riffs with an asymmetrical structure. This song was a tribute to Anderson's friend Jeffrey Hammond, who was also referenced on "This Was" and would later join "Jethro Tull" as bassist in 1970 After that comes the standout track, "Bourée". A jazz-infused reworking of a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach. Anderson’s flute takes center stage, delivering intricate, lively melodies over a walking bass line. This track is a perfect example of the band’s ability to blend classical influences with contemporary rock. Ending the first side of the vinyl is "Back to the Family", featuring dynamic tempo changes and introspective lyrics, this song alternates between mellow verses and more intense, rock-driven choruses. Barre’s guitar, Glenn Cornick bass and Anderson’s flute interplay beautifully throughout, until the Climax in the end with the guitar-flute solo. The second side start with "Look Into the Sun" A more reflective and melodic piece that highlights Anderson’s ability to craft emotive, lyrical ballads. The acoustic guitar and gentle flute create a soothing, almost pastoral atmosphere. Anderson played the bass on this song as bassist Glenn Cornick was not present at the session. The next track "Nothing Is Easy" is energetic and assertive. This track showcases the band’s rock credentials that will develop in the near future in albums like Aqualung. It's a jazz-rock song with drums and electric guitar that contrasts with the acoustic material on the album, driven by a powerful rhythm section and punctuated by Anderson’s vigorous flute solos and emphatic vocals. In "Fat Man" the band use exotic instrumentation like the mandolin, this track has an Eastern-influenced sound. The playful lyrics and distinctive arrangement make it one of the more memorable songs on the album. Anderson wrote the song as a reference to guitarist Mick Abrahams, however, he said that the song was not intended to insult. One of the best tracks on the album is "We Used to Know". The chord progression in this song was picked up by the "Eagles" for their song "Hotel California". This track features one of the album’s most compelling guitar solos that will also remind you of the Eagles’ "Hotel California" ones. The song’s contemplative lyrics and steady build create a poignant atmosphere. The track "Reasons for Waiting" is a beautiful, acoustic-based song, that highlights Anderson’s vocal and flute skills with influences from Roy Harper. The addition of strings enriches the arrangement, giving it a lush, orchestral feel. The album ends up with "For a Thousand Mothers" .A high-energy number with a complex arrangement, featuring dynamic shifts and compelling instrumental interplay. It ends the album on a powerful note, emphasizing the band’s musical prowess and creativity. "Stand Up" is a unique and groundbreaking album in "Jethro Tull’s" discography, showcasing their transition from blues rock to a more eclectic sound. With the addition of Martin Barre and the incorporation of diverse musical influences combining progressive rock with a variety of styles, "Jethro Tull" paved its way to future successes. The album was chosen number 513 in the list of the 1000 greatest albums of all time compiled by Colin Larkin in the third edition (2000). It influenced many notable musicians, including Eddie Vedder, Tom Hamilton, Joe Bonamassa, and Joe Satriani. Ian Anderson himself regards it as his favorite "Jethro Tull" album, highlighting its importance as a collection of original music. Following the album's release, the band continued to build momentum with successful singles like "Sweet Dream" and "Witches Promise," entering the 1970s with great momentum. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July 24, 2001, "Avenged Sevenfold" released their debut studio album. Let us tell you 20 facts about it: 1. The album was recorded in November 2000 on a budget of only $ 2,000. 2. The name of the album is taken from Chapter 11 in the "Book of John's Vision" or the "Book of Revelation" in the New Testament. 3. The album's style tends to be Metalcore with quite a few growling excerpts from M. Shadows. 4. Taking the vocal lead on the song "The Art of Subconscious Illusion" is Valary DiBenedetto, M. Shadows' future wife. 5. In one take, drummer "The Rev" recorded all drum roles for the album songs. (Photo: Lisa Johnson) 8. Only then did the rest of the band recorded the vocals and the rest of the instruments. 7. Guitarist Zacky Vengeance recorded both the rhythm & leading guitar roles. 8. After the recordings were done, guitarist Synyster Gates joined and then the band re-recorded the the song "To End the Rapture" in a heavy metal style and with Gates' guitar solo. 9. This version of the song with Gates's solo was first released as a single released for the song "Warmness on the Soul" in 2001. 10. The band later re-recorded the entire album with Gates on lead guitar and this version of the album was released in March 2002. 11. Only one single was released from the album - "Warmness on the Soul". 12. Although not released as a single, the song "Darkness Surrounding" became the album's major hit and some say it shaped the future of the Metalcore genre 13. This is the band's only album featuring bassist Justin Sane. 14. Sane joined during the recording of the album after replacing former bassist Matt Wendt. 15. Beyond playing the bass, he also received credit for playing the piano on the album. 16. After the album's release, in August 2001, Sane attempted suicide by drinking large amounts of cough syrup. 17. Since the band was scheduled to tour immediately after the album's release, it was forced to replace Sane, who entered a mental institution and was replaced by a new bassist - Dameon Ash. 18. Although the date adopted as the official release date of the album is 24/7/2001, on the band's official website the release date appears as 31/1/2001. However, it is known that the original release date of January has been postponed several times to April and later to June, so it seems that the date adopted is probably the correct one. 19. The album was not very successful in sales, selling only 300 copies in the first week of its release. 