Recently, Dusty provided me a golden opportunity: in connection with the release of Three-Piece Suite -- a remastering of some compositions from Gentle Giant's first three albums -- their media team offered an interview with Derek Schulman, lead singer for the group, and now a high-level record company executive. Knowing my love of Gentle Giant, Dusty offered the interview to me. There was no constraint on content, only on the number of questions (an even dozen). So, with thanks to Anne Leighton (of Anne Leighton Media), who coordinated, here is my interview with one of progressive rock's most iconic figures, both as an artist and as a rep:
1. There has been a sort of minor resurgence of things Gentle Giant, including the induction of the band into the Portsmouth Hall of Fame, and the imminent release of Three-Piece Suite, a collection of compositions from the first three Gentle Giant albums,...
1. There has been a sort of minor resurgence of things Gentle Giant, including the induction of the band into the Portsmouth Hall of Fame, and the imminent release of Three-Piece Suite, a collection of compositions from the first three Gentle Giant albums,...
- 10/4/2017
- by Ian Alterman
- www.culturecatch.com
Welcome back to This is Our Design. As the season (and possibly series) nears its end, we’re pulling out all the stops. This week, co-hosts Kate Kulzick and Sean Colletti are joined by Aaron Abrams of the Hannibal cast (and much more). While discussing “…And the Beast from the Sea,” the group gets into ideas of change, duality (Mr. Abrams makes an astute observation about the multiple versions of Brian Zeller), heroism, and the viewers’ complicated relationships with certain characters. Scott Thompson was also on the call, but since he had no lines in the episode, he chose not to respond to any of the questions, which is certainly his prerogative (Thompson was not actually on the call: sorry). Stick around for recurring segments, “Kate’s Classical Corner” and “The Devil in the Details,” as we pick apart as much as we can while we still have stuff to pick apart.
- 8/18/2015
- by Sean Colletti
- SoundOnSight
Jesus, Don Diablo, walk it back a little bit.
We’ve come to expect the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink style of future/progressive/electro house pioneered by Don Diablo, but there’s still such a thing as being too eclectic. The Dutch DJ/producer has released “On My Mind” through Spinnin’ Records this week and, well, it’s kinda got a lot going on.
It starts off promising enough, with a soulful vocal and atmospheric squelch effect setting an upbeat tone for the rest of the production. Once the rubbery future house organ synths kick in, a horn section blaring out over them is a bit distracting – but again, this is Don Diablo, so you kind of expect elements of the arrangement to be over the top.
Then, the ludicrous keyboard solo arrives to assault your senses. I’m not sure if Diablo had a mescaline flashback and momentarily thought he was writing...
We’ve come to expect the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink style of future/progressive/electro house pioneered by Don Diablo, but there’s still such a thing as being too eclectic. The Dutch DJ/producer has released “On My Mind” through Spinnin’ Records this week and, well, it’s kinda got a lot going on.
It starts off promising enough, with a soulful vocal and atmospheric squelch effect setting an upbeat tone for the rest of the production. Once the rubbery future house organ synths kick in, a horn section blaring out over them is a bit distracting – but again, this is Don Diablo, so you kind of expect elements of the arrangement to be over the top.
Then, the ludicrous keyboard solo arrives to assault your senses. I’m not sure if Diablo had a mescaline flashback and momentarily thought he was writing...
- 7/27/2015
- by John Cameron
- We Got This Covered
Rock Band 4 is getting ever closer to its release in early October, and while a major selling point of the game is full backwards compatibility with song Dlc purchased in earlier iterations, developer Harmonix is still sticking to series tradition and including plenty of songs built into the game from the start.
11 new tracks have been announced today, spanning various artists, genres, and decades. The full list can be seen below:
Aerosmith – “Toys in the Attic” The Cure – “Friday I’m In Love” Dream Theater – “Metropolis – Part 1 “The Miracle And The Sleeper”” Foo Fighters – “The Feast and the Famine” Judas Priest – “Halls Of Valhalla” Live – “All Over You” The Outfield – “Your Love” Ozzy Osbourne – “Miracle Man” Paramore – “Still Into You” St. Vincent – “Birth In Reverse” Van Morrison – “Brown Eyed Girl”
A brief new trailer has been released showcasing some of the new songs, along with a look at the revamped...
