For those unaware, Held Hostage announce the release of their brand new album Great American Rock on Fire Rock Music Group.

The album is described as American rock and roll at the purest form by Cry Wolf Magazine and both Tim “Ripper” Owens and Joe Lynn Turner provide guest vocals on the album.

Held Hostage recently premiered the video for their second single The Master on Metal Shock Finland and is currently sharing videos of the stories behind each track with Metal Heads Forever on their Facebook/Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

1. We Rock Hard (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
2. Now We Ride (Bikers Life) (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
3. Your Eyes (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
4. The Master (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
5. Hold On (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
6. You Rock Our Way (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
7. Take Me Away (Raw) (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
8. Be A Man (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
9. Chaos (Live)
10. Rise (Stop Suicide All Ages) (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
11. Fallen Brothers (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens)
Show Me The Way Back (Acoustic), featuring Joe Lynn Turner

Featuring the distinctive metal growl of Tim “Ripper” Owens on most all tracks, the album opens on the thunderous We Rock Hard and the melodic rock of Now We Ride (Bikers Life) and then comes the darker-edged Your Eyes, the pounding metal rock of The Master, the powerhaus Hold On and then comes the head-banging brilliance of You Rock Our Way.

Next up is one of my own personal favorites from this new collection, the metal balladry of the raw version of Take Me Away and then the euphorically-charged Be A Man and they are in turn backed by a live version of Chaos, a melodic metal hipsway then comes to the fore on the GNR-imbibed Rise (Stop Suicide All Ages), the album rounding out on the throat-tearing rock of Fallen Brothers, coming to a close on the rhythmically-enhanced Show Me The Way Back (Acoustic), featuring Joe Lynn Turner.

Tom Collier founding member/ lead guitarist/lead singer speaking with about the new video, The story behind the song is kind of different. When I was writing the music to The Master I wanted to create what I called and iconic guitar riff that as soon as you heard it you went wow what a great riff.

I called Scott Gregg (rhythm guitarist) at like 6 am in the morning and said hey get over to my house I got this great riff I am turned into a song. He came over and was like yeah I love it. Then I finished all the music to the song. I had a theme of addiction but had not named the song.

At rehearsal Scott came up with the name The Master. All the music was done then I wrote the first verse and got stuck (which never happens with me) and I asked Scott to come over and we wrote the second and 3rd verses together.

Everyone has some sort of addiction whether it is, alcohol, drugs, music, sex, food, coffee. The meaning of the song is, you have to try and beat your master (addiction). when you do its a new world for you to see.

Tom Collier discussing Tim “Ripper” Owens singing on ten tracks, This was our second collaboration with Tim “Ripper” Owens. He sang our last album Epic all 12 tracks. I have to say “Ripper” is one of the hardest working guys in the business. When he does a project, he does it 110%. He sent me 10-12 vocal tracks for each song he sang including harmony backups. Not only did he sing but “Ripper” helped produce the vocal tracks. He would send me ideas and suggestions I would send them back to him and it worked fantastic.

He is a true professional in every sense of the word. Very easy to work with and extremely helpful. He goes above and beyond what you asked for and he does the same when he is special guest singer with Held Hostage live performances. I have to say “Ripper” took the vocals on this album to a new level.

Held Hostage is: Tom Collier - lead guitar/lead vocals
Scott Gregg - rhythm guitarist/backup vocals
Jeff Murray - drums
Dave Carrol - bass /backup vocals

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