20. As of 2010 the album sold only 370,000 copies. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July 24, 1970 "Yes released their second album "Time and a Word". The album represents a significant step in their evolution towards the intricate and expansive progressive rock sound for which they would later become renowned. Released in 1970, the album is notable for its incorporation of orchestral arrangements, a bold move that sets it apart from its predecessor and hints at the band's ambitious future. The album was initially met with a lukewarm reception and remains somewhat overshadowed by the band's later masterpieces from 1971 to 1974. However, it's a noteworthy album that captures the band's gradual maturation and their early efforts to craft a unique sound distinct from their contemporaries. Orchestration: One of the defining features of "Time and a Word" is the orchestral arrangements by Tony Cox. At the time, incorporating orchestral elements into rock music was gaining popularity, and "Atlantic Records", pushed "Yes" for a similar direction. Jon Anderson agreed to have Tony Cox write orchestral arrangements, but the addition of strings and trumpets often overshadowed the band's performances. While ambitious, at times, the integration of orchestral elements enhanced the music, adding a layer of sophistication and drama. However, there are moments when it feels somewhat intrusive, overshadowing the band's performances. Despite this, the experimentation with orchestration is a testament to "Yes's" willingness to innovate and take risks. Peter Banks's Last Stand: "Time and a Word" is also notable for being the last "Yes" album to feature original guitarist Peter Banks. Banks faced significant challenges during the recording, including conflicts with producer Tony Colton and frustration with the orchestral arrangements drowning out his guitar work. The tensions eventually led to Banks's dismissal in April 1970, making way for Steve Howe, who would become a key figure in Yes's subsequent success and development. Highlights: The opening track "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed" is an electrifying cover of Richie Havens' song. It opens with an orchestral theme taken from the soundtrack to the 1958 Western film The Big Country by Jerome Morossthis and beeing driven by dynamic orchestral flourishes that add a dramatic edge. Jon Anderson's soaring vocals and Peter Banks's spirited guitar work shine through, setting a high-energy tone for the album. The second track "Then" is a standout track that features complex time signatures and a rich tapestry of sound. Chris Squire bass playing is brilliant and Tony Kaye's keyboard work is particularly notable, adding depth and texture to the composition. The orchestration here complements the band's performance rather than overpowering it. The seventh track "Astral Traveller" showcases the band's burgeoning interest in more experimental and spacey themes. Chris Squire's bass playing is both inventive and propulsive, anchoring the song's ethereal atmosphere. Bill Bruford's drumming is precise and dynamic, driving the track forward with an assured touch. The closing song and the title track "Time and a Word" is a perfect closing number, encapsulating the album's themes of hope and introspection. The orchestral arrangement is minimal, while Anderson's vocals convey a heartfelt message. It's a fitting end to an album that strives to push boundaries. Cover Controversy: The album cover also has an interesting history. The original European cover featured bold female nudity in a style reminiscent of Salvador Dali, which was censored in the American release. The U.S. cover showed the band with Steve Howe, who did not play on the album. Howe also appeared in the video clip for the song "Then" adding to Peter Banks's frustration. Conclusion: "Time and a Word" is a fascinating snapshot of "Yes" in a period of transition. It captures the band at a moment when they were beginning to explore more complex musical landscapes and experiment with their sound. While not without its flaws, the album's ambition and adventurous spirit are commendable. It may not yet reach the heights of their later masterpieces, but "Time and a Word" is an essential listen for fans interested in the evolution of progressive rock and the early steps of one of the genre's most influential bands. The subsequent arrival of Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman would propel Yes to new heights, but "Time and a Word" remains a significant part of their journey, reflecting their evolving sound and the challenges they faced along the way. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

The Transformers of Metal !!! - The first episode in the series: "The Rise of the Transformers of Metal" Beyond the fact that they are made of metal, the Transformers are alien robots - "Shape Shifters", who are in a constant struggle to preserve the good and protect life. On July 24, 1990, "Pantera" proved to the world that they are "the transformer of metal". What's more, the band members have proven that they belong to a very rare breed of "Shape Shifters" - a bunch of aliens of two shapes and insanely talented, just like the Transformers. Not only that, but the same group of "Shape Shifters" have set themselves a goal - to fiercely defend all the good that exists in metal. On the way to achieving their goal, "the transformer of metal" (Panthera) fought the "Decepticons" - the big record companies who were just looking for ways to institutionalize, refine, and trade thrash metal in exchange for piles of silver and gold. If you are currently rubbing your eyes and are sure you have accidentally stumbled upon a Fox Kids or Disney Jr. page, check back. And if you still do not understand what the hell we are talking about, then we are talking about "Cowboys from Hell" released by "Pantera" on this day in 1990. This is Pantera's fifth album that marked the completion of the band's transformation