Album Review: Stryper, God Damn Evil

God Damn Evil

God Damn It All

God Save the People

But God Damn the World

2018. Its turning out to be quite the year for 80's bands releasing stellar material. Judas Priest just released Firepower, which earns a spot in the band's top 5 albums. Queensryche is dropping a new album later this year. I'm sure there have been more, and there definitely will BE more. But, we're talking about Stryper. They too have released a new album that is in my opinion, top 3 best. God Damn Evil easily fits with their two best, To Hell With the Devil, and Soldiers Under Command. As a life long fan, this is the Stryper album I've been waiting for.

Michael Sweet

I'll start with the news worthy issues and briefly give you my take on them before diving into this new masterpiece. First, bass player, Tim Gaines is no longer with them, and was replaced by ex Firehouse bassist, Perry Richardson. He didn't play on the album, but will be on future releases and tours. Second, there is all sorts of controversy over the name of the album. Walmart has refused to carry it, and blah blah blah. Its simple. Its a play on words, just like To Hell With the Devil. That's it. I don't understand how people can insist that Stryper is satanic, or using occult symbolism, or anything like that. Their message on this album is as powerful as any other album they've released.  There's honestly nothing more to see here. Move along. 

Oz Fox

Now, the album. If this had been the followup to To Hell With the Devil, Stryper would have been headlining stadium concerts, and it would have been their highest selling album to date. Its the heaviest album in their discography, and the songs on it seem to be a natural progression from THWTD. Track 2, Sorry for example is a heavy, yet commercial Stryper anthem complete with the big chorus and stellar vocal and guitar harmonies. It starts with a heavy chugging groove, with vocal power right off the bat. But, the chorus has a feel similar to that of Free on THWTD. The video for it is very well done as well. 

Perry Richardson

There are no power ballads on GDE, but there are some 'balladish' songs, like track 5, You Don't Even Know Me. Its verses and intros are slow, but the bridge and chorus have a Soldiers Under Command feel to it, and it speeds up toward the end. And, when I say it has a feel, all I mean is that it could have been on that album. It doesn't sound like any one song in particular. Track 8, Beautiful is another one. The guitar in my opinion sounds like a result of Michael Sweet jamming with George Lynch. There is definitely Lynch influence there in the rhythm of the song. It could have fit on Dokken's Under Lock and Key. (But it sounds like Stryper, not Dokken.) 

Robert Sweet

Now, on to the heavies. The title track, God Damn Evil is an 80's style anthem. Simple, powerful, with a 4 part unison chorus. Chunky rhythm, flashy guitar, spectacular guitar solo, and even a nasty little breakdown in the middle with a low pitched sneery chorus. It takes me back. Track 3, Lost is probably my favorite song on the album. It has a SUC feel, complete with the twin axe harmony intros, powerful vocals, and a blistering high chorus. It may even be in my top 5 favorite Stryper songs. Oz Fox is amazing, and the dueling and harmony solo is everything you'd expect from them. Track 11, The Devil Doesn't Live Here, I think Robert Sweet channeled his inner Scott Travis on the intro. The first thing it reminded me of was the intros from Painkiller by Priest, and Scarified by Racer X. The guitar is super fast, and borderline thrash metal. The whole song is an Oz Fox guitar clinic, and its easily the heaviest Stryper song to date.

I remember last year sometime, Michael Sweet asked on social media if there was anything in particular we fans would like to hear on the new album. I replied, saying I'd like an anthem that compares to Soldiers Under Command. I got that in Lost. But, what I also got was an entire album that compares to their two best. If I had gotten this on vinyl or cassette, I think it would be worn out within a month. You want to own this one. Get it. There's no better time than now. You've got the right to choose. You can't lose....

...with God Damn Evil.

Rock and Roll Children: Parenting Done Right!

The (Metal) Kids Are Alright  

Everyone knows that the 80's metal children grew up with a level of intelligence that fans of other genres just simply didn't have. Its because the music made by iconic bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Savatage, Megadeth, Metallica, and countless others was simply put, intelligent. Especially those kids who became musicians themselves. Metal fans don't just listen to their music. They absorb and ingest it, analyze it, and dissect it. They break every single little riff down individually, and know the most simple high hat ting as much as they know the lyrics and guitar solos. And, they know every single note of the guitar solos too. This intense studying of the music later turned into brains that are extremely attentive and sensitive to detail. 

So, what are these attentive brains doing to make me say that this is parenting done right? Its simple. They are exposing their kids to the same music that they grew up with. The result? Smart kids who know the difference between great music, and the over saturated commercial garbage that their classmates and adult drones are listening to on the radio. They have inducted their kids into a family that will be there for life. Metal is more than music. Its a lifestyle, and they (like us) will always have a home at a metal concert. Raising them on metal isn't easy either. You might have a spouse that doesn't like metal, and that can be a difficult hurdle, especially if the parents are no longer together, and share custody of the child.

