HERO - AFTERLIFE

After a four year absence Hero has returned with a follow up to 2009’s Immortal. One must wonder why it takes so long for some artists to release new music, especially in this age of keeping in the public eye or descending into oblivion. One need not worry as this delay has not altered the Hero sound or presentation one bit.

Afterlife is full of dark gothic melodic metal that is sure to please old fans and make many new ones as well. The music is extremely catchy with plenty of hooks and memorable melodies. If anything Afterlife picks right up where Immortal left off. Michael Hero’s baritone vocal is right there and delivers a strong performance. The guitars are right up front and crunch right along.

Opening with Now Tears are Falling right through Beautiful to the albums tour de force The Dark one thing is for sure, Hero can still put it together and deliver powerful music. This swirling cacophony of gothic metal is going to remain a top player on your music device for a long time to come.

Lyrically Hero delves into areas of the dark places in this world. How we handle the pain of this existence and what comes from it. Who is this person we find within us when we look the mirror and is there an answer to it. The albums center piece The Dark is a declaration of rejection aimed at the Prince of the Power of the Air, wrapped in a delightfully minor key aria.

The sound seems more defined this out on the production side and less boomy. The kick drum is more defined. Afterlife has plenty of atmospherics and dynamics which seem to shine a bit more this time around.

Afterlife is solid metal offering which offers more than a heavy metal experience. This release brings words of life and encouragement to a troubled and shackled world desperate for release. Fans of HIM and other assorted gothic metal acts should find plenty to cheer about here.

8 axes.

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

STRYPER - SECOND COMING

Back in 1984 reading through a copy of Campus Life magazine I saw a photo and read a blurb about this new band from Southern California called Stryper. The article mentioned that their first release would be out later that summer on Enigma Records. The accompanying photo was in black and white so I wasn’t able to really see the Full Monte as far as their attire. I wondered what could they possibly sound like?

One day about four months later it came to my astute attention that the Yellow and Black Attack had been released two weeks earlier. After a cross town ten speed ride I found one copy of said 6 song EP at my local Record Factory (now defunct). Two things caught my attention (well actually three), first was that it appeared that the bottom part of the cover was trimmed off (a printing defect corrected in subsequent pressings), second the big thank you to Jesus Christ The Boss Man (wow maybe this was for real), third was their absolutely nuts yellow and black outfits!! Not too mention all that hair!

When I got home and spun the original six song EP I was completely blown away and proceeded to play it…. Over and over and over and over again… for just about anyone who would listen, Ad infinitum Ad nauseam! That just started a rather long love affair with Stryper, who weren’t always my favorite band but one I always would gravitate to.

With all that being said it now brings me to their latest release entitled The Second Coming. Lots of folks were very vocal about a new Stryper album, hoping for new stuff and then finding out that only two new tracks would be present. However 14 classic tunes would be re-recorded. 6 songs from To Hell With the Devil, 6 songs from Soldiers Under Command and 2 tracks from that original EP. (No Writing on the Wall from In God We Trust??)

If you’re not a fan of re-records then you might as well stop reading right now, because if done right I’m a HUGE fan! The Second Coming was done right!! The spirit of the originals have been captured without simply being a rehash. The quality of the performances is world class as we have come to expect from Stryper. Truthfully Michael has never sounded better, one of the defining voices in rock n roll today period. Oz has continued to show that he is an underrated talent on guitar, not to mention the contribution that Michael brings as well. One of the best one-two punches in heavy metal from the six string point of view.

On this album the drumming of Robert Sweet is amazing. He brings such a groove and meter, his style has blossomed and it shines throughout this album. He delivers that underlying energy which drives it all. However on The Second Coming we can say authoritatively that Tim Gaines bass guitar is present and delivers a lock in step with Robert. And in some instances without that bass guitar (Calling On You, Free) those new versions would fall.