and the end of the transition from glam and heavy metal to thrash metal to what would be called groove metal or post-thrash. The band simply changed its face from end to end (and not just in appearance) and moved from music influenced by bands like "Van Halen" and "Kiss" to "Slayer", "Metallica" and "Black Sabbath". It is enough to look at the cover of the band's previous album - "Power Metal" from 1988 and compare it to the band's photos from 1990 to understand the magnitude of the change that has taken place in the band. On the album cover appear a band with puffy haircuts rich in hair spray. It seems that "Panthera's" external change was enough to justify the title "Transformers of Metal". but no! The external change the band went through was just the tip of the iceberg in the process. The band abandoned the musical styles that characterized it on the previous four albums - glam, hair, and heavy metal and adopted a completely new style, which was expressed in a lot of brutalities, speed, powerful rhythms, and musical techniques that were familiar mainly in the thrash metal genre. The change in style was not only in playing but also in singing, as singer Phil Anselmo began to add a lot of rage and power to his singing, screams, roars, and growling motifs that did not exist in previous albums. The overall sound of the band also changed substantially and became rough, heavy, metallic, and even sawing. Listen to the guitar sound of Dimebag Darrell (then called Diamond Darrell) already at the opening of the album and you will immediately understand the comparison to an electric saw. Although the process of "transformation" began on the previous album from 1988 with the addition of Phil Anselmo as a singer, that album still included motifs of glam and heavy metal that disappeared completely on "Cowboys from Hell". To complete the picture, we should note that the process that the band went through even gone further in the band's next album "Vulgar Display of Power" from 1992, an album that as its name implies - A vulgar and edgy purposeful display of anger, power and strength designed to be a deliberate protest against the “commercialization” process that bands like Metallica went through in their "black album". At the time "Pantera" felt there was some vacuum that Metallica had left and this was an opportunity to fill it, so they thought of making their heaviest album ever. We said Transformers, so this process that "Pantera" went through required a lot of courage, since they went the exact opposite way thrash bands went, and moved from a friendlier sound they had in the 80s to a much less accessible sound from the early 90s. "Metallica", "Testament" and even "Megadeth" succumbed to the pressure of the record companies and tried to produce "metal for the masses", but "Pantera" swam against the current and fought to achieve just the opposite. And the result was accordingly. "Cowboys from Hell" introduced us to a masterpiece of a reborn band. Awesome drumming by Vinnie Paul, ingenious solos by Dimebag Darrell with his whistling sound technique first introduced here, perfect singing by Phil Anselmo, and the lyrics .... just listen to "Cemetery Gates" and understand what we're talking about. From the breaking and sawing opening riff of the theme song to Anselmo's shaky scream at the end of the song "The Art of Shredding", this album explodes with absolute intensity. It's a powerful and forceful show, violent and aggressive, frantic and raging, screaming with full throat the arrival of "Pantera" to the world of thrash metal, a world that was not exactly ready for the atomic bomb that was about to fall on it. By the time the grunge was about to burst out and most of the 80s metal bands become non-relevant, "Pantera’s" resurgence was like an adrenaline rush into the sick heart of metal. The change the band went through was so substantial that until this day some fans and critics see "Cowboys from Hell" as the band's first album and not the fifth. The Abbott brothers, Phil and Rex created a style that although sounded as familiar as thrash metal, was still more innovative and energetic. They took the thrash and slowed it down to emphasize the heaviness of the riffs and the grooves of the rhythm. They combined the melodies of "Judas Priest", the rage of "Metallica" (in its heyday), and the Texan and groovy rhythm of "ZZ Top" to create a new sub-style that will breathe life into the metal scene. Between Dimebag's fast and catchy riffs and Vinnie Paul and Rex Brown's tight and impressive rhythm division, there's one singer who pushes this whole enterprise forward and does a most impressive job on all the tracks on the album, without exception. He manages to stretch his voice from a low, animalistic growling growl to the high-pitched screams and pushes this album along with the entire band forward. It is interesting to note that to reach the amazing range of sounds and some of the high notes, Phil Anselmo used sweet and strong port wine, all on the advice of producer Terry Date who produced "Soundgarden's" album "Louder Than Love" which "Pantera" members loved. Date told Anselmo that singer Chris Cornell used to sip port wine before recording his voice roles, Anselmo got the advice and it was a huge success. This may be what earned Terry Date the role of producer on subsequent "Pantera" albums. The theme song "Cowboys from Hell" became the band's anthem and gave the band members the nickname - "The Cowboys from Hell". "Cemetery Gates" is considered one of the band's greatest songs and is without a doubt one of the favorites of its fans. Dimebag's solo in this song was ranked in a survey conducted by "Guitar World" magazine in the 35th place on the list of the 100 best solos of all time. The song was inspired by the suicides of two of Phil Anselmo's friends from New Orleans. Not many know, but bassist Rex Brown was the one who wrote the classic intro to the song, and also played rhythm guitar in the theme song "Cowboys from Hell". "Psycho Holiday" got its name after bassist Rex Brown purchased a plane ticket to New Orleans for Phil Anselmo and wrote the words "Psycho Holiday" on the envelope. Phil was then into LSD and Rex thought it would be good for him to fly to his hometown city and clear his head a bit. "Primal Concrete Sledge" was the last written for the album, in 10 minutes. It started with an impromptu jam session with Vinnie Paul's nervous drumming at the end of the recordings. Dimebag Darrell got excited and asked Vinnie to continue with it and added the iconic riff that created the song. The phrase Vinnie Paul shouts at the beginning of the song "Domination" is: "First take like a motherfucker!" This actually was the first take of the song which was also chosen as the one that would eventually enter the album. The entire album was ranked by readers of "Guitar World" magazine at number 11 on the list of the 100 best guitar albums of all time. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

