Menulis Review Lagi …

Phew! …. Setelah sekian lama ndak nulis review akhirnya kemarin bisa nulis dua review di ProgArchives. Kalau mau liat, monggo:

Reviews and Ratings

1557 ratings/reviews total

Showing last 50 only, select sub-genre in chart above to list all rating in that sub-genre.

TRIANGLE Retreat | review

RHAPSODY (OF FIRE) Frozen Tears Of Angels | review

Tanpa terasa, udah menulis 1557 review album prog yang ada di PA sejak tahun 2004 (Oktober). Kalau diingat lucu juga saat itu saya sedang browsing nemu situs PA yang menurut saya unik karena membuka peluang kepada SIAPA SAJA buat menulis review. Intinya ya seperti Amazon gitulah. Karena tertarik review pake boso Inggris, saya iseng nulis beberapa album dimulai dengan Return To Forever (band nya Chick Corea) album “Music Magic”. Setelah menulis lima atau 6 tulisan, ujug2 mak gedhandut saya ditawari secara resmi sebagai PROG REVIEWER. Wah jan njumbul tenan aku: lha boso Inggris-e wong Mediyun kok yo payu to? Padahal yo wis mambu sego pecel, brem karo krupuk lempeng, kok yo Londo2 kuwi podo doyan to? Aku yo takok…gumun soale .. Trus dijawab: “We want diversities around the globe..”. Whoooaaaa… Kece banget nih situs.

Lha wong iki sifate PROMOSI menjadi reviewer resmi PA, ya aku terima aja. Keren juga sejak itu jadi satu2nya wong Indonesia (dari Mediyun pulak) yang namanya mentereng bertengger sebagai salah satu PROG REVIEWER. Saat itu PA gak terkenal, tapi aku yakin bakalan terkenal karena konsepnya “Dari kita dan untuk kita” alias semua orang bisa menulis, asal pake bahasa Inggris. Terus, gara2 aku sering review dan sering dapet masukan positif dari pembaca karena, kata mereka, “You demonstrate ENTHUSIASM in your writing” dan review saya yang konon bagus tentang Pain of Salvation “Be” (DVD) maka saya di promosikan lagi sebagai HONORARY COLLABORATOR. Whooaaaa… opo ora ngguajag jal? He he he he .. Dadi isin aku … Wong cuman nulis gemblunk (di review saya sering menggunakan bahasa Jowo seperti NGGEBLAK dan MBREBES MILI tapi saya artikan ke Inggris biar wong londo tahu maksudku. Mereka malah suweneng ,….hahahaha.. Opo tumon?) kok trus nggawe acara promosi segala. Ha ha ha ha ha ha …

Terlepas dari apresiasi tersebut, sebenarnya menulis review musik prog itu sangat nuikmadz sekaleeee… Sarana pelepas stress ya nulis review sambil menikmati musiknya lewat sound system NAD plus B&W speaker system sambil nyeruput kopi tubruk puwanas kemlonyos … Biyuh ..!! Stress langsung mabur!!! Itu kalau di meja ya… Kalau di luar meja, yo numpak sadel sepedah ..bersepedah jarak jauh … Jakarta – Bogor atau Jakarta – Bandung. Dijamin stress langsung mabur … Ora sempet mikir stress wong sikil keju ngonthel tanjakan Cariu sing doahzyat kuwi …

Mulane to podo review! Utowo numpak sepedah! Hua ha ha ha ha ha……!!!

Salam,

G

NP. “Dreams of Men” by Pallas

—–

PS. Oh ya lupa .. Saya juga ditawari jadi reviewr di DPRP (Dutch Progressive Rock Page) dan sempat menulis beberapa review di sana…. He he he …

—–

WHERE IT ALL STARTED …

Inilah tulisan pertama saya di ProgArchives .. Jik culun marulun …

 

