by Matman

Michael Sweet has one of the most distinct voices in hard rock and heavy metal.  When you hear it you know who it is right away... the voice of Stryper!  Believe it or not, that can be a problem for some people. Back in the 1970' and 80's when our favorite band's singers released a solo album that usually meant the band would soon be looking for a new vocalist. Now, this isn't the case at all. With bands not touring like they used to, this gives musicians the time to do more, so for me... this release is a bonus... one amazing, sonic bonus. 

I loved Sweet's last solo album, ONE SIDED WAR and thought he set the bar pretty high on that one.  With 10, he has raised that bar yet again with an amazing, quality release that song for song is up there with his best work, solo or Stryper. Yup... bold statement, but true!  

10 has 12 tracks (10 plus 2 bonus) that all offer the listener something different as far as the presentation and style.  This has something to do with the many guests that appear on the tracks (see key below for who plays on what), but it has more to do with the artist Sweet is.  Sure, Better Part Of Me and Shine have a certain 'yellow and black' to them, but Sweet's voice is a little edgier and a bit lower than normal giving it a different texture that you hear on Lay It Down, Love Is Hated and Son Of Man.  Even his guitar tones are also a bit muted and come across very 'old school', giving the album a very classic feel. 

Despite the many guests who bring their own unique styles and talents, the entire album comes across very organic and cohesive. Nothing sounds forced and that has so much to do with the production done by Michael Sweet and how everyone did their parts to enhance the song, not take it over or show off.  Everything has a chance to breathe and just be heard....

The way that 10 is put together is something I didn't expect.  For me, each song was followed by a song as good as the previous.  By the time I got to side two (or what would be side two) it was non-stop listening gold with the emotional ballad Let It Be Love, the pop metal of Ricochet and the heavy riffin' of Never Alone.  

A little UFO melody, some Black Sabbath riffs, a dash of Sunset Strip flash and a big chunk of heart and soul.... this is 10.    

Matman Rating - 5 out of 5 (equals 10, get it?)

For pre-order info - https://www.ratpakrecordsamerica.com/michaelsweet
​      
10 will be released on October 11, 2019 from Rat Pak in the US and Frontiers s.r.l. everywhere else

(track listing and guests)   
​Better Part of Me (featuring Jeff Loomis of Arch Enemy)
Lay It Down (featuring Marzi Montazeri) 
Forget, Forgive (featuring Howie Simon)
Now Or Never (featuring Gus G of Firewind) 
Ten featuring (Rich Ward of Fozzy) 
Shine (featuring Ethan Brosh) 
Let It Be Love
Never Alone (featuring Joel Hoekstra of Whitesnake) 
When Love Is Hated (featuring Joel Hoekstra of Whitesnake) 
Ricochet (featuring Tracii Guns of LA Guns)
With You Till The End (featuring Mike Kerr and Ian Raposa from Firstbourne)
Son Of Man (featuring Todd La Torre of Queensryche and Andy James)

Opening Act: 
Eddie Money Passes
Ghost releases two new songs
Whitesnake celebrates 30th anniversary of Slip of the Tongue

Ear Candy: 
Liv Sin--Burning Sermons (2019)
Black Star Riders--Another State of Grace (2019)

Comin Atcha Live:
Sebastian Bach — 9/6 at Stafford Palace Theater

Rockversation: Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal--Part 2
The second part of a massive interview Matt did with Bumblefoot. You can keep up with all of Ron’s projects at www.bumblefoot.com.

Bonus Track: Michael Sweet--Shine
from the upcoming album TEN, which arrives October 11th on Rat Pak Records. Pre-order at https://ratpakrecordsamerica.com/michaelsweet. 

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: 
Joan Jett plays MNF theme
Bon Jovi’s new album title
Chris Poland joins combat Records
Oz Fox Health Update

Ear Candy: 
Volbeat--Rewind, Replay, Rebound (2019)
Riot V--Live in Japan 2018 (2019)

Six Degrees of Frankie B.

