Jackal from Denmark formed in 1987, they put out a demo cassette the same year, then recorded three great melodic HM albums: 1990's "Rise" (on major EMI), 1993's "Vague Visions" and 1994's "A Safe Look In Mirrors".
Guitarist and lead songwriter Benny Petersen "The Riffmeister" was actually a member of some of the finest bands from that country, such as Pretty Maids, Artillery, and Mercyful Fate during their demo stages, so we’re talking about someone who had a ton of experience when Jackal released their first three albums in the early 90s. Line-Up was completed with Brian Rich on vocals (who also recorded vocals for the band Narita on their 1992 self-titled album), Per Fisker on drums and Claus Weiergang on bass replaced in 1993 by Søren Hee Johansen.
There was immediate European and Japanese success already with the release of their first album.
In 1995 after releasing "A Safe Look In Mirrors" they toured with Mike Tramp's (Ex-White Lion) band Freak Of Nature. The group played just one gig of the tour before a tragedy struck. Their tour bus crashed and frontman Brian Rich received a serious head injury; he was hospitalized for five days and spent more than a year and a half in treatment recovering from the injury.
Rising Sun, the group's label at the time, gave the band some to recover from the accident, but simply couldn't wait any longer for the group to become active again, so left the band and Jackal soon split.
Jackal return with "IV" album in 1999 but featuring only Brian Rich from the original line-up. Brian passed away on 4th April 20123, these reprints are a homage and tribute to his talent.
1. A SAFE LOOK IN MIRRORS
2. NOTHING TO LOSE
3. JUST A LITTLE CLOSER
4. WHAT'S IT GONNA BE
5. DREAM ON
6. TAKEN AWAY
7. WHEN THE LIGHT IS COMIN' DOWN
8. THE LONELY
9. JOURNEY
10. UP THE AISLE
11. BELLS (Unplugged, Cd Bonus)
12. WHEN THE LIGHT IS COMIN' DOWN (Unplugged, Cd Bonus)