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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: PixelDream on May 11, 2009, 11:41:59 AM
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Yeah, just gave it a spin after not thinking about it for like three years. I forgot how FREAKING amazing it was!
I'm talking about the album 'Space Metal' by Star One. In essence it's a concept album about Space, and it's inspired by films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars. Musically it comes pretty close to 'The Flight of the Migrator', the heavier part of the 'Universal Migrator' double album. Personally I think this album slays it.
For those of you familiar with Ayreon, be sure to check this out. The style is more metal than Ayreon but with a big Deep Purple influence (especially in the organs department).
I think this gets overlooked often, simply because it doesn't carry the Ayreon name on it. Just look at the cast of singers:
Russell God Allen
Dan Swano
Damian Wilson
Floor Jansen
A bit of a small cast compared to Ayreon's rock opera's, but damn, these singers complement eachother so well. But in the end, Russell Allen steals the show here. I think I like his singing here better than almost everything he did with Symphony X (check out the tracks Eye of Ra and Starchild).
Anyway, I think this album is at least better than the last Ayreon record (the production too - it sounds powerful, deep, and clear) and it has kickass singers, groovy metal riffs, and GOOD choruses!
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a new Star One record.
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It's ok. The production is rather weak.
But Star One live is incredible.
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I like this album a lot, when I'm in the right mood. If I want something more serious then it's horribly tacky, but when I want to listen to something really fun and entertaining, this album totally fits the bill, and the singing is awesome throughout.
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I fucking love this disc. The sci-fi movie theme is a lot of fun, and the singers just kill, especially Dan Swano. Love his vocals on this - I don't think he's ever sang that low before. It's the album that got me into Dan's music.
The Star One: Live on Earth dvd is awesome as well. Lots of Ayreon tunes, plus some great live performances from everyone except for Dan (one of the Ayreon regulars took his spot on the tour).
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I fucking love this disc. The sci-fi movie theme is a lot of fun, and the singers just kill, especially Dan Swano. Love his vocals on this - I don't think he's ever sang that low before. It's the album that got me into Dan's music.
The Star One: Live on Earth dvd is awesome as well. Lots of Ayreon tunes, plus some great live performances from everyone except for Dan (one of the Ayreon regulars took his spot on the tour).
I agree, Dan's low vocals are sick on this album. He provides an incredible low end to the vocal harmonies at the end of The Eye of Ra.
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This is actually one of my favourite albums ever. I have no bad words to say about this. Live On Earth is one of the most fun packages I've ever bought, too.
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thanks for the recommendation :tup. I love Ayreon, I'll check out this album later
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This is actually one of my favourite albums ever. I have no bad words to say about this. Live On Earth is one of the most fun packages I've ever bought, too.
I just watched Live On Earth again, and damn, it was great. The vocalists are truly incredible, who put on truly believable performances, no matter what topic the song is about. Those include stories about ancient gods and space travelling.
Even the behind the scenes stuff is fantastic! They must have had the greatest fun ever on that tour!
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This thread has inspired me to finally buy both the Studio album and the Live on Earth DVD.
Oh yeah, *appreciates* :metal
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:metal
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I've had the limited edition CD for quite a few years and still love this album. Not a filler track on it. The Eye of Ra and Intergalactic Space Crusaders are my favourites. Love the sci-fi movie concept. As a longtime Hawkwind fan, the 9 minute Hawkwind medley featuring Dave Bock on disc 2 caps the album off beautifully. :hefdaddy
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvPI6Mh-xw
Didn't see this posted yet.
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Awesome, sounds like more of the same, so hopefully it'll be another fun album! I wonder if he managed to get Russell Allen back.
Also, I love how endearingly goofy he is. :lol
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DO WANT.
When in the right mood, Star One and the live album hit the spot. Next live album better have "Master of Darkness" dammit.
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Master of Darkness is badass :tup.
