Last Played - November 2018

So I want to start a series of columns that are something like a list of what I've been listening to without really digging into the nitty-gritty.  Think of them as mini-reviews for albums as I'm listening to them.  There is still so much that I haven't listened to, so expect a weird mix of old and new stuff.  For now, here's what I've been listening to recently.

Roine Stolt - The Flower King

As a big Yes fan, I've always been curious about Roine Stolt ever since Jon Anderson did that collaboration with him (the enigmatic Invention of Knowledge).  Having heard that the Flower Kings were a kind of modern Yes, I figured I'd start with the album that started it all, Roine Stolt's The Flower King.

While it was an interesting listen, prog rock usually requires a few passes really get a feel for it.  However, I can tell Stolt wanted something that was more uplifting, in contrast to all the dour rock music being made at the time (the mid 90s), and it really shows throughout the album.  I liked it, but think I need more time with this one to really decide.

Metallica - ...And Justice For All

While I didn't get my hands on that luxurious remaster, I did give some of it a listen, only to not really notice any difference.  That being said, it get me in the mood to listen to it again, so I did.

In retrospect, it's a bit of a strange album.  Metallica had never done, nor has done since, something that was so complex and focused.  While not quite a concept album, ...And Justice For All really digs into social issues backed by layered riffs and rhythms.  It was a band on a mission to make a statement with their music, both sonically and lyrically.  This album had really grown on me over the years.

Gamma Ray - Sigh No More

Gamma Ray is a band I need to listen to more, as they are one of the pioneers of the power metal sound.  I decided to relisten to their sophomore effort here a few weeks ago, and it's not bad.  Kai Hansen is still rocking his Helloween chops, but the band hasn't quite solidified into something of their own.  Still, it's fun to hear a young Ralf Scheepers before he would gain his iconic Primal Fear voice later on.

Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

I've been trying to learn more about classic progressive rock, and it's been interesting to hear the albums that helped make the genre what it is.  To be honest, I don't know how much I really get into classic prog Genesis.  With The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, I have listened to every Peter Gabriel Genesis album, and while some of it was interesting, I don't know if it's really clicked with me.  As I mentioned earlier, sometimes prog takes a few listens to really wrap your head around it, but this one may take more than others.

The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a concept album about a Puerto-Rican man living in New York who ends up going on a bizarre psychedelic odyssey full of strange imagery and symbols.  It's not so much a narrative as it is a through-line for Gabriel's theatrical song writing as it shifts from mood to mood.  Certainly an odd and unsettling collection of music, and one that I might not get back to very soon.

Stratovarius - Intermission

More classic power metal!  This one is mostly a compilation of b-sides and covers that Stratovarius released to tide fans over during a long recording hiatus before they released Elements Part 1.  While it's very much classic in sound, and there are a few gems, it's also not their best material.  Mostly for completionists who want everything they've recorded.

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Well, that's it for now.  I definitely want this to be a regular feature, so keep an eye out for future articles like this.  I'll probably have another one before November ends.

Some quick videos

Sorry for not posting here.  Life has a funny way of messing with your priorities, and all my intentions for this blog were sidelined for a while.  Anyways, I just wanted to share some videos of new stuff out there that I wanted to recommend that people check out.

First of all, Apocalypse, the new Primal Fear album, is out!  While I don't think it was as good as the last one (Rulebreaker! \m/), it had some pretty good songs, including this one above.  Solid power metal for sure.

This is from a new band I had never heard of before.  It looks like they're a fusion of two bands from Texas.  The vocals seem a little low in the mix, but otherwise this is some very epic US prog/power metal!  They don't have a full-length album out, but you can find a few songs on their bandcamp page.

Meanwhile, Dee Snider decided to buck his glam past and go for a more modern sounding album with For The Love of Metal.  It's an interesting listen, but Snider acquits himself admirably to the new sound and makes it work.  Sounding somewhere between modern Disturbed and classic Testament/Metallica, it's a nice, heavy album with some satisfying crunches.

Getting into prog rock for a moment, this band In Continuum is actually the left overs from Sound of Contact (who's album Dimensionaut I loved!).  Basically, it's the same band without Simon Collins, so the vocals are different, but they remain very sci-fi focused.  I look forward to their first album when it comes out . . . . sometime.

Of course, my favorite band (or part of them) has been busy.  While Yes featuring ARW did release a live album earlier this year, this video was leaked as content for an upcoming album.  However, we haven't heard anything else, or even if it will be a full-length release!  Still, it's something to tide us over until we get more news.

Finally, let's do some 80s throwback stuff.  I decided to give Vega a chance and was blown away by just how anthemic they were.  If you miss the massive, wall-of-sound style of rock that dominated the end credits of epic 80s films, this is the band for you!

Anyways, that's it for me.  Sorry for not being more productive.  This is something I want to get more into again, but life has got me occupied elsewhere.  Still, I hope this wave of new material tides you over for now.

Until then, rock on!  \m/