New Release from Dream Theater

[MasterCylinder]

Been listening to this for a couple of days now. More rock & roll virtuosity, as we expected. This disc has a bit more edge at times; in addition, the production (IMO) feels very digital -- it could use some warmth.

I won't provide much detail because I don't want to spoil your first listen, but the version I bought is 3 discs :

1) Black Clouds & Silver Linings

2) A CD of 6 cover songs

3) Instrumental version of Black Clouds & Silver Linings

This release has a very personal composition from Portnoy called THE BEST OF TIMES.
It is a tribute to his Father, who died early this year; perhaps why I got this in the mail the day before Father's Day. This CD has 6 new songs, 4 of which run between 12 and 20 minutes

Disc # 2 is an interesting selection of covers; I was thrilled at the choice on 2 of these........really well-done.

Disc # 3 -- have not quite yet figured out why this is included......................time to kill in the studio ?

From what I've heard so far, this is a recommended purchase............but I confess I would say that about any CD from Dream Theater.

[N. Abstentia]

I've got everything else by DT, so I went ahead and ordered this one too. I've only heard the one song and to be honest it's just so-so. DT needs to change something up. Portnoy's drumming is very predicable and I think I'm getting tired of James's voice. If it wasn't for the covers disc, I may not have bought this one. I love the covers that they do, and I think that's because..like you eluded to...they don't sound digital.

[ForeverAutumn]

I've got everything else by DT, so I went ahead and ordered this one too. I've only heard the one song and to be honest it's just so-so.

I agree with your assessment of the one song that I heard too (I don't know if we've heard the same song). But to be fair, I listened on my crappy little macbook speakers. It'll probably sound a lot better on the good speaks.

I also ordered the 3-disk set and I'm looking forward to its arrival later this week.

[kexodusc]

This one's a bit darker, heavier, and definitely more metal leaning than some of their other stuff. Reminds me a bit more of Train of Thought. Some of the keyboard work is just incredible - finding that sweet spot of melody and wankery and making it work in the context of a song - I don't think anyone does it better than Jordan Rudess today. Wicked awesome stuff.

As an album I like it a lot better than Systematic Chaos and Octavarium, though there were 1 or 2 pretty great songs on each of those. I suspect a lot of their fans will be put off a bit by it though. Maybe some others will like the heavier side more. And for that I dunno where it ranks in the 10 or so albums they have, but I really don't care. It rocks hard. It's not breaking new ground, but it's not breaking new ground just for the sake of breaking new ground either, which all too often backfires. To me they've fallen into the same trap as some of my other favs like Porcupine Tree and Marillion. They're not really pushing the envelope in terms of taking the music where it hasn't been before, but when it's good, more of the same is fine by me.

I think you guys will like it.

[ForeverAutumn]

This one's a bit darker, heavier, and definitely more metal leaning than some of their other stuff. Reminds me a bit more of Train of Thought.

Hmmm. Not a good thing IMO. ToT is one of my least favourite DT albums.


As an album I like it a lot better than Systematic Chaos and Octavarium

Again, not boding well. Octavarium is one of my favourites.


I think you guys will like it.

I guess I'll just have to wait and form my own opinion. Is it Thursday yet? :biggrin5:

[kexodusc]

Hmmm. Not a good thing IMO. ToT is one of my least favourite DT albums.



Again, not boding well. Octavarium is one of my favourites.



I guess I'll just have to wait and form my own opinion. Is it Thursday yet? :biggrin5:
Hmmm, well considering I love ToT and you aren't thrilled with it, it might be fair to say this one might not be tailor-made for FA as much as it is for Kex. But you have to admit it's kinda cool that we can dig the same band for completely different reasons. That's something DT has going for them more than most artists I can think of.

I think there's stronger songwriting on this one than ToT...and I'd say it's more proggy than Pantera-y by comparison, but it's definitely prog-metal not prog-rock. Let me know what you think.

[Mr Peabody]

I also like ToT, I'm thinking about trying this one.

Any one else have Scar Symmetry? I picked up Holographic Universe. Only had one quick listen, they sort of sound like a cross between DT and Opeth. A lot of good lead guitar, mix of clean and growling vocals. Some of you might like it.

[BarryL]

Been listening to this for a couple of days now. More rock & roll virtuosity, as we expected. .


