The Circus Maximus Thread (merged)

[kirksnosehair]

Come on ans ship it already amazon...

That's why I never use them for CDs anymore.  Only MP3 downloads.    If I want CDs I get them from LaserCD.com - he's got Nine in stock now, and it will ship today if you order it now.

[me7]

Nice album. That's all. I was expecting something more after 5 freaking years.

Like what? A double disc with 40 minute epic, and Michael hitting an F# for a whole minute while the other guys solo in unison, and a special guest death metal singer growls the most sinister passage to ever be recorded?

I expected something that is definitely better than their previous efforts. The album is a trade-off for me: some sections on it sound more mature than their previous albums, but the reduced vocal range and lack of long songs are a letdown.
It's not a bad album, just not better than The 1st Chapter and Isolate. The band remains not as good as DT in my book.
As an example: during the time it took them to produce Nine, Haken have written, recorded and released Aquarius and Visions (and a third album is already underway).

[Nekov]

Nice album. That's all. I was expecting something more after 5 freaking years.

Like what? A double disc with 40 minute epic, and Michael hitting an F# for a whole minute while the other guys solo in unison, and a special guest death metal singer growls the most sinister passage to ever be recorded?

None of that. I was expecting something that would blow my mind, or at least something that was more in the line of The 1st Chapter and got neither of those.

[kirksnosehair]

Nice album. That's all. I was expecting something more after 5 freaking years.

Like what? A double disc with 40 minute epic, and Michael hitting an F# for a whole minute while the other guys solo in unison, and a special guest death metal singer growls the most sinister passage to ever be recorded?

I expected something that is definitely better than their previous efforts. The album is a trade-off for me: some sections on it sound more mature than their previous albums, but the reduced vocal range and lack of long songs are a letdown.
It's not a bad album, just not better than The 1st Chapter and Isolate. The band remains not as good as DT in my book.
As an example: during the time it took them to produce Nine, Haken have written, recorded and released Aquarius and Visions (and a third album is already underway).

Lack of long songs? 

"Architect of Fortune"  10:12
"Burn After Reading"     8:48
"Last Goodbye"            10:00


That's a half hour right there.  Three tracks.

[YtseBitsySpider]

Nice album. That's all. I was expecting something more after 5 freaking years.

Like what? A double disc with 40 minute epic, and Michael hitting an F# for a whole minute while the other guys solo in unison, and a special guest death metal singer growls the most sinister passage to ever be recorded?

None of that. I was expecting something that would blow my mind, or at least something that was more in the line of The 1st Chapter and got neither of those.

I took the Prohphecy and the 1st Chapter and dropped them into the playlist of the new album interspaced so as to make the new album sound better.

it's worked.

[obscure]

Very 1st spin and I'm sold... absolutely amazing... I'm blown away... way better than I expected... gonna try to understand what they've done so right to have my whole body shaken at the first listen for the next .. god knows how many days..... seriously.. don't wanna listen to anything else now.... holy fuckin shit!!!! shit!!!!

[kirksnosehair]

That's pretty much how I feel after three spins, Obscure 

[Dr. DTVT]

Come on ans ship it already amazon...

That's why I never use them for CDs anymore.  Only MP3 downloads.    If I want CDs I get them from LaserCD.com - he's got Nine in stock now, and it will ship today if you order it now.

I can wait the extra days, especially with free shipping and all.  I'm just glad everyone seems to be enjoying the album.

[kirksnosehair]

The thing that pissed me off about Amazon.com was they actually CHANGED my shipping date on a couple of orders.  Once they pushed it out three freaking weeks, that was the last time I ever ordered a CD from them.  Their MP3 download service is great, though.  Blows iTunes away, IMHO

[jingle.boy]

Listening on Spotify right now while I wait for the CD to arrive.  So far, so good.

[Nekov]

Nice album. That's all. I was expecting something more after 5 freaking years.

Like what? A double disc with 40 minute epic, and Michael hitting an F# for a whole minute while the other guys solo in unison, and a special guest death metal singer growls the most sinister passage to ever be recorded?

