Force Majeure (Doro album)
Encyclopedia
Force Majeure is the first solo album of the German female hard rock
singer Doro Pesch
. The album was released in February 1989.
’s album Triumph and Agony
, which gained Gold status in Germany and reached the top 100 chart in the USA, Doro Pesch remained the only original member of the band. Some legal issues about the use of the name Warlock were raised by the former band manager and Doro settled the dispute, renouncing to issue any new album with the band’s name, but using her name instead for any new releases. However, the first print of the LP was issued with a sticker on the cover near Doro’s name with "+ Warlock" written on and for some fans Force Majeure should still be considered as the last album by Warlock.
Just like Triumph and Agony
, the album was recorded in the USA and produced by Joey Balin. Bass player Tommy Henriksen, who was part of the last line-up of Warlock plays in this album, too. The line-up is completed by drummer Bobby Rondinelli
(Rainbow
, Scorpions
, Quiet Riot
, Black Sabbath
, Blue Öyster Cult
,) and guitarist Jon Levin
, whose name was incorrectly reported as Jon Devin on the album sleeve.
Trying to follow the positive American feedback of the previous Warlock album, the songs of Force Majeure are even more oriented to radio-friendly pop metal than to the European power metal of Doro’s earlier works and include for the first time a cover, the famous Procol Harum
’s "A Whiter Shade of Pale
".
The album sold quite well in Europe but had a limited success in the USA, reaching only the top 200 chart.
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
singer Doro Pesch
Doro (musician)
Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
. The album was released in February 1989.
Overview
After the success of WarlockWarlock (band)
Warlock was a German heavy metal band, assembled in 1982. The band gained some commercial success in the mid 1980s. By the end of the decade, singer Doro Pesch was the sole original member who remained in the band, and thus proceeded to form Doro, a band that was essentially a continuation of...
’s album Triumph and Agony
Triumph and Agony
Triumph and Agony is the fourth album by German heavy metal band Warlock, released on 5 September 1987.The album was the follow-up to the 1986 band's first successful album out of Europe, True as Steel....
, which gained Gold status in Germany and reached the top 100 chart in the USA, Doro Pesch remained the only original member of the band. Some legal issues about the use of the name Warlock were raised by the former band manager and Doro settled the dispute, renouncing to issue any new album with the band’s name, but using her name instead for any new releases. However, the first print of the LP was issued with a sticker on the cover near Doro’s name with "+ Warlock" written on and for some fans Force Majeure should still be considered as the last album by Warlock.
Just like Triumph and Agony
Triumph and Agony
Triumph and Agony is the fourth album by German heavy metal band Warlock, released on 5 September 1987.The album was the follow-up to the 1986 band's first successful album out of Europe, True as Steel....
, the album was recorded in the USA and produced by Joey Balin. Bass player Tommy Henriksen, who was part of the last line-up of Warlock plays in this album, too. The line-up is completed by drummer Bobby Rondinelli
Bobby Rondinelli
Bobby Rondinelli is a rock drummer best known for his work with the hard rock/heavy metal bands like Blue Öyster Cult, Rainbow, Quiet Riot, Black Sabbath, The Lizards, and Rondinelli.-Background:...
(Rainbow
Rainbow (band)
Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
, Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
, Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot is an American Heavy Metal band. They are best known for their hit singles "Metal Health" and "Cum On Feel the Noize". They were founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni, under the original name Mach 1, before changing the name to Little Women and finally Quiet...
, Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
,) and guitarist Jon Levin
Jon Levin
Jon Levin is the current guitarist for the American heavy metal band Dokken.-Early years:Jon Levin was involved with music very early on in life. He began playing piano at age 4, trumpet by age 7, and guitar at age 9...
, whose name was incorrectly reported as Jon Devin on the album sleeve.
Trying to follow the positive American feedback of the previous Warlock album, the songs of Force Majeure are even more oriented to radio-friendly pop metal than to the European power metal of Doro’s earlier works and include for the first time a cover, the famous Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
’s "A Whiter Shade of Pale
A Whiter Shade of Pale
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the debut song by the British band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. The single reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June 1967, and stayed there for six weeks. Without much promotion, it reached #5 on the US charts, as well...
".
The album sold quite well in Europe but had a limited success in the USA, reaching only the top 200 chart.
Track listing
- "A Whiter Shade of PaleA Whiter Shade of Pale"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the debut song by the British band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. The single reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June 1967, and stayed there for six weeks. Without much promotion, it reached #5 on the US charts, as well...
" (Gary BrookerGary BrookerGary Brooker, MBE, is an English singer, songwriter, pianist and founder of the rock band Procol Harum. Brooker was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours on 14 June 2003, in recognition of his charitable services.-Early life:Brooker was born in...
, Keith ReidKeith ReidKeith Reid is a songwriter who wrote the lyrics of every Procol Harum song that is not a cover...
) - 3:49 - "Save My Soul" (Joey Balin, Doro PeschDoro (musician)Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
) - 3:47 - "World Gone Wild" (J. Balin, D. Pesch) - 3:54
- "Mission of Mercy" (J. Balin, D. Pesch) - 3:57
- "Angels with Dirty Faces" (J. Balin, D. Pesch) - 3:59
- "Beyond the Trees" (J. Balin, D. Pesch) - 2:28
- "Hard Times" (J. Balin, D. Pesch) - 3:32
- "Hellraiser" (J. Balin, Tommy HenriksenTommy HenriksenTommy Henriksen is an American singer-songwriter from Port Jefferson, New York.Henriksen first moved to Los Angeles to start his music career in 1991. He did tech work for Alice Cooper before beginning performance work with Keith Forsey on a full-length solo album...
, D. Pesch) - 4:57 - "I Am What I Am" (J. Balin, T. Henriksen, D. Pesch) - 2:35
- "Cry Wolf" (J. Balin, T. Henriksen, D. Pesch) - 4:47
- "Under the Gun" (J. Balin, Jon LevinJon LevinJon Levin is the current guitarist for the American heavy metal band Dokken.-Early years:Jon Levin was involved with music very early on in life. He began playing piano at age 4, trumpet by age 7, and guitar at age 9...
, T. Henriksen, D. Pesch) - 3:49 - "River of Tears" (J. Balin, T. Henriksen, D. Pesch) - 3:55
- "Bis aufs Blut" [germ. Till It Bleeds] (D. Pesch) - 0:36
Band members
- Doro PeschDoro (musician)Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
- vocals - Jon LevinJon LevinJon Levin is the current guitarist for the American heavy metal band Dokken.-Early years:Jon Levin was involved with music very early on in life. He began playing piano at age 4, trumpet by age 7, and guitar at age 9...
- guitars - Tommy HenriksenTommy HenriksenTommy Henriksen is an American singer-songwriter from Port Jefferson, New York.Henriksen first moved to Los Angeles to start his music career in 1991. He did tech work for Alice Cooper before beginning performance work with Keith Forsey on a full-length solo album...
- bass, backing vocals - Bobby RondinelliBobby RondinelliBobby Rondinelli is a rock drummer best known for his work with the hard rock/heavy metal bands like Blue Öyster Cult, Rainbow, Quiet Riot, Black Sabbath, The Lizards, and Rondinelli.-Background:...
- drums
Production
- Joey Balin - producer, all arrangements
- Jeff Hendrickson - engineer, mixing
- Dominick Maita - engineer
- Brooke Hendricks, Brian Stover, Micheal White - assistant engineers
- Greg Calbi - mastering