On May 24, 1988, "OU812" - the eighth album of "Van Halen" was released. Here are some interesting facts about the album: 1. The name of the album "OU812" is pronounced "Oh You Ate One Too" and rumor has it that it was ment as a reaction to the name of the album "Eat 'Em And Smile", released by David Lee Roth two years earlier and chosen as a sting to his friends from "Van Halen". 2. The official version says that singer Sammy Hagar saw a delivery truck with the serial number "OU812" and thought it was funny and so the name of the album was chosen. 3. The original name of the album was "Bone", but when Sammy came up with the idea of ​​"OU812" all the band members agreed, as they did not like the previous name anyway. 4. This is the band's second album with Sammy Hagar, replacing David Lee Roth on "5150". 5. The album cover is a tribute to "The Beatles" and a homage to the classic cover of the 1964 album "With the Beatles". 6. The photo of the monkey on the back of the album is of a statuette called "Affe mit Schadel", by the German sculptor Wolfgang Hugo Rheinhold. 7. The band dedicated "OU812" to the father of Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen, who passed away in December 1986. On the inside cover of the album, they wrote: "This one's for you, Pa". 8. Eddie and Alex's father influenced them a lot musically and he even plays the clarinet with them on the song "Big Bad Bill" from the album "Diver Down", which was released in 1982. 9. In some of the album releases, the song list at the back is arranged in alphabetical order, rather than in a chronological order. 10. Just like its predecessor "5150", the album "OU812" reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It was the second of four consecutive studio albums of the band to reach number one. 11. Four successful singles were released from the album: "Black and Blue", "Finish What Ya Started", "When It's Love" and "Feels So Good". 12. The music for the song "When It's Love" was written by brothers Eddie and Alex. Sammy Hagar wrote the lyrics later. 13. This is Van Halen's biggest hit after "Jump" and "Why Can't This Be Love?" 14. Eddie noted that the solo in the song "When It's Love" is a nod to Eric Clapton. 15. Eddie and Sammy started working on "Finish What Ya Started" at 2:00 a.m., when Eddie made a mid-night trip to Sammy's house in Malibu, which was near his home. They sat on the porch and played guitars until they were happy with the melody and then Sammy wrote the lyrics. 16. The song "Finish What Ya Started" is one of two songs by "Van Halen" in which Sammy Hagar plays the rhythm guitar. 17. As the title implies, this was also the last song written for the album. 18. Despite this, the last song recorded for the album was actually the opening song "Mine All Mine". Hagar was unsure of its lyrics and rewrote them 7 times before recording his vocals. 19. The song “Black and Blue” was the first from the album to conquer the top of the Billboard charts. 20. The song "Source of Infection" was written about Eddie's hospitalization with "dengue" fever during his holiday in Australia in April 1988, where he celebrated his seventh wedding anniversary with Valerie Bertinelli. 21. The song "Cabo Wabo" borrowed the melody from the song "Make It Last", a song that Hagar composed for his previous band "Montrose". 22. Later on, Sammy will also call his bar name as well as the tequila line he produced "Cabo Wabo". 23. The song "Sucker in a 3 Piece" is written about a guy who is dumped by his very attractive girlfriend because she is looking for a rich man to take care of her ("The Sucker in the Three-Piece Suit"). He's fat and bald, but he has the cash she's looking for ... 24. The CD version of the album includes another song called "A Apolitical Blues". This is a cover version of a song by "Little Feat". 25. The producer and sound technician of the album Donn Landee was also the sound technician of the original song. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

He is considered one of the greatest writers in modern music. He is probably the first singer-songwriter in history, and although his roots are strongly in folk music, he has influenced many generations of musicians from a wide variety of genres. We do not claim to cover about 60 years of Bob Dylan's glorious career, but we will try to focus on important milestones in the life of one of the most influential musicians of our generation, with 50 interesting facts: (Photo: Alvan Meyerowitz) 1. He was born in Minnesota into a Jewish immigrant family, on May 24, 1941. 2. The name given to him at birth is Robert Allen Zimmerman, but his Hebrew name is Shabtai Zisel son of Abraham and Rachel Rebecca Zimmerman. 3. As a child he used to listen a lot to the radio, especially to blues and country stations from New Orleans and later also to rock and roll stations. 4. He formed his first band when he was in high school, it was called "The Golden Chords". Dylan and his bandmates mostly played cover versions of songs by Little Richard and Elvis Presley. 5. In 1959 he began studying at the University of Minneapolis, then also began playing with local folk musicians and using the stage name "Bob Dylan". 6. Although it is known that Dylan chose the stage name as inspiration from his favorite Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, Dylan denied it. 7. In 1961 he left school and moved to New York to seek his fortune in music, hoping to meet with his idol - Woody Guthrie as well. 8. He played in pubs and small cafes in Greenwich Village, until the New York Times reporter who attended one of his shows wrote about him in 1961 that he was an artist bursting with talent. Just a month later he was already signed to Columbia Records. 9. His first album "Bob Dylan" was released in 1962 and included a mix of covers of old folk, blues, and gospel songs, with a bit of original material. 10. In 1963 he releases his second album "The Freewheelin 'Bob Dylan". The album features iconic songs such as "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" and "Blowin 'in the Wind" which became the anthem of the civil rights movement and anti-war movements. 11. At that time Dylan also became a significant activist in the civil rights movement. He appeared at the movement's conferences and among other things at the famous conference in Washington where Martin Luther King gave the historic "I Have a Dream" speech. 12. In 1964 Dylan releases the album "The Times They Are A-Changin". In the album, Dylan presents political views and writes on topics such as the murder of civil rights activist Madgar Everes, the disintegration of the traditional mining and farming communities, and the murder of a servant by her master. 13. During the Beatle's visit to the United States in August 1964, Dylan met the four members who adored him. In that encounter, Dylan exposes "The Beatles" members to marijuana for the first time. 14. In 1965 Dylan releases the album "Bringing It All Back Home" which includes the songs "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and "Maggie's Farm". In this album, Dylan uses an electric guitar for the first time. The album was heavily influenced by the Beatles who were influenced by Dylan themselves. 15. Later that year Dylan shows up at the Newport Folk Festival. It was not his first appearance there, but it was Dylan's first "electric" appearance. He was accompanied by guitarist Mike Bloomfield and keyboardist Al Kooper. The audience did not like Dylan's electric set and shouted scorn at him. 16. Back in 1965, Dylan released the album "Highway 61 Revisited" which includes the song "Like a Rolling Stone" one of the most influential songs in modern music. It is interesting to note that in almost sixty years of their career Dylan has never been able to make it to the first place, and even this iconic song did only reach second place. 