Alcatrazz

In 1983, just about every up-and-coming hard rock guitarist was mesmerized by – and copying – Eddie Van Halen's two-handed tapping technique. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, came Yngwie Malmsteen, who introduced "classical metal" to the masses. Before making a name for himself as a solo artist, Yngwie was briefly a member of L.A. rockers Alcatrazz, which resulted in a studio album (1983's No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll) and a live album (1984's Live Sentence). But come 2010, an archival live album appeared from the band (from the "Yngwie era"), Live '83. As its title states, the album is comprised of live performances from the same year that Alcatrazz's debut album was released, and will certainly be of interest for longtime Yngwie fans.

Few front men can claim to have had such a lengthy and far-reaching career as Graham Bonnet; first finding fame as part of The Marbles, enjoying a hit with the Bee Gees’ ‘Only One Woman’ in 1968; a solo career across the 70s; further success with the Bee Gees’, and the disco flavoured ‘Warm Ride’. But Graham found what was possibly his greatest success replacing Ronnie James Dio in Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow for 1979’s “Down To Earth”, and the worldwide hit singles ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Since You Been Gone’. Solo success beckoned with ‘Night Games’ and the “Line-Up” album in 1981, before briefly joining The Michael Schenker Group for 1982’s “Assault Attack”.

Alcatrazz are determined to make up for lost time, roaring forwards at warp factor 10 to deliver Take No Prisoners, their sixth studio album and the third in three years. Comprising of ten cracking, charismatic tracks, with each containing the unique fusion of classic American rock with the full grain hard-rocking attitude of British metal, Take No Prisoners sees Alcatrazz energetically soaring and exploring melodic progression with road-warrior riffs. Lead single and video "Don't Get Mad… Get Even" sees the band collaborating with the legendary Girlschool in a full-force, head-banging fist-pumper, while "Little Viper" rides a scything guitar into a thunderous, Dio-like assault.

As the V title suggests, Alcatrazz unleash their fifth studio album upon the world this Autumn, and it is their strongest, tightest, heaviest and most unified studio work yet. Featuring the founding members Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea, Alcatrazz welcomes singer Doogie White to the fold, where he joins Mark Benquechea and guitar God prodigy Joe Stump in creating 12 masterful melodic metal selections. From the furious tempest of opener 'Guardian Angel' to the speedy melodic metal of 'Turn of the Wheel' on through to bluesier heavyweights such as 'House of Lies', White nails every note and the band carries an energy not heard for many a year.

Alcatrazz was originally formed as a vehicle for vocalist Graham Bonnet, but became famous for introducing budding guitar heroes instead, namely Swedish phenom Yngwie J. Malmsteen and ex-Frank Zappa associate Steve Vai. After toiling away unsuccessfully for most of the '70s with the Marble and as a solo artist, vocalist Graham Bonnet got his lucky break when he was tapped to replace Ronnie James Dio in Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow in 1979. But after recording the much maligned Down to Earth album and a single live performance headlining the first Castle Donington Monsters of Rock Festival in the summer of 1980, Bonnet was unceremoniously sacked by the temperamental Blackmore. Down but not out, Bonnet set about forming Alcatrazz, drafting veteran musicians in keyboardist Jimmy Waldo, bassist Gary Shea, and drummer Jan Uvena, and looking to reproduce the basic Rainbow sonic formula.

Alcatrazz are determined to make up for lost time, roaring forwards at warp factor 10 to deliver Take No Prisoners, their sixth studio album and the third in three years. Comprising of ten cracking, charismatic tracks, with each containing the unique fusion of classic American rock with the full grain hard-rocking attitude of British metal, Take No Prisoners sees Alcatrazz energetically soaring and exploring melodic progression with road-warrior riffs. Lead single and video "Don't Get Mad… Get Even" sees the band collaborating with the legendary Girlschool in a full-force, head-banging fist-pumper, while "Little Viper" rides a scything guitar into a thunderous, Dio-like assault.

This is the ultimate collection of Alcatrazz - with all their original albums, official bootleg bonus tracks and footage from 2 live concerts, one of which is previously unreleased. There is also a collectors logo sticker and booklet outlining all these recordings including some unique photographs. A must for all Alcatrazz and Graham Bonnet fans. Although Alcatrazz provided Graham Bonnet with the perfect post-Rainbow/MSG platform, the real treasure within this jam-packed box set comes courtesy of two guitarists who would go on to rule the world of riffs. Listen to No Parole For Rock N Roll and it's clear where Yngwie Malmsteen was heading his contribution to a killer record sewed the seeds for the Swede's landmark album Odyssey.

The hard-hitting, melodic heavy metal band Alcatrazz will once again throw down a studio gauntlet on July 31st 2020 with Born Innocent, their first studio venture since 1986’s Dangerous Game. Alongside the unique vocal prowess and range of star frontman and founding member Graham Bonnet, Born Innocent also features fellow founding members Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea. And from the classic album art, featuring the mighty rock itself, Born Innocent is a journey into the sort of heavy, melodic and supremely articulated hard rock that is a cornerstone of the likes of Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group, territory Alcatrazz successfully strode in the ‘80s before going on hiatus.