2002 Progressive Metal, Melodic AWESOME!Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Balance Of Power - Perfect Balance {Japan Edition w/Bonus Tracks}
2002 Progressive Metal, Melodic AWESOME!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
RICK WAKEMAN - JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH [MFSL]
{24K Gold Ultradisc II/Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Serial# UDCD 633}
Journey To The Centre Of The Earth is Rick Wakeman's second solo album, released in 1974. It is loosely based on Jules Verne's novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth. It was recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England on January 18, 1974. A big success, this album topped the charts of various countries and sold more than fourteen million copies.
It is said that Wakeman had to sell many of his belongings and mortgage his house to record it. He couldn't cut it in the studio because of the restricted budget. It was originally written to be longer, but certain parts had to be cut and overdubbed since the orchestra was expensive and Wakeman couldn't afford to re-record those parts. Therefore, certain lyric sections are out of order. After the recording, A&M UK did not wish to produce the album, so Wakeman convinced A&M USA to do it. This was the first A&M Quadraphonic (Surround Sound) album to use the CD-4 system.
This album is available in its original recording, a live DVD recording at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia in 1975, and a later orchestra-free/lyric free studio version is available on the 1994 "Greatest Hits" album.
Released May, 1974
Recorded January 18, 1974, Royal Festival Hall, London
Genre Rock, Progressive rock
Length 40:07
Label A&M (USA)
Producer Rick Wakeman
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Release: 1995
Track Listing
1. The Journey/Recollection - 21:10
2. The Battle/The Forest - 18:57
______________________________________________
* Rick Wakeman - Synthesizers
* Gary Pickford-Hopkins, Ashley Holt - vocals
* David Hemmings - Narrations
* Mike Egan - Guitar
* Roger Newell - Bass
* Barney James - drums
* London Symphony Orchestra
* The English Chamber Choir
* David Measham - Conductor
Review by Mike DeGagne
Journey to the Centre of the Earth is one of progressive rock's crowning achievements. With the help of the London Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Choir, Rick Wakeman turns this classic Jules Verne tale into an exciting and suspenseful instrumental narrative. The story is told by David Hemmings in between the use of Wakeman's keyboards, especially the powerful Hammond organ and the innovative Moog synthesizer, and when coupled with the prestigious sound of the orchestra, creates the album's fairy tale-like climate. Recorded at London's Royal Festival Hall, the tale of a group of explorers who wander into the fantastic living world that exists in the Earth's core is told musically through Wakeman's synthesized theatrics and enriched by the haunting vocals of a chamber choir. Broken into four parts, the album's most riveting segment, entitled "The Battle," involves Wakeman's most furious synthesized attack, churning and swirling the keyboards into a mass instrumental hysteria. With both "The Journey" and "The Forest," it's the effective use of the strings and percussion section of the London Symphony Orchestra that causes the elements of fantasy and myth to emerge from the album's depths. The gorgeous voice of Ashley Holt is effectively prominent, and some interesting guitar work via Mike Egan arises occasionally but meritoriously amidst the keyboard fervor. The whole of Journey to the Centre of the Earth still stands as one of the most interesting conglomerations of orchestral and synthesized music, and it is truly one of Wakeman's most flamboyant projects.
It is said that Wakeman had to sell many of his belongings and mortgage his house to record it. He couldn't cut it in the studio because of the restricted budget. It was originally written to be longer, but certain parts had to be cut and overdubbed since the orchestra was expensive and Wakeman couldn't afford to re-record those parts. Therefore, certain lyric sections are out of order. After the recording, A&M UK did not wish to produce the album, so Wakeman convinced A&M USA to do it. This was the first A&M Quadraphonic (Surround Sound) album to use the CD-4 system.
This album is available in its original recording, a live DVD recording at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia in 1975, and a later orchestra-free/lyric free studio version is available on the 1994 "Greatest Hits" album.
Released May, 1974
Recorded January 18, 1974, Royal Festival Hall, London
Genre Rock, Progressive rock
Length 40:07
Label A&M (USA)
Producer Rick Wakeman
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Release: 1995
Track Listing
1. The Journey/Recollection - 21:10
2. The Battle/The Forest - 18:57
______________________________________________
* Rick Wakeman - Synthesizers
* Gary Pickford-Hopkins, Ashley Holt - vocals
* David Hemmings - Narrations
* Mike Egan - Guitar
* Roger Newell - Bass
* Barney James - drums
* London Symphony Orchestra
* The English Chamber Choir
* David Measham - Conductor
Review by Mike DeGagne
Journey to the Centre of the Earth is one of progressive rock's crowning achievements. With the help of the London Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Choir, Rick Wakeman turns this classic Jules Verne tale into an exciting and suspenseful instrumental narrative. The story is told by David Hemmings in between the use of Wakeman's keyboards, especially the powerful Hammond organ and the innovative Moog synthesizer, and when coupled with the prestigious sound of the orchestra, creates the album's fairy tale-like climate. Recorded at London's Royal Festival Hall, the tale of a group of explorers who wander into the fantastic living world that exists in the Earth's core is told musically through Wakeman's synthesized theatrics and enriched by the haunting vocals of a chamber choir. Broken into four parts, the album's most riveting segment, entitled "The Battle," involves Wakeman's most furious synthesized attack, churning and swirling the keyboards into a mass instrumental hysteria. With both "The Journey" and "The Forest," it's the effective use of the strings and percussion section of the London Symphony Orchestra that causes the elements of fantasy and myth to emerge from the album's depths. The gorgeous voice of Ashley Holt is effectively prominent, and some interesting guitar work via Mike Egan arises occasionally but meritoriously amidst the keyboard fervor. The whole of Journey to the Centre of the Earth still stands as one of the most interesting conglomerations of orchestral and synthesized music, and it is truly one of Wakeman's most flamboyant projects.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
MIND ODYSSEY - KEEP IT ALL TURNING {Japan VICP-5354}(Band Debut)
Next Album, Same Group with latest 2009 release "Time To Change It"
GENRE: Progressive Rock
Original Release 1993 Napalm Records
Metromania / Warner Chappell
This Release: 1994 Victor Entertainment Japan
Serial # VICP-5354 (OOP)
1. Possessed by You (04:06)
2. The Reaper (04:51)
3. Because of You (05:16)
4. Illusions (06:06)
5. Fire in the Sky (04:53)
6. Odyssey (06:16)
7. Keep It All Turning (03:47)
8. Open Fire (04:00)
9. Stranger in the City (05:56)
10. I've Opened My Eyes (05:43)
Band members
Mario le Mole - vocal, bass guitar
Rocco Stellmacher - guitar
Dan Unden - guitar
Volker Schultz - drums
_______________________________________________________________
Mind Odyssey is a German progressive metal band that formed in 1993, split in 1999 and re-formed in 2007.
