Lead vocalist Graham Bonnet has been one creative dude in the last few years with lots of touring, both solo and with the Michael Schenker Fest and released a lot of albums, both studio ones and live ones so a reunion with Alcatrazz shouldn’t have been a big surprise but somehow it was. Personally, I was never a huge fan of that band. They had some good songs on their two first albums No Parole From Rock ‘n’ Roll (1983) and Disturbing The Peace (1985) – the third, Dangerous Games (1986) I haven’t even heard – but as a band, they never had much impact on me at all. The thing is, Alcatrazz never made it big and when they started out, most people went to their shows to watch guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen – and when he left Steve Vai. But much credit to that band for bringing out those two now legendary guitarists.
The fact that neither of them would participate in this reunion was a no-brainer but there were offers a few years ago – with shitloads of money involved – to reunite the original line-up. But when Yngwie didn’t get his way, he wanted the lion’s share of the money and also to be the sole song-writer, that fell through. The version that has reunited with Bonnet is bassist Gary Shea and keyboardist Jimmy Waldo with new members Joe Stump (guitars) and Mark Benquechea as the replcement for abscent drummer Jan Uvena. Also, the album contains shitloads of guests, mostly in the guitar-department where many of Bonnet’s old guitar players has participated. To say that I had high hopes for this album would be to exaggerate things but since Bonnet’s solo-efforts has been really good and his voice is still in good shape considering his age, I did look forward to this release.
Opening the album with the title-track and the album’s third single, co-written by Bonnet’s old band-mate Chris Impellitteri – who also plays guitar on the song – they bring us back to the band’s debut album with a slight nod towards Rainbow as well. The tune is faster in tempo where Classic Rock meets Metal – and of course, with Impellitteri involved, the neo-classical influence isn’t far away. It’s a really bare-boned rocker, pretty-straight forward with a damn fine main-melody and a memorable yet not hitty chorus – and Bonnet himself sings the shit out of it. Up next is the leading single “Polar Bear”, an upbeat, punchy and quite rowdy hard-rocker that sounds very much like classic Alcatrazz but also a nod towards Yngwie’s Rising Force’s early neo-classical style. It’s a direct and quite striking Hard Rock with a touch of Metal number where Stump shows up for the first time – and he proves to be a damn fine player, going off on the Malmsteen/Blackmore side of things. Great song.
Written about the mythic Irish legend, “Finn McColl” is an uptempo rocker, punchy and crafty with more neo-classical guitar playing signed Japanese guitar-hero Nozomu Wakai who also co-wrote the song. It’s energetic with distinct melodies all over, quite unescapable and it also brings on a killer chorus. Had this song been recorded back in 1983, it would have been a classic today. Very good indeed. Co-written and played guitar on by one D. Kendall Jones (I’m not familiar at all with this guy), “We Still Remember” is a mid-paced, groovy Classic Rock number with a rowdy organ that gives the tune a touch of Deep Purple and an organic, 70’s vibe while melodies and Bonnet’s vocal-style throws a classic Alactrazz vibe on the song. Good one.
Had Bonnet sung on Malmsteen’s earlier records instead of Jeff Scott Soto or Mark Boals then second single “London 1666” would have fitted one those albums like a charm. That being said, the tune goes into Metal territory as some of the riffs brings a bit of a Judas Priest touch and Bonnet’s vocal melodies sure brings the Yngwie version of Alcatrazz to mind. The song holds a darker edge, some robust and tough rhythms and a punchy beat and Stump’s chunky guitar-playing proves that yes, he has no problem nailing any Malmsteen or Vai stuff. Great song. And speaking of Steve Vai, he co-wrote but unfortunately didn’t play on latest single “Dirty Like The City”, an 80’s Rainbow smelling rocker that holds a slower pace in the verses, both groovy and earthy but speeds up when the distinct and punchy chorus comes along. A great tune.
