Agalloch rips Dream Theater

[TribunalRecords]

WDADU is actually a pretty good album. The problem is the sound is incredibly dated. I have their official live bootleg where they play the album from front to back and it is MUCH, MUCH better than the studio version so much that I sold that copy off. I've never listened to Agalloch, so I can't really say, but I highly doubt they've put anything out there as good as a lot of DT's catalog.

Labrie hacks that shit so bad, i cannot believe you think that version is better. haha, best part is when Dominici comes out during encore to do a better job on Metropolis than Labrie. hahaha.

also the production is dated because it IS dated. too me it sounds like a Rush album, like Moving Pictures. his drums have never sounded better because those are his REAL drum tones not sound replaced.

 

[Jasonic]

haha, well to me it doesn't blow. i bought it when it came out so it's the album that made me love them. plus it's production is raw and great. awesome tones and not digitized and fake sounding like Images & Words. plus i think Dominici is a better vocalist than Labrie. i know i am probably the only one who thinks that, but i do.

that album is a classic in my book and in my top 5 albums of all time (or all genres).

Fair enough. Different strokes for different folks.
DT is not a band I really care to debate about anyhow.
That one just never clicked for me.

 

[AngraRULES]

Jealousy IS the best form of flattery.

Do I smell typical progger fanboy trying to defend his Gods?

 

[Purveyor Of Evil]

Then again, I'm probably one of the few people on here who LOVE Falling Into Infinity...[/QUOTE]Nope. I fucking dig that album completely. "Peruvian Skies" is a masterpiece. "Lines in the Sand" ain't too shabby, either.

 

[The_Metal_Messiah]

Then again, I'm probably one of the few people on here who LOVE Falling Into Infinity...

Nope. I fucking dig that album completely. "Peruvian Skies" is a masterpiece. "Lines in the Sand" ain't too shabby, either.[/QUOTE]

Hell yeah man! But my favorite is EASILY Trial of Tears! Especially the last few minutes after the solos....

 

[nomisofsiman]

I fucking dig that album completely. "Peruvian Skies" is a masterpiece. "Lines in the Sand" ain't too shabby, either.

But the rest of it is pretty mediocre at best in my opinion. My least favorite release.

 

[nomisofsiman]

Labrie hacks that shit so bad, i cannot believe you think that version is better. haha, best part is when Dominici comes out during encore to do a better job on Metropolis than Labrie. hahaha.

also the production is dated because it IS dated. too me it sounds like a Rush album, like Moving Pictures. his drums have never sounded better because those are his REAL drum tones not sound replaced.

I disagree. But as far it sounding dated, yes I know it is dated. Some bands can have dated material that is still listenable. This album doesn't. I think a lot of it has to do with the sound of the keyboards actually more than anything else. As Jason said though, different strokes for different folks.

 

[TribunalRecords]

I disagree. But as far it sounding dated, yes I know it is dated. Some bands can have dated material that is still listenable. This album doesn't. I think a lot of it has to do with the sound of the keyboards actually more than anything else. As Jason said though, different strokes for different folks.

agreed, different strokes. plus they had a REAL keyboard player back then too. haha.

 

[AirGuitarLoonhouse]

Do I smell typical progger fanboy trying to defend his Gods?

When a band that is less talented, less musically educated, less accomplished, and has sold less albums/tickets world wide decides to rip the more accomlished band, that my friend is jealousy.

You see teams in sports do this all the time. If it is not jealousy, then it is stupidity or ignorance. I was giving Aggaloch the benefit of doubt and assuming they are not stupid or ignorant.

 

[TribunalRecords]

When a band that is less talented, less musically educated, less accomplished, and has sold less albums/tickets world wide decides to rip the more accomlished band, that my friend is jealousy.

You see teams in sports do this all the time. If it is not jealousy, then it is stupidity or ignorance. I was giving Aggaloch the benefit of doubt and assuming they are not stupid or ignorant.

What do they really have to be jealous about? maybe they are fine in the situation they find themselves in? as a band you can only be jealous if you want want someone else has, but considering Agalloch (i believe) aren't a full time band then i would assume they don't care for any of what DT has accomplished with their career.

i didn't take it as jealousy or ignorance because that DT record (in my opinion SUCKS) and only reason i purchased it was for the bonus CD of cover songs. the album disc got one spin and i said *YAWN*

 

[Prog_Please]

When a band that is less talented, less musically educated, less accomplished, and has sold less albums/tickets world wide decides to rip the more accomlished band, that my friend is jealousy.

You see teams in sports do this all the time. If it is not jealousy, then it is stupidity or ignorance. I was giving Aggaloch the benefit of doubt and assuming they are not stupid or ignorant.

I don't know how you can make the claim that Agalloch is less talented and musically educated. Their songwriting on average is far better than DT (I absolutely love some DT albums, but others are definitely lacking).

As for less accomplished / sold less albums. Totally disagree. If you judge a band based on CD sales and tickets sold, then the Jonas Brothers would be better than DT. Agalloch isn't going for ticket sales / record sales. They do limited releases for much of their work (have you checked the prices of some of their records?! You should probably visit ebay sometime in the near future) and choose not to tour extensively (definitely not for lack of demand).

When I saw DT on their last headlining tour at the San Jose convention center, that place was far from sold out. That's after the band has 11 studio albums under their belt (opposed to 3, almost 4, from Agalloch).

As someone else mentioned, the band isn't full time either. The frontman partakes in various art projects outside of strictly songwriting (much like Aaron Turner. Yes, I'm bias toward Aaron Turner lol). Now don't get me wrong, I doubt if the members focused solely on music they'd be anywhere close to as amazing as Petrucci or Portnoy, but you don't have to be the very best musician to produce quality music.

