Editor's Choice #2... Our second recommendation for today, is "Still Got the Blues", the eighth solo album by legendary guitarist Gary Moore , released on March 26, 1990. This album features a fundamental change in Gary Moore 's style and the transition from Hard Rock that characterized him in previous solo albums, to the Blues-Rock. In this album, Gary Moore returns to the roots that shaped him musically. He grew on Albert King, "John Mayall's Bluesbreakers" and the legendary Peter Green and the first incarnation of "Fleetwood Mac". Moore returns here to these sources, combining the basic and rooted Blues with the thick and rough sound of Hard Rock, creating an amazing mix of the best of the two genres, literally, "Hard-Blues". This album is quite a bit responsible for reviving the Blues genre and bringing it to the mainstream, but not only. It breathed a new and fresh spirit into Gary Moore 's shuffling career and raised his popularity. The album consists of material that Gary Moore wrote himself such as the opening song " Moving On " and the theme song " Still Got the Blues ", as well as blues classics like " Oh Pretty Woman ", " Walking By Myself " and more. Moore gets to collaborate with his childhood heroes and even have a guitar duet with them, like the one with Albert King in the song " Oh Pretty Woman " and Albert Collins in the song " Too Tired ". In addition, the album has an interesting collaboration with George Harrison who wrote, composed, sang, and played guitar on the song " That Kind of Woman ". Gary Moore is revealed as a brilliant blues player who can translate his heavy solos and powerful riffs from Hard Rock and put them into the format of traditional Blues, while creating a tremendous and original "Blues-Rock". Although seemingly this is a very specific style, this album is still very diverse. It has rhythmic and uplifting Blues, with optimistic rhythms like " Moving On " and " Too Tired " and it has melancholy, caressing, and melting Blues like " Still Got the Blues (For You) " and " Midnight Blues ". For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music . "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Editor's choice... And today "Moonmadness", the fourth studio album of "Camel", released March 26, 1976. It's undoubtedly a masterpiece that has influenced many artists and which even Mike Akerfeldt of "Opeth" defined in 2004 as an album that changed his life. This is the latest album with the classic "Camel" lineup, which included Andrew Latimer, Peter Bardens, Doug Ferguson and Andy Ward. For the next album, the band will make a lineup and sound changes, when they replace bassist Doug Ferguson with Richard Sinclair from "Caravan" and saxophonist Mel Collins from "King Crimson". The band enters the studio after the meteoric success of the instrumental concept album "The Snow Goose" and felt the pressure upon them to produce another successful masterpiece. Expectations from "Camel" were very high after "The Snow Goose" and the band was very worried that they would not be able to deliver the goods. The band members were sure that there was no chance that they would succeed in surpassing something as big as "The Snow Goose", but in the end, they did succeed in a big way! Unlike the previous album, this is not a concept album and there is not even a specific theme that runs like a second thread between the album's songs. Under pressure from the record company, this album features vocals performed by all the band members (well with Andy Ward it's just spoken words in the instrumental section " Arsitillus "). The members decided that each of them would bring a song that would reflect his personal character. In this way, all the songs starting from the fourth song on the album, represent a member of the band. The song that seals the first side of the vinyl - " Spirit of the Water " reflects keyboardist Peter Bardens and is even sung by him. " Another Night " represented bassist Doug Ferguson, " Air Born " represented Andrew Latimer and " Lunar Sea " the drummer Andy Ward. "Moonmadness" is considered a Progressive Rock classic, with a soft and peaceful atmosphere compared to the band's first two albums, with melodic, catchy, and accessible melodies. From the opening instrumental track " Arsitillus " that puts us in the mood of the album, to the sound of the raging winds at the end of the amazing piece " Lunar Sea ", there is not a single spare note here. The album is ranked 58th on Prog Magazine's list of the 100 greatest prog albums of all time. In 2018 we were privileged to see this album played live from beginning to end in the band's performances at the "Shuni" Amphitheater in Israel. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music . "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On March 26, 1997, "Whitesnake" released their ninth studio album "Restless Heart" in Japan, and later in 26 May in Europe. By the mid-1990s, "Whitesnake" existed in a very different form than the blues-driven outfit that David Coverdale had assembled in the late 1970s or even the arena-conquering force behind " 1987 ". Following the commercial peak and subsequent decline after "Slip of the Tongue", David Coverdale stepped away from the band format, initially conceiving "Restless Heart" as a solo record. His brief 1993 collaboration with Jimmy Page in " Coverdale/Page " marked a short-lived creative detour, and it was only after that chapter closed that he reconnected with Adrian Vandenberg. Earlier writing attempts between the two had stalled due to stylistic differences, but this renewed collaboration became the foundation for "Restless Heart". Initially conceived as a solo record, label pressure ultimately saw it released under the "David Coverdale & Whitesnake" name, positioning it as a transitional chapter that bridges the band’s established identity with a more introspective, songwriter-driven approach. The recording process reflects that hybrid nature. Built largely around Coverdale and guitarist Adrian Vandenberg. Since " 1987 " this marked the first time Vandenberg played across a full "Whitesnake" studio album, having been largely absent on "Slip of the Tongue" where Steve Vai handled most guitar duties. With contributions from drummer Denny Carmassi and bassist Guy Pratt, the album leans into a polished late-90s production style that deliberately avoids the excess of earlier releases. The resulting sound is notably mellower and more blues-influenced than the band’s previous two records. Compared to "Slip of the Tongue", the sound is more restrained and melodic, prioritizing atmosphere and groove over sheer impact. The guitars support rather than dominate, creating space for vocal nuance and lyrical depth. That shift is immediately clear in "Restless Heart" , where a relaxed groove replaces the swagger and punch of the band’s late-80s output. The lyrical theme reflects Coverdale’s exhaustion during the "Slip of the Tongue" era, worn down by the pressure of expectations. "Too Many Tears"  stands as one of the album’s defining moments, unfolding slowly with a focus on emotional delivery rather than grandiosity. It was originally conceived in early writing sessions with Vandenberg as a soul-influenced piece, and reworked here into a blues-driven ballad that highlights emotional nuance and controlled dynamics. Elsewhere, "Crying"  channels a blues-rock feel that has drawn comparisons to "Led Zeppelin", blending familiar "Whitesnake" energy with a