Review by Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

The first time I knew this band was when my friend played me “The Endless Night” at his player sometime in 1978. It blew my mind!! I like the long keyboard intro by the man that I did’nt know before, Chick Corea. Ghuzz .. Thought he was a Korean. This track is an excellent introduction for me to fusion type of progressive music. I rate this track highly. The entrance of Gayle Moran’s voice at this track is really nice! I love this track the first time I listened to it and I kept playing it many times for this track only, not others. I did enjoy it and sometime I sang as Moran was singing. Then I tried to explore further tracks starting with “The Musician”. It’s a good track as well, especially for jazz lovers. “Do You Ever” is the track where I can enjoy the nice voice of Gayle Moran. Basically I started to enjoy other tracks. My appreciation towards this album grew exponentially when I listened to the “live” version of this album. Excellent! Then I enjoyed this album again … For those who like jazz-rock fusion type of music, this is a MUST for your collection! This album as actually my first introduction of Chick Corea where I enjoy his solo album as well, like: The Mad Hatter, My Spanish Heart, Touchstone (especially Compadress – what a wonderful track!).

Send comments to Gatot (BETA) | Report this review (#29491) | Review Permalink
Posted Tuesday, May 25, 2004

Album Info:

RETURN TO FOREVER “Music Magic”

Studio Album, released in 1977

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The Musician
2. Hello Again
3. Musicmagic
4. So Long Mickey Mouse
5. Do You Ever
6. The Endless Night

Lyrics

Search RETURN TO FOREVER Music Magic lyrics

Music tabs (tablatures)

Search RETURN TO FOREVER Music Magic tabs

Line-up / Musicians

- Gary Brown / drums
– Stanley Clarke / bass (electric), piccolo, vocals
– Chick Corea / piano, keyboards, vocals, Moog synthesizer
– Joe Farrell / flute, piccolo, saxophone (Soprano), saxophone (Tenor)
– Harold Garrett / horn, trombone (bass), trombone (Tenor)
– Gayle Moran / piano, organ (Hammond), vocals
– Jim Pugh / trombone
– John Thomas / trumpet, flugelhorn
– James Tinsley / trumpet, piccolo

Walkman

Selagi jalan-jalan di Pacific Place bulan lalu saya mampir di Times book store dan tertarik membeli buku ini :

 

Saya memang menyukai buku-buku seperti ini karena sejarah penemuan benda-benda ayang akhirnya menjadi biasa di sekeliling kita seperti sepeda, mobil, telepon, dsb semuanya ada di sini lengkap dengan fotonya.

Sebagai seorang insan musik (maap maksudnya insan ‘penikmat’ musik) tentu mata saya terpaut kepada suatu alat yang menurut saya revolusioner yaitu walkman. Konsep penemmuannya sederhana saat itu: bagaimana membuat supaya musik bisa dinikmati dimana saja. Saya jadi ingat jaman pertama kali walkman diluncurkan bagi saya masih melihat itu sebagai suatu hal yang aneh. Mosok headphone dibawa jalan-jalan terus yang memakainya goyang-hoyang kepala koyok wong edan? Tapi akhirnya penasaran juga sehingga kakak saya sepulang dari tugas ke Jepang dengan baik hatinya mengoleh-olehi saya dengan barang teknologi mutakhir ini (kala  itu lho!). Whooaaa.. rasanya nuikmat menikmati musik pake headphone semua suara jadi keluar kemrincing gumendhang ..huenak manteb ulem …

Setelah mencoba walkman beberapa lama akhirnya saya kembali menikmati musik dengan tape deck dan speaker karena bagi saya kok lebih nendhank. Lagian kalau pake speaker sekalian berdakwah ke tetangga bahwa ada musik progresip yang mereka perlu tahu dan penting. Namun waklkman tetep saya gunakan juga bila perlu bepergian. Bila di rumah ya tentu lebih suka nyetel pake tape deck.

Salam,

G

 

Prog Rock Quote: Derek Shulman

Boxed Set Kaset

JRENG!