Bottom line: both Agalloch and Dream Theater are great bands.

 

[Up&Away]

and choose not to tour extensively (definitely not for lack of demand).

I think you would have to be insane to think Agalloch would draw more or even as much than DT.

With that said, if they are on an equal footing as DT, why aren't they as successful as DT? If DT are as bad or suck as most here would have everyone believe, why are they as successful as they are? Why does DT sit atop the genre with no successors in sight?

 

[dcowboys311]

I think you would have to be insane to think Agalloch would draw more or even as much than DT.

With that said, if they are on an equal footing as DT, why aren't they as successful as DT? If DT are as bad or suck as most here would have everyone believe, why are they as successful as they are? Why does DT sit atop the genre with no successors in sight?

Jonas Brothers are more successful than DT.
I guess the real reason Portnoy quit is to pursue his Disney Channel career eh?

 

[AngraRULES]

When a band that is less talented, less musically educated, less accomplished, and has sold less albums/tickets world wide decides to rip the more accomlished band, that my friend is jealousy.

Yeah, I was right.

 

[Up&Away]

Jonas Brothers are more successful than DT.
I guess the real reason Portnoy quit is to pursue his Disney Channel career eh?

I didn't bring any pop artists into this because we all know why they are popular. To interject them into the fray is ridiculous and without merit.

The answer to your question is no. You failed to answer any of mine.

 

[Diabolik]

While I dont think Agalloch could ever be as big as Dream Theater....even if they were a full time band....thier sound does draw a more select crowd. But I will say that they definetly are a draw. When they played Reggies last year it was packed. Sold out crowd and when I got in there was a line about 50 deep just to get thier shirts since they make limited amounts of each design. They are great to watch live....very engaging and they really draw you in. While the show was mostly attended by the "hipster" crowd more than the usual metal crowd, it was a full crowd of big fans. Agalloch also toured with an "art" band. Basicall a indie fusion rock thing with no vocals and just guys in white outfits rocking out making wierd noises and had a projector flashing colors and bright white lights on them....that was a longest hour ever. Agalloch are a band that knows how to market themselves. I never hear about half filled shows or disc in the discount bins. Like I said before...they are not ever going to be as huge as Dream Theater...I dont think they are even trying for that level. They are one of the fortunate bands who hit that level where they have full control of what they do.

 

[dcowboys311]

I didn't bring any pop artists into this because we all know why they are popular. To interject them into the fray is ridiculous and without merit.

The answer to your question is no. You failed to answer any of mine.

And on the same note, it should be quite clear why DT is more popular than Agalloch if you've given them both a listen. Dream Theater's music is accessible. Entry-level prog. This isn't to say that it's bad, as I do like a few albums from them, but it is without a doubt easier to get into than a band like Agalloch.

What's your definition of success? Tickets sold? Magazine centerfolds issued? Biggest budget for unnecessary merch? Or maybe quality of music?

Dream Theater is at the top because they got there first. Yes, they have been more influential than Agalloch, but they've also been a band for twice as long and were putting out music during a time when not too many progressive metal bands were doing much of anything. Agalloch, on the other hand, started to pick up steam during a time when the market was oversaturated with bands, and STILL managed to become a cult band. Their influence is undeniable as they pretty much single handedly started, or at least introduced to many, the often thrown around term 'hipster metal'.

Dream Theater is comparable to progressive metal like Metallica is comparable to thrash metal. Once a great band, releasing classic albums that will stand the test of time. As soon as the one bad album was released, it was all downhill.

 

[TribunalRecords]

I think you would have to be insane to think Agalloch would draw more or even as much than DT.

With that said, if they are on an equal footing as DT, why aren't they as successful as DT? If DT are as bad or suck as most here would have everyone believe, why are they as successful as they are? Why does DT sit atop the genre with no successors in sight?

i talk shit on DT because they are victims of their own successes. they let themselves become bland and downright "prog for the sake of being prog" and have let themselves slip into formulaic song writing. that's all.

like i stated before WDADU is in my top 5 albums of all time. it had that much of an impact in my life when i was in high school and bought it. i have been with them the entire way and have seen them slowly slipping.

also when "fans" allow bands to write mediocre stuff and accept it simply because "it is" and because "they are" that is when bands allow themselves the easy way out when it comes to songwriting because they know the fans will lap it up. i stopped lapping up DT three albums ago, but still buy all their cover cds they release from their website because those are fun.

and like i have said before many times in here getting rid of Portnoy was the first good move they have made in a long time. i believe (as time will hopefully tell) he was becoming too much of a stranglehold on their sound and their eventual de-evolution.

 

[Up&Away]

Dream Theater is at the top because they got there first.

Umm no. Again, failure on your part. Fates Warning was there before DT with accessible progressive metal.

IMO, DT just exudes talent above all others that are in the genre. Intelligent fans are attracted to this without doubt. They can release what some call mediocre material, but they continue to overcome the naysayers with the talent they possess.

 

[dcowboys311]

Umm no. Again, failure on your part. Fates Warning was there before DT with accessible progressive metal.

IMO, DT just exudes talent above all others that are in the genre. Intelligent fans are attracted to this without doubt. They can release what some call mediocre material, but they continue to overcome the naysayers with the talent they possess.

Fates never reached the same level of popularity that Dream Theater did. Your entire argument is based on 'succes'. How did Fates do that first? Not my fault you can't specify the criteria behind your argument.