more refined sonic palette. "Stay with Me (Baby)"  is a cover, originally recorded by Lorraine Ellison, and here it leans fully into soul territory, emphasizing feel and interpretation over power. It reinforces Coverdale’s deep connection to classic blues and R&B influences, which underpin the entire record. "Can't Go On"  continues the album’s melodic and restrained direction, with an emphasis on melody, flow, and atmosphere rather than dominant riffs. Tracks like "Woman Trouble Blues"  and "Take Me Back Again"  carry additional historical weight, as they draw from ideas originally developed during the abandoned Coverdale-Page follow-up project. These songs further anchor the album in blues territory while maintaining a polished, contemporary production style. Throughout the record, the interplay between Vandenberg’s guitar work and Coverdale’s vocals prioritizes cohesion and mood, steering away from the excess that once defined the band’s peak years. Even the more upbeat "You're So Fine"  never fully returns to the explosive attack that once defined the band. In 2021, "Restless Heart" was revisited through an expansive reissue by Rhino Entertainment, presenting remastered and remixed versions alongside demos, outtakes, and archival material. The updated edition featured new contributions from Joel Hoekstra and Derek Sherinian, while Christopher Collier handled remixing duties and added percussion and backing vocals, offering a modern reinterpretation of the album’s original vision. Within the broader "Whitesnake" catalogue, "Restless Heart" stands apart as a redefinition rather than a continuation. It strips away the arena rock excess and focuses on songwriting, tone, and emotional delivery. While it may not satisfy listeners expecting the scale and aggression of earlier releases, it offers a more nuanced and personal statement that reflects Coverdale’s evolution at a time of significant change. For Listening: Spotify  | Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On March 26, 1976, "Thin Lizzy" released their sixth studio album "Jailbreak". By the mid-1970s, "Thin Lizzy" had already carved out a reputation as a band with ambition and identity, but it was "Jailbreak" that crystallized everything they had been building toward. Following the more experimental leanings of "Fighting" and the breakthrough moments beginning to surface in "Nightlife", this record marked the point where Phil Lynott ’s vision, the band’s dual-guitar attack, and their storytelling fully aligned into a definitive statement. Recorded at "Ramport Studios" in London and produced by John Alcock alongside the band, "Jailbreak" carries a sharper, more confident production than its predecessors. The guitars of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson are placed front and center, interlocking with precision while still retaining a raw edge. Compared to earlier releases, the sound here feels more deliberate and focused, with arrangements that highlight melody without sacrificing power. From the opening moments, the album establishes its authority. The title track "Jailbreak"  rides on a tight, chugging riff that perfectly complements Lynott’s narrative delivery, evoking tension and urgency. It sets the tone for a record rooted in character-driven storytelling. That thread continues with "The Boys Are Back in Town" which opens the second side of the vinyl, a track that would become the band’s signature anthem. Its infectious groove, layered guitar harmonies, and vivid lyrical snapshots transform it into something timeless, capturing both nostalgia and swagger. No wonder it is one of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list of "Rolling Stone" magazine. Elsewhere, the album reveals its depth. "Emerald"  stands as one of the band’s most powerful compositions, merging Celtic mythology with hard rock intensity. The guitar work here is particularly striking, shifting between melodic lines and aggressive passages while Lynott commands the track with authority. In contrast, "Romeo and the Lonely Girl"  showcases a more restrained, emotional side, blending soulful phrasing with subtle instrumentation. The album also thrives on variety without losing cohesion. "Warriors"  leans into darker, heavier territory, driven by a brooding riff and dramatic vocal delivery, while "Cowboy Song"  balances introspection and southern rock arena-ready energy, demonstrating the band’s versatility. Even deeper cuts like "Angel from the Coast"  contribute to the album’s identity, reinforcing the sense that this is a fully realized body of work rather than a collection of songs. What makes "Jailbreak" so significant in the evolution of "Thin Lizzy" is how it defines their core strengths. The twin-guitar harmonies become a signature weapon, Lynott’s songwriting reaches a new level of clarity, and the band’s blend of hard rock, folk influence, and street-level storytelling finds its perfect balance. This is not just a breakthrough album. It is the blueprint for everything that would follow. For Listening: Spotify  | Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On March 25, 2022, the debut album of "Dream Widow", the moniker of Dave Grohl and the members of "Foo Fighters". On February 16, " March Of The Insane ", the first single from the album was released. an edgy thrash metal song that stunned the music world. The band noted on its YouTube channel that this is a song from the band's debut album, which was never released. The song is part of the soundtrack for the movie (or rather the horror-comedy) "Studio 666", which debuted on February 25, 2022. According to the script of " Studio 666 ", the "Foo Fighters" move to the Encino mansion to record their long-awaited tenth album. Dave Grohl , however, finds himself confronted with supernatural forces associated with the past attendees of the "666" studio, who are members of the imaginary band "Dream Widow", that threaten the lives of the members of the "Foo Fighters" and the continuation of the recording of their album. The history of "Dream Widow" is not simple. The singer went crazy and murdered his entire band because of creative differences, with the song " March Of The Insane " taken from the band's lost album they recorded before the singer murdered them. The common denominator of all the songs in the album is "Metal". Starting with " March Of The Insane " "Thrash Metal", through Old School "Black Metal", "Doom Metal", "Sludge Metal", "Grindcore" and more, this is Dave G rohl's homage to the genre he was so influenced by full with small gestures to his metal Gods, from the album cover, through the song names to the music itself. Dave G rohl 's genius knows no bounds and when he combines it with his great love for metal the result is simply hysterical. Dave is in charge of all the vocal roles and he plays most of the instruments here with the help of guitarist Jim Rota who plays the first five songs of the album and keyboards Oliver Roman and Rami Jaffee . For listening: Spotify "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Today we want to tell you 55 facts (Hamsa Hamsa) about the singer and creator Elton John: (Photo: Greg Gorman) 1. He was born on 25/3/1947 as Reginald Kenneth Dwight, in the town of Pinner, Middlesex England. 2. Elton had a rare and innate musical talent. He started playing the piano at a very young age at his grandmother's house and within a year he already knew how to play "The Skater's Waltz" by Winifred Atwell only by hearing. 