Showing posts with label Christian Metal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Metal. Show all posts

12.12.16

Ultimate List of Metal Christmas Albums

Yes, they are huge list of heavy metal, hard rock, shredding guitars that jamming on the Christmas tunes! This is the (kind of) ultimate list of never-ending christmas / holiday song packed in these albums.


- Merry Axemas - A Guitar Christmas (2005) and More Guitar Christmas 
Buy it Here - Amazon
A christmas guitar instrumental songs done by the guitar heroes of our time. Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Jeff Beck, Neal Schon, Steve Lukather, Zakk Wylde etc. This is a must have album for guitar maniac.


- Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Trilogy (1996-2004)
Buy it Here
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is legend-wait-for-it-ary project that really put christmas tunes into super awesome form. TSO arranged at least three full christmas / holiday albums with guitar solos and symphonic as their forefront compositions. The albums contained their first release : Christmas Eve and Other Stories (1996), The Christmas Attic (1998), Beethoven's Last Night (2000), The Lost Christmas Eve (2004) and newer albums.



- Steve Lukather - Santa-Mental (2003)
Buy it Here
Steve Lukather and friends doing christmas album. The "friends" are : Jeff Babko, John Piere, Gregg Bissonette, Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Edgar Winter, Trevor Lukather, Simon Philips, Mike Landau etc. All packed in this creepy cover looking holiday album.



- A Proggy Christmas by the Prog World Orchestra (2012)
Buy it HERE
This is a Christmas project featuring Neal Morse , Mike Portnoy, Steve Morse, Randy George etc. This is the most proggy christmas album circulating around the world. Prepare to be blown away...


- Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2009)
Buy it HERE
Ian Anderson, well, Jethro Tull doing christmas concert. These arrangement heavily involved Ian legendary flute playing. They are folk-prog-hard-rock in it!



5.11.16

Narnia - Narnia (2016) Album Review

There was a moment in Christian metal world where several bands co-exist together. The bands that storming this area included, Rob Rock, Impellitteri, Golden Resurrection, Divinefire, ReinXeed (although they are not really a christian metal band), further to German Pascua band. Along this cross breeding cage, there are two musicians Carl Johann Grimmark and vocalist Christian Liljegren. Both had been around the Christian metal realm with those bands mentioned above.. Taken a name from the famous C.S.Lewis novel, they found  Narnia and wanted this band to be at least three styles in their veins: progressive , neo-classical and christian metal altogether. History seen them as successful collaboration, releasing several albums that considered ground breaking in the genre : Awakening (1998) up to The Great Fall (2003). The band suddenly disbanded after T.G.F. which considered their best. A quick reunion was found in 2009 and thus born Course of a Generation (2009), but the band taking a step diverted from their previous styles and also Christian step aside as vocalist replaced by German Pascua.

For seven years later, in today 2016, Narnia reunited the two founders, C.J. Grimmark and Christian Liljegren to released their new, seventh studio album self titled Narnia. Narnia 2016 is a returned to their root, progressive christian metal full of shred guitar works. For example the first song "Reaching for the Top" the drum intro almost mimicking their song "Nothing to Lose" from T.G.F. Reaching for the Top  started up with classic four bars guitar riffs then we greet by Christian voices. The song surely set up the elements of Narnia musics : sustained string layers in background, harmony choruses and many muscular progressive power chords. "I Still Believe" is simple melodic metal that easily remember by first time listener and it is, well, very melodic. On "Thank You" the band downgrade the locomotive gears to middle tempo and allowed passenger to enjoy a solemn song that really shine Christian's vocal quality. We also have music video for "Messengers", which a strong song with creative structure, inventive guitar chords and demiurgic song writing.


In speaking about lyric, the Christianity theme is their main inspiration. However a lyrics :
".... man kinds who do you follow,
 maybe He comes tomorrow...."  - Who Do You Follow
is simple yet fit the music well.

In general, Narnia is a strong returned from the band. Song are in extremely high quality. Carl Johann is re-nown guitar virtuoso, his works in this album is in heavenly standard that will satisfy all guitar fans. Is anything, the album is also closely similar to Christian Liljgren other band, Golden Resurrection, just slightly less neo-classical compared to them. If you really into Christian melodic metal, Narnia 2016 is a definitely strong album to have. In short, this is the album for both prog metal, believers and non.

Metal Harem class ********** nine stars out of ten

Narnia - Narnia (2016)
Buy it Here - Amazon

1. Reaching for the Top
2. I Still Believe
3. On the Highest Mountain
4. Thank You
5. One Way to the Promised Land
6. Messengers
7. Who Do You Follow?
8. Moving On
9. Set the World On Fire
10. Miracle (bonus)

Christian Liljegren - lead vocals
Carl Johan Grimmark - guitars
Martine Harenstam - keyboards
Andreas Johansson - drums
Andreas Olsson - bass

27.10.16

Theocracy - Ghost Ship (2016)

Ghost Ship is Theocracy's long waited third studio album. As we enlightened in 2011, Theocracy burn down the road of mediocre with their album "As the World Bleeds". It is regarded as their breakthrough, the album pulled out lots of epic progressive metal tunes. They can be heard mixing the best elements of power metal, metalcore, thrash metal all the way into one umbrella in progressive metal.  To get it even intrigue, they baptized themself as Christian metal, hence the band's name suggesting. And their Christian themes are the strong one. Ghost Ship is under heavy pressure to get the band moved on from "As the World Bleeds", and the fans wait five years for it.

The wait is certainly worth it. Ghost Ship can be listen straight out of your darkest night and still it will sounds marvelous. There are no important steer turning of styles from their past. The only minor elements missing is their reduction of symphonic metal elements. The first song is "Paper Tiger" confirmed this. Instead of doing slow symphonic build up as in their song "I AM", Paper Tiger starts immediately with drum roll followed by melodic intro. Along five minutes of this song is the elements of power-thrash and progressive metal. Having power choruses is still their biggest selling point. The transition of the 2nd song is smooth, "Ghost Ship" elevated the atmosphere into darker nuances. Once should mentioned Matt Smith's clean singing is one of the trademark in Theocracy's music. "The Wonder of It All" is their faster cut. It is a double guitar riffs, as played by their axeman Val Allen Wood and Jonathan Hinds. Both trying to repeated some monumental ideas from "As the World Bleeds".

Theocracy also fluent in creating power ballad. "Around the World and Black" is their song in moderato time marking. Which leads us to their allegro-presto songs as in "Stir the Embers" and "A Call to Arms", For their finale, it is traditionally longest song, an almost ten minutes "Easter".

