Last Played - December 2022 Part Three!

Alright!  I got this in before the end of the year!  I've definitely got a good mix of things for this last review article of the year, going from rock to metal and back again.  Here's what I've been jamming to cap off 2022!

Alter Bridge - Pawns and Kings

While I knew that Alter Bridge had a new album coming out, as I checked out the singles, none of them really impressed me too much.  However, it did show that the album was going to be quite a bit darker than Walk the Sky which I enjoyed quite a bit, though I suppose "Last Rites" did tease this would be happening.  In any case, their new album definitely shifts their sound into some darker and heavier territory, with some mixed results.

It's the production that really gives these guitars their weight as they slug their way through their riffs song after song.  Mark Tremonti must have found some new heavy tones he likes because he certainly gets a lot of use out them.  Sometimes the riffs are pretty catchy and groovy, such as with the first handful of tracks "This Is War," "Dead Among the Living," and "Silver Tongue."  However, other songs have some pretty jarring riffs, like in "Holiday" and "Last Man Standing."  They also include an 8-minute epic with "Fable of the Silent Son," which features all kinds of riffing, some of which feel a bit djenty at times.  I'm sure fans of Tremonti's guitar work will find plenty to chew on, but it does give the album this strange tension.  Sure, there are some lighter songs like "Stay" and "Season of Promise," but they almost feel like an after-thought compared to the heaviness of the rest of the album.

That isn't to say that I think the album is bad, it's just that I didn't immediately connect with it the way I did with their last one.  Of course, given that I haven't really listened to all of Alter Bridge's albums, it is possible that they've been this dark and heavy before.  In any case, there is still plenty to enjoy.  Myles Kennedy is still singing his heart out, and Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips remain a solid rhythm section that isn't afraid to shift gears whenever the song calls for it.  I think I enjoyed "Silver Tongue," "Sin After Sin," and "Fable of the Silent Son" the most from this album, but I do think it may take a few more listens to really unpack everything that the guitars are doing.  This one could be a grower, in the end.

Whirlwind - 1714

Sometimes you just need some straight-ahead metal about an 18th century conflict in Spain, right?  Okay, maybe that's a little specific, but outside of this album's theme, this is some pretty solid traditional metal that's more about the energy and epicness than anything else.  It might not be the cleanest or tightest performances, but the passion and momentum make this album a pretty fun listen.

The band seem to be going for a curious mix of US power metal and more Germanic metal like Accept or Running Wild.  The songs go back and forth mid-song between high speed affairs and slower stompers, and they occasionally bring out some 6/8 to add another layer of epicness.  The production feels a little muddy, sort of like a typical 80s metal release from a smaller band, but it seems to only add to the charm.  The vocals do feel a little buried though, which is a bit of a shame because Héctor Llauradó is really giving his all and I kinda wish I could hear him a little more clearly, especially with those harmonies.  The guitar work is solid, though, often providing some decent riffing and great, Maiden-like melodies, and most everything else is just a bit sloppy in a way that makes the performances feel so classic.

I don't know if much of the album stands out as it's generally pretty solid across the board.  I did like "Rebels Arise!", "Echoes of Time," and "Gallows Tithe" quite a bit, but the opening intro track doesn't really add much.  In any case, if you're looking for something that not only has a lot of the old-school style and energy, but adds an old-school production on top like it was recorded in 1985 (and I mean that in a good way), this album should be a high priority for you.

Fallen Sanctuary - Terranova

Featuring the talents of Temperance and bringing in the vocal giant Georg Neuhauser from Serenity, Fallen Sanctuary's debut album seems to have the pieces in place for some excellent power metal.  While there are some highlights, the album doesn't seem to maintain its momentum very well.

