Now Playing Thread

[Nicky007]

NP  Ace Mafia  on  YouTube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn8LFuJ2k3o

Got there cuz of Richie Faulkner who took over K.K.´s priesthood 

Rocks pretty good, with an interesting flute that makes it sound a bit like Jethro Tull 

Nicky.

[PH]

These songs are nice:

Cairo:  World Divided   

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX4bfjsrnfU&feature=autoplay&list=AVGxdCwVVULXdACx_quApHQkcnD0j4fJlG&lf=list_related&playnext=3

Cairo:  I Like Blue Beat

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIlbtFsaDMM&feature=autoplay&list=AVGxdCwVVULXdACx_quApHQkcnD0j4fJlG&lf=list_related&playnext=2

Not to be a nitpicker, but I doubt those two are from the same band...

[Nicky007]

Not to be a nitpicker, but I doubt those two are from the same band...

The thought struck me too, Paxi ... but I aint a nitpicker like you 

Have you played Fading Fast ?  Isnt it super ?


NP  Cairo

Nicky.

[erik]

Have been playing Arena - Live

NP Tony Banks - Strictly Inc

Pretty much an average pop album, but then there's this great epic An Island In The Darkness at the end all of a sudden, which is vintage Banks

I had the first two Cairo albums, but eventually concluded they just weren't my cup of tea and traded them for something else..

[PH]

The thought struck me too, Paxi ... but I aint a nitpicker like you 

Have you played Fading Fast ?  Isnt it super ?

Yes, I've played it. And it is a really nice song/album!

I had the first two Cairo albums, but eventually concluded they just weren't my cup of tea and traded them for something else..

And what was that something else?

[Nicky007]

I had the first two Cairo albums, but eventually concluded they just weren't my cup of tea and traded them for something else..

Admittedly they are somewhat standard old-school prog, but for a lazy Sunday afternoon ... 

Yes, I've played it. And it is a really nice song/album!

And what was that something else?

Got me curious too, Erik. Just don't say a sHleepy Marillion album 

Nicky.

[erik]

somewhat standard old-school prog

Nothing wrong with that as such, but their sound just didn't work for me somehow.

Got me curious too, Erik. Just don't say a sHleepy Marillion album 

I don't remember actually, it was a long time ago. Something better anyway. And I'm not going to be lured into another Marillion/H discussion here

[Nicky007]

NP  Manowar:  The Triumph Of Steel

Not that shleepy, pretty good actually, lot more varied than I thought, even a mellow passage with church organ, and the lyrics are good too, about Hector's last stand 

Got a colleague at Experimentarium who's a Metal Warrior, and he lent me four Manowar cd's ..... 

Noone else here into Manowar ? 

Curiously, on Amazon.com's Triumph Of Steel page, under "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought", the first eleven albums are other Manowar albums. Never saw that before. How's that for fanship ? 

Nicky.

[PH]

Noone else here into Manowar ? 

Serious?

[Nicky007]

Serious?

Yup. Surprised ?  Then give'm a listen on e.g. YouTube. You'l be even more surprised, Paxi 

Not prog, but excellent, varied, and intelligent metal 

Nicky.

[erik]

Nope, no Manowar;

NP Cristina Branco - Fado/Tango

Amazing voice that carries this emotion drenched bare music, really beautiful.

Before that played Agnes Obel - Philharmonics.

[PH]

Yup. Surprised ?

Yup I'm very surprised.

Then give'm a listen on e.g. YouTube. You'l be even more surprised, Paxi 

Yup. You're right. I've watched a few videos on YouTube and now I'm even more surprised.

Errmmm... Just to make sure. We're talking about this band right?
              |                       |
              v                      v

Not prog

Yup.

but excellent, varied, and intelligent metal 

Excellent...  varied... 

...

intelligent?? 


metal?

[Nicky007]

I know you go for musclemen in shorts, Paxi 

But honestly, The Triumph Of Steel is a fine metal album, and lyrics and music go well together

Nicky.

