IMPERIAL AGE: The Legacy of Atlantis (2018). My point of view...

   I had no idea about this Russian Symphonic Metal band, until a couple weeks ago. When I learned that they will be supporting Therion in their live gig in Athens, I made a small research and listen to a few of their songs. Then, I saw them on stage and they were really good! So, I decided to add their brand new album The Legacy of Atlantis to my collection.
  (Don’t think of this piece as a review, because it isn’t one. This is just my point of view and some of my thoughts).

  I don’t consider myself as a fan of Symphonic Metal, but it is the sub-genre that I like the most when it comes to modern Heavy Metal; which means that I can be somehow objective.
  So, the Legacy of Atlantis is the band’s 3^rd album, and it’s a Symphonic Metal opera. If you don’t know the band and their sound, think of them as a mix of Manowar, Therion and Nightwish and you are set. Powerful guitar riffs, “catchy” melodies and refrains and three excellent operatic singers; two females and one male. As it seems they have been influenced by Therion a lot, but they are far more epic, with an almost constant marching beat. Their music could be used in some Medieval movie with lots of battle scenes, or in some video game with a similar theme.

  The album includes 9 songs and has a total running time of almost 50 minutes; which means that is not long but not short also. It has the perfect length  if you ask me.

  This is the first album that I am listening by them, so I cannot compare it with their previous works. But I am pretty sure that very soon I am going to add at least one more in my collection.

  It is rather important that I have the album for almost 10 days now and I have been listening to it on and on, without getting bored of it. Well, so far at least. 

  Believe it or not, I don’t have any favourite songs, simply because I like them all! When I listen to it, I just put it and I let it play from the start till the end. But if I had to choose some, I would say: The Awakening, The Legacy of Atlantis, Life Eternal and The Monastery.

   The Legacy of Atlantis is a very enjoyable, epic and powerful album that every fan of Symphonic Metal should have! Give these guys a chance. Listen to their album!

                        My Rating: 4.0 (out of 5.0) stars.

Here's a couple of YT links in case you are interested:

The Legacy of Atlantis 

The Monastery 

THERION / IMPERIAL AGE Live in Athens. (9/3/2018). The setlists and more...

  A few days ago, Therion gave a live gig in Athens, together with Imperial Age, Null Positiv and The Devil. 
  The concert began rather early, but I couldn't go from the start, so I reached at the venue just in time for the gig of the Imperial Age. The band performed really nice, but the sound wasn't that good. It was the first time I saw them on stage and I was very pleased with their show. They played for almost an hour, and I'm sure that they gained some more fans with their overall performance. 

  Right after Imperial Age, it was Therion's turn to come to the stage. This time the sound was better by far, and their overall performance was very good and very professional. The setlist included songs from many of their albums, which is a good thing in my opinion. They also played a few songs from their brand new opera Beloved Antichrist, as it was expected. 

  Personally speaking, I really enjoyed both bands, but if I had to choose to see only one of them the next day, I would go for Imperial Age. They were more fun and uplifting than Therion.

Here you can check the setlists:  

IMPERIAL AGE:

The Awakening

The Legacy of Atlantis

The Escape

Domini Canes                                                                                        

The Monastery

Death Guard

Anthem of Valour

Aryavarta

And I Shall Find My Home

THERION:

Theme Of Antichrist
The Blood Of Kingu
Din
Bring Her Home
Night Reborn
Nifelheim
Ginnungagap

Typhon
Temple Of New Jerusalem
An Arrow From The Sun
Wine Of Aluqah
Lemuria
Cults Of The Shadow
The Khlysti Evangelist
My Voyage Carries On
The Invincible
Der Mitternachtslöwe
Son Of The Staves Of Time

Encore:

The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
To Mega Therion

I also found a few videos from that night, and I am adding the links here to take a look if you are interested.
Enjoy!
IMPERIAL AGE: Aryavarta
IMPERIAL AGE: Anthem of Valour
THERION: Temple of New Jerusalem
THERION: The Rise of Sodom and Gommorah

GFreedom's Juke Box No.218

Hello all!
  This week I've listened to lots of music, from many different kinds and sub-genres, as you will understand by looking at my Top-5 song list. So, from all the songs I've listened to, I picked the following ones for my list.
IO EARTH: Solitude (Solitude - 2018)
MADRUGADA: What's on your mind? (Madrugada - 2008)
THERION: The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah (Vovin - 1998)
PORCUPINE TREE: Arriving Somewhere (Deadwing - 2005)
IMPERIAL AGE: The Legacy of Atlantis (The Legacy of Atlantis  -2018)
I will conclude this post by adding the You Tube links for the songs in my list. Well, the ones I could find at least...
Enjoy!
MADRUGADA: What's on your mind?
THERION: The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
PORCUPINE TREE: Arriving Somewhere
IMPERIAL AGE: The Legacy of Atlantis

TONY BANKS (ex-Genesis): 5 (2018). My review on a really wonderful album!