Hmmm.On first listen, virtuosity of course, but more of the same. They should study the cover songs and learn a thing or two about song writing. Unfortunately, this album on the heels of their last four makes it another DT cliche. I suppose writing great songs is too easy for them. Fortunately, the cover disk helps the overall value proposition.

There comes a point in vice-gripped balls singing that singers have to find a new lower-key sytle. Geddy Lee seems to have made the transition. It's time for LaBrie to make his move. His singing on the Queen songs is horrible. He seems to be struggling more than ever at the operatic range.

Maybe the band ought to become an instrumental band, hence the justification for disk 3. Gives a reason for those who don't like LaBrie to participate in the band's artistic merits.

[MasterCylinder]

Hmmm.On first listen, virtuosity of course, but more of the same. They should study the cover songs and learn a thing or two about song writing. Unfortunately, this album on the heels of their last four makes it another DT cliche. I suppose writing great songs is too easy for them. Fortunately, the cover disk helps the overall value proposition.

There comes a point in vice-gripped balls singing that singers have to find a new lower-key sytle. Geddy Lee seems to have made the transition. It's time for LaBrie to make his move. His singing on the Queen songs is horrible. He seems to be struggling more than ever at the operatic range.

Maybe the band ought to become an instrumental band, hence the justification for disk 3. Gives a reason for those who don't like LaBrie to participate in the band's artistic merits.

The cover of Steve Morse's ODYSSEY is excellent.
Disc 3 is interesting but I wonder what the motive might be............somebody else in the band that had a bad night with LaBrie decides to take all the vocal tracks out and see what the band sounds like ?

[BarryL]

The cover of Steve Morse's ODYSSEY is excellent.
Disc 3 is interesting but I wonder what the motive might be............somebody else in the band that had a bad night with LaBrie decides to take all the vocal tracks out and see what the band sounds like ?

Agree. They also did a great job on Stargazer. The last re-re-re-re-re-release of ELPs Brain Salad had an instrumental version of Karn Evil 9 Ist Impression. It's a fun way to listen to have a new listen to an old ear-worn classic.

There are a lot of people, I suppose, like Troy, who probably love the metal music but dislike LaBrie's vocals. I'm sure the band knows it. I guess if he doesn't have a killer ego, then let the music shine without the vocals. But it does make you wonder whether there is personal disharmony between Petrucci and LaBrie. For example I don't think Jon Anderson would stand for such a move on a Yes album. Anyway, I think it's a good experimental marketing move. The instrumental mixes are likely the rough mixes or even the final ones, in other words, no extra effort was needed. So for a few pennies of plastic, they can reap in a couple of extra hundred thousand dollars.

Personally, I don't mind James' singing when he gets the notes, but I don't think he was having his best day in the studio on this album, even on the DT tracks. On the other hand, I was just listening to the Roswell Six CD with Norlander, Lane and LaBrie, and he sounds great. But the parts aren't written quite as high as he's trying to reach when he ups the octaves on Black Clouds.

BTW, the Roswell Six CD Terra Incognita should be enjoyed by anyone who likes DT. The song writing is better, IMO - more musical and melodical. It's just as heavy for the most part. And the playing is great, but not quite as frenzied as DTs technical thrashing.

[3LB]

Like I said on another meassage board: this is a band, not unlike The Flower Kings, that give me a strong sense of "been there, done that" after about three albums. I may still get around to getting it, but I did pass on the last one. I liked that LaBrie reeled in his vox for albums like Six Degrees, ToT and Octovarium, but maybe he wants to relive his youth - who knows.

[ForeverAutumn]

Spinning DT today, but picked it up at HMV for less than the amazon price. But amazon keeps pushing back the IQ delivery date, now to the first week in July. Maybe they'll get it sooner than they think.

I pre-ordered the DT disk from Amazon on June 3. I got an email from them today telling me that there is a delay and it won't be shipped until sometime between July 6 - July 20. I'll be cancelling the order and picking it up at HMV. Lucky for me I still have an HMV gift cert from Christmas. So I guess there is a Silver Lining. ;)

[MasterCylinder]

Agree. They also did a great job on Stargazer.

