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[maddox]

Astra ~ The Black Chord

[Teunis]

I certainly did. There was a small but enthusiastic crowd.

Too bad. In the Netherlands Gazpacho's audiences are growing. At The Boerderij Zoetermeer and in W2 Den Bosch, where I have seen them, 3/4 of the venue was filled. And great it was, had a perfect time!

Gazpacho - March of Ghosts 

[Bupie]

Cosmograf - When Age Has Done Its Duty
A rather slow and intimist album but it deserves to be heard. The title track is particularly moving. But we are as far as can be from uplifting speed metal To give an idea, for muso inspiration, Robin Amstrong -it's more a man's project than a band- thanks Steven Wilson, Roger Waters and David Gilmour amongst others.

[Bupie]

JF Seventh Wonder - Mercy Falls

NP Haken - Aquarius

The advance men of the prog metal relief team ?

[Nicky007]

The advance men of the prog metal relief team ?

Although I don't quite understand your question, Bupie, I'm really happy about your choice of music lately. SW and Haken are definitely among the best in Progmetalworld, and if you start listening to Anubis Gate, then I'l hardly be able to contain my joy 

If you want tips for further excellent bands, then you know where to look 


NP  Redemption:  This Mortal Coil

Great album with soul-wrenching lyrics 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

NP  The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

His second album with many of his greatest songs:   Blowin' in the Wind    A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall    Masters of War    Don't Think Twice, It's All Right    Girl from the North Country

Great singing, and I was surprised at, how outspoken he was, particularly on Masters of War 

Nicky.

[funkster]

Hello all , it has been a while 

Recently i have been listening to

Paul Weller - Sonik kicks , Wake up the nation , As is now , Stanley Road
Pearl jam - 10 , Vs , Backspacer , Vitalogy
Madness - One step beyond , Wonderful , Liberty of Norton Folgate
Delirious - Kingdom of comfort
Hillsong - Worship

Nothing proggy or metal or proggy metal , sorry Nicky 

[Bupie]

Although I don't quite understand your question, Bupie, I'm really happy about your choice of music lately. SW and Haken are definitely among the best in Progmetalworld, and if you start listening to Anubis Gate, then I'l hardly be able to contain my joy 

The question was an attempt of traducing French words but it probably failed. The purpose was to say that these bands open the way, like the scouts ride in front of the cavalry but it was of very little interest.

I am glad to make you happy but I am rather familiar with non growled prog metal. And I even dare to venture in dangerous territories since I just ordered Orphaned Land's Mabool. Joke aside, I don't mind a bit of growl if it suits the song (like for instance on Threshold' Slipstream).

I'll try Anubis Gate of course but what do you think of Andromeda ? Is it the same kind of prog metal ?

NP Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon

A very different genre, despite of the title ... 

[Manatee]

Recently Played:

Spock's Beard - Snow     Now I remember why I never got any more SB albums.  I think this one is actually the dreaded "shrinker."  It's got one great song, a handful of nice riffs here and there, and a lot of songs that actively annoy me.      Maybe they're actually more to my taste without Neal Morse?  I've come to like most of the recent live album and might even take a flyer on the recommended self-titled one.

Porcupine Tree - Signify   This isn't one of my favorites of theirs, but I wanted go back and see how much of it I really liked in view of Bupie's feelings on the album.  Turns out I do like most of it.  I could do without "Intermediate Jesus," but most of the others are at least pretty good to my ears.  I particularly like the title instrumental, "Sleep of No Dreaming," and "Sever."

El Doom and the Born Electric - (self-titled)   My first impression of this was that it was some bizarre combination created by putting Zappa and Mastodon in that same Volkswagen I had people in to describe The Mars Volta.  By the end I didn't have a clue what it was, but I found it sufficiently challenging that I think I'll go find something else to challenge myself with.  Maybe Nicky can make some sense out of it.

RPWL - Beyond Man and Time    I'm really getting to like this one and may have to seek out their back catalog.

Discipline. - Unfolded Like Staircase   Not sure if most of you just didn't get to try these guys out or if, like Devin Townsend, I'm just the only one who's visibly excited about them.  In any case, I give it two green flippers up.  This is music that challenges me in a good way.  Also, they make it easy to be patient with Arena since fans of these guys had to wait 14 years after this album until they issued the next one.   

Ben Folds Five - Whatever & Ever Amen   Not prog, but he's pleasantly snarky, and I was in the mood for that.

NP: Bill Bruford - One of a Kind   Hey, it's Bill Bruford.

