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by Brian LeTendre
Sweet & Lynch, the Michael Sweet/George Lynch side project will be releasing their second album Unified on November 10th. They released the first single today, entitled "Promised Land," and it rocks. You can check it out in the player above.
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 by Brian LeTendre The last time I saw Winger in concert was fifteen years ago, when they toured in 2002 with Poison, Cinderella and Faster Pussycat. I distinctly remember that show, because even though Poison were the headliners, Winger blew all three other bands off the stage that night. They were amazing live, sounding every bit as good as their studio albums, and bringing an energy that was just infectious. Fast forward to Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT, where Winger proved they haven't lost a step in the past fifteen years. In fact, they might actually be better. Winger opened with the uptempo "Midnight Driver of a Love Machine" off the Better Days Comin' album, and they never slowed down. They played a great mix of older and newer songs, as well as my all-time favorite, "Hungry." Joining Kip Winger, Reb Beach and Rod Morgenstein for the Mohegan Sun show was guitarist Donnie Wayne Smith, who has been filling in for John Roth from time to time since 2014. Paul Taylor wasn't there, so Kip took keyboard duties for the few songs that featured them. I was super impressed with Donnie Wayne Smith, did he nail every song on rhythm and occasional lead, but his backing vocals were right there with Reb Beach's, which if you know Winger, is saying a lot. Kip himself sounded absolutely amazing, and I felt like his range might actually be better than the last time I saw them.  From start to finish, Winger put on a stellar show, and reaffirmed they are one of the best live acts out there today. If you get a chance to see them, take it.
Here's the full setlist from the show: Midnight Driver of a Love Machine Easy Come Easy Go Hungry Pull Me Under Down Incognito Deal With the Devil Stone Cold Killer Guitar Solo Rat Race Drum Solo Miles Away Headed for a Heartbreak Can't Get Enuff So Long China Madalaine Seventeen Encore: Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (Van Halen cover)  by Brian LeTendre The Xfinity Center in Mansfield had been known as Great Woods for years around here (and always will be), and it was always a place I'd wanted to catch a show. So when I found out that Mansfield was the closest Iron Maiden was coming to me this summer, I grabbed tickets. I couldn't have imagined a better show for my first experience there. And I'm super glad I got to share it with my son, and my good buddy Matt. I hadn't seen Iron Maiden since Ozzfest 2005, and they have not lost a step at all. Bruce Dickinson is still an energetic frontman who never stops flying around the stage. The band sounded absolutely amazing, and although I am not the biggest fan of Maiden's BOOK OF SOULS album, the six songs they did play from it gave me a greater appreciation for them. Here's Maiden's setlist from the show: If Eternity Should Fail Speed of Light Wrathchild Children of the Damned Death or Glory The Red and the Black The Trooper Powerslave The Great Unknown The Book of Souls Fear of the Dark Iron Maiden Encore: The Number of the Beast Blood Brothers Wasted Years  The surprise of the night however was Ghost. I'm guessing a lot of Maiden fans weren't super familiar with them, and Ghost impressed from their first tune to their last. They played songs from all of their studio release, and Papa Emeritus sounded fantastic. The costumes and the theatrics just added to the experience. I was glad they sounded as good live as they do on their albums. Here's Ghost's setlist from the show:
Square Hammer From the Pinnacle to the Pit Ritual Cirice Year Zero Absolution Mummy Dust Monstrance Clock All in all, the concert was fantastic, and the setup of the amphitheater really made you feel like you were almost on stage with the band. I would definitely check out a show in at Great Woods again. This is the home of the Power Chords Podcast! Please excuse the mess while we're getting everything set up! --Brian and Matt
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