Personally, I don't mind James' singing when he gets the notes, but I don't think he was having his best day in the studio on this album, even on the DT tracks. On the other hand, I was just listening to the Roswell Six CD with Norlander, Lane and LaBrie, and he sounds great.



Listening a bit more, I also like the work on the Zebra tune..........and LaBrie shows an amazing range on that song..........had a good day, I guess.

[MasterCylinder]

There are a lot of people, I suppose, like Troy, who probably love the metal music but dislike LaBrie's vocals. I'm sure the band knows it. I guess if he doesn't have a killer ego, then let the music shine without the vocals. But it does make you wonder whether there is personal disharmony between Petrucci and LaBrie. For example I don't think Jon Anderson would stand for such a move on a Yes album.


In a previous life, I was a roadie with a major sound & light company that did large touring shows.............in the Fall of 1973, I was on the road for months with the Carpenters.
Karen and Richard incorporated THE CARPENTERS and all the other band members were actually salaried employees of the corporation...........they were paid a weekly sum whether touring the road, working in the studio, or sitting at home playing with the children..........and every one of them loved the gig and this arrangement.
I say this only to make the point that there are all types of different arrangements out there for musicians.............since LaBrie came in after the first singer (at least partly) established Dream Theater, it could be that Portnoy and Petrucci are a corporation and the other guys are employees............if so, that might explain the control they seem to have over the music and product.

[BarryL]

That would make more sense than the discord. Frankly, LaBrie has a pretty good gig! But I do tend to think he does his best singing as a guest on other albums. Too much DT music on the last few albums are devoid of vocal melody. He shines with melody, and if you've been to a DT concert, that's also what the fans love.

[kexodusc]

I've had a few days with this now. This is a much stronger album than Systematic Chaos. For the first time in several DT albums I enjoy every song. A lot. Behind the metal is terrific songrwiting and some catchy melodies that you can tap your feet to - I've found myself humming or air drumming to them.

They've found a very good balance between turning the metal up and maintaining that great ability to tell a story and convey a dynamic range of emotions in the music. Jordan Rudess is something else.

Haven't spent much time with the 2 other discs - but like MasterCylinder I think it's Portnoy and Petrucci's gig and they like Labrie. I don't mind him here, long gone is the over the top opera stuff - go back and listen to Awake or Images and listen to the last 3 or 4 albums - if any criticism should fall it's that there's more Dave Mustaine than Sebastian Bach in the vocals. Not for everyone, but personally I'm glad they don't have a typical metal singer that would make them sound like every other metal band, or the typical whiny British Radiohead knock-off vocalist some other groups have. Vocals are always a problem in this genre to me. So I give it a pass more often than not.

[MasterCylinder]

Vocals are always a problem in this genre to me. So I give it a pass more often than not.


That is an excellent point, kex ! In addition to genre, can you imagine being the singer in a band with four musicians at this level ?
You will never measure up..............


Re: the corporate / employee relationship........................I also noticed that LaBrie has no writing credits on this CD..............so, if you don't like the melody, remember that it might not be his.

[teej]

I pre-ordered the DT disk from Amazon on June 3. I got an email from them today telling me that there is a delay and it won't be shipped until sometime between July 6 - July 20. )

Oh man....I just converted some WorldPoints miles to an Amazon gift card to order this album! I don't think I can wait a month for it to ship!

Regarding the discussion of the instrumental disc....I am pretty sure DT write the material as a foursome and bring in the vocals at the end. Having watched more hours of DT making-of video out there, that's how it seems to be done. The only exception to this I can think of is LaBrie coming up with some melody on Scenes when he walked passed Jordan as he was messing with some stuff on the keys...James started humming a tune which ended up as part of the song. So I think there is probably an instrumental version of most DT material out there in the Portnoy archives simply through their writing process.

I envy those that have heard all 3 discs already...I can't wait to get my hands on the instrumental one!

tj

[ForeverAutumn]

Oh man....I just converted some WorldPoints miles to an Amazon gift card to order this album! I don't think I can wait a month for it to ship! tj

My order was from Amazon.ca. I don't know what the status is at Amazon.com. You should check for yourself (assuming that you're ordering from dot com).

[Mr Peabody]

Amazon.com has the album in stock $14.99 for the 3 disc set.

[Mr Peabody]

Listened to Lamb of God, Ashes of the Wake tonight. Man, what a monster album.