Awesome, a new Star One album! I still love this futuristic, proggy, shreddy metal project. It's about the only thing I still listen to in this genre. Probably because it doesn't try to take itself very serious. It's all just a lot of fun, and it sounds great.
And yeah, I hope he managed to get (more or less) the same cast. That's a winning team.
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Can't wait, the first Star One was fantastic.
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Oh god I hope he uses Damien and Russel again on this album. The last low voice guy they used on the studio versio didn't do much for me, but the live guy was great, would be cool if he hopped on board.
Also, the last album was all (I think) sci fi movies in musical form. I wonder if this is just a random album.
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Yeah, every song from the first album was based on a space based science fiction movie.
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Or TV series. I think there was one about Blake's Seven.
If this is following the same pattern, maybe the title track'll be Logan's Run or something.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvPI6Mh-xw
Didn't see this posted yet.
Cool I hadn't seen that. And he seems like such a lovely guy :D
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvPI6Mh-xw
Didn't see this posted yet.
Cool I hadn't seen that. And he seems like such a lovely guy :D
definately. I emailed him a few years ago, and he replied with a substantial amount of words, within a week. Very cool! I saw him a while back at a Blackfield gig (he ain't hard to miss).
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Anyone know who does the low vocals threwout the album ? storyteller in High Moon? I freekin love this album!!!
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Anyone know who does the low vocals threwout the album ? storyteller in High Moon? I freekin love this album!!!
Dan Swanö. The beginning of 'Starchild' sounds SICK!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvPI6Mh-xw
Didn't see this posted yet.
Does anyone know what that artwork is on the wall behind him? I would assume it's an album cover.
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The Dream Sequencer
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvPI6Mh-xw
Didn't see this posted yet.
Cool I hadn't seen that. And he seems like such a lovely guy :D
definately. I emailed him a few years ago, and he replied with a substantial amount of words, within a week. Very cool! I saw him a while back at a Blackfield gig (he ain't hard to miss).
Awesome! I'm glad he's actually as nice as I imagine him to be :D
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYeabPrQgc
FUCK YES
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYeabPrQgc
FUCK YES
Very nice to see Russel, Damian and Floor back. I wish they got Robert for the low voice, but I'll settle for Dan.
If they tour for this again, I might actually fly to holland to see it.
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I'd prefer Robert as well, but I'm happy with the lineup. And I really wish I could consider a trip to Europe for this, if I had the money I would certainly be happy to use it for this.
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I'd prefer Robert as well, but I'm happy with the lineup. And I really wish I could consider a trip to Europe for this, if I had the money I would certainly be happy to use it for this.
Oh I don't have nearly enough money for that, but I'm pretty sure I have a few organs that I don't need to survive.
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Awesome! And how can you guys not like Dan Swano!
Who is this Robert fellow anyway.
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Awesome! :caffeine:
And yay Floor and Russel Allen :heart
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Awesome! And how can you guys not like Dan Swano!
Who is this Robert fellow anyway.
Robert so.....something. He did Swanos parts live. I have no problem with Swano, I just liked Roberts vocal personality more.
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I'd prefer Robert as well, but I'm happy with the lineup. And I really wish I could consider a trip to Europe for this, if I had the money I would certainly be happy to use it for this.
Oh I don't have nearly enough money for that, but I'm pretty sure I have a few organs that I don't need to survive.
Here's a possible solution to your money problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnl68BmSSes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnl68BmSSes)
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New album looks epic. The inclusion of Allen and Swano makes me a first day buyer.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzraGq2jDIM
New official trailer.
It is such a cool little trip that when it gets to the part with Gary Wehrkamp I can look and go... HOLY SHIT, I SAT IN THE CHAIR WHERE HE'S DOING THAT GUITAR SOLO.
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Swano's parts on space metal took a while for me to like, now i love them, especially on sandrider.
I must confess that I mostly just listen for when Russell Allen goes mental though...
