Search found 410 matches

by Random Axe
Wed Mar 20, 2024 6:43 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Knowing an Album
Replies: 7
Views: 200

Re: Knowing an Album

The difference is how much of our musical appreciation capacity are we currently using. When my two fav albums ever, DT Images and Words and FW- APSOG, were released I'd only really started dabbling into the prog world and didn't have much to compare or contrast. My mind, heart and soul wasn't fille...
by Random Axe
Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:38 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Random shelf pulls March 20 edition
Replies: 5
Views: 106

Re: Random shelf pulls March 20 edition

My Bronco didn't come with either a CD player or navigation. During Covid there was a chip shortage so they rolled a bunch out without. I rigged a player into one of the cubby holes in the dash, one that doesn't skip. It also doesn't display the track name or band, but I can't have everything. I'm s...
by Random Axe
Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:06 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Triton Project - Messenger Quest...
Replies: 2
Views: 115

Re: Triton Project - Messenger Quest...

Sounds pretty solid. Odd Logic is a bit hit or miss for me but when they're on their game they put out some great stuff. Will def be checking more of this out.
by Random Axe
Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:22 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Random shelf pulls March 20 edition
Replies: 5
Views: 106

Random shelf pulls March 20 edition

So, in my quest to rediscover stuff now that I have a CD player in my vehicle, here's some discs I've tried to roll with, good or bad. Secret Sphere/Lifeblood - How the hell didn't I not recognize how good this band truly is? I've gone back and listened to some other samples from them and I'm totall...
by Random Axe
Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:25 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 435
Views: 20659

Re: What are you listening to right now?

... and then scrolled up and hit Sunburst - Fragments of Creation, which I'd forgotten how much I love. Interestingly this came up this week for me as well. Been a while since I listened. It still gives me the Conception meets Nevermore vibes, which is a great thing. I believe they are working on a...
by Random Axe
Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:18 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 435
Views: 20659

Re: What are you listening to right now?

I'll have more as I peruse the CD shelves more. I am trying to find a band that the name escapes me. Should have been in the 1998-2000 era, more of a groove metal prog band. Had a singer that was in the original PM group with Bear and Ralf. Album cover had a cybernetic dismembered body? I can see t...
by Random Axe
Thu Feb 29, 2024 5:46 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 435
Views: 20659

Re: What are you listening to right now?

I only recently rigged a CD player in my Bronco so I've been able to pull some stuff from the shelf that I hadn't heard in quite a while, in some cases decades... Angel Dust/Bleed - Music is so good, vocals are a bit coarse for me. Superior/Ultima Ratio - Def ratcheted up the aggression from Behind....
by Random Axe
Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:20 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New Vanden Plas keyboardist is...
Replies: 5
Views: 357

Re: New Vanden Plas keyboardist is...

Mixed but irrelevant feelings on this. Ale is a great player, songwriter and vocalist(I know Claus can't stand him). He's a super nice guy and I'm happy for him but this seems like a mismatch of style. Gunter had his own sound that he perfected over 3 decades. I don't see Del Vechio being able to li...
by Random Axe
Sat Dec 30, 2023 7:33 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Where in the world is Chity Somapala????
Replies: 3
Views: 354

Re: Where in the world is Chity Somapala????

I chatted with him not too far back. After ten years or more he still remembered me. Odd.

He's still singing and playing shows. Seems pretty happy. Great guy. We're overdue for some new music from him.
by Random Axe
Fri Dec 22, 2023 5:18 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: My top 10 for 2023...
Replies: 9
Views: 579

Re: My top 10 for 2023...

Larry,

Shoot me your number. I'll call sometime on my vacation first week of 24!
by Random Axe
Fri Dec 22, 2023 1:24 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: My top 10 for 2023...
Replies: 9
Views: 579

Re: My top 10 for 2023...

That's a solid list. I either didn't hear, don't like the band or didn't love the albums below. NoSpun - I tried to find the greatness in this a few times. I'm still looking. Doesn't men I'm done, but I'm clearly not hearing what everyone else is, and that's likely attributable to my advancing age a...
by Random Axe
Wed Dec 20, 2023 6:00 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Night Ranger
Replies: 5
Views: 417

Re: Night Ranger

Not surprising at all is that I've totally missed out on the Night Ranger catalog. I've maybe only heard three songs ever by them, and one is Sister Christian. Can't tell you the others. I just never got around to them, but they were in that category that mostly escaped me they share with Honeymoon ...
by Random Axe
Wed Dec 20, 2023 11:58 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Disappointments of the year ......
Replies: 5
Views: 435

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

I'd already made my feelings clear about the Kamelot album elsewhere so I won't summon that up again. My other one I was going to post about but waited till a proper thread or time is Ray Alder. Outside of DeYoung, he's my all-time favorite vocalist. His voice literally speaks to me on several level...
by Random Axe
Tue Dec 19, 2023 8:20 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: End of year lists - are we ready ?
Replies: 33
Views: 3562

Re: End of year lists - are we ready ?

