Reviews

Alcatrazz

All Night Long In Japan 2019

(Silver Lining Music)

When I initially discovered Melodic Hard Rock masters Alcatrazz via a pilfered copy of their full-length de-but No Parole From Rock ‘n’ Roll (1983), I quickly found myself enthralled with their trademark blends of gritty vocals and razor-sharp riffs and solos. Accordingly, hook-laden gems “Island In The Sun”, “General Hospital” and “Jet To Jet” quickly became beloved additions to my mix tape repertoires. Although I may have temporarily ‘lost touch’ with the group amid their Pop-infused Dangerous Games (1986) era, my admiration for their fabled Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai-fueled origins (issued in 1985, Disturbing The Peace remains an underrated classic) continued unabated. However, with Graham Bonnet era having permanently come to an end (or so it w-ould appear), the group (now armed with Warlord frontman Giles Lavery) have unleashed the mighty in-concert swan-song All Night Long Live In Japan 2019 – The Complete Concert as a salute to their global legions of fans.

Interviews

Jason McMaster

(Dangerous Toys, Ignitor, Watch Tower)

When Dangerous Toys unleashed their self-titled debut in 1989, the future of the Austin, Texas-born group appeared impossibly bright. Led by the oft-charismatic Watch Tower frontman Jason McMaster, they were initially fueled by the singles “Teas’n, Pleas’n”, “Scared” a-nd “Sport’n A Woody”. The release of the Roy Thomas Baker-Produced Hellacious Acres in 1991 (a take on the Bad Company classic “F–eel Like Makin’ Love” remains a highlight) only further entrenched them within the public consciousness. Boldly forging ahead with add-itional ‘projects’ (i.e., Broken Teeth, Gahdzilla Motor Company and Ignitor, to name only a few) in the post-MTV/Headbanger’s Ball eras, only further solidifies his already iron-clad reputation. Recently, the ever-charismatic McMaster, always a man of many words and inter-esting stories, was kind enough to speak with us regarding, among other things, the group’s latest, and quite possibly greatest, Classic Metal ‘accomplishment’ Horns And Hammers (2024). It’s the proverbial trip down memory lane that’s fun, funny and doesn’t disappoint.

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