Search found 434 matches

by Sir Exar Kun
Tue Mar 12, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New stuff Friday ...
Replies: 510
Views: 34717

Re: New stuff Friday ...

Vicinity - this one has Larry D written all over it. Old school prog metal in the Pagan's Mind / Circus Maximus / Seventh Wonder / Ventura vein. Very well done, but probably not for me. OK, REALLY enjoyed this! Any tips on a domestic spot to order, or strictly through the band? I have Myrath and Tu...
by Sir Exar Kun
Tue Mar 12, 2024 3:14 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

Work day playlist: Rush "Critical Mass" - live boot from Auburn Hills (next door to where I grew up!) from the 1994 tour. Shadows of Steel s/t - Italian power metal from the early 2000s featuring Wild Steel on vocals, most notable for his infatuation with sounding and looking like Midnight. Motley C...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Mar 06, 2024 4:34 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Knowing an Album
Replies: 5
Views: 145

Re: Knowing an Album

As far as nostalgia - it could be. But what I think it this .... back to what I said at the top. We reach for things that are timeless for the most part......let's face it, grab your favorite Fates Warning or Queensryche disc and play it and say " holy shit that thing still slays me " ...... then g...
by Sir Exar Kun
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:54 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

Angel Dust/Bleed - Music is so good, vocals are a bit coarse for me. Superior/Ultima Ratio - Def ratcheted up the aggression from Behind. Not sure the vocalist needed to go this direction. He could've kept his cleans on this album. Shift/Creating a Monster - This is Rich Davis from Mystic Force. It...
by Sir Exar Kun
Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:13 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Larry - New Live Transatlantic at MorseFest
Replies: 1
Views: 56

Larry - New Live Transatlantic at MorseFest

This will be an AMAZING show, but...... That pricetag.... On top of the fact that most of this was released as the last live album.....

https://nealmorse.com/product/transatla ... whirlwind/
by Sir Exar Kun
Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:17 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

Slow day at work, so here's my week so far: Affector "Harmageddon" - international project with Ted Leonard on vocals. Religious themed prog metal. Heavier than his usual fare. Lynch Pilson "Heavy Hitters" - I'm a sucker for a good covers album..... This one is a bit mixed. It's got a cover of Joan ...
by Sir Exar Kun
Tue Feb 06, 2024 10:35 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New Crimson Glory tune...
Replies: 4
Views: 264

Re: New Crimson Glory tune...

The only two Crimson Glory's that I can get into is Transcendence and the self-titled one before. Strange and Beautiful was just too much of a departure for me to enjoy. Although I respect that many love Strange and Beautiful. Thinking about this takes me back to the late 80s and early 90s and when...
by Sir Exar Kun
Tue Jan 30, 2024 9:18 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New stuff Friday ...
Replies: 510
Views: 34717

Re: New stuff Friday ...

New Balance of Power tune now with female vocals... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggu5OVcnAgA Not sure who's singing in the beginning - King Diamond Lol. Whoa!!! Super excited to see them back in action, but listening to this now..... It doesn't really "sound" like BoP to me.... Still enjoying it...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Jan 17, 2024 9:10 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: A Conditioning Experiment ...
Replies: 10
Views: 335

Re: A Conditioning Experiment ...

Off the top of my head - there is one band that I really had to sink my head and time into ..... it could be the one band I spent way too much time on to like, and sure, the payoff was good, but it was a long, uphill climb. That band was Pain of Salvation. The guy responsible for this, is Ken Golde...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Jan 17, 2024 8:00 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: A Conditioning Experiment ...
Replies: 10
Views: 335

Re: A Conditioning Experiment ...

I have no doubt this can work...... But in a world where I have so much music to choose from that I love, and can hardly keep up with my new release list, I just don't have the time to try to repeatedly listen to something over and over to "force" myself to appreciate it. It's funny that you post th...
by Sir Exar Kun
Fri Jan 12, 2024 8:17 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: North Sea Echoes...
Replies: 2
Views: 237

Re: North Sea Echoes...

