Conference napalm::heavy_metal

    
    	Note moved here.
    
    							GTI
    

    Finally I bought "Transcendence" and I like it very much. It was
    released in 1988. They are very good and very influenced by
    Queensryche. But don't consider them just a clone because the album is
    very strong and compares to Queensryche's albums from that time (The
    Warning, Rage ..) when it comes to compositions, arrangements and
    vocals (the singer sounds much like Tate and also like Drive's singer).
    They have some killing mid-tempo ballads and all the album (50 mins) is
    very well ballanced. If, like me, you want more and more music in the
    category of QR then check this one because they are really good.
    Well recommended.
    
    Sorin

I've seen yesterday night on MTV a clip "The chant" from their new album
"Strange and beautiful". They don't wear anymore masks, have a new drummer and
seem to have switched from the Queensryche like style (at least those were the 
comments). In any case the song was good and quite a rocker. I'll try to have
a listen of it.

Sorin

Finally I got "Strange and beautiful". Since their previous "Transcendence"
(excellent album) the drummer was replaced and the second guitarist left.
SaB is a complete change. No more Queensryche influence (although this was 
not bad at all). The main influence for the new album seems to be Led Zeppelin
from the LZ IV/ HoH/ PG era. Complex rhythms, great guitar work (accoustical
and electrical), creative bass and drumming/percussion (I think the drummer
likes very much John Bonham) and a singer with a voice somewhere in between
Geoff Tate and Robert Plant. Add to this various keyboards, some saxophone,
various background vocals and intelligent song writing.
The album reveals all its qualities better on the 2nd listening and it's very
well recorded and produced. It's a mixture of heavier and softer songs and it
fully deserves its name as "Strange and beautiful". "The chant" song (and
video) is a fine rocker but the album is far more variated.
11 excellent songs for a total of 59'.
Well recommended ! A candidate for the best of 1991.

Sorin

    I saw a video of these guys a few weeks ago and it was ok.A lot better
    than previous stuff which I found quite average and not very original.
    Its good that they ditched the stupid masks and made more of an effort
    on the music side.
    
    
    
                                                   Staynz
    

    Re. Staynz
    
    The previous album was disadvantaged by a weak production. The song
    quality was however there (even if sounding close to Queensryche). Some
    of the songs (e.g. "In dark places") were excellent even compared to
    QR. The new album has really nothing to do with QR style.
    
    Sorin                

    
    Should have read .4 before going to Strawberries yesterday.
    
    Picked up Strange and Beautiful thinking of the Queensryche influence
    I'd heard all about.  I listened to the thing and all I could think of
    was Zeppelin with a bit of Crue, Warrent and Aerosmith thrown in here
    and there.  In other words, lame :').  Thought people would say
    Zeppelin??  Where do you hear that?  But then I read .4.  Oh well, I
    was hoping to discover another Dream Theater.  NOT!
    
    

    
    Hi Sorin,
    
    I have Trancendance on order from Newbury Comics and am waiting for it.
    I want to get Oliver Magnum if I can, but CG's Strange and Beautiful
    was not in their catalog. I'll try that other place in Nashua. 
    
    Got Amorphis - Tales from the thousand lakes : wicked vocals, guttural
    with some decent parts from normal sounding person! Excellent music
    though in my opinion, sounds VERY tight. Good drums/guitar(s)/bass in
    there! My Dying Bride - Trinity : Brutal vocals! Man, I should have
    known that this is what they sound like! Got to be in the mood for this
    one!
    
    Mike
    

Hi Mike,

Strange and Beautiful is quite different from Transcendence (and somewhat
less impressive than Transcendence).
Oliver Magnum's initial CD (same name) on SPV record label is excellent.
Titan's Force first album (same name) is also excellent and grows on you after
each listening.

Sorin
PS. If you have the occasion to listen a bit of it, check also Heep's 
Sea of Light.

    Has anyone heard what the band members are doing now? I heard that they
    had got a replacement for Midnight from the band Manequin a few years
    back, but there was never any new material, or a solo album by Midnight
    as far as I am aware unless someone wants to correct me on that.
    
    Strange and beautiful was a drastic change in direction, which didn't
    go down too well with the fans, but the band felt that it was time to
    move on. It is a good album, but there are no really outstanding tracks
    such as Azrael,  ffrom their first album, or In Dark Paces, from
    Transcendence.
    
    I agree with your comment on the first Oliver Magnum album, you may
    also like to give Fates Warning a listen the 'Chasing Time' cd is a
    good introduction to the band.

>Note 311.23                       Crimson Glory                         23 of 23
>VYGER::HANCOCKM                                      14 lines  12-MAR-1996 08:46
...
>    also like to give Fates Warning a listen the 'Chasing Time' cd is a

Perfect Symmetry was my first contact with FW's music. Excellent CD.

Sorin

    
    Got Transendance last night. The guy has a high range, that is for
    sure. But looking at the band in the cover of the disc with their
    "silly" masks and big hair makes you think back to the 80's Glam Rock
    bands! Really, that is my impression. On listening the band sounds
    tight and their is some good guitaring in there. I agree with the noter
    a few notes back with the references to Crue/Warrant sound in a way,
    and I can't put my finger on who else they sound like with the vocals,
    early Queensryche somewhat, and a little FW but not much on that end.
    It sounds ok, I think it is a keeper for the time being!