[Bupie]

Recently Played:

Spock's Beard - Snow     Now I remember why I never got any more SB albums.  I think this one is actually the dreaded "shrinker."  It's got one great song, a handful of nice riffs here and there, and a lot of songs that actively annoy me.      Maybe they're actually more to my taste without Neal Morse?  I've come to like most of the recent live album and might even take a flyer on the recommended self-titled one.

I don't know Snow but this comment, combined to your sparing tenderness for the Flower Kings and the ungreen DT, makes me wonder what's your take on Transatlantic ? Because I actually think that you could really enjoy it, despite of the background of three of its members. In fact, I don't think that somebody who likes prog rock could dislike a song like All Of The Above.

Porcupine Tree - Signify   This isn't one of my favorites of theirs, but I wanted go back and see how much of it I really liked in view of Bupie's feelings on the album.  Turns out I do like most of it.  I could do without "Intermediate Jesus," but most of the others are at least pretty good to my ears.  I particularly like the title instrumental, "Sleep of No Dreaming," and "Sever."

The title track was the one that put me off right from the start and distracted me from the more atmospheric stuff that is pretty good and even great (Dark Matter). I also listened again to In Absentia yesterday : it has his great moments too (Trains, Musak ...) but songs like Wedding Nails, I just can't stand 

El Doom and the Born Electric - (self-titled)   My first impression of this was that it was some bizarre combination created by putting Zappa and Mastodon in that same Volkswagen I had people in to describe The Mars Volta.  By the end I didn't have a clue what it was, but I found it sufficiently challenging that I think I'll go find something else to challenge myself with.  Maybe Nicky can make some sense out of it.

I can't wait to have your take on the last Mars Volta output ... if  you find the bravery to listen to it 

RPWL - Beyond Man and Time    I'm really getting to like this one and may have to seek out their back catalog.

This one has been hugely advertised in little prog world but I have not listened to it yet.

Discipline. - Unfolded Like Staircase   Not sure if most of you just didn't get to try these guys out or if, like Devin Townsend, I'm just the only one who's visibly excited about them.  In any case, I give it two green flippers up.

So far I know them as much as the green DT ... which means not at all ! But I'll check them. BTW, could you give me a place to start with your DT ?

NP Sean Filkins - War and Peace ... If you can find this one on your side of the ocean, try it 

[Manatee]

I don't know Snow but this comment, combined to your sparing tenderness for the Flower Kings and the ungreen DT, makes me wonder what's your take on Transatlantic ? Because I actually think that you could really enjoy it, despite of the background of three of its members. In fact, I don't think that somebody who likes prog rock could dislike a song like All Of The Above.

In fact, I quite like Transatlantic.  I have all three studio albums.  And yes, All of the Above is a highlight.  I don't doubt the talent of Neal Morse (or Roine Stolt or what's-his-name from Long Island  ); it just depends what they choose to do with it.  I really like (and bought) the new Agents of Mercy album (a side project of Roine's and a guy from Unifaun).  As to the Flower Kings, I think they tend a little too far to the jazz side of things for my liking.  I do pull out "Space Revolver" now and then, which I got on Iggy's recommendation as the one I might like best.  It is pretty good, but it does get too noodly for me in some parts.

The title track was the one that put me off right from the start and distracted me from the more atmospheric stuff that is pretty good and even great (Dark Matter). I also listened again to In Absentia yesterday : it has his great moments too (Trains, Musak ...) but songs like Wedding Nails, I just can't stand 

We must like very different things about PT (although there must be some common ground).  I love Wedding Nails.       It's actually the overly (IMO) atmospheric/weird sound effect stuff that puts me off.  I haven't sampled the earliest PT albums largely because I'm led to believe they are much more in that style than my favorites.  I'd be interested to hear them, but I don't think I want to run out and buy an album if it's likely to be of that sort.  I do have the live album, "Warszawa," which I think is mostly great.  A whole album of Voyage 34 might kill me though.

I can't wait to have your take on the last Mars Volta output ... if  you find the bravery to listen to it 

Actually, I'm curious to hear a studio album from them.  I've only heard/seen a live recording of theirs that was linked to Prog Archives.  It was about 45 minutes long, I think.  I was thinking of fishing around YouTube for something else of theirs.  My guess is it's still crazy, but maybe it has a *little* more structure to it.

So far I know them as much as the green DT ... which means not at all ! But I'll check them. BTW, could you give me a place to start with your DT ?

