Now Playing Thread

[h9]

Riverside - Beyond The Eyelids

For my ear, the special things that comes from Riverside is their bassist. And of course the Vocalist.
Mariusz Duda's voice is very nice and his performance is as good as when he filled the vocal for Indukti.

NP : Without Knowing Why - Magic Pie

[Nicky007]

NP  Nevermore:  Enemies Of Reality

Probably the most "unpleasant" N-album 

Tom, I think I would put it in the following way: 15 year ago DT were the "bad boys" of rock. Over the years, thru genius and hard work, releasing great, intelligent music, they've been broadly accepted and appreciated. I mean, when "lighties" like our Paxi and Bupsie (hope that designation is ok with you guys) appeciate DT, that really means that they have been broadly accepted in prog circles.

DT definitely merit such extensive attention. They are great. But otoh popularity also binds. When Portnoy says that SC is a "real DT album with all that goes with it" (somethin like that), then I'm also hearing that they feel they have some expectations among fans that they have to live up to.

Nevermore dont have that (yet). When they make albums, they simply get out what's in'm. They don't think about fans; they think music and philosophy. Therefore their music is also very irregular; some of it is unbearable, like their rendition of "Sounds Of Silence", and even their famous "I, Voyager", some is ethereally wonderful, like Sorrowed Man, and then there's all sorts of other weird stuff here and there.

So, in that way, I'd say that full-scale ("grownup") proggies would go for Nevermore. I'd even go as far as saying that Nevermore are the present prophets of rock, iac more than any other group 

Actually, I see some of the same qualities in Opeth's Watershed ....

Nicky.

[Deenfan]

If they bury too much of the supposed melody in massive noise, none of that comes into play at all.

[maddox]

Great track! Are you gonna go see them on December 10th at Paradiso?

Probably not. No one is allowed to have a day off between now and the end of the year. Busy busy busy....

For my ear, the special things that comes from Riverside is their bassist. And of course the Vocalist.

Which is the same person.(Mariusz Duda) 
But you probably already knew that. 

[Nicky007]

If they bury too much of the supposed melody in massive noise, none of that comes into play at all.

That's a relevant point, Deenie. But then the question arises: What's noise ?  What is noise for one person may be emotion for another.

E.g. when I heard This Godless Endeavor the first times, it was really too noisy for me. I simply couldnt get thru the noise to the melody in it. I left it for a year and only returned cause I had gotten turned on to Warrel Dane's War Machine.

Similar thing with Opeth's Watershed: Some parts were to growly and noisy, and other parts too bland.

Today these two albums are among the few that fasten my attention from beginning to end 

I think it all depends on how restless one is. I'm very restless, and I'm constantly on the lookout for new experiences. My boredom threshold is very low, and that goes for music, people, and pretty much everything. Fortunately I'v developed an instinct for talented music, even if it doesnt grip me on the first few runs.

NP  Nevermore:  Dead Heart, In A Dead World

Nicky.

[maddox]

Unitopia - The Garden

[h9]

So, in that way, I'd say that full-scale ("grownup") proggies would go for Nevermore. I'd even go as far as saying that Nevermore are the present prophets of rock, iac more than any other group 

Now, I'm really eager to hear one of their album. 
My biggest question now is whether Nevermore could fit with my ear as all of Dream Theater's album (except WDADU) do.

NP: Innocent Victim - Cliffhanger

[Nicky007]

Yes, Hanin, Nevermore should appeal to all DT-fans. However, as Nevermore are more dissonant than DT, they're more difficult to get into.

But the rewards are worth any effort 

Nicky.

[Bupie]

Interestingly, Seattle is the best educated city in the States. Over half of all youths there get university educations - probably thanks to Bill Gates  

I'l probably never get to Seattle again, cause I nevermore fly, but I remember a wonderful summer holiday there when I was eight y/o (remember, my Dad's US-American)  

Considering the movies that were filmed there, it seems like a nice town and it sure is located in a nice area. Maybe the winters would be a bit cold for my taste since I am used to living in the south of France ...

How about you and the States, Bups ?

Well, I've been to Montreal once 

I mean, when "lighties" like our Paxi and Bupsie (hope that designation is ok with you guys)

No problem but my friends would disagree since they find that the music I listen to is way too heavy.

