THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE – Timescape (2024) *HQ Exclusive*
THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE was formed in 2012 by renowned Chris Slade, with hand picked musicians to celebrate his then 50 year career as a professional rock drummer since starting with Tom Jones at 16 yrs of age, taking in Manfred Mann, The Firm with Jimmy Page, Asia, and AC/DC along the way.
The Chris Slade Timeline band have toured UK and Europe extensively playing hits of this lengthy career. After being asked many times the band were going to produce any new original songs of their own, Slade finally decided to put pen to paper and do something about it – the result being THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE debut release titled “Timescape“.
The album includes a disc of 9 original songs, and a second disc with selection of hits from the many artists Slade has performed with over the last 60 years, including of course AC/DC songs, but also Asia, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, and Uriah Heep covers.
Chris and his Timeline band mates breathe new life into these classic tunes, and the originals are really good too. Production is excellent, crisp & clear.
Those unfamiliar with Chris Slade’s long history might be surprised at the eclectic nature of ”Timeline”; it tries on a lot of different clothes from progressive rock to hard rock / metal, yet it’s all stitched together by Chris’ metronomic drumming and an expansive production and presents tracks such as ‘Time Flies’ in full and vivid cinemascope.
However, these are not just random songs thrown together, it’s an album that ebbs and flows exceptionally well and is best consumed whole to fully appreciate its consistency. It has a definite beginning, middle and end, and the aptly-titled ‘End Of Eternity’ makes for a grandiose conclusion.
For the second disc, Chris Slade covers eight tracks from bands with which he has been associated. There’s great renditions of ‘Free’ (Asia), the stupendous ‘Blinded By The Light’ (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), and Uriah Heep classic ‘July Morning’. The rest are AC/DC hits.
Musically all these covers are on point and the band bring something fresh to each song (which is exactly how all covers should be handled). For example, the addition of keyboards on ‘The Razor’s Edge’ was a surprise, but a welcome one, and they add an extra dimension and make the song far more sinister than the original.
Chris replicates replicates that rock n’ roll magic on an eardrum-popping ‘Thunderstruck’, while a fun fueled run-through of ‘High Voltage’ ensure the band depart on a high.
A solo album has been long overdue, but ”Timescape” proves itself worth the wait.
Killer stuff.
Highly Recommended
Disc 1 – The Originals
01 Sundance
02 We Will Survive
03 Joybringer
04 Living The Dream
05 Freedom Song
06 Back With A Vengeance
07 Questions
08 Time Flies
09 End Of Eternity
Disc 2 – The Covers
01 The Razor’s Edge
02 Free
03 Blinded By The Light
04 July Morning
05 Thunderstruck
06 Big Gun
07 Hells Bells
08 High Voltage
Chris Slade [drums, percussion]
Paul “Bun” Davis [vocals]
Stevie Gee [vocals, bass]
James Cornford [guitar, vocals]
Mike Clark [keyboards, guitar, vocals]
BUY
www.amazon.com/Timescape-Chris-Slade-Timeline/dp/B0D3FJ2FQN/