17. After the release of the album, Dylan was looking for a band to perform with. He teamed up with The Hawks which later changed its name to "The Band". Dylan went on an electric tour with them, but the angry crowd that was expecting the folk-acoustic Dylan, was Booing them off the stage with whistles. 18. In 1966, Dylan returned to the studio to work on the double album "Blonde On Blonde" together with members of the "band". The album released in June 1966 is considered a classic album that is included on many lists as one of the greatest records of all time. 19. In July 1966 Dylan had a serious motorcycle accident, which affected him and caused him to disappear from the public eye. 20. At that time he moved with members of "The Band" to live in a big pink house called "Big Pink", where they began recording together dozens of demos, some of which were released almost a decade later on an album called "The Basement Tapes". 21. In 1967 Dylan released the album "John Wesley Harding" which included the song "All Along the Watchtower". The song will get a memorable cover version by Jimi Hendrix. 22. In 1969, the country-style album "Nashville Skyline" was released, in which Dylan also performed a duet with singer Johnny Cash. The hit "Lay Lady Lay" from it exposed Dylan to another circle of new fans from the country genre. 23. In 1970 Dylan releases the album "Self Portrait". The self-portrait that appears on the album cover was painted by him. 24. That same year he collaborated with George Harrison on writing two songs for Harrison's triple masterpiece album "All Things Must Pass". 25. In 1971 Dylan releases his first book "Tarantula". Dylan will later release additional books including two children's books. 26. Dylan has also released since 1994 eight books that include paintings and drawings made by him. 27. In August 1971 Dylan appeared in surprise at the charity show The "Concert for Bangladesh" organized by George Harrison. The show was recorded by Phil Spector and released on a triple album "The Show for Bangladesh". Dylan performed five songs on it, accompanied by Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Leon Russell. 28. In 1973 Dylan starred as a supporting actor in the film "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid". He also wrote the song "Knockin 'On Heavens Door" for the soundtrack. 29. In 1974, Dylan returns to collaborate with The Band. He releases the album "Planet Waves" which includes two versions of the song "Forever Young" which is considered a classic. 30. He later goes on a tour with them, which was recorded on the double album "Before the Flood". 31. After the tour, it was reported in the media that Dylan and his wife had separated. Dylan filled a small red notebook with songs about his marriage problems, which became the album "Blood on the Tracks" released in 1975. 32. In 1976 Dylan releases the album "Desire" which includes the song "Sara" which was written about his first wife and the mother of four of his children - Sara Lownds. The album opens with the masterpiece "Hurricane" written about boxer Robin Carter nicknamed the Hurricane and charged with a triple murder in New Jersey. Dylan visited Carter in prison and was convinced that the allegations against him were false, and wrote the song to show he is innocent. 33. In 1978 Dylan released the album "Street Legal" which included pop-inspired music from the period. 34. In 1979 Dylan declared that he was reborn as a Christian. That same year he releases the album influenced by Christian gospel "Slow Train Coming". The one who plays with him on the album is none other than Mark Knopfler. 35. The story of the connection between Dylan and Knopfler begins when Dylan heard the "Dire Straits" song "Sultans of Swing". In March 1979 he arrives for their last performance at the Roxy Club in Los Angeles. Dylan approaches Knopfler after the show and offers him to play on his next album. Knopfler immediately agrees and recommended "Dire Straits" Drummer Pick Withers and they both play on the aforementioned album. 36. In 1982, Dylan returned to Judaism and began studying at the Chabad Chassidim Center in Brooklyn. On the inside cover of the album "Infidels" from 1983, Dylan is shown on the Mount of Olives. 37. In the same year he celebrates his eldest son Jesse's Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall. (Photo: AP) 38. In 1987, Dylan first appeared in Israel. He will return to perform here in 1993 and 2011. 39. In 1988 he was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Bruce Springsteen was the one to deliver the opening speech in the ceremony. 40. That same year Dylan co-wrote and sang with Bono the song "Love Rescue Me" which appeared on the U2's album "Rattle and Hum". 41. That same year he co-founded with George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty the supergroup "Traveling Wilburys". 42. In 1992 Dylan marked 30 years since his debut album in a grandiose performance that included a long list of guest artists such as Neil Young, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Tom Petty, "The Band", Eddie Vedder, and Sheryl Crow. 43. Believe it or not but despite the tremendous amount of material Dylan released during his career, he did not win a Grammy for Best Album until 1997 with the album "Time Out Of Mind". This is just one of 11 Grammy Awards that Dylan has won during his career. 44. In 2000, Dylan won an Oscar for the song "Things Have Changed" from the movie "Wonder Boys". 45. In 2008 Dylan became the first musician in the world to win the Pulitzer Prize. 46. ​​In 2009 Dylan releases his 33rd studio album - "Together Through Life". The album jumps straight to number one on the Billboard 200 and makes Dylan, then 68, the oldest artist to reach number one on this chart. 47. In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Dylan the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is the highest civilian decoration in the United States. (Photo: AP) 48. In 2016 he also became the first musician to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. 49. During his illustrious career as a solo artist Dylan has released 40 studio albums, 7 Soundtrack albums, 24 mini-albums, and 21 live albums. 50. For nearly 60 years of activity, Dylan has written more than 1,000 songs. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