I have several stories about metal kids that I've encountered over the years, including a story about how I'm doing my part to raise a metal kid. We'll start with last night. I am in Portland, Oregon, and Judas Priest played a concert here. It took an act of the Metal Gods to get me to that concert, but you can read about that in my review here.

I was waiting in the line to get a beer, when I saw a father, age 40, and his daughter who looked about 9 or 10. She was dressed in black, and had a J and a P on each cheek. The father was proud to be taking his princess to her first metal concert. Judas Priest. Not bad, huh? He was beaming with pride, and we started talking about raising kids with metal. He said that his wife was leary about the girl going, to which he told her that there was nothing to worry about. The father told me that his daughter played guitar...an Ibanez, no less, and could play all the notes in Breaking the Law, among others. She even knew who Nita Strauss is, and is a fan. I enjoyed meeting them, and I wish I could hear what she thought of the concert. 

Guys, if you see this, please let me know
what she thought of the concert. She
was awesome!

Next, I'm going to tell you about a couple instances with my youngest daughter, who is 8 years old. The first concert she ever went to was a local band at a July 4th festival in South Carolina. She was still very little, and I spent the majority of the evening with her on my shoulders. There was a classic rock cover band playing onstage, but we were trying to stay away from them because my now ex wife was worried about the volume. (It wasn't that loud) But, she kept making it very known that she wanted to go closer. We did, and she was rocking on my shoulders, and loving every moment of it. A local newspaper took our picture, and it made it in the paper.

A few years later, we took her to a festival in Fayetteville, NC where Warrant was playing. Same thing, even down to the reporter taking our picture. Not sure if that one made it in the paper though.

My daughter,  Warrant,
And me

I've taken her to several concerts, mostly locals including my hometown heroes, Dead Serios, and Geezer, and a teen girl rock band called Good Luck Audrey. She loves all three of these bands. But, my the most special one to me was Dead Serios. I got to join them onstage to sing a part in their hit, No More Pipe For Potato Head. I didn't tell her that I was going to be doing this, so when I got called up to the stage, she had no idea. She was just sitting there in awe because she had heard me talk about how I used to be in bands before she was born, but she had never seen me perform. One guy told me that she looked at him, pointed at me, and yelled "That's my DAD!" Proud papa moment, for sure. But, another proud papa moment happened at that show as well. Guitarist, Doug Gibson, a local guitar virtuoso also had his own son join the band onstage to play guitar as a guest in their cover of Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes. I talked to him, and he told me that his favorite guitarist growing up was his dad. He's one of my favorites too.

My daughter with Dead Serios

The last one I'm going to talk about happened at a Stryper concert in 2005, in Charlotte, NC. There were lots of teenagers there. I asked one of them why he was there. He told me that his dad listened to Stryper, and he grew up with them. He told me that he was learning to play metal guitar, and he just had to hear Soldiers Under Command live. 

Parenting. You're doing it right!
If you have pics of you and your metal kids,  email them to me at willtelltale@gmail.com subject line Metal Kids. If I get enough of them,  I'll make a folder on this blog for them.  I'm also thinking about doing a radio show on that topic once we bring the show back.

#MetalKids
#ParentingYoureDoingItRight

Album Review: Teenage Metal Princess, Moriah Formica: Bring it On!

Bring it on is that all you have for me? Bring it on I'm strong now Bring it on you cannot move me anymore Bring it on i wanna see your face When you find out that I broke you

When most teenagers with great voices and musical skill decide that they want to try to become a music sensation, they try shows like American Idol. Or, they try to attract the attention of a musical producer, and if it happens, they are perfectly fine with singing songs that someone else wrote. But a few of them decide to do it the honest way, as in putting in the work and learning how to play instruments, sing, and write original songs, and fighting for exposure in the trenches. Albany NY's Moriah Formica fits this description. She began learning how to play the guitar by ear at only 6 years old! 

I first heard of Moriah last month, when I saw a video on YouTube of her joining Stryper on stage to sing To Hell With The Devil with them. Everyone knows that song is extremely difficult to sing, and she absolutely nailed it. So, I decided that I would get her album, and review it. I got it last night, and WHOA! This young lady has some pipes, and she wrote every song on her 6 song EP, titled Bring It On. Very appropriately titled, if you ask me. This album doesn't seem like it was written by a teenager. Its better music than a majority of what you hear on the radio these days.

