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IRON MAIDEN – The Final Frontier
Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier [Mission Edition] (2010, Universal Music Enterprises)
1. “Satellite 15…The Final Frontier” … 8:40
2. “El Dorado” … 6:48
3. “Mother of Mercy” … 5:20
4. “Coming Home” … 5:52
5. “The Alchemist” … 4:28
6. “Isle of Avalon” … 9:06
7. “Starblind” … 7:48
8. “The Talisman” … 9:03
9. “The Man Who Would Be King” … 8:28
10. “When the Wild Wind Blows” … 11:00
Band:
Bruce Dickinson – Vocals
Dave Murray – Guitar
Adrian Smith – Guitar
Janick Gers – Guitar
Steve Harris – Bass, Keyboards
Nicko McBrain – Drums
Producer: Kevin Shirley & Steve Harris
Um, yeah. This “Mission Edition”? It’s basically the album in a tin instead of a jewel case with the band’s logo and the title of the album being absent from the album art and the CD artwork is different as well. So if you haven’t decided on which version of the album to pick up, I suggest you save a few bucks and stick with the “regular” version. There are some bonus features which you can unlock by going to www.ironmaiden.com/bonus and putting the disc in your computer but I’m not a fan of stuff like that. When I buy a special edition, I want bonus tracks not access to games, photos and videos on a website (at least put all of that ON the disc!).
By the way, I guess the idea of this “Mission Edition” tin is we’re looking out of a spaceship’s window. I initially tried to scan the booklet inside the tin case but it didn’t turn out so well:
The Final Frontier is an album that seems to have many Maiden fans divided. When you’ve got such a large following and have been a successful group for 30+ years, every new release is going to be analyzed, questioned and compared to the “classic” catalog. Before this album arrived in the mail, I read many reviews (from critics and actual fans) stating this album was the sound of a tired, repetitive and boring band. I read other reviews saying it’s a top three or top five Maiden album that is full of exciting music and that the band is admirably blazing new paths and taking chances with their music. Hm.
Despite owning the majority of Maiden’s catalog, I must confess I’m not a huge fan. Sure, I like them, but they wouldn’t crack the Top 20 as far as my favorite bands go. I’ve always thought many (not all) of their songs could be repetitive and their albums tend to drag. That said, I was still anticipating this release because they are legends and I recognize their contributions to heavy metal. I’ve been following the band since the Brave New World reunion album and the digital release of “El Dorado” sounded really promising, so I wasn’t going to stop following them now.
I guess one common complaint (or praise) I’m running across with other people is the progressive nature of this album. Well, other than the earliest records, they’ve always sounded like progressive metal to me. Especially since Brave New World, so I’m not sure why this is shocking people now. Someone put it best when they said Iron Maiden is no longer a heavy metal act and they are now a progressive hard rock act. This is true but I’ve felt that was the case for years. Anyone that turns in a 10-track album that clocks in around 80 minutes has to be progressive!
Still, they can churn out some really good rockers. “Satellite 15…The Final Frontier” is a great number (after we get through that way too long intro, seriously, they should’ve cut this into two different tracks) and “El Dorado” is the album’s bright spot, it’s really catchy and the most straightforward rocker of the bunch. Both of these songs stick with you. The rest of the album is mostly made up of mid-tempo rockers that all seem to have slow building intros. Again, standard Iron Maiden, in my opinion. In the middle of all of this is “Coming Home”, a ballad I’ve grown quite fond of.
So is this a classic Iron Maiden album? I don’t know, I’ll leave that up to the hardcore fanbase to decide but I do know that it’s a really good album and I’m enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. It will probably my my Top 10 list for 2010 after all is said and done, if that tells you anything.
Highlights: “Satellite 15…The Final Frontier”, “El Dorado”, “Coming Home”, “The Alchemist”, “Isle of Avalon”, “The Talisman”
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – Night Castle
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Night Castle (2009, Atlantic Records)
DISC 1
1.”Night Enchanted” (5:46)
2. “Childhood Dreams” (4:25)
3. “Sparks” (6:00)
4. “The Mountain” (4:53)
5. “Night Castle” (3:57)
6. “The Safest Way Into Tomorrow” (4:57)
7. “Mozart And Memories” (5:16)
8. “Another Way You Can Die” (3:54)
9. “Toccata-Carpimus Noctem” (4:01)
10. “The Lion’s Roar” (4:35)
11. “Dreams We Conceive” (5:12)
12. “Mother And Son” (0:40)
13. “There Was A Life” (9:35)
DISC 2
1. “Moonlight And Madness” (5:04)
2. “Time Floats On” (3:37)
3. “Epiphany” (10:56)
4. “Bach Lullaby” (0:49)
6. “Father, Son & Holy Ghost” (6:48)
7. “Remnants Of A Lullaby” (3:10)
8. “The Safest Way Into Tomorrow (Reprise)” (1:43)
9. “Embers” (3:53)
BONUS TRACKS
10. “Child Of The Night” (3:29)
11. “Believe” (6:12)
12. “Nutrocker” (4:07)
13. “Carmina Burana” (2:44)
14. “Tracers” (05:47)
Selected Musicians:
Jay Pierce, Tim Hockenberry, Jeff Scott Soto, Rob Evan, Jennifer Cella, Alexa Goddard, Valentina Porter – Lead Vocals
Paul O’Neill, Chris Caffery, Angus Clark, Alex Skolnick, Al Pitrelli, Dave Wittman – Guitars
Chris Altenhoff, Johnny Lee Middleton, Dave Wittman – Bass
John O. Reilly, Jeff Plate, Dave Wittman – Drums
Robert Kinkel, Jon Oliva, Luci Butler, Shih-Yi Chiang, Derek Wieland – Keyboards
Roddy Chong, Anna Phoebe – Violin
Producer: Paul O’Neill & Robert Kinkel
After having seen TSO in concert, I was pretty hyped up on them and bought this album when it came out. They played a number of these songs during the second half of the concert and I loved it because many of these numbers are dark and certainly heavier than their usual Christmas-inspired songs. Sadly, I don’t think this side of TSO will catch on if crowd reaction was any indication on the night I intended. The first act was Christmas, the second act was entirely from this album, I believe, and a small number of people walked out once it was apparent the holiday music was over.