Ghost Ship is an album as expected from these amazing talents. Though the album happened to not repeat the ultimate epic as in "As the World Bleeds", all songs can easily absorbed as parts of their fantastic repertoire. Fans of Dream Theater will simply familiar with all their twisted progressive arrangements. Their double guitars added bits of Megadeth also. Theocracy is pacifying all the best to created their own musics. I suggested those who never listened to Theocracy to back cataloged with "As the World Bleeds" to have the best from "Ghost Ship". For longtime fans, the embers is ready to stir!

Metal Harem class : ********* nine stars out of ten


Theocracy - Ghost Ship (2016)
Buy it Here - Amazon

1.Paper Tiger
2.Ghost Ship
3.The Wonder of It All
4.Wishing Well
5. Around the World and Back
6. Stir the Embers
7. A Call to Arms
8. Currency in a Bankrupt World
9. Castaway
10. Easter




Matt Smith-Vocals
Val Allen Wood-Lead Guitar
Jonathan Hinds-Guitar
Jared Oldham-Bass

13.3.15

Impellitteri - Venom (2015)

Are You Ready? The latest Impellitteri album is here. Venom 2015, is Chris Impellitteri's 10th studio album. Guess what, Rob Rock is on the vocal duty, as always. Well, the last Impellitteri's studio album is  "Wicked Maiden" in 2009, and if the Rob Rock's album counted in, his latest "solo" album dated 2007 in "Garden of Chaos". So, it's been quite a long time for the duo rest their guitar neck and microphone. Beyond this point, we got some of side projects by them, Impellitteri in AniMetal series, and Rob Rock in Driver "Countdown".

What we got in Venom is the revival of Impellitteri + Rob Rock classics. The melodic metal song + shred guitar that once famously done in Impellitteri's "Eye of the Hurricane" era . The first track, "Venom", is of course venomous in every aspect. The guitar main theme riffs is hot, shredding on a sick neo-classical influence arpeggios, harmoniously unison-ed by the drum roll, is definitely coherent with Rob Rock screaming "Are you ready???". The second track "Empire of Lies" continue the streak of stormy drum beat and shredding guitar licks. The vocal kind of trying to hit any highest pitch available there by Rob Rock. Lots of interesting melodic singing line backed up with thunderous backing vocal. The 3rd song is very Whitesnake in my ear, "We Own the Night" is maybe deliberately a mixing between "Fool for Your Loving" with "Still of the Night" in the spirit of Dave Coverdale. In other word, a classic '80s heavy metalium. The pace is slow down when we reach "Face the Enemy" intro, but don't get fool around, the song developed into mid to fast heavy metal tunes. The song is once again more '80s heavy metal rather than the typical Impellitteri's power metal. Talking about power metal, the one that comes with that is closely done in "Time Machine", typical power metal riffs is preserved well too. Other notes are "Jehovah", and you bet this is one of their religious song as the title (may) suggest. This is answered with "Rise" in the next play list.

You can't asked for more guitar works as in every song, Chris spoiled us with his faster-than-the-speed-of-light solos. The other enjoyable thing is the drumming. The drum is so kicking ass it sounds like machine gun firing with all his cylinders. Well done by Jon Dette, who list of experiences ranging from Killing Machine, Anthrax to Slayer. The bassist on is album is James Amelio Pulli, perfectly escorting the rhythm part and you bet he got an excellent time working with the three other guys. Venom is worth  the six years spend in waiting. Chris Impellitteri definitely refresh his band with this album. Get them fast.

Favorite tracks: Venom, We Own the Night, Time Machine
Metal Harem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Impellitteri - Venom (2015)

1. Venom
2. Empire of Lies
3. We Own the Night
4. Nightmare
5. Face the Enemy
6. Domino Theory
7. Jehovah
8. Rise
9. Time Machine
10. Holding On

Chris Impellitteri - Guitars (ex-Vice, Animetal USA)
Rob Rock - Vocals (Driver, ex-M.A.R.S., ex-Axel Rudi Pell, ex-Joshua Perahia)
James Amelio Pulli - Bass
Jon Dette - Drums (Killing Machine, Anthrax (live), Iced Earth (live), Metal Machine (live), ex-Apocalypse, Animetal USA, ex-Testament, ex-Heathen (live), ex-Slayer (live))


19.1.15

Sweet & Lynch - Only To Rise (2015)

In the light of holy and unholy alliance, Michael Sweet has team up with George Lynch for a fascinated all star 80's hair rock band. Michael Sweet rightly comes up from the Stryper, instantly remembered as prominent hair rock and Christian band of the 80's, and George Lynch, the bad boys from Dokken and later his very own Lynch Mob. So then the yellow strip has found its yellow strip (refered to George's beloved guitar design motif) counter part. To make it more exciting, the two yellows are joined by two ex-albino's. Bassist Brian Tichy is summoned, he was all around player most famous when served under White Snake of David Coverdale. Then James Lomenzo who grown up with the White Lion. Such an all star musicians that at a glance too good to be exist.

The music itself in their first record, Only To Rise, is  most based on Michael Sweet influence but heavilized by George Lynch signature guitar riffs. Well the album title already sounds "Stryper-esque" indeed. The first song "The Wish" is also one of song that video clipped. Pretty much simple '80s hair rock with Michael Sweet voices easily can make it very close to any Stryper song. Much classic is the 2nd track "Like A Dying Rose", which we got Lynch begin to infiltrate into the song's feel with his guitar licks. Another exciting song is "Time Will Tell", still very much under Michael's influence but at least something more 'generic' hair band, in a good way. "Rescue Me" is showcasing drum's parts a bit in the intro. A mellow ballad song in "Me Without You" with interesting guitar playing on thick chorus effect. George Lynch enjoys his moment in "Divine" where he outburst some more intrick guitar riffs. Something also excellent in the follow up song "September". The album ended with even more heavy songs culminated in the last "Only To Rise".

Although it started up as a variant of Stryper album, but it is then evolved with more diverse style, gladly when George Lynch begin to show his teeth. The overall album tension is nicely arranged where it is really climaxing on the last part of the album. Both bassist and drummer didn't just sit there and they contributed in many good moments, supporting the main casts. In this collaborations we kind to see both musicians able to break up from their routines and enjoy what the other guys gives in. George is a beast when support by veteran song writing such as Michael Sweet. This album brings back many glory of '80s hair metal, one of excellence collaborations between stars.