[ForeverAutumn]

Amazon.com has the album in stock $14.99 for the 3 disc set.

Yeah, plus eight bucks to ship to canuckland. :(

I picked it up at Future Shop yesterday. I've only listened to the first track in the car on the drive home last night, but it was KILLER! If the rest of the album is that good then me will likey. :yesnod:

[Mr Peabody]

Does Amazon still give free shipping to Canada if buying over $25.00? If so, $8.00 is half the price of another disc. I never pay shipping when buying directly from Amazon, I may have to buy a couple off my list at a time but you know that breaks my heart :)

[ForeverAutumn]

Does Amazon still give free shipping to Canada if buying over $25.00? If so, $8.00 is half the price of another disc. I never pay shipping when buying directly from Amazon, I may have to buy a couple off my list at a time but you know that breaks my heart :)

dot com does not ship free to Canada and it appears that their shipping rates have recently increased. They've also started including duty if your shipment exceeds a certain amount (appears to be about $40) which they never used to do. It makes it very expensive to order from there. But I've recently discovered Laser's Edge which only charges the true shipping rate and often has better prices than Amazon anyhow. http://www.lasercd.com.

dot ca will ship for free, within Canada, if your total is $39 or more before tax.

[Mr Peabody]

No one willing to try or comment on Scar Semetry ? Good stuff not quite as artsy as Opeth, melodic lyrics with mixed clean and growling vocals, the music sticking to Metal, soring guitar and keys which give me a DT reference.

[ForeverAutumn]

No one willing to try or comment on Scar Semetry ?

No comment because I've not heard it. But you'll be happy to know that I finally heard a Disturbed song on the radio that I liked. I couldn't tell you which song though.

As for the DT disk...After three spins, I like this one a lot. This is way better than ToT, IMO Kex. But to be fair, I should give ToT a fresh listen since it's been a long time since I've heard it.

This is a nice mix of heavy and melodic. There is one section of The Shattered Fortress (aprox. 8:30 - 9:30) where the melody is taken directly from another song (off of Octavarium, perhaps) which surprised me until I realized that this tune is part of Portnoy's suite about his alcoholism. Once I realized that, the melodic connection made more sense.

So when they get to the word "Philosophers" in A Rite of Passage, does anyone else just want to automatically sing "and Ploughmen" instead of "and Leaders"? :lol:

Overall I love the music that this band puts out. But they really need to work on the lyrics. I just find them juvenile for the most part. It's a good thing that lyrics are one of the last reasons that I listen to a band of this genre.

I haven't had time to get to the covers or instrumental disks yet. I want to spin BC&SL a few more times, but perhaps I'll crack open the covers disk on the weekend.

Hearing this disk has renewed my excitement about the Progressive Nation tour later this summer.

[Mr Peabody]

I am luke warm with DT. I don't know if it's the vocals or the melodic isn't that good, I can't put my finger on it but I'm pretty much convinced to put this one on my list though.

I agree on juvenile lyrics, especially these bands who try to make a come back. It's a bit strange to be 45 and still singing about the stuff one has on their mind as a teen.

[ForeverAutumn]

I didn't mean Juvenile in the sense that the topics are juvenile. I guess that I just figure that after more than 25 years of song writing Petrucci could come up with something better than,

A nightmare to remember
I'd never be the same
What began as laughter
So soon would turn to pain

The sky was clear and frigid
The air was thick and still
Now I'm not one to soon forget
And I bet I never will

Picture for a moment
The perfect irony
A flawless new beginning
Eclipsed by tragedy

The uninvited stranger
Started dancing on his own
So we said goodbye
To the glowing bride
And we made our way back home

I'm not going to put the whole song here, but this stuff just reminds me of something that I might have written for a high school poetry class (hence the reason that I'm not a professional songwriter today).

Now, musically, this is a killer tune! But lyrically, it really sucks.

[MasterCylinder]

Now, musically, this is a killer tune! But lyrically, it really sucks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BUT...........those lyrics are better than what Portnoy wrote in that tribute to his Father.
Nice song -- nice tribute -- bad lyrics.............simply undeveloped.



Like the old Deep Purple................

"Some stupid with a flare gun.............."

