Top 10 Alcatrazz Songs

Prev Article Next Article

Our top 10 Alcatrazz songs list looks at the body of work of an American band best known for its notable impact on the heavy metal scene in the mid- ‘80s. The band was formed in 1983 as the musical vessel for Graham Bonnet who had served as a vocalist in the bands Rainbow and Michael Schenker Group. Joining vocalist Graham Bonnet in the formation of Alcatrazz were former New England members keyboardist Jimmy Waldo and bassist Gary Shea.

Alcatrazz went ahead to add to its lineup the then-bourgeoning Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. Yngwie briefly played with the heavy metal band Steeler prior to his membership with Alcatrazz. His departure from the band’s lineup saw Alcatrazz welcome the prodigious Grammy Award-winning guitarist Steve Vai. Prior to his membership with Alcatrazz, Steve Vai played with Frank Zappa.

Over the years, the band’s lineup has evolved—In 2020, the band split into two distinct lineups with original vocalist Graham branding his lineup Graham Bonnet’s Alcatrazz. Joining Graham in his lineup was guitarist Jeff Loomis (also known for his affiliations with Nevermore and Arch Enemy). The Waldo-Shea lineup on the other hand continues to push the limits of Alcatrazz’s musical pursuits as evidenced in the band’s fifth studio album V. Other members of the Waldo-Shea lineup include lead vocalist Doogie White (once affiliated with Rainbow and Praying Mantis), drummer Mark Benquechea, and guitarist Joe Stump.

Alcatrazz’s Album Releases over the Years

A few months after the band’s formation in 1983, Alcatrazz issued its debut studio album No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll. The album was issued through Rocshire Records under the production of Andrew Trueman and the Grammy Award-winning record producer Dennis Mackay. Mackay has also produced albums for legendary artists including Judas Priest, Brand X, and Steve Winwood among others.

No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll was a mainstream success rising to position one hundred and twenty-eight on the Billboard 200. The album spent eighteen weeks on the Billboard 200 Chart. No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll is home to some of the best Alcatrazz songs including “Island in the Sun,” “Jet to Jet,” “Hiroshima Mon Amour,” “General Hospital,” “Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live,” and “Suffer Me.”

In 1985, Alcatrazz returned with their sophomore studio album Disturbing the Peace. The album was issued through Capitol Records under the production of Eddie Kramer who is best known for his work with Jimi Hendrix, Kiss, Pretty Maids, Ace Frehley, Anthrax, and Santana. Disturbing the Peace was the only album by Alcatrazz to feature legendary guitarist Steve Vai (who left to join the David Lee Roth Band).

The album was a mainstream success peaking at position one hundred and forty-five on the Billboard 200. Disturbing the Peace stayed on the Billboard 200 Chart for seven weeks. “Painted Lover,” “Wire and Wood,” “Skyfire,” “Sons and Lovers,” and “God Blessed Video” are the most popular songs by Alcatrazz from the album Disturbing the Peace.

Dangerous Games, issued in 1986, marked Alcatrazz’s third studio album. The album was also issued through Capitol Records with its production work handled by Richie Podolor. Other artists who have worked with Richie Podolor include Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, Phil Seymour, and Alice Cooper. “It’s My Life,” “Only One Woman,” and “Undercover” are some of the best Alcatrazz songs from the album Dangerous Games.

The band’s fourth album Born Innocent was issued almost three and a half decades after the album Dangerous Games. Born Innocent was a mainstream success in Switzerland where it made it to the thirty-sixth spot on the Swiss Albums Chart. “Polar Bear,” “Dirty Like the City,” and “London 1666” are the most popular songs by Alcatrazz from the album Born Innocent.

In 2021, Alcatrazz issued the album V through Silver Lining Music. The album was Alcatrazz’s first to feature rock vocalist Doogie White (once affiliated with Praying Mantis and Rainbow). V is home to some of the best Alcatrazz songs including “Grace of God,” “Turn of the Wheel,” “Sword of Deliverance,” and “Guardian Angel.” Currently, the band is working on issuing its sixth studio album Take No Prisoners which features the singles “Battlelines” and “Don’t Get Mad…Get Even.”

Alcatrazz’s Legacy

During its first stint, Alcatrazz gained a cult following thanks to its impressive blend of heavy with hard rock sounds. The band earned critical acclaim in the mid- ‘80s, thanks to its solid musicianship and a lineup that consisted of some of the most prodigious heavy metal/hard rock guitarists of the era including Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. Here we present the all-time best Alcatrazz songs.

#10 – Turn Of the Wheel

Ushering us to the top ten Alcatrazz songs list is the terrific hit “Turn of the Wheel.” The song is featured on the band’s fifth studio album V. While Graham Bonnet’s departure from the original lineup of Alcatrazz left many worried about the band’s creative force, songs like “Turn of the Wheel” proved that there was less to nothing to worry about—If anything, the band’s sound was crispier and even more ferocious.

Doogie White does an amazing job on the mic duties in the song “Turn of the Wheel” proving to be a fitting replacement for Graham Bonnet. Adding more glamour to the song was guitarist Joe Stump who unleashes some classic metal fest fury in this track!

#9 – Only One Woman

Danny Johnson (who had a brief stint with Alice Cooper) had a tough time trying to fill in the gap left by former Alcatrazz guitar heroes and former Alcatrazz members Yngwie and Steve Vai in the record Dangerous Games. However, songs like “Only One Woman” allows Danny Johnson to showcase his remarkable guitar skills (which to some feel quite basic and bluesy). The only thing that fans of Alcatrazz missed in Danny’s guitar skills was the pure aggression and power felt in the band’s prior releases which featured Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen on the guitar.