Favorite song: Like A Dying Rose, Time Will Tell, Divine
Metal Harem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Sweet & Lynch - Only To Rise (2015)

1. The Wish
2. Like A Dying Rose
3. Love Stays
4. Time Will Tell
5. Rescue Me
6. Me Without You
7. Recover
8. Divine
9. September
10. Strength In Numbers
11. Hero-Zero
12. Only To Rise

Line-Up:
Michael Sweet – Vocals, Guitar (Stryper)
George Lynch – Guitar (ex-Dokken, Lynch Mob)
James Lomenzo – Bass (ex-White Lion, ex-Megadeth)
Brian Tichy – Drums (ex-White Snake, Foreigner, Ozzy Osbourne )

21.3.14

Demon Hunter - Extremist (2014)

After a quite successful released two years ago in True Defiance, Demon Hunter coming fresh again in new album of 2014, Extremist. This is another fifty minutes of metalcore act, straight away from their garage in Seattle. Extremist did not seemingly any different from True Defiance, except they are kind of going even more melodic and put the growling vocal parts slightly lessen compared to their previous-es.

You got that 2 minutes and a half introductionary track of chanting and growling on Death. Artificial Light is the one that acting as the real opener. It takes one minutes to build up, this is a rich in dynamic metalcore song. The whole song enjoyed a well written song structures, dynamically changing from fast - slow - attack and an interlude phases. What I'm Not is start with distinguished guitar fuzz distortion, a full strength of growling voices leads the whole song entirely. This song utilized an awesome guitar effects. On other hand, there is a song that rely on 'normal' voices, such as in the next track The Last One Alive. I Will Fail You is part of their macro dynamic, putting the tempo into doom-ish slow metronome or you may called it a ballad song. One Last Song is back to full forces. On the most groovy track, is Cross To Bear. A true deep throat slaying tunes. In Time comes with interesting guitar riffs in the its brief intro. Beyond Me is another bombastic song with crazy guitar works in the intro. Together with Gasoline, these two songs implemented a good works of machine-like beat. A bit of light mood and straight forward structure falls to the last track, The Heart Of A Graveyard.

Extremist continued Demon Hunter excellency in controlling their metalcore root with tons of creativity. From guitar works, drumming ideas to synthesizer technology. This is definitely an album with a lot of things to dig. Despite their dark images, Demon Hunter is known for their Christianity based theme, but this doesn't have any significant barrier on their music. Awesome album full of actions.

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

Demon Hunter - Extremist (2014)
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. Death
02. Artificial Light
03. What I'm Not
04. The Last One Alive
05. I Will Fail You
06. One Last Song
07. Cross To Bear
08. Hell Don't Need Me
09. In Time
10. Beyond Me
11. Gasoline
12. The Heart Of A Graveyard
13. Waste Me
14. Helpless Hope

Ryan Clark - vocals
Jon Dunn - bass
Timothy "Yogi" Watts - drums
Patrick Judge - guitar
Jeremiah Scott - guitar

8.1.14

Deliverance - Hear What I Say! (2013)

Deliverance is American Christian Thrash metal, already on the pulpit since 1989. Hear What I Say!, released December 2013, is their tenth studio album. Deliverance is on their edge for being close down, and this album remarked their comeback and also their future next break up. At least that what the news about this album. In general the album is a mixed styles, ranging from thrash metal and some cross over between modern groove metal + thrash metal.

After solemn piano intro in Liber 111, The Annals of Subterfuge starts by a delicious aggressive guitar riffs. Hailed from LA, Deliverance bring along a lot of classic '80s influence from the area and this song immediately remind us on thrash metal from there. Angst on other hand infused new metal sounds of the '90s, combining nu-metal / rap metal into it. Hope Lies Beyond is kind of Queensryche influence, the band that connected to band leader Jimmy Brown. Detox is pretty much the combination of previous three, thrash-nu-Queensryche things with that low pitch guitar riffs. Passing is the most modern sounding of all. A Perfect Sky is devoted guitar acoustic ballads. Then they inserted one interesting Iron Maiden cover of Where Eagles Dare.

Pretty much balance album with coverage of thrash metal and modern metal ideas. The liberty of transfusing Christianity theme into their lyric is not become an issue rather now it's just another idea to heavy metal. All four musicians behind the band all superb in their creations. This album can do justice to close Deliverance story, if that is the desired future of them.

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

Deliverance - Hear What I Say (2013)
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. Liber 111 (Intro)
02. The Annals of Subterfuge
03. Angst
04. Hope Lies Beyond
05. Detox
06. Nude
07. Passing
08. A Perfect Sky
09. Where Eagles Dare (Iron Maiden Cover)
10. Entgiftung (German Version of Detox)

Manny Morales Bass
Michael Phillips Guitars
Jimmy Brown Vocals, Guitars
Jayson Sherlock Drums

1.12.13

PelleK - Christmas With PelleK (2013)

It is in my believe that every Christmas carol is screaming waiting to get them self metal-ized. That's what a lot of metal musician doing. Song such as Joy To the World or The First Noel can be done with distortion guitar and double kick drum, and still sounds natural. No it isn't? Well forget about that, here comes the first interesting Christmas tribute album for 2013, by vocalist Pellek. Now, Per Fredrik Pellek Asly is unique singer. He sings in Damnation Angels, power metal band from UK. His voices is unorthodox from what we usually imagine from a power metal singer. He got lots of rebellion inside that he seems like to mix a lot of style into metal. And he got a Youtube channel that shown a lot of cover song. This Christmas album is his solo takes. The main style is heavy metal but it's also comes with large portion of interesting popular style with orchestration and jazzy arrangement. In all songs Pellek's humorous vocal keep the album in easy-listening mood.

Twelve Days of Christmas is interesting choices to open a Christmas album. It's real bring in the holiday season mood. It's a popular carol now made into catchy march-type metal arrangement. Enjoyable. O Christmas Tree is bit of jazzy in the intro, a natural choice that the song very likely prefer to in that way. Then we switch to orchestration and the metal part kicks in. Very good arrangement. Deck the Halls is another song that can be re-arranged into millions of style. PelleK gives a good version on it here. It is a simply fast metal arrangement. Beautiful Savior is the song that Pellek gives the more serious devotional feel into it. Jingle Bells is enjoyable version in a 'popular' groove for the first verses then gone metal in the next. Then if you are a vocalist, O Holy Night is compulsory number. Faithful to its original tempo but still received it's metal drumming complete with chorus backing. Come All Ye Faithfull is even original from the beginning. A works of vocals in the intro is more likely fit in church setting but then yet again it's show how galloping drumming is always fit Christmas carols. Silent Night is the last song and get ready to your Christmas folks!

