Ultraphobic
Encyclopedia
Ultraphobic is the fourth studio album by American glam metal
band Warrant
. Released on March 7, 1995 on CMC International, after the apparent break-up of the band, the record was regarded as the band's "comeback" album. It features former Kingdom Come
and Wild Horses members Rick Steier
and James Kottak
.
. It is vaguely similar to Danger Danger
's Dawn, which was also released in 1995. In particular, the record represented an experimentation with the grunge
sounds which had by this time become popular, and which, ironically, had contributed to the band's commercial demise. In songs such as "Undertow" and "Followed" the band attempted to mix pop metal sounds with the alternative stylings of Seattle bands such as Alice in Chains
and Soundgarden
.
. The band supported the release of the record with a national tour beginning in Dallas, Texas
.
which vocalist Jani Lane
endured during the record's production.
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band Warrant
Warrant (American band)
Warrant is an American heavy metal band from Hollywood, California, that experienced success from 1989-1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. The band first came into the national spotlight with their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, and one of its...
. Released on March 7, 1995 on CMC International, after the apparent break-up of the band, the record was regarded as the band's "comeback" album. It features former Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come (band)
Kingdom Come is a hard rock band fronted by Hamburg-born vocalist Lenny Wolf. The group's first album, Kingdom Come was that band's only international hit. It currently consists of an entirely German line-up.-History:...
and Wild Horses members Rick Steier
Rick Steier
Rick Steier is a guitarist who has played in the bands Warrant, Kingdom Come, Wild Horses, and KrunK/Kottak...
and James Kottak
James Kottak
James Kottak is an American drummer for the heavy metal band Scorpions, which he joined in 1996....
.
Musical style
Ultraphobic is Warrant's heaviest and most raw release, continuing down the darker path first explored on the band's previous record, Dog Eat DogDog Eat Dog (Warrant album)
Dog Eat Dog was the third music album by American glam metal band Warrant. It was released on August 25, 1992 on the Columbia label of Sony Music. The album peaked at number 25 on The Billboard 200....
. It is vaguely similar to Danger Danger
Danger Danger
Danger Danger is an American glam metal band, formed in 1987 in Queens, New York. Despite enjoying moderate success in the U.S. with their debut album Danger Danger, the band vanished from the radar due to legal problems and changes in its line-up....
's Dawn, which was also released in 1995. In particular, the record represented an experimentation with the grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
sounds which had by this time become popular, and which, ironically, had contributed to the band's commercial demise. In songs such as "Undertow" and "Followed" the band attempted to mix pop metal sounds with the alternative stylings of Seattle bands such as Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
and Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
.
Production and marketing
Warrant began recording Ultraphobic in November 1994 with producer Beau HillBeau Hill
Beau Hill is an American record producer who is best known for his work with Alice Cooper, Kix, Winger, Streets, Warrant, Fiona, Europe and Ratt....
. The band supported the release of the record with a national tour beginning in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
.
Lyrics
Lyrically, the album appears to have been heavily influenced by the painful divorceDivorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
which vocalist Jani Lane
Jani Lane
Jani Lane , born John Kennedy Oswald, later changed to John Patrick Oswald, was an American recording artist and the lead vocalist, frontman, lyricist and main songwriter for the hard rock band Warrant....
endured during the record's production.
Track listing
- "Undertow" - 3:12
- "Followed" - 3:41
- "Family Picnic" - 4:43
- "Sum of One" - 3:37
- "Chameleon" - 5:23
- "Crawl Space" - 2:38
- "Live Inside of You" - 3:17
- "High" - 4:02
- "Ride #2" - 5:07
- "Ultraphobic" - 4:25
- "Stronger Now" - 3:57
Personnel
- Jani LaneJani LaneJani Lane , born John Kennedy Oswald, later changed to John Patrick Oswald, was an American recording artist and the lead vocalist, frontman, lyricist and main songwriter for the hard rock band Warrant....
: Lead Vocals - Rick SteierRick SteierRick Steier is a guitarist who has played in the bands Warrant, Kingdom Come, Wild Horses, and KrunK/Kottak...
: Guitar - Erik TurnerErik TurnerErik Turner is best known as the rhythm guitarist in American glam metal band Warrant. Turner co-founded Warrant in Los Angeles, California in July 1984 with bassist Jerry Dixon....
: Guitar - Dave White: Keyboards
- Jerry DixonJerry DixonJerry Lawrence Dixon is an American musician, and one of the original members of the 1980s rock band Warrant. He was born in Pasadena, California. He has a wife and son, Grady....
: Bass - James KottakJames KottakJames Kottak is an American drummer for the heavy metal band Scorpions, which he joined in 1996....
: Drums