His big curly hair is undoubtedly one of his hallmarks, but he is a little more than that... Something from the center of his chest goes through the nerves and veins towards his hands, where he gets an ultrasonic intensity multiplier, emotion, and soft tenderness as if he were a senior surgeon he touches the strings and creates sounds, riffs, rhythms, and solos that can make our tissues have a life of their own !! So here are some really short things about this musical and phenomenal phenomenon called SLASH!! (Photo: Wallpapercrafter.com) = His real name is Saul Hudson and he was born on July 23, 1965, in Hampstead, London to an Anglo-American family. = His mother was a clothing and costume designer under whose clothes a lot of musicians and celebrities went through including David Bowie, Ringo Starr, Janis Joplin, and more. His father was an English artist who, among other things, designed record covers for Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. = He was born and raised in England but at age five, he moved to Los Angeles with his father to join his mother who had moved a year earlier to design costumes for the entertainment industry in the city. = When his parents broke up he spent a lot of time with his mother at work rubbing shoulders with musicians and actors, in one case he spent a lot of time with actor Seymour Cassel, who gave him the nickname "Slash" because he always ran everywhere and was frenzied. = In 1979 Slash decided to enter the field of music and began playing various string instruments until he heard one of his music teachers play the song "Brown Sugar" by "the Rolling Stones" and from there his soul was captivated by the guitar. (Photo: Marc S Canter) = By the way... he was a BMX cycling champion and attended high school with Lenny Kravitz. = His first band was "Tidus Sloan" in 1981 when two years later he formed his own band called "Road Crew" with a childhood friend named Steven Adler. They recruited a bassist through a newspaper ad named Duff McKagan. The three played and wrote together but had no singer, leading to the band's disbanding shortly after its formation. = To make a long story short (we need a separate post for this telenovela) in 1985, a combination of the bands "Hollywood Rose" and "L.A. Guns" created the legend called "Guns N' Roses". The band was made up of Slash's drummer and childhood friend Steven Adler, bassist Duff McKagan, guitarist Izzy Stradlin and singer Axl Rose. (Photo: Geffen Records) = After rehearsals of only two days, the band started its way through the streets of Los Angeles performing in small clubs and roaming the streets. At the time Slash stole a black hat and a leather belt with silver buckles and created his famous look with the hat and cigarette. (Photo: Kevin Winter) = In 1986 the band signed a recording contract with the record label Geffen Records and released their first EP called "Live ?!" @ Like a Suicide" so that fans would have something to listen to while the band was not performing and working on recordings of their debut album. = In 1987 came out the best-selling debut album of all time in the US. when Guns released their debut album "Appetite for Destruction" which celebrated its birthday two days ago... and what a legendary... exemplary... huge... album with songs that became a milestone in the world of music! = Slash sat for hours in the studio to find the right sound, he combined different guitars and different amps until he finally found the right formula, his all-too-familiar sound, a combination of an iconic Gibson Les Paul guitar replica with a Marshall amp. = One of the beautiful stories about Guns rise is the tour with "Aerosmith", as part of Guns' tour they were an opening act for "Iron Maiden" and "Aerosmith". Towards the end of the tou,r Guns became so big that the opening act overshadowed the main act. The audience came to see Guns more than they came to see "Aerosmith" and when "Roling Stone magazine" came to do an article on "Aerosmith", the result was a picture of Guns on the front page of the magazine. = In 1988 the band released their second album "G N 'R Lies", how much talent and how much courage the band had to release a second album, an album that is almost entirely acoustic (we know another one like this). The only single from the album was "Patience" which just broke hearts like a ruthless baseball bat. = In 1990 Slash and his friend Duff McKagan were featured on Iggy Pop's "Brick by Brick" album and even co-wrote one of the songs. = In 1991, the band released two albums together, two unbelievable albums in which each song is a masterpiece in itself, the albums "Use Your Illusion I & II". Both albums reached number one and number two on Billboard 200, making Guns the first band in the US to have two albums taking the top of the charts. = After two and a half years of touring the world (which included a horrible show in Israel) which saw ups and downs, violent and disturbing events, frictions and plots and a lot of good music that came to an end, along with its band. Slash last appeared with Guns in July 1993. = At the end of that year, Guns released its latest album with the classic lineup, "The Spaghetti