Metal Harem class: Special Holiday Album

PelleK - Christmas With PelleK (2013)
Buy it Here - Amazon

01. Twelve Days of Christmas
02. O Christmas Tree
03. Deck the Halls
04. Beautiful Savior
05. Jingle Bells
06. O Holy Night
07. Come All Ye Faithfull
08. Silent Night

Per Fredrik Pellek Ã…sly (Lead Vocals - Damnation Angels)
Patrick Fallang (Guitars)
Stian Warlow Braathen (Drums)
Ingemar Bru (Bass)


PelleK Christmas with, album review

31.10.13

Stryper - No More Hell To Pay (2013)

To say the yellow and black jackets is back, is really starts to be a cliche lately. Stryper is having a lot of reborn and/or second coming currently. And surprise.., this is their new original studio album. After Stryper's album Murder By Pride in 2009, they take advantage of some old tunes and covers in The Covering and Second Coming, so No More Hell to Pay is finally their latest original works. Those who live well in the 1980s will understand, Stryper is part of the glam metal euphoria around that time. Strange, because when all other bands sing about lovely chick and/or wizards, Stryper was singing about, ehem, the Christ and the eternal Devil-threatening-human theme. The fact that all metal fans, believers or no, united to listen to Stryper summed up the final fact, Stryper's music is too good. So, with this boast of past glory, let's pay another attention Michael Sweet bros and friends.

No More Hell To Pay is an album full of exciting guitar riffs. It starts with Revelation, which is mid tempo anthem feel rock tune. Then No More Hell To Pay itself is the real riff with harmonious guitar duet between Oz and Michael. If you are using headphone this stereo featured can be feel in full effect. With this two songs, it is correct to say this album is just the right continuation from Murder By Pride, songs mostly stay the same. Moving to faster tempo is in Saved By Love. Heavier and represent more the '80s feel of Stryper, with Michael Sweet unleashed some of his best singing in the last couple of album. Jesus Is Just Alright is exactly what the title suggested, it's an alright heavy metal song with gospel-style singing combined. This song will make a right gospel choir if you taken off the guitar and drum parts, so it's quite a success hybrid. Other interesting tunes such as Legacy is another heavy tunes, sounds pretty much modern, meaning Stryper also responded to the latest trend in music. Marching Into Battle, sounds the opposite, very '80s , Queen's We Will Rock You drumming feel. Te Amo is another interesting melodic riffs, minor feel and potential favorite to power metal listener. Water Into Wine is a good theme for metal song, nice riffs and straight forward rock drumming. Sympathy is the last exciting riffs with also very good song writing and choruses, it's nice to see good song still there in the last part of the album.

Surprisingly no piano or guitar ballad as in any other previous albums, the slowest being The One. No More Hell To Pay comes as heavier, colorful guitar riffs orientated heavy metal album. Michael Sweet stated this album can be released in their height of '80s glory, which is not over statement. Surely the band still got their potential. If not that the music trend is changing by now, this album can be another highlight in the '80s glam metal scenes. Guitar solos are tasty with lots of  '80s tapping licks. The choice to include 'Hell' in their album title is indicating the band try to remind us to their past To Hell With The Devil, and I think it's highly reasonable for this album stand for it.

Metal Harem Class: ********** nine stars out of ten

Stryper - No More Hell To Pay (2013)
Buy it HERE - AMAZON

1. Revelation
2. No More Hell To Pay
3. Saved By Love
4. Jesus Is Just Alright
5. The One
6. Legacy
7. Marching Into Battle
8. Te Amo
9. Sticks & Stones
10. Water Into Wine
11. Sympathy
12. Renewed

Michael Sweet - Vocals, Guitars
Robert Sweet - Drums
Tim Gaines - Bass
Oz Fox - Lead Guitars


Styper No More Hell to Pay album reivew

26.3.13

Stryper Second Coming 2013

If there is better ideas to do for the old guys in yellow and black stripes, re-record their hit songs is one of them. No kidding and no waiting time, this is it, the Second Coming. It is a re-recording of best of the best hits from Stryper in their earliest three studio albums. Stryper founder Robert Sweet explain that they were inexperienced when did the recording back there in '84 and the recording although capture the spirit was not fully technically well recorded. Considering Stryper was once part of mainstream glam metal scene back there, this idea is easily approved. I don't remember owned Stryper first album, The Yellow and Black Attack (1984) and Soldier Under Command (1985). I rely my memory of Michael Sweet voices in Only To Hell With The Devil and several live recording from them. Second Coming not only fix all the technical flaws in the original recording, but also give Stryper new way to control their own stuff legally. Good news for faithful fans, the idea not included re-arranged but simply superior recording of all hits chronologically order from earliest to the latest, that is included two original new tracks in the end.

Not much to comments on each tracks because this is simple a note per notes re-take on each respective songs. Loud N Clear started the familiar killer riff that helped defined the glam metal of the '80s. In Soldier Under Command, Robert Sweet add in several new hi hat and drum variation in the intro just to distinguished it from the original. After 30 years of singing, Michael Sweet sounds no major changes on his voices. Only in the most familiar tunes, To Hell With The Devil, where Michael voices audibly sounds older than the original. The solos are more powerful with the second round of solos come with more aggressiveness although they are notes per notes similar. In The Way, new drum character give more power in this version. The only significant re arrange is in Sing Along Song, this time it is full guitar riff replaced the original keyboard intro. As for More Than A Man I really can't decided which one is better, as the original also contained vintage and rawness guitar tones, as well as the singing originality.

The two original songs, Bleeding From Inside Out and Blackened are easy to fit into the last part as they sounds exactly where Stryper were in the late '80s. Both are hardly a filler or bonus track in this album. Second Coming is a compilation of Christian metal in their peak. All killer riffs and classic tunes. Lead guitarist Oz Fox changes several guitar tones in this version. His fellowship with Michael Sweet is still good the same as thirty years ago. Drummer Robert Sweet of course use all new drum set that sounds richer. Bassist Tim Gaines executed all his ever bass line with one of two new grooves, as in Loud N' Clear.  Stryper are part of glam metal history and if you miss and missed Stryper back there, Second Coming give you the exact original songs with superior recording quality.

Metal Harem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Stryper - Second Coming 2013
buy it here at Amazon

01. Loud N' Clear
02. Loving You
03. Soldiers Under Command
04. Makes Me Wanna Sing
05. First Love
06. The Rock That Makes Me Roll
07. Reach Out
08. Surrender
09. To Hell With The Devil
10. Calling On You
11. Free
12. The Way
13. Sing Along Song
14. More Than A Man
15. Bleeding From Inside Out
16. Blackened

Band:
Michael Sweet - vocals and guitar
Oz Fox - guitar and vocals
Tim Gaines - bass and vocals
Robert Sweet - drums



Christian Metal Stryper Second Coming album review

3.2.13

Red - Release the Panic 2013

From the Nashville Christian Rock band, Red, here comes their fourth album, Release the Panic. Red had been doing modern rock, combined with stuff of heavy metal, grunge, hardcore packaged into their works. Release the Panic is even broader spectrum of music, from the opener Release the Panic that are groove / hardcore feel then gone to the last The Moment We Come Alive which is standard modern rock ballad.