The overall feel of this release is one of energy and punchy power. The guitars are more upfront than on the original recordings, and because of that the edge has increased rather dramatically. Just listen to Calling On You the guitars are stronger, Gaines bass guitar pushes things along and Robert’s drums smack of authority. Superior! (Alright I will admit I never was a big fan of the original, way too bubblegum for my tastes).

Throughout this release the biggest change is that Michael sings in a lower register, just listen to Reach Out for an example. Yeah it was weird the first time or two, but to accomidate a lower register (the guy isn’t 25 anymore.) However don't make the mistake that Mike can't cut loose anymore, that would be a mistake. The drums embellish a lot on this album, but to these ears that’s part of this releases charm.

Some of the song highlights include The Rock That Makes Me Roll, Soldiers Under Command, The Way, More Than a Man and To Hell With the Devil.

Don’t expect a simple rehash of what was on the original releases.  That would be boring. If anything this album has reminded me what was so exciting about Stryper to me in the first place; high energy music that glorified God and was top tier through out. It was music that I would not be ashamed to play for my friends.

Heck with all that said there are even two NEW songs! Bleeding From the Inside Out and Blackened, both of whom are fantastic bits of heavy rock whimsy.  Of the two I’ll take Blackened as my favorite, a much harder and faster tune. Bleeding From the Inside Out has more of a commercial vibe, but I’ve always been a bigger fan of Stryper’s heavier stuff.

The Second Coming is great album of melodic heavy metal. If you’ve never bought a Stryper album before than this might be the best place to start and if you’re already a fan then be prepared to remember why you loved them in the first place.

9 axes

MASS - TAKE YOU HOME Retroactive re-issue

Take You Home was originally released as a six song EP by Enigma Records subsidiary label Medusa back in 1988. This EP was Mass’s first release following their 1985 RCA release New Birth, after that albums release contractual hell ensued and Mass fought for their release and got it. Take You Home has been reissued by Retroactive Records with one bonus track, Under the Gun.

With songs that are straight to the point and highly melodic, without losing their guitar driven edge, Take You Home is sure to please fans of TNT, Stryper, Dokken, Crystavox. An array of melodies that is extremely memorable from the title track to the album starter Pedal to the Metal and the upbeat Over You.

Perhaps of all the tracks the one for me that stands in contrast to the others is the original EP closer, Holy One. Musically it’s one of these tunes that start off slowly and almost melancholy, yet it builds and builds to a driving conclusion. Holy One is a pretty heavy song musically but also lyrically. Mass on the whole I’d give a PG rating lyrically (typical boy girl stuff but very innocuous), but Holy One brings in some strong religious overtones that are pretty hard to ignore but very cool.

The production values are extremely 80’s with the big drum sound with the biting guitar attack, with a tone reminiscent of George Lynch. The re-mastering done by J Powell at Steinhaus is superb as has been his reputation.

Under the Gun which is the bonus track is a solid tune. I would guess it didn’t make the original cut due to the length of vinyl EP’s back in the day.

Take You Home is a nice slice of melodic metal that will fit just fine in the collection of anyone who enjoys this genre of music. I was pretty surprised and I’ve found myself hitting replay on many occasions as I’ve spun this disc. After you grab this one don’t forget to get the Michael Sweet produced Voices in the Night!

7 axes

MASS - VOICES IN THE NIGHT Retroactive Reissue

Mass is one of those bands like Y&T or Armored Saint, where everything is there; the talent, the songs, the work ethic; however main stream success just seems to elude them. In 1989 Michael Sweet of Stryper came on board to help produce Voices in The Night. The result was a stellar masterpiece of melodic 80’s heavy metal.

Retroactive Records has re-mastered and re-released this piece of classic metal history. Michael Sweet definitely seemed to add some punch in the producers chair as the presentation is straight ahead with plenty of vocal harmonies and several guitar harmonies. The songs themselves are extremely hook laden and will have you humming along (or singing along if you’re adventurous!).