What I think of as the "real' Devin Townsend is rather loud, definitely metal, but not your usual kind of metal.  It's kind of hard to describe.  He has a good sense of melody, but there are times when he just lets himself go insane.  It appeals to me -- how any particular person will react to it, I'm not sure, but I think it's high-quality music.  I guess I'd start with "Ocean Machine" (I did) or "Terria."   If you're looking for something a little easier to digest (although not as typical of him), you might try "Ki" from the recent four album grouping he called The Devin Townsend Project.  That one's actually rather pretty.   If you do go for Ocean Machine and get the version with the bonus song at the end (which is probably what's out there now), beware of the blood-curdling scream a few seconds after the music ends.  It's pretty painful with headphones on.   

Oh, and I've heard good things about Sean Filkins.  I'll try to dig it up.


NP: Game Theory - Tinker to Evers to Chance    "college music"

[Iggy]

As to the Flower Kings, I think they tend a little too far to the jazz side of things for my liking.  I do pull out "Space Revolver" now and then, which I got on Iggy's recommendation as the one I might like best.  It is pretty good, but it does get too noodly for me in some parts.

Yay I think.

We must like very different things about PT (although there must be some common ground).  I love Wedding Nails.       It's actually the overly (IMO) atmospheric/weird sound effect stuff that puts me off.  I haven't sampled the earliest PT albums largely because I'm led to believe they are much more in that style than my favorites.  I'd be interested to hear them, but I don't think I want to run out and buy an album if it's likely to be of that sort.  I do have the live album, "Warszawa," which I think is mostly great.  A whole album of Voyage 34 might kill me though.

I think it was Voyage 34 that got me into PT

What I think of as the "real' Devin Townsend is rather loud, definitely metal, but not your usual kind of metal.  It's kind of hard to describe.  He has a good sense of melody, but there are times when he just lets himself go insane.  It appeals to me -- how any particular person will react to it, I'm not sure, but I think it's high-quality music.  I guess I'd start with "Ocean Machine" (I did) or "Terria."   If you're looking for something a little easier to digest (although not as typical of him), you might try "Ki" from the recent four album grouping he called The Devin Townsend Project.  That one's actually rather pretty.   If you do go for Ocean Machine and get the version with the bonus song at the end (which is probably what's out there now), beware of the blood-curdling scream a few seconds after the music ends.  It's pretty painful with headphones on.   

I do enjoy ziltoid the omniscient but still don't quite click.

Oh, and I've heard good things about Sean Filkins.  I'll try to dig it up.

Buy it buy it buy it. 

Recently Played:

Spock's Beard - Snow     Now I remember why I never got any more SB albums.  I think this one is actually the dreaded "shrinker."  It's got one great song, a handful of nice riffs here and there, and a lot of songs that actively annoy me.      Maybe they're actually more to my taste without Neal Morse?  I've come to like most of the recent live album and might even take a flyer on the recommended self-titled one.

Yep I think post Neal Morse is more enjoyable although I still love V

RPWL - Beyond Man and Time    I'm really getting to like this one and may have to seek out their back catalog.

God has failed is one of my favourites.

Discipline. - Unfolded Like Staircase   Not sure if most of you just didn't get to try these guys out or if, like Devin Townsend, I'm just the only one who's visibly excited about them.  In any case, I give it two green flippers up.  This is music that challenges me in a good way.  Also, they make it easy to be patient with Arena since fans of these guys had to wait 14 years after this album until they issued the next one.   

I have and enjoy To Shatter All Accord

I can't wait to have your take on the last Mars Volta output ... if  you find the bravery to listen to it 

I've never listened to the Mars Volta so need a starting point

[Iggy]

I am enjoying a bit of Avantasia this morning.

[Manatee]

I think it was Voyage 34 that got me into PT

We're all different, just like beautiful snowflakes.   

I do enjoy ziltoid the omniscient but still don't quite click.

Excellent, you're well on your way to becoming unwell.  Ziltoid is a very silly boy, but I like him.

Buy it buy it buy it. 

Right, I'll mark that down as a "yes" vote for Sean Filkins.

God has failed is one of my favourites.

I'll put it on my list.

I have and enjoy To Shatter All Accord

You're a good lad, Iggy.   

I've never listened to the Mars Volta so need a starting point

Except for the one experience I mentioned, neither have I.  The Prog Archives gang seems to like the first two: "De-loused in the Comatorium" and "Frances the Mute."  Nicky probably has more knowledge to impart on this one.


Last Night's Bedtime Music:

Devin Townsend - Terria

It Bites - The Tall Ships


NP/Wakey Wakey:

Mastodon - Blood Mountain

[Teunis]

Steve Thorne - Crimes And Reasons

Second spin, really like it  . He has gathered some fine musicians: Nick D'Virgilio (drums), Martin Orford (flute), Gary Chandler (electric guitar), Tony Levin (bass) and Bob White (drums). Expect 'poppy prog'  .

