Combine band members with impressive resumes including the likes of Dokken and Stryper and have them play some metal in the vein of that of the late 80’s and you have Faithsedge with their third album Restoration.
Not often does a band come together with such a wide array of experience as that assembled for the third Faithsedge album. Faithsedge started in 2011 in Southern California as the brainchild of singer/songwriter Giancarlo Floridia, who has worked with producers including Juan Crocier (Ratt), Mike Tilanca (Bowie, Foreigner), and Fabrizio Grossi (Steve Vai, Alice Cooper). Joining Floridia this time is Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline) on keyboards and production, Alex De Rosso (Dokken) on guitar, Tim Gaines (Stryper) on bass and Matt Starr (Ace Frehley) on drums.
As one might imagine given the personnel, this is late 80’s metal along the lines of all the bands the various members have been in and played for. “Never a Day” starts out with one of those characteristic lone guitar riffs as so many songs from the era did, but quickly shifts into a more modern sound for the rest of the song and from a production standpoint, the sound is very full with all the instruments clear and punch, but almost seeming a bit compressed (although that could be my bad ears). Keyboards play a bit more of a role in the sound than I was prepared for but, alas, there is that scorching guitar solo everyone was hoping for and even a section for Tim Gaines on bass to shine. Continue reading »
In a brand new interview with music writer Joel Gausten, Michael Sweet addressed Tim Gaines‘s departure from Stryper and revealed plans for a new documentary which will cover the band’s entire career.
Tim Gaines has confirmed that he is no longer a member of Stryper.