3. His mother and grandmother recognized the talent and already at the age of 7 enrolled him in piano lessons. 4. At just 11 years old, Elton received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. One of his teachers noted that he had an absolute hearing and a phenomenal memory and that he was able to play an entire piece by "Handel" after hearing it only once. 5. He did not have a happy childhood. His father who was a soldier in the Royal Air Force hardly spent time with him in the few times he was already at home. He always criticized him, did not praise and even objected to John developing a musical career. 6. At the age of 14 his parents divorced and his mother married a painter who was the complete opposite of his biological father. Elton lived at home with his stepfather and mother, even after becoming a successful artist. He wrote a large part of his hits there, early in his career. (Photo: Terry O'Neill) 7. His mother and stepfather supported Elton and even helped him get his first pub appearances. That was when Elton was only 15, he played mostly covers there. 8. He took his stage name from two members of the band "Bluesology" which he formed in 1962 when he was only 15 years old. Saxophonist Elton Dean and singer Long John Baldry. The middle name - Hercules, he took from the name of the horse from the British TV series "Steptoe and Son". By the way, Singer Long John Baldry was also the theme of the song "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" written by Elton. 9. He met his writing partner Bernie Taupin in 1967 after they both responded to an ad inviting musicians to write songs for various artists. For two years they collaborated on writing nationalist songs like "Lulu", while at the same time John worked as a hired musician for bands like "The Hollies" and "The Scaffold". 10. In 1967 he was hired to replace "Simon Dupree and the Big Sound" (the first incarnation of "Gentle Giant") keyboardist, on the band's tour of Scotland. He was almost recruited as a regular member of the band, but they politely rejected any attempt to record his work except "I'm Going Home", which was released as a B-side. 11. In 1968, Elton John auditioned for the emerging "King Crimson" band. He did not pass the audition. 12. In 1969 Elton released his debut album "Empty Sky". 13. By 1970 he had already achieved his first hit "Your Song" which was taken from his second album named after him - "Elton John". 14. That same year he released his third album "Tumbleweed Connection" which included Wild West-style arrangements. Although the album did not include hits it received good reviews and was consistently rated among listeners as one of the favorite albums. 15. In 1971 he released his fourth studio album "Madman Across The Water" featuring the hits "Levon" and "Tiny Dancer" in which Elton first collaborates with legendary percussionist Ray Cooper and who also features keyboardist Rick Wakeman. 16. In 1972 he released the album "Honky Château" which included the hits "Rocket Man" and "Honky Cat". This is the first album where guitarist Davey Johnstone who played a number of songs on the previous album joined as a regular member of the band. 17. The 1970s continued to smile at Elton's face and albums, he released in 1973 "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player" which included a change of style towards glam rock and from which the hits "Daniel" and "Crocodile Rock" were released as well as the double masterpiece album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", which included the songs "Candle in the Wind", "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and "Bennie and the Jets" and of course the theme song. 18. In 1974 Elton released the album "Caribou" which included the hits "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" and "The Bitch is Back", the album was recorded within 9 days. 19. That same year Elton was featured on John Lennon 's album "Walls and Bridges". Together they performed the songs "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night" and "Surprise Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)". 20. Elton and Lennon made a bet on the song "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night". Elton told Lennon that if the song reached number one he would have to return the favor and perform with him. It did happen and Lennon joined Elton's show performing three Beatles songs including two - "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" and "I Saw Her Standing There". It was also Lennon's last appearance in front of an audience. 21. In 1975 he appeared as the "Pinball Wizard" in the cult film "Tommy" based on the rock opera "The Who". 22. That same year he was also hospitalized for an overdose of cocaine. 23. It was a busy year for Elton during which he released two albums: "Captain Fantastic" and the "Brown Dirt Cowboy" which was written as an autobiographical story about the early days of the career of Elton and his partner Bernie, another album was "Rock of the Westies". 24. In 1976 John entered a period of decline in his career. It started with the double album "Blue Moves" which received negative reviews, and it continued with a sequence of albums in different and weird styles like disco, which did not issue hits and did not get good reviews. At the same time, Elton also replaced his regular musicians and stopped collaborating with his writing partner Bernie Taupin and even with producer Gus Dudgeon with whom he worked throughout his career. 25. In 1979, Elton became the first Western artist to appear in the Soviet Union. 26. In 1983 Elton returned to "business" with the album " Too Low for Zero ". He re-collaborated with Bernie Taupin and the band that worked with him in the beginning and returned to star in headlines with big hits like "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" and "I'm Still Standing". The album became his best-selling album in the 1980s. 27. The one who plays the harmonica on one of the hits from the album "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" is none other than Stevie Wonder. 28. Elton opened the 1990s with alcohol, drug,s and bulimia rehab treatments. 29. In 1992 he released his first post-rehab album - "The One". This album brought him back to the forefront of the stage and to the top of the charts. On the album, David Gilmour participated in guitar playing the song "Understanding Women". 30. That same year, Elton participated in the MTV Awards performing the theme song from the album. He also joined the band "Guns N 'Roses" playing piano in the song "November Rain". There was an unfortunate event there that we think Elton would like to forget. 31. In 2000, Elton wrote the music for the musical "Aida" based on Vardi's opera. The musical was a huge success and won Elton a Tony Award and a Grammy. 32. Elton also wrote the music for the musical based on the movie "Billy Elliot". The musical called "Billy Elliot the Musical" was first staged in 2005 and has won ten Tony Awards including Best Musical. 33. In 2001, Elton released the album "Songs from the West Coast", which marked his return to the roots with a focus on the piano, that characterized him at the beginning of his career. The album featured Stevie Wonder playing harmonica and clavient and released the hit "I Want Love" among other things. 34. In 2010 he released an excellent album along with musician Leon Russell. 