In the middle part, Damage is pretty  awesome with killer opening riff then went into hardcore, industrial and nu metal stuffs all combined in one. It repeated again in If We Only, for now the song writing and choruses is their strong point.  Glass House make up the best non growling track, something like an Evanescene with male singing on it.

The production is high end with lots of looping and effect to intense the rhythm section. Release the Panic show the creativity of the boys in Red still strong ever, in the standard of award winning band. Check the American hard rock scene today on this album and relax.

Metalharem class: ******* seven stars out of ten

Red – Release the Panic 2013
Buy it here

1. "Release the Panic"  3:02
2."Perfect Life" 2:52
3."Die for You" 2:47
4."Damage"  3:42
5."Same Disease" 3:02
6."Hold Me Now" 4:01
7."If We Only"  3:47
8."So Far Away"  3:56
9."Glass House"  3:33
10."The Moment We Come Alive" 3:23
11."Love Will Leave a Mark"  2:41
12."As You Go"   4:17
13."Hymn for the Missing (Guillotine remix)" 4:34
14."Death of Me (Guillotine remix)"  4:42
15."Breathe Into Me (Remix Acústica)"  3:55

• Michael Barnes – lead vocals
• Anthony Armstrong – rhythm guitar, lead guitar, backing vocals
• Randy Armstrong – bass, piano, backing vocals
• Joe Rickard – drums, percussion


4.12.12

Golden Resurrection - One Voice for the Kingdom 2012

Christian metaller Golden Resurrection released new album One Voice for the Kingdom in this last month of 2012. It’s their third release, consistently since 2010 every years. Altough Tommy ReinXeed the guitarist also got his solo band ReinXeed around, he keeps some of his best neo classical lick for this band too. The overall sounds of One Voice for the Kingdom is faithful early power metal spirit. Christian Liljegren give wonderful classic voice throughout the album. The band welcome new keyboardist and drummer. Coming in, Alfred Fridhagen , who is also a drummer for ReinXeed project. And Svenne Jansson, live keyboardist for Jerusalem.  Together with bassist Stefan Kack, the quintet give us Christian power metal album with a taste of Helloween-like.

The influence of Keeper of Seven Keys is for the first two tracks of the album. The Temple Will Remain with it riff and opening verse is reminiscent of Helloween’s Alive. Then Spirit War is a tribute to Kiske’s March of Time, followed by Mozart! The flagship song, One Voice for the Kingdom is borrowing the eighties Europe galloping double pedal. It takes to fifth song to make it feel at home with combination of harpsichord shower and neo classical riff, exactly when they titled it Golden Resurrection. Enjoy the solo duel for their two shredders in the middle as the song develop. Even when Tommy try to outdone the intro with a bit of slow blues, it lead into a catchy metal ending, on the song Can’t Slow Down. The next track is for neo classical fans, Heavenly Metal is instrumental composition with that arpeggios and paganinians licks. It’s  melody actually very leading and ‘cantabile’ like, making the impressions that this is intended lyric song, but just didn’t make it. If you like to called it Yngwie Malmsteen-ing neo classical progression, there is Born for the Strangers that combined the most element from the genre. Check the Hammond organ vs guitar in the solo. The album epilogue is Moore Lord, a rather blues instrumental track with possible dedication to Gary Moore.

Again the basic receipt of power metal being wrapped wonderfully by Golden Resurrection. Enough to get it fresh again for being listen by diehard fans, and promoted as introduction for new comer in this genre. Neo classical elements lie on guitar and keyboard shred. The guitar tunes itself is crystal clean and perfect, listen to the killer tunes in God’s Mercy as the Marshall amp itself plug into your ears. Vocalist Christian Liljegren is of course on his high time enjoy each notes here. With elements of belief as the theme, it added kind of extra dimension.. It sure both duo Christian and Tommy were busy with own project or helping other. But if I followed their social network correctly, the album only recorded less than half year. A remarkable pace of production with superior quality. This is fully recommended power metal album probably one of the best in year 2012.

Metalharem classs: ********* nine stars out of ten

Golden Resurrection - One Voice for the Kingdom
buy it here

1. The Temple will remain
2. Spirit War
3. One Voice for the Kingdom
4. Night Light
5. Golden Resurrection
6. Can't Slow Down
7. Heavenly Metal
8. God's Mercy
9. Born for the Strangers
10. Moore Lord
11.  Special Message to Japan
12.  Eternal Freedom

Stefan Kack, Bass
Tommy ReinXeed,  Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals (backing)
Christian Liljegren,  Vocals
Alfred Fridhagen,  Drums
Svenne Jansson , Hammond Organ, Keyboards


3.11.12

Demon Hunter - True Defiance 2012

Hail from Seattle is band Demon Hunter. Doing a metalcore act, and inspired their music mostly on Christian believe, the band released their latest album in around April 2012. If you are into metalcore I safe to speak that this album is a great addition to your collections. It is quite diverse in sounds. In this album called True Defiance Demon Hunter throwing tons of headbanging riff and groove to spend sixty minutes of your time sick. The key word is strong melodic driven metalcore in each song. Singing style is powerful but not that too over harsh.

The album begin with Crucifix. The old-tape intro then followed by metalcore riff, the singing is something old school thrash metal sounds. The second song is their best in term of melodic writting. God Forsaken is so much tricks inside. Tight groove, multiple melodic chorus, and a cooling breakdown before the guitar solos. Then My Destiny is going even heavier, the intro riff with a slightly minor thing make this feel epic. Singing style is again heavier than before, remind me of Kreator. The lyric about founding a life goal and life destiny. The next song Wake come in more drumming madness by their drummer, Yogi Watts. Tomorrow Never Comes is a mellow ballad adding dynamic to the album. It comes with melancholy melody intro ala '80s ballad metal. Something with Means To An End which is a cooling down acoustic instrumental after two thrashy groovy songs in Someone To Hate and This I Know. Dead Flowers is last recommend, a mid tempo song full develop into emotional ending track.

There are enough groove to make the live audience shake in constant motion by each songs. Surely Demon Hunter combined many best part of thrash, hardcore and metalcore. Guitar tones are round and clear, leading solos are melodious and rhythm are chugging. Singer Ryan Clark is very versatile in giving the song the dynamic their required, can go into heavier and harsh type then switch to clean voice. Enjoyable album for this genre, especially if you are also into Christian metal act.

