Just a brief summary to start with, establishing the historical context: hard rock act Mad Max from Münster in Germany found themselves on the verge of their American breakthrough in 1987. Everything was ready back then – a renowned producer to apply the finishing touches to Night Of Passion, Mad Max’s current album of that time, a concert agency capable of organising an extensive tour, topped by major interest from the American rock music press. But the unfathomable business policy of the band’s Dutch record company stood in the way of their leap across the Atlantic: Mad Max never made it onto the US market, and a dream was shattered, along with the legendary line-up.
25 years later, the world seems to be a different place, but Mad Max have turned the wheel of history back and are about to present their latest album Another Night Of Passion, recorded by the original 1987 team. To rule out any misunderstandings: what we have here is a completely new album with exclusively brand-new material, but the reference in the album title to that glorious time is intentional.
“The new record could have been a direct successor to Night Of Passion in terms of its stylistic direction – no ballads, no keyboards, just purebred rock songs – naturally in a contemporary sonic guise,” explains guitarist Jürgen Breforth, who recorded this haunting release together with vocalist Michael Voss, bassist Roland Bergmann and drummer Axel Kruse. Another Night Of Passion will be available from Steamhammer/SPV on 26 March 2012 (Germany: 23 March 2012; USA: March 2012) in a jewel case edition featuring eleven songs, and in a limited-edition digipak, including the additional bonus CD Official Bootleg – Live In Berlin.
Tracklistening Digipak
CD1
1. Rocklahoma 04:38
2. 40 Rock 04:21
3. Metal Edge 03:58
4. You Decide 03:53
5. Welcome To Rock Bottom 03:51
6. Fallen From Grace 05:11
7. Black Swan 05:05
8. Back And Alive 03:22
9. The Chant 04:56
10. Fever Of Love 04:09
11. True Blue 02:51
CD2 (Bonus “Official Bootleg – Live In Berlin”)
1. Where The Wind Blows 04:32
2. Here We Are 04:57
3. Night Of Passion 04:47
4. Family Of Rock 04:48
5. Little Princess 04:05
6. Say Goodbye To Hollywood 06:02
7. Open The Eyes 06:55
8. Don`t Talk It All Over 05:37
9. Homeless 04:57
10. Hope To See You 05:02
11. Fox On The Run 05:59
Tracklistening Jewel Case
1. Rocklahoma 04:38
2. 40 Rock 04:21
3. Metal Edge 03:58
4. You Decide 03:53
5. Welcome To Rock Bottom 03:51
6. Fallen From Grace 05:11
7. Black Swan 05:05
8. Back And Alive 03:22
9. The Chant 04:56
10. Fever Of Love 04:09
11. True Blue 02:51
Line Up:
Michael Voss – lead vocals, lead guitars
Jürgen Breforth – rhythm guitars
Roland Bergmann – bass, vocals
Axel Kruse – drums
Upcoming Shows:
Mad Max
As special guest on the Axel Rudi Pell-Tour
20.04. D-Hannover – Capitol
21.04. NL-Weert – De Bosuil
22.04. GB-London – Underworld
24.04. D-Langen – Neue Stadthalle
25.04. D-Saarbrücken – Garage
27.04. D-Nürnberg – Hirsch
28.04. D-Kaufbeuren – All-Karthalle
29.04. CH-Pratteln – Z7
01.05. D-Erfurt – HsD
02.05. D-Berlin – Columbia Club
04.05. D-Bochum – Zeche
05.05. D-Bochum – Zeche (sold out)
Mad Max released 9 studio albums since 1982 and toured through whole Europe with bands like Uriah Heep, Stryper, Yngwie Malmsteen and Pretty Maids. Highlight of their career was the special guest slot on the sold out Deep Purple/Alice Cooper tour in 2006. They also played on many festivals for example two times at the prestigious Rocklahoma Festival in the USA as well as on the Rock Of Ages Festival, Brainstorm Festival in the Netherlands and Wacken Open Air in Germany.
Photo (left to right): Roland Bergmann [Mad Max], Axel Kruse [Mad Max], Olly Hahn [A&R, Steamhammer], Michael Voss [Mad Max], Jürgen Breforth [Mad Max].
Below the music video for Big Wheel the song is taken from their latest and ninth studio album Welcome America [2010].
Related articles:
Interview with Mad Max [October 2009]
Mad Max at Wacken Open Air 2010 [Juli 2010]
‘Mad Max’ Signs With ‘SPV/Steamhammer’ [Nov. 2011]