THE SEVENTH POWER - POWER AND GLORY

For those of you who do not know who Bill Menchen is (shame on you), he has been the brainchild of MANY different Christian Metal/Hard Rock bands throughout the last 25 years. Titanic, Menchen, Redeemer and Final Axe were some of his other musical outlets; however I’m focused on another group under the moniker of The Seventh Power.

Power and Glory is the current album, actually it came out in 2012 and I received it earlier in 2013. So after spinning this disc to death for months (I must apologize for the delay in this review… seriously….) Power and Glory is a much better disc than its predecessor Eternal Power. One thing with The Seventh Power, musically you know what you’re gonna get straight ahead old school heavy metal with a hook.

The hooks on Power and Glory struck me as stronger and a bit more pronounced than on Eternal Power. The songs felt more complete, finished. Menchen doesn’t break new ground musically, but honestly that in itself is a breath of fresh air because as I fan I know what to expect as I already mentioned.

Robert Sweet of Stryper handles all the drumming duties and does he beat the snot outta his kit. Tight and punchy with a flair for the subtle, Sweet has never been slouch behind the kit.  Bill provides his top flight riffs and solid lead playing throughout this release.

Some of my favorite tracks include the video tune God Is Love, but just as catchy is the very strong Look Into My Eyes.  The title track includes a deep voiced sounding announcer that always strikes me as a distant cousin to the announcing voice at the end of Rush’s 2112. Similar but not the same.

 The production is top flight once again as on the previous Seventh Power albums. I often find the drums to be that bedrock that breaks through the musical din; however the guitar sounds are crisp and strong.

Straight ahead 80’s metal is what you’ll find here with little in the way of surprise. If that floats your boat pick this one up and enjoy some traditional sounding melodic metal with exceptional hooks.


8 axes

MENCHEN - IN THE LIGHT

Retroactive Records released this second Menchen album actually in 2012. In The Light is the title of this fine release of heavy metal wreckage. The players on this album include Robert Sweet on drums, Ken Redding on vocals (who sang on the first Menchen disc) and Cousin Bruce Menchen who handles the bass guitar duties.

These tracks are actually an amalgam of older material written for some of Bill’s older bands, Redeemer and Rev Seven. Having said that I will say, that doesn’t matter one iota; these songs have some great melodies that rock hard and heavy. I actually found this album to be a bit better than the first Menchen album. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but these songs seem a bit more energetic.

This doesn’t sound like a Titanic or The Seventh Power release (at least not a carbon copy), the songs themselves have some different arrangements and it really grabbed me the second or third time through. When looking at the song credits cousin Bruce has several credits where Bill does not (i.e. Don’t Leave, Remember My Chains, King or Liar) it just adds another dimension to the song writing. Straight ahead heavy metal with plenty of hooks.

Strong production elements which emphasize the pounding drums of Robert Sweet as they lock in with Bill Menchen’s crunchy guitar rhythms, just check out You’re Not Alone for exhibit A of this hammer head approach. Crushing.

In The Light is a solid album of bruising heavy metal with strong hooks that stay with you long after the album is done. They don’t break new ground musically, but you know what you’re gonna get; a loud album of straight ahead Christian heavy metal that makes no bones about their lyrical stance.

8 axes

THE SEVENTH POWER - ETERNAL POWER

Bill Menchen has returned with a third release under the moniker of The Seventh Power, this latest album is entitled Eternal Power. Robert Sweet pounds out the drums and Bill provides the vocals, guitar and bass playing, plus the occasional keyboard element.

If you’re already a fan of Menchen’s previous Seventh Power releases, Eternal Power delivers the same straight ahead traditional heavy metal power. Opening with the crushing Bow Down and finishing with the powerful We Sail this album delivers exactly what Menchen fans should expect.

Straight ahead songs lyrically and strong heavy metal musically. Robert Sweet smashes the tar outta his drums on this release. If you want to hear what Sweet doesn’t do on a Stryper album, you just have to check out his playing here.

Menchen writes some pretty catchy tunes through out this release. New Creation, Godbleed, In the Beginning is just a few songs that are worthy. Bow Down is my personal favorite and just blasts away. The only tune that really drops the ball is Set Free, however that song aside Eternal Power is a solid album.

The criticism about the somewhat monotone vocal that Menchen employs is the same as you’ll find on the previous two Seventh Power albums. With a tonality that is somewhat closer to Ozzy with a ‘metallic’ sounding effect, it fits the music.

Fans of traditional metal will enjoy this record, I know I do.


7 axes.