Dalam perjalanan Bandung – Jakarta dengan Citi Trans tadi malam, saya menerima kiriman foto dari Bro Apec Arek Suroboyo berupa koleksi boxed set miliknya dari grup RUSH (yang sedang dibahas hangat di blog gemblunk ini) dan PINK FLOYD (yang sebelumnya juga dibahas). Meski saya dalam keadaan capek karena malam sebelumnya begadang sampe dinihari menyiapkan hal terkait workshop di Bandung yang berakhir tadi malam, kiriman foto tersebut merupakan hiburan yang asik. Seperti seorang musafir di padang pasir yang luas menemukan gundukan kaset prog …ha ha ha ha ..!!! Kalau musafirnya proghead tuh … Kalau gak, yah apa artinya gundukan kaset kaset prog itu .,…. hua ha ha ha ha ha … yo ra jal?

Mengapa kaset prog menarik?

Lha untuk menjawab hal ini, hanya orang yang punya nurani prog yang bisa menghayati. Kalau ndak ada nurani prog, maka udah pasti bukan humanbeing ,….kuak kak kak kak kak …. alias hidupnya ndak sempurna, alias monoton. Ya jelas, kalau mendengarkan musik cuma satu nada dipencet terus (mono tone) yo nganti dobolen kuping kopoken yo ndak bakal nikmat rasanya.

Kaset sudah memiliki ikatan emosional kuat bagi seorang progger Indonesia, apalagi yang pada masa keemasannya di tahun 70an-80an sebelum Tuan Geldoff ke Indonesis, karena melalui media kaset-lah rata-rata progger Indonesia ini mengenal musik gemblunk yang kemudian disebut PROG. Kalau saja ndak ada kaset, mungkin juga saya saat itu ndak denger ‘Roundabout’nya Yes atau ‘The Musical Box’ nya Genesis. Makanya kalau melihat kaset jadul (baca: bajakan) dada saya berdegup 5x lebih cepat, ulu ati saya cenut2 tertohok sesuatu, sukma saya melambung setinggi The Great Gig In The Sky .. wis embuh pokoke rasane ora karuan ngono lah jal! Rasane pokoke jan nuansamatik kemlitik tanpa rheumatik karena Rheumason sekarang udah punah rasanya … (ngomong opo iki kok ra nyambung blas?!).

Menikmati kaset tuh enaknya kita ngikut aja dari awal nganti pok pitanya entek, terus diwalik side B, disetel lagi … mengalir. Memang dulu waktu masih remaja saya sering pake REWIND bila suka lagu tertentu. Biasanya saya pake tape counter (nomer yang bergerak di setiap tape deck untuk memutar balik pita biar pas). Wah jaman itu begitu indah … kadang kasetnya bodhol pas di bagian yang sering diputer itu ,….. ha ha ha .. Jik kelingan ra jal?

Mari kita liat dulu kaset-kaset koleksi Bro Apec ini …

Juangkrik tenan koleksine Bro Apec ini .. bikin ngiler …..

 

Koleksi Rushnya didominasi Yess meski ada dari perekam lainnya. Saya baru ngeh kalau Yess ada 'Power Windows' karena saya punya rekaman Team. Yang saya heran kok banyak yang double ya? Power Windows nya ada 3, Exitr Stage Left ada 2, All The World A Srtage ada 2. Nggo opo to cak Apec? He he he he .. Tuoobz koleksine!

Yang bikin dada berdegup ya PINK FLOYD ini .. Jan uwediyaaannn ..!!! Kumplit plit jan kumplit pol! Yang berseri ala Team Records ini yang saya acungi jempol! Nyesel juga kenapa dulu gak terpikir mau beli boxed set berseri begini ya? Bener2 nyesel!!! Sekali lagi saluuuut ,....!! buat bro Apec.

Sruuuppp ...!!! Wes jan ngguantheng tenan iki cak! Yen aku nduwe iki, bendino tak keloni tenan iki ... Wis iki jan harta karun pol-polan! Jarang iki sing nduwe!

Decak kagum. Baru kali ini saya tahu ada perekam EXECUTIVE .. ha ha ha .. Hebat tenan! Dapet dari mana ini cak Apec?

Hebat. Koleksi bro APec memang hebat. Jadi malu nih punya blog gemblunk yang kagak ada apa2nya dibanding koleksi kaset Bro Apec. saya mau tutup aja blog ini, ngisin2i … ha ha ha ha ha ha ….

