Opening Act:
Frankie Banali passes Frankie Banali Interview: PCP Ep 34 Pete Way of UFO passes Stryper releases “Even the Devil Believes” Peter Frampton biography Lomenzo on Spotify Ear Candy: Quiet Riot--QRIII (1986) WASP Headless Children (1989) Rockversation: Rob Gaylard Matt spoke to the guitarist, singer and songwriter about his project The Nomadic. Fol;low Rob and The Nomadic at www.facebook.com/TheNomadicBand. Bonus Track: Fates Warning The new song ”Scars” off the upcoming album, Long Day Good Night, coming November 6th Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com.
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 by Matman Math doesn't make sense!!!! It is so hard to imagine that Stryper released their debut EP (now considered an album), THE YELLOW AND BLACK ATTACK back in 1984 and here we are... 36 years later, with their new release, EVEN THE DEVIL BELIEVES. Their latest album, their 13th studio album will be released September 4th... a mere week and a day away!!!! Excited? You should be!!!!! When I first heard Stryper back sometime in 1985, I was instantly hooked by their sound, the production, the harmonic guitars, the heavy drums, soaring vocals and quality of the songs. What I noticed is that nothing has changed that much since their early days. Stryper, like Black Sabbath developed their sound and identity on their debuts and with each release has built on those foundations. Every song on EVEN THE DEVIL BELIEVES to me sounds like it came from a certain era or time in the bands history without sounding like a band holding on to their glory days! Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Robert Sweet (drums) and the 'new guy', Perry Richardson (bass) have created 11 new songs that flow together perfectly and have that unmistakable sound that we expect from Stryper. By now most of the fans have heard Blood From Above and Make Love Great Again and gotten excited, but these two (as far as I'm concerned) are not even close to the best tracks on the album. The harmonies (voice and guitars) are back in full force here and some real cool influences like KISS (Even The Devil Believes), The Beatles (How To Fly) and Scorpions (Blood From Above) really create an incredible listening experience. If I had to pick my favorites on the album they are the songs that really capture the spirit and vibe of what Stryper is to me, Do Unto Others, the title track, This I Pray and Invitation Only. There are no fillers or slouches on this disc, every song is what we as Stryper fans want and expect! Foot stompers like For God & Rock 'N' Roll and Divider (featuring an awesome gang vocal) and Middle Finger Messiah (no, no one is flipping Jesus off) really fit in perfectly with the rest of the music. Stryper have never sounded, played or got along better... and it shows in the music they just made. With just one listen to EVEN THE DEVIL BELIEVES, I am still amazed (but shouldn't be) at the quality and care Stryper put into their music. Every song means something, no note is wasted and the band have once again made an album that appeals to my 17 year old brain trapped in a 52 year old body. Thank you for always believing and never giving up... or in Matman Rating - 9 out of 10 and a solid candidate for mine and Brian's Album Of The Year! www.stryper.com https://www.amazon.com/Even-Devil-Believes-Stryper/dp/B088GNKFCX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stryper&qid=1598562652&sr=8-1 
by Matman Over the past few years, as the 1980's become more a dot in the rear view mirror, we have been expecting more from our hard rock/heavy metal heroes! We want them to get us out of the bad place we are in (again), we want them to make us feel like we can take on the world (again) and most of all... we don't want them to get old! When it comes to the voice singing the words that inspired us or gave us the strength to get through a break-up... nothing is allowed to change. And when it does... LOOK OUT! This is the same expectation we put on our sports heroes... we don't want them to get old, but we certainly don't want their skills to diminish right before our eyes. I never wanted Mario Lemieux to retire, but I also never wanted "le magnifique" to become "le notsogoodanymore". So what do you do? One of my favorite voices, Don Dokken has a big spotlight on him now. Recently he commented on his less than stellar performances captured on YouTube and has given some answers as to the why. Strip away everything and the bottom line is, either retire or do something else? Strap on a guitar and sing back-up with a Don Dokken soundalike. It still is your band, your legacy and you have the right to keep going... and I would be into that. Unfortunately, if it continues, Dokken, Stephen Pearcy (Ratt) and Vince Neil (Motley Crue) will just be fodder for the negative press junkies (trolls), most of whom probably