None of that. I was expecting something that would blow my mind, or at least something that was more in the line of The 1st Chapter and got neither of those.

I took the Prohphecy and the 1st Chapter and dropped them into the playlist of the new album interspaced so as to make the new album sound better.

it's worked.

I will try this.

[obscure]

That's pretty much how I feel after three spins, Obscure 

 


way more mature sound compared to the first two albums.... better mixing, better production, better song-writing.... 
I love this feeling man.... having a brand new album which blows you away.... me happy....

[kirksnosehair]

The production is stellar.  So HUGE sounding   

[NecessaryPain]

Been spinning this for a while now. My thoughts are that it's a good album, but not quite on the same level as The 1st Chapter IMO. It could have been better.

The production and especially the guitars are top, top quality. Seriously, Petrucci-esque! I do miss the higher pitched vocals though.

On a whole I thoroughly enjoyed Architect Of Fortune, Burn After Reading and Last Goodbye. The shorter songs are much more forgettable. Minus the guitar solos, I don't see myself enjoying them as much. I'd have preferred 6 10 minute+ songs instead - I tink that's what CM do best, the longer, more progressive songs.

Still need to give it more time. CM are a very talented band who fit nicely between the likes of DT and SX - sharing many similarities from both but not quite sounding like either.

[YtseBitsySpider]

Been spinning this for a while now. My thoughts are that it's a good album, but not quite on the same level as The 1st Chapter IMO. It could have been better.

The production and especially the guitars are top, top quality. Seriously, Petrucci-esque! I do miss the higher pitched vocals though.

On a whole I thoroughly enjoyed Architect Of Fortune, Burn After Reading and Last Goodbye. The shorter songs are much more forgettable.

yup
all this.

It seems like a bunch of star athletes that took 5 years off...came back....and had a couple brilliant moments....but....I'll wait for the next one to be the masterpiece I expect they can still produce.

I hope I only have to wait a year for it.

[necrotomist]

I just finished listening to it for the tenth time or something.

In NINE, there's a lot of great stuff going on that isn't obvious like, say, big technical instrumental sections (allthough they are present but rather short) or high pitched vocals. It's in the little things, arrangements, layers... It's pretty genius and it DOES feel like a lot of time was spent writing and arranging the songs. I'd say it's done so well yet so subtle that it seems to be covered up by the even bigger portion of 'poppyness' they added to their sound.

The flawless production doesn't help make these details stand out either. It's all blended in so well, but I find that the more I listen to it the more I'm convinced this could be there best work.

[DP_Gumby]

I just finished listening to it for the tenth time or something.

In NINE, there's a lot of great stuff going on that isn't obvious like, say, big technical instrumental sections (allthough they are present but rather short) or high pitched vocals. It's in the little things, arrangements, layers... It's pretty genius and it DOES feel like a lot of time was spent writing and arranging the songs. I'd say it's done so well yet so subtle that it seems to be covered up by the even bigger portion of 'poppyness' they added to their sound.

The flawless production doesn't help make these details stand out either. It's all blended in so well, but I find that the more I listen to it the more I'm convinced this could be there best work.

^This.

[obscure]

I just finished listening to it for the tenth time or something.

In NINE, there's a lot of great stuff going on that isn't obvious like, say, big technical instrumental sections (allthough they are present but rather short) or high pitched vocals. It's in the little things, arrangements, layers... It's pretty genius and it DOES feel like a lot of time was spent writing and arranging the songs. I'd say it's done so well yet so subtle that it seems to be covered up by the even bigger portion of 'poppyness' they added to their sound.

The flawless production doesn't help make these details stand out either. It's all blended in so well, but I find that the more I listen to it the more I'm convinced this could be there best work.

^This.

well put mister  ... subtle is a perfect word to describe what's going on there.. this is an album that one shouldn't hurry up to review... it's one of those that takes time to GET it... me thinks...

[YtseBitsySpider]

^^maybe^^

If any band...ANY BAND...is going to get the benefit of extra spins from me it's this one.