The album starts off with the song, Slave. A gritty mid paced tune that has an emotional verse progression, and a catchy chorus. A great tune to kick off the album with. It leads into Lovestrong, which was the first song Moriah ever wrote, and it made it to the album! Its a cute and catchy song with a commercial pop vibe, but actually has a kind of a Stryper feel to it. These first two songs are the ones with commercial (as in radio ready) feel. The other 4 songs are deep, darkish, and technical. Broken Soul with an acoustic intro with Moriah singing with it. It then punches into an extremely well arranged metal anthem. The guitar in this song could knock a hole in a wall. Back Off is an interesting song, and my favorite on the album. It starts off with a solid paced groove for the intro, but the verses change tempo in a very unique way. It doesn't just go from fast to slow with one beat. Its a gradual change, and I imagine that song would be difficult to get tight at first. It goes back and forth like that, and ends on a fast note, with a sassy chuckle from Moriah to finish it off. I can't ever remember hearing that type of tempo change before. Like I said, Very interesting. Save Me is a very deep song, with licks that remind me of greats like Judas Priest, and Evanescence. This song, and the final song, the title track, Bring It On are the most technical on the album. Once again, some Priest feel. Like maybe something that could have been on Painkiller! 

I didn't really mention the musicianship in these songs, because I would just be repeating myself. The guitar is spectacular. Its loaded with harmony soloing, blistering leads, and rhythms that blow the mind. The rhythm section is tight, with the bass and drums playing as one unit. The drummer is amazing. There's a reason for this. Moriah has indeed gotten noticed. Michael Sweet of Stryper does a guitar solo and backup vocals on Bring it On.  (He also had Moriah guest sing on his current album, One Sided War) Jack Daley of Lenny Kravitz's band plays bass, and Jason Bittner of Flotsam & Jetsam is the drummer! The 2 guitarists are Jay Rodgers and Dave Messick. Keyboards are done by Dustin DeLuke. Moriah Formica has put together an all-star lineup!

Moriah killing it with Stryper!

Pure and raw Talent like this doesn't come along very often, especially in this day and age of instant gratification. Moriah Formica has one thing that these cookie cutter American Idol singers do not. Longevity. She will be dominating the metal scene for years to come. Her voice is stunning, beautiful, and powerful. Her range is through the stratosphere. I, for one am looking forward to her next album. I'm looking forward to hearing her growth as a songwriter and musician, although her debut is one of the best debut albums I've ever heard. And, she is only 16 years old! I also hope she comes in concert to Orlando, because I will be there!

This is my first post of 2017. What a great way to start off the year! I'm hoping that its a sign of things to come. A nice and refreshing surprise that tells me that rock and metal will be in good hands. Hopefully, 2017 will be a great year for Moriah, and everyone else!

You definitely need to get this album.

Get it on Amazon, Itunes

Moriah's
website
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube

Album Review- Stryper: Fallen

"You were cast down to the ground, 

exposed before the kings 
Deceiver of the world, you know 

you'll always be the great pretender"

Stryper was one of the first bands I ever saw in concert back in the 80s. They were also influences on my both musically and vocally. Michael Sweet and Oz Fox make up one of the most under rated guitar duos, and the vocal harmony has always been stellar. I liked every album they released a lot, with my favorite being Soldiers Under Command, least favorite being In God We Trust and Murder By Pride. That being said, their previous album, No More Hell To Pay was the best Stryper album since Against The Law. Could they do it again and top NMHTP? Read on. We'll find out.

Right off the bat, Fallen is easily the heaviest Stryper album. It also features some of the most intense vocals by Michael Sweet, for example, in the title track. He still has a completely intact vocal range, but he has gotten intense with rasp in the high notes as well. Its intentional. The guitar here is crunchy, and groove oriented. I can't really compare this to any other albums because it really doesn't sound like any other Stryper album. When the band released Yahweh as a single, I remember thinking that was the best song since Soldiers Under Command. The song Heaven does have the classic Stryper vibe to it, and its kind of a slow jam. Love You Like I Do has a very bold 80's metal feel to it, with its big harmony vocal chorus and build up guitar solo. Its good. All Over Again is a ballad that ranks up with their best. It has a powerful chorus with backup vocal harmony under the lead vocals, and a harmony guitar solo as well.

There is one cover tune on this album. Its After Forever by Black Sabbath. As usual, Stryper does great covers, and this one would make Sabbath proud. The rhythm section of Robert Sweet and Tim Gaines are thunder on this one.

Till I Get What I Need is a very upbeat tune that rocks. Guitar licks throughout the song, blazing guitar solos. You get what you need with this song...Well, the whole album for that matter. On Let There Be Light, alternate title could be Let There Be Metal. Because there is metal, and I saw and heard that it was good. Same with The Calling, and King of Kings. Its all there.

The lyrical content on Fallen is among the most powerful they have done. Obviously, the title track is about Lucifer's expulsion from Heaven. They also have some very choice words for Hollywood in Big Screen Lies. Since I'm no fan of actors and their pretentious attitudes, I enjoyed that one a lot.

You've got to love how they portray Christianity
Just a freak another fool for the world to see
Twisting and distorting all, making money too
Mocking every thing that's said, they don't have a clue - no!