                 

                      TONY BANKS – 5 (2018)

  Starting this piece I should say that I am a big fan of the first period of Genesis; the one with Peter Gabriel. After his departure, Genesis released two good albums (A Trick of a Tale and Wind and Wuthering), but then everything changed and I stopped following their album releases. I always considered Tony Banks to be a very important “piece” in the Genesis puzzle, and together with Steve Hackett and Peter Gabriel the most valuable members of the band’s early years.

  From time to time, I listened to a few solo albums by Genesis members, but I didn’t like almost any of them, with only a few exceptions. So, when I read about Tony Bank’s new release a few weeks ago, I didn’t pay too much attention to be honest. Then, I begun reading one great review after the other, and I thought that maybe it would be a good idea to add ‘Five’ in my collection. So I did! And what an album this is!

  Before anything else, I think I should inform you that ‘Five’ is not a Rock or a Progressive Rock album. It has nothing to do with Rock actually. It is something between Classical music and a soundtrack. (I don’t know how to describe it exactly).

  Five, as the title implies, is a collection of five compositions, recorded with the world-renowned Czech National Symphony Orchestra, lending itself to stunning presentation. Produced by the renowned-orchestrator and collaborator Nick Ingman, the album was recorded at Angel Studio in London, but also in Prague as well. Tony Banks performed all the piano parts, giving to himself the complete creative control.

  The albums opens with the almost 15:00 minute long Prelude To A Million Years where the listeners can experience the progression of a lifetime; followed by the album’s shortest song, Reveille. Reveille is an almost cinematic 9:00 minute long song, starting with piano and strings. As the song progresses, more and more instruments are added, and it’s a real treat for the ears and the mind.

The 3^rd track is Ebb and Flow, a delicate and soft tune, that can be described as ‘inner peace through music’.

  There are 2 more songs in the album, but I will stop here. I think I gave you a first impression about this album.

  Personally speaking, I have the album for almost a week now, and I think I have listened to it for at least 15 times so far! With every new listen, I sink more and more into the beauty and the greatness of this amazing piece of art! Because that’s exactly what it is: A piece of art!

  The album is available as CD and double vinyl, which also includes the music sheets, signed by Tony Banks. The prices are fair enough, so money shouldn’t be an issue.

  I bought the vinyl edition of the album and I love it more and more with each passing day. I have no idea what is going to happen (musically) during 2018, but ‘Five’ already took its place in my annual Top-10 album list.

Thank you Mr. Banks for this amazing album that you offered to us!

              My Rating: 4.5 (out of 5.0) stars.

KRAFTWERK Live in Athens (3/3/2018). The complete setlist and more (Pics & video)...

  A few days ago, on Saturday the 3rd of March, the spaceship of Kraftwerk landed in Athens for a special 3-D show.
  I am not Kraftwerk's biggest fan in the world, but I respect them and recognize their influence in the modern music. A few years ago, I watched them live again and they were excellent! So, there was not a chance that I would miss this special 3-D show.
  Upon our entrance, we received our 3-D glasses with the logo of the band, and exactly on time, Kraftwerk appeared on stage. For the next 2 hours, we watched an amazing show, with excellent sound, great songs and many 3-D projections.
The highlight of the night, was without a doubt the song The Robots, when 4 robots appeared on stage replacing the members of the band.
  In case Kraftwerk are going to play near your city, don't miss them! Because shows like these are hard to find.
 Here are a few video from their show in Athens. (Taken by mobile phones). The projections are a bit blury because are meant to be watched with 3-D glasses.   

The Robots
Spacelab
Radioactivity
Here's the concert's complete setlist:
Numbers/Computer World

It’s More Fun To Compute/Home Computer
Computer Love
The Man Machine
Spacelab
The Model                                                                 
Neon Lights

Autobahn
Airwaves
Radioactivity
Electric Café
Tour De France/Prologue/Etape 1/Chrono/Etape 2
Trans Europe Express/Metal On Metal/Abzug

Encore:

The Robots
Aero Dynamik
Planet Of Visions
Boing Boom Tschak/Techno Pop/Music Non Stop

PROG & ROLL Radio Show (4/2/2018). The complete playlist...

Hello all!
  Last night, Prog n Roll radio show was on air once more, with a rather mixed playlist.
  When we were preparing the playlist, we thought of leaving Prog on the side for a while, and focus on other music styles and sub-categories. Also, we wanted to add some songs by bands that we rarely play in our show. And so we did!
 I dare say that it was a interesting show, and our listeners seemed to enjoy it.
Here you can take a look at the playlist:

1st Part: EAST OF EDEN: Man Said / COLOSSEUM: The Machine Demands a Sacrifice / GRAVY TRAIN: The New One / JACKAL: Sunny Side of the Day / TRAFFIC: Dear Mr. Fantasy / LIGHTHOUSE: Take it Slow.

2nd Part: DEEP PURPLE: Demon’s Eye / URIAH HEEP: Sunrise / SCORPIONS: We’ll Burn the Sky / LED ZEPPELIN: Kashmir.