[funkster]

Fighting the world is the only manowar album i own and damn fine it is as well 

[Nicky007]

Fighting the world is the only manowar album i own and damn fine it is as well 

Yeah, they'r a lot better than their reputation. That's what I found out once I got down to listening properly to'm 

There are lotta bands that thrash away mindlessly - and shout and growl their heads off. I think we all know that by now 

But there are also surprisingly many metal bands that put a lotta care into their composition, lyrics, and musicianship, and end up making some very fine music. You sometimes have to get beyond the "noise" to realise this 

Manowar are one of the latter, as well as Keep of Kalessin, Scar Symmetry, and dozens of others 

Nicky.

[PH]

There are lotta bands that thrash away mindlessly - and shout and growl their heads off. I think we all know that by now 

Well, I don't see Manowar as a growling band, so that's a plus for them I guess.

But there are also surprisingly many metal bands that put a lotta care into their composition, lyrics, and musicianship, and end up making some very fine music. You sometimes have to get beyond the "noise" to realise this 

I find Manowar's lyrics very VERY cheesey. From what I've heard their compositions are actually very simple.

And their lyrics, man... They only sing about how great Manowar is and that they make the only true metal. Nothing intelligent about that...

Let's take a look on a few bits of lyrics then:

I hear the sound / In a metal way / I feel the power / Rolling off the stage / Cause only one thing / Really sets me free / Heavy Metal / Loud as it can be

We wear leather, we wear spikes, we rule the night / With hands high fists fill the air / Against the world we stand. / Hands high forever we'll be there, / Gloves of Metal rule tonight. Yea

We have read your letters, we have heard your call. / We were brought together 'cause we've got the balls / To play the loudest metal, so hard and so wild and mean. / You'll live forever, we were born from your belief.

Fight fight fight / Fighting the world every single day / Fighting the world for the right to play / Heavy Metal in my brain / I'm fighting for Metal 'cause it's here to stay

Now people keep asking if we're going to change / I look'em in the eye / Tell'em no way / Stripes on a tiger don't wash away / Manowar's made of steel not clay

Manowar Manowar living on the road / When we're in town speakers explode / We don't attract wimps 'cause we're too loud / Just true metal people that's Manowar's crowd

Other bands play / Manowar kills

Wherever we ride it's metal we bring / Four Kings of Metal / Four Metal Kings / Death to the false ones

There's metal in the air tonite / can you hear it call / If you ain't got the balls, to take it / you can leave the hall

Heavy metal or no metal at all / whimps and posers leave the hall

Man, I've just got to stop. Seriously, this music is testing my laughing muscles. I think they're really funny. And I wonder how they see themselves? Are they taking themselves seriously?

But what about this one Nicky?

Drink my blood as I drink yours / impale me on the horns of death / Cut off my head / release all my evil / Lucifer is king / Praise Satan

Wow, very clever, how intelligent. And I haven't even talked about their stage presence. I've seen a few live videos and man... it was either bursting into laughter or shaking my head in vicarious shame.

Manowar are one of the latter, as well as Keep of Kalessin, Scar Symmetry, and dozens of others 

I don't know Keep Of Kalessin, but Scar Symmetry is indeed not bad at all. To be honest, I've put some effort in getting to know this band a bit better (on your recommendation Nicky!) and I really liked it! Thanks for that!

[PH]

I'm listening to:

Arena - "Songs From The Lions Cage"
3. Valley Of The Kings

Phew! I really love that keyboard solo!

Also, check out this topic!
I'd love to see more indepth views on this album. It doesn't have to be a big lenghty review like I did. But a nice addition, a different look. Anything. Let the band know that we, the forum, are real fans and love their music!

[PH]

Arena - "Songs From The Lions Cage"
9. Solomon

What a song... 

