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[PH]

Listening to some YouTube videos of the new Circus Maximus album "Havoc".
Really like what I hear!

[Bupie]

Listening to some YouTube videos of the new Circus Maximus album "Havoc".
Really like what I hear!

Their previous album, Nine, has become one of my all times favorites 

I am bit anxious about Havoc because, from the two songs that I heard, the first was cool but the second -the title track if I reckon- was hard to swallow. Anyway, I preordered the album a long time ago so I will soon be able to make up my mind.

NP Peter Gee - Songs From The Heart

Another compilation but a rather complete one with 30 songs out of 5 albums (Gee's two gospel albums are not featured). I got it at a bargain price from progrock.co.uk and I honestly have to say that I would not have considered buying it otherwise. And again, what a nice surprise for me who thought I would find at best some substandard neoprog ala Pendragon. Instead, I get an highly melodic mix of neoprog and classic rock that I really enjoy mostly entirely. Highly recommended to everybody who can take some quality Christian-oriented balladish classic rock, except for Teunis who I suspect already owns all of Gee's solo albums 

[PH]

Their previous album, Nine, has become one of my all times favorites 

Yeah, I've listened to that one as well a few years ago. I really need to catch up on all these albums.

I am bit anxious about Havoc because, from the two songs that I heard, the first was cool but the second -the title track if I reckon- was hard to swallow. Anyway, I preordered the album a long time ago so I will soon be able to make up my mind.

I think I know which songs you mean. Nevertheless, it's good quality Prog metal. Along with Haken they're the bands that sound more like Dream Theater than Dream Theater. Really cool.

NP Pete Gee - Songs From The Heart

Another compilation but a rather complete one with 30 songs out of 5 albums (Gee's two gospel albums are not featured). I got it at a bargain price from progrock.co.uk and I honestly have to say that I would not have considered buying it otherwise. And again, what a nice surprise for me who thought I would find at best some substandard neoprog ala Pendragon. Instead, I get an highly melodic mix of neoprog and classic rock that I really enjoy mostly entirely. Highly recommended to everybody who can take some quality Christian-oriented balladish classic rock, except for Teunis who I suspect already owns all of Gee's solo albums 

Hmm... I'll probably have to check out his discography.

Today I listened to:
Gazpacho's "Tick Tock" and "March Of Ghosts"

[Teunis]

NP Pete Gee - Songs From The Heart

Highly recommended to everybody who can take some quality Christian-oriented balladish classic rock, except for Teunis who I suspect already owns all of Gee's solo albums 

LOL. Nope, I do own two Peter Gee Albums: 'East Of Eden' and 'The Spiritual World' and do really enjoy them. Was thinking about buying his most recent album 'Paris', but has to wait for a moment. Can't buy everything. So many great releases coming up .

np: The Neal Morse Band - The Grand Experiment 

[Bupie]

LOL. Nope, I do own two Peter Gee Albums: 'East Of Eden' and 'The Spiritual World' and do really enjoy them. Was thinking about buying his most recent album 'Paris', but has to wait for a moment. Can't buy everything. So many great releases coming up .

Well, there are 9 songs from Paris - out of 15- on the compilation so it should give me a pretty good idea after a few listens. I will let you know. There is not much litterature on Gee's discography and the only review I found for Paris album was quite negative ...

NP Peter Gee - Songs From The Heart

[Nicky007]

NP  Queensrÿche:  Condition Hüman

This was surprisingly good, I mean: really, really good - madly good

Talking about which: Mad, you must have heard this album by now ? And Tom

Ordered the previous one too, their self-titled, the first without Geoff Tate.

I like all the Tate-albums, also the last, altho admittedly they were stronger on the concepts and lyrics than the music, but all well worth getting into

I haven't listened to Geoff's The Key yet, but according to reviews, he seems to have lost it somewhat

But I'll check up on it ....


Guys, once again, if you wanna hear what's real cutting edge atm, then listen to Wintersun Time I. Man, I'm telling everybody this, but people just shrug it off. Nobody wants to go for the very best

Tellya: This is the real McCuttingEdge! It has everything: metal, folk, melody, guitar and drum madness, intriguing lyrics etc

- Nicky

[PH]

NP  Queensrÿche:  Condition Hüman

This was surprisingly good, I mean: really, really good - madly good

Hmmm... interesting. I'll put it on my list to check out. Queensrÿche have made some albums that I liked. I've heard that they were on the right track this time again indeed.

Guys, once again, if you wanna hear what's real cutting edge atm, then listen to Wintersun Time I. Man, I'm telling everybody this, but people just shrug it off. Nobody wants to go for the very best

Tellya: This is the real McCuttingEdge! It has everything: metal, folk, melody, guitar and drum madness, intriguing lyrics etc

I'll promise, I'm going to check them out. A collegue of mine also recommended this to me a few days ago. And when two people, independently, recommend the same album to me in a few weeks time, it's too much of coincidence. It seems I have no choice.

