GARY NUMAN, POP EVIL, AND HERMAN FRANK RETURN WITH NEW ALBUMS
I was always a casual fan of Gary Numan’s work until I saw the 2016 documentary Android In La La Land. Then things really took off for me. As much as I like his early work, the albums Splinter, and Savage have really hit the spot for me. Intruder is an extension of what he’s done with those albums, in more way than one.
For those that think that Gary Numan is just “Cars” or “Down In The Park”, his music has really evolved over time. Numan has come closer with his musical output to Nine Inch Nails, industrial hard rock than those that ventured off into Pop or New Wave in the 80s.
Intruder continues the story arc that Gary Numan started with Savage. Musically it continues that dark and desolate feel that’s been intertwined with his haunting yet melodic voice.
If you’ve lost track of Gary Numan, or only know him for his hits, it may be of interest to check out Intruder and get up to speed with what he’s been doing for close to two decades now with his music.
Here is Gary Numan with "Saints And Liars":
Check out Intruder by Gary Numan
Not sure whether this album is for you or not? Check it out on Spotify, or Apple Music.
I had the chance to interview Herman Frank years ago. When people bring up the band U.D.O., they usually bring up Accept, because of the obvious connection. But the artist and or band that should be brought up in the same conversation is Herman Frank.
The former Accept, Victory, and Sinner guitarist has consistently put out strong albums. I would argue that his musical output is as strong and at times better than the other two bands. Herman has been able to release albums that don’t just focus on one sound, or one style of song. Sure, you get those Accept sounding songs, but there is much more to what he does that makes his music stand out to me.
As much as I like all of the Mark Tornillo fronted Accept albums, and Herman has appeared on three of them, the man behind everything is Wolf Hoffman. The band has not changed its formula since Blood Of The Nations. So the five albums with Tornillo kind of run into one another for the most part. Truth be told, you could take the best songs off of each, and make one hell of a compilation. None of these albums suck, but they make you fell like it’s just another album by the band, and although good, not something that’s special.
U.D.O. the band has been more adventurous, mixing in elements over the years Hoffman and his band have not. You’ll find all types of modern elements along the way that sometimes help the music but sometimes hinder it as well. Nothing that completely sucks, but it also leaves you kind of wanting some additional ingredients added to the music.
Herman Frank has married the classic Accept sound, with a modern sonic attack. Giving you a mix of the old school warmth, with some new school production values to make the album sound really great. Giving you enough to remember some of those classic Accept albums he played on, without it sounding dated.
The songs all stay both musically and lyrically within something that a fan of the Accept family tree would enjoy. He’s not reinventing anything here, but he’s also mixing things up enough that the album doesn’t feel like a retread of other things you’ve also heard on the album.
I’ve turned more than one person onto Herman Frank’s music. The response is almost always the same “why haven’t I heard of him sooner?”. He doesn’t carry the brand names Accept or U.D.O., but to be honest, he could be the missing ingredient that both of those bands are missing. That is if he was able to present his music without someone retconning it and making theirs.
If you’re a long-time Accept fan, it may be what you’re missing as well. As well as a great gateway to his other solo albums.
Here is Herman Frank with "Teutonic Order":
Check out Two For A Lie by Herman Frank
Check out the album before picking it up on Spotify or Apple Music. You can also pick it up directly from Frontiers, or from my Amazon Affiliates links below.
HERE ARE SOME OTHER NEW RELEASES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU
Pop Evil – Versatile
Twenty One Pilots – Scaled And Icy
Mike Tramp – Everything Is Alright
Monster Magnet – A Better Dystopia
Vulture – Dealin’ Death
Vexed – Culling Culture
Wytch – Exordium
Yautja – The Lurch
Destroyed In Seconds – Divide And Devour
Revisionist – The Emptiness Of Gravity
Tooth And Claw – Dream Of Ascension
End You – Aimless Dread
Robots Of The Ancient World – Mystic Goddess
Gridfailure Featuring Mac Gollehon – Dismemberment Cabaret
EPs
The Devil Wears Prada – ZII
The Jailbirds – Jungle
King Witch – Worship The Riffs
Digital Negative – Digital Negative
Northlane – 2D
REISSUES
Divine Heresy – Bleed The Fifth Vinyl
Divine Heresy – Bringer Of Plagues Vinyl
August Burns Red – Leveler 10th Anniversary Edition
Eskimo Callboy – MMXX Hypa Hypa Edition
Skeletal Remains – Beyond The Flesh
Skeletal Remains – Condemned To Misery
Skeletal Remains – Desolate Isolation
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Teenage Gizzard Vinyl
Thundermother – Heat Wave Deluxe Edition
LIVE ALBUMS
Lindemann – Live In Moscow
Amorphis – Live At Helsinki Ice Hall
COMPILATIONS
Various Artists – Metal Massacre XV
Amorphis – The Vinyl Collection 2006-2020 Box Set
Trick Or Treat – The Unlocked Songs
Support the site and the bands you love by picking up any of the albums listed above.
Here are the various Amazon stores I am affiliated with: US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, and Spain. When you make a purchase via one of my Amazon Affiliate links, know that I may be eligible to receive a small kickback for any purchase I send their way. You don’t pay anything else, while I make a small profit. Win/win for everyone!