Truly, Arena is my favourite band on this planet.
I want them to be the band at the restaurant at the end of the universe. That way the existence of the universe will go out with a real gnaB giB!

And yes I'm playing Arena's debut on repeat today.

[Nicky007]

Well, I don't see Manowar as a growling band, so that's a plus for them I guess.

But Paxi, you like Opeth, and you just told me that you like Scar Symmetry too 

And their lyrics, man... They only sing about how great Manowar is and that they make the only true metal

Yeah, they'r known for that 

But they can also write intelligent and poetic lyrics. Take e.g. the following from The Triumph Of Steel:

Hector's Final Hour

Here inside the walls of Troy, the gods weigh my fate
From this day do I abstain, to a memory of hate
To pay for all the blood that's spilled
The many thousands I did kill,
No walls can contain the gods' almighty will
I hear the silent voices I cannot hide
The gods leaves no choices so we all must die
Oh Achilles let thy arrows fly.
Into the wind, where eagles cross the sky
Today my mortal blood will mix with sand
It was foretold I will die by thy hand
Into Hades my soul descend

- http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/manowar/thetriumphofsteel.html#1

wimps and posers leave the hall

I like that one, it's very (judas) priestian 

Wow, very clever, how intelligent.

  Paxi

But what about this one Nicky?

Yeah, guess they go overboard now and then - welcome to metalworld, Paxi 

But don't worry: Manowar aint on their way into my prog pantheon 

It's just good to stretch one's progwings now and then 


Here's what Senseofrage (Phoenix, AR) writes about The Triumph Of Steel, should be interesting to you, Paxi:

A Masterpiece For the Discerning Listener

August 6, 2004

Manowar is one of those bands that has a lot of songwriting talent but are often dismissed from their inability to graduate from the "all hail us" kind of mentality that characterizes their lyrics. This album marks somewhat of a departure from that songwriting mentality; I say somewhat because it is still present on a few songs. However, overlooking that aspect, most of the material showcases some real lyrical talent, not to mention the amazing instrumental feats. This is not an album for those with short attention spans. This is not to be listened to piecemeal, or a little here and there. Lock the door, disconnect the phone, and put this on as loud as your neighbors will tolerate. It will blow you away. The first song, over 28 minutes in eight separate movements, is a masterful discourse of the story of ancient Troy in Greek myhology. Follow the leaflet so you understand the separate movements and what they represent, and you will be hard pressed to find anything similar in modern music that can reach this plateau. This is the kind of songwriting skill that the classical music masters put into their work, and it takes on a similar style and grandeur. The subsequent tracks all showcase similar effort, although the theme varies. The final track, Master of the Wind, is a soaring spiritual journey into the eternal strength of the human character that packs a more powerful punch than any of their earlier "we rule" mentality songs ever could. This album is an oddity for Manowar in their career, always advertising on the record sleeve "no synths, no pedals, no wimps: just power, metal, and might" they make extensive use of them in this album, and somehow stand more powerful and mighty through their intelligent use of such devices to bring their music to another level. Incidentally, the drummer for this album, listed only as "Rhino", is the most talented drummer I have ever heard, making Lars Ulrich and Tommy Lee look like kids banging on upturned kitchen pots in comparison. Too bad he isn't on any of their other albums. But then, none of their other albums even compare to this one.

- www.amazon.com/Triumph-Steel-Manowar/dp/B000002IU9/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1319551336&sr=1-1

Scar Symmetry is indeed not bad at all. To be honest, I've put some effort in getting to know this band a bit better (on your recommendation Nicky!) and I really liked it! Thanks for that!

Hey    Paxi 

Wouldnt have expected that: Scar Symmetry are one of the harshest groups in my pantheon.


NP  Airbag  on  YouTube

You guys are ravin about'm, so I decided to giv'm a run 

Rather lite for my taste, but nice, remind me of Wilco and early PT 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

NP  Phideaux  on  YouTube Mix

www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Xm9RlijCE&feature=BFa&list=AVGxdCwVVULXfY4Fwq4ReDGdbaFfF-Qplu&lf=list_related

Rather quaint for my taste, but hey, that's one for the progwings 

Nicky.