Starting off, the title track kicks right into high gear, giving me a strong classic era Sonata Arctica vibe, and works as a great opener.  Later tracks "Destiny" and "No Rebirth" have some of the same energy.  However, they don't keep that energy, instead shaking it up with some mid-tempo songs that feel more akin to AOR material.  Songs like "Broken Dreams," "To the Top," and "Trail of Destruction" in particular have some of that melodic rock style, though there's enough metal underneath it that it doesn't feel completely out of place.  There are also two tracks "I Can't Stay" and "Wait For Me" that are completely acoustic (though the first does have some piano), making them more like ballads to some extent.  They aren't bad songs by any means, but compared to the high-speed opener, it does feel like they had three styles and couldn't decide which they preferred.  Even if these style changes, the album does sound very samey towards the back half, where it feels like they're reusing a lot of the same vocal and riff rhythms.

For what it's worth, I do think the songs are well performed.  Neuhauser gives a solid vocal performance, and I think the other band members come to provide some good harmonies.  The guitar work from Marco Pastorino is decent as well, playing some good riffs and solos across the board.  I think what happened is that, after being excited by the two singles, I got my hopes up.  So when the album just kinda fizzled on me the more I listened to it, I felt underwhelmed.  It's certainly not a bad effort, but in a genre that has so many talented bands, this one doesn't do as much as it could to stand out from the pack.

Black Swan - Generation Mind

When I finally got to Black Swan's debut album Shake the World, I though it was decent melodic hard rock, but outside of a few songs, it didn't really leave much of an impact on me.  After I saw they were doing a follow-up, I was certainly curious, but when I heard the singles, they didn't feel like anything special.  Still, I wanted to give this a fair shake, and now that I've sat down with the album, I'm surprised to discover just how much I like it!

Right off, I do think the songwriting is better across the board.  The last album did have some weird extended outros and the songs did get a little samey, but here, I think they use their time much better, with some tighter arrangements and ideas.  They also do a pretty good job shaking things up, sometimes pushing the tempo up, and other times letting it settle into a mid-tempo groove.  While Robin McAuley still does a great job belting out the lyrics, I think it's guitarist Reb Beach who really steals the show this time.  His solos are as solid as ever, and he's come up with some pretty interesting riffs, not only drawing upon his Whitesnake experience, but may have been inspired by the likes of Dio's work, as many of the songs lean into those anthemic qualities.  I even thought of Van Halen and Herman Frank a few times!  Just a lot of solid, hard rocking tunes!

While the opening intro track doesn't do much other than provide some ambience, things kick off quite well with "She Hides Behind."  Following up is "Generation Mind" with more of a classic AOR style, and "Eagles Fly," which has a neat 6/8 groove and may be inspired by the classic sci-fi novel The War of the Worlds!  Other stand out tracks include "Miracle" and "Long Way Down."  I especially liked how "Long Way Down" suddenly sped up in the outro!  Overall, this is definitely an improvement, with a lot of great songs that allow this talented group to really shine.

Sword - III

As I mentioned in my review of their second album, Sword is a band I just stumbled across and feel in love with.  Now, after 34 years, Sword are back with their third album.  After enjoying their first two singles, I admit I was eagerly anticipating the rest.  While they still retain their iconic sound, starting off with some solid tracks, the album seems to lose a lot of steam in the back half, unfortunately.

The first three tracks set a very good tone, with "Bad Blood" bringing back all the staples of the band's sound.  There's very punchy riff, backed by some good energy from the rhythm section, and Rick Hughes is just soaring over it all.  "(I Am) In Kommand" carries that energy further, and "Dirty Pig" slows things down for a more stomping, chugging vibe.  The production is solid as well, giving these guitars almost a thrashy feel, letting Mike Plant's guitar work really shine once again.  I seriously think he has to be one of the most underappreciated guitarists still around!

However, at this point, the album loses a lot of its momentum.  "Surfacing" is a curious instrumental track that features 90 seconds of guitar ambience.  It's alright, but doesn't seem to do much, other than set up the next track "Unleashing Hell," which is a decent rocker but doesn't really hit the same level of quality as the earlier tracks.  This is followed up by "Spread the Pain" and "Took My Chances," both of which were pretty underwhelming.  While the riffing was still good and the vocals still soared, something about the songs felt a little empty or jarring, as they didn't really click for me.  Fortunately, the album closes with a "Not Me, No Way," which brings back a lot of the energy from the beginning, using some interesting 7/4 sections to shake things up.

