Circus Maximus PPIV

[General Zod]

Don't see what people talk about when they downplay the musicianship on Nine, they're probably at their best on that album.

Honestly, I didn't spend enough time with it to get a complete sense of it's musicality. However, I think people are using overly broad strokes in their criticisms. Rather than saying it's not Prog Metal, because it's not Metal, they're also suggesting it's not Prog. And perhaps that's because it feels like Mike's vocal approach is more straight forward this time around, and the melodies bare more resemblance to Journey than Dream Theater.

Ultimately, Nine may be a great album. But it's a melodic hard rock album, and I'm not a fan of melodic hard rock. The same can be said for the latest Pagan's Mind release.

 

[Justin G]

Ultimately, Nine may be a great album. But it's a melodic hard rock album, and I'm not a fan of melodic hard rock. The same can be said for the latest Pagan's Mind release.

This is exactly why I prefer Nine to the other CM albums, and LOVE that last Pagan's Mind release.

 

[FatesFan]

Interesting takes on the album 9 here. Being a prog head, I was not real excited upon hearing the first couple of tracks from 9 when the album came out. I put the album on the shelf and forced myself to revisit it a few months later. Boy am I glad I did. It is a killer record. I disagree that it is simply a hard rock album though. Does it skew in that direction more so than anything they have done? Yes. However, it still has plenty of prog elements to satisfy a prog fan. Out of the entire 3 album catalog, my favorite CM songs are off the first 2 releases. Having said that, my favorite CM album as a whole is 9. I can listen to 9 from bell to bell without skipping a track. I can't say that with the other 2.

As far as the question asked by the OP......the answer is no. Mix it up.

 

[RagePSV]

That's like asking if we want Maiden to play the entire Virtual XI album in their next tour.

I'd prefer the X-Factor, but I'd take Virtual XI. Yes, I am that guy.

 

[King Lek]

I can listen to 9 from bell to bell without skipping a track. I can't say that with the other 2.

That^

As much as I loved their debut, their are definitely gaps as a whole work. I just plain out disliked the second (past one or two songs) and seldom reach for it past the "maybe I should give it another try" every now and again...and still, no love here. Nine is the first album where they seem to have hit their sweet spot as a whole. Start to finish an absolute gem of a listen.

I could see the whole album played, though with one stipulation....has to be Polkaized.

 

[edgeofthorns]

My favorite CM album is the 1st Chapter. I can listen to that album from start to finish without skipping tracks...and I'm not a prog snob like FatesFan! IMO, it's going to be tough for CM to top their debut.

~Brian~

 

[sccaldwell]

I just plain out disliked the second (past one or two songs) and seldom reach for it

I do hope you've listened to it enough to figure out that "Mouth of Madness" is one of the best progmetal songs ever recorded, right? IMHO, of course...

I agree that Isolate isn't as solid as 1st Chapter, but there are some seriously awesome tracks on there.

Craig

 

[FatesFan]

"Mouth of Madness" is one of the best progmetal songs ever recorded

Craig

This..........what a great track.

 

[SF Metal Man]

This is exactly why I prefer Nine to the other CM albums, and LOVE that last Pagan's Mind release.

Those are my two favorite release of 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

[King Lek]

I do hope you've listened to it enough to figure out that "Mouth of Madness" is one of the best progmetal songs ever recorded, right? IMHO, of course...

I agree that Isolate isn't as solid as 1st Chapter, but there are some seriously awesome tracks on there.

Craig

As I said...one or two, maybe three....but overall I did not connect with this album

 

[Met-Al]

I admit that I don't own "Nine" yet, but based on listening to it once, I wasn't blown away by it like I was by the band's previous albums. Upon first hearing those two albums, I was hooked. Maybe I'm spoiled by the very Dream Theater-inspired sound of those albums, but I can't help being a sucker for that style. I commend the band for stretching out with this new album, but maybe I just need to pick it up and listen to it a few times to let it sink in. At this point, though, I would be extremely disappointed if they only played their new material at this year's fest.


Stay metal. Never rust.
Albert

 

[LunaTEKKE]

Nine - no
The 1st Chapter - hell yes

This!

Took me a while to open this thread, as I thought it must be about CM's debut at PP, which I missed! I didn't come on board until VII.

 

[caex]

All I want from Circus Maximus is for them to play the song in the PP video, in that style and wearing those outfits. Anything else is just gravy.

 

[sccaldwell]

Would I be alone in wanting to hear/see CM play NINE in it's entirety this year at PP? How many others out there like this idea?

I REALLY like Nine, but I voted "No" purely because I wouldn't want them to devote that much of their set to ANY single CD. I wouldn't want "The 1st Chapter" or Isolate in their entirety, either.

Now, if they were playing a 90+ minute set, I'd have to think hard about which disc I'd want front to back...next time, right Glenn?

Craig