"A Perfect Circle's" debut album, "Mer de Noms," released in 2000, remains a timeless masterpiece that has solidified the band's place in alternative rock history. With a perfect blend of haunting melodies, introspective lyrics, and intricate musicianship, "Mer de Noms" stands as a testament to the artistic brilliance of Maynard James Keenan and his bandmates. "A Perfect Circle" was formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. The origins of the band can be traced back to Howerdel's work as a guitar technician for "Tool", a highly influential progressive metal band. During his time with Tool, Howerdel began writing his own music and had a desire to form his own band. Howerdel met singer Maynard James Keenan back in 1992, when "Tool" was opening for "Fishbone", and the two became friends. Three years later, Keenan offered Howerdel, who was looking for lodging, a room in his North Hollywood home. This provided Howerdel the opportunity to play demos of his music for Keenan. Howerdel eventually approached Keenan, who was already a well-established musician and the lead vocalist of Tool. Recognizing Howerdel's talent and creative potential, Keenan agreed to collaborate on the project. The two artists shared a mutual artistic vision and began working together to bring Howerdel's musical ideas to life. (Photo: soundorphin.com) With Howerdel on guitar and Keenan providing vocals, the duo started composing songs and developing the sound that would become "A Perfect Circle". They recruited additional members, including bassist Paz Lenchantin and drummer Josh Freese, to complete the band's lineup. By the way, the name "A Perfect Circle" was chosen by Howerdel, who found it fitting for the band's music and ideology. The name represents the idea of striving for perfection and balance in an imperfect world. While initially in talks to release their debut album on "Volcano Records", "Tool's" record label, Keenan stated that they instead chose to go with "Virgin Records", who Keenan felt that the band should be an equally important band to Tool, not a minor side project. After the initial shows and securing a record deal, the band entered the studio to begin work on their first album "Mer de Noms" (French for "Sea of Names"), was released on May 23, 2000. From the opening track, "The Hollow", it is clear that "A Perfect Circle" is not your typical rock band. The atmospheric and ethereal soundscapes created by guitarist Billy Howerdel set the stage for Keenan's enigmatic and emotive vocals. Each song on the album carries its own unique weight, inviting the listener into a deeply introspective and introspective journey. The album's standout tracks, such as "Judith" and "3 Libras", showcase "A Perfect Circle's" ability to seamlessly transition from delicate, melodic moments to explosive, heavy sections. Keenan's voice effortlessly conveys raw emotion, shifting from gentle whispers to powerful, soaring vocals that demand attention. The lyrics explore themes of introspection, existentialism, and personal struggles, resonating with listeners on a profound level. One of the strengths of "Mer de Noms" is its meticulous instrumentation. The intricate guitar work by Howerdel, complemented by the dynamic rhythm section of bassist Paz Lenchantin and drummer Josh Freese, creates a rich and textured musical landscape. Tracks like "Rose" and "Orestes" showcase the band's ability to craft complex arrangements without sacrificing accessibility. What sets "A Perfect Circle" apart from other bands is their ability to balance aggression with beauty. Songs like "Magdalena" and "Sleeping Beauty" demonstrate this delicate equilibrium, combining heavy guitar riffs with haunting melodies and introspective lyrics. The album's production is pristine, allowing each instrument to shine while maintaining a cohesive sound. "Mer de Noms" is an album that rewards repeated listens. Its depth and complexity unveil themselves over time, with layers of meaning waiting to be discovered. From the hypnotic rhythm of Thomas to the poignant closing track, "Over", the album takes listeners on an emotional rollercoaster that is both cathartic and introspective. With "Mer de Noms", "A Perfect Circle" established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the alternative rock scene. Their ability to craft thought-provoking and emotionally charged music is unparalleled. The album remains a testament to the band's creative genius and continues to resonate with listeners over two decades after its release. This is a masterpiece that showcases "A Perfect Circle's" exceptional musicianship, poignant lyricism, and atmospheric soundscapes. It is an album that transcends genres and time, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who dares to immerse themselves in its captivating world. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, selling 188,000 copies in its first week and making it the highest-selling debut album for a rock band. Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Editor's Choice... This is the debut studio album by the American rock band "Angels & Airwaves". Recorded at Neverpants Ranch in San Diego, California, and produced by guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge (Blink-182), the album was released on May 23, 2006, through Geffen Records. After their fourth album and their huge success, Blink-182 took a hiatus, during that time DeLonge wrote much darker materials which he thought will not be aligned with the band's musical atmosphere. He jammed on those songs with his friend from "Hazen Street" David Kennedy which was intended to be a one-time project. Very quickly it evolved to a full-fledged band named "Box Car Racer", taking part in the band was also "Blink-182" drummer, Travis Barker. The "side" project which released one self-titled album caused personal conflicts between DeLonge and Hoppus which already started on the fourth album of Blink, Hoppus was not a member of the "supergroup" and felt betrayed. As a result of the success of the "Box Car Racer" album, Geffen Records offered DeLonge a sols recording deal. Although DeLonge declined the offer this only amplified the tension between him and Hoopus. (Photo: Spotify) During 2004 DeLonge was not feeling like a part of the greatest Punk trio, he judged the band's priorities to be "mad, mad different" and claimed that they had simply grown apart as they aged. This communication breakdown led to heated exchanges resulting in his departure from the group. DeLonge was psychologically hurt by the band's dissolution, likening it to a divorce and calling it a "traumatic experience" and a "disaster." He chose to abstain for six months from any interviews surrounding the issue and his future plans, instead, he concentrated on writing and recording in his home-based studio. After six months of demo recordings in which he taught himself to play many instruments and produce music, he formed the band "Angles & Airwaves" which included former "Hazen Street" guitarist and high-school friend David Kennedy, former "Rocket from the Crypt" and "The Offspring" drummer Atom Willard and former "The Distillers" bass guitarist Ryan Sinn. (Photo: discotech) The album is inspired by a mix of both personal developments and global events. During production, DeLonge studied World War II, which he considered the "last great war clearly a battle between good and evil." He saw America enter a post-war period of prosperity and perceived it as an analogy for possibilities in his life. The album was encouraged by other personal crises as well, such as DeLonge's father's diagnosis of leukemia and his brother's deployment to Iraq. The band intended for We Don't Need to Whisper is that the future could become a utopia. The opening track "Valkyrie Missile" opens with a cinematic organ melody, 1980s-influenced guitars, and a quote from an astronaut: "Anybody out there?". It is followed by "Distraction" which is filled with hand claps and a keyboard melody over verses lamenting death and destruction. The song "Do It for Me Now" originated from a beat DeLonge created in 2004 for rapper Talib Kweli, the Morse code beat was later adapted by the band. DeLonge described "The Adventure" as an "exhilarating ode to a beckoning future with a huge guitar sound reminiscent of The Cure." The song "A Little's Enough" was inspired by a religious concept in which a God came to bring positive change on Earth when it faces terrorism, war, or famine. The group has been described by DeLonge as more than a band, "an art project larger human themes and tackles them in different mediums," = "a multimedia project." This has been seen in the group's films, live events, novel approach, and their future albums, already in this album you can feel and hear the dramatic aspect of the music, incorporated with sounds and dynamic which comes from the cinema. The album peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 and has since sold nearly 800,000 copies. Three of the four singles released in promotion of the album reached the top 20 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, with "The Adventure" peaking at number five. A documentary film based on the recording process of the album and the early history of the band, "Start the Machine", was released in 2008. Listen to the album on Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

This is "Audioslave's" second studio album, released on May 23, 2005. This album comes three years after the release of "Audioslave's" debut album - "Audioslave". There were many who predicted that this "supergroup" was a one-time miracle that would not last beyond the first album. In this respect "Out of Exile" proved otherwise, it showed the commitment of the four members of Audioslave to function as a real band, to work and create together as one body and not just as a "supergroup" of refugees of two large bands, that are here for one night stand. In the bonus DVD from the band's third album - "Revelations", Chris Cornell explains that he wrote the lyrics to the theme song "Out of Exile" when his second wife Vicky Karagiannis was pregnant. Cornell recounted the joy and happiness that came with the knowledge that he was going to be a father again and the fact that these good feelings "freed" him from the bad moods and depressions - "Out Of Exile" - just like that, literally. Just 6 days ago we commemorate the day of the passing of Chris Cornell, and it's hard not to ponder that wounded soul that managed to touch so many people, encourage them in difficult situations and free them from that emotional "exile", but it ultimately failed to redeem itself. Cornell also noted that the songs on the album have been influenced by the positive changes in his life since 2002 and that they are some of the most personal he has ever written. Here are some examples: The opening song "Your Time Has Come" was written by Cornell about younger friends of his who passed away and are no longer with us. Cornell also specifically refers to all the Vietnam War soldiers who lost their lives and to a memorial to them located in Washington, D.C., when he sings: "I've seen 50,000 names all engraved on a stone." "Be Yourself" is one of our favorite songs written by Cornell, and it addresses the stupid mistakes Cornell made in his life and his desire to atone for them. Cornell tries to explain the difference that exists between two people who react differently to the same situation and suggests that we simply "be ourselves" and not try to resemble another. "Doesn't Remind Me" Cornell lists a "grocery list" of things he enjoys and that they all have in common is that they don't remind him of anything. This song, which was released as the third single from the album, earned Audioslave a Grammy nomination in 2006. In the song "The Worm" Cornell recalls his early days as a musician, some of which he regrets. For example, the words "Top of my lungs" refer to singing in the highest octaves in his youth and the words "Sitting on the bottom rug" correspond with the band characters printed on a rug on the back cover of the album" Louder Than Love ". Interestingly, the lyrics of the song do not include the phrase "the worm" and one has to wonder if Chris wants to present himself in this way. This is the only album of the three on "Audioslave", which earned them first place on the Billboard 200. About two weeks before the album's release, on May 6, 2005, the band performed in Santiago, Cuba, in front of an enthusiastic audience of 70,000 people. It was the first time an American rock band has performed on Cuban soil, with "Audioslave" performing most of the album's songs there, for the first time, even before its release. This of course led to the album "Live In Cuba". (Photo: Interscope) Oddly enough, despite the tremendous potential inherent in the formidable power trio of "Rage" veterans in conjunction with one of the great voices of our generation, this album stands out more in its calmer and slower moments like "Doesn't Remind Me", "Be Yourself", "Yesterday to Tomorrow" , "Heaven's Dead" and more. Especially in the heavier parts of the album, like "Drown Me Slowly" or "Man or Animal", it seems that although this is the first time that "Audioslave" has really functioned as a band, it still continues to search for its identity, between "Rage's" masterful riffs and "Soundgarden's "massive heaviness. Although the process of searching for identity has not been fully completed on this album, the magic moments in it still far outweigh the less good ones. It is a pity that this magic did not last, and the band disbanded shortly after the release of their third and final album, "Revelations", at the end of 2006. 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 May 22, 1993, "Guns N' Roses" took the stage for the first time, at the HaYarkon Park in Tel Aviv. The excitement before the show was immense. The band came to Israel at the height of its fame, duringAvivIsrael the endless tour that followed the double album "Use Your Illusion I & II" and lasted almost three years. The excitement even intensified, when before the show it was announced that guitarist Izzy Stradlin would arrive with the band, as a replacement for Gilby Clarke, who had been injured shortly before. It was a golden opportunity to witness the band as close to its original lineup, minus Steven Adler of course. Israel was the first country in which the band performed in this part of the tour. This leg of the tour was designed to be less extravagant and more minimalistic than the grandiose shows that came before it, and bared the name "Skin n' Bones". The anticipation for the show was insane. It was supposed to be the biggest show in the country at the time, with fifty thousand enthusiastic fans purchasing tickets for it. A performance by a band that was considered that summer as the largest rock band in the world. But then came the frustration. The band gave one of the weakest performances of its entire career in front of 50,000 viewers. So weak that guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan wrote about it in their biography and Axl Rose addressed it during one of his performances in 2001. Slash put the blame for the poor show on the shoulders of Izzy Stradlin who had recently returned to the band to fill Gilby Clarke's place. He noted that Izzy did not want to rehearse. He did not want to play even one song in advance and did not know the materials well enough before going on stage. Axl Rose claimed that the band's soundmen lowered Izzy's guitar channel to a minimum because he just wasn't in sync with the band. Despite these claims by Axl Rose and Slash, it is a known fact that the band did rehearsals in Israel before the show and there were rumors that it happened even in a small rehearsal room in Tel Aviv, whose owners were simply in a total shock when the rock stars suddenly rolled into the studio. Izzy or not, bottom line, we got a poor performance. The sound was bad, the setlist was not cohesive and far from satisfactory. It included quite a few acoustic versions of familiar songs, along with songs that were originally played as acoustic in the previous parts of the tour as well, and above all the band chose not to play their biggest hit in Israel, "Don't Cry". Sound issues and performance quality were even covered, in real-time, on Israel TV Channel one. And