11 new tracks have been announced today, spanning various artists, genres, and decades. The full list can be seen below:
Aerosmith – “Toys in the Attic” The Cure – “Friday I’m In Love” Dream Theater – “Metropolis – Part 1 “The Miracle And The Sleeper”” Foo Fighters – “The Feast and the Famine” Judas Priest – “Halls Of Valhalla” Live – “All Over You” The Outfield – “Your Love” Ozzy Osbourne – “Miracle Man” Paramore – “Still Into You” St. Vincent – “Birth In Reverse” Van Morrison – “Brown Eyed Girl”
A brief new trailer has been released showcasing some of the new songs, along with a look at the revamped...
- 7/13/2015
- by John Fleury
- We Got This Covered
What do you get when you bring together and the incredible singer and lyricist Shaan, the killer music director and musician Gourov Dasgupta, and Roshan Balu’s mad (in a brilliant way) music production? You get a new sound and a new band called Superbia. Not only will they be bringing their unique flavor of music to the movies and to ads, they also are getting ready to rock your musical world with cutting edge electro rock music on their albums and concerts. Joined by Gwen, the band will drop their first album titled Satrangi on November 7th.
In a cool, heartfelt and of course fun and wicked interview, Gourov gave me the scoop on what we can expect from Superbia! Check it out!
How excited are you for your new project?
Extremely excited! This is one of those ventures where all of us have given our heart, mind and...
In a cool, heartfelt and of course fun and wicked interview, Gourov gave me the scoop on what we can expect from Superbia! Check it out!
How excited are you for your new project?
Extremely excited! This is one of those ventures where all of us have given our heart, mind and...
- 10/28/2014
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
While many horror fans came out of this year’s South By Southwest film festival giving Oculus and Exists top honors as far as the Midnighters programming went, there was another movie that I thought stole the show. A horror musical featuring a slasher villain who hates musical theaters and enjoys chopping up characters who could easily be featured on Glee? Sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong. Stage Fright is a hilarious horror comedy that blends thrashing metal, gross-out kills, and genre insanity in a way that had me begging for more, and that’s thanks to creators Jerome Sable and Eli Batalion.
After screening the film, I was able to sit down with writer/director/composer Jerome Sable and co-composer Eli Batalion, two very enthusiastic musicians whose personalities injected so much energy into Stage Fright. After talking to the duo, I could see why their film was...
After screening the film, I was able to sit down with writer/director/composer Jerome Sable and co-composer Eli Batalion, two very enthusiastic musicians whose personalities injected so much energy into Stage Fright. After talking to the duo, I could see why their film was...
- 4/7/2014
- by Matt Donato
- We Got This Covered
As we rightfully celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' rockin'-vasion of America, it is also worth noting the 40th anniversaries of progressive rock albums released in 1974 -- a banner year for the genre.
In alphabetical rather than chronological order, here is just a short list, along with links to a representative composition from each album.
Enjoy!
Apostrophe (Frank Zappa)
Although Zappa had been "at it" since 1966 -- as one of the earliest progenitors of progressive rock -- and although he had already put out over a dozen important albums, Apostrophe (and the immediately prior album, Over-Nite Sensation) arguably brought him to the masses through his cross-over "hit," "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow," which, despite its length, received regular airplay on FM stations. It didn't hurt that the album also included two of his funniest, most fun songs, "Cozmik Debris" and "Stinkfoot."
Hamburger Concerto (Focus)
For those who only know Focus via their 1971 novelty mega-hit,...
In alphabetical rather than chronological order, here is just a short list, along with links to a representative composition from each album.
Enjoy!
Apostrophe (Frank Zappa)
Although Zappa had been "at it" since 1966 -- as one of the earliest progenitors of progressive rock -- and although he had already put out over a dozen important albums, Apostrophe (and the immediately prior album, Over-Nite Sensation) arguably brought him to the masses through his cross-over "hit," "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow," which, despite its length, received regular airplay on FM stations. It didn't hurt that the album also included two of his funniest, most fun songs, "Cozmik Debris" and "Stinkfoot."
Hamburger Concerto (Focus)
For those who only know Focus via their 1971 novelty mega-hit,...
