Blog By James

Unfortunately I didn’t discover After Forever until they had released their self-titled and sadly, last album back in 2007. I’ve always been a big fan and supporter of the female voice in metal, but front woman plus heavy guitars does not always equal good music. However, in the case of Floor Jansen and her band mates in After Forever, what they created together was absolutely the good stuff.

After only a few listens of the After Forever album, it quickly became one of my faves and I made a point to follow Floor’s work in hopes of a new project. The time has come for ReVamp and I couldn’t be happier about it.

ReVamp is Floor’s new solo project with almost all new musicians, all of which play their asses off on this debut recording. Although I enjoyed the album upon first listen, it didn’t really sink in until after I’d heard it the third or fourth time. In my experience, that’s how it goes for all of the really good records.

Floor has a very dynamic and versatile voice with the kind of power that is ideal for this style of music. As an example, check out the bridge of “Break” in the studio report below at about 4:40:

I like the overall production and I especially dig the guitar sound. Check out a few of the tracks at the official site here. I really hope Floor and the band make it over to the US at some point.

About 9 months ago I sent $30 of my hard earned (I work in IT support) money to the gentlemen in Spock’s Beard, one of the greatest progressive rock bands that has ever been. Anyone who understands and appreciates what the genre is truly about would back me up. I sent them the money to help with the cost of recording their next album and I did so with no hesitation at all.

Early this week I received the beautifully packaged result (see Twitter post here) and as I am with every SB release, I’m absolutely floored with the quality in all aspects of the recording. First thing I noticed was how it was properly mastered and that I had to turn it up slightly more than I do with other recent recordings. (See “Loudness War”) That made me smile straight away.

First thing I heard was huge, full band unison hits going into an eighth note bass line that gave me chills within the first minute. Before hearing any more, I knew then that I had yet another proper, Spock’s Beard record that would be added to my list of treasured recordings. As “X” continues to repeat in my car and all of my media players, I still feel the same way as I did during that first listen.

The mix is wonderful, with the drums and bass nice an hot where they should be. All of Nick D’Virgilio’s vocals are brilliant, simply breathtaking at times. And as usual, his drumming is nothing short of mind-blowing. Dave Meros’ bass playing on this one is standing out more than ever before for me, as are Ryo Okumoto’s keyboards. It’s a modern sound with all of the welcomed nods to the past. I don’t know… it’s like I’m experiencing Spock’s Beard again for the first time. With “X” I sometimes can’t believe what I’m hearing.

I could go on but I’m going to shut up now. But before I do… If you’re somebody that enjoys a proper, smart progressive record with only the finest musicianship and songwriting, and for all that is good in this world, go buy a copy here.

I like to think that my fellow music heads out there and I do a decent job of keeping up with the good stuff. However, there will always be those “Where the hell have I been?” moments and this is definitely one of them for me.

Although I had heard of the Israeli-born guitarist before and had previously seen a YouTube clip or two, it just didn’t click at the time. Oz Noy is the kind of artist that I’m constantly on the look out for and so rarely find. He’s a player that is truly doing something fresh and although you hear the occasional nod to past greats, his sound is very much his own.

A few days ago I stumbled upon Oz’s studio album from 2007 entitled “Fuzzy”. As I drove to work listening to this recording for the first time, I often found myself with a huge smile on my face. I felt a high that only the really good music can provide, complete with chills that make you forget about everything else. As each track came to an end, I nodded with approval and as I sat in the car alone, I caught myself commenting out loud a couple of times. “Damn! This is so fucking good!”, I’d say whilst reaching for the display button for the song title.

Unless you’ve heard Oz play before, I assure you that you’ve never heard anyone play guitar or compose songs quite like this before. Head over to the Amazon mp3 page for samples. “Which Way is Up?!”, “Three Wishes”, and “Intensity” are some of my favourites.

I have no doubt that I’ll be buying all of his records and following his work for as long as I have ears to listen.