BOB ROCK / ROBERT JENS ROCK

Robert Jens Rock, aka Bob Rock (born 19 April 1954 in Winnipeg, Manitoba), is a Canadian musician, sound engineer, and record producer. Rob Rock is one of the most exciting and energetic singers in heavy metal. Rock can sing virtually any style of music. His vocal range has often been compared to legendary metal singers Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), and Rob Halford (Judas Priest). Rob Rock possesses a unique ability to scream in the stratosphere, all the while singing in a very melodic overtone. His Vibrato and use of Harmonies has created a signature vocal style. Lastly, Rock has an innate ability to write lyrics that have depth and meaning. He is definitely an original lyricist.

Rock is best known for giving bands such as Metallica and Mötley Crüe a more elaborate record production. He has also worked with Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Cher, The Cult, David Lee Roth, Skid Row, Veruca Salt, Nina Gordon, Our Lady Peace, The Tragically Hip, The Tea Party, Lostprophets, American Hi-Fi and Simple Plan.

He briefly returned to performing, forming the band Rockhead with ex-Payola$ drummer Chris Taylor. The band released one self-titled album and two singles, but split up shortly afterwards. Rock is also producing his own band's next album, Langford. The Payola$ have mentioned plans for a tour in early 2008. Rock also produced The Offspring's eighth studio album, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, which received mixed reviews. Released on 17 June 2008, it was their first album in four-and-a-half years, since Splinter in 2003.

Rock was asked directly and interviewed with Canadian rock trio Rush to produce their eighteenth studio album Snakes & Arrows, but because Rock had prior obligations with The Offspring, he was unable to produce the record, and he directed the band to Foo Fighters and Velvet Revolver producer Nick Raskulinecz for the gig. Bob Rock attended the Rush concert at the Los Angeles Nokia Live on 8 May 2008 where he discussed Rush's next record with band members. He had also been unavailable to produce Rush's previous studio album, 2002's Vapor Trails, due to his obligations with Metallica.

Rock penned an essay on the recording of The Tragically Hip's album World Container. Rock produced the five finalist songs of CBC Sports's Hockey Night in Canada Anthem Challenge in late 2008.

Bob Rock was chosen to produce Metallica's multiplatinum self-titled album (known as The Black Album) after the band's iconic admiration of Mötley Crüe's 1989 album Dr. Feelgood. The Black Album was released in 1991 and subsequent followups produced by Rock included Load (1996), ReLoad (1997), Garage Inc. (1998) and S&M (1999). Metallica once again tapped Rock to produce their 2003 album St. Anger, in which he played bass guitar due to the departure of bassist Jason Newsted.

A petition that over 20,000 fans signed was posted online. The petition called for Metallica to dump Rock as producer, claiming he had too much influence on the band's sound and musical format. Rock claimed the petition was hurtful for his children. He was also quoted saying "Sometimes, even with a great coach, a team keeps losing. You have to get new blood in there." In February 2006, Metallica chose producer Rick Rubin to produce their next album, ending the group's long-time relationship with Rock.

Rock most recently has produced 311, who will be releasing their 9th studio album, Uplifter, on 2 June 2009.

Rock's career both as a producer and musician was recognized at the 2007 Juno Award Ceremony for his lifetime contribution to popular music. Rock was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). "Bob is a musical craftsman whose wide range of talents show no signs of slowing," said Melanie Berry, CARAS President. "He has helped to define rock as we know it today, and we are very proud to recognize him in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame."

Rock confirmed his acceptance of the award: "It is an honour to join great producers like Bob Ezrin, Bruce Fairbairn, Daniel Lanois, Jack Richardson, and David Foster in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame" says Rock. "They are all giants of the industry, and to be recognized, means that I had to have worked with truly great artists. I thank them for their confidence and inspiration."

Bob Rock has been nominated for Juno Awards 17 times in various categories ranging from Producer of the Year, Recording Engineer of the Year, Composer of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. He has won on numerous occasions for both his production work and his work in bands such as the Payola$ and Rock and Hyde. Rock last won Producer of the Year in 2005 for Simple Plan's "Welcome to my Life". He has been nominated for 2007 Producer of the Year for his work on The Tragically Hip's album "World Container".

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Rob Rock - Rage of Creation (2000)

JVC/Victor Entertainment (Asia) Massacre Records (Europe) Rob Rock Music (USA)

This solo outing led to Rock's departure from Impellitteri. Apparently everything was ok, until Chris heard the new solo project. Whether this is true or not, I do not know, but it is the rumor that was going around at the time of release. Too bad because Rob and Chris had chemistry. Still, this album smokes!!! It's leaps and bounds more interesting than "Crunch," which makes the rumor seem to be true. Of course Rob's signature wail makes this album sound like an Impellitteri disc. Rob Rock teams up with his Driver bandmate Roy Z, who plays guitar and produces. Roy is no slouch on the guitar either, so this adds even further to the comparisons. Also making a guest appearance is Jake E. Lee (ex Ozzy/Badlands). "Eagle" is an ABBA cover.