[ForeverAutumn]

BUT...........those lyrics are better than what Portnoy wrote in that tribute to his Father.
Nice song -- nice tribute -- bad lyrics.............simply undeveloped.


When ToT came out, I remember thinking that Honor Thy Father must have been about Portnoy’s childhood and that he was an abused child. Another song with dreck for lyrics.

I guess they spend more time on developing the music than on the lyrics...which is just fine with me. It would be nice if they could do both however.

I was just scanning some lyric sites and some of their best lyrics were penned by Kevin Moore. I guess when he left the band, he left a void that the remaining members just didn't have the talent, or didn't really care, to fill.

[kexodusc]

As for the DT disk...After three spins, I like this one a lot. This is way better than ToT, IMO Kex. But to be fair, I should give ToT a fresh listen since it's been a long time since I've heard it.

This is a nice mix of heavy and melodic. There is one section of The Shattered Fortress (aprox. 8:30 - 9:30) where the melody is taken directly from another song (off of Octavarium, perhaps) which surprised me until I realized that this tune is part of Portnoy's suite about his alcoholism. Once I realized that, the melodic connection made more sense.

So when they get to the word "Philosophers" in A Rite of Passage, does anyone else just want to automatically sing "and Ploughmen" instead of "and Leaders"? :lol:

Overall I love the music that this band puts out. But they really need to work on the lyrics. I just find them juvenile for the most part. It's a good thing that lyrics are one of the last reasons that I listen to a band of this genre.

I haven't had time to get to the covers or instrumental disks yet. I want to spin BC&SL a few more times, but perhaps I'll crack open the covers disk on the weekend.

Hearing this disk has renewed my excitement about the Progressive Nation tour later this summer.

Yeah, lyrically they have always been hit and miss in my mind - when the songs are about something fictional or political they're ok. When they get too deeply personal, well, it's a good thing they write awesome music.

Know what FA, I've had it over a week now, but I like this album more than ToT, too. The songwriting from start to finish is as good as any prog album I've heard in years. There were spots in Systematic Chaos and Octavarium where I was wondering what they were trying to do. It was just filler to me. But BC&SL strikes the right blend of melody, aggression, complexity, and switches gears at just the right spots. I like every song, a lot.

The musical journey on "The Count of Tuscany" is killer, it just screams to be heard live. That might be the highlight.

I think most of the melody in "The Shattered Fortress" is lifted from the other alcoholism songs....It starts with "This Dying Soul" from Tot and goes to "The Glass Prison" from Six Degrees too.

I believe in the past MP talked about performing the whole suite the way they interlock as intended at some shows or releasing it as a bonus feature on an album or something.

It's early, but this is album of the year material for me and is going to be very tough to beat. I haven't been this happy with a new purchase since Porcupine Tree's In Absentia.

[kexodusc]

No one willing to try or comment on Scar Semetry ? Good stuff not quite as artsy as Opeth, melodic lyrics with mixed clean and growling vocals, the music sticking to Metal, soring guitar and keys which give me a DT reference.
I have "Pitch Black Progress" and "Holographic Universe". They aren't bad at all, but the songwriting is just ok...the problem I have with these guys is after listening to better bands pull off blending complexity with melody in a death metal context, these guys just don't sound as good to me. Unfair to compare them to Opeth, but I reach for their stuff a lot more. I'm all Scandinavian metalled out I think, it has to be damn good now for that stuff to make it on my playlist.

Still if I was to think of a death metal band today to recommend to kids I guess they're as good as any. I like them better than, say, Children of Bodom.

I still listen to Scar Semetry a lot for workout music though.

[ForeverAutumn]

...and goes to "The Glass Prison" from Six Degrees too.

Want to hear something funny (or pathetic, depending on your POV)?

I never bought Six Degrees because it's always been over $30 and I just didn't want to spend that much dough for it. Last December my favourite indie CD store went under and during their clearance blowout, I picked up 6 Degrees at a nice discount (along with some Ayreon, OSI, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, and a few others). In the chaos of renovating our house, the bag of new disks was put in the basement with my boxes of CDs that were still waiting to be unpacked. We finally got around to beginning to unpack the CDs earlier this week and I came across this bag of goodies that I had TOTALLY forgotten about. It was like coming across a lost Christmas present!

I thought it was exciting and funny. My husband just rolled his eyes and shook his head at me. I think that he thinks it was pretty pathetic.

