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[PH]

Well, it's not as symphonic and melodic as Moon Safari. Just a warning.

[Teunis]

Well, it's not as symphonic and melodic as Moon Safari. Just a warning.

Tonight I'll be listening to Leprous by headphones. Will let you know, thanks for the warning .

np: Shadow Gallery - Digital Ghosts  (About time for a new album I'd say!)

[Nicky007]

Well, it's not as symphonic and melodic as Moon Safari. Just a warning.

And not as heavy and growly as Dying Fetus. Just a warning

So somewhere in-between Moon Safari and Dying Fetus - how's that

I don't really know Moon Safari - probably not my taste - but I'd say that Leprous are as symphonic and melodic as Muse, a bit more rhythmic and heavier, but very much the same mood, altho not at all copies of each other. Two great groups - here "great" has its place

Teunis, initially you'll probably have to get past the first two tracks, they're rather noisy and not so melodic. With the third track Rewind it really starts cruising. You could well start with Slave, that one you'll really like, real Musy, man, what a song, that one could do it for the whole album - a ride out into the Galaxy, that's about the scale   Just a tip

Great to see that you like them Nicky!
I think "Coal" is better, but then again, I didn't give "The Congregation" as much time. And "Coal" was a real eye opener for me, really love that album. Anticipation for the next album was sky high, and disappointment was inevitable.

Paxi, again you're letting your mind run off with ya

You know that you shouldn't rate a prog album - and here "prog" really has its place - before you've listened to it at least thrice, preferable five times. Man, do I have to play father to you

Give it two more listens, and I'll wager a Chimay that you'll like it better than Coal. They really went for it here


NP  Guess what

Got six of the songs - Third Law, Rewind, Slave, Moon, Down, Lower - in my Classic songs. Rare that so many tracks from an album make it there

The album builds up toward the end, Lower is a real nice ender


Interesting - to me at least - Wiki:  Leprous is a Norwegian progressive metal band formed in 2001 in Notodden, Norway. The band gained prominence as the backing band for former Emperor frontman Ihsahn's live shows. Ihsahn has, in turn, contributed to several Leprous albums as a vocalist (on "Thorn" from Bilateral and "Contaminate Me" from Coal) and as a co-producer for Coal.

I'm a big Ihsahn and Emperor fan!

Man, there's a lotta talent in the little town of Notodden (80 km east of Oslo). Also Ihriel, real name Heidi Solberg Tveitan, Ihsahn's wifey, did some nice solo albums under the moniker Starofash, and even better albums imo together with hubby under Peccatum. Ihsahn and Ihriel run Mnemosyne Studios, where Leprous record - so now the circle is full

Anyone got a hunch that I like prog ?

- Nicky

[Nicky007]

Is it me or does Ted's voice suits better with Spock's than with Enchant?

Wrong on both counts ("o" important here ), Mad, Ted's voice is tailored for Thought Chamber

Well, I have to admit that I haven't heard him in Spock's yet, but he's really super on TC's Angular Perception. But I think you know that

Don't get me wrong, I really like Enchant, especially the last few albums, but The Great Divide is genuine Enchant but I'd rather wish it was sung by a different singer than Ted.

I gave all my Enchant albums away. I tried

Somehow there's not really anything of, well, anything there   No real melody, hooks, catchy rhythms, interesting solos, more like a grind

Mad, maybe it's not Ted's fault

- Nicky

[Teunis]

pp: Knight Area - Under A New Sign
pp: Muse - The 2nd Law

jp: Leprous - The Congregation

Teunis, initially you'll probably have to get past the first two tracks, they're rather noisy and not so melodic. With the third track Rewind it really starts cruising. You could well start with Slave, that one you'll really like, real Musy, man, what a song, that one could do it for the whole album - a ride out into the Galaxy, that's about the scale   Just a tip

I wonder why you mention just the only two tracks with screams/semi growls . Seriously, there are some really great and enjoyable tracks on the album. Found 'Slave' one of the most catchy until, you know . A nice album, I do really like the voice of the singer and I'll play it again, but the screams would keep me from buying the album .

np: The Black Noodle Project - Ghosts & Memories

[PH]

jp: Leprous - The Congregation

I wonder why you mention just the only two tracks with screams/semi growls . Seriously, there are some really great and enjoyable tracks on the album. Found 'Slave' one of the most catchy until, you know . A nice album, I do really like the voice of the singer and I'll play it again, but the screams would keep me from buying the album .