Stryper is not afraid to speak their minds. I've seen more powerful and bold lyrics from them than from other christian bands that are not mainstream, and play shows at churches. Its amazing, especially because Stryper doesn't even consider themselves a Christian band.

So, I had asked the question, could Stryper top NMHTP? The answer is YES. This album is the best Stryper album since To Hell With The Devil. It also fits well with all the other great albums that have been released this year by bands like Iron Maiden, Queensryche, The Winery Dogs, etc. Great job, guys...I'm going to wear this one out.

Its available wherever you buy CDs. Amazon, ITUNES, Best Buy, etc. Get it. Get it now. Fallen is an amazing work of art. 

Top 11 Best Metal Anthems of All Time!

I've gotten away from music a little too much this month, so to make it up to my readers, its time for the baddest and the loudest list you'll ever see, and you'll be cranking it, I promise. Grab a beer, and get ready to rock!

Now, I have a criteria. This is strictly metal anthems. There will be no death metal, and no nu metal or grunge. There will only be glam if the song or band is considered metal. For example, Slayer used to be glam, but they were always metal. There will also be no classic rock bands like Foreigner or Led Zeppelin. Its just METAL! Also, only one entry per band. Makes it more difficult, and more entertaining to list.

So, here we go with the top 11 (HAD to be 11, and you know why!) songs that make us want to break out the air guitar, and rip out some air solos, while throwing the horns, and just all out jamming!

So, crank it to 11, sit back, and get ready to head bang! Ready? Too bad! We're starting!!!

Number 11: Death to All but Metal by Steel Panther Sure, I've mentioned them before, but this song HAS to be included. You can't get much more metal than calling for the death of lame acts in a song with a brutally tough guitar lick, blistering solo and piercing screams. Say what you want, but Steel Panther is partially responsible for the resurgence that metal is seeing right now.









Number 10: Bang Your Head (Metal Health) by Quiet Riot You can't have a metal countdown without this song somewhere. The press hated this band, but they didn't care, and the fans loved them. Plus, it spawned 2 legends on guitar and bass. Of course, I'm talking about Randy Rhoads, and Rudy Sarzo.

Number 9: Caught in a Mosh by Anthrax This one brought the mosh pit into the spotlight, and made parents from coast to coast consider insuring their kids before they went to an Anthrax concert.

Number 8: Soldiers Under Command by Stryper
Some of you guys are going to give me grief on this one, I know it. But this song has it all. Twin axe attack, blistering high notes, powerful rhythm section, huge chorus, and one of the most legendary opening riffs there is. Funny...I never knew they made a video for this song.







Number 7: Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth I know Megadeth has lots of better songs than this, but this one fits with the anthem format, since that's what we are going with here. Hangar 18 just doesn't have the chorus that you would want to sing along with. Sure, Peace Sells could be on here too, but I can only pick one, and everybody picks Peace Sells. We like to be different and not cliche. Wait..Wrong band. Anyway, CRANK IT UP!!!

Number 6: Master of Puppets by Metallica How could we not include this one? If this is #6, what could possibly be #1??? Be patient, my friends. This song defined a genre. This was the song that put thrash metal on the map, and blew everyone's doors off. I still remember being afraid of this album when I first heard it. Master of Puppets was my first thrash album.








Number 5: Mister Crowley by Ozzy Some of the finest guitar work ever done, and it is unmatched to this day. If I were to do an air guitar list, this song would likely be #1. I think this song also has some of Ozzy's best vocals too.

Number 4: Holy Diver by Dio Never before has there been a bigger voice from such a little guy. He is one of the 4 singers that when you hear their name, you think METAL. The other 3 are also on this list too. This song put Ronnie James Dio on the map as a solo artist. And by the way...He didn't die. He was killed by a dragon. I am convinced of this.

Number 3 Hallowed be thy Name by Iron Maiden So many to choose from Iron Maiden. I chose this one because of the guitar work, however its vocals are raw power, especially when the song kicks into full speed. Out of Iron Maiden's many masterpieces, I would rank this one definitely top 5. You can't go wrong here, and if my memory serves, this was the song that got me into Iron Maiden.

Number 2: Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath I had a very hard time choosing this one. It was between 4 songs. This, Black Sabbath, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and NIB. I finally went with this because it would have required choosing between 3 Ozzy songs, and I couldn't do it. Plus, Heaven and Hell has that anthem sing along feel to it on top of the dark overtones. Plus, what would it hurt to have a second tribute to RJD?

Number 1: Painkiller by Judas Priest And, now here we are at number one. This song is so badass that it KNOWS it is #1 It even has its own drumroll to intro the song to the number one slot. Sure, Priest has lots of songs that are more anthem like than Painkiller like Metal Gods, Breaking The Law, Another Think Coming, Electric Eye, and the list goes on and on. But, this song is their most heavy hitting, and is the epitome of what a metal anthem should be. Plus, the number one song shouldn't be in my opinion a radio hit. So, get ready to blast it, and get the air guitars blazing because Painkiller is bad. Think there's a better song than Painkiller to be number one? Well, you got another think coming!