Reminds me of a guitar based Silent Skies (Vikram Shankar / Tom Englund). Enjoyed the single, but still holding out hope Jim gets the FW itch again.
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Jan 10, 2024 10:50 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

Noveria "Gates of the Underworld" Musically a Symphony X clone, but with vocals more akin to Italian power metal. I believe this is their third album, and they keep getting stronger. Musically this is SPOT ON SX right down to the guitar tones and keyboard orchestrations.... Only thing holding it bac...
by Sir Exar Kun
Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: My Top 10 for 2023.......
Replies: 5
Views: 545

Re: My Top 10 for 2023.......

7) REDEMPTION / I Am the Storm - One of the only two metal discs that made it to my list. There is not to be said about this one that we haven't already mentioned. It has been hard for all of us not to hear Ray Alder singing on a Redemption disc, but Tom Englund is a great singer in his own right. ...
by Sir Exar Kun
Thu Dec 28, 2023 2:41 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Where in the world is Chity Somapala????
Replies: 3
Views: 353

Where in the world is Chity Somapala????

Not a real question, I guess, as it sounds like he's home in Sri Lanka still putting out music, just not necessarily in our favorite genres.

Listening to the second Faro CD today and realizing how much I miss his voice.
by Sir Exar Kun
Thu Dec 28, 2023 9:43 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Last 3 discs before top ten list .......
Replies: 7
Views: 566

Re: Last 3 discs before top ten list .......

THIS WINTER MACHINE / The Clockwork Man - This band has been through so many changes over the years, and I believe that this is their first concept disc. Kites was a very good disc, and this one is supposed to be even better. One of the better modern Neo / Prog Rock bands ....... Played this one on...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Dec 20, 2023 1:52 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Disappointments of the year ......
Replies: 5
Views: 433

Re: Disappointments of the year ......

Ah, the grumpy old bastard thread.... :) I have to check my notes at home, as I don't recall any albums being overly "disappointing" this year, although I am sure I will find a few when I start looking. It's another year where there have been a lot of very good to great albums, but don't recall any ...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Dec 20, 2023 7:49 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

****Thanks for the scoop. You saved me $ 24. My days of paying $24 for a CD that doesn't sound good are over.......doesn't matter who the band is anymore. It's one thing having to pay that much for a disc - but then it's mixed like shit and it's a real downer for me. Doesn't have to sound like glas...
by Sir Exar Kun
Tue Dec 19, 2023 1:03 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

Have you bought the new live ARena disc yet ? I shelled out the $23 for the Orphaned Land, but that was a set ....... you doing the $24 for the Arena with only the CD ? Just a few tracks in this morning..... The sound is OK, but could be a lot sharper. The bass tends to overpower the guitars, which...
by Sir Exar Kun
Mon Dec 18, 2023 6:13 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

Have you bought the new live ARena disc yet ? I shelled out the $23 for the Orphaned Land, but that was a set ....... you doing the $24 for the Arena with only the CD ?
...but of course! Should spin it in the next 2-3 days in fact.
by Sir Exar Kun
Mon Dec 18, 2023 9:48 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

Orphaned Land / A Heaven You May Create - CD/DVD This is a live show of OL 30th Anniversary ..... can you believe it ? And like it says on The Lasers Edge site, how to celebrate ? Put out a live disc ......that is always fine by me, and I agree with any band that puts out a live disc, especially on...
by Sir Exar Kun
Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:01 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: End of year lists - are we ready ?
Replies: 33
Views: 3549

Re: End of year lists - are we ready ?

Nope..... Still have a stack of recent releases to work through. Guessing it's going to be early January before I type anything up. I'm a bit shocked at how many studio albums have been coming out in Nov/Dec!
by Sir Exar Kun
Mon Dec 04, 2023 9:31 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: D.C. Cooper?
Replies: 2
Views: 329

Re: D.C. Cooper?

you want him at his absolute best, start with the early Royal Hunt material - The disc PARADOX is his best to me, if you like that keyboard driven Neo-Classical sound The live disc called 1996 has all of the early material on it pre-Paradox. If you like Judas Priest style music, track down the Sile...
by Sir Exar Kun
Mon Nov 13, 2023 8:54 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Angra - Cycles of Pain...
Replies: 4
Views: 499

Re: Angra - Cycles of Pain...

I finally heard this over the weekend. I like it more than OMNI which I considered one of their weakest albums and lacking distinction from others. It brings back a large portion of prog elements while combining the newfound heaviness in the Lione era and keeping some Brazilian folk elements going ...
by Sir Exar Kun
Mon Nov 13, 2023 8:53 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Queensrÿche tour?
Replies: 3
Views: 313

Re: Queensrÿche tour?