THE SEVENTH POWER - DOMINION AND POWER

Coming from the mighty Menchen Metal Machine in the city of sin, Las Vegas; comes The Seventh Power. I grew up near San Francisco which Vegas has NOTHING on as far as sin goes! HA! This disc is the groups second release entitled ‘Dominion and Power,’ on Retroactive Records. Bill Menchen brings Robert Sweet (drums) and bassist Rod Reasner and gives us another fantastic metal platter.

On this release Bill not only plays a tasty guitar but brings a unique vocal performance as well. With a tonality that reminds this listener of Ozzy, The Seventh Power shines brighter than the aforementioned vocalist. Even tho the vocals here lack strong dynamics it works. The vocal is processed a bit, but it’s almost monotone. Johnny Cash was montone and I own many of his discs, so I wouldn’t let that deter you from checking this out.

‘Dominion and Power’ has catchy melodies, and powerful music. From the title track to ‘King of Kings’, ‘Everlasting Fire’ and ‘Raise m High’ Menchen and crew take no prisoners. No song here is over four minutes and thirty seconds. So your not gonna get long epic tunes, but quick punchy and catchy songs for a generation with a short attention span. This is good heavy metal like early Saxon or early 80’s Priest. Bang yer head in wonder!

Robert Sweet (yes that one!) provides a solid backbone to this attack, like the wishbone that holds it all together. He hits the grooves and plays those pots and pans like only Robert can. He really adds to the feel of these songs and locks very well with bassist Rod Reasner. Both of those guys make sure Bill doesn’t go off into orbit with his guitar assault. As I’ve already mentioned Bill’s guitar playing is very good and tasty. Like I’ve not heard in a long time.

Lyrically this release is very straightforward in its Christian message WITHOUT cliché. I appreciate that because Bill does provide a creative way to speak about Jesus without insulting my intelligence (thanks bro!!). I don’t buy discs for the words, but when they’re done right I enjoy it that much more.

The production is strong. Pounding drum tones, crunchy clean guitar parts and some thumpin’ bass guitar. No mud here with a large sound to boot. Score!! I find myself singing along and playing that good ole air guitar, fun stuff.

Make sure you add this release to your buy list and Santa’s wish list…. Blessings !

8 AXES

TITANIC - FULL STEAM AHEAD

My first exposure to Titanic is their aptly titled ‘Full Steam Ahead’. This album charges like a juggernaut and like the Marvel Comics character once the momentum starts get outta the way!! Many of you are probably aware of guitar player Bill Menchen’s involvement. For the uninitiated Bill’s also been apart of the bands Final Axe, Rev Seven, Seventh Power, Menchen and finally Titanic.

Straight ahead heavy metal with a melodic edge is probably the best way to describe the Titanic sound. Fantastic hooks and melodies abound on this album. Don’t think however for a minute those elements ‘soften’ the sound. Far from it, it just makes you want to hear it again. Musically, perhaps in the same vein as a Rob Rock, Saint or perhaps Armored Saint. Headbanging metal that gets the fist pumping and the hair swaying.

Bill creates a great array of riffs and guitar melodies, but it must be pointed out that vocalist David St.Andrew just smokes on this album. His vocals have that gravely Rod Stewart/Paul Rogers perhaps even a Kevin Dubrow feel. You’ll have to visit Bill’s website if you would like to know how they hooked up. Drummer David White provides a groovin’ back bone to this metal attack.

From opener ‘Shovel the Coal’ (an ode to keep on in the faith and not give up) all the way to closer ‘The Sea’ this release is infectious. “Dead Man’s Bone’s” shreds, ‘Holy Ground’ shakes, and ‘Captain of the Ship’ are ominous. Superb heavy metal songs which you just don’t hear much of these days. Death metal this isn’t but does every song have to 200 miles an hour to be good? Absolutely not. This is an album that could be played for any fan of traditional metal. The production is above par with a pounding drum sound and heavy guitars.

Lyrically very Christian, but not clichéd. I applaud that. There is no mistaking what Titanic professes to believe. Just listen and read the enclosed lyrics. Some metaphor but mostly explicit well written songs about faith, life, Jesus and what it means to follow him without being preachy. Often the preachy stuff just turns folks off because they listen to music for entertainment and escapism.

Along with other Retroactive artists such as Main Line Riders or Grave Robber, the lyrics are definitely Christian just not necessarily ‘Jesus Saves’ every single song. Sorta like in scripture, if you were to take a single book of the Bible on it’s own you may have no clue what’s going on. Take Esther for instance or Lamentations or Song of Solomon. All significant in there own right but in the context of everything else it makes more sense.

Titanic ‘Full Steam Ahead’ is worthy addition to any collection of Heavy Metal. This release did come out in 2007 but I only received it recently and it’s become almost permanently jammed in my CD player. I can only hope I can get it out to review something else! SHOVEL THE COAL!!!

9 AXES