Old James Labrie vs. Russell Allen

[TAC]

James didn't injure his voice due to shrimp causing the food poisoning. It was pork, eggs and beans I think. And I'm not partial to either--he can sound GREAT these days, he could sound GREAT those days, he can sound god awful these days and he could sound god awful those days.

He did sound more than great those days, but only at the very beginning of each tour. Somehow, and unsurprisingly, his middle term stamina went down greatly. I'm watching right now a DVD from 1997 where James actually delivers one of his strongest performances ever, and that right in the middle of the lapse of time generally regarded as his "dark age"

Right, there are some sketchy performances on the I&W tour, as there are some great performances on the FII tour. But James was so great on that first US leg of the Awake tour.

[Sigz]

I have a really hard time not laughing whenever I hear Russel Allen sing, so definitely JLB.

[El JoNNo]

James didn't injure his voice due to shrimp causing the food poisoning. It was pork, eggs and beans I think. And I'm not partial to either--he can sound GREAT these days, he could sound GREAT those days, he can sound god awful these days and he could sound god awful those days.

He did sound more than great those days, but only at the very beginning of each tour. Somehow, and unsurprisingly, his middle term stamina went down greatly. I'm watching right now a DVD from 1997 where James actually delivers one of his strongest performances ever, and that right in the middle of the lapse of time generally regarded as his "dark age"

He had his ups and downs. The voice can be inconsistent with sleep, diet and exercise all effecting the voice. With a vocal injury like his, who knows how he is going to sound from night to night. As someone who enjoys singing, this would be horrible.

[Zook]

I have a really hard time not laughing whenever I hear Russel Allen sing, so definitely JLB.

Explain this please?

[wasteland]

James didn't injure his voice due to shrimp causing the food poisoning. It was pork, eggs and beans I think. And I'm not partial to either--he can sound GREAT these days, he could sound GREAT those days, he can sound god awful these days and he could sound god awful those days.

He did sound more than great those days, but only at the very beginning of each tour. Somehow, and unsurprisingly, his middle term stamina went down greatly. I'm watching right now a DVD from 1997 where James actually delivers one of his strongest performances ever, and that right in the middle of the lapse of time generally regarded as his "dark age"

Right, there are some sketchy performances on the I&W tour, as there are some great performances on the FII tour. But James was so great on that first US leg of the Awake tour.

Not so much, actually... Still overall good performances, but not from the same league as the good half of his IAW-era nights.

[Ħ]

Both great singers.  Russell's got more consistency, but James has a wider range when it comes to pitch and style.  Pretty even. 

It depends on my mood.  James is uplifting, Russell is melancholic.  Initially, I wanted to say that Russell has the angry/gnarly/devilish style down more than James, but James can sound quite convincing in those ways as well (especially in his solo albums).  Way too hard to decide.

[TAC]

James didn't injure his voice due to shrimp causing the food poisoning. It was pork, eggs and beans I think. And I'm not partial to either--he can sound GREAT these days, he could sound GREAT those days, he can sound god awful these days and he could sound god awful those days.

He did sound more than great those days, but only at the very beginning of each tour. Somehow, and unsurprisingly, his middle term stamina went down greatly. I'm watching right now a DVD from 1997 where James actually delivers one of his strongest performances ever, and that right in the middle of the lapse of time generally regarded as his "dark age"

Right, there are some sketchy performances on the I&W tour, as there are some great performances on the FII tour. But James was so great on that first US leg of the Awake tour.

Not so much, actually... Still overall good performances, but not from the same league as the good half of his IAW-era nights.

After a quick check of a few shows, you are correct in that he was inconsistent then as well.

[Silver Tears]

I have a really hard time not laughing whenever I hear Russel Allen sing, so definitely JLB.

You're such a noob Ian. 

[Sigz]

I have a really hard time not laughing whenever I hear Russel Allen sing, so definitely JLB.

Explain this please?

He just sounds completely ridiculous, like every note he sings he's trying his hardest to sounds intense and epic. I just can't take him seriously at all.

I have a really hard time not laughing whenever I hear Russel Allen sing, so definitely JLB.

You're such a noob Ian. 

no u

[Elite]

Russell Allen has gone into douche mode the last couple of albums.

JLB was awesome on Awake, if Russell would have done something like that I might have liked that.

[Zook]

I have a really hard time not laughing whenever I hear Russel Allen sing, so definitely JLB.

Explain this please?

He just sounds completely ridiculous, like every note he sings he's trying his hardest to sounds intense and epic. I just can't take him seriously at all.

You're criticizing him for singing in an intense and epic manor when he sings for a band who specialize in making intense and epic songs?