Points to mastermind Paul O’Neill and the rest for having the guts to try something different again and not rely on Christmas. A TSO Christmas album is basically guaranteed to go platinum, but I think gold is a nice goal for this particular album.
The problem I have with TSO is that I think they do too many slow and soft numbers. I don’t like those at all, I zone out. Heavy and faster numbers like “Night Enchanted” and “Another Way You Can Die” are really fun though and I think those two songs maybe some the heaviest songs they’ve done yet as they flirt with heavy metal. “Night Enchanted” is a great way to kick off the album and let people know “this isn’t Christmas”. I’m sure there’s some concept behind this album, but I don’t really care about it. In fact, when it comes to concept albums, the more the story is thrown into my face, the less I care about the album.
In what (I think) is a first, TSO covers Savatage: “The Mountain” is a reworking of “Prelude to Madness” from Hall of the Mountain King, bonus track “Believe” is from Streets: A Rock Opera, parts of “The Lion’s Roar” were taken from “Temptation Revelation” also from Streets: A Rock Opera, “Mozart and Memories” was originally “Mozart and Madness” from Gutter Ballet.
The packaging features some pretty cool illustrations from Greg Hildebrandt. I recognized the artwork from the concert and this album thanks to his days illustrating the Marvel Masterpieces trading card series back in the ’90s!
The first disc is definitely my favorite of the two. That’s where the faster, heavier, harder songs lie. Disc two is almost entirely ballads, though all of the bonus tracks are really good.
Definitely a good album, but it’s an exhaustive listen with way too many slow moment. I wish they would release a 100% symphonic rock album and leave the ballads at home. I would also love for Jon Oliva to sing a tune as well since he helps write a lot of the music anyway.
Highlights: “Night Enchanted”, “The Mountain”, “Night Castle”, “Mozart and Memories”, “Toccata-Carpimus Noctem”, “Moonlight and Madness”, “Child of the Night”, “Nutrocker”, “Carmina Burana”, “Tracers”
Concert Review: Trans-Siberian Orchestra – 11/02/09
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
11/02/09
Breslin Student Events Center at MSU in East Lansing, Michigan
Though I own a TSO album, I never really got into it, but I sure did try to given the Savatage connection. Trans-Siberian Orchestra has always seemed like a group that would be more fun to see live and after last night’s amazing show, that is 100% confirmed. And what better night to go than on my birthday?
This was probably the best concert experience I’ve ever had. The place was a sellout, but TSO definitely brings in a different demographic than Avenged Sevenfold, KISS or Motley Crue does so I didn’t have to worry about any idiots getting on my nerves.
Sometimes when you go to shows, the sound isn’t so well. I’ve seen plenty of rock bands perform with the guitar way too much in the mix and they’re basically all you can hear but last night everything just about perfect. No screeching guitars, no bass or drums that rattled your ears so much you get vertigo, everything was spot on for the most part, but funny enough — I thought the guitars were a tiny bit low in the mix. Other than that minor quibble, guitarists Chris Caffery and Alex Skolnick were amazing all night.
I know people are going to want to know the set list from me, but I can’t tell you that. I’m not familiar enough with their music and I can’t find any other recent set lists online to get an idea, but the first half of the show focused on Christmas and the majority of the second half featured many songs from their latest album Night Castle.
As much as I loved the Christmas stuff, there were quite a few ballads in that portion that kind of bored me. Most of the second half was amazing though, the show got darker and heavier. After the Christmas portion was finished, a number of people began leaving. I guess those old-timers just wanted Christmas music, but you’re only getting half your money’s worth! For a rock/metal fan, the second half was definitely the best.
The stage production was amazing too, probably the best concert I’ve ever seen. Lasers, smoke, “snow”, tons of video screens, flames (green, orange and blue!). It was a great spectacle. I was surprised by how much they were able to fit into Breslin.
