Tag Archives: Joey Belladonna

Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW – Man On The Silver Mountain: the covers

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Well, with 2 new cover versions of the Rainbow classic “Man On The Silver Mountain” being released, thought I’d compile a list of covers of this Blackmore & Dio classic rocker, originally from 1975. It was the opening track to Ricthie Blackmore’s Rainbow album, his first since leaving Deep Purple. Also released as a single from it, and becoming one of the band’s best known tracks, featured on a number of live albums since then, including singers that came after Dio. I think Graham Bonnet did a great job with it, but this is often seen as Dio’s song. It also featured in Dio ‘s (the band) live show.

*If there’s any versions out there that I’ve missed (or omitted), please leave them in the comments.

JOEY BELLADONNA (2011)

Anthrax’s Joey Belladonna did something different with this song. I’m not overly familiar with Anthrax, but dig this guys vocals as he performed the song acoustically a few times. I’ve only included it here because it’s so different, and the vocal is outstanding. A shame Joey hasn’t included this version on an actual album release.

ROB HALFORD, DOUG ALRICH, ...(2015)

These are the type of ‘tribute’ things I can’t get in to. I bought this CD when it came out, played it once or twice and got rid of it. Like my Judas Priest albums, but I really don’t think this suits Rob Halford. A decent take musically, I guess.

ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY (2006)

Recorded for a 2006 compilation of various artists on Small Stone Records, titled Sucking The 70s. This is a pretty good heavy version of the song. Great band name!

IROCKERS CREW (2016)

Another cover that, although not officially released, I’ve included here. This German band performs this so well; great vocals, guitar, etc…

BONFIRE (2018)

Another German band. Bonfire have been around since the ’70s. This is from their 2 CD set of covers, Legends. I like this one. The vocal is different, the guitar is heavy and modern sounding, and there’s some organ in there. Sounds great!

SAXON (2023)

I really like Saxon, and Biff, but kinda prefer hearing them doing Saxon songs. Like Halford, Biff Byford has a pretty distinctive voice. But again, at least this is different to many others hear, as the band sound like their just having fun, rocking it out. From their Inspirations 2 release.

HAMMERFALL (2019)

Swedish power-metal band covered this, and included it as a bonus track to their 2001 Legacy Of Kings, 20th Anniversary box set edition. Love the guitar sound on this. It seems a bit faster and bit more, err, power to it. Great version.

TEAZE (2026)

Canadian band Teaze included their version of this on their brand new album Rev Your Engines (the band’s first in 46 years!). Absolute awesome take, with a an added intro (giving it something unique), and a great vocal from Brian Danter. One of the best versions here. (IMO)

SEBASTIAN BACH, MICK BOX, etc.. (2026)

From another ‘tribute’ project of performers mixed and matched for various tracks. Not bad. Love the guitar here – Mick Box and Doug Aldrich. Not a big fan of the vocals, but it has grown on me, so am liking this more. What is Jonathan Cain doing here?

https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/69711

BIBLE BLACK: 80s Recordings featuring members of Rainbow, Manowar, Anthrax

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BIBLE BLACK was a New York based band that featured former ELF / RAINBOW members Craig Gruber and Gary Driscoll, who after playing alongside Ronnie James Dio in the ’70s, formed their own band in the early ’80s. The band survived a few years, fronted by such singers as Jeff Fenholt (Joshua, Driver), Eric Adams (Manowar), and Joey Belladonna (Anthrax) and recorded a number of tracks with them. Keyboard player Mickey Lee Soule (also ex of Elf) was also in the band at one point, though there’s not a lot of keyboards here. This was a great heavy 2 guitar band, as evidenced by the songs here. Standouts include “Gone”, “Down On The World”, “Ain’t No Crime”, and “Deceiver”. Highly recommended as a great set of early ’80s American metal, and not just for the big name connections here. More in tune with the NWOBHM stuff happening at the time, along with ’70s Judas Priest and Dio than what was happening in the US at the time (IMO).

Press Release:

Bible Black was an East Coast American band formed by former Elf/Rainbow musicians Gary Driscoll and Craig Gruber, along with Andrew “Duck” McDonald.
 
 The bands longest tenured singer was Jeff Fenholt, well known for his very brief stint with Tony Iommi/Black Sabbath and his work with the band Joshua.
 
 The band also featured in its ranks 2 well known vocalists:
 Lou Marullo who later became known as the one and only Eric Adams…and Joey Belladonna who of course went on to join Anthrax.
 
 All three vocalists recorded demos with Bible Black between the periods of 1981-1983. This cd for the first time compiles all recorded works of the band in one place.
 
 Sadly Gary Driscoll, Craig Gruber and Jeff Fenholt have all since passed away, making this release a fitting epitaph to their time together as Bible Black.
 
 Restored and remastered by Patrick Engel and licensed directly from the last surviving member Andrew “Duck” McDonald” we can now hear one of the great “lost bands” and a piece of Heavy Metal history.

Track list: 1. Gone, 2. Metal Man, 3. Back To Back, 4. Down On The World, 5. Ain’t No Crime, 6.Fighting The Wind 7. Back Door, 8. Paint It Black, 9. Fires Of Old, 10. You Got Me Where You Want Me, 11. Deceiver, 12. Midnight Dancer, 12. Gone (Jeff Fenholt vocals), 13. Metal Man (Jeff Fenholt vocals)

Links:

http://jeffcramer.blogspot.com/2009/11/very-candid-conversation-with-craig.html

https://www.rockeyez.com/interviews/int-joey_belladonna.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_MacDonald

KJ, 02/’22