The Taz Taylor Band has done it again—dug deep into the vaults of rock history and pulled out a diamond. This time, they’re breathing fresh fire into Rainbow’s 1975 deep cut “Temple of the King,” a song that’s long deserved its moment in the sun. With a new video out now and their album The Other Side of Midnight on the horizon, TTB isn’t just paying homage to Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio’s masterpiece—they’re claiming it as their own.
Front and center is Laura K. Vreeland, whose vocals don’t just echo Dio’s legendary pipes—they carve their own path. There’s a warmth in her delivery, a mix of reverence and rebellion, that turns the song’s mythical lyrics into something you feel in your bones. Behind her, Taz Taylor’s acoustic guitar work is nothing short of spellbinding. Stripping back the electric sheen of the original, he lets the melody speak with raw, folky heart, proving once again why he’s a six-string sorcerer.
This isn’t a one-man show. The rhythm section—longtime bassist Barney Firks and guest drummer Matt Starr—lock into a groove so tight it’s like they share a heartbeat. Add Eric Denton’s haunting keyboards, and you’ve got a sound that’s both lush and lean. Recorded at Doubletime Recording Studios in Santee, California, under the sharp ears of producer Jeff Forrest, the production is a masterclass in balance. Every note has room to breathe, every crescendo hits like a tidal wave. It’s a revival, polished to a shine but never losing its soul.
For Taz Taylor, this is just the latest chapter in a story that started with a wild gamble. Back in ’97, the UK-born guitarist landed in LA with little more than a guitar and a dream. He trucked across America, practiced in sleeper cabs, and eventually built a home in San Diego’s rock scene. From instrumental shredders like Caffeine Racer to collaborations with icons like Graham Bonnet and Don Airey, Taz has always chased the next riff, the next stage, the next lightning-in-a-bottle moment. Now, with The Other Side of Midnight, he’s blending his love for melody and muscle like never before.
So here’s the deal: If you’ve ever air-guitared to Rainbow, belted Dio lyrics in your car, or just craved music that feels alive, Taz Taylor Band is your new obsession. They are just not keeping the flame of classic rock alive; they’re feeding it fresh kindling. So here’s to the dreamers, the road warriors, and the believers. The temple’s gates are wide open—step inside and let the music roar.
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