35. Elton holds numerous awards and titles. In 1995 he received the title of "Officer of the Order of the British Empire", which is the third highest rank in the United Kingdom. 36. In 1998 he was crowned by Queen Elizabeth as a knight and has since held the title of "Sir Elton John". 37. In 1992 Elton was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame and in 1994 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 38. Elton John has a huge collection of thousands of glasses with which he used to perform and stun the audience time and time again. It is interesting to note that when Elton started with the spectacle craze, he did not remember them at all and had no vision problems. It started as a tribute to one of his idols in his youth - Buddy Holly . 39. He is also known for the most glittering and angular costumes with which he appeared on stage, including the costumes of Donald Duck and the Statue of Liberty. ( Photo: Terry O'Neill) 40. He is the godfather of several children of celebrities, including Sean Lennon the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono as well as Brooklyn and Romeo the children of Victoria and David Beckham . 41. Elton had a long-running quarrel with Madonna , they settled in 2012. 42. He also does not get along with Rod Stewart . 43. On the other hand, he was very close to Freddie Mercury . After Mercury's death, he founded the "Elton John AIDS Foundation", which raised more than $ 300 million for AIDS research. He was also one of the main guests at the tribute show to Freddie after his death . 44. Elton John has numerous collaborations with various artists in almost every field in music, even from genres like rap and hip hop where he has collaborated with artists such as Eminem, Tupac Shakur and Kanye West. 45. Among the interesting collaborations are "Alice in Chains", where Elton participates in the song "Black Gives Way to Blue" which was dedicated to singer Layne Staley , as well as with Steven Wilson on his album "The Future Bites" from 2021 where Elton reads a list Shopping. 46. ​​He also participates in the theme song from Ozzy Osbourne 's "Ordinary Man" album released in 2020. 47. Elton is one of the most successful singers in music. His albums have sold over 300 million copies. Making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. 48. He is also largely responsible for preserving the place of the piano as a central and leading instrument in rock and roll music. 49. Elton John has released over the course of his career 30 studio albums to date as a solo artist, excluding guest appearances and collaborations. 50. In addition, he has written nine different soundtracks and the most famous among them is the soundtrack of the movie "The Lion King" from 1994 when the song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" even won an Oscar. 51. He is also one of the greatest hit producers in the history of music. He has nearly 60 songs that entered the top 40 in the sales charts of which seven reached number one in the UK and another nine went to number one in the US. 52. Elton entered the "Guinness Book of Records" for the single best-selling single of all time - "Candle in the Wind" 1997 which sold more than 33 million copies. The song was originally written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe , but in a version released in 1997 it was dedicated, after a minor change in lyrics, to Princess Diana after her death. 53. He also managed to put 7 consecutive albums in first place in the US sales chart. 54. He is the richest singer in the UK after Paul McCartney . 55. During his career he has made over 4000 shows. It's something like performing for over 10 consecutive years night after night. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On March 25, 2003 "Linkin Park" released their second album "Meteora". This is a very important album for the band, apart from the fact that it is one of its most commercially successful !! At the end of 2000, the band's debut album "Hybrid Theory" was released, the birth cords of the album were very difficult not because of the "fetus" but because of "Mom and Dad". Many key managers from the record label and the music industry pressed and intervened drastically during the work of the young band. They had to wage a lot of wars in order to get the music they wanted, the way they wanted. In all the interviews and later also in their songs, Linkin expressed the difficulty and obstacles that the music industry posed to them. Why is it important for us to tell this? Because, after the album's release, the band went on two hectic tours to promote the album: "Hybrid Theory World Tour" and "LP Underground Tour". Concurrent with the tour, Mike Shinoda began working on a remix album called "Reanimation". Although this album did not get the attention it deserved, in our opinion, it is one of the great albums with a phenomenal musical production (we hope to write a review on it soon) !! So despite that... the album was an important milestone in the band's development process. Mike mostly, but the rest of the band members have also received positive reinforcement for the work they do and the music they create. The rest of the band also worked on materials during the tours, finishing them off with no less than 80 demos of songs. At the end of the performances, the members gathered in the studio at Mike's house and began working on the album. The interesting thing about working on this album was the huge pressure on the band in terms of expectations to meet the success and quality of the first album. Guitarist Brad Delson, said the amazing part was that the significant pressure came from the inside and not from the outside. They themselves wanted to create music that would be the best they can and meet their own expectations. Yet they felt more liberated and did not build themselves into the format of a concept album or match the songs to each other, they simply created based on what sounded good and appropriate to them at that moment. (Photo: James Minchin) Although Don Gilmore is again the official producer of this album, Mike took a more significant role in the production this time, directing the writing and recording process and being involved in all the songs in every way. On future albums, he will take the reins completely and lead the production himself. Mike and Chester Bennington who began to get to know each other through the writing of the previous album, delved even deeper into this album and established their musical connection in it. Although Chester still felt distant and not socially connected to the band, the musical connection between him and Mike was significantly strengthened in the writing of this album, and although they are very different people they found a common language in writing. Chester said they tried to write the songs from the perspective of emotions rather than the situations themselves. Emotions like frustration, anger, loneliness, and love are connected on a personal level because they both experienced them but from different situations. With the release of the first single "Somewhere I Belong" which went straight into first place, it was already clear that this album was going to be even bigger than the previous album. Chester's scream of not finding his place with Mike's rap, distortion, and scratching immediately made the song a hysterical hit. A few months later came out the single "Faint" , a crazy bomb of aggression with an opening that launches your nerves up to space