That's like complaining that a death metal singer is trying too hard to growl for his death metal band...

[Nick]

Allen. They might be close as studio musicians, but Allen is the greatest live singer I've ever seen. Having seen him 7 times and LaBrie a dozen I can also say that Allen is also far more consistent. And this is no knock on JLB, Allen is just that damn good.

[Ħ]

I have a really hard time not laughing whenever I hear Russel Allen sing, so definitely JLB.

Explain this please?

He just sounds completely ridiculous, like every note he sings he's trying his hardest to sounds intense and epic. I just can't take him seriously at all.

You're criticizing him for singing in an intense and epic manor when he sings for a band who specialize in making intense and epic songs?

That's like complaining that a death metal singer is trying too hard to growl for his death metal band...

Yeah, but the music itself is laughable.

[Sigz]

I have a really hard time not laughing whenever I hear Russel Allen sing, so definitely JLB.

Explain this please?

He just sounds completely ridiculous, like every note he sings he's trying his hardest to sounds intense and epic. I just can't take him seriously at all.

You're criticizing him for singing in an intense and epic manor when he sings for a band who specialize in making intense and epic songs?

That's like complaining that a death metal singer is trying too hard to growl for his death metal band...

Not at all. There's plenty of intense and epic bands that have perfectly fine singers. Even just looking at just prog/power metal bands, I don't have a problem with their vocals most of the time, and in some cases really like them. It has nothing to do with what the band is, and everything to do with the singer himself. He just comes off as a parody of the music he's making.

Like I said, my problem is that he sounds as if he's trying to sing super intense and epic, not that he is. It just sounds forced and ridiculous.

[Zook]

Yeah, but the music itself is laughable.

This ought to be good. Please elaborate, Mr. H.

Not at all. There's plenty of intense and epic bands that have perfectly fine singers. Even just looking at just prog/power metal bands, I don't have a problem with their vocals most of the time, and in some cases really like them. It has nothing to do with what the band is, and everything to do with the singer himself. He just comes off as a parody of the music he's making.

Like I said, my problem is that he sounds as if he's trying to sing super intense and epic, not that he is. It just sounds forced and ridiculous.

How many Symphony X songs have you heard, 'cause if you're basing your opinions just on the last two albums, they aren't a good representation of their sound. Not that I agree with what your saying or anything. His vocals don't sound forced. You're a butt head.

[tristl]

Allen. They might be close as studio musicians, but Allen is the greatest live singer I've ever seen. Having seen him 7 times and LaBrie a dozen I can also say that Allen is also far more consistent. And this is no knock on JLB, Allen is just that damn good.

We must have seen two different russel allens!

[ResultsMayVary]

Old or New James over Allen any day of the week.

[Sigz]

Not at all. There's plenty of intense and epic bands that have perfectly fine singers. Even just looking at just prog/power metal bands, I don't have a problem with their vocals most of the time, and in some cases really like them. It has nothing to do with what the band is, and everything to do with the singer himself. He just comes off as a parody of the music he's making.

Like I said, my problem is that he sounds as if he's trying to sing super intense and epic, not that he is. It just sounds forced and ridiculous.

How many Symphony X songs have you heard, 'cause if you're basing your opinions just on the last two albums, they aren't a good representation of their sound. Not that I agree with what your saying or anything. His vocals don't sound forced. You're a butt head.

I'm basing this off of the Odyssey (the album) and a random assortment of other songs.

[Zook]

Not at all. There's plenty of intense and epic bands that have perfectly fine singers. Even just looking at just prog/power metal bands, I don't have a problem with their vocals most of the time, and in some cases really like them. It has nothing to do with what the band is, and everything to do with the singer himself. He just comes off as a parody of the music he's making.

Like I said, my problem is that he sounds as if he's trying to sing super intense and epic, not that he is. It just sounds forced and ridiculous.

How many Symphony X songs have you heard, 'cause if you're basing your opinions just on the last two albums, they aren't a good representation of their sound. Not that I agree with what your saying or anything. His vocals don't sound forced. You're a butt head.

I'm basing this off of the Odyssey (the album) and a random assortment of other songs.

The Odyssey has some of his best singing! What's wrong with you?!

[Ħ]

Yeah, but the music itself is laughable.

This ought to be good. Please elaborate, Mr. H.

Yessir.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaN3pwBsRf8

[Zook]

Yeah, but the music itself is laughable.

This ought to be good. Please elaborate, Mr. H.

Yessir.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaN3pwBsRf8

How predictable. Oh no, it's not a real orchestra, because everyone can afford to get one of those to play on their album...

inb4 "well if Romeo wasn't spending all his money on donuts..."