But this also brings me to another point: this album is short!  While I wasn't expecting any kind of prog epics, this album barely gets going, and I kind of wish there were a few more tracks to it, especially now that the band doesn't have to work within the space limitations of vinyl records.  Still, what's here is decent enough, especially those first three tracks, and I'm glad to see the guys are still together all these years and still know how to write a killer metal track or two.  Maybe they can use this album to spur them on to do more work, as I'd love to see what they might do in the future.

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Well, that wraps things up for the year, at least as articles are concerned.  Now I gotta figure out my Top 5 for the year, so I'll be spending next month working that out.  (I might even consider doing a Top 10!  We'll have to see.)

I decided not to do a videos article for this month, as things did get kinda busy for me.  However, I do plan on carrying on into the next year with more of the same things I've been doing, so look forward to that.  Next year is already shaping up to have some pretty fascinating releases, such as a new Lovebites, another Rick Wakeman project, and Metallica of course!  Until then, rock on! \m/

New Videos - March 2021!

Well, now that we have our new look, let's get into some more videos!  Got a nice mix of rock and metal again, all of which have me pretty excited to hear all these new albums.  Rock and metal definitely don't slow down!

I mostly know Myles Kennedy from his work in Alter Bridge, but it sounds like his solo stuff is just as solid.  A rather bluesy hard rock song, it's got a lot of kick and crunch to it that I like.  Also, I enjoyed the fun, paper-craft visuals.  Neat video!

No visuals on this other than cover art, but it's their next single in anticipation for their new album.  Much more poppy and mid-tempo, it's not as dense as their other songs, but that may make it a nice breather on the album.  In the meantime, it works as a nice piece of anthemic metal.

Third single, third time I've shared them here!  I have to say, these guys really do have some great prog metal chops.  Percussive riffs with epic melodic sections.  This one feels particularly like Symphony X, but that's a compliment as far as I'm concerned.  I need to get to this album soon!

The Dust Coda are back with another one, and again, I can't deny their hard rocking groove!  I don't know how they do it, but each song they've put out in the last few months has been solid stuff, with catchy riffs and great vocals.  These guys are doing hard rock right!

After doing stuff with Michael Schenker again, and doing Black Swans last year, it sounds like he's bringing his iconic vocals to a new solo album!  Honestly, it's classic 80s rock with an anthemic vibe, buoyed by McAuley's pipes, which really ring out on this one.  

After recording one of the best albums last year, Lovebites is back with a quick EP (and an anime opening).  While we still get the epic, sweeping power metal, this one really has some strong symphonic elements, which they featured on a few songs on Electric Pentagram.  Still, it makes for some great stuff, so it goes on the list!

Creed Retrospective!

So here's an article type I've been thinking about for a while now: going through a band's discography in full and writing a review about each album.  Of course, this isn't something I can do often, but I figured I'd start with a band that I've always enjoyed, and only has a handful of albums: Creed!  For this retrospective, I'll just be focusing on just the four studio albums.

Creed was a band that rode the wave of post-grunge that took over the radio in the late 90s, turning into one of the biggest bands of the moment.  As this style of rock became quite prevalent, Creed eventually became the whipping post for those who didn't care for its radio-friendly variation of the grunge movement, but I think that's been unfair.  Sure, Creed wasn't innovating anything, but at the same time, I think they wrote quite a number of solid rock songs that still hold up quite well.  Let's dig into it.

My Own Prison (1997)

For a small rock band from Florida, this is quite the debut.  This is definitely the rawest the band would ever sound, with the production coming across as a little dirty.  However, it fits the sound of the band at this time, as their riffs were heavier and grittier at this point.  Honestly, some of it is as much as alternative metal as it is post-grunge.

