Tag: alcatrazz

I’m sure if you’re like me you will remember Alcatrazz as a killer melodic rock band that had a revolving door of amazing guitarists. So, this 2020 version was a bit of a shock to my ears. There are three original members Graham Bonnet, Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea, and the guitar wizard/shred head extraordinaire Joe Stump. The result is a kick ass speed metal album. Of course it’s going to sound like Alcatrazz with Bonnet on vocals, but that’s where the similarities end.

The guitar playing is off the charts impressive with a widdle slotted into every inch of space. Other than the power ballad We Still Remember, this is a full on assault and very impressive indeed. My favourite track is Something That I’m Missing. It has a killer riff and groove with a weird time signature that could fit into any Alcatrazz album, it sounds very epic.

For a guy well into his seventies, Bonnet’s voice is freakin’ awesome.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Graham Bonnet has played with some of the best guitarists in the business. Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Steve Vai, and Yngwie Malmsteen on this album – Alcatrazz’s first. This was Malmsteen’s next project after he left Ron Keel in Steeler. There is no doubting that Bonnet possesses one of the best voices in rock, and on this album he is taking that Rainbow sound further with the ultimate Blackmore clone.

Tracks like Island In The Sun and Hiroshima Mon Amour were more poppy in direction, and were great for the radio. It’s the more uptempo songs that grab me the most. Jet To Jet has a main riff right out of Blackmore’s back pocket, but Bonnet’s vocals and Yngwie’s playing are awesome on this tune. Too Young To Die, To Drunk To Live has all the hallmarks of future Yngwie endeavours and is just superb with that strong classical vibe, and it is my favourite track. Big Foot has a really cool slow groove and vibe, Yngwie’s solo is just insane. It’s a shame this line up didn’t go further but Yngwie was on a mission, and you all know the rest.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

When Yngwie left Steeler, he was asked to join Graham Bonnet’s new project after he was removed from Rainbow. Mr. Bonnet was no fool and he could see having a young hotshot like Yngwie would boost the profile of the band – so this album is all about Yngwie.

Right from the beginning in the opening track, Too Young To Die, Too Drunk To Live, it’s all guitar – very impressive guitar as well! This is just before Yngwie the ego would be unleashed on the world. Bonnet’s voice stands up really well and there are no overdubs that I’m aware of. Most of the tracks are from No Parole From Rock n Roll, apart from two Rainbow tunes: Since You’ve Been Gone, and All Night Long, the biggest and most well known songs of Bonnet’s career. There are also two guitar pieces for Yngwie to flex his muscles: a classical piece in Coming Bach, and a shred fest called Evil Eye which is very good.

This one is for guitar nuts mostly, and the curious.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.