CD Reviews

STRYPER – The Final Battle

Published

2 years ago

September 19, 2022

Release date: October 21, 2022

Oh my goodness! The album opens with Michael Sweet’s voice in top form, belting out a hair-raising scream that could wake the dead and make any true metal fan stand at attention to salute the undisputed master of metal vocals. This opening bellow makes this album worth the purchase price ten times over. Not to be overshadowed by the first few seconds of this opening track titled “Transgressor” the remainder of the 4:25 opus is chalked full of crunchy metal riffs, gang style vocals, and multiple speaker destroying shrieks from Michael. The guitar solo, which sounds to be another stellar twin guitar attack by both Oz Fox and Michael Sweet tears through the middle of the piece leaving you yearning for more and more of their guitar virtuosity.

If we stopped right here, this one song would be enough to make this one of the top metal releases of the year. It has been a very long time since I heard a song that hits all the markers in the way this initial track from Stryper does. In an era of cookie-cutter bands, YouTube artist, and trend following musicians, Stryper has put out an album that has made me, and hopefully you, excited about music again.

The Final Battle picks up where its predecessors No More Hell To Pay (2013), Fallen (2015), God Damn Evil (2018), and Even The Devil Believes (2020) left off. The Final Battle has elevated the bands song writing and musicianship to a significantly higher level. In the past decade of career rebirth they have developed a pronounced heavier sound in comparison to their classic style. Yet somehow manage retain the vocal and guitar melody that we have come to love, and frankly expect from Stryper.

The second track is “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” which opens with a Black Sabbath style guitar riff that is coupled with the classic squeal that Styper has made distinctively their own. This is undoubtedly produced using the Washburn V2FR Michael Sweet Signature guitar. This guitar angst in layered with thunderous drums from Robert Sweet and a pounding bass line that makes your head start to bob before you even know it. The second guitar joins the rhythm and takes the song to a haunting level before the lead vocals piece the palette of sound. Once again the song is dominated by guitar prowess that is pronounced with a solo around the three minute mark, followed by a guitar piece that has a mid-eastern feel to it.

Next up it the crunchy “Same Old Story” that opens with a riff that would make the late Eddie Van Halen proud. As this song progresses it feels more and more like a classic Stryper track. I could hear this song on Soldiers Under Command or even Yellow and Black Attack. The loud and proud chorus is quite reminiscent of that time period for the band.

The fourth track “Heart & Soul” starts with a guitar sound that will make you think of Anvil, Loudness, Accept, or even Quiet Riot. This straight ahead rocker features an amazing solo, hook, and metal screams that would make Rob Halford blush.

“Near” is up next. This track slows the tempo down a bit, but still manages to rock hard as Michael exclaims “That’s why I need you to be near, that’s why I need you to be here.” And as you suspected a stellar solo drops in your lap mid-song. This quick solo reminds me of another late and great guitarist, Randy Rhoads.

Yes, Stryper is unequivocally a Christian band and their faith and love show through in every aspect of their art and career. I know that scares a lot of you, but this and many of their previous album are so genuinely good that you are seriously depriving yourself if you shy away simply due to their beliefs. I have met the band several times. I have interviewed Michael multiple times and had the opportunity to interview Oz several years back. I can say with a clear conscience that these men are the real deal. They have migrated through four decades of the music industry with every ounce of their integrity and musical talent intact. /rant

Next up is “Out, Up & In” and it has a more simplified sound with lyrics about the end times, the Tribulation, the Rapture and celebration. The song has a bit of a punk-rock feel to it, but is distinctly Styper at every turn.

Falling in order is “Rise To The Call” a fasted paced anthem that reminds me of Yngwie Malmsteen, Dokken or Grimm Reaper. Followed by a more groove oriented song “The Way, The Truth, The Life” that adds some more dimension to the album. It has a unique and sharp delivery of the lyrics in the verse and a of course a soaring solo.

Track nine, “No Rest For The Wicked” could be pulled from Warrant’s “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich” album right down to the Janie Lane style vocal delivery.

“Till Death Do Us Part” is the only track that I could say anything negative about. Honestly (no pun intended) it is a quality track, but placed along side such an amazing selection of other songs it fades by comparison.

Ashes To Ashes closes the album with a giant exclamation mark, letting the world know that Stryper is here to stay and that they much more than a 80’s glam metal band that tosses bibles into crowd.