Scott Stapp takes center stage, though, as he is the voice for the song's somber but hopeful tone.  It doesn't matter if the song is slow and acoustic, or riffs out aggressively, his voice is full of authority and character.  I wouldn't say it's quite perfect, as some of the lines are delivered a little stiffly, but for a debut, it's quite a strong and iconic performance.

Of course, much was made of the Christian themes in the lyrics, but I would never consider them preachy, but rather quite introspective, which fits their post-grunge sound very well.  Songs about taking a good hard look at yourself, your mistakes, and your feelings about the world without resorting to whining or tantrums.  It's a controlled frustration that processes itself thoroughly into a form of anthemic relief, making for a very cathartic experience, in my opinion, and it's a feeling the band would carry through the rest of their records.

Overall, I still quite love this album, partially for the grittiness, partially for the dynamics, as songs shift of quieter moments to full-on arena friendly rocking at max volume without losing their theme or character.  Most of the songs are still winners for me, with "Sister" being a bit on the lackluster side.  Seriously a contender for one of the best debut rock albums recorded.

Human Clay (1999)

The big one that brought the band international success.  There is definitely a cleaner, shinier quality to the songs here, probably in an effort to make a more mainstream sounding album, and I won't deny that it certainly worked.  While I do appreciate the shift towards a more arena-filling and radio-friendly sound, I can't deny that it's lost some of the character and honesty that came from their first album.

Human Clay is definitely a broader album, though.  "With Arms Wide Open" might be a power ballad worthy of Journey, but you can't deny the execution as a sweeping, powerful dedication to fatherhood.  "Faceless Man" is probably the band at their most church-like, and features an Arabic vibe, as do a few other tracks.  And the big hit "Higher" shows a brighter side to the band, something that didn't appear much on My Own Prison.  Meanwhile, "What If" is particularly heavy and is probably the track that most resembles their first album.  Other songs with darker themes include "Wrong Way" and "Beautiful," and they both have the riffs to match.

Overall, there's plenty to like here.  The riffs might be a little catchier, and the songs more anthemic, but they haven't lost any of their crunchiness or attitude.  Much of the introspective tone has also been retained, as the lyrics continue to offer reflections of the self, bouncing around concepts like doubt and regret and absolution.  Stapp is definitely more confident here, the band letting his iconic baritone carry the songs for them.

Honestly, I still love "Higher."  It's an elevating song, with the hopeful lyrics backed by some great power chords.  I know when I first heard it on the radio, I was hooked, and Creed quickly became one of my favorite bands.  As for the rest of the album, I like a lot of it, and I do think that it's better overall than My Own Prison just slightly, but it is a bit on the long side for what they have to offer.  Still, a great rock album, even all these years later.

Weathered (2001)

At the height of their popularity, their bassist Brian Marshall ended up having some problems and would end up leaving the band/be fired (it's not completely clear), but this album would be recorded without him, with Mark Tremonti recording both the bass and the guitars.  It's a bit odd as this album is probably my favorite of the first three, as I feel it marries the polish of Human Clay with the grit of My Own Prison very well, making it the best of both worlds.

It kicks right off with two very heavy tracks: "Bullets" and "Freedom Fighter."  The first is straight up alternative metal, very aggressive and powerful.  The second has a 6/8 swing, and may be a bit cheesy, but it's still crunchy and a lot of fun.  "Signs" is almost just as fierce.  On the other hand, "My Sacrifice" and "Stand Here With Me" are great anthemic tracks much like "Higher," and the big, somber ballad "One Last Breath" is solid as well.  "Who's Got My Back Now" is moodier, and quite long for the band, clocking in at over 8 minutes, allowing for some rather proggy shifts in tone and dynamics.  "Weathered" further explores their introspective tone, which the band has mastered by now.  However, after the title track, the album sags for me.  "Don't Stop Dancing" is nice, but doesn't have the same carrying power as the rest of the album.  "Hide" and "Lullaby" feel like after-thoughts.  It's pretty disappointing after 8 strong tracks.

