Search found 410 matches

by Random Axe
Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:30 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: 2023 has been slooooowwwwww
Replies: 9
Views: 609

Re: 2023 has been slooooowwwwww

I'm normally good for one or two good recommendations a year.

Yeah, these guys are pretty awesome.
by Random Axe
Thu Mar 02, 2023 4:26 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: 2023 has been slooooowwwwww
Replies: 9
Views: 609

2023 has been slooooowwwwww

It may be a mood thing, but I just haven't heard much that I'm into at all this year. Where did all the great singers go? I know styles and influences change as we get older, but damn. There are no more Tate, Alder, Khan, Karevik or anyone with voice distinction or character. I think that phase of m...
by Random Axe
Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:50 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: The Resonance Project - Prophecy
Replies: 9
Views: 452

Re: The Resonance Project - Prophecy

I stand corrected on Dino.

His work with Stone Leaders was top-notch. The music was a bit quirky for my taste, and I allowed that to alter my opinion of him. Strong vocals, and doesn't sound like anyone in particular.
by Random Axe
Fri Feb 17, 2023 5:06 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: The Resonance Project - Prophecy
Replies: 9
Views: 452

Re: The Resonance Project - Prophecy

I've come to the conclusion that Dino is the most talented unoriginal singer around these days. I've heard him sounds like a Jorn clone, sounds like a Russel Allen clone, and here he sounds like a mixture between Kelly Sundown (Beyond Twilight/Zierler Project) and Devin Townsend. There's absolutely...
by Random Axe
Mon Dec 19, 2022 7:24 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Are we putting together our year end lists ?
Replies: 16
Views: 625

Re: Are we putting together our year end lists ?

LASERCD wrote:
Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:58 pm
Re: Osyron. I reached out to them about 2 weeks ago to try to stock copies. Never got a response.

I've been talking back and forth with them. I'll mention that. Can't imagine they'd ignore any distro...
by Random Axe
Sun Dec 18, 2022 9:20 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Are we putting together our year end lists ?
Replies: 16
Views: 625

Re: Are we putting together our year end lists ?

I posted my year in review early last week. I think only Claus read it lol!
by Random Axe
Sat Dec 03, 2022 11:47 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: What are you listening to right now?
Replies: 435
Views: 20651

Re: What are you listening to right now?

A good mix of old, new and questionable

I've been blasting the new Queensryche, Mantric Momentum, House of Spirts and some deep cuts from Air Supply. My new cars sound system is pretty great so its nice to immerse myself on my 45 min drive to work each morning.
by Random Axe
Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:19 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: My musical 2022
Replies: 3
Views: 358

My musical 2022

As I’ve done the past couple of years, I’m not ranking, just observations and musings. It was an odd year for me and some pretty significant employment and personal changes so maybe if these had been released in 2021 I’d feel different. I'm at work and couldn't add a music link for samples. This is ...
by Random Axe
Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:43 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Queensryche in my top five?
Replies: 6
Views: 284

Re: Queensryche in my top five?

For me it's like cauliflower pizza crust or frog legs. Yeah, you can tell me it's delicious and it may be but my brain will always remind me I'm eating an amphibian. I was this way for a long time with Kamelot. I couldn't fully a certain the Tommy wra until last year. Now I love both equally. Toddry...
by Random Axe
Mon Nov 21, 2022 10:20 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Queensryche in my top five?
Replies: 6
Views: 284

Queensryche in my top five?

Holy shit. It could happen. I haven't liked an album from them since Empire and only half of Promised Land. This new one is different. It's a totally different vibe that I'm fascinated with. It's like the Todd era version of Empire. It's far more introspective and exploratory than the bombast wailin...
by Random Axe
Sat Nov 12, 2022 10:32 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Instabuy bands?
Replies: 18
Views: 639

Re: Instabuy bands?

Anything Ray Alder sings on.

It hasn't always worked out, but he's a blind buy every time.

A-Z started mediocre for me and grew to be my no.1 this year.

Figure Of Speechless is a waste of his talents. He's not at all a good fit for these arrangements.
by Random Axe
Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:50 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: A-Z. New supergroup
Replies: 8
Views: 629

Re: A-Z. New supergroup

The opening track is so close to Life in Still Water/Pale fire. The overall album does feel like a Ray solo album with some guest stars. Makes sense it feels like that as we normally associate his writing and melodies with Jim. He's on his own here again, so it's a familiar feel to WtWW. Ray's other...
by Random Axe
Tue Oct 25, 2022 11:14 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: A-Z. New supergroup
Replies: 8
Views: 629

Re: A-Z. New supergroup

Initial thoughts revisited...my album of the year. Instead of focusing on what this album was supposed to be, I'm loving it for what it is...essentially a second Alder solo record. I know Zonder was hyping this as some AOR/arena rock disc, but thats not accurate. I'm not exactly sure what this is. R...
by Random Axe
Tue Oct 04, 2022 8:45 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Virtual Symmetry
Replies: 6
Views: 335

Re: Virtual Symmetry

Marco is great in some bands.

