Ear Candy:
Peter Frampton: Frampton Comes Alive (1976)
Miley Cyrus: Plastic Hearts (2020)

Most Anticipated Albums of 2021 
We look at the list of potential album releases for 20201 and talk about the ones we are really hoping to see.

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.

In this year-end episode of Power Chords, we discuss our favorite albums, songs, covers, live albums, and reissues of 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.

Opening Act: 
AC/DC’s Power Up is #1
New Exodus album news
Anthrax to Release Among the Living Comic (April 21)
UFO Box set being released
Stryper podcast news

Ear Candy: 
Blue Oyster Cult - The Symbol Remains (2020)
AC/DC - Power Up (2020)

6 Degrees of Frankie B.

Comin’ Atcha Live: 
Stryper - Even the Devil Believes (Spirithouse Studios)

Rockversation: Bill Leverty
Matt spoke with the guitarist and founder member of FireHouse about the history of the band, how they’re still playing great music today, and his latest solo album, Divided We Fall.
 
Bonus Track: Blue Oyster Cult - Tainted Blood
From the new album The Symbol Remains, out now.

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.

by Matman

LOVE SONGS - Whitesnake (Rhino)
Yes, another compilation, the second in their red, white and blue trilogy... but before we scream no more... let's really look at this one!  LOVE SONGS contains 15 songs, love songs that have been 'revisited, remixed and remastered', something David Coverdale has been doing with everything over the past few years... and I love it!  Many songs on this collection like Now You're Gone and Is This Love have been worked on to create almost new songs and a cohesive modern feel. Want the originals? Go back into your record collection and listen to them, but for me I love these modern sounds of classic songs.  7 out of 10

THE SYMBOL REMAINS - Blue Oyster Cult (Frontiers)
If I wrote my review the weeks leading up to this release, I would have scored it pretty low because I just wasn't getting it. NOW... holy crap... this album is brilliant and possible the bands best since CLUB NINJA... yes, I love that album. 15 songs, 15 distinct moods for 1 awesome listen. Fight, That Was Me, Box In My Head, Tainted Blood... I can go on and on!  For their first release in almost 20 years, Blue Oyster Cult saved their best for now. A-mazing!!!!! 9 out of 10

RENEGADES - L.A. Guns (Golden Robot)
I know what is going on, with two versions of L.A. Guns claiming rights to the name, but instead of watching the legalities, why not give the album a listen for what it is... a new L.A. Guns album.  From first listen I was sucked right into what the band is trying to do, bring in a new energy yet keep the classic sound intact!  Mission accomplished because this album doesn't have one bad song on it, from Crawl to Don't Wanna Know... this is L.A. Guns!  9 out of 10

PUNCHING THE SKY - Armored Saint (Metal Blade Records) 
I consider the last Armored Saint album WIN HANDS DOWN to be one of my 20 favorite albums of ALL TIME, so the band had a bit of an expectation on my part.  Well, a few listens and Armored Saint has created another amazing album.  Musically this is still the same band that released their debut album way back in 1984 (the EP was 1983), but lyrically the band really speak to me as a guy in my early 50's, in a good way.  Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants, Fly In The Ointment and Missile To Gun are all welcome additions to an incredible catalog of music! 8.5 out of 10
     

Opening Act: 
Tony Lewis from The Outfield passes
Stryper live streams coming
Rob Zombie announces new album
Alice in Chains, Anthrax and Mastodon members cover Rusty Cage from Soundgarden

Ear Candy: 
Stryper: Even the Devil Believes (2020)
Mass: Voices in the Night (1989)

Comin Atcha Live: 
Armored Saint at the Whiskey a Go Go 10-10-20

Rockversation: Steven Riley
Matt spoke to the drummer of LA Guns about the upcoming album Renegades, the band’s current situation, and his time in WASP. 
 
Bonus Track: Wig Wam
Never Say Die 

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: 
EVH passes at 65
AC/DC is back!!!!
Shot in the Dark full song: https://youtu.be/xNhn1KOqq8g 
Iron Maiden announce live album 

Ear Candy: 
Van Halen II (1979)
Van Halen: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)

Rockversation: Marty McCoy
Matt recently talked with the singer/guitarist of The Lonely Ones about the band and its emergence from the Boabaflex days. You can see the video for The Lonely Ones’ awesome cover of Queen’s “Flash” here: https://youtu.be/Bct_S9Dp3dE 

Bonus Track: Jeff Scott Soto
Love’s Blind from the upcoming album Wide Awake (In My Dreamland), out November 6.

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: 
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.

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.