Mark Slaughter - Halfway There

[Stefan]

 

From blabbermouth.net:

SLAUGHTER vocalist Mark Slaughter will release his sophomore solo album, "Halfway There", in May worldwide via EMP Label Group, the U.S.-based label of MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. The follow-up to 2015's independently released "Reflections In A Rear View Mirror" is a stunning return to form for Slaughter, channeling the familiar hard rock sensibility of classic-era SLAUGHTER releases like "Stick It To Ya" and "The Wild Life" on "Hey You" and emotionally charged title track, "Halfway There", with a mature, progressive, metal bent, evidenced on cuts like "Devoted", "Conspiracy" and "Reckless".

Produced and co-mixed by Slaughter with John Cranfield (AFI, Andy Grammer), with art by famed horror/album artist "Mister" Sam Shearon (ROB ZOMBIE, IRON MAIDEN, KISS, Clive Barker), "Halfway There" is slated to be released May 26 in North America by EMP Label Group/Amped, and EMP/SPV in Europe, and May 10 in Japan via EMP Label Group/Universal.

Mark will tour Japan in May with SLAUGHTER, supporting RATT, in conjunction with the Japanese release of the LP, with shows in Nagoya, Osaka, and a performance at the Tokyo Metal Summit on May 14 with RATT, SEBASTIAN BACH, ENUFF Z'NUFF and more.

Not only is "Halfway There" a blistering showcase of Slaughter's seemingly never-ending vocal abilities, but a glowing testament to his perpetually underserved prowess as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, handling all production, engineering, songwriting, arrangements, guitar, and the bulk of the album's instrumentation himself.

Slaughter says: "My first solo record was kinda getting back on the horse, so to speak. I mean doing everything and recording... I'm taking on a lot more tasks as an engineer/producer/ writer on all this… because I'm doing everything.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, anybody who is a SLAUGHTER fan will certainly understand that I am a large part of the SLAUGHTER sound and vibe, so, obviously, if you like that, it's in there. It's just that I take a lot more liberties on the solo side that I probably wouldn't do when it's a group effort."

He adds: "The record is basically… I spend a lot of time writing songs and things just grow out of me.. I'll be woken up in the middle of the night from nowhere and the song's just in my head and I just exorcize the demons and there you have it. I guess what it is is an artist makes art. And I've really come to the fact that since we haven't made a SLAUGHTER record in so long, it's one of those things that I still have to make the art. That's what I do. That's what I love to do, and that's what I'll continue to do."

EMP A&R director Thom Hazaert chimes in: "It's been such an incredible honor to put this record together with Mark, who, truly, in my humble opinion, is one of the greatest hard rock singers and songwriters of our generation, and, what a lot of people don't realize, just a phenomenal player as well.

"We spent almost a year going back and forth about the idea of putting the record out together. Obviously, Mark and David (Ellefson) have a great longstanding friendship, so it really was an amazing fit.

"From the first time I heard the working demos of these songs, I knew Mark was working on something very, very special.

"Growing up (and still) a huge SLAUGHTER fan, I think these songs are going to not only resonate with the people who already love Mark and what he does, but carve a niche far beyond."

Ellefson adds: "I have been friends with Mark for over 30 years, since he was in VINNIE VINCENT INVASION, and there's a lot of shared history. So when we started talking about the idea of putting this record out, yes, it was a great and natural fit.

"Mark is such a tremendous talent and songwriter, and the scope of that is truly evident on 'Halfway There'.

"We're extremely proud, and excited to have been able to partner with him on it, and can't wait for the world to hear it."

 

www.markslaughter.com

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[lettard]

Actually not too bad,wasnt a fan of his first solo disc but this is better

[Glen]

I switched off at this point -

 

'Hey you, all hands up, rock n roll forever'

 

Zzzzz

[CureTheSane]

Actually not too bad,wasnt a fan of his first solo disc but this is better

 

 

Same.

[CureTheSane]

I switched off at this point -

 

'Hey you, all hands up, rock n roll forever'

 

Zzzzz

 

Shame.

[Geoff]

Oh yes, jesus. Thank christ for that. I kind of didn't mind his solo debut, but it's not what I want from Mark Slaughter at all, and to be honest I'll probably never spin it again.

 

This is exactly what I want to hear from him. Love to hear that he's seen the light and is making hard rock music again. Good choice, Mark, I think your fans will appreciate it.