- 3/30/2014
- by Ian Alterman
- www.culturecatch.com
We're back with another installment of Radio 66.6! This week features the latest news, music, videos and tour dates from the likes of Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Dream Theater, Black Flag, Behemoth, Mastodon, Converge, He Is Legend, Chimaira, Killwhitneydead, Mindless Self Indulgence and more. Don't touch that dial!
News
Motley Crue are retiring after their forthcoming 2-year touring cycle. The members went as far as signing a legally-binding agreement to prevent future touring. Dates can be found below in the ‘Tours’ section.
Mike Vallely is the new vocalist of Black Flag, following Ron Reyes being kicked out. Bassist Dave Klein has also left the band.
Converge are currently working on new material.
I went to see Yellowcard with What's Eating Gilbert this past weekend; check out my photos from the show here.
Music
Listen to Energy's cover of the Misfits' "Astro Zombies" here. Their A Tribute to the Misfits free Ep...
News
Motley Crue are retiring after their forthcoming 2-year touring cycle. The members went as far as signing a legally-binding agreement to prevent future touring. Dates can be found below in the ‘Tours’ section.
Mike Vallely is the new vocalist of Black Flag, following Ron Reyes being kicked out. Bassist Dave Klein has also left the band.
Converge are currently working on new material.
I went to see Yellowcard with What's Eating Gilbert this past weekend; check out my photos from the show here.
Music
Listen to Energy's cover of the Misfits' "Astro Zombies" here. Their A Tribute to the Misfits free Ep...
- 2/4/2014
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- DreadCentral.com
It was an incredible night at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards with amazing performances from Beyonce Knowles and Jay-z, along with Katy Perry and Lorde, just to name a few.
Hosted by the uber-talented LL Cool J, there were a plethora of winners this evening (January 26) including Macklemore and Ryan Lewis taking home the trophy for Best New Artist.
Daft Punk scored the biggest prize of the night with Album of the Year for Random Access Memories. In addition, the French electronic duo won Record of the Year with "Get Lucky" featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, along with Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Dance/Electronica Album.
Another memorable moment went to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis when Madonna and Queen Latifah joined them on stage for "Same Love," during which 34 couples tied the knot!
Check out the full list of 56th Annual Grammy Award winners below!
Record of...
Hosted by the uber-talented LL Cool J, there were a plethora of winners this evening (January 26) including Macklemore and Ryan Lewis taking home the trophy for Best New Artist.
Daft Punk scored the biggest prize of the night with Album of the Year for Random Access Memories. In addition, the French electronic duo won Record of the Year with "Get Lucky" featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, along with Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Dance/Electronica Album.
Another memorable moment went to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis when Madonna and Queen Latifah joined them on stage for "Same Love," during which 34 couples tied the knot!
Check out the full list of 56th Annual Grammy Award winners below!
Record of...
- 1/27/2014
- GossipCenter
Which music stars went home with awards at the 2014 Grammy Awards? Find out with this full winners list.
Winners in each category are bolded.
Record of the Year
"Get Lucky" -- Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
"Radioactive" -- Imagine Dragons
"Royals" -- Lorde
"Locked Out of Heaven" -- Bruno Mars
"Blurred Lines" -- Robin Thick feat. T.I. and Pharrell
Album of the year
"The Blessed Unrest" -- Sara Bareilles
"Random Access Memories" -- Daft Punk
"Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" -- Kendrick Lamar
"The Heist" -- Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
"Red" -- Taylor Swift
Song of the year
"Just Give Me a Reason" -- Jeff Bhasker, Pink and Nate Ruess (Pink feat. Nate Ruess)
"Locked Out of Heaven" -- Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine and Bruno Mars (Bruno Mars)
"Roar" -- Lukasz Gottwald, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Katy Perry and Henry Walter (Katy Perry)
"Royals...
Winners in each category are bolded.
Record of the Year
"Get Lucky" -- Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
"Radioactive" -- Imagine Dragons
"Royals" -- Lorde
"Locked Out of Heaven" -- Bruno Mars
"Blurred Lines" -- Robin Thick feat. T.I. and Pharrell
Album of the year
"The Blessed Unrest" -- Sara Bareilles
"Random Access Memories" -- Daft Punk
"Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" -- Kendrick Lamar
"The Heist" -- Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
"Red" -- Taylor Swift
Song of the year
"Just Give Me a Reason" -- Jeff Bhasker, Pink and Nate Ruess (Pink feat. Nate Ruess)
"Locked Out of Heaven" -- Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine and Bruno Mars (Bruno Mars)
"Roar" -- Lukasz Gottwald, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Katy Perry and Henry Walter (Katy Perry)
"Royals...