So, there you have it. The top 11 Metal Anthems of all time. I hope you enjoyed it. I sure as hell did. As always, I welcome comments. And as always, if its not METAL, TURN IT OFF!!!

Album Review- Stryper: No More Hell to Pay

As I mentioned in my post about 2013 possibly being the beginning of a heavy metal renaissance, there were quite a few 'return to form' albums released. Stryper's No Hell To Pay is one of them.  It is really great to hear something that sounds like what we all loved growing up, but with a touch of modern styling to make it appeal to a younger crowd.

The band has stated in interviews that this album comes right after 'To Hell With The Devil' as far as where it should be placed in the discography. And, they're right. The songs on the album have the piercing twin axe attack that Oz Fox and Michael Sweet were known for not only in THWTD, but also in Soldiers Under Command, and even The Yellow and Black Attack. Arguably their three best albums. Sweet says they were shooting for a heavier sound. Mission accomplished. There was also several hints back to the Reborn album that I caught as I listened to it. Reborn and Against the Law were also great albums.

One thing that you can't help but notice is that Michael Sweet's vocal range is completely intact, but he also has worked aggression into his voice. That is something that fits in their music like a pair of spandex pants. Its tight, and it sounds great. I haven't heard the Second Coming album yet, where the band re recorded a bunch of their classic material, but after hearing NMHTP, I may have to pick it up. The idea of hearing Soldiers Under Command with the raw aggression that Michael Sweet has in his voice now is very tempting.

Before we get into the meat of this review, I wanted to continue talking about this album and THWTD. The NMHTP cover looks similar to the limited edition cover that THWTD has. But, they also recreated the REAR cover of THWTD. In a side by side comparison of the two photos, it is obvious that Stryper did not waste themselves away with drugs like so many other bands did. They still look young, while some others look like extras on The Walking Dead.. (Not that I ever thought they were on drugs. In fact, I know they were not.)

I'm impressed they can still fit into those outfits..
Although, I STILL want to know what that contraption
on Oz's chest is.

And now, like I do for some of my reviews, a track by track look at the songs:

Track 1, Revelation: Starts off with a blazing harmony guitar intro that brings you into a very solid verse progression. Your head is bobbing back and forth right off the bat, and the chorus kind of reminds me of the vocal work on some of the Reborn songs. The guitar solo sounds like something off SUC and THWTD. I'm not talking about the solo itself. I'm talking about the sound of the guitar. Its like that on the entire album, which for whatever reason went away on the albums following THWTD.

Track 2, No More Hell to Pay: The opening licks of the song are all over the place....in a good way. They make me picture Oz Fox sitting there jamming with Glen Tipton of Judas Priest. Then, a lead over the intro sounding like the guitar in the opening lead licks of Soldiers Under Command. And the vocals? Remember when I said earlier that Michael Sweet's range was still intact? Yeah. I should also mention that they do not tune down to help the singer out like alot of bands do. The vocal harmonies are excellent too.

Track 3, Saved By Light: The aggression in Michael Sweet's voice I mentioned is boldly on display on this song. So is the range. Oz Fox's fingers are running full sprint the entire song, not only with a blistering solo, but with a very Maidenish opening riff.  The rhythm section is hitting with force as well. This song will punch you hard, and not apologize for it.

Track 4, Jesus Is Just Alright: Stryper is very good at doing covers. They released a whole album of them, and this Doobie Brothers cover is no exception. The backup vocals are vintage Stryper, while staying true to the original song. The music is also true to the original, although much heavier. Robert Sweet is abusing his drums, as hard as ever. The guitar solo? I'm just going to stop saying how great the solos are. They are great throughout the entire album.

Track 5, The One: This is the slowest song on the album, but it isn't a ballad in the sense of 'Honestly' or 'Together as One.' It has a little more of a beat, and relies more on guitar than those songs. There is keyboard, but it is a background instrument. I'd say that this is their heaviest ballad. The guitar solo with harmony and duel is beautifully done. (Ok, I may not be able to keep my promise about not talking about the guitar.)

Track 6, Legacy: Instant punch in the gut with guitars and a blistering vocal high note, and more of the aggression in Michael's voice. The guitar rhythm is very gritty and heavy, and this song is particularly heavy with the drums and bass. Tim Gaines gets a workout on this song too. This is definitely one of the heaviest songs on the album. This song (and entire album) will do wonders for Stryper's legacy.

Track 7, Marching Into Battle: This song has a Yellow and Black Attack feel to it. From the opening guitar licks to the vocals and solo. The chorus has a marching feel to it. The solo is a classic Sweet/Fox duel (or battle if you will) I could also here this song breaking in concert for a bass/drum solo.