UNJRENG!

Salam Prog!

G

 

 

Sekilas RUSH

Berdasarkan sentilan mas Kristanto, ada baiknya kita bahas juga trio dari Kanada ini. Jujur aja, pada saat tujuh-puluhan saya tak pernah memandang serius band satu ini karena di mata saya band ini hanya copy-cat nya Led Zeppelin. Bahkan saya dulu mbolokek kalo denger Geddy Lee nyanyi yang sok dimirip-miripkan dengan Robert Plant. Memang saat SMP saya menyukai tiga kelompok ini: Yes, Jethro Tull dan Led Zeppelin. Tas sekolah saya penuh dengan coretan sepidol Artline 70 melukiskan atribut tentang tiga band ini. Jadi, kalau ada yang membuat suara mirip sama Led Zepp, saya langsung mblokek – kok bikin musik ndak kreatif blas?

Seingat saya dulu jaman SMP dan SMA, selagi tuker2an kaset dengan temen2 sekolah seperti Didik Rudiono (paling sering), Koko Bolek, Bagus Sudaryanto maupun Djoni saya dipinjami “All The World a Stage” dari Rush. Saya ndak suka blas. Saya baru mulai nyimak Rush gara2 dikompori oleh I’an Arliandy (arsitek rekaman kaset Yess) gara2 selagi kuliah di Bandung saya sering nangkring di toko kaset Yess. saya mulai tertarik dengan album Farewell to a King dan kemudian bener2 tertegun sama grup ini saat album live “Exit .. Stage Left” dirilis. saya kagum dengan lagu “La Villa Strangiato” yang elok sekali dibawakan live. Whooaaa .. keren nih album. Terus keluar videonya juga, saya beli (bajakannya)….

Sejak album itulah saya melengkapi semua album Rush dalam bentuk kaset dan kemudian ketika CD keluar, saya beli semua albumnya …

Ini review saya tentang “Exit … Stage Left” …

Live, released in 1981

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Spirit Of Radio (5:12)
2. Red Barchetta (6:48)
3. YYZ (7:44)
4. Closer To The Heart 3:09)
5. Beneath, Between and Behind (2:34)
6. Jacobs Ladder (8:47)
7. Broon’s Bane (1:37)
8. The Trees (4:50)
9. Xanadu (12:10)
10. Freewill (5:33)
11. Tom Sawyer (5:01)
12. La Villa Strangiato (9:38)

Total Time: 76:29

Lyrics

Search RUSH Exit…..Stage Left lyrics

Music tabs (tablatures)

Search RUSH Exit…..Stage Left tabs

Line-up / Musicians

- Geddy Lee / bass, bass pedals, synthesizers, vocals, rhythm guitar
- Alex Lifeson / guitars, bass pedals
- Neil Peart / drums, percussion

Review by Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

 

I love live album especially from great bands like Rush. When this album came out, I purchased the cassette version and I remember how this cassette has experienced a serious suffering as I played this album over and over. Bad news at that time this album was released when punk rock swept the music industry. Good news was that the rock fans in my country did make clear distinction about those who love seventies music and those who love new wave / punk rock – in terms of albums they purchased for their collection. The classic rockers (the 70s rock fans) hardly could deny the strong and heavy winds of new wave & punk because they took the market by the storm through rigorous air time on the radio. Songs like “Don’t You Want Me” from B 52′s or “Fred Astaire” by Mo or “Looking for Clues” by Robert Palmer were gaining air time than normal rock music. So, those who loved classic rock created their own small community to restore the power of older bands like Rush, Jethro Tull, Zepp, Sabbath, Deep Purple or Genesis. I remember vividly that one tribute band in Jakarta created their band name in anecdote as the band was called Punk Modern Band. And you know what they played? The did perform RUSH repertoires!!! Yeah . they played “Tom Sawyer” and other Rush’s songs excellently. The tribute band helped save the name of Rush eventually .. So, with this background, you get the picture how it was like (in my country) when this album was released. 