- 1/26/2014
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Tom_Araya_Slayer_Sonisphere_2010.jpg
Near on two weeks into the new year it’s safe to assume that we’ve all had our fill of best of year lists. 2013 was an excellent year for metal, seeing new releases from legends Black Sabbath and Dream Theater plus a plethora of outstanding albums from a variety of bands across the multitudinous sub-genres of metal.
Now that we’re done looking wistfully back at the year that was the question quickly becomes, what will 2014 bring?
What bands are poised to unleash new metal brutality upon an unsuspecting world? Which of all the forthcoming new releases, both scheduled and rumoured, are we most anticipating? A word on the selection process is in order: by no means is this intended to be a definitive list, ‘the top 10′ or all that sort of thing. The criteria for those chosen are entirely subjective.
Near on two weeks into the new year it’s safe to assume that we’ve all had our fill of best of year lists. 2013 was an excellent year for metal, seeing new releases from legends Black Sabbath and Dream Theater plus a plethora of outstanding albums from a variety of bands across the multitudinous sub-genres of metal.
Now that we’re done looking wistfully back at the year that was the question quickly becomes, what will 2014 bring?
What bands are poised to unleash new metal brutality upon an unsuspecting world? Which of all the forthcoming new releases, both scheduled and rumoured, are we most anticipating? A word on the selection process is in order: by no means is this intended to be a definitive list, ‘the top 10′ or all that sort of thing. The criteria for those chosen are entirely subjective.
- 1/10/2014
- by Reverend Rock
- Obsessed with Film
We're back with another installment of Radio 66.6! This week features the latest news, music, videos and tour dates from the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, Dream Theater, Asking Alexandria, Cult of Luna, A Day To Remember, Of Mice & Men, Earth Crisis, Suicide Silence, Bane and more.
Don't touch that dial!
News
The inductees for the 29th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame include Kiss, Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Linda Ronstadt and Cat Stevens. The induction will take place April 10th and will air on HBO in May.
Swedish post-metal band Cult of Luna are going on a hiatus of sorts. Read the band’s statement here.
Bane have entered the studio to record their fourth - and final - album, Don't Wait Up. It will be released next year via Equal Vision Records.
Earth Crisis will release Salvation of Innocents on March 4 via Candlelight Records.
Music
Listen to...
Don't touch that dial!
News
The inductees for the 29th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame include Kiss, Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Linda Ronstadt and Cat Stevens. The induction will take place April 10th and will air on HBO in May.
Swedish post-metal band Cult of Luna are going on a hiatus of sorts. Read the band’s statement here.
Bane have entered the studio to record their fourth - and final - album, Don't Wait Up. It will be released next year via Equal Vision Records.
Earth Crisis will release Salvation of Innocents on March 4 via Candlelight Records.
Music
Listen to...
- 12/24/2013
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- DreadCentral.com
Cinelinx recently had a chance to preview Live at Luna Park, the latest concert film being released by Dream Theater. Check out our review of the film before it hits select theaters tomorrow!
The idea of watching a concert at a movie theater may seem a little weird. The whole purpose of a concert is to witness and experience the performance live and in person. At a concert, you get to be in the same place as your favorite artists and share a night of fun with them. But when you consider the high cost of concert tickets these days, maybe it makes sense. You don’t have to deal with the often riotous behavior of other avid fans and the focus is more on the music itself. Another benefit may be the fact that when all is done your hearing should still be intact. But depending on your perspective,...
The idea of watching a concert at a movie theater may seem a little weird. The whole purpose of a concert is to witness and experience the performance live and in person. At a concert, you get to be in the same place as your favorite artists and share a night of fun with them. But when you consider the high cost of concert tickets these days, maybe it makes sense. You don’t have to deal with the often riotous behavior of other avid fans and the focus is more on the music itself. Another benefit may be the fact that when all is done your hearing should still be intact. But depending on your perspective,...