It's a sickness. Maybe I should write a suite about my own addiction. :lol:

[kexodusc]

Want to hear something funny (or pathetic, depending on your POV)?

I never bought Six Degrees because it's always been over $30 and I just didn't want to spend that much dough for it. Last December my favourite indie CD store went under and during their clearance blowout, I picked up 6 Degrees at a nice discount (along with some Ayreon, OSI, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, and a few others). In the chaos of renovating our house, the bag of new disks was put in the basement with my boxes of CDs that were still waiting to be unpacked. We finally got around to beginning to unpack the CDs earlier this week and I came across this bag of goodies that I had TOTALLY forgotten about. It was like coming across a lost Christmas present!

I thought it was exciting and funny. My husband just rolled his eyes and shook his head at me. I think that he thinks it was pretty pathetic.

It's a sickness. Maybe I should write a suite about my own addiction. :lol:
Six Degrees was a bit of a miss with me...but it has a few highlights. 2 or 3 songs on Disc 1 are ok, a bit experimental even for them.

There's 2 or 3 others on the 2nd disc (parts of the title track) that I dug. "Solitary Shell" is a neat tune and the album closer was good.

[MasterCylinder]

Six Degrees was a bit of a miss with me...but it has a few highlights. 2 or 3 songs on Disc 1 are ok, a bit experimental even for them.

There's 2 or 3 others on the 2nd disc (parts of the title track) that I dug. "Solitary Shell" is a neat tune and the album closer was good.

6DOT has some material that is very strong.
The first time I saw DT live was on the ToT tour............they did most of that stuff plus a bunch from SCENES FROM A MEMORY............but what was really awesome (and I did not expect) was they came back for the encore and played the entire 2nd disc of 6DOT.............and did it extremely well.............very impressive.

[kexodusc]

6DOT has some material that is very strong.
The first time I saw DT live was on the ToT tour............they did most of that stuff plus a bunch from SCENES FROM A MEMORY............but what was really awesome (and I did not expect) was they came back for the encore and played the entire 2nd disc of 6DOT.............and did it extremely well.............very impressive.
Yeah, the 2nd disc is much better IMO. I did like a few on Disc 1, every now and then I still spin it, it's not bad, just not my fav.

[MasterCylinder]

Yeah, the 2nd disc is much better IMO. I did like a few on Disc 1, every now and then I still spin it, it's not bad, just not my fav.


I don't totally disagree, kex................on the other hand, I've noticed that when you see these guys live on stage (twice for me), even their "bad" stuff is good.

[kexodusc]

I don't totally disagree, kex................on the other hand, I've noticed that when you see these guys live on stage (twice for me), even their "bad" stuff is good.
Yeah, for sure. I've seen them 4 times now, and I'm amazed how they can play an old song I've heard before and make it seem like I'm hearing it for the first time. I'm also glad they're not like some bands that refuse to play the old tunes...Last time I saw them they switched to Metropolis Pt 1 in the middle of something off Octavarium...the place went nuts, then finished the rest of whatever tune they interrupted.

Sometimes you go to a show and the place is packed with a lot of people that have never heard material by the band, or at best are casual fans of whatever group is playing. With DT, you can bet it's mostly die hards and I think that's lead to the high-energy in crowd at the shows I've been to.

[ForeverAutumn]

Sometimes you go to a show and the place is packed with a lot of people that have never heard material by the band, or at best are casual fans of whatever group is playing. With DT, you can bet it's mostly die hards and I think that's lead to the high-energy in crowd at the shows I've been to.

The last time I saw DT was the Systematic Chaos tour (I missed Octavarium :( ). There was a kid (late teens/early 20's) sitting next to me who I started chatting with before the show started. He was a big fan and had never seen them live before. Petrucci was just a god to him. He was so excited to be there that he couldn't sit still in his seat (and it wasn't just the weed). He was asking me what my favourite album was and my favourite song off each album. I think that he was more than a little surprised that an old lady like me (and an old man like BarryL) knew as much about the band as we did. :lol:

I guess I've been to so many concerts in my lifetime that I just don't get that excited any more. It was really cool to watch this kid and listen to him gush about how how happy he was to be there and it reminded me of what I was like 20+ years ago when some of my favourite bands rolled through town...before I became so jaded. It was really cute!

