Opening Act: 
Overkill Working on New Album
Richie Kotzen Talks Winery Dogs
W.E.T. release video for “Kings of Thunder Road” (https://youtu.be/E8FhXKTSSfA)
New Band Featuring Dokken and Warrant Members
Ghost release video for “Rats”
Les Binks Priesthood
Guitarist Bill Hudson Leaves U.D.O. And Dirkschneider 

Ear Candy: 
Ghost: Meliora (2015)
Dokken: Return to the East (2018)

Comin’ Atcha Live: 
Lynch Mob

Rockversation: George Lynch
Matt sat down with the legend at a recent Lynch Mob show to talk about his various projects

Bonus Track: James Christian--Jesus Wept 
From the new album CRAVING. You can find out more about the song and album at www.jameschristianmusic.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 also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at [email protected].

.by Matman

Dokken was my favorite band from the 1980's!  I loved the fury of George Lynch's guitar playing, the heavy pounding from 'Wild' Mick Brown, the always steady bass of Jeff Pilson and of course, the smooth as silk vocals of Don Dokken.  Not just known for their music, Dokken was a volatile unit that seemed to always being on the verge of breaking up... until the classic line-up broke up... twice. 

Dokken (the band) have been recording and touring consistently but It has been a lot of years since Dokken, Lynch, Pilson and Brown played together under the Dokken banner.  In 2016 that all changed when they reunited for a short tour of Japan and now we get to listen to what thousands of lucky fans got to witness!

Being released this Friday (4/20) from Frontiers Music is RETURN TO THE EAST LIVE 2016, a live album chronicling their return to the stage.  Featuring 12 live songs, 2 acoustic and one new studio track, this album will make all Dokken fans happy.  On stage the band tear through my favorites; Unchain The Night, Alone Again, Breaking The Chains and Dream Warriors (to name a few) and despite Don Dokken not sounding like he did before, the songs still sound magical!  The songs may have been rearranged a bit but anytime you get these four guys together... awesome things happen!  The way I listened to this album (my headspace) is that these are just 'new' versions of the classics songs we loved!  Lynch is still one of the greatest players out there, Pilson really keeps it all together on bass and backing vocals and Wild Mick is an animal on the kit!!!  This is all you need!!!!  People have already begun the 'overdubbing' chant and all i can say to that is who cares!!!!  I want an album I can listen to and enjoy, that's it!  And this is what I got!!!!

The real bonus on this collection is the brand new song, It's Another Day that makes you melt back to days gone by.  Full of the Dokken trademarks; perfect melody, great vocals and explosive playing, this song is easily one of the best the band has ever recorded, and that says a lot!!!

Also included are two acoustic songs; Heaven Sent and the so very underrated, Will The Sun Rise.  Both performances strip the songs down to the basics and still are better than most any other band out there. 

As someone who has bought EVERY Dokken album since BREAKING THE CHAINS, I can honestly say RETURN TO THE EAST LIVE (2016) is a welcome addition to their catalog.  Thank you for putting the band together one at least one more time and thank you for documenting it for us to enjoy.

MATMAN RATING - 7.5 out of 10 broken drum sticks!!! 

​      

Opening Act: 
Def leppard Box Sets On the Way
Benante Talks Apple and the State of Music
Gene Simmons and Peter Criss together at “Vault Experience”

Ear Candy: 
Danger Danger (1989)
Stryper: God Damn Evil (2018)
​
Rockversation: Mick Box
Matt sat down with the legendary Uriah Heep guitarist at a recent stop on Uriah Heep’s North American tour.

Bonus Track: 
W.E.T.--Watch the Fire

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 [email protected].

by Matman

With my ears still buzzing I began to realize that just a few hours ago... i not not only heard history, but i witnessed it as well.  As a lifelong fan of Accept, the band Udo Dirkschneider co-founded and led for most of the 1980's, I never thought I would get the chance to hear some of the greatest and most influential metal songs of all time sung by the growl that made them famous... but there I was!