Perhaps you should try "Coal" then. I don't remember hearing screams there.

[Teunis]

Perhaps you should try "Coal" then. I don't remember hearing screams there.

Will listen to it, saw it also listed on Spotify, thanks.

np: Pendragon - Masquerade Overture

[The Butterfly Man]

Wow that's nice guys, I came back from holiday, check in into the Room and find that Leprous is gaining momentum here. Very nice.

I've been listening to them for quite a few years already. Always liked what I heard but with The Congragation they really hit a sweet-spot. I like it so much that it's actually at the top of my list of 2015 releases now I come to think of it. I rate it higher than The Unquiet Sky and even Hand. Cannot. Erase. At first I listened to it numerous times on Spotify, really loved it from the get go and eventually bought it.

Such a great album. 

After all these years the Room still is full of surprises...

Tom

[Nicky007]

After all these years the Room still is full of surprises...

Yup, and you're one of'em, Tommy Boy, haven't seen ya for quite a while

Wow that's nice guys, I came back from holiday, check in into the Room and find that Leprous is gaining momentum here. Very nice.

Yup, must say

Have you heard some more of KoK's Epistemology ? That's my nb 1 for 2015, and together with Dream Theater Self-titled and Saturnian Dimensions at the top of the list for the first half of the 10's. These are complex albums that one never tires of

Well, let's see what Kull I is like ....

The Congregation competes with Heaven & Earth for second place in 2015.

Tommy, have you listened to H&E ? A wonderful album

I wonder why you mention just the only two tracks with screams/semi growls

Well, I kinda know you by now

Actually it was more cuz of the noise than the shout.

Seriously, there are some really great and enjoyable tracks on the album. Found 'Slave' one of the most catchy until, you know . A nice album, I do really like the voice of the singer ...

Teunis

but the screams would keep me from buying the album .

Teunis, what do you do when wifey screams at you ? Divorce her ?

Being a proggie is like being married. Prog can be a bitch, and it can be heavenly - mainly the latter if you work with it

Perhaps you should try "Coal" then. I don't remember hearing screams there.

Perhaps you should try a trip to the North Pole. I don't remember hearing screams there

- Nicky

[Teunis]

Being a proggie is like being married. Prog can be a bitch, and it can be heavenly - mainly the latter if you work with it

. There are many upcoming releases that I'm really looking forward to, so I have to make choices. In that case It'll be the ones without bitches uhm I mean screams .

np: Leprous - Coal

Track: Chronic. What do I hear?

[Teunis]

np: Leprous - Coal

Unfortunately not my cup of tea. Stopped the album at the last song, which was too much ... At least I've tried .

np: Agent Fresco - Destrier

[Nicky007]

Track: Chronic. What do I hear?

Chronic scream

At least you can be happy that you're not married to a screamer


NP  Shaman:  Ritual

Shaman was created in 2000 by Andre Matos, Luis Mariutti and Ricardo Confessori from Angra.  Guitarist Hugo Mariutti (Luis' bro) joined.

Good stuff, but not as magic as the three albums they contributed to in Angra

- Nicky

[PH]

np: Leprous - Coal

Track: Chronic. What do I hear?

NP:
Leprous - "Coal"

Ah, I had to listen back to it. But you're right, there are some screams in Chronic indeed. Didn't really notice it at first.

And actually Nicky is spot on with his Muse reference. They do have some similarities! They also remind me of Anathema and Devin Townsend. But mostly, they're just Leprous.
Man, I love this album!

