Following the success of last year’s first volume comes Trapeze – Lost Tapes Vol.2, collating songs archived in the classic rock and funk rock pioneers’ vaults, to be released on 15th November through Metalville Records.
Ahead of that comes the latest single bearing the Trapeze brand name and signature sound in ‘Homeland’ out now that went straight into the Apple Hard Rock Chart at #59, on the morning of its release.
“‘Homeland’ captures you straight away with a classic hard rock riff and a hook that you can’t get out of your head,” the record label noted, continuing: “Guitarist Mel Galley once again demonstrates his inimitable flair for great melodies and perfectly placed accents. The distinctive, majestic voice of the Voice Of Rock, Mr Glenn Hughes, hovers over everything.”
Available digitally, you can check out the video for ‘Homeland’ here at RAMzine, featuring footage of The Black Country, from where the various members of the band came.
‘Homeland’ comes fast in the wake of ‘Fighting‘, the first single taken from the new album.
‘Fighting’ comes from the sessions for the now legendary debut Phenomena album. According to the record company: “The song is a fat hard rock plank and brings together a real who’s who of the genre. In addition to Trapeze mastermind Mel Galley and exceptional singer and bassist Glenn Hughes, keyboard legend Don Airey and world-class drummer Ted McKenna make ‘Fighting’ a must-have for every fan of classic hard rock in perfection.”
The single is available digitally, and you can check out the video presented by Metalville here at RAMzine.
When rock band Trapeze called it a day, they left behind them a series of now classic albums. Their influence on other groups has been immense; individual members themselves going on to join heavy weight rock acts such as Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Judas Priest & Uriah Heep. But their story’s not over, as Trapeze – Lost Tapes Vol. 2 continues to prove!
Recorded either side of album releases these are great songs, stockpiled, but never released; some with the intention of developing them even further later, as Trapeze hit the ground running, playing live relentlessly; honing their craft while rarely seeing home. Here too you’ll find rare lineups featured – previously only rumoured at, often considered fable at best – but now revealed proudly for the first time & given their deserved day in the sun.
This new album follows the success of Trapeze – Lost Tapes Vol.1 last year and – as previously noted – will be available from Metalville Records on 15th November.
Hard-wired guitars, wailing synthesisers, rhythm sections that kick-ass then get the funk out, with out-of-sight vocal performances throughout guaranteed. Be that on hard rockers such as ‘Fighting’ and ‘Loser’, ballads like the exclusive early rendition of ‘Coast To Coast’, even near-country rock asides in ‘Must Be In Love’ through to progressive AOR rock explorations on Welcome To the Real World. Then of course there’s their pioneering brand of funk rock on tracks like ‘Can You Feel It?‘ & ‘Way Back To The Bone’ among others. Plus, the song that tells you exactly what made this English band tick; the heartfelt rush of ‘Homeland‘.
Poignantly, Trapeze – Lost Tapes Vol. 2 also features ‘Live Fast, Die Laughing’, the last song ever recorded by founding member, band leader & guitarist/vocalist Mel Galley before his passing in 2008.
Having practically retired from the music business, except for the odd session, Galley had a change of heart. “He got his hunger back!” revealed his brother, songwriter & producer Tom Galley. “We started working on various things and he was very much up for putting Trapeze back together; we’d got the players he wanted to use, and were recording again.” The guitarist also played a sold-out local solo gig, unaware what destiny had in store when he was later diagnosed with cancer. “He was still up for it. It was so special just to get him in the studio – What you hear is pretty much live single takes of him singing, laying down guitars and bass, with drum programming by Gary Alkins done out at Bloxwich in the UK.”
Rocking out with urgent vitality, in ‘Live Fast, Die Laughing’ you feel Mel Galley’s zest for life; play it loud and he’s here with us again, offering sound advice with Trapeze style pizzaz.
Trapeze – Lost Tapes Vol. 2 was collated by Tom Galley with assistance from band manager Tony Perry, alongside Marcus Galley once more honouring his father’s legacy by designing this very special collection that features rare & exclusive photos by Carl Dunn.
Tracks featured are: ‘Homeland’, ‘Hold On’, ‘Loser’, ‘Take It On’, ‘Must Be In Love’, ‘Live Fast, Die Laughing’, ‘Wake Up, Shake Up, ‘Coast To Coast’, ‘Can You Feel It?, ‘Way Back To The Bone’, ‘Turn It On’, ‘Fighting’, ‘Welcome To The Real World’ and ‘Midnight Flyer’.
Reserve your copy by clicking here.