if all this is not enough, then this vanity concert was won by an egocentric singer who was late to take the stage and managed to annoy the audience even before playing one note, a heroin-addicted guitarist, a bassist too drunk to talk, and a second guitarist who didn't know the material well enough. And this was the list of songs played on that show on May 22, 1993: 1. It's So Easy 2. Mr. Brownstone 3. Live and Let Die 4. Welcome to the Jungle 5. Attitude 6. Double Talkin' Jive 7. You Ain't the First 8. You're Crazy 9. Used to Love Her 10. Patience 11. Knockin' on Heaven's Door 12. November Rain 13. You Could Be Mine 14. Sweet Child O' Mine 15. Dead Horse 16. Paradise City In conclusion, it can be said that the highlight of that evening, was the excellent warm-up show of Brian May of "Queen", who came on stage with his band that included legendary drummer Cozy Powell and bassist Neil Murray. And with all the disappointment from that show in 1993, it is impossible not to mention the tremendous affirmative experience the band gave us with one of the greatest shows ever In Israel, when "Guns" took the stage for the third time (the second with Slash and Duff) on July 15, 2017. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

You know what it's like... When you experience something big for the first time, you tell yourself it's probably disposable, it's so big and special that it's not likely to happen again. The power, the excitement and the impact of the experience are so special that you do not believe such a thing can repeat itself... But yesterday it happened... it repeated itself... and it was even bigger !! Warning: This will not be a performance review, this will be a pure experience sharing! It happened on the night of the 24th of January 2019, in south Tel Aviv... in Barby club Tel Aviv. Walkways has gone up for their second performance at Barby since the issue of their crazy album launch last year and it was huge, powerful, unique and phenomenal. You know that you feel at a certain moment that you are part of something big, you are witnessing something that you feel in your heart that is going to be huge, enormous, so these are Walkways !! The band that recently signed a contract with the huge label Nuclear Blast, returned from a tour of several months in Europe as an opening act for Memphis May Fire and as Avihai (the bassist) described it: "It was like in the movies", on a bus with all the equipment waking up every day in a different city in Europe, give your soul out and live the life of rock and roll. The show consisted of two parts, the band SHREDHEAD in the first part and Walkways as the second. The came on stage after the opening act For Us All. But before we talk about Walkways we must dwell for a moment on SHREDHEAD... We are not very familiar with the band, we have never heard their music and this is the first time we see them live. So from here we want to send a message to Israel Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff and inform them that they can release the current army because there is a sophisticated, formidable and cruel war machine in the State of Israel called SHREDHEAD !!! Their two guitarists, Yotam Nagor and Razi Elbaz, lead the commando cruisers with determination, professionalism and cruelty while the mad drummer Roi Kahana (who seems to have 4 pedals or four legs) with bassist Lee Levy is a huge artillery or missile battery that drops heavy and powerful artillery. Leading singer Aaron Raguza who with his throat and power does not even need radio communication device, you can hear him from far away as he navigates the troops. There is no other way to describe their performance and music, those who love this style expect a completely deadly and cruel out-of-body experience, add to that their devoted and loving audience and you will get a huge show. We have already talked several times about Walkways and also played them several times on our show. The amazing thing about this band is that it has its own special DNA, although it is in this genre called Metal Core it's very unique, you can feel it right away on the first note. There is something cosmic about the structure and dynamics of their music, a very sophisticated and deadly combination of strong riffs with caressing lines, unexpected breaks and transitions of different rhythms in an uneven structure. You feel it pulls you up, caress you gently and suddenly you get hit by a cruel punch to the face, you are thrown to the floor and find yourself stomping hard. It is very difficult to explain in words what this band manages to convey to the listener and especially to its audience during the performances. An exploded Barby , full of youthful scent, everyone with their hands up roaring "For Heaven Sake" one of their big hit song from the last album. The combination of all this talent on stage with the mesmerizing sound leaves no choice but to have a total devotion. Both guitarists, Bar Caspi and Yoni Menner produce ultrasonic sounds that penetrate into your brain and initiate electrical pulses of a type you have not experienced, your brain without any resistance transmits these unfamiliar sensations to all the organs in your body. You feel like your body is moving from one extreme to another. At one moment you want to explode, jump, roar and at another moment you want to sing, whisper and break in tears. Those responsible for the navigation or more correctly for the direction of the wiring are the huge drummer Priel Horesh and the amazing bassist Avihai Levy. When the reefs are strong and shaky, they attack along with them and form a kind of formidable railroad with a collision course that is cool and great but throws you off balance when the crazy breaks comes and you do not even understand where will it be landing on you. The snare, the bass drum and the bass create passages that grasp your soul and in the silence that prevails you do not hear the heartbeat at all but only the snare and bass poundings. All of these powerfully feed the singer Ran Yerushalmi, who with mesmerizing charisma penetrates the soul, he whispers in your ear, he roars from the depths of his throat, he strokes you and he kicks you to hell... he's just huge!! You're probably saying we've been swept away, that we're really exaggerating, that there are a lot of exciting bands but that's... really exaggerated. So we are not going to justify or apologize... For a fact this is what happens when a band reaches such a high level and it is in your home, in your country and it is part of you. We wholeheartedly recommend going into Walkways Bandcamp or the band's website now and buy their two albums. We very much hope they will have more shows soon because this is a must see !! Listen to the band debut album "Safe In Sound" issued in 2013 on: Spotify, Apple Music. Listen to the band second album "Bleed Out, Heal Out" issued in 2019 on: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

