Vinyl

^ Saga is a band that has always been in my wheel house, but never close to the top of my fav bands. I have several of their albums including that one. Wife and I saw Saga in concert in 1984 (I think) in Baton Rouge, La at LSU. I think the headliner was Quiet Riot, might have been The Police, I don't remember. 

^ I can agree with that - there's so many LP's in my collection I haven't spun in years, and do I miss not hearing them - not really. One day I will have to do a 'stock-take' count and down-size, but it's just comforting knowing that they are there, waiting to be spun........
I don't mind taking a trip away from the 'usual' Prog, it breaks things up a little, and so far, Extreme is, whilst I can hear the technicality and intelligence involved, is the furthest I've gone from my 'general world' of listening.

^ Right on
Attention spans go only so far with most folks..........
The Gorguts album I've acquired recently is a dbl at around 63 mins. I have spun it, about 8 times now (got it on Friday) - and by the 3rd side, it is a blur. I do like it a lot, the growl, yes, the growl.........I can't, for the life of me, truly, honestly say I dig this style of 'singing', but it does fit, and it does take effort and training, especially when playing an instrument too. But, as you know with Prog, vocalists are hit and miss anyway, I love Grobschnitt, but here even Wildschwein (Stefan Danielak) is just as difficult to take as these Growling vocalists. Anyway, the music comes first and foremost, so, generally, looks like I go for select Extreme bands of this nature.
Change is good !!


Edited by Tom Ozric - December 15 2015 at 06:44

^ In an interview, even Colin, himself, said that he had 2 more tracks for the album which were under-rehearsed and missed the final cut, and that in retrospect, it worked out for the better, because the under-30 minute playing time for this type of music, is more than enough for the listener to absorb without being overwhelmed. So there you go......
Amusing that many of these extreme metal musicians are actually rather 'geeky' and straight. Not all, but some

^ That's great . It is very 'dense' music to absorb. Mind-boggling - and the drummer, Weasel, is just amazing.
If you wish to try something *really* relentless - try Meshuggah - I Am Collosus. This one is Earth-Shatteringly heavy and unrelenting. This makes Magma, Universe Zero and Shub Niggurath seem like a walk in the park.
Add to that the Texan band Yeti. 'Heavy' is a refreshing change from time to time. And I never forget about the extreme other end of the spectrum, with Nick Beggs and Limahl. Again, I'm not a fan of 80's New-Wave, but if I like what I hear...........

Edited by Tom Ozric - December 15 2015 at 05:21

^ I know within my soul that I don't really relate to this sort of music, but I feel the need to 'travel' to somewhere else (since I don't partake in any illicit recreational activities these days......) so music is the antedote, and I wish to hear the extreme and heavy end of Prog - I've always dug Maiden, and to a lesser extent, Metallica. So I'm checking out some of these revered Extreme Metal things. Meshuggah caught my attention a while back, but it takes time to accept and adjust to - after all, my heart lies in Canterbury, Neo, Kraut, Space/Psych etc. I'm out of my comfort zone here, but it really is an exciting change.

^ Behold - The Arctopus! are a trio from NYC centred around Warr guitarist Colin Marston. They play *extremely* unconventionally 'Math-Metal' or Extreme. Totally instrumental (yay ! no Death Growls) and very complex and dense. I love this manic and uncompromising style of playing. And the cover-art is pretty cool to match.
Colin is a very busy bassist/guitarist, spreading himself with multiple band projects (Gorguts, Dysrhythmia, Krallice etc.) as well as having his own studio and producing/engineering many bands. And he's only 31 !!!   Seems I only go for 'Death Metal' (Gawd, I despise that tag) if it's thoughtful, complex and well executed.
I've looked into Dellinger Escape Plan and they shake me to the bone. I am baffled. They are superb musicians, but waaaay over the top and beyond extreme. Talk about pushing boundaries. These guys push 'Joe Public's' patience beyond human tolerance........

Just ordered the vinyl release of BEHOLD - THE ARCTOPUS' 'Horrorscension' album through Discogs. Should be a blast when it gets here. Next order will be MESHUGGAH's debut album proper - Contradictions Collapse. I'm so excited    This stuff is soooo much better on vinyl !!

^ Great band yes....seen them probably 10x. Last time 2 months ago on the 50yr tour, they can still bring it and Klaus sounds excellent.