Overall, whether you’re a fan of Christmas, symphonies, hard rock or all of the above — TSO is a great way to spend the holidays and fantastic way to get your fix. Highly recommended. I believe this is at least the third year in a row they’ve come to Breslin, if they come again next year, I’ll be sure to be there.
DREAM THEATER – Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Dream Theater – Black Clouds & Silver Linings [Special Edition] (2009, Roadrunner Records)
Disc One: BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS
1. “A Nightmare to Remember” … 16:10
2. “A Rite of Passage” … 8:35
3. “Wither”… 5:25
4. “The Shattered Fortress … 12:49
5. “The Best of Times” … 13:07
6. “The Count of Tuscany” … 19:16
Disc Two: UNCOVERED 2008/2009
1. “Stargazer” … 8:10
2. “Tenement Funster” / “Flick of the Wrist” / “Lily of the Valley” … 8:17
3. “Odyssey” … 7:59
4. “Take Your Fingers from My Hair” … 8:18
5. “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two” … 6:30
6. “To Tame a Land”… 7:15
Disc Three: BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS (INSTRUMENTAL MIXES)
1. “A Nightmare to Remember” … 15:39
2. “A Rite of Passage” … 8:36
3. “Wither” … 5:29
4. “The Shattered Fortress” … 12:47
5. “The Best of Times” … 13:20
6. “The Count of Tuscany” … 18:48
Band:
James LaBrie – Vocals
John Petrucci – Guitar, Backing Vocals
John Myung – Bass
Mike Portnoy – Drums, Backing Vocals
Jordan Rudess – Keyboards, Continuum
Additional Musicians:
Jerry Goodman – Violin
Produced by: John Petrucci & Mike Portnoy
My first Dream Theater album was Falling Into Infinity, which I bought during the hype for the not-yet-released Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory. I had hear so many positive things about this band, I knew I had to check them out.
Ultimately, neither of those two albums impressed me much outside of a handful of songs. My general complaint about Dream Theater is that they’re too self-indulgent and overly dramatic. Of course, I realize this is what so many of their fans love, but it didn’t work for me and I wrote the band off after 1999′s Metropolis Pt. 2 as a failed experiment on my part.
What brought me back to the band with this album was the fact that I was hearing that that this six-song, 70 minute plus album (!!) featured some of their heaviest and fastest playing. In regards to Falling Into Infinity and Metropolis Pt. 2, this is definitely true and despite my optimism when buying this, I’ve found myself enjoying this album even more than I thought I would. I like the whole album but the opener, “A Nightmare to Remember” would be my favorite and the shortest song on the album, the ballad “Wither” is really strong too (the ballads are usually the songs I like best from Dream Theater).
I bought the 3-Disc Special Edition from Best Buy. I don’t think it was an exclusive there though. Disc Two features covers of Rainbow, Queen, Dixie Dregs, Zebra, King Crimson and Iron Maiden. Dream Theater especially shines on Zebras “Take Your Fingers from My Hair”. Disc Three is instrumental mixes of the album, with a few changes here and there. Disc Three is fine for what is it, but I’d rather listen to those songs with vocals than as instrumentals.
Highlights: “A Nightmare to Remember”, “Wither”, “The Shattered Fortress”, “Stargazer”, “Take Your Fingers from My Hair”, “To Tame a Land”
WINGER – IV
Winger – IV (2006, Shrapnel Records)
1. “Right Up Ahead” … 5:07
2. “Blue Suede Shoes” … 3:46
3. “Four Leaf Clover” … 4:18
4. “M16″ … 3:57
5. “Your Great Escape” … 3:55
6. “Disappear” … 3:49
7. “On A Day Like Today” … 6:24
8. “Livin’ Just To Die” … 3:40
9. “Short Flight To Mexico” … 4:18
10. “Generica” … 6:33
11. “Can’t Take It Back” … 5:07
Band:
Kip Winger – Lead Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards
Reb Beach – Guitar, Backing Vocals
John Roth – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cenk Eroglu – Keyboards, Guitar
Rod Morgenstein – Drums
Additional Musicians:
Denny McDonald – Backing Vocals
Paula Winger – Backing Vocals
Produced by: Kip Winger
I have Winger’s debut album, and I like it, but I never cared enough to follow up with In the Heart of the Young or Pull. I like Kip’s voice, but the band had too much of an progressive rock/metal influence that kept me at bay.
Nonetheless, I took the chance on this album because I really liked “Generica” when it was posted online. The band doesn’t really change my mind here and in fact, I find this album to be a bit on the bland side as the progressive influence is even stronger here and the music is quite serious (no pop metal gems like “Seventeen” or “Can’t Get Enuff”).
It’s not all bad, there are a few songs I like, but for an album I didn’t expect much from in the first place, I still felt letdown. I never pull this one out to listen to.
Popular comic book artist Ethan Van Sciver drew the cover and the story goes that he hid something devious (possibly filthy) in the art, but I sure can’t see anything.
Highlights: “Four Leaf Clover”, “Your Great Escape”, “Disappear”, “Generica”, “Can’t Take It Back”