- 9/18/2013
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (G.S. Perno)
- Cinelinx
The Gabriel Construct: Interior City (Gabriel Riccio)
Although my older brother likes some of Genesis' music, he does have one main bugaboo about them: that their songs are often "aimless," simply going from one section to another, seemingly at random. I disagree, of course: while it is true that many of their compositions have multiple sections, often introducing different musical motifs, most of those compositions follow the exposition-development-recapitulation form of some classical music, and almost always return to and resolve at least the initial motif, if not others.
However, given my older brother's feelings, I can assume that he would not like The Gabriel Construct (though I do -- with some reservations), the debut solo project from Gabriel Lucas Riccio.
In most of the ten compositions on Interior City -- particularly the lengthier ones -- Mr. Riccio actually does what my brother suggests about Genesis: haphazardly string unrelated sections of music together,...
Although my older brother likes some of Genesis' music, he does have one main bugaboo about them: that their songs are often "aimless," simply going from one section to another, seemingly at random. I disagree, of course: while it is true that many of their compositions have multiple sections, often introducing different musical motifs, most of those compositions follow the exposition-development-recapitulation form of some classical music, and almost always return to and resolve at least the initial motif, if not others.
However, given my older brother's feelings, I can assume that he would not like The Gabriel Construct (though I do -- with some reservations), the debut solo project from Gabriel Lucas Riccio.
In most of the ten compositions on Interior City -- particularly the lengthier ones -- Mr. Riccio actually does what my brother suggests about Genesis: haphazardly string unrelated sections of music together,...
- 7/8/2013
- by Ian Alterman
- www.culturecatch.com
On June 26, Avenged Sevenfold led fans in an online scavenger hunt that resulted in the band’s new album cover art, title, and release date being announced.
Their sixth studio album, titled “Hail to the King,” will be released on Aug. 27, and the day before the band will play a free show at the Hollywood Palladium to celebrate the album release.
“Nightmare,” the band’s previous album, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has sold 765,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Like that album, “Hail to the King” will be produced by Mike Elizondo.
Their previous album was released just under five months after The Rev passed away. Mike Portnoy, formerly of Dream Theater, filled in the position to record and toured with the band. Two songs, including the emotionally charged “Fiction” which features The Rev on vocals and piano, and “Save Me”, were dedicated to their fallen bandmate.
Their sixth studio album, titled “Hail to the King,” will be released on Aug. 27, and the day before the band will play a free show at the Hollywood Palladium to celebrate the album release.
“Nightmare,” the band’s previous album, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has sold 765,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Like that album, “Hail to the King” will be produced by Mike Elizondo.
Their previous album was released just under five months after The Rev passed away. Mike Portnoy, formerly of Dream Theater, filled in the position to record and toured with the band. Two songs, including the emotionally charged “Fiction” which features The Rev on vocals and piano, and “Save Me”, were dedicated to their fallen bandmate.
- 6/30/2013
- by Andy Lyons
- Obsessed with Film
We have heard his fab music in films like Acid Factory, Hide & Seek, Knockout and Challo Dilli. The composer, with the very rock edge, has always impressed with his cool mix of dance electro synth beats and the full on rock guitar riffs he lays down. His newest Ost is for the dramatic action thriller Enemmy, which stars Mithun Chakraborty, Suniel Shetty, Kay Kay Menon, Johny Lever and Mahaakshay directed by Ashu Trikha. The music director created four cool very rock flavored tracks for the film and even sang for the first time! We caught up with Gourov Dasgupta and talked creating the songs of Enemmy including working with Mithun da! The musician also gives shout outs to his team that included music producer Roshan Balu, lyricist Manthan and singers Torsha and Keshav, which we think is totally cool! Check it out!
Tell us how the project Enemmy came about?...
Tell us how the project Enemmy came about?...
- 6/18/2013
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
We're back with another installment of Radio 66.6! This week features the latest news, music, videos and tour dates from the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, Newsted, Protest the Hero, Behemoth, Iwrestledabearonce, Cradle of Filth and more.
Don't touch that dial!
News
Dream Theater will release their self-titled album on September 24th via Roadrunner Records.
Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted's new band, aptly named Newsted, will release their full-length debut, also appropriately titled Heavy Metal Music, on August 6th.
