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9 hours ago, Rexorcist said:

I'm checking out the first few Fleshgod Apocalypse albums today.  Metal Academy's got a thread deciding on whether or not Agony is symphonic metal, and they need user votes badly since the site's still damn small.

They're definitely symphonic...I don't think there's any question on that, but it's symphonic death metal

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20 hours ago, navybsn said:

Yeah, no chance I go to work the day after coming home from a fest. Believe it or not, it's really not that hot out here. Maybe my Florida perspective, but it's been decent. Besides, they keep it ice cold inside the casino.

ST was legit good times. Always fun for a trip down memory lane. Even busted out 'I Shot Reagan' and 'Subliminaly'. Went and caught a few songs by Boris afterwards. It was painfully loud even with ear pro. So that's a wrap for today.

Oh man, I would love to see Boris.

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4 hours ago, markm said:

Oh man, I would love to see Boris.

It was so loud. Met dude in the elevator too. Nice guy.

Last night wrap up. Several decent sets and a couple of phenomenal ones.

ASG - very good. Solid set with an emphasis on my favorite album from them.

Cirith Ungol - best set I've seen from them. I've seen them 4 times since reforming and they keep getting better.

Katatonia - uhh.... made it 2 songs. Euro pop top 40 crap.

High on Fire - outstanding as usual. No such thing as a low key HOF set.

Mercyful Fate - I mean c'mon. It's Fate. Got a little greasy up front and I think all of the toes on my left foot are smashed, but it was worth it. Only thing they could have played that they didn't is Desecration of Souls. All the hits. Sound was perfect. All time set.

The Dwarves - about the only band in Vegas that could top Fate. Well almost. It's a fucking punk show junior. Let's get high and fuck some sluts.

She Past Away - just a couple of songs as a good fest closer. Dreamy synth goth to cleanse the pallette and wrap it up. Was going to catch Rotting Christ, but my feet are roached. They couldn't have topped Fate and The Dwarves anyway.

All in all, this isn't my favorite festival, but it is fun and pulls some great headliners. A little too much I'm not interested in for the money, however the mix is a good draw for them to make a decent profit. All the band guys I met seemed to really enjoy it too. More classy than MDF or Hell's Heroes although they have better lineups. Going to have to pull in something special to get me back next year though.

So fest highlights:

Mercyful Fate

Emperor

Mayhem

mgla

Cirith Ungol

The Dwarves

Bombers

Crematory Stench

200 Stab Wounds

ASG

Disappointments:

Katatonia - not that I was expecting much

Undeath 

Surprised:

I actually enjoyed Samael's set. A little more Rammstein than I bargained for, but not bad overall.

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4 hours ago, Thatguy said:

ETHERIAL SHROUD - Trisagion. Too long, but good.

SPIRE - Temple of Chronos. A cracker.

NP - FOUR TET  - Sixteen Oceans. The GG won't like it and I mean that as a statement of fact, not a challenge, mate!

Challenge unaccepted!

But I did try a few minutes of it (couldn't help myself) and you're out of your fucking mind mate. You've lost the plot, you've gone troppo!

 

Kvad - Cold & Dark as Life, Norway

 

 

Burkhartsvinter - Hohenkrähen, Germany 2018

 

 

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Sibelius/Complete Symphonies and Tone Poems/Boston Symphony Orchestra-Sir Colin  Davis 

Sibelius/Violin Concerto Annie-Sophie Mutter

If you don't do the classical musical composer thing, Sibelius is one of those respected second tier composers that come after the big names. Not really a metal connection like some of the composers-check out Mahler if you want metal-haha-but here goes...like many of Finland's outsized metal output, Sibelius based much of his material on Finnish mythology. 

 After buying the must haves, I went through late 19th and 20th century composers. His 2 and 5 symphonies and violin concerto are a big part of the accepted repertoire apparently. Didn't really strike me when I first listened amongst the horde of 20th century composers, so I'm cycling back and very much enjoying his work while I work. The violin concerto is excellent and his symphonies are definitely good. Thing is with these complete sets, 7 symphonies is a lot to digest and really put your finger on......someone to spend more time with for sure when I'm in my velvet smoking jacket and slippers mode. 

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