Demon Hunter - True Defiance 2012

1. Crucifix
2. God Forsaken
3. My Destiny
4. Wake
5. Tomorrow Never Comes
6. Someone To Hate
7. This I Know
8. Means To An End
9. We Don’t Care
10. Resistance
11. Dead Flowers
12. What Is Left
13. I Am A Stone

Ryan Clark - Vocals 
Patrick Judge - Lead Guitar 
Jeremiah Scott - Rhythm Guitar 
Jonathan Dunn - Bass 
Yogi Watts - Drums 

16.10.12

German Pascual A New Beginning 2012

German Pascual is the last who sings in the legendary Narnia band. As the band went into hibernation, the member scattered all around and so does German Pascual. In A New Beginning, German Pascual formed his own band comprises of guitarist Martin Hall, Pain of Salvation bassist Per Schleander and Almah bassist Raphael Dafras. Invited also Jani Stefanovic guitarist in DivineFire, the other band where German actually in pas de deux with Christian Lijegrean as singer. While ex Narnian vocalist Christian Lijegren pursuit into more neo-classical metal in Golden Resurrection, German choose to step into the heavier progressive metal approach.

Intro in Seek the Truth is a promising start. As do the song in a progressive metal intense riff and groove. However, all songs are limited to the straightforward song structure and not gone into too mind blowing twist ala Symphony X. The Wrath of God is showcase the aggressive style by the singer. Not much slowing his pace is the third incoming blazzing riff, If the Sky Would Fall. Very close reference to Narnia itself and Symphony X in this song. Mysty Dreams is again a familiar down tune guitar riff, this time some of higher pitch verse and chorus is the main challenge. Still the album give a consistent tasty guitar riff intro in each songs after this point. Listen to Fate of the Blind where Carl Johann Grimmark featuring in solo.

This is indeed solid solo works from the singer who also previously sing in Mind's Eye, and trivially in Soulspell metal opera. Guitarist in charge Martin Hall didn't let us down , and made this recording a mind blowing shredfest. Two fantastic bassist in charge, but the drum is listed as programmed. A thick line between progressive metal and a slightly metalcore groove. As in Narnia and Divinefire, Christianity is the main theme in all lyrics. A successful new beginning.

Metalharem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

German Pascual A New Beginning 2012

01. Seek the Truth
02. The Wrath of God
03. If the Sky would Fall
04. Misty Dreams
05. Open Your Eyes
06. I Call for The One
07. Unbroken Wings
08. Come Ease the Pain
09. Fate of the Blind
10. Cancion Con Todos

Martin Hall,
Per Schleander, bass (ex Royal Hunt, Pain of Salvation)
Raphael Dafras, bass (Almah)
guest: CJ Grimmark, Jani Stefanovic




24.9.12

Neal Morse - Momentum 2012

Usually Neal Morse alone is enough to kill the time with some awesome prog music. This month, Neal Morse team up (again) with Mike Portnoy and recorded newest progressive material called Momentum. While Mike Portnoy already coming out with two big projects this year, Adrenaline Mob and Flying Colour (and a jam tour with Derek Sherinian, Billy Shehan and Tony MacAlpine) , this album with Neal Morse is perhaps the closest album in the same spirit of Liquid Tension Experiments. Serving bassist is Randy George. Also please welcome Paul Gilbert and fresh blood Adson Sodre in guitars department. This album is something Neal Morse heaviest I ever heard, the spirit is all there, different with the previous album "Testimony 2" that a rather technical works.

The ball is set high as soon as Momentum in play. Neal's keyboard licks started accompanied with Portnoy's  signature tom-tom fill. Vocal is still there with Neal Morse signature harmony chorus. The songs is uplifting, something Ayreon met Dream Theater. Of course high level musicianship is the main menu here. Thoughts Part 5 is very complexes composition. A use of orchestration effect, multi odd tempo and awesome singing layering is why Neal Morse the top dog of progressive head nowday. Smoke and Mirrors suddenly ease down, the main point here is the nice song writing in ballad form. Time to enjoy how minimalist Neal Morse's vocal and basic acoustic guitar still can do. Weathering Sky is built upon thematic licks with element of funk inside. Freak is again different feel, lighter and happier mood, Neal Morse cleverly put five different style of song to "prelude" the "epic" last composition, World Without End. Listen to the slow introduction built up, this is superb epic progressive metal act. The main first "movement" is instrumental focus on Neal Morse shredding keyboard and guitar solos. The lengthy 33 minutes composition is the same height as Dream Theater Six Degree ... era song, that Mike Portnoy maybe missed this lately years.

This is yet masterpiece recording by Neal Morse. He seems conquered yet another Everest of music since this is something his most "metal" recording. Mike Portnoy is keep burning other drummer's kitchen by close the deal to be Neal Morse drummer. Bassist Randy George cold handed down all Neal's keyboard notes, not to meantioned Portnoy changing groove. Paul Gilbert enjoy his high time in throw in high level progressive jam. Adson Sodre is the rising star of the band here, we going to heard from him again soon. What differences Momentum with other progressive metal material is Neal Morse self voice, is still faithful in hard rock style. Lyrically, Neal Morse is always in Christian faith contents as so do this album. Get the latest progressive rock and metal master recording in Momentum now.

Metalharem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Neal Morse - Momentum 2012
buy it here at Amazon

1. Momentum (6:25)
2. Thoughts Part 5 (7:51)
3. Smoke and Mirrors (4:38)
4. Weathering Sky (4:15)
5. Freak (4:29)
6. World Without End (33:39)

Neal Morse - vocals, guitars, keyboards
Randy George - bass
Mike Portnoy - drums
Adson Sodre - guitar
Paul Gilbert - guitar

25.8.12

For All Eternity - Beyond the Gates 2012

For All Eternity is Australian premiere metal act, precisely a Christian Metal band in metalcore community. In this first studio album debut, the band seems immediately jump into the fire of Australian metal scenes and perhaps a bit further to the rest of the world in a short coming. Their social network official site is hits by 40k likes which mean this band is hot. The album titled Beyond the Gates is packed with twelve metalcore offerings. Mostly in the standard formula of groove metal rhythm + growling vocal + leading melodic line + clean vocal chorus.

Born is the introduction here leading to song Vacant Room. A short groove and panning guitar riff intro bring in the song. The chorus is done nicely in answering the growling verse with the “My mind, an empty room with no windows to see through…..”. Broken Hands is start with awesome acoustic guitar, give the song a memorable introduction. Layered leading guitar runs side by side within the verses and choruses. The song’s structure are well developed especially in the clean vocal break in “..What could I do, what could I say, that could make this pain go away…”. The Wide Path is the song best demonstrated the usage of guitar line as backed up melody to the growling vocal. Solid Ground comes with close resembling of (early) Avenged Sevenfold things, with lead vocalist and drummer sing a duet right from the beginning and with such thunderous outcome, understandable their top song in chart so far. The song flow slightly altered with coming up tracks, Renewer, which is start with wet chorus guitar licks and creative drumming. Then the real round up was done by instrumental track Bright Eyes. Once again the guitar didn’t go beyond shredding area but simply just done the leading melody line in ambient metal feel. In the second round of disc, Beyond the Gates is total worship ballad piano song, done in clear vocal. And the finale Victory end the album in great feel, concluded well thematical and musical with its closing chorus and piano epilogue.

