 |
| Runescarred |
Remember them? Well, they have gone up in flames, or is it down in flames? But rising from the ashes of that band is Runescarred.
So, all the progressive metal and politics you can handle is back in business. Right now, it's only logical that you're hoping you could be hearing some of their amazing tracks where the groove on the progressive tip.
Check out their BANDCAMP page to hear the two singles they've launched thus far. For now though, let's get in with Tim Driscoll's classic spins.
1. My favorite kind of album is the concept album. The Wall is my absolute favorite. Beyond the amazing songs, it has spectacular nostalgia for me.
What's your favorite one and why?
Oh man! Being an unapologetic prog rock and metal geek, I have quite a few concept records that rank highly for me, although I would have to hand the championship belt to "Metropolis Pt.2: Scenes from a Memory" by Dream Theater.
The intriguing story has a neat little plot twist, the musicianship is flawless (as always with DT) and the musical themes and motifs are perfectly dovetailed with one another. It's the perfect amalgam of DT's self-described "Yes meets Pink Floyd meets Metallica" blueprint.
They'll be playing it in full on tour this year for its 20th anniversary and I can't wait to see the show!
2. My very first album was Live Evil b Black Sabbath. Since then I've had a strong affinity for the live record, even if they're a bit fake. KISS set the bar with Alive!. Surely, it was fake, but it's got the best concert feel of any one.
Tell me about your favorite live record?
My favorite live albums are always the ones that give you something a little different than their studio counterparts; otherwise, why buy the same material twice?
I would say my favorite live album would be Scorpions "Tokyo Tapes" from 1978. The recording sounds great, the entire band is on fire, and it's the perfect little bow to wrap up the band's Uli Jon Roth era, which I believe to be their best.
3. There are a great number of records I've turned to for my moods. What do you listen to when you're angry? Sad?
When I am angry, I don't want to waste time with too much melody, poncy intros, or self-reflection.
My top 3 Anger Bands would be The Haunted ("One Kill Wonder" in particular), Lamb of God ("As the Palaces Burn"), and Unearth ("III: In the Eyes of Fire").
All 3 bands aren't too interested in floundering about and have always been rather adept at getting down to business.
When I am sad? I would have go with Alice in Chains (take your pick for an album), Radiohead (ditto, outside of their debut) or as a wild card, Queensryche's "Promised Land."
4. One of my friends laughs at me, routinely, for loving the Misfit Toys of albums by major bands. Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed, Carnival of Souls by Kiss, Diabolous En Musica by Slayer, etc.
What's the strange one that you love?
I love this question, and I agree, "Diabolus" is actually underrated, in my view. I've always been a massive Van Halen fan, and although my favorites are all from the Roth era, I have quite the soft spot for "Balance."
It was a strange time for the band, and by 1995 (when it came out) they were certainly far removed from what was popular in rock at the time. By VH standards, it's a very dark and misanthropic album, and although a few songs are just kind of "there", the record has plenty of great riffs, songs, and solos.
"Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)", "The Seventh Seal", "Amsterdam", "Aftershock", "Baluchiterium" and "Feelin'" are all really bad-ass, and even "Not Enough" is one of the better Sammy-era cheeseball ballads.
It's definitely my favorite non-obvious VH album.
5. It's almost fashionable to release live versions of albums or re-record the old ones. King Diamond is releasing a concert with Abigail front to back. Roger Waters has done The Wall twice.
Which ones do you have in your collection?
I don't have too many CDs or DVDs of studio albums done live, with one glaring exception: Queensryche's "Operation: Livecrime" is an amazing show from the band's commercial and artistic peak and I can't recommend it too highly.
I will say I am a sucker for remastering projects. I love the Megadeth remasters that were put out in 2004 ("Rust in Peace" sounds 10x better) and the recent re-release of Metallica's "...And Justice For All" is pretty damn good too.
As long as the band isn't being dishonest about the performances, like the "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman" controversy from the early 2000s, I'm always in favor of hearing the best possible sound quality.
Lastly, a good example of a full re-recording done well is Testament's "First Strike Still Deadly" from 2001. The band muscled up a ton of their early classics and it sounds positively killer!
I love this question, and I agree, "Diabolus" is actually underrated, in my view. I've always been a massive Van Halen fan, and although my favorites are all from the Roth era, I have quite the soft spot for "Balance."
It was a strange time for the band, and by 1995 (when it came out) they were certainly far removed from what was popular in rock at the time. By VH standards, it's a very dark and misanthropic album, and although a few songs are just kind of "there", the record has plenty of great riffs, songs, and solos.
"Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)", "The Seventh Seal", "Amsterdam", "Aftershock", "Baluchiterium" and "Feelin'" are all really bad-ass, and even "Not Enough" is one of the better Sammy-era cheeseball ballads.
It's definitely my favorite non-obvious VH album.
5. It's almost fashionable to release live versions of albums or re-record the old ones. King Diamond is releasing a concert with Abigail front to back. Roger Waters has done The Wall twice.
Which ones do you have in your collection?
I don't have too many CDs or DVDs of studio albums done live, with one glaring exception: Queensryche's "Operation: Livecrime" is an amazing show from the band's commercial and artistic peak and I can't recommend it too highly.
I will say I am a sucker for remastering projects. I love the Megadeth remasters that were put out in 2004 ("Rust in Peace" sounds 10x better) and the recent re-release of Metallica's "...And Justice For All" is pretty damn good too.
As long as the band isn't being dishonest about the performances, like the "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman" controversy from the early 2000s, I'm always in favor of hearing the best possible sound quality.
Lastly, a good example of a full re-recording done well is Testament's "First Strike Still Deadly" from 2001. The band muscled up a ton of their early classics and it sounds positively killer!
No comments:
Post a Comment