Well done, @Discover, with the Jason Statham commercial.
“There will be other cupcakes.” 🤣
So is CBS hosting the MTV Video Music Awards because MTV stopped showing music videos like two decades ago?
My favorite Slovakian power metal band, Signum Regis has released another single from their upcoming album, Beyond Spacetime, “Back To Zero.”
It’s actually an old song, written by original Signum Regis drummer Luděk Struhař, but with updated lyrics from bassist Ronnie König’s brother Tommy. Featured vocalist is Tasos Lazaris. I think it’s really kick-butt:
Client’s last name is Guess, and you just know this poor guy has had at least one encounter in his life that went something like this:
“Last name?”
“Guess.”
“Look buddy, I don’t have time for this, just tell me your last name.”
I’m especially pleased with today’s used bookstore find.
Fond memories of watching the movie at my grandparents’ house with my grandfather. Also the first movie I remember seeing Harrison Ford in that wasn’t something Star Wars or Indiana Jones. 📚
It’s been four years since the debut of hard rock supergroup Iconic, featuring Joel Hoekstra and Michael Sweet on guitar, legendary Tommy Aldridge on drums, Marco Mendoza on bass, and frontman Nathan James. Their album Second Skin was an insta-buy for me after only hearing the debut single, “Nowhere To Run.”
So it was great news to hear the band had reunited for a sophomore release, which came out this past Friday, titled, appropriately enough II. This isn’t a full Retrophisch Review, just first impressions from a single listen-through, plus a few re-listens from the released singles.
The TL;DR version is: if you liked the first album, you’ll like this album.
It’s really just more of the same, only more more. And this is in no way a bad thing. These are all incredibly talented musicians, and to have them all together in one band, even if it’s only for album releases and maybe a one-off live show, is a real blessing. The elder statesmen in the group have lost none of their fastball, as Hoekstra and Sweet trade off blistering riffs and solos, while Aldridge and Mendoza ably hold down the rhythm section with all their trademarks. And how can you not think Nathan James was born to front hard rock bands with a voice like that?
I am a little disappointed that Sweet’s vocals weren’t featured more on this second album, as they were on the first. However, I can totally understand if either the material didn’t lend itself to that end, or he himself chose not to. Michael has been very forthcoming in interviews and online that he considers himself a guitarist first, and a vocalist second. Having just seen him live with Stryper a couple of weeks ago, he certainly looks like he’s having the time of his life when he’s shredding. And he’s certainly having fun on this album.
There have been five singles released up to release day, and you can find videos of them on YouTube. Of the five, “Heart of Stone” is my favorite, both for the song, and the comics motif used:
And to show how people’s musical interests vary, even within a single album, there has not yet been a video released for any of my three favorite songs from the new album:
- Far Away
- Open My Eyes
- Nothing Left for Me
If you miss the hard rock music of the ‘80s, and want something from utter craftsmen of the genre, then this is an album for you.
My favorite Slovakian power metal band has a new single out, and music video to accompany it. Ronnie König, the band’s founder and bassist:
“As most of our fans know, we started working on the Beyond Spacetime album with an incomplete line-up. We didn’t have a permanent singer, so we decided to approach it the same way we did with the Exodus album back in 2013, by inviting guest singers. However, then life happened and arranged everything for us in a very special way: during the recording process, we reconnected with two of our former singers, Mayo Petranin and Jota Fortinho, and together we decided it would be amazing to welcome both of them back into the band. To celebrate and highlight this reunion, we did a brand-new song featuring both of them singing together. The title of the song is ‘Echoes of Glory.’ This reunion isn’t just for this one track — it’s for the years to come! The line-up you see in the video is the one that will also play live.”
Mayo was the band’s lead singer when I first learned of Signum Regis, and it’s great to see him back in the fold. Here’s “Echoes of Glory”:
Stryper is releasing a new album this fall, Throne of Thorns, and have a released a music video of the title track:
It’s just amazing how these guys haven’t lost their fastball. You can hate them all you want, but you cannot deny they’re still bringing it from a talent perspective.
From the Declaration of Independence:
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
(Emphasis added)
My fellow Americans, may we take this time to be grateful to live in the greatest nation on Earth, that we continue to be that shining city on the hill for all freedom-loving people, and may God bless America.
Today’s order is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. #IYKYK
And tacos!