Track 8, Te Amo: Have you heard Soldiers Under Command by Stryper? Of course you have. This song belongs on that album. I was amazed at how much it sounds like the style from the great songs on that album. Vocally and musically from the guitar, bass and drums. And, Soldiers is arguably the band's best album.

Track 9, Sticks and Stones: This one has more of a To Hell With The Devil feel to it, but with a more modern yet mature style. I particularly like the verse progressions. They go from smooth to crunchy, into a chorus that resembles 'Calling On You' in the way it flows. Its really amazing how Stryper is able to just channel these great albums with such ease.

Track 10, Water Into Wine: This song reminds me of the way a classic Van Halen song flows. Solid verse into big chorus with choppy guitar and a blistering solo, with loud drums and bass. It also reminds me of something else that I can't quite put my finger on. Its just a good song!

Track 11, Sympathy: Very gritty opening riff that makes me want to jump into my car, throw this CD into the CD player, and 'Head Out to the Highway.' I'm going to finish this and the last song, but I know I'm getting monotonous. Truth be told, there isn't a bad song on this album. This song's chorus is amazing with the vocal harmonies.

Track 12, Renewed: Another that would fit well on Soldiers. The opening/ verse riff is really tough. And, another great vocal performance from Michael Sweet. The chorus is choppy but still flows smoothly. I can't explain how, it just does. There's a breakdown in the song that slows down a little bit, then punches you with the opening riff, and throws you into into the guitar solo. Another duel, and probably my favorite solo on the album. It concludes with a blistering high note.

Over all, No More Hell To Pay is the best album since To Hell With The Devil, and would have made a great successor to that album. I certainly feel 'Renewed' after listening to it. Stryper's bold Christian message is there just as strong as it was in the early albums. I can see myself listening to this one over and over again, and I will definitely be seeing Stryper in concert for a fourth time when they come to my area. So, if you haven't done it yet, BUY THIS ALBUM!!! Michael Sweet and Oz Fox are one of metal's best guitar duos, and Michael is one of metal's best singers. And not only does the band get back to showing that level of skill, they did it on a simply great album.

Speaking of their concerts, the last time I saw Stryper was on the Reborn tour. There were LOTS of teenagers there. I went up to one, and I asked him why he was there, and how he knows Stryper. He told me that he was learning how to play guitar, and that his big brother talked about them all the time, and that he bought their albums, and he was there because he HAD to see Soldiers Under Command preformed live.

There is hope. If 2013 was a sign of things to come, there are great things coming for us 80's metalheads.

2013: Beginning of a Heavy Metal Renaissance?

Metal, and I mean REAL good ol' heavy metal that dominated the 80's has been dead since the end of the 80's. It seems to have gone by the wayside, with the bands breaking up, and the ones that don't break up decided to change with the times and neuter their music. It was a shame. Metal fans from all over the globe wondered what the hell happened to their music and bands, and were demanding real bands back. But, the record companies had decided that metal was dead, and flannel was the new leather. Crappy 3 chord progressions with bad mixdowns, and a monotone whiners calling themselves singers replaced the incredible virtuoso guitarists, excellent vocals by guys who actually sang, and the recordings were produced by professionals.

But, hope was not lost. In 2008,  a group of visionaries came forth, and put together a band that would make people realize just how much of a good thing was gone. They were not afraid to once again don the leather, makeup, and mega talented song writing abilities. Steel Panther took the stage, and asked the important question:

Where is Def Leppard? Where is Mötley Crüe?Why do all my lyrics sound like Dr. Seuss?

Also, leading the battle cry against all things modern corporate music machine with a powerful incantation, they pierced the stratosphere, screaming 'DEATH TO ALL BUT METAL!!!!!'

At first, the band was labeled as a gimmick that wouldn't last long. But, as the crowds and venues they played got larger, combined with exposed boobies and cigarette lighters returning to concerts, people began realizing that REAL metal had been underground for far too long...And that it was time bring it back! Heavy Metal faithful rejoice!

Critics weren't the only people to recognize the truth. Slowly but surely, the metal bands of the 1980's began reforming and writing new 'return to form' types of albums. A handful of musicians grouped up to form supergroups. And it was a breath of fresh air to every metal fan who grew up in Metal's Golden Age. But, new fans were getting in on it too. Look at the ages of people on these bands Facebook pages...I've seen many teenagers on pages for bands like Queensryche or even Fates Warning saying that they were new fans, and they love that type of music. Its very refreshing. You can also see it at these bands concerts. Especially Steel Panther. Its not just 40+ year old women flashing their boobies. ;)

reforming and writing new 'return to form' types of albums. A handful of musicians grouped up to form supergroups. And it was a breath of fresh air to every metal fan who grew up in

In 2013, twenty four classic metal bands/ artists released new studio albums. Most of them were 'return to form' type albums, and they all have one thing in common...They are SELLING. I'm going to list my top 10 in no particular order here:

If you look up 'return to form album' in the dictionary, you will see this album. After many years of disappointing albums, Queensryche, along with Todd LaTorre on vocals released their self titled effort, which easily fits in the category of Queensryche's great albums along with Operation: Mindcrime, Rage for Order, and Promised Land. Its first month outsold BOTH of their previous albums in their first months combined.