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All 4 of the singers are just awesome.
Floor Jansen :heart
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All 4 of the singers are just awesome.
Floor's Boobs :heart
I completely agree.
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Her voice is so awesome that I actually find it more exciting than her boobs.
As amazing as that sounds.
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does not compute
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I think her voice and boobs are equally awesome.
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:caffiene:
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Dan Swano :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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Big Russell Allen fan here (not quite the SymX fan nowadays, but I still think he's an awesome vocalist). But hell, Dan Swano's stuff was really cool in this clip. Sounds like his potential was underused on the first Star One album.
Nice to hear this album's style is really Star One but just a bit heavier. Star One is my over the top prog-metal music of choice. Otherwise I don't really listen to the genre anymore. If anyone has a good recommendation, it's much welcomed. :tup
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I really hope he tours for this album again, with the same line up as last time, and makes another DVD. Oh man.
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Check this clip from Damian Wilson. This is AMAZING!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePeAQicUY_4
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Got the promo this morning... only three tracks in and it's fantastic already.
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I hate you Nick. <3
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Prepare to hate me more... I may be interviewing Arjen on Thursday.
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Make sure you mention him using Jon Oliva in his next project :D
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I just got off the phone with Arjen Lucassen, I can die happy now.
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I just got off the phone with Arjen Lucassen, I can die happy now.
I played drums on a recording that he was on. I'll see you in the next life.
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I just got off the phone with Arjen Lucassen, I can die happy now.
I played drums on a recording that he was on. I'll see you in the next life.
Nice, all I can boast is an appearance on the Guilt Machine album.
In any case I'll be posting an interview and review of the new album before the night is through.
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That song they got streaming is awesome. Just the way I like my Star One. Heavy and cheesy.
https://www.skullsnbones.com/page/star-one-exclusive-stream
Oh yeah.
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sampling now...definate need to check out
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Check it out, the new thing by Arjen. Fully streaming here;
https://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/18
I've only listened to a couple of songs but this is wonderful music.
:metal
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I guess my own piano medley recording will have to wait for about an hour :)
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Love the a cappella ending in digital rain :)
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Merged the threads as the last one was hardly that long.
Need to check out the new album, sounds really fun. :metal
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Yeah, it's definitely a huge step above Space Metal, imo. Both are great, but this one is just fantastic - great riffs, great singing and melodies. The guitar/keyboard riff or whatever it is called in the middle and end of Human See, Human Die is just so badass and it only gets better when Swano comes in.
Swano, Wilson, Allen... <3
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Merged the threads as the last one was hardly that long.
Need to check out the new album, sounds really fun. :metal
No worries dude, I was looking for the Star One thread but couldn't find it.
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The album sounded awesome to me, but some of the lyrics were pretty cringe-worthy.
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This is Star One and the first album was called Space Metal. You should throw all lyrics requirements and expectations out the window before you listen to it.
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This is Star One and the first album was called Space Metal. You should throw all lyrics requirements and expectations out the window before you listen to it.
Well I meant even in comparison to the first album. :lol
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Which ones do you mean? None of them make me cringe so far but I've never bothered to actually read them. The only thing that comes to mind is when Swano sings "Falls illusions" in the final song. Aren't illusions by definitions false? Or by false illusions does he mean that this is something true? I r confuzzled now.
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Which ones do you mean? None of them make me cringe so far but I've never bothered to actually read them. The only thing that comes to mind is when Swano sings "Falls illusions" in the final song. Aren't illusions by definitions false? Or by false illusions does he mean that this is something true? I r confuzzled now.
You have a damn good point there. An illusion is basically a false perception of something that is not real. That could very well in actual fact mean that what he thought was an illusion is actually reality.
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Listening right now and :tup
Wish people would knock off the lyric complaints isn't science fiction not supposed to make complete sense or factual? this reminds me of the people who complain about the Matrix its sc-fi get over it!!