NP UFO - Lights Out

I played it like eight times on repeat yesterday while painting my daughter's bedroom. Wonderfully melodic hard rock (even if probably not heavy enough for you, Nick  ) with the tasteful guitar licks of Michael Schenker (although a bit underused sometimes). It was the time when albums were only 35 to 40 minutes long, which was not necessarily a bad thing. Anyway, I don't know how I missed this one by the time. Speaking of miss, where is Steve ? He was the only one into (very) old classic rock apart from me, making me feel less like an alien 

[Deenfan]

That's a relevant point, Deenie. But then the question arises: What's noise ?  What is noise for one person may be emotion for another.

Absolutely.

I think it all depends on how restless one is. I'm very restless, and I'm constantly on the lookout for new experiences. My boredom threshold is very low, and that goes for music, people, and pretty much everything.

Interesting point, and you're probably on to something. I don't think I've ever been properly bored. Maybe a hint of it about twice a year or so.

[PH]

Tom, I think I would put it in the following way: 15 year ago DT were the "bad boys" of rock. Over the years, thru genius and hard work, releasing great, intelligent music, they've been broadly accepted and appreciated. I mean, when "lighties" like our Paxi and Bupsie (hope that designation is ok with you guys) appeciate DT, that really means that they have been broadly accepted in prog circles.

Hmm... I don't consider myself a "lighty". I often like the more heavy parts of the music. You should listen to the new Frost* album!
And I can appreciate names like Devin Townsend, Evergrey, Zero Hour, Tool, Opeth and a lot more that comes on my path. But the big problem, and most of the time the only thing that stands in the way, are the lyrics. Most of those bands are musically really cool, but lyrically I cannot listen to it.

And Dream Theater isn't really a good example, since there are a LOT of prog-people who HATE Dream Theater. It's either you like them or you hate them. Or the fans are divided into the "I&W, Awake, FII" era and the "Scenes and on" era. Ask Deenie.
Then there are the Metal fans and the Prog fans, and they are not really the same. There's proggy Metal and there's metalish Prog. And of course Prog Metal.

So, in that way, I'd say that full-scale ("grownup") proggies would go for Nevermore. I'd even go as far as saying that Nevermore are the present prophets of rock, iac more than any other group 

Man, I truly hope you're joking. But I already know that I shouldn't take everything you say too seriously.

-Paco

[Nicky007]

No problem, but my friends would disagree, since they find that the music I listen to is way too heavy.

Interesting that both you, Bups, and Paxi disagree with my designation. Guess the answer is that everything is relative 

NP UFO - Lights Out

I played it like eight times on repeat yesterday while painting my daughter's bedroom. Wonderfully melodic hard rock (even if probably not heavy enough for you, Nick  ) ....

I dont know UFO at all, Bups. What are they like ?

Speaking of miss, where is Steve ? He was the only one into (very) old classic rock apart from me ....

Yeah, Bups, I also miss Stevie.

But your last statement surprises me:  I, for one, am very much into Zep, Floyd, and Queen. Depends, of course, on what you mean by "classic rock". In my case there has to be something edgy or unusual, re my boredom threshold.

... making me feel less like an alien 

Well, Bups, you and Draco are aliens here. France is like a seperate planet 

Hmm... I don't consider myself a "lighty". I often like the more heavy parts of the music. And I can appreciate names like Devin Townsend, Evergrey, Zero Hour, Tool, Opeth and a lot more that comes on my path.

You obviously have a very broad taste in music, Paxi 

But it seems to me that your preferences lie on the lighter side of the Room.

But the big problem, and most of the time the only thing that stands in the way, are the lyrics. Most of those bands are musically really cool, but lyrically I cannot listen to it.

It's great that you're so observant about lyrics, Paxi.

I myself like very much Mikael Å's lyrics (apart from the one alleged backward satanic reference).

Re the other groups that you named, I havent gotten sufficiently into their lyrics to have an opinion about'm.

And Dream Theater isn't really a good example, since there are a LOT of prog-people who HATE Dream Theater. It's either you like them or you hate them. Or the fans are divided into the "I&W, Awake, FII" era and the "Scenes and on" era.

A lot of immature people like to strut with categorical statements about DT. But I think that mature proggies like the whole DT catalog, more or less (except the crappy debut) 

Ask Deenie.

I think we got Deenie to reconsider his rather radical stance on this matter 

Then there are the Metal fans and the Prog fans, and they are not really the same. There's proggy Metal and there's metalish Prog. And of course Prog Metal.

Hey, that's pretty sophisticated, Paxi 

You should listen to the new Frost* album!

I didnt like the first Frost* album much, so I'm not presently apt to acquire the new one.

Man, I truly hope you're joking.