Overall this is an amazing release. The vocals of both lead vocalist Michael Sweet and “helper” Oz Fox are spectacular from beginning to end. At this point in their career vocalist seem to shy away from such vocal acrobatics, but not Styrper! They have embraced it with full force and have raised the bar for not only bands in their genre, but musicians across the board. It also goes without saying that the guitar work on this album is stellar. They are running like a finely tuned, classic mussel car cruising the highway at 100mph.

The Final Battle – Track Listing

Transgressor
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Same Old Story
Heart & Soul
Near
Out, Up & In
Rise To The Call
The Way, The Truth, The Life
No Rest For Wicked
Till Death Do Us Part
Ashes To Ashes

Total Run Time: 46:23

About Author

Josh Drespling

Josh is the Publisher and creator of Empire Extreme and it’s sister publication Kingdom Extreme Magazine. He is an accomplished writer, photographer and graphic designer. He is always conjuring up new ideas and has a amazing passion for the music industry and all the things that surround it.

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Related Topics:featured Michael Sweet Oz Fox Stryper The Final Battl

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CD Reviews

Phasers Engage: A deep dive into the debut album of inter-dimensional travelers and the music they make.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 14, 2024

Ron

“Departure Initiated” is the debut album of Phasers Engage. It’s a fun instrumental jam from outer space .

I’ve never been a huge fan of instrumental bands. There are a few I enjoy, like John 5 and the Creatures and Apocalyptica, and even with those bands, I can only listen to a little at a time or see them live. I feel like Phasers Engage would be a great band to see live.

There are parts of the album that I super dug, the heavier, darker, and spookier parts and the lighthearted, fun, and whimsical parts as well. This album reminds me a lot of Mr. Bungle, minus the vocals. The album has seven songs and feels like it conveys an interesting story via sounds and codes. I feel like if they would have added some vocals, even silly, nonsensical lyrics, it would have heightened the album much more, in my opinion.

The band is very good, and the instruments are played with precision, and you could tell the band was having fun making the album. It’s for sure an album to check out. If you’re into instrumental inter-dimensional sound waves and jams, then this album is right up your alley.

Check the band out on Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/PhasersEngage?mibextid=eQY6cl

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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CD Reviews

SCAREFIELD DEBUT ALBUM “A QUIET COUNTRY”.

Published

3 weeks ago

April 11, 2024

Ron

Newcomers SCAREFIELD just released their debut album, “A Quiet Country.” Inspired by 80s horror movies, I thought that this sounded right up my alley, also combining the love of thrash and heavy metal.

Opening up the album with “Ancient Evil,” this track sets the tone for the album. Thrashy guitars, killer drums, and power metal vocals.

The album has 11 tracks. Each track is delightfully titled with a horroresque feel. Songs like “Altar of Fear,” “Child of the Corn,” “Primitive Shadows,” and “Shiver”.

I really dug the album as a whole; I loved the concept, the artwork, and the guitars shred on this album. The shreds remind me of old-school metal, and in a good way. My favorite tracks would be “Altar of Fear,” “God of Terror,” “Always,” and I also loved their version of “House of the Rising Sun.”.

My only criticism of the album is that at times the vocals are too clean for me as a thrash/horror themed album, which is understandable since the singer, MARKUS KRISTOFFERSSON is from Sweden, and you know the Swedes love their power metal, but they also love to have their vocals a lot cleaner. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy the vocals; I actually love his voice, and at times throughout the album, it gets heavy and gnarly, which was amazing.

Overall, I think it’s a very successful album and is worthy of being in anybody’s collection who is a fan of this type of metal. I look forward to seeing what SCAREFIELD does in the future. Hopefully we can get an American tour, with the resurgence of the youth getting into this style of metal, I feel that American mosh pits will be going crazy for those fast guitars and drums. I would love to see them play with The Burning Witches.

Buy the album here: https://hypeddit.com/scarefield/aquietcountry

Check them out here: https://www.scarefield.com

About Author

Ron

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CD Reviews

Alestorm – Voyage of the Dead Marauder

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2024

J. Scott Holland

Another solid (most likely plundered) offering from the pirate metal scalawags known in these parts as Alestorm. The five-song EP Voyage of the Dead Marauder washes up on these shore on March 22, 2024, via Napalm Records. This new effort is produced by Lasse Lammert of LSD-Studios, who has worked alongside genre mates Gloryhammer and Wind Rose.

With the new release, ALESTORM is “Scraping the (bottomless) Barrel” for the fifth time for what is their eighth album , following the international success of the previous Seventh Run of a Seventh Rum album that was released in June 2022.