Incident". The album consisted of covers mostly of songs by old punk bands. Three years later Slash officially announced that he was leaving the band. = In 1994 Slash formed the band "Slash's Snakepit", he collected Gilby, Matt, Mike Inez from "Alice in Chains", and Eric Dover's "Jellyfish" singer, and released his debut album in his solo career in 1995, "It's Five O'clock Somewhere". The album was composed of material that Slash wrote for what was supposed to be Guns' next album but did not materialize. What's nice is that the whole album was written together by the band members and not Slash alone. Two years later the band disbanded and Slash went on a tour with his blues band "Slash’s Blues Ball". (Photo: Slashparadise.com) = In 1999 he revived the "Snakepit" band with other musicians and released his second album "Ain't Life Grand". The album was not as successful as the previous album but Slash and his friends went on a tour as an opening act for "AC/DC". The band disbanded three years later. = In 2000, Slash gifted Joe Perry of "Aerosmith" his original 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Perry had been forced to sell the guitar in the 1980s during a difficult financial period, and Slash later acquired it without Perry knowing. When Perry eventually discovered that the guitar was in Slash’s collection and tried to buy it back, Slash refused to sell it. Instead, for Perry’s 50th birthday, he returned the guitar to him as a personal gesture of respect and gratitude for the influence Perry had on him. = In 2002 through the companionship of a mutual friend the old Guns members, Slash, Duff, and Matt returned to collaborate. They decided it was fun to play together and they formed the band "Velvet Revolver". They enlisted guitarist Dave Kushner but it was not at all easy for them to find a singer, even though they did so through a reality show on VH1. Finally, the one who agreed (after many pleas) was Scott Weiland, the singer of "Stone Temple Pilots". (Photo: Rocco Guarino) = Their debut album "Contraband" came out in 2004 and was a huge success when it reached number one on the Billboard 200, was nominated for three Grammy Awards, and won one. Slash's amazing sound with the strong riffs and Scott's voice were a strong combination. = Three years later this band, which can even be called a supergroup, releases their second album "Libertad". This album was also a huge success and reached number five on the Billboard 200. Great singles came out of it like: "She Builds Quick Machines", "The Last Fight", "Get Out the Door" and "Let It, Roll". = Although in 2010 the band members entered the studio to start recordings for the third album, they were again without a singer. They recorded about nine songs but since the singer issue was not resolved, they decided to go on a hiatus without a return date... = A year earlier Slash had started working alone on another solo album, this time with no one from the past or future but only himself. He said the work on the album was a soothing therapy, he did not have to deal with anyone or make decisions with anyone but himself. It probably made him feel very good but he also missed working with other people so he decided to add some friends to the album. = In early 2010 the album "Slash" was released, an album that Slash wrote mostly on his own (although there is a lot of credit to others) but he added artists to the album, mostly singers from all corners of the musical spectrum like Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie, Chris Cornell, Adam Levine, and many others. The album was a great success all over the world as it conquered the top of the charts. = On the same album there was another singer named Myles Kennedy (who we love so much), an amazing musical and personal connection was forged between the two and together they formed the band "Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators". Without a doubt, the two work well together and with such a supportive and talented band it is no wonder that they are so good. (Photo: Blabbermouth.net) = This band released their debut album "Apocalyptic Love" in 2012 and two years later released their second album "World on Fire". On the first album, Myles contributed the role of accompaniment guitar and vocals, and on the second album only the vocals due to his busy schedule with his mother band "Alter Bridge", on both albums, Myles co-wrote and composed the music. = In 2018 the band released their third album "Living the Dream", there is no doubt that on this album this band already sounds like a mature and united band that has its own uniqueness and characteristics. = In 2016 the unbelievable happened when Slash teamed up with Axl and Duff for what started the big comeback of the decade. Guns reunited secretly for a rehearsal at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles to pass the first test and they did pass it successfully embarking on the famous and incredible tour "Not in This Lifetime..." which of course we got to see in Israel and it was without a doubt the best show on the Holy Land (Maybe at all times). = Beyond the solo career and the rest of the bands we mentioned, Slash became a very famous guitarist, which led to a very great demand for collaboration from all musical ends. He played with Michael Jackson on several songs and even was part of his tour. He collaborated with his friend Lenny Kravitz on the album "Mama Said". He recorded with the hip-hop band "Insane Clown Posse". He participated in the recordings of the "Yardbirds'" comeback album called "Birdland" and many others. = Throughout most of his life Slash has been mixing drugs and alcohol, in the Guns era, one can hardly find a picture of him without a bottle of Jack Daniels. In 2001 he was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, a disease that affects the muscles of the heart as a result of heavy use of drugs and alcohol. As of 2005 Slash is free of chemicals. (Photo: Marc S Canter) = We no longer remember where we wrote this but it's hard not to get angry, imagine or cuddle up to the idea of what