Still, I remember first getting this and being completely blown away, as it was the heaviest stuff I'd heard up to that point (my appreciation for metal would come much later).  I felt like Creed really had it together, with great songs and powerful performances.

However, it was not meant to be.  Stapp's live performances were becoming controversial, and internal tensions in the band caused them to declare in 2004 that they had broken up.  As a consequence, I listened to these three albums to death to the point that I know them like the back of my hand.  I still listen to them regularly, as I think it's solid hard rock that has held up well (though there may be some rose-tinted glasses involved).

Full Circle (2009)

A meaningful album title indeed!  While Tremonti and Phillips would team up with Marshall and singer Myles Kennedy to make Alter Bridge, and Scott Stapp kicked off a solo career, it had seemed like Creed was very much done.  However, by the end of the 2000s, the group brought each other around for another album, which helped inspire its title.

Right off, it seems like we're back into the comfortable shoes of post-grunge.  Scott Stapp is soaring over hard, crunchy riffs, all building their classic atmosphere of cathartic, introspective rock.  However, there is something different about this one that sets it apart from their earlier albums.  It's a little hard to pin down, but I think it has to do with the band's experience in Alter Bridge, making the songs sound a little more complex in structure (and there's definitely more guitar solos in general).  It could also just be the production.  8 years can make a difference in production technology, especially in recent history.

However, it's still a very solid hard rock album.  Stapp still sounds great here, showing some pretty good range between the softer songs and the more aggressive ones.  "Overcome" is a great opener that shows the band hasn't lost any of its power, "Rain" has a very refreshing quality, the title track is solid, and "Time" has a strong, emotional quality to it.  I don't know if I like this one as much as the first three, but I've listened to those three so many times, and I haven't listened to this one as much.  Maybe it will reach the same level as the others as I continue to listen to it.

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From here, the band fell apart again.  There was talk of a fifth album, but that has since been abandoned.  The rest of the band moved on with Alter Bridge and other projects, while Scott Stapp did more solo work, and ended up going through a pretty serious breakdown.  However, it seems he's recovered, doing work with Art of Anarchy, and recently putting out another solo album.

So that's the first of what will be many band retrospectives.  I knew I wanted to start with a band I loved, but didn't have a long discography, and Creed fit the bill very well.  I know it's become a bit of meme to like or hate the band, but I still think their music has weight and relevance after all these years.  I don't know if they will ever get back together again, but if things do fall together again, I know I'll be first in line to hear what they have in store.

Until then, rock on! \m/

New Videos - November 2020 Part Two!

Well, I hope you had as good of a Thanksgiving as I did, especially one that rocks this hard.  Here's another bunch of new videos from all kinds of bands to help you stay awake through the holidays!

After Walk the Sky blew me away earlier this year, the band has been busy on a new track that they're releasing, along with a bunch of live tracks, in an EP they're calling Walk the Sky 2.0.  This is the new track, and it's heavy.  One of their grittier ones for sure, but very solid and very much in their style.  Great work!

It's hard to go wrong with Iron Savior, I feel.  While, this song is not as strong as the first single, it's pretty solid, straight-forward heavy/power metal.  Sielck still sound great, though, finding that middle point between Kürsch and Dirkschneider.  The album drops next month, and I'm really looking forward to it!

Dee Snider's last solo album was quite the barn burner, and this extra track from a recent live album is much very much in that same gritty, crunchy vein.  I'm really curious to see if he will continue on this path he started 3 years ago, because it could lead to some more great metal.

Inglorious is a band with a really solid blues-rock sound that feels classic without really sounding like anyone specific.  Maybe Whitesnake?  I've liked their stuff before, and this new one has their style in spades.  Nice, crunchy guitars and Nathan James just wailing like a champ over it all.