[The Butterfly Man]

Yup, and you're one of'em, Tommy Boy, haven't seen ya for quite a while

I know. Just too busy living life and enjoying family-time.

Have you heard some more of KoK's Epistemology ?

Yes, I have grown to really like it. I just don't love it. But it's very good. Especially the titletrack.

Tommy, have you listened to H&E ? A wonderful album

No, but somehow I just strongly dislike Yes' music. Tried it a few times but after a while it gets on my nerves, I just can't take it. Sorry.

Being a proggie is like being married. Prog can be a bitch, and it can be heavenly - mainly the latter if you work with it

Quote of the year!

np: Agent Fresco - Destrier

Funny that you're listening to Agent Fresco. I would describe their sound as 'Leprous-light'. 

What do you think about Destrier? I think it is a very, very good album, and man these guys can play. You can't really tag their music, they are masters of lots of different styles; they play everything from prog to metal, pop to jazz and everything in between. There's even one track that features grunts. A track that lasts only 1:30 minutes though so I think you're safe Teunis. 

If you don't know them, please take my advise and give Agent Fresco a listen guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VmNTl6JvDY

Tom

[PH]

What do you think about Destrier? I think it is a very, very good album, and man these guys can play. You can't really tag their music, they are masters of lots of different styles; they play everything from prog to metal, pop to jazz and everything in between. There's even one track that features grunts. A track that lasts only 1:30 minutes though so I think you're safe Teunis. 

If you don't know them, please take my advise and give Agent Fresco a listen guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VmNTl6JvDY

Hey that sounds really good!

Funny that you're listening to Agent Fresco. I would describe their sound as 'Leprous-light'. 

Wow, definitely! Same guitar style, and the voice is similar too. I'll check out that album. Made me think of Haken in some places too. Dunno why.

[maddox]

Arcane ~ Known/Learned

[PH]

Haken - "The Mountain"
Hmm still a very very good album!

[Teunis]

Funny that you're listening to Agent Fresco. I would describe their sound as 'Leprous-light'. 

But I do like the Leprous album 'The Congregation', except for the growls. So it isn't that strange .

What do you think about Destrier? I think it is a very, very good album, and man these guys can play. You can't really tag their music, they are masters of lots of different styles; they play everything from prog to metal, pop to jazz and everything in between. There's even one track that features grunts. A track that lasts only 1:30 minutes though so I think you're safe Teunis. 

It's a great album indeed. And I would skip the 1:30 minutes track for sure. Really didn't expect that song when I first listened to the album .

pp: Muse - The Resistance and Steve Lukather - Luke while travelling back home from Germany.

[Teunis]

pp: Toto - Toto XIV
pp: Subsignal - Paraiso
jp: Chicago - Chicago 17
np: Leprous - The Congregation

[Teunis]

Today:
Agent Fresco - Destrier
Neal Morse - Lifeline
Knight Area - Realm Of Shadows
John Wetton - Battle Lines

np: Gazpacho - Night

[Teunis]

IQ - Frequency

[PH]

I've listened to Dream Theater's "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" and realised that it is a really good album. Of course there are some filler songs (This Is The Life, Far From Heaven...), but when you just take the best songs, you've got 40+ minutes of good music, which is a full album in my book.
In any case it's much better than the self titled album in my opinion.

Does anyone know whether they're writing again? Looking at their releases interval of two years, they should have a new studio album coming out this year. But probably not...

[Teunis]

Does anyone know whether they're writing again? Looking at their releases interval of two years, they should have a new studio album coming out this year. But probably not...

According to Progwereld.org (wereldse verwachtingen) a new album is scheduled for Autumn 2015.

pp: The Gentle Storm - The Diary ~ cd 1: The Gentle Version
jp: Arena - The Unquiet Sky 
np: Focus - X

[Teunis]

pp: Mystery - The World Is A Game (looking forward to the new album 'Delusion Rain', to be released this Fall )
jp: Pendragon - Not Of This World
np: Threshold - For The Journey 

[Teunis]

Peter Gee - East Of Eden (Nice Sunday album )