Stryper – “Even The Devil Believes”

 Posted by on October 28, 2020 at 01:06  No Responses »
Oct 282020
 

Stryper the American Christian metal band from Orange County, California has been around since about 1983, disbanded in 1993 and came back stronger than ever in 2003. Not many bands have lasted the journey as they have, at the level they have. Also Michael Sweet is still after 37 years one of the best vocalist the metal scene, Christian or otherwise has ever had. He still has the chops to deliver with precision, and has not become some beer belly has been wash up trying to kindle a flame that just does not want to ignite.

Well Stryper’s latest offering, “Even The Devil Believes” off Frontier records comes forth like a flaming sword, and one’s got to believe the devil is paying attention to these guys as they have come back stronger than ever in 2020. Some would call them, “God’s favourite Heavy metal band”. With the longevity of their career that sentiment might just be true. They have managed to stay off the naysayers and build a reliable fan base, and have certainly made their mark in the heavy metal scene as a whole.

Stryper come at it as strong as they ever have on “Even The Devil Believes”, and the album hits hard, loud and fast, three elements crucial to a great rock n roll album. The melodies are bigger than ever, Michaels’ vocals a weapon of metal music’s finest, and the instantly recognizable twin guitar solos still ignite goose bumps for fans as their metal footprint continues to expand. The album gets a lot of its strength through the clean production quality, and placement of the individual tracks. It all comes together quite cohesively as a package, covering any monotony there is in the album. I like the more heavier tone of the album as well, and I feel that aids their sound in given it that modern edge.

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Neal Morse – Jesus Christ the Exorcist (A Progressive Rock Musical)

 Posted by on September 7, 2019 at 19:48  No Responses »
Sep 072019
 

Neal Morse is a storied musician, having started his career as a member of Spock’s Beard in the nineties. He became a born-again Christian in 2002 and his religious convictions steered him on a path to start producing music infused with his faith. Neal has a prolific discography, and 2019 sees the release of his progressive rock musical, Jesus Christ the Exorcist. This double album has been 10 years in the making.

At first I thought Jesus Christ the Exorcist, what a curious title! When I listened to “The Woman of Seven Devils” and “The Madman of the Gadarenes” I understood that it’s about how His compassion for the sinner sets the sinner free. By rebuking their devils He helped both that man and woman become whole again.

The music of Jesus Christ the Exorcist sounds like it’s meant for stage, not only in terms of the number of musicians on the roster but also because the songs gel together in a compelling story, much like Jim Steinman and Meatloaf’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”. The Introduction places the listener at Jesus’ crucifixion before returning us to John announcing the coming of the Christ in the desert. Continue reading »

Neal Morse – “Jesus Christ The Exorcist” Video Interview, Releases Jesus Christ The Exorcist – Three Song Medley (Video)

 Posted by on July 28, 2019 at 17:04  No Responses »
Jul 282019
 

Jesus Christ – The Exorcist is a monumental project in Neal Morse’s already impressive discography. A Progressive Rock Opera 10 years in the making, it was written and produced by Morse and includes performances by Neal and an all-star cast of vocalists and musicians.

Jesus Christ – The Exorcist is available now on a double album set featuring about two hours of music that encompasses all the spectrums and genres Neal Morse is known for and, of course, tells the Story of Stories.

Watch the interview in two segments below: Continue reading »

Timo Tolkki’s Avalon – “Return to Eden”

 Posted by on July 6, 2019 at 02:33  No Responses »
Jul 062019
 

Guitarist extraordinaire Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius) returns with the final installment of his symphonic metal trilogy Avalon project in the album Return to Eden.

Before getting into this album, I had no idea it was the third part of a trilogy, whose first two albums have not been exactly enthusiastically received, and after learning that I can see many of the same flaws in Return to Eden as others have made against the first two albums, “The Land of New Hope” and “Angels of the Apocalypse”.  Those first two albums featured well known vocalists for guest spots including the likes of Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), Elize Ryd (Amaranthe), and Floor Jansen (Nightwish) and some of the legendary guitar work expected from Timo but many thought the music in general seemed forced and seemed to lack that certain spark.  After listening to Return to Eden, I was struck by some amazing guitar work as one might expect from a guitarist who once made a “50 fastest guitarists” list, but in general there seemed to be a lack of passion and intensity.  Every part of the songs seemed to be scripted with the band just reading along and following the script…albeit to near perfection. Continue reading »

‘Seventh Wonder’ Releases “Tiara Acoustic” EP, Video for ‘Against The Grain Released

 Posted by on June 21, 2019 at 21:24  No Responses »
Jun 212019
 

Frontiers Music announce the release of new EP from Seventh Wonder, entitled “Tiara Acoustic.”

The EP features acoustic renditions of two songs, ‘Victorious’ and ‘Against The Grain’ from their 2018 studio offering, “Tiara.” It is available for streaming or download here.

In addition to the streaming EP, the band has released videos for both tracks. Watch them below. Continue reading »

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