Phenomena

Rocker440

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Phenomena was formed in 1984 by Tom Galley, and his brother Mel Galley (who was also in the bands Trapeze, Whitesnake and Finders Keepers). Wilfried Rimensberger (the founder of Metalhammer magazine) joined in 1985 first as a co-producer and consultant, and then as a project director.

Phenomena may be considered a concept band or project by some, with noticeable themes both within the songs and with each album. Phenomena has released 4 albums to date, with many well known, respected and notable musicians performing on each album. Some of the more known and recognizable musicians are Glenn Hughes (who was in Trapeze with Mel Galley; Deep Purple), Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy), John Wetton (Asia), Brian May (Queen); Tony Martin (Black Sabbath) and Ray Gillen (Black Sabbath; Badlands; Sun Red Sun). Interestingly, Phenomena hasn't performed live, although there maybe a possibility for this to happen in the future.

Although some songs perhaps may have a distinctive AOR style on the earlier releases, there is an excellent combination of styles, songwriting, musicians and performances, imo.


melgalley.jpg


Sadly, Mel Galley RIP passed away July 1, 2008 whilst commencing work for the fifth Phenomena album.

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:tl:
1.Kiss Of Fire
2.Still The Night
3.Phoenix Rising
4.Believe
5.Who's Watching Who
6.Hell On Wings
7.Twilight Zone
8.Phenomena

Label Bronze/Ariola 1984 Parachute Music (re-release 1993) * Vocals Glenn Hughes * Guitar Mel Galley John Thomas * Bass Neil Murray Glenn Hughes * Drums Cozy Powell Ted McKenna * Keyboards Don Airey Richard Bailey * Producer Tom Galley * Production and concept consultation Wilfried F. Rimensberger


Phoenix Rising



Kiss of Fire
 

LG

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Sounds like something right up my alley Rocker440, I am not sure if I know these guys or not,,,,regardless that is quite a list of talented musicians contributing to their albums.
 

rtbuck

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I don't know a lot on it but here's what happened with me. I read an article about the project in an issue of Kerrang & at the time I was into Whitesnake with Slide it In, Ready & Willing,& Live in the Heart of the City so I was familiar with Cozy Powell,Mel Galley, & Neil Murray. Then it was Glenn Hughes (who I was familiar with his run in Deep Purple & Trapeze along w/ Galley), & Don Airey (who I was familiar with in Rainbow) so it made the project a win win situation. It was kind of a concept album with some kind of almost Mystical Fantasy theme to it & the article made it seem really interesting so I had to get it when it was released. I never did really understand the story that was going on with the album but loved the songs. The music was a mix of progressive & metal(although by today's standards probably Progressive/Hard Rock). I was also a fan of the Pat Travers Band & noticed one song was co-written by Pat Thrall & it turns out that the song "Still the Night" (which is one of the best tracks)was supposed to wind up on the second Hughes/Thrall album that never happened. "Dance with the Devil" was a cool tune which sounded like it could've been on Kansas 'Monolith'. My favorite song on the record is "Hell on Wings" which is worth checking out as at times it almost felt like an Iron Maiden tune(at times). God now I have to search through my vinyl!!!!
 

LG

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You have convinced me to delve deeper into this band Bucky. I'll try and find a copy of the debut seeing you rate it so highly.

Thanks.:cheers2
 

Rocker440

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Sounds like something right up my alley Rocker440, I am not sure if I know these guys or not,,,,regardless that is quite a list of talented musicians contributing to their albums.

One of the more appealing aspects to me was with both the varying styles of the songs on the Phenomena album that I heard first and with many of the musicians that appeared on it, too. :grinthumb

I don't know a lot on it but here's what happened with me. I read an article about the project in an issue of Kerrang & at the time I was into Whitesnake with Slide it In, Ready & Willing,& Live in the Heart of the City so I was familiar with Cozy Powell,Mel Galley, & Neil Murray. Then it was Glenn Hughes (who I was familiar with his run in Deep Purple & Trapeze along w/ Galley), & Don Airey (who I was familiar with in Rainbow) so it made the project a win win situation. It was kind of a concept album with some kind of almost Mystical Fantasy theme to it & the article made it seem really interesting so I had to get it when it was released. I never did really understand the story that was going on with the album but loved the songs. The music was a mix of progressive & metal(although by today's standards probably Progressive/Hard Rock). I was also a fan of the Pat Travers Band & noticed one song was co-written by Pat Thrall & it turns out that the song "Still the Night" (which is one of the best tracks)was supposed to wind up on the second Hughes/Thrall album that never happened. "Dance with the Devil" was a cool tune which sounded like it could've been on Kansas 'Monolith'. My favorite song on the record is "Hell on Wings" which is worth checking out as at times it almost felt like an Iron Maiden tune(at times). God now I have to search through my vinyl!!!!

Bucky is right on the mark with what he says! :grinthumb I also had been a fan of many of the musicians that performed on both the first album, as well as the subsequent releases, too. Following some of the musicians "guest" appearances on others albums, or projects for a few years before discovering Phenomena. Although there may well be a mostly concept structure with the albums, I believe there are both excellent songs throughout each album, and some songs that may also be of interest to many differing music fans.

There is a fantastic cover of "Still The Night" on John Norum's Face The Truth import edition album, too! :tup:
 
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Rocker440

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Moving on to the second album.

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:tl:
1.Stop!
2.Surrender
3.Did It All For Love
4.Hearts On Fire
5.Jukebox
6.Double 6, 55 Double 4
7.No Retreat, No Surrender
8.Move-You Lose
9.Emotion Mama
10.It Must Be Love

Label BMG International/RCA/Arista 1987. Parachute Music (re-release 1993)

Vocals: Ray Gillen; Glenn Hughes; John Wetton; Max Bacon. Guitar: Kyoji Yamamoto; Mel Galley; Scott Gorham; John Thomas. Bass: Neil Murray; John Wetton. Drums: Michael Sturgis; Toshihiro Niimi. Keyboards: Leif Johansen; Richard Bailey. Producer: Tom Galley Project Director/Co-Producer: Wilfried F. Rimensberger



Did it All For Love



Surrender
 

Rocker440

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Another excellent song from the debut album that has a cool "Celtic" intro vibe! :grinthumb


Dance With The Devil


and Still The Night from the debut along with the John Norum/Glenn Hughes version:

Phenomena




John Norum - Face The Truth



Another good one from Phenomena II:

Stop!
 

Rocker440

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Next up is Phenomena's third album entitled Innervision, and although there were some different musicians performing on this album, there both are excellent songs along with consistent performances!


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:tl:

1.Rock House
2.Banzai
3.What About Love
4.Into The Fire
5.A Whole Lot Of Love
6.Secret Of Love
7.If You Want To Rock
8.How Much Do You Love Me
9.Shape It Up
10.Rock My Soul


Label: Parachute Music 1992. Vocals: Keith Murrel. * Guitar: Mel Galley; Scott Gorham; Brian May. * Drums: Michael Sturgis. * Keyboards: Leif Johansen. * Producer: Tom Galley. * Co-Producers: Leif Johansen Wilfried F. Rimensberger.



Rock House



Banzai



A Whole Lot of Love w/ Brian May
 

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