Okay, I'll post my biggest shitburger of the year, and I absolutely never at all expected this. Kamelot - Awakening I admit, I've not been the biggest fan of Tommy Kamelot over the years. Mostly because their live show has kinda stagnated a bit, and the albums haven't had the same pop. But man, I l...
by Random Axe
Sun Dec 17, 2023 8:13 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: End of year lists - are we ready ?
Replies: 33
Views: 3562

Re: End of year lists - are we ready ?

Okay, I'll post my biggest shitburger of the year, and I absolutely never at all expected this. Kamelot - Awakening I've grown to love the Tommy era as much as the Khan years. Sure, they're playing a different style of music but it's always had amazing lyrical quality and high production value. Khan...
by Random Axe
Sat Dec 16, 2023 3:31 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: End of year lists - are we ready ?
Replies: 33
Views: 3562

Re: End of year lists - are we ready ?

This will be the first year I won't be able to participate in the EoY lists. This has been a very odd year full of work stress, my mothers passing and other environmental factors that kept me from liking much of anything. I can't think of a single album I could recommend so I'll read your lists and ...
by Random Axe
Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:11 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Aviations - Luminaria
Replies: 4
Views: 218

Re: Aviations - Luminaria

I've come to finally realize that modern prog just isn't for me. It's not bad in any way, just not written for someone of my advancing age. Music is cool and complex. The voice... Vocals are almost always a higher pitched, nasaly, whiny timbre as if a mashup of spiral architect and Green Day. Again,...
by Random Axe
Thu Sep 28, 2023 10:22 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: My new car listening rotation
Replies: 4
Views: 240

My new car listening rotation

With all of the craziness I've had in the last two months, my tastes have oncecagain shifted into more of the melodic power metal leanings. Centaur - I'd posted about them earlier this year. I've now had a chance to explore their back catalog. Really nice, pleasing and well crafted. God Complex is t...
by Random Axe
Sat Jul 15, 2023 5:37 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Subsignal - A Poetry of Rain...
Replies: 8
Views: 580

Re: Subsignal - A Poetry of Rain...

Yeah, I'm in as well.

I knew they were working on something but not forcrrleasevthis year.
by Random Axe
Thu Jun 15, 2023 11:56 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 435
Views: 20659

Re: What are you listening to right now?

NP: The Carpenters Greatest Hits. Not sure how everyone feels about the Carpenters, but to me Karen has the voice of an angel and is truly one of a kind! 110% agreed! There never was and never will be anyone like her. I actually hear a lot of Karen in Floor's vocals. When she does the acoustic stuf...
by Random Axe
Mon Jun 12, 2023 6:52 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Seventh Wonder News...
Replies: 3
Views: 235

Re: Seventh Wonder News...

Pretty sure Roy Khan isn't doing much now...
by Random Axe
Fri May 19, 2023 9:55 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New stuff Friday ...
Replies: 513
Views: 34819

Re: New stuff Friday ...

Greyfox Agenda - This was a nice surprise this morning. I think this is a one-man project, country or origin unknown. Name of musician unknown. What is apparent is the nice blend of elements and styles that have me going deep into the well of prog to find a point of reference. Think Alias Eye meets ...
by Random Axe
Wed May 17, 2023 3:29 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 435
Views: 20659

Re: What are you listening to right now?