3rd Part: THERION: Garden of Peace / IMPERIAL AGE: The Legacy of Atlantis / APOCALYPTIC ORCHESTRA: The Garden of Earthly Delights / CHRYSILIA: The Menalon Trail.

4rth Part: BLUES PILLS: Lady in Gold / DEVIL’S BLOOD: I’ll be Your Ghost / SIENA ROOT: Outlander / ARABS IN ASPIC: You Can Prove them Wrong / HORISONT: Odyssey.

I would like to thank all those who listened to our show once more.

I hope you had some nice time.

Thank you!

GFreedom's Juke Box No.217

Hello all!
  Another fine Saturday morning is here, so it is time to sit down and write my weekly Top-5 song list for you.
  During this week I listened to many different styles of music, as you will realize by looking at my list.
  After checking a few songs again and again, I decided that the best songs for this week are the following ones:
LISA GERRARD: Largo (The Mirror Pool - 1995)
LED ZEPPELIN: Kashmir (Physical Graffiti - 1975)
BLACK SABBATH: Lonely is the Word (Heaven and Hell - 1980)
CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX: Troublemaker (I,Vigilante - 2010)
URIAH HEEP: Sunrise (The Magician's Birthday - 1972)
If you want to listen to the songs in my list, just click on the following YouTube links.
Enjoy the music and have a nice weekend!
LISA GERRARD: Largo
LED ZEPPELIN: Kashmir
BLACK SABBATH: Lonely is the Word
CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX: Troublemaker
URIAH HEEP: Sunrise

THERION: Beloved Antichrist (2018). My review...

  This is one of the most difficult reviews I even had to write, for many reasons. But I will try to do my best and be as objective as possible.

  A few weeks ago, the Swedish Symphonic Metal band Therion released its 16^th studio album, which is a VERY ambitious (not to say pompous) piece of work. Beloved Antichrist is a Metal opera, based on Vladímir Soloviov’s  story “A Short Tale Of The Antichrist”. The opera is separated into 3 acts (3CD’s) and lasts over 3 and a half hours featuring 29 characters played by 29 singers.

  As you can understand, one of the most important things about this album is the vocals. With so many different singers playing a big variety of roles, this is the thing you will notice first of all. Most of the singers have impressive voices and do an excellent job in their roles, but here lies one of the problems with this album. Because, the impression I got is that, this time the band seems to be a supplement to the opera, and not the other way round. It sounds like there are some musicians who are trying to support the singers and “dress” their voices with the music in the background.

  Another (big) problem is the length of the album. It is long, very long! 3.5 hours of Metal opera is not something easy to digest. (Well, for me at least). It needs a lot of efforts and devotion in order to be able to appreciate what Therion are offering this time. First of all, you will have to stick to the story and try to follow the plot. Because otherwise, it is very difficult to understand what is going on.

  Speaking for myself, I tried to listen to the whole album 3 times, but didn’t make it.  So, I started playing each CD separately. I must admit that it worked better for me.

   On the other hand, Beloved Antichrist is a very impressive album, including some very good songs, excellent guitar riffs, and great vocals! Maybe it’s more opera than Metal, but that doesn’t change the quality of it.

  So, if you’re looking for an experience in the perfect marriage of classical symphonic music and metal, you must look no further than this record. Put the album in your CD player, and get ready for the long journey that you’re going to embark on.

                                  My Rating: 3.0 (out of 5.0) stars

 Here's a few songs for you, to get a first idea:

Temple of New Jerusalem

Theme of Antichrist

Bring Her Back

 

Prog n Roll radio show, including the Listener's Happy Hour (25/2/2018). The complete playlist.

Hello all!
  Last night the last Prog n Roll radio show of February was on air; which means that it was including the Listener's Happy Hour, during which, we are playing songs requested by our listeners.
  I believe that it was a good show, and as it seemed, our listeners enjoyed it.
Here you can take a look at the complete playlist:
1st Part: AFFINITY: I Am and so are You / JUNIPHER GREENE: Witche’s Daughter / RAW MATERIAL: Time and Illusion / RAMASES: Life Child.
2nd Part: ADVENTURE: Caught in the Web Pt.2 / SUBSIGNAL: Feeding Utopia / RED BAZAR: Queen of the Night Pt.1 / BRIAN MAY: Back to the Light / GRAND TOUR: The Horn of Plenty.

LISTENER’S HAPPY HOUR: 

3rd Part: BLACK SABBATH: Heaven and Hell / STATUS QUO: Big Fat Mama / IQ: Ten Million Demons / MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE: Welcome to the Black Parade / FLYING COLORS: Kayla.

4rth Part: SAVATAGE: When the Crowds are Gone / JETHRO TULL: Teacher / JOHN HACKETT BAND: Winds of Change / RED SAND: Blame.

 I would like to thank all those who spend their Sunday evening with our show once more. I hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you!