June 9, 2023 was a huge day for hair metal fans around the globe as it was the release of EXTREME’s newest record entitled ‘SIX’ which is, believe it or not, their sixth studio album. Even with having released two singles back in April of this year, “Banshee” and “#REBEL”, the record still nicked the top of the charts in several countries. Alongside earMUSIC records, the multi-platinum rockers have hit #2 on the rock charts in both the UK and the USA. Fans have been raving about the sound and mix of the record being just as, perhaps better than, the band’s infamous 1990 release ‘Extreme II: Pornograffitti’ making it worth the nearly 20 year wait for a new release! Each and every member of EXTREME are ready to grab us by the hand and show us the “Other Side Of the Rainbow”.
EXTREME is:
Gary Cherone – vocals Nuno Bettencourt – guitar Pat Badger – bass Kevin Figueiredo – drums
As previously mentioned, there are elements of ‘Pornograffiti’ and even ‘III Sides to Every Story’ filling the covers of every cut that the band serves up. The agelessness of Cherone’s voice echoes throughout every track overtop of every thunderous bassline given to us by Badger intertwined with Figueiredo’s solid foundation. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all unicorns and butterflies, some songs seem slightly basic for the band as it doesn’t hold the same funk as earlier records. Although, the kick of “Beautiful Girls” could win over the hearts of many that previously haven’t heard of EXTREME. The positives definitely outweigh the negatives on this record as we see nods to Van Halen, absolutely angelic harmonies, and totally stellar songwriting. The groove of “Banshee” makes something in me switch on as Bettencourt plays like a beast waiting to be unleashed. It’s about time that there be a rock record that’s actually worth the wait of the long time listeners. The least we can say as fans: Welcome back, Extreme!
TRACK LIST:
RISE
#REBEL
BANSHEE
OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW
SMALL TOWN BEAUTIFUL
THE MASK
THICKER THAN BLOOD
SAVE ME
HURRICANE
X OUT
BEAUTIFUL GIRLS
HERE’S TO THE LOSERS
ALBUM REVIEW: POWER TRIP
Live in Seattle 05.28.2018
Review Score: 10
Reviewed by: Billy Klare
Power Trip released a new live album “Live in Seattle – 05.28.2018” on June 23, 2023 through Southern Lord Records. As the name suggests, it’s a 2018 live performance recorded in Seattle at a time when Power Trip was in absolute peak form and arguably the best modern thrash band on the scene. Earlier versions of this show are out there in different forms but this is the perfect opportunity to get your copy on CD, vinyl and streaming platforms if you previously missed out as I did. According to the band website, the new 2023 streaming version was remastered.
I’m sure most are familiar with Power Trip but I wanted to start with a brief history of the band for any newbies. Power Trip are from the U.S. state of Texas and specialize in old school crossover thrash metal (with their own unique twist). The band delivered two incredibly successful albums, Manifest Decimation (2013) & Nightmare Logic (2017) and built a strong reputation for their lethal live performances. Sadly, it all ended August 24, 2020 with the untimely death of their charismatic lead singer Riley Gale. It’s still unclear if the remaining band members will continue on with the Power Trip name but it will never be the same without Riley.
I vividly remember the first time I discovered Power Trip and Riley Gale. It was November 30, 2017 at the Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia opening for Cannibal Corpse and I had no idea who they were. They commanded my attention immediately and I instantly loved their 80’s inspired blend of thrash, punk and hardcore (i.e. crossover thrash). However, there was something extra special about Riley that caught my eye. He was the perfect energetic frontman leaping off speaker cabinets & the drum riser and performing high jump-kicks in the air from his standing position at the mike. I immediately ordered both albums that evening after the show.