would have happened if... What would have happened if Guns had not fallen apart? How many masterful albums would we get? Not that we take off from Slash as a solo artist but just being a part of the show that was here in 2017 was an out-of-body experience. It is difficult to put a finger on what exactly caused the dissolution, but Slash said several times that he wanted to end the conflict with Axl but did not respond in the affirmative from the other side. = In 2012, the classic members of Guns were inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Axl was not present at the announcement ceremony claiming that his participation would be awkward and strange. = On July 9, 2019, just two years after Guns's unforgettable show, Slash performed with Myles and the Conspirators in Israel, and what a crazy show it was. "The Expo venue" in Tel Aviv was packed and the band gave their soul on stage led by Slash. We will never forget the crazy solo that Slash gave for more than 20 minutes!!! = In 2020 he played on Ozzy Osbourne's "Ordinary Man" album. = In August 2021, after more than 12 years, Guns releases a first single and a new song called "Absurd" with its three classic members. A month later they released another single called "Hard Skool". Both songs are materials written during the "Chinese Democracy" album period. = In February 2022, Slash released with his "Myles and the Conspirators", one can say already permanent and united, its fourth album, an album that bears the name "4". The album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Dave Cobb ("Rival Sons", "The Highwomen", Chris Stapleton, and more), and is somewhat different from the previous material released by the band in terms of sound and style. Producer Dave Cobb noted that the band members expressed their desire to record the album "live" as much as possible, including guitar solos and vocals. = In August 2023 Guns released two more songs "Perhaps" and "The General", which were also written during the period of "Chinese Democracy", to this day it is not clear if the band intends to release another album. By the way, an interesting fact is that the band rehearsed the song "Perhaps" for the first time on stage during the soundcheck at the concert that took place on June 5, 2023 in Tel Aviv!! = In 2024 he released a collaborative blues cover album called "Orgy of the Damned" featuring musicians and singers, including: Billy Gibbons, Chris Stapleton, Dorothy, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Brian Johnson, Beth Hart and more. = Before concluding here are some surprising facts... Slash was a kleptomaniac as a child, he even stole a guitar from "Hard Rock Cafe" in Orlando Florida, years later he returned the guitar at a media event. = He loves exotic animals. He used to own a lion named Curtis, today he owns several snakes, one of which is an anaconda called Sam. = He is also the owner of a horror film production company. His company produced, among other things, the film "Nothing Left to Fear". = Slash owns more than 100 guitars whose monetary value is estimated at more than $ 1.92 million !! = He started wearing the famous glasses simply because he was too shy to look the audience in the eye. = He is also a dinosaur freak who knows how to pronounce the name of each of them and tell you what his characteristics are. = Slash has won many titles and achievements including Guitarist of the Year in several magazines: "Rolling Stone" "Kerrang!", "Gigwise", "Metal Hammer", and more. In 2007 he was inducted into the "Rock Hall of Fame" alongside Jimmy Page, "Van Helen", and Jimi Hendrix. He of course entered the "Hall of Fame" with Guns and many others. In his honor, we have prepared a playlist for you, Click Play. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On July 23, 2021 Yngwie Malmsteen released his 22nd album "Parabellum". A new song from an upcoming album by virtuoso guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. This is Malmsteen's first album in two years, since his blues album "Blue Lightning" which included cover versions of artists such as Jimi Hendrix, "Deep Purple", "ZZ Top", George Harrison, "The Rolling Stones", and more. The album contains 10 songs, 4 of which will also include vocals. Yngwie promises that all the sounds we will listen to on the album will emanate from the guitar, even those we are sure are piano or keyboards. The song "Wolves at the Door" which also the opening track is fast and furious, a combination of speed metal and neo-classical with a little wink to one of Malmsteen's favorite composers - Nicolò Paganini. The album was recorded during the Covid-19 crisis and there is no information as to the musicians who participated in it, so we assume that Yngwie does almost everything himself. Tracklist: 1. Wolves At The Door 2. Presto Vivace in C# Minor 3. Relentless Fury 4. (Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum 5. Eternal Bliss 6. Toccata 7. God Particle 8. Magic Bullet 9. (Fight) The Good Fight 10. Sea Of Tranquility For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music Follow us on Facebook or Subscribe to our website "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog & Podcast