Comin Atcha Live:
Firehouse—July 27 at MGM Springfield

Rockversation: Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal--Part 1
The first part of a massive interview Matt did with Bumblefoot. You can keep up with all of Ron’s projects at www.bumblefoot.com.

Bonus Track: Black Star Riders--Ain’t the End of the World
From the new album Another State of Grace, out September 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

My first memory of the band Riot was an ad in Hit Parader magazine for their then new album, RESTLESS BREED.  I remember thinking how odd the cover was as was the one for their previous album, FIRE DOWN UNDER.  I never gave Riot a chance, mostly because of so much other music out there and I had to be frugal with my allowance.  If I was able to preview music like we can now, things would have been different... way different. 

Now going under the moniker Riot V, the band are set to release an amazing live album RIOT V - LIVE IN JAPAN 2018 from AFM Records on August 30th.  What is exciting for me as I listen to it is that every song is brand new to me so I can't compare these versions to past studio versions that featured previous talented vocalists and players.  These songs were going to be judged on what I heard and nothing else, and... wow!!!!!

Not knowing what to expect at all, my first thought was how the band sound like Queensryche, Iron Maiden and Helloween all rolled into one mayhem filled package. The 23 songs cover the bands entire 16 album career with a heavy, yet melodic sense of style and presentation.  Kicking off with Armor Of Light and finishing with Warrior, this collection is almost two hours without a slowdown and never lets you up for a breath. 

The 'V' line-up (added following the death of founding member and guiding force, guitarist Mark Reale) features vocalist Todd Michael Hall, guitarists Mike Flyntz & Nick Lee, bassist Don Van Stavern and drummer Frank Gilchriest who surprise me song after song with their live prescience and tightness. Following a long line of talented singers, Hall has no trouble navigating the band's past with the songs he recorded and makes it very seamless. In fact my favorite songs in this collection are from his two albums with the band, Land Of The Rising Sun, Fall From The Sky and Take Me Back.  In fact, i'll be heading to my local record shop, Music Outlet to order those two albums; UNLEASH THE FIRE and ARMOR OF LIGHT as soon as i'm done with this review.  Since vocals are the 'element' that makes or breaks music for me, in Hall I can hear the Geoff Tate and Michael Kiske (Helloween) tones but underneath I feel a little Joe Lynn Turner melody going on, especially on Angel Eyes.    

So, here is my deal and maybe yours, too.  Remember the bands that we were introduced to because of killer live albums?  KISS? Cheap Trick? Blue Oyster Cult? Over three decades later we have been given a killer live album that may (or not) be your introduction to the awesome legacy of Riot. I suggest you take a chance because on LIVE IN JAPAN 2018, Riot V have done their part making the music, it's up to YOU to enjoy it... on August 30th!!!!! 

by Matman

I don't need a reason to talk to Jim Peterik! This guy is so cool, interesting and full of great stories about his life in music.  Despite his many accomplishments like writing and co-writing two songs that will outlive all of us (Vehicle by Ides Of March and Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor), Jim is humble and still feels the passion to write, create and entertain. Yesterday, we had a great chat (that you will hear very soon) where we discussed his new project being a return to his past.

On August 16th, Ides Of March will celebrate 55 years together with their latest album, PLAY ON.  Featuring 14 new songs and a re-release of their classic Vehicle, PLAY ON is a fun and lively listen that captures the many styles of the band's past, but with producer Fred Mollin they create a sound and an experience that isn't dated at all.

The album starts out with the title track, a song that welcomes the listener in and gets you ready for the ride.  Swagger features Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) and sounds like he and the band just plugged in and recorded... because according to Jim, that is what they did! There is sticky sweet pop like Song About Mary, a song that has become today's ear-worm. My favorite song on the album is Friends Like You, a beautiful 70's style slower one that features a soul grabbing horn solo from Mindi Abair. If you want straight ahead rockers you have a lot of those... but Rule Of Three, Too Far To Turn Around and She are traditional IOM songs that have a driving beat, great melodies and impressive horns. 