 

It's a basic song, but very cool. Very Slaughter.

[shamus]

I liked his solo although I went in with zero expectations as everyone kept saying his voice was absolutely shot. I expect to like this one and reports of it being closer to vintage Slaughter is welcome news.

[Glen]

 

I switched off at this point -

 

'Hey you, all hands up, rock n roll forever'

 

Zzzzz

Shame.

What you mean a shame he chose the most dire cliched lyrics of all time

[CureTheSane]

 

 

I switched off at this point -

 

'Hey you, all hands up, rock n roll forever'

 

Zzzzz

Shame.

What you mean a shame he chose the most dire cliched lyrics of all time

 

 

Yes. Sometimes you need to force your way through it.

 

Case in point: It's Hard To Be A Rock N Roller - Wig Wam.

I hated that song with all my heart when I heard the lyrics. Then I heard it a couple of more times and it wormed its way into my head.

Probs my favorite song from them now.

Case in Point 2: How you felt when you first heard "hide your heart, hey hey hey, do do do do do do do do do"

[Glen]

 

 

 

I switched off at this point -

 

'Hey you, all hands up, rock n roll forever'

 

Zzzzz

Shame.

What you mean a shame he chose the most dire cliched lyrics of all time

Yes. Sometimes you need to force your way through it.

 

Case in point: It's Hard To Be A Rock N Roller - Wig Wam.

I hated that song with all my heart when I heard the lyrics. Then I heard it a couple of more times and it wormed its way into my head.

Probs my favorite song from them now.

Case in Point 2: How you felt when you first heard "hide your heart, hey hey hey, do do do do do do do do do"

2 important differences

 

1. The Wig Wam song is tongue in cheek so they can get away with cheesy lyrics

 

2. The Wig Wam song is awesome

 

[CureTheSane]

...and the lyrical content of the Kiss song?

[Dead Planet]

Much better....sounds like I will have to get this.....

[Glen]

...and the lyrical content of the Kiss song?

You mean the Robin Beck song

 

https://youtu.be/amnDg7_3n6Q

[CureTheSane]

 

...and the lyrical content of the Kiss song?

You mean the Robin Beck song

 

 

 

Nope.

 

I'm talking about the Bonnie Tyler song, originally written by Paul Stanley, Desmond Child and Holly Knight for Bonnie's 1987 album Hide Your Heart, which was produced by Desmond Child.

 

Covered by many, many artists, after being released by Kiss in 1989 on Hot In The Shade before Ace Frehley recorded it without permission on Trouble Walkin'

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnCxIeDMXlU

 

[lettard]

 

 

...and the lyrical content of the Kiss song?

You mean the Robin Beck song

 

 

 

Nope.

 

I'm talking about the Bonnie Tyler song, originally written by Paul Stanley, Desmond Child and Holly Knight for Bonnie's 1987 album Hide Your Heart, which was produced by Desmond Child.

 

Covered by many, many artists, after being released by Kiss in 1989 on Hot In The Shade before Ace Frehley recorded it without permission on Trouble Walkin'

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnCxIeDMXlU

 

 

Christ,its done the rounds then

[Glen]

Yep and every version is ruined by the piss weak second part of the chorus....lazy songwriting.

[simo]

I was redirected to ''Hey You'' after listening to Crazy Lixx's new song. What can I say, really liking it! Great sleazy vibe, his voice ain't as high but I don't mind it. Only letdown is the solo, never liked

those damn slide / bottle neck solos

 

I don't consider either of Slaughter's first two albums essential classics, they're ok in my book but that's it. Maybe that's why I like this new song, cause I didn't have any expectations, but that one track I've heard is definitely good, especially for a 2017 release by an ''old'' guy like Mark

[Stefan]

[CureTheSane]

Not overly impressed on first listen ^^^
But there were a couple of nice turn in the song that will likely start working on future listens.

[Geoff]

Not overly impressed by that one either. Still glad it's a hard rock tune, though, and not an acoustic number.

[Geoff]

Not a bad album overall; better than his debut solo one. Sadly, missing some really great tracks, but there is one that stood out from the pack. Love this song, cliche as it may be;

 

[simo]

Totally forgot about this one, will have to check it out. Liked the first song they released off this, second one not so much

[Stefan]

 

[CureTheSane]

lol completely forgot about this release. I'll have to look into it more.