Here are some key facts about Martin Gore - Singer, multi-instrumentalist, one of the founding members of "Depeche Mode" and the band's main songwriter: (Photo: RMV/REX/SHUTTERSTOC) = Martin Lee Gore was born on July 23, 1961, in Dagenham, Essex, England. = He was raised by his stepfather David Gore and biological mother Pamela, who both worked at the Ford of Britain motor plant in Dagenham. His biological father was an African-American G.I. = He grew up in a "normal" and "stable" environment, but was an introverted child who preferred reading alone. = Gore attended Nicholas Comprehensive School in Basildon, where he shared a class with future bandmate Andy Fletcher. = He played in a local band called "Norman and the Worms" during school. = Gore taught himself to play the keyboard in the 1970s, influenced by acts like "Kraftwerk", the "Human League", and "OMD". = He purchased his first synthesizer, a Yamaha CS5, after borrowing a Korg 700S from a friend. = He was briefly a member of the synth-pop band "Soft Cell", before joining "Depeche Mode". = He joined "Composition of Sound" in 1980, which later became "Depeche Mode" after recruiting Dave Gahan as the lead singer. (Photo: Fanart.TV) = "Depeche Mode" released their debut album, "Speak & Spell", in 1981. Gore wrote "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Big Muff" for the album. = He became the principal songwriter for "Depeche Mode" after Vince Clarke left the band in 1981. = He penned over 100 original songs for "Depeche Mode". = He has an impressive vocal range, adding depth to "Depeche Mode’s" music. = Although Dave Gahan is the band's lead vocalist, Gore takes the lead in few songs on each album. Here are some examples: "It Doesn't Matter", "Somebody", "A Question Of Lust", "Sometimes", "It Doesn't Matter Two", "Black Day", "Home", "The Things You Said", "Sweetest Perfection", "Blue Dress", "Judas", "Breath", "Damaged People", "Jezebel". = He released 15 albums with "Depeche Mode" including "A Broken Frame" in 1982, "Construction Time Again" in 1983, "Black Celebration" in 1986, "Music for the Masses" in 1987, "Violator" in 1990, "Songs of Faith and Devotion" in 1993, "Ultra" in 1997, "Exciter" in 2001, "Playing the Angel" in 2005, "Sounds of the Universe" in 2009 and more. = "Depeche Mode" has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. = He first used the guitar as the main instrument on "Personal Jesus" from the album " Violator". = He is a multi-instrumentalist. He plays guitar, keyboard, bass guitar, drums, and accordion. = As a solo artist he released "Counterfeit" e.p. in 1989, "Counterfeit²" in 2003, "MG" in 2015, and "The Third Chimpanzee" in 2021. = Gore formed the techno duo "VCMG" with Vince Clarke, releasing the album "Ssss" in 2012. = He has a personal studio, "Electric Ladyboy", in Santa Monica, where he records solo work and writes music for "Depeche Mode". = Gore won Ivor Novello Award for "International Achievement" (1999). = He won Moog Innovation Award for contributions to sound in popular music (2019). = He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 with "Depeche Mode" members Dave Gahan, Andy Fletcher, Vince Clarke, and Alan Wilder. = Gore became a vegetarian in 1983 for health and moral reasons. = He experienced stress-induced seizures during the 1993 "Devotional Tour". = Gore battled with alcohol addiction, leading to a near-fatal overdose in 1994. = He was arrested in Denver during the Devotional Tour in 1993 for holding a loud party in his hotel room. = He is known for his flamboyant and androgynous stage persona and unique sense of style. = Gore supports various charities focused on mental health, human rights, and environmental conservation. = His favorite Synthesizer is the Roland Jupiter-8 synthesizer. = He is a supporter of Arsenal Football Club. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

The album "Nightmare" by the band Avenged Sevenfold was released on July 27, 2010 !! It is an album that was born into a huge tragedy and is considered by the fans as well as by the band itself, to be one of its darker and more emotional albums. This is the story of "Nightmare." In December 2009, drummer James “The Rev” Sullivan was found dead in his home. At first, the cause of his death was unknown and investigators were unable to reach an unequivocal determination. But a year later it was announced that his death was the result of the use of a large number and variety of drugs and dangerous substances at once. It is not known if the drug use was done intentionally, as a suicide attempt, or simply excessive consumption. After The Rev's death, the band considered breaking up and did not know how to move forward. They had already started working on the fifth album when The Rev was alive and even recorded several demos with him, but did not know what to do with it. A few months later and after receiving a lot of love and support from their fans, Avenged decided not to disappoint them and continue working on the album. Avenged fans are the kind of fans that are part of the band members. They are total! They love! They are imbued with passion !! Clear evidence of that we saw during the band's performance in Israel in 2019, even the band was shocked by the amount of love, and the audience's support and knowledge of the song's lyrics. The band described the album as: "Most personal and epic that will definitely take you on a very dark journey." (Photo: IMDB) The album was originally intended to be a dark and heavy concept album, but given the circumstances, it has changed slightly and deviated from its trajectory. The dark atmosphere did not have to be created, it was born of itself. After the tragedy, most of the lyrics on the album hovered around the life and death of REV. The huge drummer Mike Portnoy who was then a member of the "Dream Theater", whom the band members adored, did not hesitate for a moment when the band members asked him to get into REV's shoes. He entered a family that welcomed him with open arms and he in return gave respect and appreciation to the late drummer. Mike said he did his best to stick to the demos The Rev recorded and stick to his playing style in songs he did not record. REV still gets a presence here on the album, in the writing of the drum roles and in backing vocals that are not foreign to Portnoy in the songs "Nightmare" and "Fiction". The first single from the album was "Nightmare", it is one of two songs (the second "Danger Side") in which the lyrics remained as they were in the work on the album before the death of The Rev. The song refers to a man who has committed evil deeds in his life and is doomed to hell, M. Shadows sings the song from the point of view of the one who stays in hell. This song and "Buried Alive" are the only songs on the album that were not written on The Rev. The second single released from the album is "Welcome to the Family", the lyrics were mostly written by The Rev, and when the band recorded the