 

Spinning this CD will cause you a bit of trouble: you can’t stop it in the middle! The stream of energies demonstrated to the music delivered by three talented musicians: Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neal Peart are really excellent! Not only the music that flows beautifully, the live vibes are there steadily throughout the live set! With a hard edge guitar work followed with inventive drumming as intro of “Spirit of The radio” produce uplifting lyrics: “Begin the day with a friendly voice .!” wow man .. what an energetic opening. It flows excellently to “Red Barchetta” (6:48), continued with one of the best rock instrumental song: “YYZ” (7:44) .

The music gives a break to a slower tempo opening of “Closer to the Heart” followed with a rocking style and stunning guitar solo. It continues with “Beneath, Between and Behind” (2:34) which has a nice guitar opening part. “Jacobs Ladder” (8:47) – “Broon’s Bane” (1:37) and “The Trees” (4:50) give another silence nuance through a slow to medium tempo music. “Tom Sawyer” (5:01) is a great hit and is performed wonderfully here. My all-time favorite is the last track “La Villa Strangiato” (9:38) which has a difference style with the opening guitar work where this version starts with an electric guitar instead of acoustic one as performed in studio album.

Overall, it’s a highly recommended live album. Keep on proggin’ ..!

 

Send comments to Gatot (BETA) | Report this review (#49961) | Review Permalink
Posted Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Bila tertarik review album lainnya:

RUSH 2112 | review
RUSH A Farewell To Kings | review
RUSH A Show Of Hands | review
RUSH All The World’s A Stage | review
RUSH Beyond the Lighted Stage | review
RUSH Caress Of Steel | review
RUSH Chronicles | review
RUSH Counterparts | review
RUSH Different Stages – Live | review
RUSH Exit… Stage Left (VHS) | review
RUSH Exit…..Stage Left | review
RUSH Feedback | review
RUSH Fly By Night | review
RUSH Grace Under Pressure | review
RUSH Grace Under Pressure Tour | review
RUSH Hemispheres | review
RUSH Hold Your Fire | review
RUSH Moving Pictures | review
RUSH Permanent Waves | review
RUSH Power Windows | review
RUSH R30 – 30th Anniversary World Tour | review
RUSH Replay x 3 | review
RUSH Retrospective I (1974-1980) | review
RUSH Retrospective II (1981-1987) | review
RUSH Roll The Bones | review
RUSH Rush | review
RUSH Rush in Rio | review
RUSH Signals | review
RUSH Snakes & Arrows | review
RUSH Test For Echo | review
RUSH The Spirit Of Radio (Greatest Hits 1974-1987) | review
RUSH Through The Camera Eye | review
RUSH Vapor Trails | review

 

Pengalaman Menjadi MC Konser Helloween

JRENG! Salam tiga jari!

Ini gara2 postingan tentang Kamelot dimana komentarnya menyitir perlunya menoleh ke power metal, saya jadi inget saat diberi tugas oleh bro Andre Solucite (pemilik promotor konser metal “Solucite Metal Concerts” alias SMC) di bulan Februari, tepatnya tanggal 22 pada tahun 2008 yang lalu. Ya memang, meski saya ngaku prog namun suka juga dengan power metal yang menawan seperti Kamelot, Helloween, Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Blind Guardian etc. Sempat dag-dig-dug juga mengingat massa Helloween sangat banyak dan lebih banyak dari DragonForce dimana saya juga jadi MC pada tahun sebelumnya (Mei 2007).

Namun, saya yakin anak metal mudah diatur dan enak diajak kompakan, makanya saya putar otak berkali-kali bagaimana membuat suasana yang “memorable” bagi penonton yang diperkirakan sejumlah 5,000 (lima ribu). Bahkan setelah konser, sebuah harian mengatakan bahwa jumlah massanya malam itu adalah tujuh ribu. Luar biasa.