haven't been to a concert in a zillion years. People didn't seem to care about Vince Neil's voice considering their now cancelled tour with Def Leppard sold a kazillion tickets in 20 seconds! So, what about the singers that sing with a backing track? Something to augment their voice and cover up if needed? This has become an even bigger 'hot topic' than the lack of vocal power. Recently Sebastian Bach went after Chris Jericho for singing to 'tapes' or pre-recorded vocals. This is one, believe it or not, i'm less passionate about because I know how a voice can lose it's power over the years. There are some guys like Glenn Hughes, Dennis De Young, Paul Rodgers and Dave Meneketti (Y&T) who seem to defy the odds and still have passion, power and conviction in their voices. Whatever their secret... bottle it up and sell it! As someone who follows singers (and voices) more than bands and styles, I listen probably closer than most to the tones, the notes and humanity that comes out. I cover a lot of concerts and spend a lot of time in photo pits, right up to the monitors and most of the time I hear the voice leaving the diaphragm before it hits the mike. This is where I've been blown away by Michael Sweet (Stryper), C.J. Snare (Firebouse), A.K. Knutson (Flotsam & Jetsam), John Payne (ASIA/Dukes Of The Orient), Ronnie Platt (Kansas) and Andrew Freeman (Last In Line), just to highlight a few. I have heard their voices, their real voices up close and personal and can tell you, what you hear is what you get. I remember seeing Glenn Hughes and being away from a monitor and a bit away from the P.A. and just hearing his voice... brought tears to my eyes! I know several vocalist (I won't name) that use tapes under their voices and if they need to do it to give us a better show... just do it! But the day you lip sync and go all Milli Vanilli, I will draw the line. A few singers I know don't use keyboards and double track their vocals to make the sound fuller. I do NOT know anyone who does it to cover-up a voice and image no longer there. I don't mean to be singling out Don Dokken, but a few years back a new song was released from Dokken and his voice sounded amazing. Was it a studio creation? Probably so... but I didn't care. I now had a new Dokken song that really made me happy. So... my ask in this is this... what do you want? Do you want pure vocals with no backing tapes? Then, don't complain when a voice sounds crappy! Use your consumer power to go/not go/buy/not buy, don't just be an online warrior. I want an awesome show and that is it! If they gotta down tune a bit since the singer is now thirty years older, do it! Are the songs still recognizable? Win-Win! But, don't get so mad you loose your brain! Put yourself in their shoes? I still haven't recovered from a coach telling me two years ago I wasn't the Left Fielder I used to be, because in my brain, i'm still that 18 year old superstar! Getting old sucks. Unless you are Kansas, YES or ASIA, bands built to fill a room with sound (not just vocals), then just be excited that our heroes are still out there... well, when they can be out there again.
Opening Act:
Stryper releases new single Make Love Great Again Blink 182 releases Quarantine song Triumph documentary The Go-Gos documentary George Lynch retiring Lynch Mob name Ear Candy: Tokyo Motor Fist--Lions (2020) Upon a Burning Body--Built From War (2020) Rockversation: Trevor Hurst Matt recently spoke with the singer of Econoline Crush about their new single “get Out of the Way,” and working on their upcoming album. Follow the band on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EconolineCrush/. Bonus Track: Stryper--Make Love Great Again From the new album Even the Devil Believes, coming September 4th on Frontiers Music SRL. You can preorder now at https://stores.portmerch.com/stryper/pre-order-even-the-devil-believes.html. Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com.
Opening Act:
Ellefson announces covers album Scorpions announce 2021 tour Go-Gos documentary and new music coming Beavis and Butt-head returning Return of Econoline Crush Ear Candy: Kansas--The Absence of Presence (2020) Firstborne (2020) Rockversation: Dave Ellefson Matt spoke with the legendary Megadeth bassist about his musical history, working on the new album, his Ellefson band, and much more. The new LP No Cover will be releasing on October 2nd, and you can preorder at https://empmerch.com/product/ellefson-nocover-cd/. Bonus Track: Stryper--Blood from Above From the new album Even the Devil Believes, coming September 4th on Frontiers Music SRL. You can preorder now at https://stores.portmerch.com/stryper/pre-order-even-the-devil-believes.html. Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can find more news, reviews, and discussion at powerchordspodcast.com. You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com. 