song, Shadow finished writing the lyrics. The emotional ballad "So Far Away" was written entirely by guitarist Synyster Gates, originally the song was supposed to be written as a tribute to Syn's grandfather but in practice, after REV's death he changed the lyrics and dedicated the song to the legendary and beloved drummer. The video clip was shot at Huntington Beach where the band formed and from there, it moves to a studio where the rest of the band plays the song, with pictures and videos of REV appearing in the background. The song "Victim" is actually a lament on The Rev, there is nothing to say but read the sad and moving words: House full of roses A letter on the stairs A tape full of messages For anyone who cares Collage of broken words And stories full of tears Remembering your life 'Cause we wish that you were here The song "Fiction" was written by The Rev just three days before his death. The song was originally named "Death", but the band changed it during the recordings. As we wrote, the song contains backing vocals performed by the drummer. The last sentence he wrote in the song and is also the last he wrote before his death, is simply chilling: "I know you'll find your own way when I'm not with you" The song that seals the album "The Rev" is a mourning song, in which the band members take out their grief and pain after the death of their friend. Is one of the band's longest songs. The album cover has a tribute to the legendary drummer, while on the tombstone that appears on the front cover, there is the caption of the word FOREVER with the letters REV highlighted and prominent. Hope we did not depress you too much but we tried to convey the feelings and emotions we believe that enveloped the band during the creation of this album, for a moment do not think that this album consists of crying ballads. On the contrary, it combines anger, vent, aggression, and a whole storm of emotions. Now that you understand the content, listen to the music on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Here are some facts about drummer Nick Menza who is best known from the classic lineup of "Megadeth": (Photo: Mick Hutson) 1. He was born in Munich, Germany on July 23, 1964. His full name is Nicholas Menza. 2. His father, jazz musician Don Menza, was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army. 3. He started drumming at age two, when during the intermission someone sat him down on Jack DeJohnette's drums and he proceeded to play. 4. Menza's influences included renowned drummers like Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Nick Ceroli, Jeff Porcaro, and Louie Bellson. 5. At 18, he joined the band "Rhoads", featuring singer Kelle Rhoads, brother of the late Randy Rhoads. They released the album "Into the Future" in 1986. 6. Later Menza played in Los Angeles metal bands, including: "The Green" (with "Rhoads" bandmates John Goodwin and Darwin Ballard), "Von Skeletor" where Menza also sang lead vocals on the band's demo "Injection of Death" released in 1988, and later "Cold Fire" (With "Warrior" guitarist Joe Floyd). 7. during the late 80's Menza became a sought-after session player including styles ranging from R&B to gospel, funk, and heavy metal. He even recorded drums for John Fogerty. 8. During this time Menza caught the attention of then "Megadeth" drummer Chuck Behler and became his drum technician. (Photo: Fanart.tv) 9. In 1989, Dave Mustaine asked Menza to join "Megadeth", impressed by his previous drumming experience filling in for Chuck Behler when he couldn't play. 10. Menza made his live debut with "Megadeth" on May 12, 1988, in Bradford, England. 11. His first album with "Megadeth" was the masterpiece "Rust In Peace", released in 1990. 12. Menza remained as the band drummer until 1998, as part of the classic lineup, including Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman, and Dave Ellefson. 13. During this time Menza released classic albums with the band, such as "Countdown to Extinction", "Youthanasia", "Hidden Treasures" and "Cryptic Writings". 14. Menza became known for his unique Greg Voelker Rack System drum setup, featuring dual bass drums and mounted tom-toms. 15. During his "Megadeth" years, Menza also played drums on Marty Friedman's solo albums: "Scenes" (1992), "Introduction" (1994), and "True Obsessions" (1996). 16. In 1998, he faced knee problems, had a tumor removed, and was replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso in "Megadeth". 17. Menza has said in several interviews that, while in the hospital recovering from knee surgery, he received a phone call from Mustaine that simply said "Your services are not needed anymore". 18. After he departed from "Megadeth", he began work on the album "Life After Deth" under his own band "Menza". 17. Following the reissue of the entire "Megadeth" catalog, Menza was invited to reunite with the band in 2004. But Days after a reunion he was fired after rehearsals and replaced by Shawn Drover. 18. In April 2006, Menza joined the Los Angeles-based metal band "Orphaned to Hatred". 19. That same year he recorded the album "Reduced to Ashes" with the Greek metal band "Memorain". 20. In 2007 Menza nearly suffered the loss of an arm, in an accident with a power saw. He required reconstructive surgery, metal plates, and a lengthy rehabilitation. 21. After his recovery, Menza auctioned the blood-stained saw blade and an original copy of an X-ray from the incident. 21. In 2011, Menza released a five-song EP with his band "Deltanaut", including the song "Sacrifice". 22. In 2015, Menza contributed drum to the song "Are We Alone?" on the album "Warless Society (The Global Invasion)" by "Ci2i". 23. That same year he began working, as producer and drummer, with the Los Angeles band "Sweet Eve" on their album "The Immortal Machine". 24. On May 21, 2016, while performing with "OHM" (Chris Poland's band), Menza collapsed onstage and was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. 25. An autopsy revealed the cause of death as congestive heart failure. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website