[Matt Marquardt]

Hello tuneland,


I don't know how many of you are going to share my taste, but I thought it was time I started sharing some of my favorite music with you guys. As some of you may have read in stargazers thread, I've been listening to "The Inner Circle" by "Evergrey", a progressive metal band from Sweden.

This is a concept album, or "rock opera", something I have always liked. "Throughout the album we will follow a fragile person with low self esteem who leaves his family for a cult, and who makes drastic changes in his life in order to live out "the inner circles" way of life". This is by no means happy or uplifting music, so if that's your cup of tea, then this isn't for you.

I have always preferred music written in the minor keys, which lends itself to a sound that ranges from dark and sinister, to mysterious or sad, even haunting. Perfect for this kind of theme. The album includes lots of harmonized guitar parts (something else I have always loved), excellent lead and backing vocals, and many orchestrated passages. As a bonus, there are also three live acoustic numbers that showcase just how talented this band really is.

I just recently discovered these guys, and haven't been able to stop listening to this album! If this sounds like something you might like, their website http://www.evergrey.net/index.php has sample songs available for download.

Enjoy!


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Matt Marquardt

[Michael Green]

Hi Matt,

Do your listen to Art Zoyd?





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Michael Green
MGA
Las Vegas,NV
702 368 7550
info@michaelgreenaudio.com

[Matt Marquardt]

Hi Michael,

I've never heard of that one, so I'll have to check it out. By the way, during one of our telephone conversations, you once mentioned liking Queensryche. In that case you might also enoy Evergrey's music. Like Queensryche, they have a very refined musical style. Unlike a lot of "metal", there's nothing obnoxious about this music, very melodic, with lots of interesting changes.
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Matt Marquardt

[Matt Marquardt]

Hello tuneland,

Here's what's been in my player lately.



Kamelot hails from Germany, and is my latest discovery as I continue to explore the European "metal" market. Apparently over there musicianship still means something. Yes I do like some of the american bands as well, but the style is completely different. The internet has opened up the whole world of music to me, and I'm lovin it!

"The Black Halo" has complex arrangements and fantastic vocals. In trying to describe the style, words like "epic" and "majestic" come to mind. So I guess the name "Kamelot" is pretty fitting. Here is a link to the bands website. http://www.kamelot.com/

Enjoy!
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Matt Marquardt

[Matt Marquardt]

Hello tuneland,

Lately, I've been really into the "Gothic Rock" Genre. I never really realised what interesting multi-layered music exhisted in this genre until I started exploring it about a year ago. I especially like the use of instruments somewhat a-typical to other hard rock genre's that many of these bands employ, such as the flute, violin, piano, and even the oboe. Once again, I have to say how much I LOVE the internet, as this style is pretty much exclusively a European thing. Maybe I should just move there!

Last Night this album simply blew my mind!!!



Within Temptation's "The Silent Force" throws a huge three dimensional soundstage! With lush symphonic passages and absolutely beautiful female vocals. This Dutch band has created a dark, melodic, melencholy sound that realy does it for me. You don't have to like "Metal" to appreciate this one. This is just beautiful music, plain and simple.


http://www.within-temptation.com/
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Matt Marquardt

[Michael Green]

Hi Matt,

Interestingly though, Gothic rock has been under ground here for a while, only a little different like testing the waters.

I had lunch with the owner of the "Extreme Label" back in the early "90", and he was wondering where it was finally going to end up here in the states. In Vegas there is a big rage for it. I have some of the "90" stuff, but have tried a little of the new stuff. I haven't found the right groove yet for myself.

I lean toward the butterfly choices I'm afraid.



Remember I'm a float man, but open minded.

I think we are going to connect on this some where. Just not sure where yet.




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Michael Green
MGA
Las Vegas,NV
702 368 7550
info@michaelgreenaudio.com

[Michael Green]

Hi Matt,

Where are you at with








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Michael Green
MGA
Las Vegas,NV
702 368 7550
info@michaelgreenaudio.com

[Matt Marquardt]

Hi Michael,

Yes, I like Future Sound Of London. There's a lot of music out there that I "like", but just don't find myself compelled to go out and buy. For what ever reason, I find myself drawn to agressive sounding music. My collection consists almost entirely of "metal" and it's various sub-genre's. If you could be a fly on the wall, you would often see me sitting in front of my system rocking back and fourth (sort of an old mans version of head banging ) and occasionally plunging my fist into the air ala Beavis and Butt-Head. This is where my heart truely lies.
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Matt Marquardt

[Matt Marquardt]

Hi Michael,

Having said that, I should also add that when I'm feeling a little more mellow, and want something a little more "floaty" OR "Trippy" as I would call it , I usually reach for the PINK FLOYD.




The final cut is probably my favorite. I was a big fan during this time period. The fletcher memorial home .


STYX is another band you've posted about that I like.



They were my favorite band back during the "Cornerstone" and "Pieces of Eight" era. This is the kind of music I listened to before I got into "metal".


JOURNEY is another favorite from that time period.



I mean do singers get any better than Steve Perry?


How about some RUSH?



"Moving Pictures" is one incredible sounding album by the way.

All of these bands have things in common with the stuff I listen to now. Complex arrangements, great vocals, lots of harmonization, orchestration. I just like to rock a little harder now. Also, I don't know why, but there is something about the dark, mysterious, and epic sound created by these "goth" and many other metal bands that has captured my interest for quite a while now.
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Matt Marquardt

[yikes]

Hi Matt,

Moving Pictures . I have not played that in a while, but it has always been one of my favorite hard rock cd's. For me Rush is kinda hit or miss but this album gets it right from start to finish. It is unusual for me to favor a bands most popular album, but that is a great one. I really like Geddy Lee's lyrics especialy on red barchetta, and track five.

"my feet catch the pulse and the purposeful stride..."
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Sean