Metal Reviews

I second the fact that there are better guitarists out there, but they probably wouldn't be able to do what he does composition wise (some might though). I think I heard a few little mistakes yesterday in concert... nothing major... then again in live shows it's difficult to really focus on everything, so much going on, hands in air, shouting, chanting... etc. So maybe I just thought I heard small mistakes .

I must put my hat off to Jari though, singing and playing guitar while trying to entertain every time he can spare half a second to wave his fist in the air must not be super easy .

I'm used to it by now , I'm a passionate dude, I let my passion get the better of me sometimes but I am neither ashamed or embarrassed by it, quite the contrary in fact.

We all have the right to have our opinions and I respect that, I just expect (probably too much) the same from others. I am how I am and I have my own tastes and preferences, just deal with it people . I would even go farther and say that you are welcome to skip my reviews if you don't like that about me, I won't lose any sleep over it though, I can tell you that much.

And lately having way to much to do in terms of the new version of the site that is just around the corner, looking hard for a job and trying to pick up and continue my manga makes it that I have less and less time to review, which means I will most likely only be vocal for albums that are 90 or plus... as I'd rather talk about the things that makes me tick rather than just review everything. If I get more time later I will review also sub par albums, but today I prioritize, it's only logical at this point in my life, I'm just a little saddened by the fact that people think I only overquote everything and therefor cannot be trusted or something. I just select what I review again, and that's also why we hired the great new batch of reviewers (by the way I'm still open to hire new ones) as I have other dutties with metalreviews.com and in other parts of my life.

I've never made a dime with this site, it actually costs me, and paying the bill, even though nowadays is not really that expensive (I was paying almost 100USD per month when we started MR, now I pay about double that but on a yearly basis so it's really not that much). Still, I'm unemployed now, I have a fraking hard time making ends meet, but I would never just drop MR because it costs me. If people want to hate me for caring about metal and trying to create a nice place where we can all share and discuss metal, then let them, as I said earlier, I do not lose sleep over it and never will. These people can show me their 12 years running website, thousands of man hours invested and let me trash their opinions without thinking a single moment about what went into building such a page... it's called putting yourself into one's shoes, and I get the feeling that sometimes people simply don't.

Enough said, I'm still quite sick and shouting yesterday at the concert didn't exactly help with my flu/sinusitis , so I'm gonna go back to bed now.

Peace

Are you the only one who pays for the server, or do the other reviewers chip in too?

At one point in time I received help, a lot from Goat (and Alex) and other reviewers in fact (thanks guys) when I was really financially in trouble. But I'm back at paying it myself these days. Like I said it's not much anyway nowadays.

Oh and also had some nice donations after Alex made a topic on the forum way back as well, that was nice. The thing is it's not just the server, in the first two years my brother and I were on the road all the time to see concerts, make new contacts, interviews and such, it did cost quite a lot but it was very fun and I met many of my "heroes", so no complaints .

You do with your site whatever you will, of course, but I'm sure a couple of forum-dwellers would be willing to donate a couple of bucks towards that end as well.

Then write the dude a check

I was thinking more along the lines of a fundraiser type thing. Roll eyes.

I've been here long enough to know how this works when mention of funding comes up. Someone claims that surely we would all love to contribute, which we well might, but honestly it never happens and so either put up or shut up. And I say this recognizing that Chris put in tons of effort and either respect the guy and help or drop it. Don't speak for other people.

Maybe we could all sell candy bars door to door or something, because obviously you never saw the donate button on the left.

Actually I didn't, probably because I'm still using the old version of the site.

It's there too, not really a button but a section of main page.

In any case, I didn't want this topic to go to the "poor Chris let's help him" direction. If I knew it would go that way I wouldn't said anything.

I'm fine and I can pay the bills, when this changes and the site is ever in danger I'm sure Danny will pick up the tab, so no worries.

I do however intend to optimize future versions (not the coming one) of the site so it's at least self-sustainable and if it goes to actually make any profits from ads, then they can be invested into making some cool stuff I always wanted to do with MR, like a weekly video podcast (a la Wayne's World with less goof) and more video material (interviews) and such.

Sounds cool, but keep the goof - metal takes itself far too serious these days.

No no no no, no checks, theses are a pain in the butt to cash-in in Switzerland , I'll give you my bank account ...

Kidding of course (except maybe the astonishment over that antiquated piece of currency still existing)

No its not a crime at all to be touched by an album. In fact i literally worship the first album. I just think this one is a bit "too much". As i said in another post , i have the same issues with Time I as i had with Blind Guardian ANATO. Sure its epic but there is just too many layers which make the whole thing a bit inconsistent. The debut of SOWAS is freaking awesome , then it get average but finish very strong (especially the chorus at the end). I also miss the guitar driven melodies. I find this a bit too orchestral compared to the first one. I hope Time II will be where the melodidc death and awesome guitar riffs will be at. As of now i prefer every song on the S/T to anything on Time I.

I just can't agree with saying that this is on par with Mozart. The guy is arguably the best classical composer of all time and an influence to many many artists throughout the years. People are still talking about him even 300 years after his death. Not sure the same will happen with Jari. And that's not a knock on Jari. The guy is a fantastic composer. Im just not sure we can compare him with Mozart , Beethoven , Wagner ect. At least not yet.

Other than i have no issue with your review in general. In fact you're not the only one who is overenthusiastic with Time. This has received lot of quasi perfect reviews around the net. So fear not as you're not alone.

Personally i do like the album very much. Im not just extremely blown away by it like the first one. Ill give it a 85 for now. May up my quote once Part II is out since i do think this should have been released as one album. Not sure how long Time II will be but if its inferior to 40 minutes they could very well have cut one of the instrumental to fit the whole thing on 1. CD

Thats about it

Listened to it - moderately enjoyable but not at all the masterpiece promised. Wouldn't deem it worth 97, more like high 70s/low 80s due to length of creation and hype, and lack of actual songs. Sorry, Chris, bit bemused by your love for this - quality symphonic power metal, sure.

After giving this album 3 complete listens I'd give this at most 75%
Their self/titled was muuuuuuch better just my two cents.

This, I've always wondered where the death metal part comes in with this band. Sounds like some epic power metal with harsh(ish)...(kinda) vocals.

Anyways, I'm sure it's great if you're into that style, but I've always had trouble getting into power metal.

i have never listened to this band. after reading this thread i think it is a must that i get their first album.

btw chris, who is your brother and does he write reviews too?

I just thought of a near-perfect analogy for Time I.

It's The Phantom Menace. A watered-down, kid-friendly sequel that its creator thinks is better than the original just because of all the fancy new techniques he used to make it.

Nailed it. Perhaps Time II will feature a comedy element à la Jar-Jar Binks.

Hey Chris, how was Wintersun live? (You went to Heidenfest, right?) How was the mix between old and new songs?