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Showing posts from January, 2018

Hologram concerts - Flop or Future?

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Within the last decade, we have acquired the technology to make hologram concerts a reality. While this concept had been done a couple of times prior, in the form of Michael Jackson and Tupac, the Dio Disciples were the first to perform live with a hologram. That, of course, was with the late Ronnie James Dio, in 2016-17. While most of the shows had no technical flaws, a few invariably dipd. And, they were lightly attended (excluding  Wacken). Despite this, it brings up an ethical metal question.  Let's forget any technical flaws for a moment. And, for the time being, let's forget it was Dio. It could be any great deceased artist of your choice. It could be Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Lemmy, Shannon Hoon, Steve Lee or any of your favorite artist that might pass in the future. What if you never got to see Motorhead in concert and they were one of your all-time favirites? How about seeing Gotthard again with Steve Lee backed live by the rest of the band? How a

The ever-evolving White Wizzard

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BIV'S REVIEW OF: WHITE WIZZARD - INFERNAL OVERDRIVE Release Date: Jan 12, 2017 (U.S.) Label: M-Theory Records White Wizzard has seen many lineup changes over the years, making musicians disappear and in  this case, re-appear. Wyatt "Screaming Demon" Anderson is back on vocals, after sitting out their prior CD, 2013's The Devil's Cut. And original guitarist James LaRue, who performed on their first two releases, both EPs, White Wizzard and High Speed GTO , is back in the fold as well. But the changes don't stop there. If you've listened to White Wizzard for some time, you know their sound has been primarily based in the power-metal genre. And don't get me wrong, they continue to deliver a punch. Evidence of this can be found in the opener (also the title track). But the 2nd track, "Storm the Shores", is a galloping battle anthem worthy of permanently being in their set list. Here is the link to the lyric video, in case you miss

Biv's Prog-Metal Journey Pt. 3

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IRON MAIDEN - THE FINAL FRONTIER (2010) This CD is progressive through and through. Sure, it still has all the things power-metal fans have come to love and expect from Maiden, including Steve Harris' killer bass-lines and Bruce Dickenson's soaring vocals, but the song structures of almost all 10 tracks borders on progressive. This was a problem for some fans, and as a result I find this album to be grossly underrated by most Maiden-heads. Tracks such as "El Dorado", "Starblind" and "The Talisman" harken back to another killer CD (also bordering on progressive), Somewhere in Time. CRIMSON GLORY - STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL (1991) Hey, I told you upfront that I dig albums that others don't. I know most prefer Transcendence , but for my money, this was their peak. The title track, followed by "Starchamber" and the slinky and seductive "In the Mood" start of the CD, letting you know right away it was to be more progressive. Mid

Biv's Prog-Metal Journey Pt. 2

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Lost In Thought - Opus Arise (2011) What's that you say? You never heard of them? Man, are you missing out! This band, out of England, features some of the best clean prog-metal vocals on the planet in Nate Loosemore. Add to that slamming riffs, contrasting beautiful keys and excellent drum-work and you'd swear this was a lost early Dream Theater record in the Awake era. Sadly, Nate is no longer with the band. But that won't keep me from picking up their new release, slated for sometime in 2018, Theocracy - Mirror of Souls (2008) I would argue there are no better opening three tracks on any progressive metal album better than "A Tower of Ashes", "On Eagles' Wings" and "Laying the Demon to Rest". Add to that a 22 minute epic track that ends the CD in the title track, along with other better-than-average tunes and you have a classic. And, if you are a believer, you can finally say there is a Christian prog-metal band that as good or be

Biv's Prog-Metal Journey

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As a reader, it's important to know some information about the author. I am 46 and have loved metal for over 30 years. My first metal concert was Metallica opening for Ozzy in 1986, just months before the tragic accident that would claim the life of Cliff Burton. To this day, I still love classic metal, but my true passion is progressive metal, which, if you haven't guessed by the name, is what this page is about. This website will feature progressive-metal news, reviews, interviews and more, helping you, as a metal fan to stay up-to-date in one convenient place. So why progressive metal? Here's my story... On a fateful day in 1992, when I was watching Headbanger's Ball on MTV, a new video came on by a band I'd never heard of; Dream Theater. The song? "Pull Me Under".  I immediately went out and bought the album Images and Words  and played it for what seemed like a thousand times. I heard this term called progressive metal soon after and began finding