[Manatee]

Steve Thorne - Crimes And Reasons

Second spin, really like it  . He has gathered some fine musicians: Nick D'Virgilio (drums), Martin Orford (flute), Gary Chandler (electric guitar), Tony Levin (bass) and Bob White (drums). Expect 'poppy prog'  .

Good to see Martin hasn't completely abandoned the music business.


NP: Porcupine Tree - In Absentia

[Nicky007]

Nothing proggy or metal or proggy metal, sorry Nicky 

Funky, I had a Bob Dylan fix the other day, with all the old stuff, and you know what ?  I really dug it 

And I like PJ and Delirious? too, and I listened a lot to Madness, man, all those years back 

What'v ya been up to lately ?


Anyhows:

NP  Amorphis:  The Beginning Of Times

Oh man, that sound - wheeeeew 

Bupie, you'l enjoy this band 

The question was an attempt of traducing French words but it probably failed.

Quite OK, Bupie:  Rather try and fail, and learn, than give up and languish 

It's "translating," and better: "an attempt to translate ...." 

The purpose was to say that these bands open the way, like the scouts ride in front of the cavalry but it was of very little interest.

OK, but I'd say that in the company of Seventh Wonder and Haken you'r well into progmetalworld 

Orphaned Land's Mabool ... Threshold' Slipstream

Two super albums 

I'll try Anubis Gate of course

Bupie

You could also get AG's Andromeda Unchained. Musically it's my fave AG album. I just don't know what it's about. Lyrically AG are pretty impenetrable. In that way, The Detached is much more straightforward, about travels across time and space, and mind-blowing 

Mad, what is your current take on AG ?

what do you think of Andromeda ? Is it the same kind of prog metal ?

I like their first album Extension Of The Wish best. It was all composed, organised, and produced by Johan Reinholdz - he had obviously been working on it for years - and had the excellent Lawrence Mackrory singing (strangely, as "session singer"). It has a tremendous youthful freshness and energy, of a young god reaching for the stars 

Then, for reasons unknown to me, they got a new singer, and Johan made it a band effort, and they lost it somewhat. Still a good band, but it's (the first) Extension that's the One (to me) 

Mad, what's your take ?

NP Phideaux - Doomsday Afternoon

A very different genre, despite of the title ... 

Yeah, Phideaux don't quite do it for me (yet) 

The Prog Archives gang seems to like the first two: "De-loused in the Comatorium" and "Frances the Mute."  Nicky probably has more knowledge to impart on this one.

When MV released their first two albums De-Loused and Frances, in 2003 and 2005, they were a fresh wind on the prog scene. I was completely captivated by them, and I played those albums to pieces 

2005 is about the time that I got into the Room, and you guys turned me to other groups - Arena, DT, and all that stuff - and I lost touch with MV. I'v returned to MV occassionally since, but somehow it's not quite the same 

But definitely, De-Loused and Frances are classics 

Maybe they're actually more to my taste without Neal Morse?

I think I actually agree with you there, Greenie. I like Feel Euphoria, Octane, and SB a LOT. Based on this, I got all of the earlier studio albums, but there's nothing there that comes near to gripping me in the same way 

I like Neal for his stories - I have some twelve albums where he figures - but musically he's not really up there for me 

El Doom and the Born Electric - (self-titled)  ... By the end I didn't have a clue what it was ... Maybe Nicky can make some sense out of it.

Thanx, Greenie. Phew, do I really have that reputation in the Room 



OK, I'l put'm on my Groups to check list. (Actually "and" -> &.) Then, one fine day, I'l open YouTube, smoke a joint, and ..... 

Hey, it's Bill Bruford.

Yeah, I too gotta follow up on this great musician 


Man, you guys really got me goin there again, like in olden days 


Played:

Mike Oldfield:  QE2

Steve Vai:  Fire Garden

Jeff Loomis:  Zero Order Phase

Three great classics 

One can't really call oneself a senior proggie unless one's familiar with them 


Well, I actually got thru the entire Beginning Of Times during this writing session    and

NP  Dominici:  O3, Part 3 

Man, there's sooo much great music around these days, it's amazing 

Nicky.

[Nicky007]

NP  Kamelot:  Poetry For The Poisoned

Another fabulous album 

Khan sings out of this world 

Sure am gonna miss him. But let's see, rock musicians tend to return 

And Thomas let's go of himself more - super 

Nicky.