I was introduced to Accept and Udo through the amazing radio show 'Metalshop' where I first heard the fury and speed of 'Fast As A Shark' which led me to become a fan of their hybrid mix of heavy metal, classical rhythms and serious European influences.  And tonight, for over two hours... I would hear everything!!!!

Udo Dirkschneider is an interesting character on stage.  He doesn't speak much to the audience, he seems to never open his eyes and doesn't run around and draw attention to himself, but his intensity is something I have never experienced before from a performer.  He sings the songs and lets his amazing band do what they need to do to provide one of the most impressive, intense and emotionally draining shows I have ever been to. 

Dirkschneider (the band) is made up of Dirkschneider (the man) on vocals, who for two hours didn't miss a beat, especially on challenging songs as 'Midnight Mover' and 'Breaker'.  Guitarist Andrey Smirnov was an incredible player, playing heavy when he needed to and flowing and spiritual when he had to.  His guitar partner, Bill Hudson was as intense as Udo on stage an matched Smirnov on every song.  The two played some challenging music and get incredibly high marks for a job so well done!  Holding it all down is Fitty Weinhold, who onstage was confident, cool and playing waise was fantastic, again given some tough material to play.  Keeping the beat was Sven Dirkschneider, son of Udo and as solid a drummer as you can have; twirling the sticks, singing back-up and just creating chaos. 

The set list was an incredible 20 songs and over 2 hour set that left the audience exhausted and i'm not exaggerating.  As the band waited to come back on for their encores... the audience was dead quiet.  Everyone, including myself just looked at each other trying to catch their breath, look at the person next to them and nod in approval.  I hope the band didn't take it as a lethargic or unappreciated response... we were all friggin' tired from all the rockin'!!!!!  And when they came back for more, they saved the best for last; one of the greatest metal songs ever recorded, 'Metal Heart', the first thrash song 'Fast As A Shark' and the showstopper, 'Balls To The Wall'.     

I found out that following one more show, Dirkschneider would return to his other band U.D.O. and no longer perform this Accept show.  If that is the case than I'm so excited and fortunate to be a witness to the magic, but sad for the people that didn't know this show was going on and missed it.  Dirkschneider was one of the most entertaining and physically draining shows I have ever been to, and everyone in attendance agrees.  The band demand a lot from the audience as well as themselves and I think tonight, everyone got what they wanted. 

Set List
The Beast Inside
Aiming High
Bulletproof
Midnight Mover
Living for Tonite
Another Second to Be
Fight It Back
Can't Stand the Night
Amamos la Vida
London Leatherboys
Up to the Limit
Breaker
Screaming for a Love-Bite
Love Child
Objection Overruled
Russian Roulette
Princess of the Dawn
Metal Heart
Fast as a Shark
Balls to the Wall

Opening the show was Australian rockers, Elm Street who were amazing and incredibly cool guys.  I picked up their two CD's for Brian because their mix of Megadeth style playing and horror themes is certainly up HIS alley.  You will be hearing a lot from these guys in the future and of course on Power Chords and 53:5 - The Official Stryper Podcast. 

My thanks to Dustin Hardman from AFM Records for his trust in me to be professional, not start any fights and be "outta the pit after three."  Much appreciated!!!!!!!  
            

by Matman

A lot has happened to Stryper since the release of the amazing FALLEN album back in 2015, both good and bad.  There was even a point in time when it looked like a new Stryper album may never happen… but here we are, with not only a new album, a new tour, a new bassist… but a whole new attitude.

From the beginning, Stryper has always done things their own way and their fan base has always stood behind them and given them the room to experiment and try new things.  This freedom only fuels the creative process and Stryper has rewarded their fans once again with an amazing album that to me not only challenges their norms but also gives us the things we have always loved about the band.

Since the announcement of the album’s title, GOD DAMN EVIL has taken on a life of its own.  Every traditional and social media outlet was buzzing which has caused people to talk about the band and propel the album to #1 on the Amazon charts on presales alone.  As I begin to listen to the album I am so excited to report here that the album isn’t just 'talk' and controversy, it is DAMN GOOD!!!  And no… I’m still not a huge fan of the title, but that is just me.     