There are a lot of guests on the album; the above mentioned and Bo Bice, Paul Shaffer, David Pack (Ambrosia), Cathy Richardson (Jefferson Starship), Tom Doody (Cryan' Shames) and one of my favorite guitarists, the legendary Joe Bonamassa. But never does the guest overshadow the song or have to cover up any weakness, they just make it more special especially Bonamassa on The Cover Up.   

One of the most impressive things about the band and this album is the fact that the core/founding members of Ides Of March line-up are still together. Back in 1964, Jim Peterik (lead vocals, lead guitar and piano), Larry Millas (guitar, bass, and vocals), Bob Bergland (bass, saxophone, and vocals), and Mike Borch (drums and vocals) formed the Shon-Dels, the band that turned into Ides Of March. Over the past 30 years the band has been rounded out by Scott May (Hammond organ and vocals), Steve Eisen (woodwinds and percussion), Tim Bales (trumpet and Flugelhorn), and Henry Salgado (trombone). What band can claim that?

With so much music out there requiring something from the listener, this disc is the perfect pallet cleanser.  If you are looking for great songs, inspired performances and a fun attitude and music that you can just put on and enjoy, PLAY ON is the perfect album. 

Matman Rating: 4.5 out of 5   

The bands official website - https://theidesofmarch.com/
Pre-order on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T3NQ9PH/

​

  Our by Matman

WOW!!! Firehouse is another band from the 80's/90's era that seems to just get better with time. A few weekend's back, Firehouse played the MGM LIVE 'ON THE PLAZA' series and, wow!!!!! This venue is amazing and I've already reached out to the bands I know to find out about what they need to do to play here next year. Brian and I will talk about this show in the next episode of Power Chords but in the meantime, enjoy the pix!!!!

Our sincere thanks to Ellanje and everyone at MGM for their support and letting us come out and play!!!

Opening Act: 
New KXM song ‘War of Words’ (https://youtu.be/YAhExetws2Q) 
Chris Adler’s Megadeth drum set destroyed
The Defiants new album Zokusho coming 9/13

Ear Candy: 
Warrant--Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1989)
Spread Eagle--Subway to the Stars (2019)

Six Degrees of Frankie B.

Comin Atcha Live: 
Warrant--MGM Springfield 7/27/19

Rockversation: Rob De Luca
Matt spoke with the founding member of Spread Eagle about the band’s new album Subway to the Stars, as well as UFO’s final tour. Keep up with Spread Eagle at https://spreadeagle.us/.

Bonus Track: The Defiants--Hollywood in Headlights
From the upcoming album Zokusho, out 9/13 on Frontiers.  Preorder now at http://radi.al/Zokusho. 

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

A literal lifetime for me has passed since the release of the last Spread Eagle album, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC back in 1993.  I got married, had two kids (one who loves the band's bassist Rob De Luca), changed careers... and well, got old! In the time between then and now, De Luca and vocalist Ray West have done their own things, but both realized it was time to come back in a BIG way... and that big way is SUBWAY TO THE STAIRS, being released on Frontiers s.r.l on August 9th.

If you are a longtime fan of the band and are looking for music that has the street tough, rock/metal sound with some serious punk influences, have I some good news for you!!! Yes, you get all of that, plus a lot more. From start (the amazing title track that reminds me of The Replacements) to finish (the beautiful Solitaire), SUBWAY TO THE STARS is an incredible listen that is more diverse than their first two albums with moments of progression (29th Of February and Dead Air) and some straight ahead rockers like Cut Through (my favorite, for now) and Sound Of Speed that are just full of riffs and serious attitude.  The song on this album that is my other favorite is the unexpected, out of nowhere curve-ball, Gutter Rhymes For Valentines.  This song will turn a lot of heads for it's melodic drive, beautiful vocals, Ramones We Want The Airwaves rhythm guitar and lyrics that I think are about some bad things going on... but it is just so perfect a song!         

