Gastem - CATCH THE FLAME - Import CD Bonus Track

Credits:

Gastem

Description:

GASTEM, the legendary hard rock band from Maryland, USA A special edition of their 1985 debut album, celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary and return to the stage, featuring fully remixed and remastered tracks plus four previously unreleased songs A legendary hard rock band from Maryland, USA. To commemorate the band’s 40th anniversary, their long-out-of-print albums *Catch the Flame* (1985) and *Do It Like Wild* (1986) are being re-released with fully remixed and remastered audio and previously unreleased tracks. Formed in Damascus, Maryland, in 1985, GASTEM quickly gained attention for their energetic sound and became a defining force in the Mid-Atlantic hard rock scene. Featuring Rob Galpin (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Craig Stegal (drums), Mark Emon (bass, deceased), and Mark Schenker (rhythm guitar, bass, keyboards, Taurus pedal), the band became a fixture on the circuit spanning Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, headlining sold-out venues and sharing the stage with numerous big-name artists. Known for their powerful live performances and intricate melodies, GASTEM garnered a passionate fanbase and solidified their status as one of the East Coast’s most beloved underground bands. The 40th-anniversary reissue features a total of 35 tracks across both albums, along with a deluxe booklet containing 10 previously unreleased bonus tracks, rare archival photos, updated artwork, and exclusive track-by-track commentary from the band. The revival of GASTEM—long remembered as the early home of Mark Schenker, who would later become the bassist for KIX—will serve as a nostalgic time capsule for fans and an opportunity to revisit their enduring legacy. After a hiatus spanning several decades, GASTEM reunited in early 2024 to record their first album in 34 years, *III*. Released in October 2024 via Avalon Street Records, the album received critical acclaim and topped Sentinel Daily’s “Weekly Top 30” chart for five consecutive weeks. However, the project was marked by a tragic turn of events. Before recording began, the band’s original bassist, Mark Emon, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. “When Rob heard the news that our dear friend Emon had passed away… I had to stop in my tracks,” recalls drummer Craig Stegal. “I was thinking of scrapping the whole project.” However, Garpin, Stegal, and Schenker—who had recently retired after a 23-year run with the platinum-selling rock band KIX—resolved to honor their late bandmate and saw the project through to completion. The result was *III*. It is an album that fully captures GASTEM’s signature hard-rock power while also serving as a heartfelt tribute to their late comrade.

Tracklisting:

1. That's Just Love
2. Bump & Grind
3. Danger's Own
4. When Love Seems Dead
5. Knock Me Out
6. Drinkin' Wild
7. Don't Mess with Love
8. Catch The Flame
9. Tour De Force
10. Cutting Edge
11. The Answer
12. Never Too Old
13. Run For Your Life(Bonus Track)
14. Spontaneous Combustion(Bonus Track)
15. Streets Of Misfortune(Bonus Track)
16. Hot Nights(Bonus Track)