Tracks like Reach For the Sky, Turn it All Around and the title cut brim with serious melodic appeal without going all syrupy and weak. They rock and bring some full on depth of song writing. Even the ballad Chance to Love avoids the syrup trap; this is the type of ballad that Stryper should’ve been writing (sorry I never was a fan of Stryper’s ballads).

I remember hearing this album back in 89 and really thought it was something special, but it seemed to get lost in the proverbial shuffle. Thankfully Retroactive brings this release back to the mainstream and they even add two bonus tracks! Still Of The Night and Stevie are added, one track was the bonus added to the original CD (the cassette didn’t have it) the other track was the Japan bonus track.

Lyrically Mass (short for Massachusetts their home state) are a clean and positive act. They shouldn’t be confused with a Christian rock band, but I will say that many of their lyrics I found could be interpreted that way. I suppose their association with Michael Sweet lends one to think they must be a Christian band. I found nothing remotely objectionable, in the liner notes this quote exists, “Mass – Music composed to unite the masses and arranged to inspire the individual.” Very appropriate.

Mass executes a solid hard rock attack that any fan of TNT, Stryper or Dokken. This re-issue benefits from the expertise of mastering guru J Powell at Steinhaus. His ear and velvet touch has brought out the best in many releases through the years and this album is no exception. Solid and clear with plenty of punch and drive, grab this album and rock yourself into a virtual euphoria. Hearing this album again has done it for me and I’m spinning a 9 axe review here.

9 axes

RIVERA BOMMA - INFINITE JOURNEY OF SOULS

After a 7 year absence Rivera Bomma have returned with a brand new album entitled Infinite Journey of Souls. Retroactive Records is the purveyor of this ten track album which offers the listener an excursion into a journey of melodically progressive heavy metal, with a bent toward the commercial. Commercial in the sense of melody but not in 'softness,' just to make sure that is clear.

The songs themselves are for the most part immediately accessible. Not only are the accessible but they are MEMORABLE! An element that many songwriting seem to forget these days. The lead ‘single’ Empty Desire is a melodic masterpiece of metallic whimsy that just grabs you. It grabbed me, the guitar parts scream and it all just flows together, like a fine oil painting. The title track is a full heavy metal assault that twists and turns without losing steam, strap in and hold on. Johnny Bomma’s vocal is strong and powerful.

In Blood is a barnburner that drives full speed ahead, with such a tasty hook that I almost never saw it coming until it grabbed me. Nice song dynamics that really push this song over the top, clocking in at over 7 minutes this track is a journey but doesn’t feel at all like a 7 minute tune. Via Dolorosa is a cover of the old Sandi Patti tune, a power ballad that takes a right turn musically. This track is completely unexpected, a good rendition that is worthy of its place on this album.

Angels and Demons bring back the metal in a strong way. Horizons End takes the intensity back up a notch with Rod Rivera’s guitar histrionics shinning through out, a nice harmony with bass player Mike LePond is a solid plus.  This track rocks make no mistake about it. The musicianship is of extremely high caliber that is worthy of international notice. LePond (Symphony X) offers the bass assault while Edward Faust pounds away on the drums.

Infinite Journey of Souls is a great album musically; I found myself air guitaring often and wanting to reply many of the tracks again and again. The melodies were infectious, yet the one thing that seems to hold the album back from being a classic is the production. The sound is so compressed; the instruments aren’t given space to breath and find their own home in the mix. The drums lack stereo separation, it’s almost like they’re in this center grove sonically that they need to break out of! Because of this the bass guitar and drums seem to be at the bottom of the valley, almost like the reverb button was on overdrive attempting a big sound that has swallowed up some of the stellar musicianship.

Infinite Journey of Souls is great album of melodically inspired heavy metal with strong progressive leanings. The songs are FAB and you can’t go wrong with Rivera’s guitar work. The production short comings shouldn’t prevent anyone from enjoying the songs themselves. 8 axes and here’s hoping we don’t have to weight so long for another release. 

8 axes