Is that it? Have you only heard the beginning of The Odyssey?

[theseoafs]

I've never found anything remotely laughable about The Odyssey. The overture can get kind of cheesy (I still enjoy it), but from about 3:30 on it's smooth, proggy sailing.

[Ħ]

Yeah, but the music itself is laughable.

This ought to be good. Please elaborate, Mr. H.

Yessir.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaN3pwBsRf8

How predictable. Oh no, it's not a real orchestra, because everyone can afford to get one of those to play on their album...

inb4 "well if Romeo wasn't spending all his money on donuts..."

Is that it? Have you only heard the beginning of The Odyssey?

Dude, Symphony X was my #2 for about three years.

[kirksnosehair]

This thread is funny 

[Jaq]

Russell Allen, every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Symphony X's current work being more aggressive leaves him using the more metallic end of his range, but the man has a lot of versatility, incredible power, and live, it's strictly no contest. Allen is a beast live.

If I was putting together a band, and I could use ANY musician in the world, Russell Allen would be my first choice for vocalist.

[Zook]

Yeah, but the music itself is laughable.

This ought to be good. Please elaborate, Mr. H.

Yessir.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaN3pwBsRf8

How predictable. Oh no, it's not a real orchestra, because everyone can afford to get one of those to play on their album...

inb4 "well if Romeo wasn't spending all his money on donuts..."

Is that it? Have you only heard the beginning of The Odyssey?

Dude, Symphony X was my #2 for about three years.

Then how can you suddenly find the music laughable?

[Jaffa]

Yeah, but the music itself is laughable.

This ought to be good. Please elaborate, Mr. H.

Yessir.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaN3pwBsRf8

How predictable. Oh no, it's not a real orchestra, because everyone can afford to get one of those to play on their album...

inb4 "well if Romeo wasn't spending all his money on donuts..."

Is that it? Have you only heard the beginning of The Odyssey?

Dude, Symphony X was my #2 for about three years.

Then how can you suddenly find the music laughable?

I was once a pretty big Dragonforce fan.

I now find the music laughable.

Enough said?

(Disclaimer: Not comparing Dragonforce to Symphony X.  Saying it's possible to like something and then change your opinion of it.)

[Zook]

I was once a pretty big Dragonforce fan.

I now find the music laughable.

Enough said?

(Disclaimer: Not comparing Dragonforce to Symphony X.  Saying it's possible to like something and then change your opinion of it.)

Well I always found Dragonhorse's music laughable. You kind of are comparing them. I don't get why everyone shits on Symphony X. Sure they write songs about fantasy. So does Blind Guardian. No one says anything bad about them (rightfully so, they're awesome) You guys act like they're doing what Rhapsody does. That shit's cheesy. Yet you even confused the band you're parodying with Thundersword. "hey guys, lets make a parody band making fun of Symphony X, but then parody Rhapsody instead". Symphony X are not as cheesy as everyone says they are. You guys suck. I hate you all. Eat shit, you butt nuggets!

[Jaffa]

Well I always found Dragonhorse's music laughable. You kind of are comparing them. I don't get why everyone shits on Symphony X. Sure they write songs about fantasy. So does Blind Guardian. No one says anything bad about them (rightfully so, they're awesome) You guys act like they're doing what Rhapsody does. That shit's cheesy. Yet you even confused the band you're parodying with Thundersword. "hey guys, lets make a parody band making fun of Symphony X, but then parody Rhapsody instead". Symphony X are not as cheesy as everyone says they are. You guys suck. I hate you all. Eat shit, you butt nuggets!

Now that you've rambled, can I just say that I actually have no problem with Symphony X and was only pointing out that it's possible to like a band's music less over time as your tastes change? 

[Zook]

Well I always found Dragonhorse's music laughable. You kind of are comparing them. I don't get why everyone shits on Symphony X. Sure they write songs about fantasy. So does Blind Guardian. No one says anything bad about them (rightfully so, they're awesome) You guys act like they're doing what Rhapsody does. That shit's cheesy. Yet you even confused the band you're parodying with Thundersword. "hey guys, lets make a parody band making fun of Symphony X, but then parody Rhapsody instead". Symphony X are not as cheesy as everyone says they are. You guys suck. I hate you all. Eat shit, you butt nuggets!

Now that you've rambled, can I just say that I actually have no problem with Symphony X and was only pointing out that it's possible to like a band's music less over time as your tastes change? 

Do not interrupt me when I'm rambling to myself.

I agree with you. There are some bands that I've listened to for eons and they still hold up, and others who don't. Maybe SX was H's #2 band up until The Odyssey, and then he lost interest, but to disregard their previous work as laughable is baffling. Maybe that's not the case though. He hasn't elaborated on much...