[kexodusc]

Ha ha...guess I'm not that old yet, I still mark out like a school girl for bands I like.
Should see me mark out for school girls that I like... :arf:

[bobsticks]

Ha ha...guess I'm not that old yet, I still mark out like a school girl for bands I like.
Should see me mark out for school girls that I like... :arf:


http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10062/6s8xykk.gif

[kexodusc]

http://www.forumammo.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10062/6s8xykk.gif
Oh yeah, like you never...

[Mr Peabody]

I don't know Kex, I like Holographic Universe quite a bit. I like SS at least as well as Opeth and I think it's because their songs seem to stay together better, or flow better. Opeth sometimes sounds like their songs were spliced together. I like Prog but give me a bridge or something. Other than Damnation, I have Watershed and Still Life. Still Life is the one I like the best. Maybe it isn't a good comparison between them and SS, SS rocks throughout the song even when it's slow where Opeth seems to take you places. Opeth also keeps a feel about the music where SS gets almost Pop in the melodic passages. What are people calling that style of Metal that SS or Cynic do? Some call Opeth death metal but I don't think they quite fit the mold. In that since that's what SS would be. Sorry to hijack but you guys never come to my threads and talk about my trashy music. :) You haven't picked up last year's album of the year yet. Let me know if you ever get Indestructible. Pretty certain it's their best or at least as good as Sickness.

Do you have, or even like, Nightwish, Tristania, Sirenia or Epica?

[kexodusc]

I don't know Kex, I like Holographic Universe quite a bit. I like SS at least as well as Opeth and I think it's because their songs seem to stay together better, or flow better. Opeth sometimes sounds like their songs were spliced together. I like Prog but give me a bridge or something. Other than Damnation, I have Watershed and Still Life. Still Life is the one I like the best. Maybe it isn't a good comparison between them and SS, SS rocks throughout the song even when it's slow where Opeth seems to take you places. Opeth also keeps a feel about the music where SS gets almost Pop in the melodic passages. What are people calling that style of Metal that SS or Cynic do? Some call Opeth death metal but I don't think they quite fit the mold. In that since that's what SS would be. Sorry to hijack but you guys never come to my threads and talk about my trashy music. :) You haven't picked up last year's album of the year yet. Let me know if you ever get Indestructible. Pretty certain it's their best or at least as good as Sickness.

Do you have, or even like, Nightwish, Tristania, Sirenia or Epica?
Don't mind Epica and Nightwish, but in that mold I prefer one of the originals in Therion.

I have Tristania's last 2 albums (I think, Illumination and Ashes?). I like them, these guys are interesting to me, not just the multiple vocalists but because their one of the few goth-oriented bands that, to me at least, rely more on the musical structures and songwriting than image, look, and lyrics, and they have a unique thing going.

Sirenia, don't care for at all, don't hate them, just found them boring.

A lot of the Scandinavian metal acts are very talented, but I don't find them as interesting as I did when I was younger. No staying power after the first few listens. I really find a a lot of the heavier, goth/death/black/symphonic metal stuff has lost it's way in recent years. In Flames is still doing their thing, and I don't mind them.

Not really any of the above genres but of recent years, but for modern metal acts Mastodon is probably my fav - they're not as heavy but they have a more unique, creative spin on the genre in my mind (and I love the drums). I don't get tired of their stuff.

I do have a soft spot for Iced Earth for some reason, cheesy as it is.

Think I'm just outgrowing the music. Opeth is a whole other animal though for me. It's not something you can just throw on for 4 minutes to rock-out too admittedly.
But their use of dissonance and consonance, the contrast of discord and harmony, timely transition heavy and mellow, and knowing when to apply tension and when to relieve it in their songs makes for a roller-coaster ride musically. I never get tired of them. Their music has so much going on at so many levels. Would love to see them live.

[Mr Peabody]

The Scandanavian thing renewed my interest in Metal. So far it has good staying power with me.