While I wasn't that impressed with their debut album, I never doubted the talent of these guys, and just from this song, I think there's promise.  There's more energy, and Trewavas gets to do some nice bass lines.  Not sure how I feel about the two different album versions, but the music at least sounds promising.

Another solid power metal track from these guys, though this one makes me think of Sonata Arctica, with the layered keyboards and a tempo that isn't fast or mid-tempo.  While like the last one, I'm not blown away exactly, but it has solid riffs and melodies, and Marco Pastorino brings a lot of confidence to the song.

Last Played - February 2020!

Good heavens, it's been a while since I've done one of these!  Part of it is that I relistening to the 2019 albums for my top 5, so I didn't start spinning anything new until this month.  Still, I've got some interesting albums to talk about, so let's get started.

Asia - Astra

Despite listing Asia as one of my favorites there on the right, I really haven't listened to much beyond their self-titled, Alpha, and their first reunion album Phoenix.  That being said, I've always wanted to get deeper into their catalog, and I figured now is better then never.

So Astra.  With Howe leaving, this album definitely doesn't carry as much of a prog vibe as the first two (though Alpha was already showing signs of streamlining).  With Krokus guitarist Mandy Meyer filling in, the band is now fully embracing an arena rock sound, leaving behind the flourishes that made their debut so vibrant.  The result is some pretty stereotypical 80s AOR.

That's not to say the album is bad.  "Too Late" and "After the War" are the two closest in style to the earlier albums, "Go" is a great rocker, and "Rock and Roll Dream" shows some interesting dynamics with the help of a symphony orchestra.  Geoff Downes' keyboards really take up a lot of space on the album, providing the songs his trademark richness in the tones and textures.  It's also curious to hear a cameo of THX's Deep Note at the beginning of "Countdown to Zero."

Reading up on some of the background on the recording, it's clear that they were going for more pop radio success, and it shows.  Songs are cleaner, bigger, but not necessarily stronger.  I'm sure if I give it more time, I'll find more to like about it, but for now, it's just kinda okay.

Gamma Ray - Insanity and Genius

After reviewing Sigh No More more than a year ago, I've finally come back to this band and their discography.  Their first two albums were okay, definitely a part of the early transition out of 80s speed metal, but very few songs really stood out.  Here, we see Gamma Ray starting to break out and try some things, on their way to their iconic power metal sound.

Still, there are a few quirks to shake out.  A few songs, namely "No Return" and "18 Years" still have a strong Helloween sound, though I suppose that's just Kai Hansen at this point.  "The Cave Principle" and " Heal Me" have strong progressive metal elements, with that latter song even showcasing a small mellow moment a la Pink Floyd, and a bit of theatrical touches towards the end.  "Gamma Ray," despite being a cover, fits their sound to a T, with a very catchy chorus.  "Last Before the Storm," however, is very much a glimpse into the future for this band and for power metal as a whole!  It's easy to hear in this song the rest of German power metal that would be created in the decades to come.

As it would turn out, this is the last album with Ralf Scheepers, and it's obvious that he's really grown as a singer.  We start to hear many of his iconic style that would become an integral part of his later band Primal Fear.  His performance on "The Cave Principle" really showcases this.  Otherwise, it's just okay as an album.  Like I said, they seem to be in transition, shaking out the last of the 80s cliches and trying to identify what they should be in the 90s by exploring a few different ideas.  I understand Land of the Free is when the band really takes off, and when I get around to it, I'll let you know!

Alter Bridge - Walk the Sky

Here's yet another band whose discography I have yet to really get into.  I remember getting their first album, mostly from the momentum of wanting to follow up with the Creed guys after they broke up in 2004, and while I thought it was pretty good, very little of it stuck with me.  However, after spending a large part of last year being blown away by their singles for this album, I finally decided to put it on and hear where Tremonti, Kennedy, Marshall, and Phillips are up to these days.