His work with both Even Flow and Flames of Heaven are stellar with no screech. He mostly sounds like Luppi on those, which is a win every time.
by Random Axe
Mon Sep 26, 2022 6:36 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New stuff Friday ...
Replies: 513
Views: 34817

Re: New stuff Friday ...

Check out Rosespire!

There is pretty much zero information about the band on the web. Near zero. I think from the YouTube playrhroughs it may be a one man show.

Think Greyhaven mixed with Chiaroscruro with a modern production. Really impressive.


https://youtu.be/GneXTaoZgJw
by Random Axe
Mon Sep 19, 2022 12:27 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: PENDRAGON / Fallen Dreams and Angels - and all the loose ends.
Replies: 11
Views: 308

Re: PENDRAGON / Fallen Dreams and Angels - and all the loose ends.

Okay, I tried several songs from various eras. Not for me. Much like Claus, vocals destroyed this for me. It's like the vocal DNA of Bowie, Michael McDonald and Kermit the Frog trying to re-record the Muppet Movie soundtrack but in the style of Genesis. Theres so much good stuff happening till mouth...
by Random Axe
Mon Sep 19, 2022 12:18 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Top Favorite Old-school Prog Metal Albums ... rank them
Replies: 39
Views: 1279

Re: Top Favorite Old-school Prog Metal Albums ... rank them

introclaus wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:08 am
gazinwales wrote:
Sat Aug 13, 2022 8:20 pm
Even after 34 years I still don't know why Mindcrime is labelled prog :shock:

They easily and perfectly fit with both Priest/Maiden or DT/Fates so it's a fielder's choice. They kinda transcend genrescand labels so we individually label based on perspective.
by Random Axe
Mon Sep 19, 2022 12:10 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Top Favorite Melodic Metal/Hard Rock Albums ... rank them
Replies: 30
Views: 2247

Re: Top Favorite Melodic Metal/Hard Rock Albums ... rank them

Kinda hard for me to distinguish between classics and hair since there's significant cross-pollination between the genres. So here's my attempt, though def not a full 15 CLASSIC Fifth Angel- s/t I bought this for the cover art and stayed for the epicness. Armored Saint/SoS - Reign of Fire alone make...
by Random Axe
Wed Sep 14, 2022 7:11 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: PENDRAGON / Fallen Dreams and Angels - and all the loose ends.
Replies: 11
Views: 308

Re: PENDRAGON / Fallen Dreams and Angels - and all the loose ends.

I've never gone down the Pendragon path. I vaguely know of them and have probably heard a song or two. I might be mixing them up with Galahad. British neo prog is not my strong suit. Knowing my tastes for more than 20 years, Larry, or anyone, where would I best start with them? I could just randomly...
by Random Axe
Wed Sep 07, 2022 7:11 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Keith Menser passed away
Replies: 5
Views: 383

Keith Menser passed away

I just read that this morning. I know his roots go deep with this community and his business acumen has been the subject of scrutiny, but I've never heard he wasn't a good dude. I wasnt around but I guess he did the Progfest show in Baltimore? That's where a lot of you first met? Our numbers are con...
by Random Axe
Mon Sep 05, 2022 10:15 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Sarayasign - Throne of Gold
Replies: 8
Views: 583

Re: Sarayasign - Throne of Gold

Not necessarily. Stef told me about the Frontiers deal a few months ths back. If you look at some of their bands that aren't congruent to the formula like Paralydium, Turbulence, Seventh Wonder and Stryper. they've pretty much let them do their own thing. Plus, the music for Throne of Gold is over 2...
by Random Axe
Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:07 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Speaking to Stones - (In)Human Error
Replies: 4
Views: 285

Re: Speaking to Stones - (In)Human Error

I've had this for a few weeks. It's really good, some parts are amazing. The drawback is the modern vocals. Some of these songs sound like a radio rock singer laid town the tracks. They do work within the overall composition, though I really, really like Andy's vocals and think his performance on El...
by Random Axe
Mon Aug 22, 2022 8:39 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Top Favorite Power Metal Albums ... rank them
Replies: 28
Views: 975

Re: Top Favorite Power Metal Albums ... rank them

I guess I may revise my entry if Anubis Gate's first two albums are considered power metal. Not totally sure what they are other than great.

Not trying to blur the lines, just trying to participate lol!
by Random Axe
Sat Aug 20, 2022 10:14 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Borealis - Illusions 10/7/22...
Replies: 1
Views: 182

Re: Borealis - Illusions 10/7/22...