Now on to the album. It’s relatively brief at approximately 40 minutes in length but largely includes the best of the Power Trip discography (roughly 50% of the setlist from each album). The recording perfectly captures the raw intensity and fury of the legendary Power Trip concerts as I remembered them. The insanely catchy hook laden guitar riffs work so well live, I can only imagine the massive Seattle mosh pit that night. Riley’s in excellent form as well, his aggressive raspy vocal delivery commanding the stage and audience. Ferocious guitar solos and punching drums further fuel the intensity level. Tracks like “Executioner’s Tax”, “Crucifixation” and “Soul Sacrifice” made me want to start my own personal mosh pit right in the middle of my living room. The band is so tight, their live chops perfected over years of touring.
I love the inclusion of Riley’s vocal interaction with the audience, a true blessing given his early passing. Riley uniquely sets the stage for an imminent guitar solo at one point by yelling “1,2,3 – GO” before the shredding begins. Another time he shouts “Take that Seattle” with an evil tone after a particularly brutal component of the song. As Power Trip enter the final songs of the show, Riley thanks the audience for a great night, tells them to take care of each other and then insists everyone “fall in line” and bang their ****ing heads. His on stage banter is genuine, appreciative and perfectly timed. Ironically, prior to playing the track “Firing Squad”, Riley dedicates the song to all friends that passed away.
The sound quality is fantastic, probably the best live thrash metal recording in my collection. Everything is crystal clear and fully mimics the true live show experience. A full-on metal assault to the ears. The vinyl release is extra special including a beautiful 12 page black-and-white photography booklet filled with awesome band live action shots. The Riley pics are worth the price of admission alone. I should also mention the vinyl is incredibly well priced at about $20 US & $28 CAD.
As you could probably tell, I love this “Live in Seattle” masterpiece. It’s outstanding from a song selection perspective and it’s ability to perfectly capture the Power Trip live performance. A rare perfect 10/10 rating. I feel like I’m standing in that Seattle audience every time I play it (and I can’t stop playing it). It’s everything I love about a thrash metal concert – controlled aggression and neck snapping good fun. But more importantly, this recording stands as the perfect tribute to the life and music of Riley Gale. RIP Riley Gale.
I wanted to end this review by sharing a relevant memory from a recent Frozen Soul concert I attended (Death metal band also from Texas and friends of Power Trip). Frozen Soul lead singer Chad Green stopped performing mid-show that night and suddenly discussed the pain he’s experienced with the passing of his long-time friends Riley Gale (Power Trip) and Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder). He pleaded with the audience to watch over friends & family and be alert for any potential signs of mental health and / or addiction symptoms. He encouraged the audience to step in and help before it’s too late. It was a powerful moment that made the hairs on the back of neck stand on end. A message we can all apply to our own life and within the broader metal community.
Track Listing
Drown (Intro)
Divine Apprehension
Suffer No Fool
Soul Sacrifice
Executioner’s Tax
Crucifixation
Heretic’s Fork
Conditioned to Death
Firing Squad
Manifest Decimation
Crossbreaker
Line-Up
Riley Gale – Lead Vocals Blake Ibanez – Lead Guitar Nick Stewart – Rhythm Guitar Chris Whetzel – Bass Chris Ulsh – Drums
ALBUM REVIEW: DEITUS
Irreversible
Album Rating: 9
Reviewed by: Jim Harrison
Metal fans everywhere will have to mark their calendars for July 14, 2023 for the highly anticipated release of London, UK based band, Deitus who is set to release their new album Irreversible via Spinefarm/Candlelight Records. This is their third album following their 2018 release Via Deloroso and 2016 Acta Non Verba. This band is known for their rabid live performances pushing the boundaries of their dark artistry. Their sound can be described as a mix of doom, death and melodic metal but it really is a metal soundscape matching strong, dark vocals with superior musicianship. This album is more of an “experience”, leading, not following musical expectations and trends.