First of all, this album sounds just plain huge!  Of course, the big riffs and crunchy guitars were not a surprise, but it's the subtle symphonic or synthy touches that really kick this one into a higher gear.  And in between it all, there are little, intricate guitar parts that help the songs sound very rich and varied.  Sometimes they turn up the crunch and sometimes they break out the acoustic guitar for something softer.  However, it never feels inconsistent, mostly because the melodies and vocal lines tie everything together so well.  In contrast, the lyrics are simple and very straight-forward, though they certainly aren't cliched.  Miles Kennedy, however, sings them with such sincerity that it makes them so much more than just their word count.  He really puts on a great performance here.

Of course, with this many songs, it would be difficult for everything to be at the same level of quality, and I do feel like the songs start to blend together after "Pay No Mind."  Also, "Indoctrination" is a bit of a weirder one as it tries to go for something darker and more dramatic, but I don't know if it works all the way through.  Nothing horrible, but a few road bumps in the album's flow.

Still, there was plenty to like, that's for sure, with the standout tracks being "In the Deep," "Take the Crown," "The Bitter End," and "Pay No Mind."  Honestly, I feel a bit ashamed that I didn't get to this one sooner (though it certainly would have made my Top 5 of 2019 much harder!).  It's great to hear the band still providing triumphant epics in a genre that often doesn't have them.  Really solid stuff.

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As you can see, my article output has really stayed consistent so far this year, and I admit I'm pretty pleased!  Things may change in the future, but for now, I'd like to keep at this pace for as long as I can.  There certainly isn't a shortage of great material to cover, that's for sure!

Until then, rock on! \m/

New Videos - September 2019 Part Two!

Well, got this in just in time!  As the month wraps up, I've got some more videos for you, full of the rock and metal that's new and fresh!  Check them out!

Oh my!  More Sabaton!  I've actually listened to this whole album finally, and this tribute to Sergeant York is one of the best tracks on The Great War.  Just a lot of fist-pumping fun!

This upcoming album just sounds better and better with each new song!  Alter Bridge just keeps crunching on with their icon hard rock sound, and this is some of the best I've heard all year!  If the rest of their album is as good as this, I can hardly wait!

Jeff Lynne is back with his iconic mix of rock and symphonic pop!  Going as Jeff Lynne's ELO, the song has a nice, laid-back quality.  With the tight vocal harmonies and orchestral staging (and the title!), the really does feel like a callback to the classic Out of the Blue album.  If only the production wasn't quite so muddy.

For all the metal I talk about here, it might be strange to bring up Huey Lewis, but I can't deny his music just puts a smile on my face.  Here, they sound like they haven't missed a step from their pub-friendly doo-wop/blues rock they played in the 80s. While their new album is still in the works, this definitely shows promise!

Some of the fun of doing this blog is discovering bands I might not have otherwise.  Kobra and the Lotus is a good example.  I guess they've been around for about 10 years, but I don't think I've heard them before this video, but it sounds like I've been missing out!  Here we have an epic hard rock song with some very nice cinematic flourishes!  And if this is their standard sound, I'm going to have to follow up on them!

The Ferryman is another Magnus Karlsson project, featuring Ronnie Romero on vocals, and it really crunches along like a German Allen-Lande.  Big and epic, with Romero's voice really soaring while maintaining strength and power.  Great stuff!

New Videos - September 2019!

We're finally getting into fall, and I'm very thankful!  Summer really wears me out, so it's nice to feel things get cooler and crisper again.  But enough about the seasons!  Let's check check out some rock!

Man, if the first two singles for Alter Bridge's new album were good, this is straight up epic!  It starts off kinda soft but then hits you with a massive riff and just gets bigger from there! Great piece of hard rock!

Visions of Atlantis is another symphonic metal band, going for that epic, dramatic sound.  While I know there are a lot of bands like this, this song shows some promise, having a bit of a folky vibe and keeping things accessible and melodic.  

Northtale once again bringing that classic power metal sound, like it's 1999 all over again!  With shades of Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica, this is right up my alley.  I really need to around to listening to this album!

