Shout - In Your Face (CD) 2019

1989 HEAVY METAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

IN YOUR FACE when it was originally released in 1989, 30 years ago, sold nearly 50,000 copies within the first month of its release and was exactly what it stated, in your face. The title track IN YOUR FACE actually won a dove award for hard music song in 1990. 

Even louder with more punch and attack.

Shout was a 80’s metal band formed by Ken Tamplin and Chuck King. Shout’s first album IT WONT BE LONG was released in 1988 with their sophomore follow-up IN YOUR FACE releasing in 1989. Both of these albums have been completely re-mastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and come with song lyrics, in depth band insights provided by Chuck King and Ken Tamplin in these handsome 8 page booklet jewel case reissues.

ABOUT THE ALBUM

IN YOUR FACE sold in excess of 40,000 copies within the first month of its release and was exactly what it states, loud and in your face. The title track IN YOUR FACE won a dove award for hard music song in 1990. Every track in the album is strong, leaving nothing held back. Flying guitar work at its best.

One of the most rocking and underrated albums from the glorious 1989 year has been remastered in its 30th anniversary: “In Your Face”, by SHOUT. Do you like Whitesnake’s ‘American’ era circa ‘Slip Of The Tongue’? Then you need to check out this killer disc now.
If one wants a high quality Eighties melodic hard rock band with needed elements in the form of catchy songs, soaring vocals and shredding guitar leads – not to mention the spandex and aqua net to go hand in hand – then you can hardly go wrong with Shout.
Shout formed in 1986 when vocalist and guitarist Ken Tamplin, previously part of melodic metal act Joshua, and guitarist Chuck King, member of AOR / melodic rock group Idle Cure, met via an ad in a Los Angeles area classified paper, The Recycler. With bassist Loren Robinson (also Joshua) rounding out its initial lineup, the band arrived at the name Shout.
After submitting a demo tape, Shout signed a deal with Frontline Records in 1987 and went on to record their first album with some session musicians helping. It was a moderate success, but Shout toured all over the US.

This follow up effort from 1989 “In Your Face” found Shout rounding out its roster with drummer Joseph Galletta and keyboard player Marc Hugenberger in delivering the overall bigger and heavier sound while maintaining the melodic hard rock hook driven penchant.
Now solidified as band, Shout wanted a punchy commercial sound so in vogue around 1988-89, and the production is huge, multi-tracked, big.
Indeed, “In Your Face” highlights the typical growth songwriting wise bands make between their first and second albums. Catchy US MHR hooks is the motto here, as found on opening cut “Borderline” in combining a firm guitar presence with an engaging layered vocal harmony driven refrain, and follow up number “When The Love Is Gone” from matching the heaviness while upping the forthright melody to even higher levels.

In a more commercial vein is “Give Me An Answer”, slickly done with killer guitar work to start and pristine refrain to repeat song’s title in sleek fashion.
Bordering AOR, “Faith, Hope And Love” set apart with its draw-you-in-at-once radio friendly melody and smooth production. A mid-tempo ballad appears in “Waiting On You”, lightening impetus as even guitars and airy keyboards stand alongside Tamplin’s gripping vocal performance.

Upping aggression is “Getting’ Ready”, upholding a driving mentality to find quite the catchy chorus dig and bite, and albums title track, perhaps Tamplin’s finest ever composition with its metal guitar sheen in playing up a montage of Eighties guitar shredders: Lanny Cordola, Michael Angelo, Marty Friedman, Randy Hansen and others. Killer track.
Manifesting the bluesy but also of a forthright nature is “It’s All I Need”, catchy as anything here but with more of a straight on hard rocking edge pointing towards the gusty mid-paced.
More AOR waves appear with the elevated keyboard use in “Ain’t Givin’ Up”, very melodic and with a slightly British feel.

If you missed out on Shout back in the day or are interested in an upgraded version (original release is out of print) of “In Your Face”, this remaster sounds terrific. The album itself is a terrific slice of catchy, hooky US Melodic Hard Rock plenty of biting songs and melodic, AORish tunes / harmonies.
As said, in the vein of Whitesnake’s ‘Slip Of The Tongue’, Hurricane, Lion, etc.
HIGHLY Recommended

TRACKS

1. Borderline 
2. When The Love Is Gone 
3. Give Me An Answer 
4. Faith, Hope, And Love 
5. Gettin’ Ready 
6. In Your Face 
7. Getting On With Life 
8. Waiting On You 
9. Moonlight Sonata 
10. It’s All I Need 
11. Ain’t Givin’ Up (The Pay The Bills Song)

SHOUT HISTORY

The stories the Ken and Chuck share are nothing short of amazing and explain the miracle that almost never was, stories from the road as well as photos and even some surprises which we are not announcing quite yet, but will soon.

In 1987 Chuck was playing with the band Idle Cure but looking for more of a permanent role in music and simply trying to find the right path. Ken Tamplin was a guitarist in the band Joshua and was himself wanting to try something new. Shout was born.

Shout signed a deal with Frontline Records in 1987, after submitting a 3 song demo to Frontline and went on to record their first album, “It’s Won’t Be Long”. It was recorded with session musicians including Lanny Cordola (Magdalen), Marty Friedman (Megadeth) and Michael Angelo (Nitro) but soon after recruited the bassist Loren Robinson and drummer Joseph Galletta from his former band Joshua.

Tamplin and King made quite the duo and were able to not only put together amazing harmonies, but had the screaming guitar hooks and vocal chops that rival some of the biggest bands of the day. Shout commanded immense and almost instant respect from the growing mainstream metal community the second THIS WON’T BE LONG hit the market. Very few bands even came close to touching this masterpiece.  Shout focused its efforts on music quality, something that the Christian rock fans were really clamoring for. Too many bands of that era focused 90% on ministry and 10% on music. Shout had no interest living ministry behind, but new that the industry needed top quality musicianship. The Encyclopedia of Christian Music cites them as begin even more competent than Stryper.