While songs like “Undercover” and “The Witchwood” prove to be quite impressive, “Only One Woman” remains the true emblem of Alcatrazz’s musicianship on the album Dangerous Games. “Only One Woman” was a song penned by the Gibb brothers of The Bee Gees and issued first by The Marbles. The Marbles was a short-lived English rock duo that served as the musical vessel for Graham Bonnet and Trevor Gordon.

#8 – Will You Be Home Tonight

“Will You Be Home Tonight” is one of the best Alcatrazz songs that we picked from the band’s sophomore studio album Disturbing the Peace. The song was penned by Graham Bonnet in conjunction with keyboardist Jimmy Waldo and guitarist Steve Vai. “Will You Be Home Tonight” had its lyrics penned from the perspective of the late actor and cultural icon James Dean before he met his death in September 1955. Jimmy Waldo manages to make his mark in this hit thanks to his domineering keyboard riffs.

#7- Suffer Me

“Suffer Me” is one of the most impressive songs by Alcatrazz delivered in a slow tempo. The song is the last track on the band’s debut studio album No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll. “Suffer Me” brings out the luscious neoclassical riffs by guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. While the song might not be as heavy as other picks in this list, its lyrics showcase Graham Bonnet and Yngwie Malmsteen’s amazing balladry composition skills.

#6 – Painted Lover

Number six on our ten best Alcatrazz songs list is the grooving hit “Painted Lover.” The song was penned by Graham Bonnet in conjunction with Steve Vai—the song is featured on the band’s sophomore studio album Disturbing the Peace. “Painted Lover” features an impressive harmonic-laden opening guitar riff that summarizes Steve Vai’s artistry and musicianship as a member of Alcatrazz.

Steve Vai managed to establish himself as a riff master and brutal shredder in songs like “Painted Lover” paving way for his move to bigger stages with Whitesnake and the David Lee Roth Band. Additionally, Graham Bonnet’s vocals in this song are legendary and complementary to Steve Vai’s luscious guitar skills.

#5 – Jet to Jet

No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll, the band’s debut studio album, is home to the fifth studio album “Jet to Jet.” The song is a speeding anthem that showcases the dynamic fast paced drumming skills of Jan Uvena (also played with Iron Butterfly, Signal, and Alice Cooper). Guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen‘s imposing signature neoclassical metal riffs and soothing keyboard tunes from Waldo contribute to the song’s driving feel. “Jet to Jet” also features some astounding vocal quality by Graham Bonnet who delivers impressive chants and soaring croons.

#4 – Polar Bear

Thirty-four years after their last studio album Dangerous Games, Alcatrazz made a grand return to the music scene with their fourth studio album Born Innocent. “Polar Bear” serves as the perfect emblem of Alcatrazz’s ability to churn out high octane rockers years after what would be termed to be the band’s prime years. “Polar Bear” gives us a perfect throwback to its prime ‘80s with its rock-solid rhythm section, especially when listening to Jimmy Waldo’s fantastic keyboard riffs.

Mark Benquechea seamlessly anchors the song’s pace and rhythm with his impressive drumming skills. On the other hand, Joe Stump delivers riffs evocative of the neoclassical guitar influence of Yngwie Malmsteen. Graham Bonnet’s vocals perfectly blend in with the symphonic harmonies making “Polar Bear” a standout track. While “Polar Bear” is the only track from Born Innocent in our ten best Alcatrazz songs list, tremendous heavy metal ballads such as “London 1666” and “Dirty Like the City” crave attention.

#3 – Hiroshima Mon Amour

The third pick on our all-time best Alcatrazz songs list is the ravishing hit “Hiroshima Mon Amour.” “Hiroshima Mon Amour” was penned by vocalist Graham Bonnet in conjunction with guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen—the song is featured on the band’s debut studio album No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll. The song had its lyrics reference the nuclear explosives that the USA dropped on the cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima during World War II.

This song’s title was also inspired by the 1959 French movie Hiroshima Mon Amour. “Hiroshima Mon Amour” was among the few songs by Alcatrazz that received some airplay. The song was covered by Wicked Ways and Concerto Moon.

#2 – Island in the Sun

Ferociously beautiful is our second pick on our ten best Alcatrazz songs list, “Island in the Sun.” The song showcases Alcatrazz’s musicianship on the band’s debut studio album No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll. “Island in the Sun” features some catchy keyboard riffs from Jimmy Waldo complemented by Yngwie Malmsteen’s rip-roaring guitar riffs. The song is among the fan-favorite tracks by the band receiving some airplay back in the days on multiple rock radio stations.

#1 – God Blessed Video

Number one on our all-time best Alcatrazz songs list is the alluring hit “God Blessed Video.” The song is Alcatrazz’s signature hit off the band’s sophomore studio album Disturbing the Peace. Let’s go back in time and uncover the history of MTV, a network launched in August 1981. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles was the first song ever played on the MTV network. The message (and title) of this song alluded to how good music videos were becoming a game-changer in the rock scene for some artists.

Graham Bonnet couldn’t agree more with the aforementioned statement! The singer embraced the fact that a good music video would “compensate for an abysmal song” after watching a Duran Duran video as he revealed in an interview. While we cannot generalize this subjective claim, most critics have shared similar sentiments about the potential of music videos. The hit “God Blessed Video” was Graham Bonnet’s way of expressing his opinions about the impact of a great music video on the overall success of a song.