Mark Slaughter - Halfway There

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Oh, the 80s… There are times when I miss those days a lot…

That was the time when Glam Metal and all its genres were producing great bands, albums and songs. Very good music appeared back then, and those days were filled with joy and hope. These times were marked by bands as BON JOVI, DEF LEPPARD, QUIET RIOT, FASTER PUSSYCAT, MÖTLEY CRÜE and many more. The names of VINNIE VINCENT’S INVASION and SLAUGHTER were great as well, and the vocals of Mark Slaughter were immortalized on albums as “All Systems Go”, “Stick It to Ya” and “The Wild Life”. Mark is back with his new solo album, the wonderful “Halfway There”.

What you’ll find on this album is lots of fun and excellent songs, with that Hard Rock/Glam Metal/AOR scent, but with those elements of both styles: catchy choruses, great musical accessibility, and fine technique, along with groove moments on some songs. But as well, you’ll feel that the musical work is actual and far away from missing those days. “Halfway There” was produced by Mark Slaughter, having with John Cranfield sharing the responsibility of mixing the album. The result is a modern, heavy and clean sound quality. Then, we all can fully understand what the songs are about, and take the best of them. All the instruments are sounding in great shape and with very good tunes. And the artwork was done by Sam Shearon (who previously worked for names as Rob Zombie, IRON MAIDEN, KISS, and Clive Barker), making an excellent piece of art on the cover.


The first thing that comes to our minds as we are hearing “Halfway There” is that it was conceiver, composed and recorded in a honest way. What I mean is that as we aren’t on the 80s anymore, the songs aren’t for making a worldwide success. But if “Hey You” with its nasty and catchy musical arrangements and lovely chorus, the thunderbolt and charming tempos of “Devoted”, the lovely melodies and essential vocals parts of “Supernatural” (a simple Rock’n’Roll song) and “Halfway There” (a lovely and melodic ballad) the dense and heavy “Conspiracy”, the energy of the hypnotizing melodic lines of the thunderous Hard Pop “Turn It”, and “Not Here” with its introspective and touching harmonies, success would mean a matter of radios and the chance that listeners would (and should) give to the album.

Every time that Mark comes with something, you must be prepared to be hooked in by it. “Halfway There” will hook you all for sure!

Originality: 9
Songwriting: 10
Memorability: 9
Production: 9