Opening Act:
Music Industry protests racism and police brutality with Blackout Tuesday and The Show Must Be Paused www.theshowmustbepaused.com Singer Brian Howe passes Guitarist Bob Kulick passes Ratt’s Round and Round back in the Billboard Top 20 New Kansas album coming Ear Candy: Bumblefoot: Barefoot 2 & 3 (2020) Firewind (2020) Rockversation: Paul McSweeney Matt recently spoke with the lead singer and guitar player from the band Parts per Million out of Boston, MA. Check them out at partspermillionband.com. Bonus Track: Bumblefoot: Come On Eileen From Barefoot 3, out now at bumblefoot.bandcamp.com. Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can find more news, reviews, and discussion at powerchordspodcast.com. You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com.  iy Matman It seems like a lifetime ago when Kansas released their last album, 2016's THE PRELUDE IMPLICIT. I will always be thankful for that album because it brought me back to the world of Kansas in a big way. I also consider that album one of the best and most complete releases in their outstanding history. In other words, they seriously have a tough act to follow. How did they do? THE ABSENCE OF PRESENCE (Inside Out Music) is the sixteenth studio album from Kansas and features the line-up of Phil Ehart (drums), Rich Williams (guitar), Billy Greer (bass), David Ragsdale (violin), Ronnie Platt (vocals), Zak Rizvi (guitar) and the new guy... Tom Brislin (keyboards). Many times, new band members tend to just be a part of the process, but Brislin is all over this album, co-writing or writing almost all the songs, singing one and creating a musical canvas that the band fill in, creating the Kansas sound. Kansas has a unique sound and style that makes them so unique to American music, 70's bands and progressive rock, always able to go in one direction, then at the drop of a hat, move into something else. Songs like The Absence Of Presence, Throwing Mountains and Circus Of Illusion seems to incorporate all these elements with rich vocals, amazing harmonies, virtuoso playing all within the framework of the song. An issue that most progressive bands struggle with is keeping a song together between musical indulgence... and Kansas doesn't do on this album. There are some unique songs like Animals On The Roof (one of my favorites) that have a different energy than the others but fits in perfectly with the beautiful Never (another one of my favorites) and the near perfect Memories Down The Line, one of the most expressive and beautiful songs the band has ever recorded... and yes, another one of my favorites. The last song on the album, The Song The River Sang (yup, another favorite) is an interesting song and not just because it is sung by Brislin. It has a quirky feel to it that reminds me of something from YES' DRAMA album, a release I consider their best work. The song shifts between styles and sounds, giving me at times a nod to Marillion, UK, Electric Light Orchestra, RUSH (I do hear it Zak) and old school Genesis! I have so many takeaways from my 20 or so listens to THE ABSENCE OF PRESENCE, the biggest is Kansas, once again are in top form! Songs, music, performances, running order.. the album is one of their best and so well put together and produced. When the world opens up and Kansas can hit the road for yet, another never ending run of shows, I would love to hear at least six of the album's songs to be included in the set. How many new releases can you say that about? The final word on this album, or final three words... brilliant, just brilliant! I can't wait for the rest of the world to hear this one from start to finish and feel the way I do. Writing this review was incredibly (and surprisingly) difficult because at times I honestly couldn't find the words to convey what I was feeling. Kansas fans are some of the most loyal and dedicated fans in all of music and the reward for your/our many years of unwavering loyalty is THE ABSENCE OF PRESENCE! Matman Rating - 9.5 out of 10. THE ABSENCE OF PRESENCE will be released on June 26th 2020 from InsideOut Music. www.kansasband.com
Opening Act:
10th anniversary of Dio’s passing Pretty Reckless release new single Scorpions trying for old school vibe on new album Alice Cooper releases new single New releases from Metal Church, Bumblefoot, Dennis DeYoung Ear Candy: Black Sabbath: Never Say Die (1978) Tower--Tomorrow & Yesterday (2019) Boston Cover: https://youtu.be/oqW3V5H3e2M Bandcamp: https://towernyc.bandcamp.com/releases Top of the Pops Billboard Hot 100 for May 8, 1982 Rockversation: Kurdt Vanderhoof--Metal Church Matt spoke with the guitarist and founding member of Metal Church about their most recent album and more. Bonus Track: Autograph: Souls on Fire You can purchase the new single from Autographn at https://autographofficial.bandcamp.com/track/souls-on-fire. A portion of all proceeds go to Trinity Health of New England, to support frontline health care workers in the fight against COVID-19. Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com.