Joining West and De Luca are guitarist Ziv Shalev and drummer (and cousin of Rob) Rik De Luca. Both add their own flair and personalities to the songs, but remain faithful to the core sound the band created in the mid 1990's.  

Nothing is worth waiting 26 years for, especially music from a band you have always loved.... but those are the breaks and that's life. But if I (and the legion of Spread Eagle fans) had to wait a lifetime, i'm so thankful this is the album we are getting. SUBWAY TO THE STARS is a total monster!  I'm sure Ray and Rob would have liked to have done this album sooner, but then we wouldn't have gotten this fantastic release... a definite candidate for my album of the year.... in a year when so much amazing music has been released... this one is just amazing-er!!!

ANNNDDD.... the album's cover is awesome, simple, expressive and gives you a feel for what is lurking inside. Nice job Tristan Greatrex.

In the next episode of Power Chords we will feature my recent interview with Rob De Luca.  

​For more on the band and the new album, click here!!! 

​To hear the first single, click here!!!!

MATMAN RATING - 5 OUT OF 5

Opening Act: 
Slayer announces last leg of farewell tour
New KXM album coming in September
Brian Johnson’s show coming to AXS
New AC/DC tour 
Sons of Apollo live album

Ear Candy: 
Dio--Dream Evil (1987)
Billy Sherwood--Citizen: In the Next Life (2019)

Six Degrees of Frankie B.

Comin Atcha Live:
Kip Winger--Enfield CT 7/6/19

Rockversation: Jim Peterik
Matt recently spoke with the prolific musician and founder of Survivor about his most recent World Stage project, Winds of Change, which released in April 2019. 

Bonus Track: Graham Bonnet Band--Night Games
From the new live album Graham Bonnet Band: Live in Tokyo, 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 also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at powerchordspodcast@gmail.com.

by Matman

A few years back I interviewed Billy Sherwood and we began to talk about the Doctor Who book I wrote. He asked me if i ever listened to his album, CITIZEN, a concept album about a time traveler who ends up being reborn in different times and events in history. Doctor Who the musical, SOLD! I went right out and got the album and loved it! Now the next chapter....

As a musician, writer and producer, Billy Sherwood reminds me of Todd Rundgren, a visionary who has his own sound and styles and does what he does because he loves it. On CITIZEN - IN THE NEXT LIFE we return to the ever changing world(s) and times of the 'citizen' as he is there with Adolf Hitler in his bunker and spends time with Mata Hari, Christopher Columbus and Wyatt Earp... all in song. There is even a touching and quite emotional moment when the 'citizen' becomes late YES bassist Chris Squire, a friend of Sherwood. If you didn't know this, Squire selected Sherwood as his replacement in YES before he passed away.  

On first listen, I wasn't quite feeling the fun and adventure like I did on the first.  After about 20 full plays I really began to let myself become immersed in the album, and now I'm listening to it because I love it.  The songs are incredibly enjoyable, something not easy to do on a concept album and Billy's musicianship (he plays everything) is stellar. Each song has its own feel. like the Trevor Rabin/YES influenced We Shall Ride Again and Sofia, to the very heavy The Partisan and the dreamy Hold Quite.  Sherwood pulls out all the stops creating a modern masterpiece that also to me sounds like classic Genesis and for some odd reason, Robert Plant's PICTURES AT ELEVEN. 

CITIZEN - IN THE NEXT LIFE is for anyone who loves challenging music, thought provoking lyrics and just a little more than verse, chorus, solo, verse, extended solo.  Billy Sherwood should be incredibly proud of this album and I hope there is more Citizen in our future... or past.... or whenever. 

MATMAN RATING - 5 OUT OF 5  

CITIZEN - IN THE NEXT LIFE will be released on July 12th through Frontiers Music S.L.R.