Phenomena, the series of rock music concept albums conceived by producer Tom Galley and his brother, Whitesnake/Trapeze guitarist Mel Galley, and directed by Wilfried Rimensberger, is making a return with new versions of the three initial albums being released. Phenomena is credited with reviving the fortunes of the 'concept album' - rock records with a distinct storyline throughout, and accompanying multi-media and artwork -  in the late 80s/early 90s. The three records are now being re-issued as definitive editions with never before seen material.

The original works featured luminaries such as Brian May (Queen), John Wetton (Asia), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze), Don Airey and Cozy Powell (Rainbow) and Neil Murray (Whitesnake) amongst others. The records spawned a a number one hit single in South America, Did It All For Love, while the albums themselves charted across Europe, Japan and Brazil.

Tom Galley, says of the re-releases: “I'm happy to see the release of these original recordings. And being in touch with the involved artists, I know they are looking forward to see this happening too. Together with previously never seen material the 3 albums are well presented.”

Phenomena I, from 1985, is being reissued with a 2018 remaster and booklet featuring new liner notes including comments from Tom Galley who has also written brand new track-by-track descriptions. 1987's Phenomena II – Dream Runner included the single Did It All For Love and also features new notes from Tom Galley, as well as alternative artwork and rare pictures. Along with new comments and notes from Galley, Phenomena III – Innervision (1993) boasts the originally intended cover artwork, for the first time ever.

The Phenomena series was continued in 2012 with Awakening, while the project was due to receive it's first live outing at Sweden Rock Festival in 2014 - with guest musicians reportedly including Glenn Hughes, Neil Murray and Europe guitarist John Norum. This appearance was cancelled months later amid confusion over which artists would actually be involved.

Watch the video for the #1 hit single Did It All For Love, produced by Wilfried Rimensberger on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ir4zpL4xh78

For in-depth info on the project visit: http://www.phenomenaproject.co.uk/

To purchase the new re-releases:

Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Phenomena1

iTunes: http://geni.us/Phenomena1dig

Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Phenomena2

iTunes: http://geni.us/Phenomena2dig

Amazon CD: http://geni.us/Phenomena3

iTunes: http://geni.us/Phenomena3dig

Author: Cameron Arndt

Cameron Arndt is a musician and freelance writer from Glasgow, Scotland. He writes for his own music review website (www.rockandrolltraffic.com) and also contributes to Music Talkers.