Protest the Hero drummer Moe Carlson has left the band to go back to school. Lamb of God's Chris Adler is filling in on their new album, which is due out in the fall.
Guitarists Devin Shidaker (ex-Oceano) and Richard Gomez have joined The Acacia Strain.
Iwrestledabearonce will release Late For Nothing on August 6th via Century Media Records.
Music
Listen to a new Nine Inch Nails...
Don't touch that dial!
News
Dream Theater will release their self-titled album on September 24th via Roadrunner Records.
Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted's new band, aptly named Newsted, will release their full-length debut, also appropriately titled Heavy Metal Music, on August 6th.
Protest the Hero drummer Moe Carlson has left the band to go back to school. Lamb of God's Chris Adler is filling in on their new album, which is due out in the fall.
Guitarists Devin Shidaker (ex-Oceano) and Richard Gomez have joined The Acacia Strain.
Iwrestledabearonce will release Late For Nothing on August 6th via Century Media Records.
Music
Listen to a new Nine Inch Nails...
- 6/11/2013
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- DreadCentral.com
When news of The Land of New Hope, a post-apocalyptic metal opera from Timo Tolkki's Avalon, landed in our inbox, it just sounded too cool to not share with our readers so here's some info along with a video of the first single.
From the Press Release:
Timo Tolkki's Avalon's new metal opera, The Land Of New Hope (Frontiers Records), has made impressive album chart debuts in Europe with several Top 100 album chart bows, including a Top 10 album chart debut in composer Timo Tolkki's native Finland. The exciting concept album's debut numbers are as follows: Finland - #7, Sweden - #42, Switzerland - #59, Norway - #80, and Germany - #90. The album is available digitally from iTunes and in regular and deluxe physical versions (see EvilShop links at the bottom of the page). The deluxe edition features a 30-minute documentary on the making-of the album and two videos.
The Land Of...
From the Press Release:
Timo Tolkki's Avalon's new metal opera, The Land Of New Hope (Frontiers Records), has made impressive album chart debuts in Europe with several Top 100 album chart bows, including a Top 10 album chart debut in composer Timo Tolkki's native Finland. The exciting concept album's debut numbers are as follows: Finland - #7, Sweden - #42, Switzerland - #59, Norway - #80, and Germany - #90. The album is available digitally from iTunes and in regular and deluxe physical versions (see EvilShop links at the bottom of the page). The deluxe edition features a 30-minute documentary on the making-of the album and two videos.
The Land Of...
- 5/30/2013
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
While not as widely known on this side of the Atlantic, international supergroup Avantasia is kind of a big deal: their new rock opera The Mystery of Time not only charted highly in their home base of Germany, but also hit the Top 10 album sales charts in Finland, Sweden and the UK in the first few weeks of its release. The record recently reached North American shores via Nuclear Blast Records, and it's picking up some positive buzz among gothic/symphonic metal fans, so it's high time I gave this one a spin. Founded in 1999 by composer/singer Tobias Sammet (above, frontman for popular power-metallers Edguy), Avantasia is a “supergroup” in every sense of the word: not only does it feature an all-star cast of artists, it's more of an army than a mere band. Sammet gathers icons of pop, hard rock and metal for Avantasia's globe-spanning projects, with guests...
- 5/7/2013
- by Gregory Burkart
- FEARnet
While usually stamped with the “doom metal” label, the Swedish quintet Memory Garden doesn't always adhere strictly to the conventions of the genre as much as genre-defining bands like their fellow countrymen Candlemass. Not that the title of their sixth studio album will do much to change that distinction, but rest assured the music of Doomain itself isn't a pile of somber dirge cliches; these dudes weave tons of vintage power metal and and progressive metal elements into their sonic tapestry, with more emphasis on tight instrumentation, rich melodic vocals and epic-scale production than thick, somber slabs of lo-fi riffs. Not that it would have been a bad thing to go all dark and murky (I'm a huge fan of the whole dirge/funeral vibe), but Memory Garden's sound is distinctive, melodic and heavy with vintage metal energy – we're talking more Queensrÿche or Dream Theater than Witchfinder General or Pentagram – and that's their hook.
- 5/1/2013
- by Gregory Burkart
- FEARnet
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.