[RuRoRul]

Saying the music is laughable and then posting a link to The Odyssey as evidence for me is equivalent to someone saying DT's music is laughable then posting me a link to A Change Of Seasons as evidence.

Not saying plenty of people probably don't think the same about ACOS and DT in general being laughable, just how ridiculous it appears to me when people say something is bad and then link to something I consider great instead. But I know that's to be expected, since I'm sure there's plenty of music other people on this forum think is amazing that I find downright laughable or comical.

[Sigz]

Not at all. There's plenty of intense and epic bands that have perfectly fine singers. Even just looking at just prog/power metal bands, I don't have a problem with their vocals most of the time, and in some cases really like them. It has nothing to do with what the band is, and everything to do with the singer himself. He just comes off as a parody of the music he's making.

Like I said, my problem is that he sounds as if he's trying to sing super intense and epic, not that he is. It just sounds forced and ridiculous.

How many Symphony X songs have you heard, 'cause if you're basing your opinions just on the last two albums, they aren't a good representation of their sound. Not that I agree with what your saying or anything. His vocals don't sound forced. You're a butt head.

I'm basing this off of the Odyssey (the album) and a random assortment of other songs.

The Odyssey has some of his best singing! What's wrong with you?!

It's perfectly good singing technically speaking. It just comes off as completely over the top. I really have no idea what else you're expecting to hear from me.

[Ryzee]

It's perfectly good singing technically speaking. It just comes off as completely over the top. I really have no idea what else you're expecting to hear from me.

Probably something along the lines of "You're right dude my bad, Symphony X is awesome!!!  "


Also, Zook man I'm not sure how serious you were but I have to say that

Symphony X are not as cheesy as everyone says they are. You guys suck. I hate you all. Eat shit, you butt nuggets!

is one of the best responses in an internet opinion dispute I've ever seen.  Kudos to you sir!


Also I prefer Allen to Labrie because he looks like he's from Westeros, but Labrie's band is waaaay better.

[Ħ]

Zook, I've been trying to spend less time criticizing music I don't like, at least not in more than a passing comment.  But since you're practically begging me to elaborate, I'll will.  Instrumentally, I think that the combination of neo-classical music with power metal simply does not work.  It's not that they do it badly; the combination itself is bad.  It sounds "dance-y" and I just don't like the sound of it.  Don't know how to express how I feel other than that. 

Lyrically, the motif is mythology, and that's a problem for me.  I just can't help but laugh at the thought of five forty-year-old men getting off on playing music about Poseidon.  I don't actually think they aren't talented.  They write the music that they set out to write in the best way possible.  As I said, the style is horrible to begin with, so it's nothing against their technical or expressive abilities.  I'll even concede that sometimes, the style they go for is one that I like, and as a result, I like the music.  For example, Paradise Lost is good, but that's because it was rooted more in metal and memorable riffs, and the lyrics, although based on fiction, were about topics I could easily relate to.

Saying the music is laughable and then posting a link to The Odyssey as evidence for me is equivalent to someone saying DT's music is laughable then posting me a link to A Change Of Seasons as evidence.

Not saying plenty of people probably don't think the same about ACOS and DT in general being laughable, just how ridiculous it appears to me when people say something is bad and then link to something I consider great instead. But I know that's to be expected, since I'm sure there's plenty of music other people on this forum think is amazing that I find downright laughable or comical.

Really? I would think that if you wanted to show someone a flaw in a band's music is to do so in reference to their better songs.  No one goes around saying Dream Theater is bad by using "You Not Me" and "Burning My Soul" as evidence.  If I had posted a link to "The Witching Hour" to show that SX's  music is laughable, it would have been dishonest.

[theseoafs]

Saying the music is laughable and then posting a link to The Odyssey as evidence for me is equivalent to someone saying DT's music is laughable then posting me a link to A Change Of Seasons as evidence.

Not saying plenty of people probably don't think the same about ACOS and DT in general being laughable, just how ridiculous it appears to me when people say something is bad and then link to something I consider great instead. But I know that's to be expected, since I'm sure there's plenty of music other people on this forum think is amazing that I find downright laughable or comical.

Really? I would think that if you wanted to show someone a flaw in a band's music is to do so in reference to their better songs.  No one goes around saying Dream Theater is bad by using "You Not Me" and "Burning My Soul" as evidence.  If I had posted a link to "The Witching Hour" to show that SX's  music is laughable, it would have been dishonest.

I think what's ideal is defending your position in one or more English sentences, rather than just posting a link to a song most people who disagree with you probably enjoy.