Ghost Opera - I'd mostly dismissed this one a long time ago. It felt different from the rest of their catalog. Not sure if it was production, tuning(minor vs major key) or just a bad mood. Anyway, after putting my entire Kamelot discography into the thumbdrive in my SUV I'm shocked how much I'm digg...
by Random Axe
Fri May 05, 2023 3:38 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Mystery - Redemption
Replies: 11
Views: 601

Re: Mystery - Redemption

This is an exquisite disc ....... typical Mystery polished and slick approach with velvet smooth vocals....... I love the dramatic element they inject into their music with every disc ..... I do feel that this is one of their lighter discs, although not as light as Lies and Butterflies, but definit...
by Random Axe
Tue Apr 25, 2023 3:24 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New Discoveries
Replies: 2
Views: 256

Re: New Discoveries

These are not all new 2023 albums but some random stuff I've stumbled across that some of you may be into. I'd never seen any of their names mentioned here so I'm guess they'll be new to you as well. Wicked Waltz/Perseverance - This American band released two albums, this one in I think 2013. This i...
by Random Axe
Tue Apr 25, 2023 3:16 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New Discoveries
Replies: 2
Views: 256

New Discoveries

These are not new, 2023 albums but some random stuff I've stumbled across that some of you may be into. I'd never seen any of their names mentioned here so I'm guess they'll be new to you as well. Wicked Waltz/Perseverance - This American band released two albums, this one in I think 2013. This is a...
by Random Axe
Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:29 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Redemption - I Am the Storm (March 17, 2023)
Replies: 20
Views: 1198

Re: Redemption - I Am the Storm (March 17, 2023)

I've always kept this to myself, but Tom in the band hasn't worked for me. I know it's just me. Nick knows how I feel about the band and what their albums have pulled me through. My narrow-minded brain so far won't allow me to process anyone but Ray singing with Nick's compositions. I'm going to try...
by Random Axe
Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:16 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: How do you listen to music?
Replies: 25
Views: 762

Re: How do you listen to music?

I'm not nearly smart enough to be an audiophile. I'm sure there's a lot I don't hear or pick up on. I'm okay with that. I get enough in my ears and brain from my sources. Driving - My new Bronco doesn't have a CD player. Just traded in a car that did. So I load a thumb drive in and will have between...
by Random Axe
Sat Apr 22, 2023 1:31 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Kamelot - The Awakening
Replies: 34
Views: 907

Re: Kamelot - The Awakening

The only equalizing thing I bring to this every Kamelot album sounds fantastic in my cars system except Awakening. It's still good but not up to the bar they normally set. Tommy produces his own vocals in SW, and they're impeccable, bright and clear. Sascha needs to let someone else in the mix booth...
by Random Axe
Thu Apr 20, 2023 9:54 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Kamelot - The Awakening
Replies: 34
Views: 907

Re: Kamelot - The Awakening

After spending more time with this I've concluded this is some of the worst production Sascha Paeth has ever released. In most songs the guitar and keys are at the same level making it difficult to separate. Just a sound wall. And Tommy's vocals are way back in the mix. How do you not put him at the...
by Random Axe
Wed Mar 29, 2023 6:56 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Kamelot - The Awakening
Replies: 34
Views: 907

Re: Kamelot - The Awakening

For the last week I loaded every Khanelot and Tomelot album into my car and just shuffle. What I found was surprising... I no longer hear all the similarity I used to. There are some, at least to my ears and brain, very different techniques and strengths. Roy can inject emotion, anger and intensity ...
by Random Axe
Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:22 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Kamelot - The Awakening
Replies: 34
Views: 907

Re: Kamelot - The Awakening

I switched camps a couple of years ago when I finally watched I Am the Empire. That completely turned me around. I couldn't accept Roy not being there and how they tried to turn Tommy into him. Now, to me I can hear the distinctions. They share a sense of drama but are quite different in other facet...
by Random Axe
Tue Mar 14, 2023 5:29 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: The Enigma Division S/T
Replies: 1
Views: 170

Re: The Enigma Division S/T

This is great stuff. It's a little on the djent side but also has groove and melody. A heavier Shattered Skies with some nice keys thrown in.
by Random Axe
Tue Mar 14, 2023 5:22 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Ice Age
Replies: 17
Views: 993

Re: Ice Age

I can already detect eye rolls coming at the following statement/admission... I don't think I've ever heard Ice Age At least not on purpose. I may have. I think I heard some song called Lhasa Road? I believe a friend burned me a sampler CDR and that was on there. Jeezus that seems so long ago. So fa...
by Random Axe
Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:42 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Dispyria - Zak Stevens is back
Replies: 1
Views: 188

Dispyria - Zak Stevens is back

Well. I don't guess he really went anywhere. I was mostly bored with Circle2Circle, and his other material didn't sit well with me either. The Story of Marion Dust is a rock opera concept album with Zak doing most of the vocals. He sounds fantastic here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2xLPcAyVn9E&si=En...