I'd go regardless. I was very bummed I couldn't make it to the last tour, as I REALLY enjoy the new material and loved a tour focusing on that for a change.
by Sir Exar Kun
Mon Nov 06, 2023 1:34 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

New Karnataka and new I/O Earth....... both armed with new female singers, and both fantastic, although I'd give the nod to Karnataka for singer and musical emotion... New Karnataka has been in recent rotation here too. Beautiful album, and closes with an absolute epic. Current disc is the new Geor...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Nov 01, 2023 9:53 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New Release Schedule
Replies: 1
Views: 283

New Release Schedule

I'm surprised at the number of new STUDIO releases coming out right now.... Seems like every time I click on Lasers site, there's multiple new studio albums I am throwing into a cart (Angra/Serenity/Subsignal this morning!) Normally this time of year it seems like we see nothing but live albums, rei...
by Sir Exar Kun
Fri Oct 27, 2023 9:02 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New I/O Earth.....IQ......Christina Booth.
Replies: 6
Views: 364

Re: New I/O Earth.....IQ......Christina Booth.

***Check out that video -- if you don't like that one, then stay clear. I'm ok with the ambient and lighter ...... this one is definitely more aggressive, but really quirky as well. It seems to be quite different from the other ones ....... I'll give you more thoughts as I go ... but hit that video...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Oct 25, 2023 12:27 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: ...and Portnoy's back!
Replies: 13
Views: 736

Re: ...and Portnoy's back!

I HOPE that it brings more "life" back to DT live shows..... Rather than playing the same songs night after night, and playing them note for note to the studio, let's make the live experience UNIQUE and interesting again. I also HOPE that he keeps working with Neal as much as he has, and doesn't pur...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Oct 25, 2023 10:22 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: ...and Portnoy's back!
Replies: 13
Views: 736

...and Portnoy's back!

by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Oct 25, 2023 10:05 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New I/O Earth.....IQ......Christina Booth.
Replies: 6
Views: 364

Re: New I/O Earth.....IQ......Christina Booth.

I/O EARTH / Sanctuary - Sir Exar Kun would probably be the only person interested in this band, but I am a fanboy from day one .... this atmospheric, dreamy, Mid-Eastern vibed band from England releases yet another disc ....and in the spirit of progression, they have put out some music a bit differ...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Oct 04, 2023 2:05 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 419
Views: 20368

Re: What are you listening to right now?

Wow - after 12 albums ELDRITCH change singers? Damn … I always loved Terrence’s voice so I’m sad to see him go, but I’ve gotta admit the new guy has some amazing pipes. Musically this sounds a bit less prog and more melodic hard rock influenced, but it’s just one single so too soon to judge. I did ...
by Sir Exar Kun
Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:22 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: My new car listening rotation
Replies: 4
Views: 239

Re: My new car listening rotation

Who is House of Spheres? Never heard of them ...
Lol..... House of SPIRITS. Had a senior moment there.
by Sir Exar Kun
Fri Sep 29, 2023 11:34 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: My new car listening rotation
Replies: 4
Views: 239

Re: My new car listening rotation

Really solid list!!!! Only bands on the list I'm not familiar with are Platitude (tried them back in the day but it didn't click) and Grace and Fire (never heard). Glad you are digging the Sweet Oblivion albums. I think these are VERY underrated, and truly prove that Geoff can absolutely still SING,...
by Sir Exar Kun
Fri Sep 29, 2023 11:28 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: KARNATAKA / Requiem for a Dream .......
Replies: 1
Views: 172

Re: KARNATAKA / Requiem for a Dream .......

I picked this up from Ken a few weeks ago, but have been laid up with Achilles repair surgery so my listening has gone in the tank for now..... I did spin it ONCE before the surgery, and enjoyed it (especially the epic) but definitely need to go back to it. Thankfully, got the green light to resume ...
by Sir Exar Kun
Wed Sep 13, 2023 8:52 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Crimson Glory
Replies: 2
Views: 207

Re: Crimson Glory

Unsure how well received "Sakada" was.
I thought it was AWFUL. And to put that in perspective, I am a big fan of "Strange & Beautiful" and STILL thought "Sakada" was bad...... :)