Rough Cutt

Digitally remastered edition including 16 page full color booklet with 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and full artist involvement. During the early '80s, hard rock was fast turning into a red hot commodity. Los Angeles appeared to be at the epicenter of the movement, with a number of acts getting primed and ready for big success and nearly all uniformly subjected to shuffling line-ups and temporary arrangements. So it comes as no surprise to learn that Rough Cutt's formation had mutated with the help of a number of serious players, including future members of Ratt, Guiffria and future Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee. Mentored by Ronnie James Dio, who recorded demos for the band, and subsequently managed by his wife Wendy Dio, the band secured a coveted deal with label giant Warner Brother's Records. With a settled line up, featuring vocalist Paul Shortino and impressive guitarist Amir Derakh, they set about recording their debut album with British producer Tom Allom (Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Y&T), in their native Los Angeles. The record took on the hallmarks of a seriously exciting statement, bristling with the sort of riffs and hooks that launched a thousand imitators as the years rolled on. With crisp, clean production and expertly crafted songs such as 'Dreamin' Again', 'Black Widow' and 'Take Her'setting out their stall in majestic fashion. Released in 1984, the album surprisingly failed to connect commercially, despite touring the North America with Dio, yet secured the band enough of a following to record an equally revered follow-up.