Semua persiapan saya lakukan secara matang dan sangat detail bahkan melebihi dari persiapan bila saya memfasilitasi workshop untuk perusahaan. Biasanya workshop saya dihadiri sekitar 30 orang maksimum paling 100 orang. Kali ini lima ribu? Opo tumon?! Tapi ya karena dilakukan dengan senang (secara saya menyukai Helloween terutama lagu “Keeper of The Seven Keys” yang ngeprog banget itu..). Ditambah lagi pengalaman nonton konser mereka di Ancol pada tahun 2004. Jadi, semangatlah saya mengerjakannya. Setiap detik saya perhitungkan dengan baik. Tujuannya: bagaimana meningkatkan adrenalin penonton hingga saat konser utama berlangsung mereka bener2 semangat.

Swordman

Pada saat konser DragonForce saya pernah ber-inovasi (sempat dicegah oleh Show Director untuk tidak melakukannya karena too risky, tapi saya ngotot) dengan mengajak penonton menggunakan “yel-yel” buat menyemangati mereka. Berhasil. Sejumlah tiga ribuan penonton DragonForce saat itu ikut menyanyi bersama saya (saya komando di atas panggung) membawakan refrain “Through tHe Flames and Fire” hanya dengan mengucapkan “ooo ..oooo …ooo” mengikuti irama refrain. Memang konsep saya buat sederhana hingga mudah diikuti semuanya.

Karena saya menyukai sekali lagu Keeper of The Seven Keys, tiba2 saya punya ide gila menggunakan KERIS pada saat penonton saya ajak menyanyi intronya dimana ada kata-kat “sword”. Ide gila sih. Tadinya sempat ragu. Tapi saya sampaikan gagasan ini ke Aprilia Devi yang menjadi manager saya saat saya manggung. Eh dia malah setuju dan mengharuskan saya untuk menjalankan rencana gila saya itu. Sebenernya ini hanya salah satu dari inovasi yang saya lakukan buat malam itu selain hal lain (koor) dari lagu “Power” maupun “We Burn” dan sebagainya. Tapi puncaknya ya itu tadi … ATRAKSI ANGKAT KERIS. Hua ha ha ha .. Belum dijalankan aja saya waktu itu sudah excited.

The show

Akhirnya saya susun cue card yang sangat detail (saya lampirkan di bawah, supaya bisa jadi referensi buat MC metal nantinya, biar seru dan gahar …metal gitu loh!). Saat acara dimulai, saya serahkan cue card ke April supaya dia selalu mengingatkan bila saya lupa. saya juga pegang satu copy. Kostum saya pun metal abis: pakai bandana, rantai di blue jeans, gelang tangan- wis pokoke ora prog blas tapi metal pol-polan.. mboys tenan lah pokoke. Yang jelas saya gak di tattoo aja karena haram! Lupa bahwa umur saya sudah 48 tahun bok! Sekitar 90% dari cue cards saya jalankan PLUS beberapa modifikasi karena ternyata massa metal sangat menyenangkan; mudah diajak bekerjasama. Pada saat mereka saya ajak BERSUMPAH dengan plesetan lagu The Time of The Oath, mereka dengan tertib mengikuti ajakan dan komando saya. Luwar biyasa ..!!!

Hal paling menegangkan justru saya waktu memberi komando buat nyanyi intro nya Keeper of The Seven Keys:

Make the people
Hold each other’s hand (penonton nurut aja saat saya suruh gandengan)
And fill their hearts with truth
You made up your mind
So do as divined

Put on your armor
Ragged after fights
Hold up your sword (saya angkat keris saya ke atas; mendapat APPLAUSE dari penonton)
You’re leaving the light
Make yourself ready
For the lords of the dark
They’ll watch your way
So be cautious, quiet and hark

WHOOOAAAAAA…. Penonton jingkrak2 kegirangan ….

Swordman in action ...memberi komando ke penonton buat nyanyi bareng .... Yeeeah!!!

Penonton kok ya mau aja ya nyanyi bareng? Memang anak metal tuooobzzz!!!

"Hold up your sword".... (itu yang diangkat keris beneran lho!)

Wah pokoke puwas tenan malam itu jadi MC grup power metal legendaris ….

Salam tiga jari!

G

Ini cue cards nya:

Di dalam skenarionya, massa sudah mulai diajak bersumpah ...

Melalui lagu POWER, massa diajak koor bareng ...