It's been a while since we talked about First Signal, but here's a newer one from them and it's another great AOR rocker!  They're really going for a big, epic sound on this one, and the chorus is very catchy.  Who knew the end of the world would be so uplifting?

More Twilight Force!  If you've heard these guys before, you know the drill: epic vocals, fast guitar leads, symphonic swells, and cheesy fantasy lyrics!!  Seriously, despite the low-budget vibe of the video, this is fun stuff!

Here's another one from The Defiants!  Once again, they have that great 80s, Bryan Adams vibe: big chords while still having that laid-back, summery feel.  Just turn it up, put the card in cruise-control, and soak it in!

New Videos - August 2019!

Phew!  Just in time for the end of the month!  I know I have so much more to catch up on, but at least here are some videos for August!

More Italian Prog Metal!  Hollow Haze brings a great, symphonic stomper with "Destinations," going big like good prog should do!  Very melodic and catchy, with moments where the orchestra really helps build things up.  Good stuff!

Alter Bridge is back with their blend of hard rock, alt metal, and post-grunge.  Again, I feel bad for having not gotten back into this band.  This song just has more of the same big riffs, soaring vocals, and introspective tone that I've always liked from Kennedy, Tremonti, and company.

Airbourne is back with another slab of blues-rock.  Frankly, it's hard to go wrong with what works, and we have another great rocker from these Aussies.  Not that there was any reason to doubt, as these guys know how to rock!

Yes, I know I already reviewed the Monkey3 album, but I don't care!  This stuff remains amazing!  Their eclectic mix of psychadelic, stoner, and post-rock cannot be denied!  This one is not as long and starts off rather acoustic, but that's only the set up for the banger this song becomes!

While this Rhapsody of Fire spin-off has been releasing singles for a while, this is the first one that really got my attention.  Here we have Turilli / Lione Rhapsody exploring more abstract, nearly science fiction concepts.  However, that symphonic power metal sound remains very intact, full of high-speed riffs and epic choruses backed by massive choirs!

I feel like I don't cover enough classic-style progressive rock around here.  Pattern-Seeking Animals is a side project featuring current and former members of Spock's Beard, and while I'm not familiar with the Star-Trek-inspired band, I know good melodic prog when I hear it.  A bit Yes, a bit Genesis, but very light and floaty.  Not bad!

New Videos - July 2019 Part Two!

Like I promised, here's one last article for July, and it's more of the latest and greatest of rock and metal!  Certainly quite the mix this time around, so check them out!

I guess these Danish rockers have been playing since the 80s, starting out more glam but now evolved into a straight-forward hard rock band.  While some of their guitars may look a little strange, this is some catchy stuff.  Worth a look!

Yes, more Sabaton, but I can't help it!  This is a little different though, going with a bouncy, swing-step groove that makes it a little light on its feet.  Then there's the hammond organ solo in the middle that fits like a glove.  Neat variations for band known for their otherwise iconic style.

Alter Bridge is a band I should spend more time with, given what a big Creed fan I am.  Here we have a very heavy, but somewhat atmospheric slab of hard rock, going for something a little more cinematic in tone.  Good stuff!

Old-school AOR!  Here we have The Defiants providing that classic 80s rock sound that makes even the smallest things seem larger than life.  This has some pretty strong Bryan Adams vibes, very summery and catchy.

Queensrÿche has always carved their own path, and this song from their latest album really shows their quirky song-writing style.  Jarring at times, soft and somber at others, all while letting their vocalist ring out those soaring notes.  It doesn't get more iconic than this.

DragonForce is one of those bands where either you like them or you can't stand them.  While the video very 80s, the song is DragonForce to a T, so don't expect any heavy synths or poppy interludes.  For me, DragonForce is a nostalgic sound to when I first got into power metal, so this song is like putting on an old, but comfortable pair of shoes.  Nice the see the guys keeping their pedal to the metal!