I like the use of chorus when done correctly. I have Nightwish, Once. So far their other albums only heard by sample hasn't interested me. Like you, Tristania is probably my favorite, I have Beyond the Veil and..... World of Glass. I like them both really well. Viland left Tristania and formed Sirenia some time back. I admit their songs are more hit and miss although I can usually listen to the entire album with out skipping a track. I think Sirenia tries to be more experimental. I have Elixir for Existence and recently Sixes & Sevens. I'll have to check out the bands you mentioned. i got the impression Nightwish and Tristania were the originals in the Gothic type sound. I also found Mastadon real heavy from the samples, are they more Prog? Which is your favorite, i find we are similar in taste on most Metal.

[kexodusc]

I also found Mastadon real heavy from the samples, are they more Prog? Which is your favorite, i find we are similar in taste on most Metal.
Mastodon is a bit proggy, but not like what you'd think of when you think prog-metal. More so than some of the above, but they don't get into the lengthy and complex song structures like Opeth does. Nothing like some of the Scandinavian metal stuff we're talking about, Mastodon has more of a Rush meets Pantera, thrashy thing going on. Hard to explain, you just have to buy an album and dive in. I'm sure you'd dig them.

[Mr Peabody]

You didn't say which Mastodon to buy. I forgot to say, Opeth came through here toward end of last year, I am still kicking myself for not making the show. I have a Therion song on my mp3 player that came from a sampler, it didn't sound like the Goth stuff, with the chorus accents etc. Is there more to them?

Have you ever heard Echoes Of Eternity? I have Forgotten Goddess. It's not for every one I'd say but I found it interesting and fun. I recently picked up a Lamb Of God album, Ashes of the Wake and I think their drummer is good and this album kicks butt.

I bought the last In Flames album which was my first and i really like it. I also picked up Bullet For My Valentine, Scream, Aim, Fire, this is a really good album and their drummer is impressive as well. A review I read labeled bands like this "Screammo". Two very good Rockin albums though, great for work out. Can to liken Iced Earth to any one? I saw them given as a recommendation but haven't given them any attention yet.

[bobsticks]

Oh yeah, like you never...


That was a classic post and you know it...and, much like Jimmy Carter, I've sinned in my mind...but try provin' it...

[Mr Peabody]

Kex, I checked out Therion, excellent, they seem to embody aspects of all the other bands into one and even go further with instruments the others don't use. I'm going to try Deggial and it was hard to decide between it and Secret of the Ruins. There are several others I didn't check out. I did listen to the 2007 album Gothic something but the earlier stuff sounded a bit better. i also listened to Crack The Sky samples and it sounds a bit different than what I remembered of Mastodon. Didn't there earlier stuff have more growling?

Know anything of Gojira?

[ForeverAutumn]

That was a classic post and you know it...

I know it made my skin crawl.

[Mr Peabody]

Which post is classic, what did I miss?

[kexodusc]

That was a classic post and you know it...and, much like Jimmy Carter, I've sinned in my mind...but try provin' it...
It was POTY material...but at least give me the assist for the blatant setup...:ciappa:

[kexodusc]

Kex, I checked out Therion, excellent, they seem to embody aspects of all the other bands into one and even go further with instruments the others don't use. I'm going to try Deggial and it was hard to decide between it and Secret of the Ruins. There are several others I didn't check out. I did listen to the 2007 album Gothic something but the earlier stuff sounded a bit better. i also listened to Crack The Sky samples and it sounds a bit different than what I remembered of Mastodon. Didn't there earlier stuff have more growling?

Know anything of Gojira?
Therion was doing Symphonic/goth metal stuff before a lot of current acts were even formed...there wouldn't be a lot of symphonic/goth metal today if not for Therion I don't think...check out their version of O Fortuna sometime.

I love the last 3 Mastodon albums equally....hard to pick one first to recommend, you can't go wrong with either, my personal fav might be Leviathan because of the cool Moby Dick concept, but Crack The Sky is probably available cheap since it's newer? Blood Mountain is exellent too...these guys are deep and the metal is awesome. Just buy one. The first album is good, a bit too raw compared to their other 3, but it was what I first became exposed to them with so I still like it. Not as strong as the other 3 though. They've never really growled in the cookie monster vein, but they do have some screaming like Pantera. The singer can sing though and they've used that to their advantage a bit more lately.

Never heard Gojira.

[bobsticks]

It was POTY material...but at least give me the assist for the blatant setup...:ciappa:


Fair 'nuff...there's plenty to go 'round...Kex: Like a Boss...