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There is a difference between bad and just simple generic fantasy/scifi lyrics. Arjen has been dipping his toes in the bad lyrics pool for a couple of albums now. (e equals mc squared anyone?)
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Am I the only one that was a little disappointed with 011100100? (whatever it is)
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Am I the only one that was a little disappointed with 011100100? (whatever it is)
Definitely not.. couple of really strong songs in there (beneath the waves) but mostly not that great.
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Am I the only one that was a little disappointed with 011100100? (whatever it is)
Definitely not.. couple of really strong songs in there (beneath the waves) but mostly not that great.
I didn't like it at all actually. And I still can't figure out why. This new Star One record sounds badass though.
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I like 01 a lot, to me it has some similarities to Electirc Castle but the music is more interesting. E=mc2 was an abomination though. :lol
I can totally understand people not liking Arjen's lyrics, they're cheesy and silly, but I enjoy them because they're fun. What I can't understand is people who only complain about his recent lyrics, as though he used to be all profound and poetic.
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I didn't like it at all actually. And I still can't figure out why. This new Star One record sounds badass though.
Posted on: Today at 07:28:52 AMPosted by: kala1928
Im on listen # 2 of the new star one so far i like all but the last track but that could change
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Just got through my first listen, and since I'm at work it didn't get my full attention, but I think I can safely say its better than the first album, but it's not a 10/10 album like Nick reports in his review. Only one song really "popped" for me (don't know which one, iPod was in my pocket), but whatever the weak point is on this album its definately better than some of the weaker songs on "Space Metal". Solid AAL work.
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Didn't make it through the whole album yet, but it didn't really interest me too much. The production was really bothering me too. Of course, that could change. I'm afraid I over hyped this album for myself.
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Didn't make it through the whole album yet, but it didn't really interest me too much. The production was really bothering me too. Of course, that could change. I'm afraid I over hyped this album for myself.
What bothers you about the production ? I thought it sounded very good i hear everything very well and doesn't sound all compresed to me at all , i did however notice that the bass player isn't standing out as much as i like not as pronounced as in the last album ?
one thing i noticed i liked is i actually hear the highhat and cymbls real crisp unlike most recordings now
Im just asking , not giveing you crap
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Compared to the first album, the singers sound drowned out by the music.
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Man, from what I've listened to, Damian Wilson sounds fucking amazing. Such an underrated singer.
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Man, from what I've listened to, Damian Wilson sounds fucking amazing. Such an underrated singer.
His vocals on '24 Hours' are pure gold. Russell Allen is being his usual self (vocal god), but Wilson steals the show.
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Man, from what I've listened to, Damian Wilson sounds fucking amazing. Such an underrated singer.
His vocals on '24 Hours' are pure gold. Russell Allen is being his usual self (vocal god), but Wilson steals the show.
The last verse is one of the best things I've ever heard.
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Am I the only one that was a little disappointed with 011100100? (whatever it is)
Definitely not.. couple of really strong songs in there (beneath the waves) but mostly not that great.
Not a great album over all but i do like it , the most i like about it is Jonas Renkse vocals , very haunting , and also really like Magali Luyten voice in this album but much like floor jansen i like her work with arjen more then there own bands
So is Katatonia's newer stuff worth checking out , i didn't like there older stuff im listening to some samples now of there last 3 albums
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Their latest album is really good, and Jonas' voice is lovely.
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Im on my third listen through......I dunno.....Im not feeling the hot sunny love up my ass that I was hoping for. It's barely getting the "just ok" from me. And I'm a big fan of alot of these artists.
meh ~ so far
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I think the album is "just OK." It's better than the last two, but there's absolutely nothing on here that you can't find on the original Star One, or either Migrator disc. I would have rather seen Arjen take the style he's been writing with his latest projects and fully develop it rather than take a huge step back like this... though I suppose it's good. I just can't get excited about it.
