Melodic metal project of ex-Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet. This band helped open doors for guitar shredders like Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Via. Graham later went on to perform with Impellitteri.
Melodic metal project of ex-Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet. This band helped
open doors for guitar shredders like Yngwie
Malmsteen and Steve Via. Graham later went on to perform with Impellitteri.
Alcatrazz-No Parole from Rock 'n Roll (Grand Slamm) 1984
1. "Island in the Sun" (3:56)
2. "General Hospital" (4:50)
3. "Jet to Jet" (4:27)
4. "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (4:01)
5. "Kree Nakoorie" (6:10)
6. "Incubus" -instumental (1:24)
7. "Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live" (4:21)
8. "Big Foot" (4:07)
9. "Starcarr Lane" (3:54)
10. "Suffer Me" (4:18)
I was actually blessed to see this incarnation of Alcatrazz at Six Flags in Jackson, NJ, opening for Ted Nugent. It was quite apparent then that Yngwie was the band. He ruled the stage and stole the show from band leader Graham Bonnet. Regardless, the band's 1983 debut is one phenomenal masterwork, most of which was written by Yngwie Malmsteen. What is amazing about this record, compared to much of Yngwie's solo work, is that the song writing is not all based around his guitar solos. Jimmy Waldo adds some tasty keyboard textures that reminds me slightly of Rainbow. All this is wrapped up nicely by Bonnet's soulful and lethal voice. Favorite tracks "Kree Nakoorie," "Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live" and the short instrumental "Incubus."
Alcatrazz-Disturbing the Peace (Capitol/Japan) 1985
1. "God Blessed Video" (3:30)
2. "Mercy" (4:22)
3. "Will You Be Home Tonight" (5:03)
4. "Wire and Wood" (3:29)
5. "Desert Diamond" (4:20)
6. "Stripper" (3:53)
7. "Painted Lover" (3:24)
8. "Lighter Shade of Green" -instrumental (0:46)
9. "Sons and Lovers" (3:37)
10. "Skyfire" (3:55)
11. "Breaking the Heart of the City" (4:58)
'Disturbing the Peace' was the first album release from Alcatrazz after the departure of Yngwie Malmsteen. Enter new shredder Steve Via. Steve is a competent replacement but does not have the same charisma that Ynqwie possessed. Still, Bonnet's killer songcraft shines through and this album come off as rather good. If not as good as the classic debut 'No Parole from Rock n Roll,' then only a small step behind.