Stryper-No More Hell to Pay ©2013 Frontiers Records
After a spin of this disc, one thing was very apparent. This band knows how to make a great album that could rival anything in their earlier years. Other bands who feel the need to experiment with the music with not so good results ought to sit down with this band and take some notes. The majority of this album just rocks out. Musically the band is firing on all cylinders and vocally it's off the charts. I didn't really expect the quality the band delivered with this album, but am absolutely amazed at how well done it is. If you haven't checked Stryper out in a bit, you ought to grab this!
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Beasto Blanco-Live Fast Die Loud ©2013 Rat Pak Records
Anyone familiar with Alice Cooper and his band will know who Chuck Garric and Beasto Blanco are. Beasto Blanco have a very similar feel to White Zombie with a touch of Motorhead here and there in my opinion. Kind of a dirty rocking sound with a pretty cool vibe overall. The album overall has pretty a steady feel that tends to be quite catchy and definitely memorable from the first listen. In ways this album to me is fairly old school. It's not very long, but delivers very nicely with no need to skip any of the music. Definitely worth a listen especially for fans of the bands mentioned above!
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The Winery Dogs-The Winery Dogs ©2013 Loud and Proud Records
With a lineup featuring Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy, you might be surprised that this album has a much more classic rock sound to it than a progressive feel. There are some definite moments that have you listening in amazement when it comes to the talent of these three musicians and the chemistry, but these songs hold up as great songs first and foremost. Good amounts of melody and some old school jamming make this album memorable and consistent. The album has been out for just a bit now, but we didn't want to miss talking about. Great stuff!
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Fates Warning-Darkness in a Different Light ©2013 Inside Out Records
Always a guilty pleasure of mine. Been listening to Fates Warning for a very long time. Been a bit since I had listened to anything new, but as always, the music takes a listen or two to set in. This band always seems to have a complexity to their music so when you start to get it, it's pretty rewarding. This album, as with some of their others has moments of intensity and also moments with a certain amount of finesse. For me, the album is on par and pretty much what I expected upon listening to it. If you are a fan of the heavier side of progressive metal, this one is really good!
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Metal Church-Generation Nothing ©2013 Rat Pak Records
And here I thought this band was done, or at least that is what I thought they said. I've been a fan since the debut album and have watched the band evolve through lineup changes through the years. It's obvious that they have more to say, so here is 'Generation Nothing'. In ways this album reminds me more of the David Wayne era in terms of some of the writing. It's heavy and Munroe handles vocals in a similar fashion to the way Wayne used to belt it out. While not as strong as the first 2 records, it still stands on its own merits. Glad to see another release, and who knows...maybe more?
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