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- Thread starter LooseCannon
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GhostofCain
Ancient Mariner
One of the interesting tribute bands around!
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
I listened to the album earlier toady and while I really like it overall (a lot, a special album, love most of the ideas) and could listen to it regularly, I think it perfectly illustrates why I prefer Steve as a songwriter, if I have to choose. Love both ofc. I think repetition in metal is like needed (song length is another matter), plus interesting and different parts. I understand that Bruce's solo career is quite different from Maiden and with a different purpose, just pondering. Some of Steve's writing credits (or co-written ones) aren't perfect either (like Hell On Earth!), but he makes stuff a little more interesting than Bruce, like the rest of the song can compensate, which is quite the praise because I think Bruce creates really interesting stuff. I'm not mentioning Bruce's co-written songs with Maiden because of Adrian (example is Days Of Future Past's hollow part). Don't get me wrong, the album is full of quality material and ideas for me, but I wouldn't say that about any of his other solo albums. Ok, maybe BTP, but it's not the same.
My issues with the album:
- unfinished songs.
- as if shorter on purpose.
- not really heavy metal material like his previous 3 albums.
- wanted more faster and energetic stuff.
- using Eternity.
- no bonus song like for the previous albums.
To elaborate a little more:
- missing solos and melodic passages. It's metal with 1 guitar, but still, especially for the solos. What I would have added:
Afterglow (longer solo and melodic part), Rain (more interesting outro than repeating the chorus with a weaker melody), Resurrection Men (long solo and maybe another verse; there is no climax), Wounds (a proper solo), Eternity (I miss Steve's melodies and extra verse), Mistress (longer solo and the melody under the chorus for the whole song), Shadow (solo and another repeat of the great chorus). It's so off-putting for me.
I could add more songs from his other solo albums: Believil, Chemical, Trumpets, Alchemist, Freak, Starchildren, Accident. BTP is a different case.
- I respect Bruce's choice of his songs being shorter for his solo style, nothing wrong with that, but sometimes more ideas can help the song a lot. For the story told by the lyrics, too. He recently called Revelations a very long song??? What about Sonata...
- something different, I understand and I want more different and interesting music, but I thought that's Bruce preferred style. I will always like heavy metal more than heavy rock. But I guess being good is more important...
- I know his solo career isn't all about fast stuff (not at all), it's not power metal, but AOB and TOS were great as such. A good balance is always important.
- Eternity is one of the most metal songs on the album (the others are Afterglow and Mistress) and is a clear standout from it, no wonder Steve wanted it for Maiden and improved it (if we don't count the needed solos). Classic for the ages. It's just that by adding it, unlike with Daughter, it's as if he wasn't interested enough in the album and just wanted to release it, for lack of a better word.
- they have 17 demos from TMP's writing sessions. Like now, actually. To compensate something if you will.
Imagine if the album was:
1.Afterglow Of Ragnarok
2.Many Doors To Hell
3.Nightmares (I mean, Steve liked it)
4.Resurrection Men (potential for something interesting, important to the overall theme)
5.Fingers In The Wounds
6.a Road/Abduction/Power Of The Sun/Aquarius-type of song
7.Mistress Of Mercy or same as the above
8.Face In The Mirror
9.TCW's leftover song that Bruce found last year (each style from the albums is great)
10.Shadow Of The Gods
I feel it would have been a different experience with only 4 changes. Ofc I imagine the material is quality and strong like most of the album.
- missing solos and melodic passages. It's metal with 1 guitar, but still, especially for the solos. What I would have added:
Afterglow (longer solo and melodic part), Rain (more interesting outro than repeating the chorus with a weaker melody), Resurrection Men (long solo and maybe another verse; there is no climax), Wounds (a proper solo), Eternity (I miss Steve's melodies and extra verse), Mistress (longer solo and the melody under the chorus for the whole song), Shadow (solo and another repeat of the great chorus). It's so off-putting for me.
I could add more songs from his other solo albums: Believil, Chemical, Trumpets, Alchemist, Freak, Starchildren, Accident. BTP is a different case.
- I respect Bruce's choice of his songs being shorter for his solo style, nothing wrong with that, but sometimes more ideas can help the song a lot. For the story told by the lyrics, too. He recently called Revelations a very long song??? What about Sonata...
- something different, I understand and I want more different and interesting music, but I thought that's Bruce preferred style. I will always like heavy metal more than heavy rock. But I guess being good is more important...
- I know his solo career isn't all about fast stuff (not at all), it's not power metal, but AOB and TOS were great as such. A good balance is always important.
- Eternity is one of the most metal songs on the album (the others are Afterglow and Mistress) and is a clear standout from it, no wonder Steve wanted it for Maiden and improved it (if we don't count the needed solos). Classic for the ages. It's just that by adding it, unlike with Daughter, it's as if he wasn't interested enough in the album and just wanted to release it, for lack of a better word.
- they have 17 demos from TMP's writing sessions. Like now, actually. To compensate something if you will.
Imagine if the album was:
1.Afterglow Of Ragnarok
2.Many Doors To Hell
3.Nightmares (I mean, Steve liked it)
4.Resurrection Men (potential for something interesting, important to the overall theme)
5.Fingers In The Wounds
6.a Road/Abduction/Power Of The Sun/Aquarius-type of song
7.Mistress Of Mercy or same as the above
8.Face In The Mirror
9.TCW's leftover song that Bruce found last year (each style from the albums is great)
10.Shadow Of The Gods
I feel it would have been a different experience with only 4 changes. Ofc I imagine the material is quality and strong like most of the album.
A chorus/vocal lines grab you, especially for a vocalist, but interesting guitar playing is also very important, from such artists, players and songwriters. Ideas in general. Let's hope the new album will fix everything. I'm just thinking, due to the current hype about his next solo album, this time with a proper band.
GhostofCain
Ancient Mariner
MindRuler
Ancient Mariner
This might be my favourite Opeth album so far (still need to hear Blackwater Park and yes I will get that one soon) Thanks to a certain member who no longer posts here I discovered this great band. I allready heard Watershed but that one never really clicked like this one or Pale Communion.