and shoots you from 0 to 30,000 km / h in exactly 15 seconds. In an interview, Chester said in the context of this song, that the writing process was very spontaneous and unstructured, once they had a strong riff, Chester would just roar with it and from there they rolled. Everything was in a lab atmosphere with trial and error and when something came out that everyone loved it became a song. The third single or rather, the third hit that came out of the album was "Numb" , it slashed the charts and not only reached number one but spent 12 consecutive weeks at the top of the table and became a regular music video in MTV playlist. For Chester, the song is very personal and we are sure you all remember now his picture from the clip standing in front of the mirror and singing. The next single "From the Inside" barely made it onto the album, because during the vocal recordings at the end of the work on the album, Chester was ill and had only two weeks left until the album was released. After he recovered he recorded the song right at the last minute. By the way, in the breaking part of the song Chester screams for a full 10 seconds !! The fifth and final single from the album is "Breaking the Habit" , one of the most powerful songs on the album. Mike said he thought about this song for 5 years and he wrote it about a friend who went through a number of difficult events with his family and it was very important to him to get it out, he did not think the song was suitable for radio at all. The name of the album "Meteora" which means "mid-sky" in Greek, is taken from the "Thessaly" district in central Greece and contains a collection of Orthodox monasteries. There are spectacular and rare natural phenomena and unique cultures. There are about sixty steep rock pillars, on the back of which were built during the Middle Ages isolated monasteries that seem to hang in the middle of the sky. Mike said the power and uniqueness of the place influenced him so much that he was sure it was the name the album should have. Regarding the album cover, if you asked yourself who is the figure on the cover? The figure on the cover is not any of the band members but the graffiti artist Boris Tellegen known as "Delta". Boris was invited by the band to help design the album cover, the goal was to create a huge wall painting that would be used as the album cover, but this was finally replaced by a picture of Boris painting the painting. Mike said they chose the image because it radiated a quiet power so distinctly that it grabbed them immediately. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the album's release, the band will release during April a “super deluxe” box set which will include rear and unseen materials, CD, Vinyl, and also some new songs which were recorded during the album's sessions but never released. As part of the celebration the band released two new music videos to two of the songs from the box set, "Lost" and "Fighting Myself". With a lot of hard work and quite a few challenges, this talented group of boys has released a masterpiece album, an album that puts Linkin as a legitimate, talented, and leading rock and roll band. An album that has sold more than 27 million copies to date and most of it was a regular and large part of the band's set in performances !! 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 March 25, 1972, "Deep Purple" released "Machine Head", one of the most important and influential albums in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. This is the sixth and most commercially successful album of "Deep Purple" and probably also the best released by the band's MKII band. It's the third album out of 4 by the aforementioned classical MKII lineup, which included guitarist Ritchie Blackmore , keyboardist Jon Lord , drummer Ian Paice , bassist Roger Glover and singer Ian Gillan . The album was recorded using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio , after the casino where the band was supposed to record the album in Montreux, Switzerland, caught fire. The story of the recording of the album was immortalized in the song with the immortal riff " Smoke On The Water " in which Ian Gillan tells the story of the stupid man with the flare gun, that led to the burning of the casino, during the performance of Frank Zappa and The Mothers. Already at the opening of the album, you can feel the energies and adrenalin, with the ultimate speed car song " Highway Star ", and when Ian Gillan 's voice enters with the famous scream, it is already clear to everyone that this is nothing less than an anthem. The song came to be after a curious reporter, who was on the band's tour bus on the way to a show in Portsmouth, asked Ritchie Blackmore to demonstrate to him a process of composing a song. This piece illustrates well the virtuosity of the band, especially that of Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord , each in his own solo. Johann Sebastian Bach influences scream from every note in these solos. Blackmore and Lord's dual solo battle will be repeated in other songs on the album as well, and in our humble opinion, this is one of the reasons this album is so awesome. Blackmore's solo in this song reached number 15 on the "Rolling Stone" magazine's 100 greatest solos of all time. Drummer Ian Paice is simply at his peak on this album. Listen to his drumming in " Pictures of Home " for example, which is by the way, one of the best songs on the album. It is simply led by Paice. And you do not want to miss Roger Glover 's bass solo either. Roger Glover also wrote the riff of " Maybe I'm a Leo ", being influenced by John Lennon 's "How Do You Sleep". The lyrics refer to singer Ian Gillan , who is a Leo. Another notable song is " Lazy " - the longest song on the album, that opens with an amazing Jon Lord keyboards Solo and has excellent Blackmore guitar work. Ritchie Blackmore 's solo in this song is rated by "Guitar World" readers as the 74th of the 100 greatest solos of all time. " Space Truckin' " started with a musical idea that Ritchie Blackmore brought to the band. Its riff was born from "fingers exercises" that Blackmore performed after hearing the theme song of the Batman TV series. He asked Ian Gillan to write words based on the riff and the rest is history. It is interesting to note, that during the sessions for the album, the band recorded another song - " When a Blind Man Cries ", which did not enter the album. Ritchie Blackmore did not want it in the album. He thought it was inappropriate and so he was added as a b-side to the single " Never Before " released in March 1972. Blackmore shows what an amazing guitarist he is and how much emotion he can convey in his playing. Therefore, it is very surprising that Blackmore refused to play this particular song live. The only times the band played the song with Blackmore being part of the band, were actually in shows where he was not present. On the first one, in April 6, 1972, in Quebec, guitarist Randy California from "Spirit" replaced Blackmore, because he was ill, then the song was played for the first time. On the second time, in November 1993, Joe Satriani replaced Blackmore. This song tells a parallel story to that of " Smoke On The Water ". The story of the recording of the album in Monterey at the same Casino Hotel. "Had a friend once in a room - Had a good time but it ended much too soon - In a cold month in that room - We found a reason for the things we had to do". In conclusion, "Machine