JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
I had no idea this has such a "community" video.
Amazing.
Amazing.
Oh, this is definitely a cool track, even if it wanders perhaps a bit too far into the opera territory for my taste. The usage of different vocalists and their strengths is what makes Avantasia such a great project, along with Toby's writing of course. The Metal Opera II is one of my less listened-to Avantasia albums, but I wasn't aware of Mr. Sammet's comments. I'll have to give the first two albums another spin soon but as of now I don't really see or hear what exactly Toby thinks is bad about them.
I wonder not only what resident power-metal afficionados (@KidInTheDark666 ) think of this - it was, along with the first part, among my first power metal albums ever (mainly because it was recently released then.... fuck, I feel old), but I'm talking more about how Tobias thinks that the first two Avantasia albums are bad and not really expressing his true vision and about how I think that's bollocks and that he's being absolutely silly and mainly just self-conscious, because he knows he won't write a thing like this ever again... I mean, just recently on Reddit I saw it was enough for someone to just write the first line and everyone participated
WE ARE THE SEVEN
JUDGEMENT OF HEAVEN
WHY DON'T WE KNOW
WE ARE THE ANGELS
IT'S REVELATION
Eh, *coughs*, sorry, back to business.
I'm also interested in what the resident Steinman afficionados (well, I guess that's mainly just @Diesel 11 ), think of this, mainly the part from 8:55 onwards, which truly sounds like it came straight from Bat out of Hell.
P. S. - the singers are Tobias Sammet, Michael Kiske, Kai Hansen, Andre Matos, Timo Tolkki, David DeFeis, Rob Rock and Oliver Hartmann, which just makes me feel overwhelmed with nostalgia all over again.
but I wasn't aware of Mr. Sammet's comments. I'll have to give the first two albums another spin soon but as of now I don't really see or hear what exactly Toby thinks is bad about them.
I completely understand your points.
I know the resident Jansenists (especially @MrKnickerbocker ) will try to kill me for this blasphemy, but... I think I actually prefer Anette here as well?
I already wrote about Amaranth and about how Anette's voice, being more airy, light and ... well, acrobatic, even, makes more sense in the chorus there, with the vocal staccato jumps, whereas Floor's heavier, more fluid approach make the song lose a bit of its charm and effectiveness.
It's not like that here, but the first verses and chorus... I don't know, without the shrill, jingly tone I'm accustomed to it just does very little for me. Floor's darker tone make it feel ... somewhat slower, less energetic? Paradoxically, less elegant, maybe? Especially with the transition to the chorus ("Take me hoooome...") it absolutely fails to thrill me as the original did, I realised.
With the third part, I agree that Floor's tone is generally "nicer" (Anette was almost a bit unpleasant in these soft highs), but ... I don't know, I guess it loses some part of its identity for me. Sorry.
EDIT: Feels a bit like a Kate Bush song covered by Marco, that's probably the simile I was searching for. Whether that's your thing or isn't, well..
This is just such an awesome cover version, really.
^ I don't like her voice in the verses of this song (and in ''Bye Bye Beautiful''), but I like it in the chorus. She is a better singer nowadays imo. For me, her best performances with the band are in the two big classics from that era: ''Last Ride Of The Day'' and ''Storytime''. Amazing songs! Top 10 songs!I already wrote about Amaranth and about how Anette's voice, being more airy, light and ...
Closest Maiden song to sound like double bass without being it? ''The Wicker Man'' (during the chorus) and maybe something from SIT. ''Ghost Of The Navigator'' is another example, yes. I agree with everything you said about the song.Closest Maiden song to sound like double bass without being it. The sound, theme and feel are massive; like coming out of Powerslave 16 years later. Mariner's loose follow up saga.
Massive first listen too. The Wicker Man, good song but no big surprises. Then enters the opening mesmerising riff from Janick like an eternal deja vu and jaws start to drop. Then the heavy riff and the illusion of double bass. An instant classic!
Closest Maiden song to sound like double bass without being it? ''The Wicker Man'' (during the chorus) and maybe something from SIT. ''Ghost Of The Navigator'' is another example, yes. I agree with everything you said about the song.
I can agree.SIT has the best drums work in the catalogue, there are some diamond moments there.
I wouldn't say that. The drumming is like that because of the not so fast structure of the song.The only one time they used double bass (Face in the Sand) result is boring and uninspired.