Starting off with Take It To The Cross, this song treads new musical waters for the band.  Featuring vocals from Matt Bachandlt (Act Of Defiance), the song is heavy, fast and totally not what you expect from Stryper especially the chorus which over time has grown on me.  If you are looking for the ‘classic Stryper sound’ then Sorry, Sea Of Thieves and the punk influence Lost will make you very happy.  All the trademarks are still there; the soaring chorus, the pounding in your face drums and swirling guitars, everything we expect and want to hear from Stryper.  Wanting to take a chance and mix it up a bit we have God Damn Evil and Own Up, a couple of the songs that really stretch the yellow and black boundaries; a little tougher, challenging tempos and heavy, HEAVY riffing.  

When it comes to the ones that really stand out for me there are three of them that get high marks.  You Don’t Even Know to me is the perfect song; amazing pacing and layered vocals that give this song so much power and feeling.  Another one that harkens back to the old days is Beautiful.  Containing some excellent playing and crisp writing, this one just needs to be heard to be appreciated, especially the verses leading into the chorus.  But if I’m forced to pick my favorite one on the album I will pick Can’t Live Without Your Love.  With the subtle keyboards, driving bass and a Schenker-esque solo this one reminds me of UFO with a little Rainbow added for good measure; picturesque and a tight performance from the band, this song just rocks!

The album finishes up with the ultra-heavy and almost thrashing The Devil Doesn’t Live Here.  This one is heavy, aggressive and once again, not the norm for Stryper.  For music fans who like their music with a bit more speed and attitude, this song will appeal to them.  And the lyrics?  Pure Stryper!!!

Speaking of the lyrics, I feel that this album contains some of the more spiritual and more relevant words than anything in their past.  Where some of their earlier songs were more praise and worship style, here they are more reflective and in line with the way many Christians (myself included) feel living in a world spinning faster than ever.    

Congrats to Stryper for making studio album #12 a brilliant and much needed release!  Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar/production), Robert Sweet (drums) and Oz Fox (guitar) have shaken things up and have made an album that will appeal to everyone; longtime fan or someone discovering them for the first time.  The only thing making me more excited that listening to the new music is thinking how it will sound live with Perry Richardson adding his four-string stamp! 

I would be completely disrespectful not to mention the amazing bass playing of John O’Boyle who really added some depth, feeling and soul to the songs.  His playing added a heavier element to the music and really helped drive them all home.   

As someone who has not always liked Stryper’s album covers… this is their best, or at least my favorite EVER!  As a comic book fan, I so appreciate the work by Stanis Decker who gives us depth, eye catching images and a very electric color pallet.  It projects a feeling of confusion, fear and loss as God comes to town, and he isn’t happy.

Stryper has taken their frustrations, anger and excitement of the past few years and turned it into an album that will easily make every Stryper fan (and maybe some non-fans) take notice.
 
Matman Ranking – 8.5 out of 10 yellow and black Flying V’s   

******To get an understanding of how I rate music, listen to the April episode of 53:5.  You will also hear the members of Stryper each talk about their favorite song on the album. www.stryper.com 

Opening Act: 
Judas Priest Firepower debuts at #5 on the Billboard 200
Biff Byford talks about the effect of the grunge movement on Saxon
Pretty Maids’ Ronnie Atkins is injured
Happy birthday Billy Sheehan (65 on 3/19)

Ear Candy: 
Armored Saint--Symbol of Salvation (1991) 
Judas Priest--Firepower (2018)

Comin Atcha Live:
Between the Buried and Me
Judas Priest/Saxon
Michael Schenker Fest

Rockversation: Robin McAuley
Matt recently chatted with the former vocalist of MSG to talk about his current tour with Michael Schenker Fest. This is part two of a two-part interview. Robin also shares with us the song “Heart and Soul” from the MSF album Resurrection.

Bonus Tracks:
Bad Marriage—Long Way Down
Perfect Plan—In and Out of Love

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 [email protected].