I've come across a few new albums / bands lately and I thought I'd share my opinions on them:
Avantasia - The Scarecrow
The idea of Avantasia was/is awesome. Get the most respected singers (and musicians) in the world of Power Metal, create a conceptual world and create a metal "opera". The first one was brilliant (and my favourite), the second was good, but the latest one (which I got pre-release... erm... nevermind) just doesn't do it for me. The songs aren't as melodic nor catchy (apart from Lost In Space) on the first listen. Not sure if this one will get better with more listens....
Coheed and Cambria - No World For Tomorrow
My first exposure to Coheed and Cambria is their latest album. Labelled as Progressive Rock, they do have some metal elements in their songs although some of their drumming and riffing are quite "funky", and not really heard of in metal. I quite like this album, but not too sure if I'll see them when they come to Perth (in a few months or so)....
Elvenking - The Scythe and The Winter Wake
An unusual blend from the Italian band Elvenking. Power Metal with folk sounding influences, along with some aspects of Death Metal (both vocally and riffing) makes it an interesting listen. Typically heavier than I normally listen to, but still very melodic and quite catchy! Definitely worth looking for!
Helloween - Gambling With The Devil
I haven't been a big fan of Helloween after the Keeper series and their latest album cements it even further. It's the music, it's Andi Deris, it's everything .. But others like it and that's why their still very popular in Europe today.
Innerwish - Inner Strength
Late 80s, early 90s Power Metal recorded in 2006. This Greek band should be looked up by any Power Metal fan. Catchy tunes, fast songs and soaring vocals. Seriously good stuff. Too bad they're not as big as they deserve to be....
Stormwarrior - Heading Northe and Northern Rage
Stormwarrior picks up where Helloween stopped in the mid 80s. Ultra fast thrash/speed metal with soaring vocals. Helloween went on to literally create the Power Metal genre with their "Keeper of the Seven Keys" albums, but before doing so, had two rather good thrash albums. Stormwarrior is pretty much in the same style as those. In fact, a few of their albums were produced by Kai Hansen (who was in Helloween in that time and is now in Gamma Ray). Definitely worth a listen...
Nightwish and Voyager .. a good night
Last night, CB and I went to see Nightwish at the Metro in Freo. Doors opened at 8 so when we arrived a little after, we were shocked to see the line down the street. Standing in line seemed a little strange as the ratio of wang to females was not the normal typical metal gig ratio.
After joining the end of the line, we got roughly half way down when people with tickets were shortcutted into another line. Sweet! We got in just in time to see Voyager. They played a mix of their old and new stuff, Danny Estrin seemed to play only a few parts on his keyboard and the rest of the symphonic stuff was pre-recorded.
Nightwish were awesome, playing quite a bit of their new record, but also some older stuff. I think the older stuff sounded a bit weird to me because I'm used to hear them with Tarja's (operatic) vocals, and I think Annette struggled hitting the higher notes in some of the older stuff. But in the end, it was a great once in a lifetime show and they played and sounded unbelievable live!
After joining the end of the line, we got roughly half way down when people with tickets were shortcutted into another line. Sweet! We got in just in time to see Voyager. They played a mix of their old and new stuff, Danny Estrin seemed to play only a few parts on his keyboard and the rest of the symphonic stuff was pre-recorded.
Nightwish were awesome, playing quite a bit of their new record, but also some older stuff. I think the older stuff sounded a bit weird to me because I'm used to hear them with Tarja's (operatic) vocals, and I think Annette struggled hitting the higher notes in some of the older stuff. But in the end, it was a great once in a lifetime show and they played and sounded unbelievable live!
Banks and their slow arse payment system
You purchase something on your credit card, and the available balance gets deducted straight away. You transfer money to your credit card, and it takes 1 (or more) business days for the money to go through. What the fuck is behind this logic?
Ok so we live in an electronic world. With the advent of electronic banking, you'd expect things to be overnight at the very latest, who cares about business day bullshit? It's all automated anyway. If credit card deductions are instant, then payments in should also be. Not this one sided shit that it currently is.
The only reasoning behind it is to fuck the customer. Purchases are recorded instantly so the interest free period starts immediately. But payments take longer cos they want to hold onto your money and invest it, and also if you are late in paying then they get their interest payment.
Ok so we live in an electronic world. With the advent of electronic banking, you'd expect things to be overnight at the very latest, who cares about business day bullshit? It's all automated anyway. If credit card deductions are instant, then payments in should also be. Not this one sided shit that it currently is.
The only reasoning behind it is to fuck the customer. Purchases are recorded instantly so the interest free period starts immediately. But payments take longer cos they want to hold onto your money and invest it, and also if you are late in paying then they get their interest payment.
Perth is getting baked.
I wish I was in Sydney at the moment .. a lovely 25 degrees for the next week. Here on the west side, we're looking at 30+ until next Wednesday, with today and Monday hitting 40, and a few other days hitting 35. Would be good if the airconditioning at work was actually nice and cold....
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