Alcatrazz - 'Battlelines' (official music video)

Late in 1937 I heard a call to arms
A strong line of defense was needed
Against the 109
New machines to track position
New machines of war
Defend our North Atlantic island
Before they cross the wire

Ready for the fight
Holding the battle line
With your blazing ammunition
Got them in your sights
Shadow from behind
Waiting for a sign
Give me victory or give me
Death in the skies

Then in 1987 the horsemen rode again
Chemical and dust reactor
Unleashed upon the land
New machines of devastation
New machines once more
Mutually assured destruction... of us all

Ready for the fight
Holding the battle line
With your blazing ammunition
Got them in your sights
Shelter underground
Listen for the sound
There is no victory only death from the skies

The track sees Alcatrazz delivering an epic heavy metal anthem, brimming with metallic chugging riffs, soaring melodic vocals, and ear-splitting drums.

"Battlelines is one of the songs we feel is very representative of the direction the band is at now and where we are going, which is powerful, heavy and melodic metal in that British and European style” enthuses Jimmy Waldo, Alcatrazz’s keyboardist and co-founding member.

“In the mid 1980's Alcatrazz strayed far too much from the direction of our debut album, that first record set the blueprint of what the band was all about and with the recent two albums over the last couple years and now even more so with this new one, ‘Take No Prisoners’, we are finally establishing the true sound of the band. If fans give this a listen they will hopefully find a lot to like!”

“We look forward to adding Battlelines to the live set too” adds bass-player and co-founding member Gary Shea “It's about the use of radar in warfare from WW2 until the present day; real heads down heavy metal stuff!"»

Το μακρινό 1983 ο (πρώην τραγουδιστής των Rainbow και Michael Schenker Group) Graham Bonnet δημιούργησε στο Los Angeles τους Alcatrazz, οι οποίοι συνεχίζουν (με... μεγάλα διαλείμματα) μέχρι τις ημέρες μας. Η πιο πρόσφατη επανένωσή τους έγινε το 2019 με δισκογραφικό αποτέλεσμα το (πολύ καλό) album "Born Innocent".

Τον Δεκέμβρη του 2020 ο δημιουργός της μπάντας (Graham Bonnet) έμεινε εκτός Alcatrazz (με αποτέλεσμα να σχηματίσει τους Graham Bonnet’s Alcatrazz με τον Jeff Loomis στην κιθάρα) με τα υπόλοιπα μέλη να τον αντικαθιστούν με τον Doogie White (βλ. Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker Group, Tank, Cornerstone κλπ). Το αποτέλεσμα της συνεργασίας (δίσκος) το ακούσαμε πρόπερσι με το full length album "V", ο οποίος τον επόμενο μήνα θα αποκτήσει... διάδοχο! "Take No Prisoners" ο τίτλος.

Δελτίο τύπου: «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.

The band also show their calmer, more expansive side with the epic “Strangers”, but when an album finishes at the burn point of “Bring On The Rawk”, there can be no question that Alcatrazz’s collective boot is repeatedly kicking serious ass!!!

Comprised of Doogie White (vocals), Joe Stump (guitars), Jimmy Waldo (keyboards), Gary Shea (bass) and Larry Paterson (drums), and with Giles Lavery and Waldo producing, Take No Prisoners is a loudly, and proudly classic rock album which draws on the Alcatrazz traditions of technically excellent screaming guitars, thunderous rhythm and the sort of vocals and overall aura that evoke prime Dio and Rainbow.

And, of course, a primed and fully-tuned up Alcatrazz, whose career is fast taking on Benjamin Button proportions. The Take No Prisoners tour should be a lot of fun!»

Band: Alcatrazz
Country of origin: United States
Location: Los Angeles, California
Formed in: 1983
Genre: Heavy Metal/Shred
Years active: 1983-1987, 2007-2014, 2019-present

Video: "Battlelines"
Album: "Take No Prisoners"
Type: Full length
Release date: May 19th, 2023
Label: Silver Lining Music

Track Listing:
01. Little Viper
02. Don't Get Mad... Get Even (feat. Girlschool)
03. Battlelines
04. Strangers
05. Gates of Destiny
06. Alcatrazz
07. Holy Roller (Love's Temple)
08. Power in Numbers
09. Salute the Colours
10. Bring on the Rawk

Band members:
Gary Shea - Bass
Jimmy Waldo - Keyboards
Joe Stump - Guitars
Doogie White - Vocals
Larry Paterson - Drums