Another 'Return to form' album, Stryper proudly releases 'No More Hell to Pay' which fits in between their greatest albums, Soldiers Under Command and To Hell With The Devil. Michael Sweet still has the range he did in the 80's. If anything, his voice is even more powerful.

In keeping with the 'return to form' model here, Skid Row released the album that should have come after Slave to the Grind, United World Rebellion: Part One. Seems like everyone still has 'GOT' it!

Fates Warning, after a long hiatus got back together, and released Darkness in a Different Light, and it

seemed like they never even went away in the first place.

Alice in Chains, is back with a new singer. They released The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, one of their best albums to date. I am not aware of any Alice in Chains albums that weren't good, so there's no surprise here. I know they came after the 80's, but they were really the only band that was worth a damn in the grunge era. That's because they weren't a grunge band. They were a metal band that happened to come from Seattle.

Megadeth and Super Collider. Need I say more? Dave Mustaine and Megadeth are one of the only 80's bands that never went through an 'album selling' phase by wearing makeup and making stripped down music to try to fit in with what was popular in the 90's. Their sound did change, but not in an effort to fit in. It was to do something a little different for a change. Say what you want about Megadeth. At least they never released an album with no guitar solos.

Another 'return to form' album, Black Sabbath returned to their deep, creepy, doom and gloom, apocalyptic sound that put them on the map in the first place with 13.  It was strange hearing 'Is God Dead?' being played on the radio right after some crappy band named after a position in football.

Motorhead and Aftershock. Nothing else necessary to say other than 'LEMMY!'

Got it? Good.

Pamela Moore's album, Resurrect Me is iconic. It is her first heavy metal album, and it is just as much of a heavy hitter as any of these others. In fact, most of the songs on this album make just about anything on rock radio stations these days seem like bubblegum...or maybe they are bubblegum? Who cares? This album kicks ass!

What a good way to round out the list than with Dream Theater. They have yet another self titled effort, and its my favorite since their first two albums, Images and Words, and Awake. 

Honorable mention to The Winery Dogs for their self titled release. Consisting of Billy Sheehan, Ritchie Kotzen, and Mike Portnoy, they have released one of the best 'supergroup' albums ever done.

Check out the other 14 classics who have all released great albums this year:

Jason Newsted's 'Newsted' and 'Heavy Metal Music'
Helloween: Straight out of Hell
Saxon: Sacrifice
Krokus: Dirty Dynamite
Anthrax: Anthems
Warlord: the Holy Empire
Suicidal Tendencies: 13
Deep Purple: Now What?
Vicious Rumors: Electric Punishment
Kingdom come: Outlier
UDO: Steelhammer
Anvil: Hope in Hell
GWAR: Battle Maximus

I'm sure I missed a few. There were also several bands like Judas Priest and Manowar who released live albums.

Honestly, can you think of a better year for metal albums than 2013 in the past 20 years or so? I can't. And, I'm hoping that 2014 will be even better with more 'return to form' albums, and overall great albums. These releases are better than any of the current 'modern' metal bands on their BEST days. There are several exceptions. Bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, etc are great bands, but we aren't talking about modern bands now, are we?

So, go out and buy these albums! Support the bands when they come in concert, bug the crap out of your local rock radio stations, and maybe...Just maybe Heavy Metal will return to its glory years in a spandex and leather Metal Renaissance!

Top 20 Hair Metal Power Ballads of the 80's

 

There's so much crap going on these days, and I am well aware of all of it. I am just too awe struck by the idiocy of the so called leaders of this country, that I choose to live in the past for a while.

Sooooo, What better way to live in the past than to rattle off the top 20 hair metal ballads of the 80's.

This isn't going to simply be a listing of the songs with the most air play. It will be a list of songs based on musical content. For example, More Than Words by Extreme will most definitely NOT be on this list. Neither will Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue. There will be a couple radio hits, but most of this will be great songs that were overlooked by the music machine that is the radio.

So, here's a good idea for a date night. Grab that lighter, the laptop, some beer, cuddle up with your

 significant other, and lets get on with this list. Listen to every song as you read this! NOTE: The titles of the songs here are also links to the songs.

Number 20: Hideaway by Leatherwolf.

An under rated band, as most of the bands listed here will be. This ballad had power, skillful guitars, good strong vocals, and a chorus that knocked you into the next room. The first time I heard this one, I was convinced that Leatherwolf would be the next 'big' band. The problem was that this song was released in the LATE 80's. Not really enough time to catch on before the 90's. 