The album is just over thirty nine minutes with six songs and starts with the instrumental track “Incursion” that leads off eerily slow and than picks up preparing you for the onslaught that is about to begin. This heads into “Straight For Your Throat” which grabs a hold of it and doesn’t let go. Being the longest track on the album just over sixteen minutes, normally you would be thinking that’s long but when you hear this it feels like a typical song length of three to five minutes. The low vocals really bring a sense of the horror awaiting, showcasing the strong guitar work and pounding drum beat. There is a great melodic sound throughout it pushing a tribal feel. The next track “A Scar of Serenity” is one of my two favourite songs on this album. This is a heavy pounding song and is super fast. I love the repeated lyric “Let Me In”. This song is catchy and I find myself humming it afterwards. This will be a great track live with huge audience participation, it also has a thrash feel to it in parts. The title track “Irreversible ” is next which pushes great vocals and a massive drum beat that sends this song into flight. My other favourite track “Voyeur “ and this track is fantastic. This actually could be one of my favourite songs of 2023, I like it that much. Guest vocalist Toni Coe-Brooker has an amazing voice that just makes this so dramatic and dreamy. This song is about the terror of sleep paralysis and the video is a work of art. Coe-Brooker did all the underwater scenes herself which is impressive. This is the first time Deitus has done a collaboration and it’s a home run. The last track on the album “As Long as They Fear” has a blackened trash vibe to it and positively book ends this album on a high. This is a great song and the catchy guitar riffs make this another song that would be awesome live.
The albums artwork by Santiago Caruso is totally captivating, adding to the extreme expectations.
This whole album is superb, really showcasing a sound experience or even being genre defining. I love the rawness of this album and like the longer songs versus many songs, it makes it special. The track “Voyeur“ will bring more attention to this album propelling exposure to metal fans not only in Europe but all over the world. The video runs parallel to the song and is perfect giving that visualization to tell the story.
I recommend this album to fans looking for a deeper metal experience.
Track Listing
01. Incursion 02. Straight For Your Throat 03. A Scar For Serenity 04. Irreversible 05. Voyeur (feat. Toni Coe-Brooker) 06. As Long as They Fear
Danish extreme metal band The Arcane Order released their fourth album, Distortions from Cosmogony June 9, 2023 via Black Lion Records to fans worldwide.
I like this band’s ability to meld extreme, black, death, doom, topping off a melodic metal sound. If you are a fan of any one of these genres than you are in for a real treat. The songs showcase what I love about metal, great melody, extreme sound that is quite catchy, really delivering a metal experience that is all it’s own. It’s great that in 2023 we have bands like this who create such groundbreaking albums bringing something new to the listener.
The album starts with a quick intro ripping into the first track and single released “Cry Of Olympus” which is like a punch to the face, getting your attention. It sets the pace of what this album is all about and is one of my favourite tracks. Vocalist Kim Song Sternkoph sounds fantastic on this track. Next song “A Blinding Trust in Chosen Kings” starts with a massive drum beat, strong bass and duelling guitars and again those low growling vocals really suit this song. It slows about halfway through then the vocals run high creating a melodic interlude and finishing brutally strong. Both tracks “Starvations For Elysium” and “Flavours For Significant“ have a strong bass and drum beat that pound the listener into submission. We hit a musical interlude with “Empedocles Dream” and then smash into “The First Deceiver” where the vocals just launch this song into the stratosphere. “Ideals of Wretched Kingdoms” has my favourite lyric in it with “Of what is true or right or real, But forced to qualify or so I feel.,Or well, it does seem so: someone must know”. This is my other favourite on the album. The next track “Children of the Erebos” has more of a heavy melodic feel to it, the vocals going from low to high make this song actually catchy and has a great flow it it. The last track “Wings of Duality” finishes the album off in style. The lighter doom sound with the pounding of the bass and drums sound awesome turned up on my system. I really like the low vocals then punching them high on the pounding drum parts. This song has great flow and would be awesome live.
The albums artwork by Ars Moriendee is absolutely stunning keeping in line with the theme of the album looking inward and challenging one’s self.
At fifty eight minutes this album has something for all metal fans. It’s extreme, fast, technical and well written. The musicianship and vocals keep true to their identity and this is where they shine. I am hoping many new fans check this out as it will only enhance your play lists. I recommend picking this up.
Kim Song Sternkoph vocals Fleming C. Lund. Guitar Kasper Kierkegaard Guitar Anders Frodo S. Mikkelsen Bass Bastion Thusgaard Drums
