New Releases: May 21, 2021 – Gary Numan

Gary Numan Intruder

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.

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