You're the keeper of the seven keys that lock up the seven seas ...Yeah!

“Poetry for The Poisoned” by Kamelot

 

JRENG!

I am back! Setelah ngglundhung dari sepeda dan males buka blog. Tapi Alhamdulillah udah baikan sekarang. Ini saya posting review saya tentang album paling anyar dari band yang melodinya selalu nohok ulu ati dan komposisinya selalu aja top notch! Jujur aja, album ini saya putar berkali-kali bahkan sudah lebih dari 25 kali secara utuh (dari lagu pembuka sampe penutup). Huenak tenan pancen. Soale Kamelot ngono lho jal! Saat ini mereka lebih prog dan kurang metal. Tapi tetep aja nendhank banget bagi saya. Nggeblak dah!

Salam,

G

—–

 

Studio Album, released in 2010

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The Great Pandemonium (4:24)
2. If Tomorrow Came (3:58)
3. Dear Editor (1:18)
4. The Zodiac (4:00)
5. Hunter’s Season (5:34)
6. House On A Hill (4:14)
7. Necropolis (4:16)
8. My Train Of Thoughts (4:08)
9. Seal Of Woven Years (5:13)
-Poetry For The Poisoned-
10. PT I Incubus (2:57)
11. PT II So Long (3:24)
12. PT III All Is Over (1:03)
13. PT IV Dissection (2:00)
14. Once Upon A Time (3:45)
15. Thespian Drama (Instrumental)* (3:46)
16. House on a Hill (Uncut version)**
17. Where the Wild Roses Grow***

Total Time 53:56

* Japanese/vinyl single edition bonus track
** US edition bonus track
*** Limited edition bonus track

Special Edition (Digipak) DVD:

“The Great Pandemonium” (video)
Pick and Play for the song “The Great Pandemonium”
Live at Norway Rock Festival 2010
Interviews with each Kamelot member
Background Images
“House on a Hill” (uncut version), not on EU version

Lyrics

Search KAMELOT Poetry For The Poisoned lyrics

Music tabs (tablatures)

Search KAMELOT Poetry For The Poisoned tabs

Line-up / Musicians
-Roy Khan / vocals
-Thomas Youngblood / guitars
-Sean Tibbetts / bass guitar
-Casey Grillo / drums
-Oliver Palotai / keyboards

Releases information Release Date:
Europe: September 10, 2010 earMUSIC/Edel
Japan: September 1, 2010 Marquee/Avalon
North America: September 14, 2010 KMG Recordings

“Poetry for the Poisoned” will be available in three versions: Regular CD edition, Digipak CD with bonus DVD, and 2LP gatefold vinyl edition.

My review at ProgArchives.com:

Review by Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

Less Metal, More Prog

I got connected to Kamelot since I spun their album ‘Karma’ that blew me away to the bone right away when I heard the opening ‘Regalis Apertura’ – ‘Forever’. Wow man! It was a terrific experience when I got their music for the first time. I was so impressed that what so called ‘metal’ was actually had a sense of good melody in their music. I thought metal music was just the music that is played loudly sacrificing the melody part of it. In fact the strength of kamelot music is on its ability to create a memorable melody. I f you don’t get me, try their ‘Karma’ album and enjoy the opening tracks. You would get exactly what I mean! Since then I purchased almost all of their albums, especially with Roy Khan as lead vox. Their follow-ups album I always pre-ordered starting from Epica until this album.

When kamelot released ‘Ghost Opera’ and its follow-up ‘Second Coming’ my metal colleagues started to complaint the musical degradation of kamelot. I understand why they say like that because their opinion were based on the way Roy sing is no longer using high register notes. But I disagreed with the musical degradation as I think their music is progressing into the new horizon with a darker nuances, using mostly the low to medium register notes and no longer exploring the high ones. It is in line with Roy Khan who is getting older. But the overall musical composition is still masterpiece for me. Well, music is very subjective – that’s why I tolerate any differing views.

Less challenge to Mr. Grillo?