Tracks: (Listen Online or Download here)
01 In The Beginning
02 The Sun Will Rise Again
03 One Way Out
04 Judgement Day
05 Streets Of Madness
06 Eagle
07 All i Need
08 Media Machine
09 In the Night
10 Never too Late
11 Forever

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Rob Rock - Eyes of Eternity (2003)
Massacre Records (Europe) JVC/Victor Entertainment (Asia) Rob Rock Music (USA)

Produced, arranged and mixed by Roy Z. Executive producers Rob Rock and Roy Z. (Roy is known for his work with Halford and Bruce Dickinson, while Rob is know for his long stint with Impellitteri.) Rob's second solo CD is heavy, guitar driven heavy metal that comes across as a bit more European sounding than "Rage of Creation." There are ten tracks that are all on level with each other. The exception is tracks nine and ten which are simply outstanding. The epic, twelve minute long "The Hour of Dawn" is a standout track. This song starts as an atmospheric metal anthem that reminds me slightly of mid-90's Stratovarius and ends with a 4-1/2 minute long guitar jam, that includes guitar solos by 15 different guitar shredders. Among the guitarists included are Narnia's Carl Johan Grimmark, Jack Star, metal legend Axel Rudi Pell and someone simply known as "The Warlock." Finshing out this CD is a bonus track called "Beautiful Lady" which is simply one of the best ballads ever written. As I recall this song was actually recorded several years ago and was released as a bonus track on the Japanese version of "Rage of Creation". Despite how much I like Rob's heavy material, he really does excel at ballads. Found it somewhat amusing that this CD contains a song called "Rage of Creation." I wonder if this song might have been written for the "Rage" session but not used until this disc. This song is a tight, crunchy mid paced rocker that leads into one of the albums fastest, and heaviest songs "Conqueror's Hymn". The guitar tones on this song are outstanding and prove to me that you don't need to downtune a full step to have a heavy sound or to write a monsterous riff. As usual, Rob's lyrics are honest and thought provoking, mostly deal with his faith in Almighty God.

Tracks: (Listen Online or Download here)
01 Rock The Earth
02 Stranglehold
03 Eyes of Eternity
04 The Everlasting
05 Rage of Creation
06 Conqueror's Hymn
07 Fields Of Fire
08 You Know
09 The Hour of Dawn
10 Beautiful Lady

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Rob Rock - Holy Hell (2005)
AFM Records (Worldwide) JVC/Victor Entertainment (Japan/Asia)

Once again behind the Rob is producer Roy Z, who also recently worked with Judas Priest on their comeback album. Rob's solo album is at least as good as Priest's, if not a step above and that is saying a lot. "Slayer of Souls" is an all our power metal assault, one of the heaviest songs on the CD, and is complete with a big, gritty guitar sound. Likewise, the title track is a pummelling power metal romp. "I'm a Warrior" originally appeared on the Driver EP and then again on the Impellitteri "Answer to the Master" album. "Warrior" is a certainly a great song. This particular re-recorded version leans closer to the original Driver version, which has long been out of print. Likewise, "When Darkness Reigns" is a re-recording of "Fly Away" from the Driver EP. "First Winds Of The End Of Time" is a mid-paced rocker that reminded me a bit of Rob's work with Impellitteri. "I'll Be Waiting for You", which is listed as a bonus track, is one of the albums highlights. This emotional ballad is probably one of Rob's best yet. Roy Z's guitar work is excellent as usual. On top of the guitar talents of Roy Z, Rob also employs the talents of guitar shredder Carljohan Grimmar (Narnia). As any Rob Rock fan would expect, the vocals are outstanding. I read an article recently that put Rob on the same level as guys like Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford. I would agree 100% with this opinion. Rob has a classic heavy metal voice and an incredible range that few can match. Rob does give up the mic a bit in the closing song "Move On" and allows Tobias Sammet (Avantasia, Edguy) to share lead vocal duties. In all honestly however, this is probably the weakest track on the CD. "Holy Hell" is without a doubt the best Rob Rock solo disc thus far. It manages to be heavier than the past two, yet more melodic and memorable at the same time.

Tracks: (Listen Online or Download here)
01 Slayer of Souls
02 First Winds Of The End Of Time
03 Calling Angels
04 Holy Hell
05 Lion Of Judah
06 I'm A Warrior
07 I'll Be Waiting For you
08 When Darkness Reigns

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Rob Rock - Garden Of Chaos (2007)

Returning two years later with his fourth solo outing Garden Of Chaos, Rob has put together a work taking the guitar driven heaviness characteristic to Holy Hell and imbuing it with the melodic sensibilities of Rage Of Creation and Eyes Of Eternity. Noteworthy hooks abound throughout the project, particularly on the catchy melodic metal of “Savior’s Call”, “This Is The Last Time” and “Spirit In The Sky”- three tracks heavily influenced by the eighties. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a more aggressive sound then check out “Garden Of Chaos” (a fast paced track backed by periodic outbursts of double bass), the bottom heavy “Satan’s Playground” and aptly entitled metal anthem “Metal Breed”. “Millennial Reign”, a sublime piece with a neo-classical feel, stands alongside the mid-tempo “Only A Matter Of Time” and straightforward hard rock of “Ride The Wind” (a Japan only release remixed version of a song that made its initial appearance as a bonus track to Holy Hell). You will also find two very well done acoustic ballads in “Unconditional” and “Ode To Alexander”.

Check Out Millenial Reign's Lyrics:

For 1000 years, the throne of grace,
For 1000 years, no suffering painFor 1000 years, Millennial reign

King of Kings, with all power and majesty
And with justice He alone judges and makes war
Lord of Lords, His eyes blazing like fire
On His head are many crowns, wears a robe dipped in blood

Tracks: (Listen Online or Download here)
01 Garden of Chaos
02 Satan's Playground
03 Savior's Call
04 This Time is The Last Time
05 Only a Matter Of Time
06 Spirit in The Sky
07 Metal Breed
08 Millennial Reign
09 Unconditional
10 Ode To Alexander

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