For All Eternity sure success in bringing triumphant smile to the genre, more to come the metalcore is now a step closer to the believer crowd. For those who didn’t mind, actually in this genre , the themed sung is rarely an obstacle to enjoy the music, so why matter. Singer Shane Carroll performed the song in powerful voice , break in all necessary shattering screams layered by drummer Michael Buckley wet reverb soaring clean voice. Guitars doing fantastic groove riff in places with guitar melody back the vocal line. No pure guitar solos in this album, which defined their metalcore style. Finale words, of course this is another worthy album to pick for metalcore fans, especially for fans of connected faith.

Metalharem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

For All Eternity Beyond the Gates 2012
Buy it here

1.Born
2.Vacant Room
3.Broken Hands
4.The Wide Path
5.Solid Ground
6.Renewer
7.Bright Eyes (Instrumental)
8.Awake To The Sound
9.Strength
10.All That Awaits
11.Beyond The Gates
12.Victory

Shane Carroll - Vocals
Michael Buckley - Drums/Vocals
Jeremy Mosiejczuk - Guitar
Nicholas Page - Guitar

Album cover artworks

17.8.12

Golden Resurrection - Man With A Mission 2011

In the light of my introduction to ReinXeed come in the project band Golden Resurrection. In this band, Tommy ReinXeed collaboration with Christian Liljegren, a singer behind Narnia and Divinefire. And if you deep enough on this scene you are right, this is Christian based team. The album Man With A Mission was released in year 2011 and simply words the spiritual idea behind the gospel. The style sung by the band still roots in power metal, and as Tommy grab the guitar as his main duty, the neo classical shred is in bigger rule here.

As in many ReinXeed involved projects, The Light Overture is tranquillity to the album. Man With A Mission begin then with raining keyboard notes backing a guitar riff, the song serves hundred percent on the message of the gospel. Christian Liljegren heavy voice is the standard in this business. Orchestration are heavily done. Identity in Chris, Finally Free and Flaming Youth are example of neo classical influences, with Tommy doing licks in harmony with harpsichord sound done by keyboardist Kenneth Lillqvist. This is pen ultimate in the instrumental track Metal Opus 1 in C#m. There also different mood, a rather heavy metal feel used in Golden Times, Standing On the Rock and live Are You Ready for The Power.

Golden Resurrection power metal in pretty similar course to ReinXeed’s symphonic approach rather than to Divinefire or Narnia. Christian’s voice conquered all notes with his standard and main feature on this album. Lyrics are heavily in gospel theme that required precaution for listener of different faith, but fans of Christian metal should celebrated this wholehearted. As their social site indicated, the band are staring recording new material as per July 2012. We shall expected fresh blood from the duo late 2012.

Metalharem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Golden Resurrection – Man With A Mission 2012
Buy it here

The Light Overture
2. Man With A Mission
3. Identity In Christ
4. Golden Times
5. Finally Free
6. Generation Of The Brave
7. Standing On The Rock
8. Metal Opus 1 in C# Minor
9. Flaming Youth
10. Are You Ready For The Power
11. Point Of Know Return (Kansas tribute) [digital release bonus track]
12. The End Of The World (Gary Moore tribute) [digital release bonus track]

Christian Liljegren - Lead & backing vocals
Tommy ReinXeed - Guitars,vocals, keyboards & orchestration
Steven K - Bass & Backing vocals
Rickard Gustafsson - Drums & backing vocals
Kenneth Lillqvist - Keyboards & backing vocals


3.8.12

Affector Harmagedon 2012

Armageddon is the final battle between good and evil in the apocalyptic setting as in the Book of Revelation. Take this tale word by word from the Bible, we got the most appropriated background to set another progressive metal concept album. If this overdone and you already heard the theme before then I’m sorry, you will need to relisten to this again in Affector’s debut Harmagedon. This is a new set up supergroup by Germany guitarist Daniel Fries and Dutch drummer Collin Leijenaar (Neal Morse/Dilemma). The other members are Mike LePond bassist of Symphony X and singer Ted Leonard (Spock Beard, Neal Morse). Not only this, but they show enough seriousness by hiring world foremost prog keyboardist Neal Morse, Derek Sherinian and Jordan Rudess, with one new talent we all need to keep now, Alex Argento.

We are welcomed to the setting with an overture played acoustically by real orchestra of Poland Sinfonietta Consunos. Theatrically give us enough hope that this album is real deal. As soon as the orchestra stop, we switch to the band intro. The five minutes overture instrumental set the progressive standard to Dream Theater and Symphony X level. It is clear that the band has enough chemistry together, guitarist Daniel Fries give in as many new shred with layered solos, and so on with the keyboard solos. First lyric songs Salvation entered with its eight minutes composition based on Isaiah 53. After only a brief prolog, we presented fantastic verse interlude here. An four bars of 1/16 unison of drum, bass and solos reminds us to Dream Theater, but I’m sorry this is yet another de javu and the drummer in charge is not Mike Portnoy, instead this is Collin Leijeneer. Put in consistently with the theme we enter the Rapture phase. Composition now escalated to fourteen minutes long with the whole band gone into very technical territory. Cry Song is tune to more requiem mood ballad. Falling Away and the Rise Of the Beast is a solid title that burden the composition to go on beasty. Then the titled song Harmagedon is an oriental scale feel epic song with strong hymn like chorus.  The last original composition is New Jerusalem, bring the mood to the ending.

With multiple talent on the band this is clear real deal on this year. We need to thanks them bringing Derek Sherinian  and Jordan Rudess in same studio album. Musically the instrumentation are very technical revolving around Dream Theater and Symphony X, while the song itself is more Symphony X and interestingly, Ayreon. This is due to the harmony chorus implemented in some of the songs. Singer Ted Leonard delivered all the Christian Bible verse with great character. Jordan Rudess maybe kicking himself for drummer Collin Leijeneer is maybe the missing contestant in Dream Theater search of drummer last year. Probably best project in progressive metal this year, this is must an have album.

