Pushing Forward and Stepping Back
As we do with most shows, we try to find new music that excites and/or is just generally exciting. Maybe it will be exciting because it hits our musical sweet spots, or maybe it is something new or is just helping push a style forward. Well, this week we hit those spots a little bit. (They can’t all be winners.) But as great as all that forward momentum can be, it is also nice to, well, regress from time to time. So, we did that too, getting the high school versions of ourselves pretty damn excited.
Reviews:
Nightwish – Endless Forms Most Beautiful (Nuclear Blast)
Fulgora – Stratagem (Housecore)
While She Sleeps – Brainwashed (Sony UK)
Irreversible Mechanism – Infinite Fields (Blood Music)
Live Review:
Coal Chamber, Filter, Combichrist, Saint Ridley at Webster Theater in Hartford, CT on April 1, 2015 and at Starland Ballrom in Sayreville, NJ on April 3, 2015
Nightwish – Endless Forms Most Beautiful
Fulgora – Stratagem
While She Sleeps – Brainwashed
Irreversible Mechanism – Infinite Fields
The Sideshow Podcast 
I’m surprised you guys reviewed Nightwish. I do remember that you reviewed their previous album, and I do remember Nick and that other former co-host hating it. Knowing that Brian has recently tried to steer away from albums that Nick might not like, I was expecting not to hear a review of Endless Forms Most Beautiful. I suspect that you guys don’t get what the big deal about Nigthwish is because you might not have listened to their best stuff. The album Once which came out in 2004 is their clear high point. That album is not only the high point of their career, but to me it is probably the best Symphonic Power metal album ever. As for their latest album Endless Forms Most Beautiful, I pretty much agree with you guys on it. There isn’t quite enough that stands out as being memorable on this album. There also doesn’t seem to be enough contrast for me on this album. Even though I do like Floor’s vocals, they don’t use enough of the male vocalist (who is also the bass player) to provide contrast on this album. They also don’t seem to use enough of the guy who plays that bagpipe-like instrument on this album. You would not believe how much that guy rocks live. That guy stole the show when I saw them. Because of the under-utilization of the male vocals and pipes, I actually like Imaginaerum better. BTW, I’m going to see them live on Thursday with Sabaton opening. I look forward to hearing how Floor sings the classic Nightwish songs.
-Whoa, new Facebook cover photo!
The cover photo hasn’t changed, so I assume you mean the profile pic? That has been there for weeks! Where have you been?
It’s funny that Once is your favorite b/c I have not spent much time with that album at all, save for “Wish I Had an Angel.” I guess I’ll have to give it a good listen. Also, Metal Archives seems to disagree with you. lol. But Sputnik Music seems to be in line with you…though Century Child and Wishmaster are extremely close.