[Manatee]

Not Playing Again Ever: Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson - Thick As a Brick 2

My instincts were to not touch this with a ten foot pole, but it appeared on progstreaming.com, so I figured what the heck.  Trust your instincts.  I know some things are growers, but if this grew on me, I'd have to have it surgically removed.


NP: something very loud

[Nicky007]

what's-his-name from Long Island 

If it's DT's James LaBrie you mean, then he's Canadian 

What you did get right was that John Petrucci (the guitarist and de-facto leader of DT) and John Myung (bassist) are childhood friends from King's Park, LI, and they met with Mike Portnoy from Long Beach, LI, at Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts, and the rest is history 

I know some things are growers, but if this grew on me, I'd have to have it surgically removed.

Whew, sounds pretty bad 

Yeah, I'v heard some post Songs From The Wood stuff, and I'm not impressed 

Even so, they have a bunch of real classics in their catalog, and they can still put up an ass-kicking show 


Here's a great album, and a real grower:

NP  The Shadow Theory:  Behind The Black Veil 

Aint that so, Mad ?

TST has some musicians in the mix that should ring a bell for Roomies; how about Devon Graves, Kristoffer Gildenlöw, Johanne James, Arne Schuppner 

Btw TST's mainman Devon Graves has a great admiration for Ian Anderson, and he plays flute on Veil and all the Deadsoul Tribe albums 

Nicky.

[Manatee]

If it's DT's James LaBrie you mean, then he's Canadian 

What you did get right was that John Petrucci (the guitarist and de-facto leader of DT) and John Myung (bassist) are childhood friends from King's Park, LI, and they met with Mike Portnoy from Long Beach, LI, at Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts, and the rest is history 

Actually, I was referring to Portnoy.  He's the DT guy (until recently anyway) in Transatlantic, no?  Bupie was wondering what I thought of Transatlantic given that I'm sort of luke-warm on three of the bands that contributed members.


The real Thick As a Brick is my all-time favorite concept album (yes, even though it's technically mocking concept albums).  This isn't even bad Jethro Tull, it's Ian Anderson doing ... well, I'm not sure what, but I wish he'd just content himself with being proud of his masterpiece instead of ****ing on it.   

I played some nice loud, simple AC/DC to cleanse my musical palate of that garbage.


NP: Anathema - Eternity

I'm really into this one now.  Even better, the copy I have has two versions of "Angelica" on it.   

[Nicky007]

Actually, I was referring to Portnoy.  He's the DT guy (until recently anyway) in Transatlantic, no?  Bupie was wondering what I thought of Transatlantic given that I'm sort of luke-warm on three of the bands that contributed members.

Yeah, OK, I can see that now. I hooked onto your dislike of Jamie's singing 

Well, I'm not so hot on Transatlantic (a bit too old-school prog for my taste) and Roine's projects 

Nicky.

[PH]

NP  Kamelot:  Poetry For The Poisoned

Another fabulous album 

Khan sings out of this world 

Sure am gonna miss him. But let's see, rock musicians tend to return 

And Thomas let's go of himself more - super 

Last Tuesday I was at my brother's home, and I found out (to my surprise) that he had bought this very album! He loves it. Yet, he doesn't like all the other Progressive artists...

Not Playing Again Ever: Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson - Thick As a Brick 2

My instincts were to not touch this with a ten foot pole, but it appeared on progstreaming.com, so I figured what the heck.  Trust your instincts.  I know some things are growers, but if this grew on me, I'd have to have it surgically removed.

That sounds not so good. I was really looking forward to this album... Hmm...

[Manatee]

That sounds not so good. I was really looking forward to this album... Hmm...

Well, if you've already ordered it, don't let me spoil it for you.  I'm pretty sure I won't be able to hear it over here when you play it, so I won't complain.  If you haven't, you might consider a nice Mars Volta album.     Part of my strong reaction comes from my love of the real TAAB.  In truth, this new one doesn't have much to do with that one musically.  Except for a few brief snippets, he's really just using the fictional backstory of the little boy genius who supposedly wrote the original as a jumping off point.

NP: nothing.  Off to see Mom (or in English English, "Mum").  It think Sylvan's Posthumous Silence is up next in the car.  That one takes some careful listening, it seems.

[Bupie]

Thanks for the tips on the green DT, Andromeda, The Mars Volta ... and Ian Anderson ! And thanks for the English lesson, Nick 

NP Steve Hackett - Live Archive

CD 2 70's Although often quoted as influential by many artists that I like, Hackett' solo work was totally unknown to me before I bought this album. And it stil is, since this 4 cds offering will take time to digest