The early 1990s were a dark time for classic hard rock and metal artists amidst an ever evolving musical landscape. Bands essentially had a choice to adapt to the changing times, or continue to stay true to themselves, running the risk of minimal volume as far as record sales go, or worse, musical obscurity. Blackthorne was a short-lived, but well-loved, hard rock band featuring five ‘80s hard rock stalwarts – guitarist Bob Kulick, singer Graham Bonnet, keyboardist Jimmy Waldo and bassist Chuck Wright that released one album-Afterlife.
Released in 1993, Afterlife did not gain much traction at the time due to the rapidly changing musical landscape. Sadly, it is was a very obscure and forgotten band and album; even die-hard rock and metal fans do not know about this group on a very large scale. Nonetheless, overtime and with the resurgence of hard rock and metal, Afterlife has found new life with a well deserved reissue.
This deluxe two-CD set by one of the early 90’s most under-appreciated supergroups, includes a reissue of the band’s only studio album, Afterlife, along with the band’s previously unreleased second album, Don’t Kill the Thrill, that was shelved when Bonnet left the group. This is the first time the two albums have been reissued as one single release. As an added feature, both albums also contain previously unreleased bonus tracks and many of the tracks on both albums are remastered.
Listen to “Hard Feelings” off Afterlife here:
Supergroups such as Blackthorne usually do not last very long for a wide variety of reasons, and what little they put out is generally either a disgrace to the musician’s legacies, or a forgotten masterpiece; there is seldom an “in between.” The lone release from Blackthorne, Afterlife, “is a kick-ass hard rock album that definitely ranks as the best work any of these artists has ever appeared on, despite the lack of publicity or popularity.” If you are a fan of classic hard rock, this is a release that will not disappoint and would be a welcome addition to any music library.
CD1 Track Listing:
1. Cradle To The Grave 2. Afterlife 3. We Won’t Be Forgotten 4. Breaking The Chains 5. Over And Over
6. Hard Feelings 7. Baby You’re The Blood 8. Sex Crime 9. Love From The Ashes 10. All Night Long
Bonus Tracks
11. Wild Inside (Demo Cassette 1992) 12. Get My Heart Out Of Here (Demo 1992) 13. Since You Been Gone (Demo
1992_Vocal 2018) 14. Afterlife (Original Demo Mix) (Tony Palacios Guitar) 15. Baby You’re The Blood (Demo 1992)
16. Afterlife (Live Unplugged) 17. We Won’t Be Forgotten (Live Unplugged)
CD2 Track Listing:
1. Don’t Kill The Thrill 2. Wild Inside 3. Skeletons In The Closet 4. Dreaming In The Hideaway 5. Man In A Black Hat 6.Twist The Blade 7. Judgement Day 8. Insanity 9. Sanctuary (Alternate Vocal) 10. Save Me
Bonus Tracks
11. Paralyzed (Early Demo) 12. Twist The Blade [Early Demo] 13. Guilty Of Insanity [Early Demo] 14. Afterlife [Demo
1992] 15. We Won’t Be Forgotten (Demo 1992) 16. Over And Over (Demo 1992] 17. Baby You’re The Blood (Demo
1992) 18. Love From The Ashes (Demo 1992]
Supergroup Blackthorne was comprised of the following musicians:
-Bob Kulick on guitar. Kulick auditioned for KISS in the early 1970s, with Ace Frehley getting the gig. However, Kulick played and wrote songs for a number of late 70s/early 80s KISS releases. He has also played with Meat Loaf, in the band Balance, and in WASP in the early 1990s.
-Graham Bonnet on vocals. Bonnet will forever be known as Ronnie James Dio’s initial replacement in Rainbow and singing on one of their biggest hits, “Since You Been Gone.” He also sang for the Michael Schenker Group and the band Alcatrazz. Recently, he has been making a comeback with a new solo band.
-Jimmy Waldo on keyboards. Another former member of Alcatrazz alongside Bonnet. Earlier in his career, he was in the AOR band New England.
-Frankie Banali on drums. Banali’s claim to fame is being the drummer in Quiet Riot; he is the band’s sole remaining member from the classic 1983 Metal Health lineup. Prior to this, he had played drums on recordings from artists like Billy Thorpe and Billy Idol. Following Quiet Riot’s initial tenure, he also played for WASP; he has since reformed Quiet Riot.
-Chuck Wright on bass. Like Banali, Wright played in Quiet Riot in the 80s, and is also in the reunited version of the band that currently plays and tours. Prior to Quiet Riot, he was the bassist in Giuffria, and later played in its spin-off band, House of Lords.
Blackthorne:
