WHITE BLAST (ex members of Shy, Wildside, Praying Mantis, Dio, UFO) – In Your Face (2024) *HQ*

Spanish guitarist Miguel Angel Lopez Escamez is well knon musician on the local scene since the ’80s as member of legendary metal / hard rock bands such as Panzer, Rosa Negra, Bella Bestia, Coz, also working as touring / studio guitarist of some pop-rock acts.
After no less than 30 years of playing and recording with some of the best bands and musicians in Spain, England, etc, Lopez decided it was time to found his own band, and that is WHITE BLAST. But the guitarist wanted the best for project, and recruit talented musicians from the genre he admired all over his career.
As result, Lopez assembled a true impressive crew. First, he invited SHY’s Alan Kelly to sing, and the British not only agreed, but co-wrote all the songs in WHITE BLAST debut album ”In Your Face”. Kelly invited long time friend John Francis (frontman of cult AOR / hard rock british band After Hours) to sing on the album.

Lopez was looking for a skilled drummer, and American Tony Montana (Wildside) play on all track. While Lopez play some bass, he wanted a different sound on some songs, and Chris Troy (Praying Mantis) joined too.
Being an axeman himself, of course Lopez invited some renowned colleagues to play solos: Ross the Boss (Manowar) Chris Hager (Rough Cutt), Rowan Robertson (Dio), Gene Allen (Lizzy Borden), Kurt James (Alcatrazz, Dr Mastermind), Tino Troy (Praying Mantis), Dave Marshall (Vince Neil, Fiona, Slaughter) and Laurence Archer (UFO, Magnum, Grand Slam) appear all over ”In Your Face”.
As you see, terrific musicians, a gifted songwriter / singer, and a polished production, all makes ”In Your Face” a very good hard rock / melodic metal album with an ’80s feel you will love to hear.

Songs like the punchy hard rocker ‘Let It Rock’, ‘Hell Is Waiting’ (with its slightly Journey-esque melody), the driving ‘Low Down and Dirty’, or Shy-ish ‘Hold Me’ are sure to please fans of the genre.
All songs possess strong choruses, and of course a biting guitar work from Lopez and all the top class guitar slingers invited. It’s really satisfying to hear some of these musicians rocking again, especially some of them retired from the scene in recent times
A welcomed new band / project, very enjoyable timeless rocking stuff.
Highly Recommended

01 – Rain Keeps Falling
02 – Let It Rock
03 – Hell Is Waiting
04 – Low Down and Dirty
05 – Hold Me
06 – Soldiers of the Night
07 – Red Sky Burning
08 – Third Time Under
09 – Free Falling
10 – Love Has Gone
11 – Give It All

Vocals:
John Francis (After Hours)
Alan Kelly (Shy)

Guitars:
Miguel Angel Lopez Escamez (Panzer, Rosa Megra, Bella Bestia, Coz)
Ross the Boss (Manowar) Chris Hager (Rough Cutt)
Rowan Robertson (Dio)
Gene Allen (Lizzy Borden)
Kurt James (Alcatrazz, Dr Mastermind)
Tino Troy (Praying Mantis)
Dave Marshall (Vince Neil, Fiona, Slaughter)
Laurence Archer (Ufo, Magnum, Grand Slam)

Bass:
Chris Troy (Praying Mantis)
Tony Ruiperez (Lince)
Miguel Angel Lopez Escamez (Panzer, Rosa Megra, Bella Bestia, Coz)

Drums:
Tony Montana (Wildside)

All Songs by M.A Lopez/Alan Kelly

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