Here’s in exclusive the upcoming reissue of Melodic Rockers ZAR 1993’s album ”From Welcome… To Goodbye”, due to September 27, 2024 via Metalapolis Records.
The original CD version has been out of print for almost 25 years, so it’s time for a re-release. It includes two bonus tracks; the first is the cover version of the SURVIVOR hit “Didn’t Know It Was Love”, and the second is the instrumental “Kroda Bushi” with Japanese vibes.
After the release of the great and successful debut album “Live Your Life Forever” (a cult classic among AOR fans) in 1990 featuring on lead vocals the great John Lawton (ex-URIAH HEEP, LUCIFER’S FRIEND), German act ZAR had to separate from Lawton as the singer re-joined LUCIFER’S FRIEND. Unfortunately, this happened midway the production of their second album ‘Sorted Out’. With the young and very talented vocalist Thommy Bloch they found their new voice very quickly and the album became a great success in Germany and Asia.
Two years later, in 1993, ZAR recorded the follow-up album “From Welcome…To Goodbye,” their most commercial, but also the band’s most mature album. This is Melodic Hard Rock with AOR and even Melodic Metal touches. It sold very well in Central Europe and especially in Japan.
“From Welcome…To Goodbye” also includes a short-term reunion with John Lawton, performing lead vocals on the song “Eagle’s Flight”.
“From Welcome…To Goodbye” is a driving rockin’ album of classy Euro melodic hard rock with a punchy clear production sound. All strong songs, where the anthemic midtempo AOR track “Never So Alone” was a huge hit in Europe’s rock clubs.
Guitarist and mastermind Tommy Clauss made his vocal debut for ZAR on the Jimi Hendrix cover “Angel”. The ballad ”When the Fire Burns” bring to mind Bonfire, while the Survivor cover “Didn’t Know It Was Love” is done with style and good vibes.
This is a really welcome reissue of “From Welcome…To Goodbye”, an overlooked record at the time especially in America. A collection of kickin’ melodic songs for all those who want to celebrate to good rock music like in the good old days!
Highly Recommended
01 – Welcome
02 – How Many Tears
03 – A Touch of Ebony
04 – Thin Line
05 – Eagle’s Flight [feat. John Lawton]
06 – Never so Alone
07 – I Can’t Believe (In Tragic Ends)
08 – Angel
09 – I’m Still Tryin’
10 – Bushido
11 – When the Fire Burns
12 – Highlands
13 – Good Bye
BONUS TRACKS:
14 – Didn’t Know It Was Love (Survivor cover)
15 – Kroda Bushi
Vocals – Thommy Bloch, John Lawton (track 5)
Guitar – Tommy Clauss
Bass Guitar – Wolf Urban
Drums – Marcel Ash
Keyboards – Jerry Schäfer