There are concerts people remember because they were perfect. And then there are concerts people remember because they were too big, too chaotic, too frustrating and too powerful to ever disappear from memory. "Metallica" at "Ramat Gan Stadium" in May 2010 was exactly that kind of night. (Photo: Metallica Official Photo Gallery) Long before the band even landed in Israel, the concert already carried unusual emotional weight. Two years earlier, the cancellation of the 2008 show left thousands of fans angry and heartbroken after waiting months to finally see the biggest metal band in the world return to Israel. Tickets were kept, expectations only grew larger, and by the time the "World Magnetic Tour" finally arrived at "Ramat Gan Stadium", this no longer felt like just another international rock concert. It felt like unfinished business. Hours before the gates opened, the entire area around the stadium was overflowing with black shirts, old tour merchandise, beer stands and endless chants of “Metallica! Metallica!”. Fans who had seen the band in the 90s mixed with teenagers experiencing them for the first time. There was a feeling that something historic was about to happen. Even before "Metallica" took the stage, "Orphaned Land" received the almost impossible task of opening for one of the most emotionally charged crowds Israel had seen in years. For the Israeli metal band, it was a rare opportunity to stand in front of tens of thousands of people moments before one of the biggest bands in the world. Despite the enormous pressure and scale of the event, "Orphaned Land" delivered a powerful and respectable opening performance, combining their signature blend of heavy metal and Middle Eastern influences, once again proving why they are considered one of the most important and influential bands to emerge from the local metal scene. Then the lights went down... As Ennio Morricone’s "The Ecstasy of Gold" filled the stadium, the tension exploded instantly. The giant screens lit up, the crowd surged forward, and when "Metallica" stormed into "Creeping Death", "Ramat Gan Stadium" finally released two years of frustration in one deafening scream. For the opening minutes, the concert felt unstoppable. It was the first out of three "Ride the Lightning" songs and it felt that ןt was no coincidence that the band chose to open their concert in Israel with the story of the Ten Commandments. Next "For Whom the Bell Tolls" sounded massive, James Hetfield immediately controlled the crowd like only he can, and the entire stadium moved together as if the evening had already become one of the greatest metal shows Israel had ever hosted. And then came "Ride the Lightning". Suddenly the sound disappeared... At first, people thought it was a brief technical issue. But then it happened again. And again. Large sections of the audience could barely hear the band during parts of "Ride the Lightning", "Harvester of Sorrow", and "Fade to Black". The sound system repeatedly collapsed into silence, muddy distortion or partial channel loss, while the band themselves kept playing almost blindly through the chaos. The frustration inside the stadium became impossible to ignore. Fans booed loudly, not at the band, but at the disastrous technical handling of a concert this large. For several songs, the entire evening genuinely felt close to collapse. What saved the show from becoming a complete disaster was "Metallica" themselves. James Hetfield handled the situation with visible honesty instead of pretending nothing was wrong. He apologized multiple times, encouraged the crowd to stay with them, and slowly managed to pull the audience back into the performance. There was something strangely human about seeing one of the biggest bands in the world fighting through technical failure in real time. Once the sound stabilized, the concert finally revealed what it was supposed to be all along: a gigantic, aggressive stadium celebration of "Metallica’s" entire career. (Photo: Metallica Official Photo Gallery) This was very much the "Death Magnetic" era version of the band. Less dangerous and unpredictable than the wild early 90s lineup that destroyed Park Hayarkon in 1993, but heavier, tighter and more disciplined. By 2010, "Metallica" already operated like a massive machine. Every transition, lighting cue and stage movement felt calculated with stadium-level precision. Sometimes that professionalism removed part of the danger that once defined them. But it also meant the band hit with unbelievable force once everything finally worked. The newer material from "Death Magnetic" actually fit surprisingly well into the set. "That Was Just Your Life", "The End of the Line", "The Day That Never Comes", and "Broken, Beat & Scarred" sounded darker and heavier live than on record, proving the band still knew how to write modern material that could survive next to their classics. Still, the true explosions inside the stadium came whenever the older songs arrived. "Sad but True" rolled through Ramat Gan like pure concrete. "One" transformed the stadium into a battlefield with explosions, machine-gun effects and blinding white lights. "Master of Puppets" became total chaos, tens of thousands screaming every word while the floor of the stadium physically shook beneath the crowd. Then came "Blackened", easily one of the most intense moments of the evening. After all the technical frustrations earlier in the concert, the song felt almost symbolic: fast, violent, relentless thrash metal delivered by a band refusing to let the night fail completely. By the time "Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman" arrived, the concert had fully recovered emotionally, even if nobody forgot the problems from earlier. The audience sang every word, but unlike smaller indoor performances, this was never an intimate evening. Ramat Gan Stadium felt enormous, loud, sometimes distant, and occasionally acoustically overwhelming. This was a giant stadium spectacle in every sense, both for better and for worse. The encore perfectly captured the strange balance of the night. First came "Stone Cold Crazy", the old "Queen" cover that reminded everyone of the band’s thrash roots and sense of humor. Then "Whiplash" completely reignited the old-school energy before "Seek & Destroy" closed the evening exactly the way a "Metallica" stadium concert should end: giant beach balls flying through the crowd, thousands screaming the chorus back at the band, and pure exhausted chaos everywhere you looked. (Photo: Metallica Official Photo Gallery) The 2010 Ramat Gan show was not a flawless triumph. The sound problems were real, severe and embarrassing for an event of this magnitude. Some people left angry. Some left disappointed. Critics were divided afterward. But despite all the technical failures, "Metallica" still managed to create one of the most talked-about rock concerts Israel has ever seen. Maybe because the imperfections became part of the story itself. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Well, it took us a while to recover from what happened on stage at the Menora Hall in Tel Aviv, yesterday May 22, 2022. So for those of you who do not have time to read the full review, we have prepared a special "Executive Summary", and it goes like this: "Deep Purple demolished the "Menorah Tel Aviv Hall", in an unforgettable performance, perhaps the best it has given here in Israel." To all those who hurried to eulogize the aging band, those who noted that most of its members can be members of ש Nursing Home and mocked the "oxygen breaks" that singer Ian Gillan takes during the show, you are invited to the nearest "hat shop". We prepared a coupon for you so you can buy a straw hat, you know, one of those that do not slip very well down your throat... To tell you the truth, we too did not come to the show with high expectations. This is the band's sixth performance we saw here in Israel, the last of which was held 6 years ago, and as our childhood heroes are getting older, we had some concerns regarding the band members' performance abilities. These fears were overshadowed by early publicity that guitarist Steve Morse, who has accompanied the band for nearly three decades, would not be coming to the show due to personal reasons and the fact that the show is being held at "Menorah Hall", where we did not enjoy the sound