Now tell me, why didn't you reply to the news of Jon Anderson and Roine Stolt working together on an album?

[PH]

Well Nicky, I just finished listening to Wintersun. Not bad at all. I will probably listen to this again.

Now I'm listening to Änglagård's "Viljans Öga".

[maddox]

Now I'm listening to Änglagård's "Viljans Öga".

NP> Dante ~ When We Were Beautiful

[PH]

I've listened quite a few times to this album, but I'm not sure what to think.
You seem to like it, can you explain to me what you like about it?

[PH]

Previously played:
Yes - "The Ladder"

Now playing:
The Urbane - "Glitter"

[Teunis]

There is not much litterature on Gee's discography and the only review I found for Paris album was quite negative ...

I've read a very positive review in Dutch on Progwereld.org. I don't care that much what the critics write/say. Will listen to have my own opinion .

Knight Area - Hyperdrive

[Teunis]

Today:
Comedy Of Errors - Spirit
Airbag - The Greatest Show On Earth (New album 'Disconnected' to be released on 10th June, looking forward to it!)
Damian Wilson & Adam Wakeman - Weir Keeper's Tale

[Nicky007]

Hmmm... interesting. I'll put it on my list to check out. Queensrÿche have made some albums that I liked. I've heard that they were on the right track this time again indeed.

I'm in two minds about it. I really liked Geoff a lot: great talent, sincere, mindful of the QR-fans etc; so I waited long with QR after the split to see where it all landed. Of course I read the reviews. They overall pointed to the new QR without Geoff really blossoming again. And I can only say that they're very right.

Even so, I owe it to Geoff to get into his post-split stuff ....

It seems I have no choice.

I'd say so

Well Nicky, I just finished listening to Wintersun. Not bad at all. I will probably listen to this again.

And you followed up on it a few hours later

It's a very busy album. One only really reaches a fullness after several listens. And then it's a real winner.

It definitely is a very special album, the lifeblood of a very unusual talent, Jari Mäenpää. Keep that name in mind, we can expect more great stuff from him. These days he's working on Time II. He spends hours on end bringing things to perfection, and it's all truly worth it

Good to know that you have colleagues who go for the very best, Paxi

Now tell me, why didn't you reply to the news of Jon Anderson and Roine Stolt working together on an album?

Roine's guitar and singing don't really jibe with me. His guitar doesn't really flow to my mind, it's kindy jerky. And his strong Swedish accent when singing in English is against my grain - you must know me by now, Paxi

Neal, Pete and Mike had Jim Matheos in mind when they talked about what became Transatlantic. I would've been much happier with Jim on the axe - super guitarist


Played:

W.A.S.P.:  The Headless Children

This band has become one of my absolute faves. Another great album by them


City Boy:  Book Early

My fine "home band" - from B'ham. They made seven albums in all. Skip Dinner at the Ritz and It's Personal. Everything else is pure magic (minus some tracks here and there)

- Nicky

[funkster]

Storm Corrosion - ST

Only really started listening to this recently and what a treat it is.

Also listening to some Voivod , Exodus , IQ , Opeth , Katatonia , Wolverine and Votum

Bit of a mixed bag as normal for me

[Teunis]

IQ - The Road Of Bones 

[PH]

It's a very busy album. One only really reaches a fullness after several listens. And then it's a real winner.

It definitely is a very special album, the lifeblood of a very unusual talent, Jari Mäenpää. Keep that name in mind, we can expect more great stuff from him. These days he's working on Time II. He spends hours on end bringing things to perfection, and it's all truly worth it

Good to know that you have colleagues who go for the very best, Paxi

Well, he is mostly on the AOR side of things and he listens to some blues. But he also likes Yes and knows about Mike Oldfield. He told me that he used to listen to Punk music. But we have little chats every now and then.

Roine's guitar and singing don't really jibe with me. His guitar doesn't really flow to my mind, it's kindy jerky. And his strong Swedish accent when singing in English is against my grain - you must know me by now, Paxi

Neal, Pete and Mike had Jim Matheos in mind when they talked about what became Transatlantic. I would've been much happier with Jim on the axe - super guitarist

I know that they initially wanted Jim on guitars. But I'm so glad that they ended up with Roine. I like Jim Matheos. He's fantastic in OSI and he is pretty good with riffing, but noone plays such beautiful melodic lead like Roine! He's one of the best guitar players that I know of. He's so versatile. And although he is mainly a guitarist, I quite like his warm, accented and slightly nasal voice. Ah well, tastes differ and to each his own, right?

