Alcatrazz are a melodic, traditional heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, CA by ex-Rainbow/MSG vocalist Graham Bonnet. This band helped open doors for guitar shredders like Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Via. With Yngwie in the band, they infused a classical and intricate guitar style to their sound, and helped open doors for two of the most accomplished and well known guitarists in metal history: Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Via. Bonnet formed the band with former Steeler guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen, Gary Shea (bass), Jan Uvena (ex-Alice Cooper on drums) and Jimmy Waldo (keyboards). After an extensive tour for their debut, which included a successful tour with Ted Nugent in the U.S., Malmsteen jumped ship to pursue a very successful solo career. He was replaced by another up and coming shredder by the name of Steve Vai, who had worked with Frank Zappa. Vai left shortly after to reach super stardom with David Lee Roth before becoming a successful solo artist in his own right. Former Rick Derringer and Alice Cooper guitarist Danny Johnson was recruited for the bands final album that was panned by critics and fans alike for its commercialism and lack of direction. Upon the demise of the band in 1987, Bonnet went on to perform with Impellitteri among others.

Alcatrazz - No Parole from Rock 'n Roll (Polydor/Japan) 1984

1. "Island in the Sun" (3:56)
2. "General Hospital" (4:50)
3. "Jet to Jet" (4:27)
4. "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (4:01)
5. "Kree Nakoorie" (6:10)
6. "Incubus" [instrumental] (1:24)
7. "Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live" (4:21)
8. "Big Foot" (4:07)
9. "Starcarr Lane" (3:54)
10. "Suffer Me" (4:18)

I was actually blessed to see this incarnation of Alcatrazz at Six Flags in Jackson, NJ, opening for Ted Nugent. It was quite apparent then that Yngwie was the band. He ruled the stage and stole the show from band leader Graham Bonnet. Regardless, the band's 1983 debut is one phenomenal masterwork, most of which was written by Yngwie Malmsteen. What is amazing about this record, compared to much of Yngwie's solo work, is that the song writing is not all based around his guitar solos. Jimmy Waldo adds some tasty keyboard textures that reminds me slightly of Rainbow. All this is wrapped up nicely by Bonnet's soulful and lethal voice. Favorite tracks "Kree Nakoorie," "Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live" and the short instrumental "Incubus."

Alcatrazz - Live Sentence (Polydor/Japan) 1984

1. "Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live" (4:47)
2. "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (4:12)
3. "Night Games" (3:28)
4. "Island in the Sun" (4:09)
5. "Kree Nakoorie" (6:52)
6. "Coming Bach" [instrumental] (:53)
7. "Since You've Been Gone" (3:32)
8. "Evil Eye" [instrumental] (5:13)
9. "All Night Long" (5:45)

"Live Sentence" was recorded in 1984 during the band's Japanese tour. When this album first came out some years ago I really liked it. I have since gone back and read many reviews, almost all of which are lukewarm at best. Perhaps it's nostalgia or the fact that I saw Alcatrazz on this tour, but I still really enjoy this disc. The live sound gives the "No Parlole" material a slightly rawer and more heavy sound. There are a couple Rainbow classics included as well (Since You've Been Gone" & "All Night Long,") that 'ol Yngwie takes some artistic liscense with. "Night Games" was originally a track from Graham's solo album "Line Up". Also included is a live version of a song that would see release on Yngwie's first solo disc titled "Evil Eye". Overall, I wouldn't say that this was one of my all time favorite live platters, but it's still a darn good disc and showcases a young Yngwie who would soon splinter off and change heavy metal history. One minor complaint is the way the disc ends. After "All Night Long" ends the crowd noise begins to fade off but not before the drummer starts into the opening of Rainbow's "Lost in Hollywood, which of course is faded out. A bit of studio wizardry could have been used to get rid of those drum sounds so as not to leave the listener wondering why the song was left out.

Alcatrazz - Disturbing the Peace (Capitol/Japan) 1985

1. "God Blessed Video" (3:30)
2. "Mercy" (4:22)
3. "Will You Be Home Tonight" (5:03)
4. "Wire and Wood" (3:29)
5. "Desert Diamond" (4:20)
6. "Stripper" (3:53)
7. "Painted Lover" (3:24)
8. "Lighter Shade of Green" [instrumental] (0:46)
9. "Sons and Lovers" (3:37)
10. "Skyfire" (3:55)
11. "Breaking the Heart of the City" (4:58)

'Disturbing the Peace' was the first album release from Alcatrazz after the departure of Yngwie Malmsteen. Enter new shredder Steve Via. Steve is a competent replacement but does not have the same charisma that Ynqwie possessed. Still, Bonnet's killer songcraft shines through and this album come off as rather good. If not as good as the classic debut 'No Parole from Rock n Roll,' then only a small step behind.

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