Los Angeles-born, guitar-driven heavy metal icons ALCATRAZZ today release their epic new single “Grace Of God,” taken from their upcoming fifth studio album “V.” The record will see release October 15th via Silver Lining Music.
The band celebrates the release of “Grace Of God” with a new video contrasting scenes of beautiful, breathtaking landscape with somber and evocative displays of raw emotion and battle. The track takes the listener on a monumental journey with vocalist Doogie White’s powerful soaring vocals, perfectly complimented by Joe Stump and Jimmy Waldo’s intricate weaving guitars-and-keys-wizardry bolstered by the thunderous and robust bass and drums from Gary Shea and Mark Benquechea.
“I love ‘Grace Of God,’” comments White, “it is a cracking tune with lots of intricate vocal parts; I love what everybody in the band has done on it, it has great energy and drive… It’s just magic! “
“Lyrically, it is set in the Middle Ages,” White continues, “it is about the fear of being sent off to war to fight for your King, your Queen, or your country… to invade a land you’ve never heard of, to conquer people you know nothing about, to fight for a reason you’re not sure of, and the desperation in accepting such fate.”
“When I first heard ‘Grace Of God,’ I just couldn’t believe how perfectly well the melody and lyrics fit together: it’s hard to imagine anything else being better than that,” enthuses Waldo. “Doogie has the ability to write exactly what the melody of a track calls for and the result is very powerful.”
Pre-order “V” HERE
While “Born Innocent” was a smart and strong return to the studio, there is a synergy and crackle about “V” which shows a band both in lockstep with each other and back in love with the writing process. “We all are very happy with the new album. We were all on the same page about the direction and what we were trying to accomplish,” notes Waldo. “We had over twenty songs to pick from. It was tough; we liked them all. That’s very unusual for a band. I think this album sounds like the natural progression from No Parole, only heavier.”
Both vintage and timeless, “V” treads the ALCATRAZZ textured territories of old but with renewed vigor and verve. Whether it be the choral echoes sitting inside the storming tempest which is “Nightwatch”, the staunch, speedy melodic metal of “Turn Of The Wheel” or the thick, bluesy chug of “House Of Lies”, there is little doubt that this ALCATRAZZ is going full-tilt with not one ounce of a shackle holding them back. In that regard, White’s supreme vocal work on all 12 tracks serves as the catalyst for their creative synergy, and not only that, his supremely positive energy brings the band closer than it has been since, well, 1986.
“The addition of Doogie is a natural transition for the ALCATRAZZ legacy,” states Shea. “He is a hard-working professional who loves to sing and doesn’t shy away from deadlines. His long list of career achievements is the perfect fit for us as we have been leading parallel lives all these years creating music. I am looking forward to bringing this new powerful line-up on the road.”
Over the course of three-plus decade career, the Scottish-born White is undoubtedly one of the finest vocalists in hard rock, having fronted Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force, Tank, and Michael Schenker. It is therefore no surprise to hear him dovetail so easily with ALCATRAZZ, indeed, it feels like the most natural of career progressions.
There is little doubt that besides the work of White, much is going to be quite rightly said about the scintillating performance of Joe Stump throughout V, and it feels as though he’s truly found his place alongside previous ALCATRAZZ guitar gods, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. Every riff is supremely sharp and every solo carries with it platinum sovereignty, whether engaging in the shred or delivering a more nuanced lead break.
“I really enjoy playing with Joe; he’s not only a great player but a great writer as well,” enthuses Waldo. “He’s really fun to tour and work with. He plays with tons of energy live, kind of the ‘take no prisoners’ vibe.”
Produced by Giles Lavery and Jimmy Waldo, and mixed by Andy Haller (ELTON JOHN, JOE COCKER, SYSTEM OF A DOWN), “V” also includes guest appearances from SAXON‘s Nigel Glockler (drums on “Guardian Angel” and “Blackheart”), TANK‘s Cliff Evans (bass on “Grace Of God”) and Donnie Van Stavern of RIOT (bass on “Guardian Angel”, “Nightwatch” and “Target”), underscoring how perennially popular ALCATRAZZ‘s music remains with their peers.
And just in case you’re wondering what “V” stands for? ALCATRAZZ‘s fifth studio album, of course… but it also stands just as resolutely for victory; the victory that sees ALCATRAZZ 2021 stronger than ever despite all the odds.
“V” Track listing:
1. Guardian Angel
2. Nightwatch
3. Sword Of Deliverance
4. Turn Of The Wheel
5. Blackheart
6. Grace Of God
7. Return To Nevermore
8. Target
9. Maybe Tomorrow
10. House Of Lies
11. Alice’s Eyes
12. Dark Day For My Soul
Formed in 1983, Alcatrazz became famous for its blend of melodic and progressive rock and for introducing guitar hero’s Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Steve Vai. Emerging in 1983 with “No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll,” which featured the hit “Island in the Sun,” the band continued building popularity in 1985 with their sophomore effort,“Disturbing the Peace,“ which contained the hit, “God Blessed Video.” The band issued one more studio LP, 1986’s “Dangerous Games,“ before ceasing operations the following year. The band regrouped and released “Born Innocent” in 2020, their first studio album containing all-new material since 1986.