Head" is undoubtedly a masterpiece that has survived the test of time in a big way. An album that contributed greatly to the development of the genre that "Deep Purple", together with "Black Sabbath" and "Led Zeppelin", co-created and developed, and a must-have album for every music lover, from fans of "classical rock" to "Heavy Metal". For Listening: Spotify , Apple music . "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On March 25, 1980 "Triumph" released their fourth studio album "Progressions of Power". With this album "Triumph" continued their ascent as one of Canada's premier hard rock power trios, delivering an album that blends muscular riffs, soaring vocals, and arena-sized anthems. "Progressions of Power" followed the same formula the band used in " Just a Game " released in 1979, and gave them their first taste of mainstream success. While it doesn't feature signature hits as some of their later albums, "Progressions of Power" is one of "Triumph's" most consistent albums that showcases the band's raw energy and technical prowess. Musically, "Progressions of Power" leans heavier than its predecessor, placing more emphasis on Rik Emmett ’s searing guitar work and the rhythmic backbone of drummer Gil Moore and bassist Mike Levine. On the other hand, after playing a secondary role to guitarist Rik Emmett on " Just a Game ", drummer Gil Moore reclaimed a stronger presence on "Progressions of Power", contributing vocals to miost of the album's songs and balancing the band's dynamic, with only 3 songs from the album sang by Rik Emmett . The album kicks off with the relentless " I Live for the Weekend " sang by Gil Moore. A stomping, high-energy anthem that became one of "Triumph's" best-loved live staples. It has an almost boogie-rock feel with a punchy, radio-friendly chorus. Moore also takes the lead in the high-energy " Tear the Roof Off ", which embrace a heavier, almost AC/DC-esque approach with it's bluesy high-energy riff, and pounding drums. Moore also delivers strong single contenders with the anthemic " I Can Survive " and the groovy " Woman in Love ", while the bluesy " Nature’s Child " is less dynamic. In contrast, Rik Emmett known for his versatility, showcased his more melodic instincts in "Progressions of Power" and contributes the moody power ballad " In the Night ", the powerful closer " Hard Road " which is one of the most dynamic tracks on the album, showcasing "Triumph’s" ability to balance melody with power, and the softer " Take My Heart ". He also showcases his acoustic prowess with " Fingertalkin’ " - a brief but mesmerizing acoustic instrumental that highlights Emmett’s impressive classical and fingerstyle guitar chops. While "Progressions of Power" may not have the same level of mainstream recognition as the bands future albums, it’s a solid entry in "Triumph’s" discography. The album leans toward the heavier side of their sound while still featuring enough melodic moments to maintain balance. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

A Sneak Peek... And this time.. on one of "Iron Maiden's" greatest live albums, "Rock In Rio", which was released on March 25, 2002. Why do we think it's one of the band's greatest live albums? Because after listening to the live versions of some of the songs on this album, we could no longer go back to the studio versions. As we have mentioned and "broadcast" many times before (links below), one of the criteria that makes a great live album, in our opinion, is the fact that in the end you will always prefer to listen to the live version of a particular song, rather than its album's version. So, this is what happens to us with quite a few songs from this album. Take " Fear of the Dark " for example and with hand on heart say which version of it you prefer to listen to. The live versions in this show is simply amazing and memorable. "Iron Maiden" gives the heart and soul in every song. They manage to communicate with the audience in such an amazing way, and the audience of course gives back, and in a big way. This is probably the best audience in the world, who knew every single note in each of the songs and accompanied them with its mighty voice, just like any other musical instrument. Beyond the flawless playing of all the members, Bruce Dickinson surpasses himself here and proves once again why he is considered one of the greatest singers of all time. Despite the challenging setlist, he manages to touch every tune without missing a single note, and he does all this while thrilling the audience and pushing the band forward. Interestingly, the added value of the songs in this show, is not only in the band's classic songs, but also in the newer tracks like " The Wicker Man " and " Blood Brothers " that sound fuller and more powerful than the album version. This legendary performance was recorded as part of the "Rock in Rio" festival in Brazil, on January 19, 2001 in front of a huge audience of 250,000 people. This was Iron Maiden's second-biggest live show, with the first was in Rio during the 1985 tour of " Powerslave ", where the band performed in front of an audience of 300,000 people. This was Iron Maiden's perfect way to end the tour that accompanied " Brave New World " - the band's comeback album with Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith . It includes the band's greatest songs alongside six songs from the aforementioned album. Among the songs played at the show, were two excerpts from the Blaze Bayley era - " Sign of the Cross " from " The X Factor " and " The Clansman " from " Virtual XI ". And of course, there are also songs from the Paul Di’Anno era like " Sanctuary ", " Wrathchild " and " Iron Maiden ". The band released one single from this album - " Run to the Hills ", which was released on March 11, 2002. All profits from this single were donated to the band's former drummer Clive Burr , who suffered from health problems and multiple sclerosis. Well, this album does not reach the level of the masterpiece " Live After Death ", but it is definitely getting close. We invite you to listen to the double special "Live Performances", which includes a reference to some of our favorite live album: Part 1: Here . Part 2: Here . For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music . "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

Today we will tell you about the energetic and talented singer and drummer Taylor Hawkins, who passed away on March 2022. (Photo: Owen Sweeney) 1. His full name is Oliver Taylor Hawkins and he was born on February 17, 1972, in Fort Worth, Texas. 2. But he grew up in Laguna Beach, California from the age of four. 3. Hawkins attended Laguna Beach High School where he played in his first band, Sylvia. 4. He said the drummers who influenced him the most were: Phil Collins , Stewart Copeland, Roger Taylor , Stephen Perkins, Jim Gordon, and Neil Peart . 5. In 1994 he left the band and joined as a drummer on the Canadian singer Sass Jordan 's tour following the release of her third album "Rats". 6. In 1995 after the release of the album "Jagged Little Pill" which was the breakthrough album and the third of singer Alanis Morissette , Hawkins joined Alanis's band and became her tour drummer until 1997. 