They are always solid. What holds back my enjoyment of their albums is their mixes. There's so little separation, the EQ is dialed up on every Instrument. Some bands can overcome the "wall of sound". It takes some vocal range to counterbalance. This guy, while good, doesn't have the octaves. I'll st...
by Random Axe
Sat Aug 20, 2022 6:13 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Skid Row I Remember You
Replies: 1
Views: 202

Re: Skid Row I Remember You

Best song I've heard since 2015 is Light and Shade of Things from Fates album Theories of Flight. Not sure if this is what you were looking for. This song is timeless.
by Random Axe
Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:02 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: A-Z. New supergroup
Replies: 8
Views: 629

Re: A-Z. New supergroup

Okay, so this was released. As a major Alder fan boy I've been seriously looking forward to this. It's been marketed as a more AORish Fates, and I can kinda hear it. I think maybe the larger observation is that this album, and consequently the members, isn't sure what it wanted to be. MZ had mention...
by Random Axe
Sun Aug 14, 2022 9:34 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Top Favorite Thrash Metal Albums ... rank them
Replies: 14
Views: 416

Re: Top Favorite Thrash Metal Albums ... rank them

Well, if I thought I was mostly useless on power metal, I'm absolutely zero value here. Like none. There's only two I even like, and I'm not even sure I could define the genre. Cyclone Temple/I Hate Therefore I Am Testament/Practice What You Preach Just not my thing. I've never, ever owned a Metalli...
by Random Axe
Fri Aug 12, 2022 7:28 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: PHILOSOPHOBIA / Philosophobia ....
Replies: 7
Views: 436

Re: PHILOSOPHOBIA / Philosophobia ....

I just ordered this in my LE haul today. I forgot about this one. Should be pretty great. I also ended up with Vanden Plas, A-Z, Leviathan and Poeys of Fall.

This year, after a major slow start for me, is going to end up strong!
by Random Axe
Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:19 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Top Favorite Power Metal Albums ... rank them
Replies: 28
Views: 975

Re: Top Favorite Power Metal Albums ... rank them

I bring little to no value to this thread. True power metal is def not my genre. I don't even think I can even pick five that stand out for me. Plus, I've been told I'm not very good at classifying bands within a sub-genre. Labyrinth/RTHD - this was probably my introduction to PM. Tarantino was in s...
by Random Axe
Wed Aug 03, 2022 10:00 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Top Favorite Old-school Prog Metal Albums ... rank them
Replies: 39
Views: 1279

Re: Top Favorite Old-school Prog Metal Albums ... rank them

Well, this was a hard, soul-searching assignment. So many that could've slipped into this list, which is off-center as usual with my oddball picks and questionable taste. This list is in descending order... DT/Images and Words - I'll never hear it's equal...EVER Fates/APSoG - This just spoke to me, ...
by Random Axe
Wed Jul 27, 2022 9:47 am
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: When you don’t know what to listen to … go-to albums
Replies: 17
Views: 531

Re: When you don’t know what to listen to … go-to albums

I find myself doing this more and more.

Images and Words
House of Spirits - ToTT
Chicago - greatest hits
Styx - live Return of Paradise

Those are just a few examples. I'm sure I have other albums that never fail.
by Random Axe
Sat Jul 23, 2022 10:03 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Shelf pulls, random thoughts, musings and reviews
Replies: 4
Views: 301

Shelf pulls, random thoughts, musings and reviews

I started grabbing stuff I may not have heard in a decade or more. It got me all nostalgic and having deep musical thoughts. It's crazy that I've heard enough albums to completely and utterly forget some. Like zero memory at all. It's like discovering treasure. So here's my long-winded post about th...
by Random Axe
Sat Jul 23, 2022 1:37 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: New stuff Friday ...
Replies: 513
Views: 34817

Re: New stuff Friday ...

Claus, thanks for the tip on Sarayasign. Cool band I had never heard about. Also about the new Evil Conspiracy, didn't know they had a new one out. I wish I could take credit for SARAYASIGN but it was actually another thread in this forum that lead me to check it out. Love that album! I accidently ...
by Random Axe
Wed Jul 13, 2022 10:02 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Atomic Symphony - Hybris...
Replies: 3
Views: 244

Re: Atomic Symphony - Hybris...

I was wondering who'd be first to post about them. I just ordered from them last week. This is amazing stuff. I'd never heard them till this, and I thought it was Paul Villareal on vox. It's a chick and she's a badass. Very similar to the singer in Collibus, but with more clarity. I cant imagine any...
by Random Axe
Thu Jun 02, 2022 1:02 pm
Forum: PM: Core
Topic: Sarayasign - Throne of Gold
Replies: 8
Views: 583

Sarayasign - Throne of Gold

Here's a very pleasant surprise. This is another crossover band that would appeal to a few genres but I find this to be melodic metal not too far from Last Tribe with a little AOR leaning. The singer, however, is special. He's got a huge Jorn meets Jimi Jamison vibe. He's a freakin stud on this. Its...