Number 19: Sunlit Nights by Racer X 

Yeah, we GOTTA throw some Racer X in here. This band should have been huge, but I guess the radio execs were scared of all the crazy guitar to push them. Oh wait...They pushed Mr. Big. I got nothing.

Number 18, I Saw Red by Warrant

This one was a radio hit, but it was not their biggest hit. I include it in this list because of the sheer emotion in the music, and Jani Lane's vocals. RIP, Jani. I got to open for him back in 2004, and got to hang with him. Great guy.

Number 17, Livin' Without You by Shotgun MessiahThis song is great on so many levels. It is the PERFECT breakup song. And it would be equally perfect today. A girl probably wouldn't have heard the song, so you give it to her, and she listens, and hears the lyrics, and thinks that the guy is heartbroken until she hears the line 'Living without you don't bother me.' Then, it heads into the line 'If there's a tear in my eye, it's not for you. Don't flatter yourself.' The girl would be shocked and angry, especially if SHE was the one doing the breaking up. 

Number 16, Don't Close Your Eyes by Kix

A very deep and heart felt anti suicide song. Very emotional singing, deep lyrics, and music. Not much more to say, other than great song.

Number 15, Alone Again by Dokken

Dokken wrote great ballads. Period. It was hard to narrow it down to one, so we'll just go with their first one. The guitar solo in this is phenomenal. Glen Tipton of Judas Priest thought so too. 

Number 14, The Flame by Cheap Trick

Yeah, I know that this was a mega radio hit, but it was definitely worthy of it. And, someone would have gave me crap had I left it off!

Number 13, Ballad of Jayne, LA Guns Kind of a deep song for LA Guns, but a great song none the less. Jayne Mansfield, the working man's Marilyn Monroe is immortalized by the Guns, but I can answer their question. Q: What happened to Jayne? A: She died in a car accident. What a shame.

Number 12, House of Pain by Faster Pussycat

LOVE this song. Not sure why, but its been one of my favorite ballads since it came out. MUCH better than Bathroom Wall, right? 

Number 11, Without You by Motley Crue

Calm down now! I promised that Home Sweet Home wouldn't be on the list! Without You is a song that Crue actually put effort into. Its a great song. Vince Neil actually sings, and the music actually does something, unlike that other one that ends with a hummer from Vince. 

Number 10, Love Song by Tesla

Another one that if I had left out, someone would have been all over me for!

Number 9, Fly High Michelle by Enuff Z'Nuff

Yes. I put them in the list. They were a great band. Extremely talented, and this song DOES belong in the top 10. Listen it it! I guess people couldn't get past the band's look. What a shame. I'd rather they had made it big than say...Winger. I'd put them deeper into the top 10, but there are some great songs coming up.

Number 8, Screaming in the Night by Krokus

Not your typical power ballad, but it still kicks ass. Can someone tell me what the song is about please?

Number 7, Dreams by Van HalenLove this song. It soars like an F-18. (Ok, that was bad I know, but this video is one of the only places you get to see the Blue Angels these days thanks to you know who!)

Number 6, Fly to the Angels by Slaughter

This song is great. A perfect and beautiful eulogy. Can't really say much more than that, other than Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum make an appearance further down in the list. NO PEEKING!

-See what I did there with Dreams and Fly To The Angels? ;)

Number 5, Together as One by Stryper 

This is Stryper's best ballad. Great piano, and a great guitar solo. Why this song isn't a hit for the first dance at weddings, I will never know. 

Number 4, Forever Free by Wasp

Yes. Forever Free by Wasp is number 4. Think about it, it is everything you'd expect if you heard the term 'power ballad' for the first time. Ok, go ahead and give me hell about it. This list was harder than I thought! It was either this or Nobody's Fool by Cinderella! 

Number 3, Quicksand Jesus and Wasted Time by Skid Row

These two songs are equal. I sat there for 20 minutes trying to decide between the two. Both have very deep lyrics, dark and powerful music, great singing, intense lyrics, and are just overall great songs, so I decided to list them both at number 

Number 2, Painted Skies by Crimson Glory

Ok, this song rules. It features one of the greatest metal singers of all time, in one of the first progressive/speed metal bands to make it big. All though, Crimson Glory never made it huge, they have a hell of a cult following, and this album is one of the most respected prog metal albums of all time.

Number 1, That Time of Year by Vinnie Vincent Invasion

I've been saying this for years. This song has it all, and then some. It is probably one of the best written preformed, and produced ballads I have ever heard. Sadly, this great song was overlooked. There is really no excuse for it. Emotion, great guitar, vocals...Everything. 10/10

Ok, as I mentioned earlier, this was MUCH harder than I thought, but I did have a good time, and I listened to every song I posted here, so it was a good night. 

Let me know what you think, and if I left something off. I had fun, hope you did too!

Honorable Mention and a spot as #1A to Love Kills, by Vinnie Vincent Invasion.

Because it was in the soundtrack of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4.