If you compare ‘Poetry for the Poisoned’ with ‘The Fourth Legacy’, ‘Karma’ or ‘Epica’, of course this new album is different as you will find less double pedal bass drum work in high speed like you find in ‘Forever’ or ‘The Fourth Legacy’ tracks. This album has much less in terms of that speed and this probably gives Mr Casey Grillo with his drum stools. Does it? Well, I don’t think so. I find his dynamic drumming is around in many segments of this album. Even though less metal, the music is having a higher density as the band has added components that was not present in their previous works. You can find it rightaway when you spin the CD through the opening track ‘The Great Pandemonium’ where you can hear the nice additional vocal from Björn “Speed” Strid. The additional vocal provides musical accentuation throughout the song. I love the track since the first time I spun the CD. The combination of guitar solo by Mr Youngblood and drums by Grillo is really great.

‘If Tomorrow Came’ is by nature a power metal track with pondering double pedal bass drum with relatively high speed in the beginning and it slows down when the vocal line enter the scene. Here I can find the bass guitar work played by the new (not really as he was with the band long time ago) bassist Sean Tibbetts. I still can find sound exploration as well here. ‘Dear’ Editor is basically a monologue with smeagol-like (the one in Lord of the Rings movie) voice. ‘The Zodiac’ is really a very good song with very strong melody and tight composition, featuring Jon Oliva. Well, I love this song very much and it’s one of the reasons why I keep spinning this CD more than 25 times in its entirety. I like the way the vocal is sung in sort of growl style by John Olivia. The guitar solo does not really relate to any power metal music and it’s really stunning.

Uriah Heep plays power metal?

As far as logic says there is nothing to do between Kamelot and Uriah Heep. And why do I say so? Spin ‘Hunter’s Season’! You will find strongly that the guitar solo reminds you to the legendary Mick Box style in Uriah Heep albums. Of course there is nothing that shows exact style however you will find there is at least the nuances of Mick Box work in, say ‘The Magician’s Birthday’ guitar solo. It’s really a stunning guitar solo. Bravo Thomas Youngblood! The song itself is beautifully crafted with great melody and nice orchestration. This song has become one of my favorites.

‘House On A Hill’ connects me to ‘Don’t Cry’ from Karma album because it’s basically a mellow song that features a very nice voice of Simone Simons from Epica fame. It’s hard to say if people do not like this good melody song. ‘Necropolis’ brings the music back to power metal in medium speed. ‘My Train Of Thoughts’ reminds me to the music of Peter Gabriel at the outset especially with the background music when Roy Khan sings his first lyrical verse. ‘Seal Of Woven Years’ is another excellent track with relatively fast speed power metal style. again, the song wins on its catchy melody. The double pedal bass drm work by Casey Grillo is very nice.

Too short for an epic

The album title track was composed as an epic that comprises four parts. Unfortunately, each part is very short in duration with the longest is 3.24 minutes. Why must it be broken-down into four parts if it’s too short? I got no idea why the band decided like this. As a whole the epic sounds very nice with excellent orchestration as well as dynamic work of the drums. The epic should have been made as one song titled as ‘Poetry for The Poisoned.

the album is concluded beautifully with a normal power metal music ‘Once Upon A Time’ that reminds me to the style they play in ‘Karma’ album. Casey Grillo plays his role in an excellent way. Roy khan sings in various tones where his voice sounds heavy. Casey Grillo drumwork is very nice during the interlude.

My copy is a digipack version with extra DVD on it. Unfortunately I still had no chance to watch the DVD becaue I am very satisfied already with the music – what’s the point looking at the DVD? But I will do later.

It’s still an excellent album!

One of the reasons why I kept delaying to write a review of the album was because I was in the middle of making the mark about it. Emotionally all tracks provide me with great melody and excellent composition that pushed me to tend giving a full five stars rating. I think they deserve it because the tight composition they make. But is it really a masterpiece? Maybe not. But for sure this album is very close to 9 (out of 1) rating. Let’s make it for an excellent addition of prog music. Keep on proggin’ …!

Peace on earth and mercy mild – GW

 

Send comments to Gatot (BETA) | Report this review (#306173) | Review Permalink

Posted Saturday, October 23, 2010