7. At the end of 1996 the Foo Fighters "lost" their drummer William Goldsmith after he decided to leave the band immediately after the recording of the second album "The Color and the Shape" . The album was scheduled for release in May 1997 but the band lacked a drummer. Dave Grohl , who knew Hawkins during Alanis' tour, approached him to recommend a drummer for his band. But Dave did not expect Hawkins to want the role himself !! The two met in Hawkins's house and it was love at first site !! (Photo: Brantley Gutierrez) 8. On March 18th, 1997, Hawkins officially joined the Foo Fighters which also became the main band in his life. 9. In 1998, Hawkins participated in guitarist Brian May 's second solo album called "Another World" and recorded the drums for the song "Cyborg". 10. In 1999 the Foo's released their first album with Hawkins and the third as a band "There Is Nothing Left to Lose" which they recorded in the studio Dave built in the basement of his house, where the social and musical relationship was forged and continued until Taylor's death. The album won the band their first Grammy in 2001 "Best Rock Album Award". 11. But the recordings for this album were not easy, a new scoop is coming in 3... 2... 1... 12. In a session held in 2019 for the BBC network, Hawkins said he had a very hard time recording for his first album with The Foos. He had no experience in recording, he only played live shows, and when they started recording he was unable to maintain consistency. He kept missing the rhythm and did not maintain the same paste throughout the song. After numerous failed attempts Hawkins was broken, so much, he suggested that the recordings for the albums will be done by Dave, and Hawkins himself would serve as a drummer only for the live performances. Do you realize??? 13. Dave did not accept Hawkins' offer and put to work hard until he succeeded. Despite the improvement Hawkins showed, Dave eventually recorded half of the songs on the album himself and the other half was recorded by Hawkins. On the future albums, Hawkins already plays the drums in all the songs. (Photo: guestpostgallery) 14. Hawkins is not only a drummer in the band, but he also occasionally sings and plays piano and guitar. His first recording as a singer in the band was performing a cover of the song "Have a Cigar" by "Pink Floyd", which came out as a B-Side for the single of the song "Learn to Fly". 15. Hawkins went through a life-changing event in 2001 when he experienced an extreme situation when he went into a state of coma for two weeks as a result of an overdose. He said he was not a drug addict but he liked to party a lot and in one case he took the "wrong" line and found himself on the floor, it was a moment that changed his life. 16. In 2002 came out the band's fourth album "One By One" , this album was also very successful and gave the band a Grammy win in 2004 the Best Rock Album award. By the way... this is the band's least favorite album. 17. In 2005 came out the band's fifth and double album "In Your Honor" . One part consists of hard rock distortion songs, and the other part consists of softer acoustic songs. Although the album was nominated for five Grammy Awards, it did not win. 18. This is the first album where Hawkins can be heard taking on the role of lead singer and he does so in the song "Cold Day in the Sun". 19. He also sang the cover of the song "I Feel Free" by the band Cream, which came out as a B-Side to the single "DOA" from the same album. 20. In 2005 he was named Rhythm Magazine’s "Best Rock Drummer". 21. In 2006 the band released the live album "Skin and Bones" which was recorded in three acoustic performances that took place in Los Angeles at the end of August. 22. In 2007 the group released their sixth album "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace" . This time the album gave the band back the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album and five nominations. 23. This is the first album where Hawkins plays keyboards and it happened in the song "Summer's End". 24. That same year, Hawkins filled the drummer's place in the recordings for " Coheed and Cambria 's" fourth album. 25. In the same year Hawkins and Dave came to the aid of guitarist Chris Shiflett who recorded his second album "Harmony and Dissidence" with his side project Jackson United. They recorded the part of the drums on the album when Chris got stuck at the last minute without a drummer. (Photo: Daniel DeSlover) 26. At Foo's performance in Toronto in 2008, two members of the band "Rush", Geddy and Alex , came on stage a surprise and played with Hawkins the instrumental piece "YYZ" of Rush. 27. In the same year, Hawkins guest sings on the song "C-lebrity" taken from the album "The Cosmos Rocks" by Queen + Paul Rodgers . 28. In 2010 Hawkins starred in the song "Crucify the Dead" in the role of backing vocals on Slash 's debut album, in this song the singer is none other than Ozzy Osbourne . 29. In 2011 the band's seventh album "Wasting Light" was released. This is an album recorded exclusively by the analog system and it was done with the producer of Nirvana in "Nevermind" by none other than Butch Vig. This time the band breaks Grammy records and wins four awards. 30. In 2014, the band released their eighth album "Sonic Highways" . It is an album of 8 songs each recorded in a different city in the US and influenced by the musical history of each city. 31. That same year, Hawkins formed the progressive/hard rock band "The Birds of Satan" with Wiley Hodgden on bass and Mick Murphy on guitar. They released a single album that year bearing the band's name. 32. The Foss' eighth album was released in 2017 and is "Concrete and Gold" . Dave described the album theme as "Hope and Despair", when on this album they took Greg Kurstin who is a famous pop album producer and this is the first hard rock album he is producing. 33. On this album Hawkins took on the role of singing in the song "Sunday Rain". 34. The band's ninth album was out in 2021 and is "Medicine at Midnight" . This album is different from what we are used to getting from the Foos. It's bouncing, It's happy, It's catchy It's a party. This album also holds the record as Foos' shortest studio album, with only 36 minutes of music. Dave stated that he wanted to produce a "fun" album something like " Let's Dance " by David Bowie . He noted that this album did not sound like anything else the band has done to date. It has such catchy chants that 50,000 fans will scream together in live shows. Taylor also noted that this album is more pop-oriented than their previous albums and confirmed that drumming loops were used during the recordings. 35. In all of the Foos' performances, Hawkins sings at least one song as a lead singer while Dave on drums, cover, or original. 36. Hawkins has a nice and funny "tick", when he hits his snare he closes/pressed his eyes and his mouth opens when his teeth are pressed as if he has now snatched a blow and not the snare. Pay attention to that... 37. In 2006 Hawkins formed a band as a side project for Foss called "Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders" in which he serves as singer and drummer with "Jane's Addiction" bassist Chris Chaney whom he met in Alanis Morissette 's band and guitarist Gannin Arnold. 38. In 2004 he began writing material that came out on the band's first album in March 2006, an album bearing the band's name. 39. In April 2010, the band released their second album "Red Light Fever" featuring several distinguished guests such as Brian May and Roger Taylor from "Queen" and Elliot Easton from "The Cars" and Dave. On this album, Hawkins plays drums and sings. 