Metal Reviews

Your friend.

I think Riverside is a band everyone should check out. Both of their albums are no less than awesome. There are a lot of slow build-ups but the payoffs are worth it. I would rate both albums in the high 90s.

Adramelch, awesome Italian Prog from 87. Has a big King Diamond/Fates Warning feel to it. Totally awesome.

I thought Circus Maximus was less boring than what I usually hear from prog metal bands... 60/100 or something for

That was my prog album for 05. I loved it. I gave it an 80something/100.

Definitely way better that a 60! 80, minimum!

I didn't like Circus Maximus for it is pretty unoriginal. The singer is imo kind of shite aswell.

I enjoyed the Circus Maximus album. The singer is not so great on some tracks but fits perfectly on others. IThe song Sin is pretty kickass.

Man, I thought the singer was great. He hits some high notes and manages to sound different without being annoying (like Heavenly's singer). Plus some of the songs are damn catchy, which I think is hard to pull off for a prog band.

I still listen to Circus Maximus at least once a week. The first three songs on that album are absolute masterpieces. The rest of the songs, save for the longest song at the end, sound a bit rehashed to me, but well performed and well written. I can't get enough of the vocalist, and was pleasantly surprised to hear him singing (better, I think) on the new Beyond Twilight release.

Speaking of Circus Maximus, two other CD's around that time were released that I think are prog metal masterpieces. Redemption - The Fullness of Time and Beyond Twilight - Section X. Pagan's Mind's latest effort is in there somewhere too, but I felt they could've done a bit more judging by how great their previous album was.

I had the opportunity to listen to a few offerings from this band. You were right about the slow build-ups, and unfortunately none of the material caught my ear very well because of that. But now you're telling me I should be a bit more patient. I'll give 'em another shot.

I think Heavenly's singer is cool and special, a thought I had was that he sounds a bit like a mix between the Kamelot singer and Kai Hansen, but slightly more high pitched, and not as shrieky as Kai.


I think DT, FW and SX for example have plenty of catchy moments that does give you goosebumps, but I see what you mean. I still couldn't enjoy them much though, all I heard was influences and that imo hideous singer :(

This is a release that shows a lot of maturity for a prog metal band. And Ray Alder just shines on it. They have a new album on the way I heard.

Personal taste I guess. I like Kai, but I find Kahn to be mediocre (flameflameflame).

Lukati - Which Riverside songs did you hear and from what albums. Listen to the title track off of Second Life Syndrome. It is around 15 minutes long and it really shows what the band can do.

Also, what are your thoughts on Pain of Salvation? They are currently my favorite prog band. Each album gives you something different with them.

I think that's the album I listened to the most, but that's a decieving statement because I probably didn't give the album much time at all.

I'm a huge fan of Pain of Salvation. Favorite release from them so far for me has been Remedy Lane. The only band I've experienced so far that has been able to emulate pain with music. Gildenlow is a damn genius.

Umm...what's the matter with Kahn? :shock:

Maybe if we lived in Bizarro World it would make sense to dislike him.

metalness probably doesn't like him because he doesnt sound GAY

Gildenlow is a genius. You should check out the "Be" DVD. It is real cool to see them live. Another band to check out is Dali's Dilemma. They are real good. Technicla with a great singer and tons of melody.