History
1993-1999
Mind Odyssey was founded in 1993 by singer and bassist, Mario LeMole, guitarist Dan Uhden, guitarist Rocco Stellmacher and drummer Volker Schultz. The first album Keep it All Turning was released in late 1993. Shortly after the release both guitarists left the band and were replaced by Victor Smolski. The next Album Schizophenia was released in the Summer of 1995. In 1996 Mario LeMole decided to focus more on his singing and hierd bassist Jan Michael Keller and later keyboarder Andreas Dirksmeier. In late 1996 after playing various shows in Germany the band went on a Europe Tour as support band of Vicious Rumors. The next Album Nailed to the Shade was recorded in 1997 and released in 1998. The 4th album named Sings was recorded and released in 1999. Shortly after, guitarist Victor Smolski joined German Power Metal veterans Rage and the Band split.
Mind Odyssey - Keep It All Turning (1993) [FLAC] {Japan VICP-5354}
Next Album, Same Group with latest 2009 release "Time To Change It"
GENRE: Progressive Rock
Original Release 1993 Napalm Records
Metromania / Warner Chappell
This Release: 1994 Victor Entertainment Japan
Serial # VICP-5354 (OOP)
1. Possessed by You (04:06)
2. The Reaper (04:51)
3. Because of You (05:16)
4. Illusions (06:06)
5. Fire in the Sky (04:53)
6. Odyssey (06:16)
7. Keep It All Turning (03:47)
8. Open Fire (04:00)
9. Stranger in the City (05:56)
10. I've Opened My Eyes (05:43)
Band members
Mario le Mole - vocal, bass guitar
Rocco Stellmacher - guitar
Dan Unden - guitar
Volker Schultz - drums
_______________________________________________________________
Mind Odyssey is a German progressive metal band that formed in 1993, split in 1999 and re-formed in 2007.
History
1993-1999
Mind Odyssey was founded in 1993 by singer and bassist, Mario LeMole, guitarist Dan Uhden, guitarist Rocco Stellmacher and drummer Volker Schultz. The first album Keep it All Turning was released in late 1993. Shortly after the release both guitarists left the band and were replaced by Victor Smolski. The next Album Schizophenia was released in the Summer of 1995. In 1996 Mario LeMole decided to focus more on his singing and hierd bassist Jan Michael Keller and later keyboarder Andreas Dirksmeier. In late 1996 after playing various shows in Germany the band went on a Europe Tour as support band of Vicious Rumors. The next Album Nailed to the Shade was recorded in 1997 and released in 1998. The 4th album named Sings was recorded and released in 1999. Shortly after, guitarist Victor Smolski joined German Power Metal veterans Rage and the Band split.
Mind Odyssey - Keep It All Turning (1993) [FLAC] {Japan VICP-5354}
Thursday, April 1, 2010
VA - Tributized A Tribute To Def Leppard (1990) [FLAC]
Artist: Various Artists
Release Date: January 25, 2000
Total Time: 45:56
Type: Collection (various artists)
Genre: Rock
Release Date: January 25, 2000
Total Time: 45:56
Type: Collection (various artists)
Genre: Rock
Review
Inconsistent though it is, Tributized: A Tribute to Def Leppard does get it right sometimes, with performances that aren't overly mannered yet exercise a sense of tasteful restraint that lets the material speak for itself (Crease's "Too Late for Love," the Eric Knight Band's "Foolin'"). Unfortunately, portions of the album do fall prey to those traps, as well as occasionally grafting a musical approach onto the material that feels forced and awkward. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Track Title Composers Performers Time
01 - Wraith - Let It Go (4:36)
02 - Crease - Too Late For Love (4:44)
03 - Hear Here - Rock Of Ages (3:54)
04 - Project X - Photograph (4:05)
05 - Eric Knight Band - Foolin' (4:54)
06 - Baby Jones - High N' Dry (2:51)
07 - Elephant Orange - Bringing On The Heartbreak (5:36)
08 - Drop - It Could Be You (2:33)
09 - Premonition - Wasted (3:43)
10 - Vent - Woman (4:40)
11 - Cleaner - Pour Some Sugar On Me (4:20)
PW: VA - Tributized A Tribute To Def Leppard (1990) [FLAC]
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