Sheela - Burned Down

In the vibrant era of late '80s and early '90s, when Hard Rock ruled the charts and iconic bands were born in the lively streets of L.A., a lesser-known yet equally formidable force emerged from the heart of Germany – Wiesbaden to be precise. It was in this cultural backdrop that five talented musicians converged, forming a band that would redefine Melodic Hard Rock. Thus, SHEELA was born.
The founding members, Wolfgang Ilsy Terne (Vocals, Guitars), Christian Moser (Guitars, Backing Vocals), Markus Teske (Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Tony Spagone (Bass, Backing Vocals), and Jojo Nimtz (Drums, Backing Vocals), brought diverse musical influences to the table. Wolfgang drew inspiration from Blues Rock legends like Paul Rodgers and David Coverdale, Markus hailed from a successful German Pop-Rock band, Jojo brought in Southern Rock and Country vibes, while Chris and Tony added the essential rock elements to the mix.
Their creative hub was a basement rehearsal space in an old street house, which would later evolve into Markus Teske's legendary BAZEMENT Studio. This studio would become the birthplace of several successful albums for bands like U.D.O., Vanden Plas, Dominci, The New Roses, and more.
In 1995, SHEELA released their debut album, "BURNED DOWN," meticulously crafted and recorded at the BAZEMENT Studio. The album, showcasing a blend of powerful vocals, compelling guitar lines, and intricate arrangements, achieved instant success in Japan. Renowned magazines like BURRN and ROCK HARD recognized their potential, with the former awarding the album 87 points.
"BURNED DOWN" opens with the captivating "LONG TIME," a track featuring a memorable guitar line in the chorus. The album progresses through the anthemic "READY" and the soulful "HOLDIN' ON," leaving an indelible mark on the Hard Rock scene of the time. The success of the album paved the way for a tour and, later in 1995, personnel changes in the band.