quality in the past. Even the setlist who was expected to be played at the show, did not arouse much excitement. We have already seen most of the songs performed live at the band's shows, although we must admit that we were very thrilled to hear the songs from the latest and excellent studio album "Whoosh!" and The cover album "Turning To Crime", being played live. But then it happened. We were proved, once again, that reality surpasses all imagination. After a brief warm-up of the excellent "Subterranean Masquerade", the purple dinosaurs took the stage to the tune of "The Planets Op. 32 I. MARCH, the Bringer of War" by English composer Gustav Holst, and it did indeed felt like a "war" moving on us, only this time for the better. Immediately after the "War March" the signal was given and Ian Paice began the all-too-familiar drumming intro of "Highway Star" and right then one could already feel the insane energies that passed from the stage to the audience and immediately back. Three minutes into the song and it could already be said that all our fears were dispelled. The band sounded and looked more energetic, cohesive, and tight than ever. Ian Gillan's voice was clear and powerful, the sound was excellent compared to other performances in the same hall and even Simon McBride, in his second visit to Israel (was here in 2019) gave an amazing and accurate performance of one of the band's most-played songs. If we've already mentioned Simon, then he was the "added value", that only contributed to the band's already insane show. With almost no unnecessary tricks, with an amazing sound from heaven, and without replacing a guitar even once during the entire show, Simon just "came to work". What was not said about him? That he is a gifted guitarist who already at the age of 16 joined the reunion of "Sweet Savage". That he is reminiscent of Joe Bonamassa. that he is Rory Gallagher's successor with musical abilities that made him the lead guitarist in the British blues-rock scene, but until we saw him spit fire from his guitar with impeccable technique and musical ability, the doubt that he would not be able to step into Steve Morse's great shoes continued to nestle in us. You can not blame us for the overzealousness of stupid teenagers. From the height of our age (We were not teenagers at the time of the band's 1991 show, do the math) and after dozens if not hundreds of gigs around the globe behind us, trust us we already know how to filter the noise of enthusiasm and focus on the music itself and usually we are very critical. But what happened yesterday at the "Menorah Hall" was an amazing display that completely does not embarrass the youth of this much-loved band, whose soundtrack is woven into the history of Israeli audiences. In a non-stop sequence and with almost no flirts with the audience, the band gave us a balanced dose of their great "hits" and must "classics", alongside newer material, with a spicy, focused polished solos. The setlist included a worthy and respectable representation from the 50th-anniversary album "Machine Head". The opening song "Highway Star", "Pictures of Home" with Paice's rolling drum intro, "Lazy" with Gillan's harmonica solo, "Space Truckin" which this time did not starch too much, and of course "Smoke on the Water" with the video art in the background. On top of all this one can add one of the surprises in the setlist. "When a Blind Man Cries" was recorded during the sessions of "Machine Head", but did not enter the album because Ritchie Blackmore just did not want it there. The band does not often play the song in their performances and we were privileged to see it performed here live for the first time after a decade. It is interesting to note that this song entered the band's setlists only after the departure of Ritchie Blackmore, as for years he refused to play it and simply denied it. In the (relatively) new representation of songs in the setlist, we can mention the excellent "Nothing at All", whose performance in the show was no less than amazing, and "Throw My Bones" with the simple and sweeping riff, both from the excellent "Whoosh!" album. There was also "Uncommon Man" dedicated to Jon Lord, "Time For Bedlam" which was quite surprising, as well as two excerpts from the cover album "Turning To Crime" - the perfect cover for "7 and 7 Is" by "Love" And of course the sweeping string "Caught in the Act" which blends five classics from the '60s into an amazing string: "Going Down" by "Jeff Beck Group", the instrumental "Green Onions" by "Booker T. & the MG's" Southern blues "Hot Lanta" by "Allman Brothers Band", heavy bluesed "Dazed and Confused" by "Led Zeppelin" and the hit "Gimme Some Lovin" by "Spencer Davis Group". Beyond the songs we already mentioned above, it seems that the moments that excited the audience at "Menorah Mivtachim Hall" in particular were "Strange Kind of Woman", one of the most played songs by the band, the legendary "Perfect Strangers" that drove the audience crazy, "Hush", the first single the band released somewhere in 1968, an interpretation of the song "Jerusalem of Gold" that keyboardist Don Airey included in his amazing solo (we wonder if he knew "Jerusalem Day" was few days ahead), and of course "Black Night" which ended the show with loud cheers. The performance was excellent throughout. The level of playing and virtuosity were at the highest levels known in the music world. Ian Paice is one of the great drummers in classic rock and together with Roger Glover complete one of the most stable rhythm sections of the 70s. Don Airey is simply a one-man band, and there is no musical style he can not play and as for Ian Gillan, we must note that after the last shows here in Israel we were really pleasantly surprised by his performance. If we ignore the brief forays into the black tent behind the stage, he led and swept the band and the audience after him. He was smart enough not to fall into unnecessary traps, sometimes preferring a less "faithful to the original" over an "inaccurate" performance, when even for a moment we did not have to move uncomfortably in our chair at the sound of his straining voice. In conclusion, this is definitely one of the good performances of "Deep Purple" in Israel, if not the one... If you did not attend the show yesterday, then you have another opportunity to fix it today, in Jerusalem. Run ... and here... we have also prepared a playlist that will accompany you on your ascents to Jerusalem so that you can prepare yourself for the show: Spotify And for those who haven't seen this miracle, here are some experts from the show: Song list: Highway Star Pictures of Home Strange Kind of Woman Nothing at All Uncommon Man Lazy When a Blind Man Cries 7 and 7 Is Throw My Bones Time For Bedlam Keyboard Solo Perfect Strangers Space Truckin' Smoke on the Water Caught in the Act Hush Bass Solo Black Night "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 22, 2007 Ozzy Osbourne released his tenth studio album "Black Rain". This album marked Ozzy's return to all-new solo material after six years and it finds the Prince of Darkness navigating modern metal trends while holding onto his signature style. With "Black Rain" Ozzy went darker and heavier than "Down to Earth" released in 2001. "Black Rain" sits at the intersection of traditional heavy metal, groove metal, and modern hard rock—with hints of industrial and post-grunge. Once again, it sees Ozzy teaming up with longtime collaborator Zakk Wylde, whose guitar work dominates the record with a mix of detuned riffing, squealing pinch harmonics, and bluesy solo flourishes. The album kicks off with "Not Going Away", a mid-tempo