“I Am The King”, guested by Bob Kulick, turned out to be the very last thing Kulick played on before he passed away so suddenly recently. He also co-wrote the song. It’s a dirty, sleazy rocker with its feet in the 70’s with the early 80’s in its main-melody. Kulick’s guitar is crunchy, raw and fat and the rhythmic foundation is crisp and hard-beating. On top we get a hook-laden and effective refrain that sticks in my mind without going radio-friendly at all. It’s a meaty and organic rocker, very good albeit with some quite lame lyrics. “Something I Am Missing”, co-written and played on by Italian guitarist Dario Mollo (if you haven’t checked out his Crossbones album, I suggest you do so) is a fat-grooved, heavy rocker with a huge 70’s Classic Rock influence and some Deep Purple inspired riffs, a rootsy Hammond and an Arabian flavored groove. It’s slower in pace but still punchy and crafty and the chorus is direct on target. Good stuff indeed.
Annihilator founder and guitarist Jeff Waters blasts away on “Paper Flags”, doing his best to out-Yngwie Yngwie in this neo-classical, 80’s rocker. It holds a darker vibe, a Purple-esque organ and a heavy and go-for-the-throat outlook with a thunderous and punchy beat. However, song wise it’s a decent track but it doesn’t really go anywhere and it feels kind of standard. Kulick returns for “The Wound Is Open”, both as a writer and a player. It’s an organic and earthy rocker with more 70’s vibes and some Led Zeppelin meets Deep Purple riffing. Gritty guitars, an angry Hammond organ and a big groove gives the tune a beefy live-feel and the verses are killer. However, the song’s chorus is a bit underwhelming which gives the tune a bit a “meh” outlook. Great verses, bland refrain.
“Body Beautiful” kicks off with a crispy guitar intro signed Stump that takes the song into a punchy groove and a straight forward rhythm, quite gritty and rough. Stump then brings on a guitar-show where he throws Blackmore, Malmsteen and Schenker into a blender and just lets rip. I could easily see the band go bananas with this track live. But again, it’s a great rocker until the chorus comes along and that’s when it falters a bit. It’s a pretty good song, though. Dario Mallo returns for some co-writing and guitar playing on “Wrath Lane”, one of the album’s finest moments. It’s a heavy, dark, dramatic and somewhat saddening Classic Rock ballad. It’s slower in pace yet with a chunky groove and a big soundscape with a Rainbow feel to it. It’s an organic and earthy ballad, not smooth, slick or sugary – more emotional and honest with some striking melodies and a spot-on refrain.
Closing track “For Tony”, is a stripped and heartfelt ballad where Bonnet really wears his heart on his sleeve, pouring out emotions like never before. It’s intense and quite dramatic with an accompanying synth-brass section signed Steve Mann and some orchestration on top. Still despite all the strings and brass, it feels organic and earthy – and very emotional and sincere. I guess the tune is about a friend or family-member of Bonnet’s which makes it getting under your skin even more. It might be the odd song out because it doesn’t really fit among the other tracks but it’s still a really good piece of music.
I must say, this album is a whole lot better than I figured it would be. Don’t get me wrong, I never thought it would be crap but apart from a couple of fillers – the album do contains thirteen songs – the standard here is very high and I find it better than Bonnet’s recent solo-albums, which were also good releases. However, as an Alcatrazz release it’s kinda confusing. I mean, all these guests makes this record feel like just another Bonnet solo-album under the Alcatrzz moniker. Bonnet has in interviews spoken of just how brilliant Joe Stump is but the poor guy only plays on four of the album’s 13 tracks. Add the fact that Riot bassist Don Van Stavern plays bass on six of the songs as well. I mean, why reunite the band and not make it a band effort? I can’t wrap my head around that. That said, it’s still a really good album where the classic Alcatrazz sound is present on most of the album.
7/10
Tracklist:
1. Born Innocent
2. Polar Bear
3. Finn McCool
4. We Still Remember
5. London 1666
6. Dirty Like The City
7. I Am The King
8. Something I Am Missing
9. Paper Flags
10. The Wound Is Open
11. Body Beautiful
12. Wrath Lane
13. For Tony
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