Besides all that, I guess Jon Anderson will do most of the vocals anyway.

But you don't like Transatlantic then?

Storm Corrosion - ST

Only really started listening to this recently and what a treat it is.

I can imagine. I really like that album! It's one of those albums where the sum is so much greater than its parts, since it's kinda odd to listen to one song outside album context. Such an atmospheric album, this one.

IQ - The Road Of Bones 

Excellent choice! I might play that one next, thank you!


Today I did a lot of old school video game soundtrack listening.

Frank Klepacki - "Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2" (including "Yuri's Revenge")
I enjoy this stuff a lot. It's very unique actually.

David Arkenstone - "Emperor: Battle For Dune" just the 'Harkonnen' side of the music.
Pretty cool epic melodic rock/metal. Not too difficult, but really like it.

Now playing:
Jeremy Soule - "The Elder Scrolls IV: Skyrim"
Talk about epic. This soundtrack is pretty long. Four discs worthy of more than three and a half hours of beautifully composed orchestral themes. Makes me feel like I'm in Tamriel again.

[PH]

Listened to IQ's "The Road Of Bones", as promised. Great album!
Didn't play the whole album though. Halfway through I wanted something heavier, so I switched to:

Opeth's "Watershed". Listened to it while playing a game of "C&C: Red Alert 2". That's right.

And now I've been YouTubing Green Carnation's "Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness" for already more than half an hour, which was surprisingly good.
I'm going to stop now, because I want to go to bed. But, I'll put this on my list of bands/albums to check out.

Anyone here who likes Green Carnation?

[Bupie]

Never heard of them to be honest but they have a rocking name. I will check out.

NP Dream Theater - The Astonishing

I am about to complete my first non stop listen of the 2 CD, which demands time. Still don't know what to think of it as a whole but it has its great moments for sure. The artwork is nice too, the concept ... well, to be honest, I don't care much since I left primary school a long time ago 

[Teunis]

Agent Fresco - Destrier

[maddox]

And now I've been YouTubing Green Carnation's "Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness" for already more than half an hour, which was surprisingly good.
I'm going to stop now, because I want to go to bed. But, I'll put this on my list of bands/albums to check out.

Anyone here who likes Green Carnation?

Excellent album!
It´s the only album I have of them though.

[Teunis]

Leprous - The Congregation

[Nicky007]

Leprous - The Congregation

You should give Coal another run, Teunis. There are some passages that are absolutely breathtaking - aint that so, Paxi 

Well, he is mostly on the AOR side of things and he listens to some blues. But he also likes Yes and knows about Mike Oldfield. He told me that he used to listen to Punk music. But we have little chats every now and then.

Somewhat puzzled that he can go for Wintersun Time I. As I already mentioned, there is a lot of Mike Oldfield vibe, but I consider that one has to be rather metal to like Time I, e.g. take some growl and other "insanities"

But nothing wrong with Yes, Oldfield, and punk. I really go for the authenticity of Sex Pistols

And sharing music is as good as it gets

Ah well, tastes differ and to each his own, right?

Guesso

Besides all that, I guess Jon Anderson will do most of the vocals anyway.

With him in the mix - I mean, I'd get the album even with you on keys, Paxi

But you don't like Transatlantic then?

Admittedly need to hear'm more. I have SMPT:e and Bridge Across Forever (on cd). I remember them as pretty good. And now that my interest in Neal Morse has grown. I'll give'm a run soon ....

Roine may not be quite my taste. But it's mainly the band alchemy that I go for, as you say:

the sum is so much greater than its parts

NP  Amorphis:  Under The Red Cloud

This is one of the select albums where the word "perfect" comes to mind. It's not one of the most progressive or innovative or stunning albums - Coal, Time I, and Epistemology beat it there by a stretch - but it's an album where everything just comes naturally, and there's so much beauty - just makes you happy and asking for more. I had this album as sole repeat during the Easter days.

- Nicky

[Teunis]

You should give Coal another run, Teunis. There are some passages that are absolutely breathtaking - aint that so, Paxi 

I will .

jp: Circus Maximus - Havoc (Not bad at all, pleasantly surprised)
np: Arcane Atlas - Metris (Read some positive thoughts about it, but not really my cup of tea I'm afraid )

[Bupie]

I will .

jp: Circus Maximus - Havoc (Not bad at all, pleasantly surprised)

Good to know for I am waiting for this one to land in my mailbox anytime soon

NP Gazpacho - Introducing Gazpacho

OK, the strong references to H's Marillion had made me aware that it would be a risky buy so I can't complain but it's still a bit disappointing at this point. Fortunately, this point being my very first listen, there is still hope ...