40. In November 2019, Hawkins and his band released their third album, "Get the Money", featuring an insane mix of stars and an even more insane variety of genres. Some of the standout guests on the album besides Dave, are Duff McKagan , Nancy Wilson , Joe Walsh , Steve Jones, Roger Taylor , Chrissie Hynde , and more and more... 41. In 2020 two great drummers, Hawkins and Matt Cameron join forces and decides to put some music together as the "Nighttime Boogie Association". Unfortunately, the project does not last long and they release only two singles . 42. Hawkins served as a drummer in recordings of several songs by Italian singer Vasco Rossi . 43. Hawkins has another special band called Chevy Metal which is a superstar cover band !! With Hawkins on drums and Wiley Hodgden being the regular members of the band, all other members of the band vary from show to show with members from bands such as "The Police", "Motley Crue", "Sex Pistols", "Cheap Trick" and "The Red Hot Chili Peppers". 44. Hawkins was married to Alison and they have three children. (Photo: Magdalena Wosinska) 45. In July 2021, the band returns the disco to the stage and releases a cover album of the great songs of the Bee-Gees band, they release the album under the name "Dee-Gees" and the album is called "Hail Satin" . 46. In September 2021 the three members: Taylor, Dave Navarro , and Chris Chaney form the "NHC" band consisting of the members' last names. The Power Trio releases two songs from an upcoming album that was recorded during the year and should come out in 2022. 47. In October 2021, Taylor entered the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" with the "Foo fighters". In his speech, he thanked Paul McCartney , among others, and noted that he shared the award with "Jane's Addiction" and "Soundgarden", which he would like to see at the "Hall of Fame". 48. Taylor worked with a long and t variety of musicians, not only behind the drum set but also as a composer, producer, writer, and more. He definitely has music notes running in his veins. as far as we know the last project he was part of, was Nancy Wilson 's debut solo album named "You and Me" which was issued in 2021. 49. On February 25, 2022, Taylor and his friends from "Foo Fighters" debuted their comic-horror movie " Studio 666 ". 50. On March 25, 2022, the fictional band " Dream Widow " which starred in this movie, released its debut album. 51. On the same day, on March 25, 2022, Taylor was found dead in a hotel in Bogota, where he was scheduled to perform alongside the "Foo Fighters". He was only 50 years old. Bogota municipality has issued a statement saying the city's emergency services have received a call about a patient complaining of "chest pain". Ambulances were sent to the "Four Seasons Casa Medina", where the band was staying, but health workers who tried to resuscitate him were forced to declare him dead. 52. In September of that year, the band held two huge tribute shows in honor of their beloved drummer. One took place in London and the other in Los Angeles and they included a long list of artists that Taylor loved, admired, grew up on or played with. 53. In May 2023, the band announced (in their comical way) Taylor's replacement, Josh Freese, who is a friend of the band and has played with them several times. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website

On March 24, 2005 "Porcupine Tree" released their eight studio album "Deadwing". "Deadwing" stands as one of the "Porcupine Tree's" most compelling works, blending progressive rock with atmospheric and heavy elements in a way that showcases Steven Wilson’s evolving vision. In the years after releasing " In Absentia " steven wilson was occupied with his side project with Aviv Geffen - releasing theis self-titled album " Blackfield " in 2004. It looks like in "Deadwing" Wilson wrote some of his finest work combining between the softness of "Blackfield" with the heavier, progressive metal direction the band embraced with " In Absentia ", expanding on its darker themes while incorporating even more ambitious songwriting. No wonder it quickly became the band's best selling album at the time. Having joined the band for "In Absentia", Drummer Gavin Harrison’s contributions to "Deadwing" solidify him as one of the most technically gifted and expressive drummers in modern progressive rock. His intricate rhythms and seamless transitions enhance the album’s dynamic nature, as can be heard on tracks like " Open Car " and " Glass Arm Shattering ". Not only that, but Harrison became a new driving force in the writing process as songs like " Halo " and " The Start of Something Beautiful " originated from ideas he had experimenting with. The album was initially conceived as a soundtrack to an unproduced film script co-written by Wilson and Mike Bennion. Though the film never materialized, the narrative structure remains evident, giving "Deadwing" a cinematic quality that adds to its depth and immersive nature. "Deadwing" features guest appearances from "King Crimson’s" Adrian Belew , who lends his guitar work to " Deadwing " and " Halo ", and "Opeth’s" Mikael Åkerfeldt, who provides vocal harmonies on " Deadwing ", " Lazarus ", and " Arriving Somewhere But Not Here ", and also plays the second guitar solo on " Arriving Somewhere But Not Here ". The album opens up with the title track " Deadwing " - a ten-minute piece that has no real chorus. The song hypnotic blend of swirling keyboards, layered guitars, and pulsating rhythms pulls the listener into a sonic journey that oscillates between melancholy and aggression. " Shallow " comes right after with it's heavy guitar riff which Wilson described as: "The big rock moment of the record, an irresistible riff with a "Zep" or "Soundgarden" vibe to it". One of the album’s standout tracks, " Lazarus ", showcases Wilson’s delicate songwriting and ability to craft hauntingly beautiful melodies. This song highlights the band’s versatility, with warm piano lines and heartfelt lyrics making it one of the most emotionally resonant moments on the record. keyboardist Richard Barbieri's said that it's "The beautiful side of "Porcupine Tree". Very mellow and delicate, in the contemporary style of "Coldplay" or "Radiohead". " Halo " has an internal contrast between the infectious bass/drum groove and it's industrial feel with the distorted vocals. Steven clarified that the song is based on this film script he wroteand that it is about the born again Christianity. Undoubtly the album best track is " Arriving Somewhere But Not Here " serves as "Deadwing’s" magnum opus, clocking in at over 12 minutes. This track masterfully balances "Porcupine Tree’s" progressive tendencies with heavy metallic guitar riffs, melodic soft interlude and cinematic storytelling. It features soaring guitar solos, dynamic shifts, and atmospheric build-ups that rank among the band’s finest work. In retrospect, "Deadwing" is often considered a pivotal release in "Porcupine Tree’s" catalog. It successfully bridges the gap between their progressive roots and a heavier sound, to their softer and more accessible sound, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers alike. While " In Absentia " might have introduced a wider audience to the band’s modern era, "Deadwing" refines and expands upon that foundation, making it one of the most definitive progressive rock albums of the 2000s. For Listening: Spotify , Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook  / Instagram  or Subscribe to our website