If you’re an existing fan of their trademark pirate-style metal, then Voyage of the Dead Marauder is a batch of good new stuff. If you’re not a fan, well, maybe you should listen until you are. (This is how I learned to like country music, by the way.)

The first track is the title track and features German hurdy-gurdy musician Patty Gurty sharing vocal duties with vocalist and keytar player Christopher Bowes. The song is in the same vein as “Captain Morgan’s Revenge” from the previously mentioned Seventh Run of a Seventh Rum album. Patty sounds great, but I’m willing to bet she was the only sober one.

Apparently, you can be a pirate anywhere, including the desert and the Great White North. Alestorm proves this with the song “Uzbekistan” as they reminisce about the time they invaded the lands of shifting sands and ultimately turn the President of said land against them. Next up is the tale of a simple farmer who was forced to become a pirate due to governmental tyranny in “The Last Saskachewan Pirate.”

“Sea Shanty 2” is an instrumental offering and would fare well with a watering can full of tequila at one of Alestorm’s live shows (see the lengthy list below if you the need to fulfill this desire).

“Cock” is the last track, and I can hear all of you snickering jut from the title, but wait until you listen to it you immature bastards. The second time you hear it, you’ll be singing along to the tale of an enchanted dream about a Leprechaun who pulls out his schlong.

ALESTORM are:
Christopher Bowes – vocals, keytar
Gareth Murdock – bass
Mate Bodor – guitar
Peter Alcorn – drums
Elliot Vernon – keyboard

ALESTORM Live 2024:
UK & Ireland Tour 2024
w/ Korpiklaani & Heidevolk
21.02.24 UK – London / O2 Forum Kentish Town
22.02.24 UK – Norwich / LCR UEA
23.02.24 UK – Nottingham / Rock City
24.02.24 UK – Bournemouth / O2 Academy
25.02.24 UK – Bristol / O2 Academy
27.02.24 UK – Belfast / Limelight
28.02.24 UK – Dublin / Academy
29.02.24 UK – Cardiff / SU
01.03.24 UK – Birmingham / O2 Academy
02.03.24 UK – Oxford / O2 Academy
03.03.24 UK – Glasgow / O2 Academy
05.03.24 UK – Manchester / O2 Victoria Warehouse
06.03.24 UK – Liverpool / O2 Academy
07.03.24 UK – Leeds / O2 Academy
08.03.24 UK – Newcastle / NX
09.03.24 UK – London / O2 Forum Kentish Town

“Tour Of The Dead Marauder”
w/ Elvenking & Glyph
19.03.24 US – Cincinnati, OH / Bogart’s
20.03.24 US – Grand Rapids, MI / Elevation
22.03.24 CA – Toronto, ON / The Concert Hall
23.03.24 CA – Montreal, QC / MTELUS
24.03.24 US – New Haven, CT / Toad’s Place
26.03.24 US – Pittsburgh, PA / Stage AE
27.03.24 US – Detroit, MI / The Majestic
29.03.24 US – Milwaukee, WI / The Rave
30.03.24 US – Omaha, NE / The Admiral
02.04.24 CA – Winnipeg, MB / Park Theatre
03.04.24 CA – Saskatoon, SK / Coors Event Centre
05.04.24 CA – Edmonton, AB / Midway Music Hall
06.04.24 CA – Calgary, AB / The Palace Theatre
08.04.24 CA – Vancouver, BC / Commodore
09.04.23 US – Spokane, WA / Knitting Factory
10.04.24 US – Boise, ID / Knitting Factory
12.04.24 US – Sacramento, CA / Ace of Spades
13.04.24 US – Santa Ana, CA / The Observatory
15.04.24 US – Tucson, AZ / Rialto Theatre
16.04.24 US – Albuquerque, NM / Sunshine Theater
18.04.24 US – Oklahoma City, OK / Diamond
19.04.24 US – St. Louis, MO / Red Flag
20.04.24 US – Indianapolis, IN / Old National
21.04.24 US – Nashville, TN / Marathon

Festivals 2024
28.06.24 FI – Sulvilahti / Tuska
05.07.24 DE – Rock Harz / Ballenstedt
11.07.24 HU – Dunaújváros / Rockmaraton
12.07.24 CZ – Vizovice / Masters of Rock
13.07.24 AT – Area 53 / Leoben
14.07.24 NL – Pirate Metal Party / Helmond

About Author

J. Scott Holland

Scott is one of the newest additions to the Empire Extreme team of misfits. He is a printer by trade, who moves to the beat of his very own drum. He is also an avid cyclist and seeker of new music and bands,

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