[PH]

But Paxi, you like Opeth, and you just told me that you like Scar Symmetry too 

I can tolerate the occasional growl. That doesn't mean that I suddenly like them.

But they can also write intelligent and poetic lyrics. Take e.g. the following from The Triumph Of Steel:

Hector's Final Hour

Here inside the walls of Troy, the gods weigh my fate
From this day do I abstain, to a memory of hate
To pay for all the blood that's spilled
The many thousands I did kill,
No walls can contain the gods' almighty will
I hear the silent voices I cannot hide
The gods leaves no choices so we all must die
Oh Achilles let thy arrows fly.
Into the wind, where eagles cross the sky
Today my mortal blood will mix with sand
It was foretold I will die by thy hand
Into Hades my soul descend

- http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/manowar/thetriumphofsteel.html#1

To Manowar standards, it might be intelligent indeed. I don't think it's intelligent or poetic lyrics. It's just a story and a really cheese-metal story at that.

Yeah, guess they go overboard now and then - welcome to metalworld, Paxi 

Although there are other metal bands who don't think these kinda lyrics are necessary. (But then they are probably no real metal bands according to Manowar...)

But don't worry: Manowar aint on their way into my prog pantheon 

I don't care what's in your 'pantheon'. It's yours, not mine. So even when they did made their way to your pantheon, that won't make any difference to me.

It's just good to stretch one's progwings now and then 

Sure.

Here's what Senseofrage (Phoenix, AR) writes about The Triumph Of Steel, should be interesting to you, Paxi:

A Masterpiece For the Discerning Listener

August 6, 2004

Manowar is one of those bands that has a lot of songwriting talent...

[blah blah blah...]

...none of their other albums even compare to this one.

- www.amazon.com/Triumph-Steel-Manowar/dp/B000002IU9/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1319551336&sr=1-1

So, if I understand correctly, this album was a happy little accident?

Hey    Paxi 

Wouldnt have expected that: Scar Symmetry are one of the harshest groups in my pantheon.

I like a lot of 'harsh' bands. But I like a lot of 'soft' bands too. Perhaps I'm more balanced.

[Nicky007]

So, if I understand correctly, this album was a happy little accident?

Let's see: Got three more Manowar albums from my colleague .....

Perhaps I'm more balanced.

Probably, cuz I don't like sleepy bands 


NP  Cloudscape:  Global Drama 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

NP  Angels of Babylon:  Tear Out My Heart

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VX3ejjh0Qg

Fine melodic progmetal, kinda Asia metallised 

Nicky.

[Bupie]

Noone else here into Manowar ? 

There were a few exchanges on Manowar on a topic that you started : http://shattered-room.net/index.php?topic=1323.0 and the band has his defensors in the Room.

After those exchanges, I listened to three of their albums :

Fighting The World that was just unbearable to my ears (sorry Funkster  ) and includes a song with lyrics about the Vietnam War that are racist to a point that it makes me feel litterally sick.

Kings of Metal that has indeed a few decent metal songs

Triumph of Steel which is more ambitious but I haven't listened to it enough to have an opinion.

The video of the song "Battle Hyms" that is linked on the other topic, with their past and present guitarists, is really enjoyable to watch. But "intelligent lyrics" is the last remark I could possibly imagine to read about this band and I don't think they give a nice image of the Human Being in general and of the Western World in particular. Maybe you can take it as a joke as johninblack does but considering all the serious followers they rally with their "ideology" , I can not 

[The Butterfly Man]

NP: Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Coldplay's latest album. Sounds good based on a couple of spins. Only time will tell if it's better than A Rush Of Blood To The Head, although I don't think so at the moment. Of course, this can change!

Tom