No, Paxi, with this I'm not joking at all. Nevermore are very much "in your face" with life. Naturally it requires some courage to tackle them. But for seeking persons they stand there almost as "watchers of the threshold" 

But I already know that I shouldn't take everything you say too seriously.

This is of course very true   


NP  Seventh Wonder:  Become  (their first studio album)

Growing ....

Nicky.

[Steve Jones]

Speaking of miss, where is Steve ?

I wouldn't order a wreath just yet...

[Nicky007]

Miss Steve's absence was due to a sex-change operation 

Nicky.

[Steve Jones]

Miss Steve's absence was due to a sex-change operation 

I'd love to stay and tell you all about it but, for now, I gotta split...

[Bupie]

I dont know UFO at all, Bups. What are they like ?

Well, I only know one of their albums so far but I plan to dig further in their 70's catalog. From what I read on Wiki, they muted from psydechelic debuts to melodic hard rock and they possibly made the best metal live album ever called Strangers in the Night (this, I have yet to check out).

But your last statement surprises me:  I, for one, am very much into Zep, Floyd, and Queen. Depends, of course, on what you mean by "classic rock". In my case there has to be something edgy or unusual, re my boredom threshold.

You're right, Nicky, I have to apology. I guess that the explanation is that I came to music just a little bit after you  , I mean in the late 70's and as a yougster I was more into classic, pop or hard rock than into prog. Deep Purple or Lep Zeppelin could have fit but they were already on the down side and the screaming voices of their singers didn't attract me. Queen was a different story : maybe they were too innovative fro me at the time ? But basically, I was listening  to what was in the air and there was a lot of hard rock to be heard (AC/DC, Scorpions, Saxon, Def Leppard, UFO ...)

Well, Bups, you and Draco are aliens here. France is like a seperate planet 

Yes, we hear the distant death metal growls at midnight in the woods past our northern frontiers but we only let the female fronted speed metal bands enter ... 

NP Spock's Beard - V
Track : At The End Of The Day  It's epic time, guys 

[Bupie]

I'd love to stay and tell you all about it but, for now, I gotta split...

You can confess now, Steve. You managed to be hired by Marillion as a roadie so you can see them all the time instead of just listening to their complete discography 24 hours a day 

[The Butterfly Man]

You can confess now, Steve. You managed to be hired by Marillion as a roadie so you can see them all the time instead of just listening to their complete discography 24 hours a day 

Ah, so that's why they had so many technical problems at their gig last Saturday!

[Teunis]

Neal Morse - Lifeline

[maddox]

Unitopia - The Garden

[PH]

Yes, we hear the distant death metal growls at midnight in the woods past our northern frontiers but we only let the female fronted speed metal bands enter ... 

Haha! That's really a good one! That sounds soooo great!
"we hear the distant death metal growls at midnight in the woods past our northern frontiers"

Sounds like a lyric!

Teunis, what happened to your avatar? I liked your ba.. err.. bold head!

[The Butterfly Man]

NP: After Forever - Strong

What a powerful song! Amazing!



Tom

[Nicky007]

NP  Seventh Wonder:  Become  (fifth run today)

This one simply does become better and better 

I find SW similar to and just as good as Circus Maximus. I just read that the guys in the two groups are good friends, and that's just great.

What I don't understand is why SW arent more popular 

Guys, this is one of the best prog metal bands around. Great melody, musicianship, unusual, intelligent lyrics, excellent production.

The other SW guys were dissatisfied with the singer on Become, Andi Kravljaca, and they replaced him with Tommy Karevik, but I actually find that Andi sings excellently on Become. Well, I remember Tommy doing equally well (maybe better) on Waiting In The Wings, and there seems to be a better chemistry with Tommy.

SW merit a lot more attention. Roomies, use every opportunity to promote them. Buy their cd's, talk about them to friends, go out on Ultimatemetal.com and join the discussions there, whatever.

Nicky.

[bellanova]

Listening to a band called Mark 3 which is a band that my boyfriend, Mark is in. I like it but then im biased!!

[Nicky007]

NP  Seventh Wonder:   Become (the umpteenth time in a row)

Guess what, guys, I really like this album 

Anyone else here into prog metal ? 

Hey, guys, have I somehow bullied you into silence ?  That was not my intention. So I'l be silent for a while now. But you can be sure that SW is on my agenda 

Yeah, welcome back, Bella 

Hope your computer behaves itself now. Our plans to make a classical Arena cover band have to be shelved for a while as I'm practising metal runs on "my" new Gibson guitar currently.

Nicky.