Tempest

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Comment by dokkcrue71 on January 24, 2013 at 3:37am

Tempest began in Evansville, Indiana back in 1985. Then as a one man band named Travail. Once forming member Mick/Mikk Rowe found out that Travail means labor pains, he decided to change the name to Tempest. Along with the name change came a band, including Mick's brother Jamie. In 1987 they signed a record deal with Pure Metal Records for 3 albums. Later it turned out that Pure Metal was under the impression that they had signed another band named Tempest, from Ohio. But when the ink was dry, nothing could change that. Here is what Mick himself had to say about the story: "Long story short. Pure Metal heard our six song demo and made an offer. They wanted to sign our sound. They just thought we were the Ohio Tempest. They thought we were that band with A New Bass Player. they thought our 6 song demo was the new direction for the Ohio Tempest."(Vocalist J.R. (Jamie) Rowe left the band to Join Guardian. Guitarist Mick Rowe also has been in Midnight Orchestra, Goliath, and Ninteen88 )

Comment by dokkcrue71 on January 24, 2013 at 3:36am

While Vocalist Jamie "J.R." Rowe is best known for his work with Guardian and Adrian Gale, he actually got his start in the late eighties with the melodic metal Band Tempest. The performance of Rowe, recognized for his Gritty and Raspy Vocal Style, is inconsistent at this early stage in his career in that he has not yet reached his potential or completely polished his act. The Guitar playing of brother Mick Rowe, who has fronted the likes of Goliath and Nineteen88, is also hit and miss. While his Lead Guitar Work is of Very High quality on "Kids Are Gonna Rock" And "In His Name (Rock On)", on others such as “Watch Out” And “Games With God” it falls well short of the Mark. Drummer Duane Monk And Bassist Steve DeAcutis round out the rhythm section. Tempest Debuted in 1987 with A Coming Storm on Pure Metal Records. A Coming Storm is held back by a muddy sounding and demo-like Production Job. The Rhythm Guitar Sounds Weak And Thin. More often than not the Lead Guitar ends up buried in the mix, while the same can be said for the rhythm section."Kids Are Gonna Rock" opens the album in a strong manner as a crunchy rhythm guitar drives it with a ton of energy to a chorus with A Good Catchy Hook. Mick tears it up with A Fiery Guitar Solo Backed by A bit of Double Bass.

Comment by dokkcrue71 on January 24, 2013 at 3:36am

While the lyrics to "Kids Are Gonna Rock" are quite strong during its verse,Meaningful message? Yes. Good music? No. On the other hand, I like how Mick closes out the songs last minute and a half with more of his high quality lead Guitar Work."Watch Out" is medium-Good Hard Rocker held back by an uneven Lead Vocal performance from Jamie and a chorus driven by background vocals placed way too forward in the mix. As the song slows, it reaches an instrumental passage featuring several seconds of ordinary sounding Lead Guitar work. Getting underway to several seconds of Open air Rhythm Guitar, “Games With God” plods along at a monotonous sounding mid-tempo pace until it attains a repetitive chorus reinforced by pounding Drums. The lead guitar work throughout an extensive instrumental passage fails to make the grade. The songs lyrics, at the same time, leave you scratching your head( Introduced as keyboards fade between the left and right channel, “Golgotha” is backed by the sound of thunder before Jamie sings about the crucifixion over a quietly played guitar lineThe Catchy Guitar Riff that kicks in impels the song at an upbeat tempo until it falls flat on its face for a chorus carried by The Melody to the well known hymn "Jesus Loves Me" -Meaningful message? Yes. Good music? No. On the other hand, I like how Mick closes out the songs last minute and a half with more of his high quality lead guitar work.( After a catchy guitar riff takes "Tell Me" through its first and second verse, the song maintains its momentum as it evenly flows to a very solid hook filled chorus. Mick's Lead Guitar Work is well performed but ends up buried in the mix. "Tell Me" talks about victory in the life of a Christian)(A blend of Crunchy Rhythm Guitar and pulsating Drums initiates "Metal Mission", the two trading off as the song moves through its first verse before the rhythm guitar leads the way to an emotionally charged chorus that ranks among the albums best. Mick contributes A blazing Guitar Solo bouncing between the left and right channel."God's Will Be Done" starts to A Drum Solo before cheesy Vocal harmonies repeat its title in a tedious manner. Once the rhythm guitar kicks in, it proceeds to drive the song forward hard and heavy to a chorus ending to more overdone vocal harmonies. Mick's lead guitar work, on the other hand, is of a very high quality.The power ballad "All My Days" begins to several seconds of bluesy lead guitar work reinforced by a punchy bass line. Advancing through its first and second verse at a slower more-mid tempo pace, the song picks up in pace for a sweeping chorus with a nice worshipful feel. An erratic vocal performance from Jamie is far from his potential. "All My Days" is a song about faith)(Opening to cheesy vocal harmonies chanting the phrase "Rock on with Jesus", a heavy handed riff propels "In His Name (Rock On)" forward until it reaches a surprisingly good catchy chorus with lyrics, unfortunately, on the redundant side,Mick closes the song with a minute and a half of the albums best lead guitar work.)(In closing, while I am tempted to describe A Coming Storm as an irrelevant work of art at best, Tempest displays in no uncertain terms that a lack of ability does not hold it back. Jamie Rowe proves a very fine vocalist when at the top of his game, while Mick Rowe displays a penchant for writing a song with a good catchy hook (a quality he will bring with him to his future bands

Comment by dokkcrue71 on January 24, 2013 at 3:34am

Comment by dokkcrue71 on January 24, 2013 at 3:34am

Comment by dokkcrue71 on January 24, 2013 at 3:26am

Comment by dokkcrue71 on January 24, 2013 at 3:18am

Darrin Lee, Mick Rowe and Scott Wenzel (Whitecross) at Cornerstone, 1989

Comment by dokkcrue71 on January 24, 2013 at 2:57am