Metalharem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Affector Harmagedon 2012
buy it here @ Amazon

1. Overture pt.1: Introduction
2. Overture pt.2: Prologue (keys: Alex Argento)
3. Salvation
4. The Rapture (keys: Jordan Rudess)
5. Cry Song (keys: Neal Morse)
6. Falling Away & The Rise Of The Beast (keys: Derek Sherinian and Neal Morse)
7. Harmagedon
8. New Jerusalem
09. Harmagedon (Acoustic) (06:05)
10. New Jerusalem (Acoustic) (05:13)

Also released on Vinyl including 3 bonus tracks:
09. Harmagedon (Acoustic)
10. New Jerusalem (Acoustic)
11. HarmaSuite - Orchestral Outtakes

Line-up:
Mike LePond Bass
Collin Leijenaar Drums
Daniel Fries Guitars
Ted Leonard Vocals
Guest musicians:
Jordan Rudess – keyboards
Derek Sherinian – keyboards
Neal Morse – keyboards
Alex Argento – keyboards



29.7.12

Tourniquet Antiseptic Bloodbath 2012

Tourniquet, an unique thrash metal band from LA who dedicated themselves as Christian metal buddies. Formed since 1990, Tourniquet is already has enough crowds and fans. My last impression was also nice with their 2003 album Where Moth and Dust Destroy, mostly due to their interesting guest guitarist range from Marty Friedman to Bruce Franklin (Trouble). In this year, Tourniquet recorded new materials after almost 10 years of absence. The album titled Antiseptic Bloodbath is released July 2012, good news is the album also featured guest guitarist to fill in the solo for the band. Including in the line up are Marty Friedman, Bruce Franklin, Pat Travers, Karl Sander (Nile), Santiago Dobles (Aghora) and guitarist in residence Aaron Guerra.

The intro to the first song is a raising eyes choice, the worry actually extended as Tourniquet begin with Offspring-like punk loop completed with yel yel by cheerleader. Luckily a couple of second after the thrash metal riff we all waiting for are in. So this song, Chart of the Elements, is bit of experimental in combining interesting punk loop in thrash metal song.  The titled song Antiseptic Bloodbath is quickly gone to the brutal to match with its lyric, but Tourniquet somehow manage to incorporated classic gospel tune in the end. Pat Traver is the guitarist in charge for the solos of this song, awesome. The Maiden Who Slept In The Glass Coffin is another intrigue composition, it’s come with long guitar instrumental intro (Marty Friedman) before developed into full song. Again Tourniquet continue its twist of guitar and tempo chances in this seven minutes composition. Chamunda Temple Stampede finally the straightforward thrash thing, blast with enough shred by the guest guitarist. Lost Languages of the Andamans is another interesting point if you like the unexpected thing, the guitar provided by Santiago Dobles, who also help in track 89 Bullets.

So quiet an unusual album in thrash metal by Tourniquet. All songs are so dominated by guitar shreds, a good interesting point for all shred lover. Good span of materials here, between straightforward song as in Duplicitous Endeavour to unpredictable tunes with violin as in Fed by Raven, Eaten by Vultures or even a cheerleaders yel yel. The lead voice is certainly lends bits to raw sounds as in early Judas Priest thing. Fans of thrash metal and interesting fans in Christian Metal should listen to this album.

Metalharem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Tourniquet Antiseptic Bloodbath 2012
Buy it here at Amazon

01.Chart of the Elements (Lincchostbllis)
02. Antiseptic Bloodbath
03. The Maiden Who Slept in the Glass Coffin
04. Chamunda Temple Stampede
05. Flowering Cadaver
06. 86 Bullets
07. Duplicitous Endeavor
08. Lost Language of the Andamans
09. Carried Away On Uncertain Wings
10. Fed By Ravens, Eaten By Vultures

Line-up
Luke Easter - vocals
Ted Kirkpatrick - drums
Steve Andino – bass

Pat Travers • lead guitar: Antiseptic Bloodbath
Marty Friedman • lead guitar: The Maiden Who Slept in the Glass Coffin
Bruce Franklin • lead guitar: Chart of the Elements (Lincchostbllis)
Karl Sanders • lead guitar: Chamunda Temple Stampede
Santiago Dobles • lead guitar: 86 Bullets, Lost Language of the Andamans
Adrien Zitoun • cello: The Maiden, Lost Language, Fed by Ravens
Dennis Najoom • trumpet: Antiseptic Bloodbath, The Maiden, Lost Language
Dave Bullock • violin: The Maiden, Lost Language, Fed by Ravens
Neil Kernon • orchestral textures: Duplicitous Endeavor
Hannah Kilburn, Grace Kilburn & Simi • cheerleader vocals: Chart of the Elements (Lincchostbllis)
Pastor Bob Beeman • spoken word vocals: Fed by Ravens, Eaten by Vultures
Rick Muehlbach, Tyler Margritz • spoken word vocals: Duplicitous Endeavor

All bass guitar • Aaron Guerra, except Lost Language of the Andaman’s (00:36-01:50) • Ted Kirkpatrick
Produced, recorded, and mixed by Neil Kernon for Auslander

Gospel and thrash feel artwork


13.7.12

P.O.D. Murdered Love 2012

From the other side of metal, where mainstream popularity and dollars exist, here something to enjoy,  P.O.D. Murdered Love. It is the band's 8th album release. The album marked the come back of guitarist Marcos Curiel and also producer Howard Benson. This is also the band hard effort to return their root of rap-metal and nu-metal back in the 2000s as in album Satellite.

We quickly enter track Eyez, a straightforward opener. This is a signature P.O.D. rap and headbanging  metal song. Same thing to second song, Murdered Love which is thick in layered raps. Together with song West Coast Rock Steady, these three tracks are really the highlight of the album. P.O.D. collaboration with guest singers is great in these tracks. Beautiful is a break in the flow as a rather mellow tempo song. It is a modern rock song that display singer Sonny Sandoval in this area. Bad Boy has excellent ska-metal in it. Similar to Panic & Run except this one for a second almost sounds like the old school rock riff intro, that blend easily with ska rhythm in the verse.

As a Christian-base band, the lyrics are discussion about the faith. It's pretty extreme in some case, I Am where wording are explicit. Guitar works, nice to listen as in On Fire with the whammy bluesy feel. Production wise is top notch, Hollywood standard. If you like Red Hot Chili Peppers, skater rock, this is the perfect addition to your shelves. P.O.D. , aka Payable On Death, has complete the task to fill in for this year Nu Metal with awesome rap line in it.

Metalharem class: ******** seven stars out of ten

P.O.D. Murdered Love
buy it here

1. Eyez (featuring Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed)
2. Murdered Love (featuring Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm)
3. Higher
4. Lost in Forever (Scream)
5. West Coast Rock Steady (featuring Sen Dog of Cypress Hill)
6. Beautiful
7. Babylon the Murderer
8. On Fire
9. Bad Boy
10.Panic & Run
11.I Am

12. Find A Way (Japan Bonus)
12. Burn Down Rome (European Bonus)

Sonny Sandoval − lead vocals
Wuv Bernardo − drums, percussion, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Traa Daniels − bass guitar, backing vocals
Marcos Curiel − lead guitar, glockenspiel, programming, backing vocals






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