I expect my opinion to change.

[obscure]

that's good news hun... I'm hopeful 

[YtseBitsySpider]

You should try and interview these guys.........maybe see if they need a sexy hot manager.

[Pettor]

I was a bit worried when I heard their sound had changed. I really liked 1st Chapter and Isolate, even if the composition quality wasn't spread even across the songs.

However, I really like this album. I can't even remember the last time I heard songs so well composed and structured from a prog metal band. Architect of Fortune is a song that varies and jumps between a lot of different sections, but the flow is perfect and only if you focus you actually understand how varied it is. I Am and The One are for the moment the only songs I don't quite enjoy as much as the others. And all hands down for the production, freaking awesome sound!

Circus Maximus should help out Dream Theater with production and song composition when it's time for the next album

[obscure]

You should try and interview these guys.........maybe see if they need a sexy hot manager.

Already scheduled 

Michael asked me why I came up with the name lady obscure today.... 

[Nekov]

After 5 listens it hasn't gotten any better. :disappointed:

[YtseBitsySpider]

replay just Architect of Fortune over and over....THEN.......let teh whole thing run through.

It's not actually THAT poppy.....it's just smart.

I really miss the high vocals though.

[obscure]

It's not actually THAT poppy.....it's just smart.

eaxctly.. their art is just a lil obscure on this one 

[Nekov]

I don't have any problem with poppy stuff, flying colors is poppy and I love it. This is just meh

[kirksnosehair]

I don't have any problem with poppy stuff, flying colors is just meh

FTFY 

[YtseJamittaja]

I don't have any problem with poppy stuff, flying colors is poppy and I love it. This is just a masterpiece.

FTFY 

FTFY

[kirksnosehair]

It's the battle of the FIFY's! 

Seriously, though, I have to stop listening to this album or I'm going to wear it out too soon.  Luckily I've purchased a few others recently 

[Pettor]

The only problem I find with Circus Maximus is the artwork. Don't like it. The new is ok, but feels boring. It doesn't fit the music well imo.

[cramx3]

The album is starting to grow on me after a few listens.  I don't think its better than isolate.

[wolfking]

Just listened to Nine for the first time, and I must say I really enjoyed it.  Isolate was good but never really got a lot of plays from me and First Chapter I only got about a week ago and haven't played it yet, but this album is right up my alley.

I love the change in direction from Isolate here.  I look forward to listening to it more.  It's basically a less 80's inspired version of The Magnificent, with some splashes of prog.  Great songs, and a good mix between melodies and complex instrumental arrangements.  It's got great production, it's mature, well written and performed well.  Good stuff.

[jingle.boy]

Just listened to Nine for the first time, and I must say I really enjoyed it.  Isolate was good but never really got a lot of plays from me and First Chapter I only got about a week ago and haven't played it yet, but this album is right up my alley.

I love the change in direction from Isolate here.  I look forward to listening to it more.  It's basically a less 80's inspired version of The Magnificent, with some splashes of prog.  Great songs, and a good mix between melodies and complex instrumental arrangements.  It's got great production, it's mature, well written and performed well.  Good stuff.

Holy fuck dude, go fix that now.  And then go watch Gladiator all over again too (you'll know why after you hear Glory of the Empire).  Seriously, listen to this as soon as you wake up tomorrow.

[wolfking]

Just listened to Nine for the first time, and I must say I really enjoyed it.  Isolate was good but never really got a lot of plays from me and First Chapter I only got about a week ago and haven't played it yet, but this album is right up my alley.

I love the change in direction from Isolate here.  I look forward to listening to it more.  It's basically a less 80's inspired version of The Magnificent, with some splashes of prog.  Great songs, and a good mix between melodies and complex instrumental arrangements.  It's got great production, it's mature, well written and performed well.  Good stuff.

Holy fuck dude, go fix that now.  And then go watch Gladiator all over again too (you'll know why after you hear Glory of the Empire).  Seriously, listen to this as soon as you wake up tomorrow.

I'm ripping it to my computer right now.