metal anthem layered with heavy palm-muted guitars and a pounding rhythm section. Wylde’s guitar tone is saturated and aggressive, giving the song a dense, industrial feel that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Drummer Mike Bordin (ex-"Faith No More") lays down a thunderous, mechanical groove that complements the song’s no-nonsense defiance. "I Don’t Wanna Stop" is arguably the album’s standout track. It rides on a syncopated main riff with a slight nu-metal influence—tight, chunky, and rhythm-driven. The chorus opens up into a more classic Ozzy hook, with synths subtly supporting the melody in the second half of the song. Wylde’s solo here is sharp and concise, using controlled bends and fast alternate picking to keep the intensity high without drifting into excess. "Black Rain", the title track, is one of the album’s darkest moments—built around a haunting minor-key riff that borders on doom metal. The song’s slow, sludgy progression is enhanced by atmospheric keyboards and subtle effects and Ozzy's harmonica playing, creating an almost apocalyptic soundscape. The rhythm section is particularly effective here, using space and restraint to build tension. On the softer end, "Lay Your World on Me" tries to emulate the emotional weight of earlier Ozzy ballads, though the track feels somewhat overproduced and doesn’t quite hit the emotional crescendo of, say, “Mama, I’m Coming Home”. Similarly, “Here for You,” fall into formulaic patterns, with over-polished production occasionally muting the rawness that defined Ozzy’s earlier work. "The Almighty Dollar" begins with a bass-driven intro that we didn't heard in Ozzy's albums since "No More Tears" — before launching into a groove-metal stomp with socio-political lyrics. The song merges elements of "Alice in Chains"-style grunge with "Black Sabbath" heaviness, and Wylde alternates between wah-drenched fills and grinding low-end riffs. "Civilize the Universe" is a return to fast-paced riffage with chugging verses and an epic, almost cinematic chorus. The guitar work is reminiscent of "No Rest for the Wicked"-era, but with more modern production—tight, loud, and compressed. While the songwriting can feel formulaic at times, the instrumentation throughout "Black Rain" is tight, heavy, and expertly performed. Wylde's guitar tone is consistently brutal, often stealing the show, and Bordin’s drumming brings a hard-hitting precision that locks in well with bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson's low-end punch. "Black Rain" is a musically solid if somewhat uneven album that benefits immensely from Zakk Wylde’s commanding guitar work and a heavy, modern production style. While not groundbreaking, it delivers enough metal muscle and dark mood to satisfy fans of Ozzy’s heavier side. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Editor's Choice... This is the breakthrough album of the band "Staind"!!! Staind's album "Break The Cycle" is a powerful and introspective release that showcases the band's ability to delve into emotional depth. Released in 2001, this album solidified Staind's presence in the alternative metal scene and became their best-selling record to date. The album's standout feature is undoubtedly the raw and heartfelt lyrics penned by lead vocalist Aaron Lewis. Tracks like "It's Been Awhile" and "Epiphany" tackle themes of personal struggles, addiction, and inner turmoil with a profound honesty. Lewis' emotional delivery creates an instant connection with listeners, making the songs relatable and cathartic. (Photo: crypticrock) Musically, "Break The Cycle" showcases Staind's signature heavy sound, combining intense guitar riffs and melodic hooks. The album seamlessly balances heavy tracks like "Open Your Eyes" and "For You" with more subdued moments like "Fade" and "Outside," where acoustic elements take the forefront. This dynamic range adds depth to the overall listening experience. One potential critique of the album is its tendency towards a somewhat formulaic approach. Some tracks may feel sonically similar, lacking distinct variation. However, this is offset by the album's consistent quality and the band's ability to deliver emotionally charged performances. "Break The Cycle" is a significant achievement for Staind, showcasing their growth as songwriters and musicians. The album's introspective lyrics, combined with the band's powerful musicality, make it a standout release in the alternative metal genre. Overall, Staind's "Break The Cycle" is a compelling and introspective album that resonates with listeners. Its emotional depth, combined with the band's musical prowess, solidifies its place as a must-listen for fans of alternative metal. The success of the album started long before it came out, sounds delusional but so it was... In 1999 during the "Family Values ​​Tour" in which "Limp Bizkit" participated among the other bands, Limp singer Fred Durst who was very attached to Aaron Lewis and the band, brought Aaron to the stage. Then something magical happened !! Aaron performed the song "Outside" and swept the huge crowd in the stadium, despite his relatively "off" stage presence he managed, with the help of his voice and lyrics to move the entire crowd. The improperly recorded live version became a hysterical hit and aired non-stop on all radio stations, exposing the young band to millions of listeners. Feel free to listen to the excellent album on Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

A Sneak Peek... On December 13, 2011, "Metallica" released their third EP "Beyond Magnetic". This is a mini-album, which includes 4 songs, all of which were recorded during the recording of the "Death Magnetic" album. During the "Death Magnetic" recording sessions held in 2007 and 2008, the band recorded 14 songs. When it came time to choose the songs for the album, the members of "Metallica" decided to include only 10 songs, with the remaining four waiting "in a vault" for three years. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of "Metallica", the band members thought of giving the songs as a gift to their most devoted fans, when the band releases a new song, in each of the four shows held at its home ground "The Fillmore" in San Francisco. Admission to these four shows was limited to members of the band's fan club, and they debuted one new song at each show. Participants were then issued a wristband with a special code that allowed them to download these songs for free from Metallica's official website after the show. But later, the songs were combined into a mini-album that was originally released for digital download only on iTunes (on December 13, 2011) and later also on CD on January 30, 2012, when the band accompanied the release with a message that read, among other things, that the songs underwent a basic and immature mix that does not arrive to the production level of the other songs from the "Death Magnetic" album. By and large, the four songs continue the line of "Death Magnetic", but with a rough garage production that sometimes feels like a demo. The opening song "Hate Train" is a typical "Metallica" thrash song, followed by "Just A Bullet Away" whose verses take a step back and correspond more with root "heavy metal". Everything turns darker with "Hell and Back", whose lyrics apparently refer to James Hetfield's addictions. A dynamic song that moves on the quiet-loud track. The mini-album ends with the longest song from it "Rebel Of Babylon" which spans 8 minutes. It starts soft and quiet but it slowly gains speed and power like a tropical storm. For listening: Spotify "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website