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Well, you certainly can't find songs like 24 Hours, Earth that Was and Human See, Human die on the other albums.
Yes, it is kinda more of the same but it's also hugely improved and refined. And quite frankly, I don't think I would have liked it any other way.
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Dude, it's Human See, Human Do. GOSH! :neverusethis:
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Wow... I've read it as "Die" ever since the song titles were revealed. I feel stupider than usual :D
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This album didn't do too much for me on the first listen. I'm not sure what was wrong with me. The vocals are amazing, and the riffs (Earth That Was especially) are sick.
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This album didn't do too much for me on the first listen. I'm not sure what was wrong with me. The vocals are amazing, and the riffs (Earth That Was especially) are sick.
Actually, that sums up almost all Lucassen projects to me. Great vocals, sick riffs ... and in the end doesn't do much for me.
rumborak
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It's probably the massive amount of cheese that holds it all together.
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Just discovered "victims of the modern age" has made it onto
facebook [EDIT: :facepalm:] spotify
listening now, such awesome proggy heavy music. Such good singers too.
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By facebook, surely you mean spotify?
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Fixed.
Man, I feel like a cretin.
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It's probably the massive amount of cheese that holds it all together.
:yeahright
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I just bought the album today. Not overwhelmed by it, but I'm not really into this type of prog metal at the moment. I'm sure I'll learn to appreciate it a bit more in the future.
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I've been waiting for this ever since I bought the first album back in 2002. There was something about Space Metal that was really magical, and I have a special place in my heart for that album. After 8 years of waiting, I can't really say I'm disappointed in the new one, but Space Metal was noticeably better. I was afraid that this might be the case, given how off-the-cuff Space Metal came together, and that a second album would feel more calculated. With that said though, Victims of the Modern Age is still a fantastic album with several stand out tracks, especially Earth That Was, the title cut, and Human See Human Do. I love the album a lot and I really don't want to sound like I am putting it down, since I really dig the 70's Hawkwind meets Deep Purple style of Star One, but that first album to me is on a level so few bands can ever dream of reaching.
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First album is definately better, but I really dig Victims. I'm glad Arjen did another Star One. The album didn't exactly disappoint, but the songs aren't as memorable as those on the first album. That said, the guitar sound on the new one is SICK. Dig the production very much. I'm really into 70's sounding, uncompressed stuff now, but for the style, the production is just very fitting.
Kinda in the AAL mood. Gonna check out 'Flight of the Migrator' again. 'To the Quasar' :metal.
And back to the 'Eye of Ra'. I used to dig this cheesy sutff, and turns out: I still do. Russell's verses are freakin' great!
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i feel that allen's vocals were used much better on the first album
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24 Hours and Digital Rain beg to differ.
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But they are still nothing on his parts in eye of ra or intergalactic space crusaders imo
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He has parts in Eye of Ra? I can barely remember him there. While both the songs you mentioned are awesome, for me it's mainly not because of his performance there but the music in general as well as the parts of the other singers.
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you tellin me you cant remember
"a daaaark shiip descends from the sky-ey
lasers fire and many man diee"
hes just more savage on space metal
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No, I remember it but that's nothing spectacular (by Russell Allen standards of course). Imo, his parts in Dital Rain shortly after the 5th minute mark shit all over the parts you mentioned. Much more "savage" and also ridiculously high and powerful. And of course, there's the ending of the song too. To each his own, I guess :)
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I have to agree with Timmy. I mean, the performances of all the singers are top notch on Victims, but I think maybe it's the way the album is produced that puts the vocals less in the forefront, so it doesn't sound quite as incredible to me.
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I just picked this up over the holidays. Love it. 9/10 for me. The bonus tracks are a little on the meh side, but the 1st disc is as good as Space Metal in my opinion. Now that you've had a few more chances to spin it, anyone have any different thoughts?
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It quickly dropped off my radar after about two months. It's not a bad album, but I have it as my #11 album of the year.