by Matman
OZ - FORCED COMMANDMENTS (Massacre Records) - release date 5/22 In the 1980's OZ used to scare me, mostly from their adds in music magazines. Now, in 2020 they don't scare me at all! In fact, their new album, FORCED COMMANDMENTS is an album that should be on every metal fan's radar! Not only is it heavy and aggressive, but it is very technical, dare I say, almost progressive? The first single Prison Of Time has an old school Iron Maiden feel to it and is very representative of what the rest of the album sounds like. But my favorite song on the disc is the Accept inspired Switchblade Alley, because... WOW!!!! OZ is Vince Koivula (vocals), Juzzy Kangas & Johnny Cross (guitars), Peppi Peltola (bass) and Mark Ruffneck (drums) and I hope the boys are proud of this one!!!! 8 out of 10, because i'm not scared anymore! Axel Rudy Pell - SIGN OF THE TIMES (Steamhammer/SPV) - release date 5/8 It is hard to imagine that SIGN OF THE TIMES is Pell's 18th album and this could be his/the band's best! Featuring 10 songs that showcase the guitarists amazing skills, and this is important, not at the expense of the songs or the other players. Although his solos are amazing (just listen to Gunfire and Living In A Dream), Pell lets the songs breathe and doesn't use them as a place to just dump a solo. With amazing vocals from Johnny Gioeli (Hardline), the band is rounded out with Ferdy Doemberg (keyboards), Volker Krawczak (bass) and Bobby Rondinelli (drums). if you have never listened to Axel Rudi Pell before let SIGN OF THE TIMES be your gateway in... you will thank me! 7.5 out of 10!!!! Darker Half - IF YOU ONLY KNEW (Massacre Records) - released March 27th Knowing nothing about Darker Half, except they are from Australia and i missed their first three albums. It is hard to describe the band because Vo Simpson (vocals/guitars), Dom Simpson (drums), Simon Hamilton (bass) and Daniel Packovski (guitar) play it close to so many metal genres without committing or being pigeonholed to one. The are fast and in your face on tracks like This Ain't Over and Glass Coloured Rose but then play it somewhat melodic on Into The Shadows. Despite the melody and nice backing vocals, the album has a real dark side to it... and that makes it even cooler! 7 out of 10!!! One Desire - MIDNIGHT EMPIRE (Frontiers s.r.l.) - release date May 22 They are an easy listen, One Desire is another amazing band from Finland that realty has captured the magic of melodic rock! Like Foreigner, Night Ranger, Giuffria, Europe and so many of the sub genre, One Desire have incredible songs full of hooks and great backing vocals. The first three singles, After You're Gone, Shadowman and Heroes brought me back to a simpler time in life, when music was meant to be fun with no strings attached. The band; Jimmy Westerlund (guitars), André Linman (vocals/guitar), Ossi Sivula (drums) and Jonas Kuhlberg (bass) really know how to make music that is just perfect for the ears and the soul! 8 out of 10!
Opening Act:
Lamb of God push back new album to June Armored Saint finish mixing new album New Hall & Oates album in progress Tokyo Motor Fist almost done Scott Fish: The Quarantine Sessions Ear Candy: Scorpions: Return to Forever (2015) Testament--Titans of Creation (2020) Comin Atcha Live A year without concerts? Rockversation: Michael Sweet Matt recently spoke with the Stryper frontman about the upcoming album, Stryper weekend, and dealing with the challenge of this current time. To keep up with Michael and all things Stryper, head to michaelsweet.com and stryper.com. Bonus Track: Vega--I Don’t Need Perfection From the upcoming new studio album Grit Your Teeth, which will be available via Frontiers Music Srl on June 12, 2020. Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com. |
