I love randomly just throwing on "older" CDs

[MadeInNewJersey]

I got drunker than fuck last night, and with no rhyme or reason listened to, in succession:

Amon Amarth - Vs. the World
Kataklysm - Shadows & Dust
Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor
Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. I

I know, they're not that old, but you get my drift.

rock on peeps

 

[skeptik]

Almost everything I listen to is old.

 

[Dark One]

For just pulling out cd's at random, that's a nice playlist there.

 

[General Zod]

Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. I

The timing of this thread is somewhat ironic. Last night the wife and I split a few bottle of wines, and as is our custom, I ended up DJing from my CD collection. Anyway... I threw on "I Want Out". When the song was done, I didn't feel like getting up to put on a different disc. I sat back and listened to the title track of of Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II, and was just blown away. I was amazed at just how creative that song is. The instrumentation is just off the charts. And what really amazes me is, with all the bands that Helloween has influenced, how none of them comes even close to the original.

Zod

 

[Dark One]

The timing of this thread is somewhat ironic. Last night the wife and I split a few bottle of wines, and as is our custom, I ended up DJing from my CD collection. Anyway... I threw on "I Want Out". When the song was done, I didn't feel like getting up to put on a different disc. I sat back and listened to the title track of of Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part II, and was just blown away. I was amazed at just how creative that song is. The instrumentation is just off the charts. And what really amazes me is, with all the bands that Helloween has influenced, how none of them comes even close to the original.

First, that's a really, really cool custom and a very entertaining way to spend a weekend night at home.

Second, that cd right there (actually tape - which I still have) is the single release I would pinpoint that got me into today's "underground metal". I discovered it around 1994 (after searching for it, remembering how much I enjoyed "I Want Out" when it used to be in semi-regular rotation on the Headbanger's Ball) and it was in my regular rotation for about 3 years straight. Later, around 1997, when I was really discovering the world of the internet, I searched around to see what Kai Hansen was up to those days and subsequently discovered Gamma Ray, Iced Earth, Rhapsody, Grave Digger, Stratovarius, Angra and Rage at the same time. The rest is history.

Michael Kiske was also just an amazing vocalist with Helloween and remains in my top 3 of all time along with old school Tate and Dickinson. His performance on Eagle Fly Free still gives me chills to this day.

Jason

 

[Hell Mike]

The drift is "stuff I've had for a long time and really like, but don't get played every week around here" I suppose? I love that too, and Zod's habit is cl0ose to ours. We were without my computer for a few weeks which really did wonders for the vinyl plays, some of the stuff we got through hadn't been played for two-three eyars for no good reason. Good shit! Everyone, dig through your collection once a week and pick a few good ones that don't get the time they deserve.

 

[Conspicuously Absent]

doing so now.

 

[General Zod]

First, that's a really, really cool custom and a very entertaining way to spend a weekend night at home.

Yeah... whenever the wife and I get drunk, she'll ask me to "DJ". Which as you might imagine, completely indulges my short attention span.

Later, around 1997, when I was really discovering the world of the internet, I searched around to see what Kai Hansen was up to those days and subsequently discovered Gamma Ray, Iced Earth, Rhapsody, Grave Digger, Stratovarius, Angra and Rage at the same time. The rest is history.

Very cool.

Michael Kiske was also just an amazing vocalist with Helloween and remains in my top 3 of all time along with old school Tate and Dickinson. His performance on Eagle Fly Free still gives me chills to this day.

Agreed. Kiske and Eric Adams are the two vocalists that too often get left out of the debate, when the subject of great Metal vocalists comes up.

Zod

 

[Demilich]

Sounds like you have a pretty cool wife, Zod.

 

[Dark One]

Yeah... whenever the wife and I get drunk, she'll ask me to "DJ". Which as you might imagine, completely indulges my short attention span.

LOL - actually though, I think when we're drunk we all have short attention spans.

Very cool.

Yeah, it was definitely awesome being able to discover so much cool music all at once. After that point, I started perusing the old Iced Earth forum, and discovered a ton of new music there as well thanks to Neil and everyone else on that board (In Flames, Opeth, etc.). Shortly after that (and after the IE forum downfall) I migrated over to the Perpetual Motion board and then went to my first underground metal festival (Powermad 2000).

Agreed. Kiske and Eric Adams are the two vocalists that too often get left out of the debate, when the subject of great Metal vocalists comes up.

I have to go back and revisit Manowar at some point. I always dug them on some level, but never took them seriously enough to appreciate what they brought to the table musically. Next time I venture back, I'll be sure to emphasize Eric Adams' contributions.

Jason

 

[Dark One]

Sounds like you have a pretty cool wife, Zod.

I'm sure anyone who has ever met her from the boards would agree that we can vouch for your sentiments above.

She's the best.

 

[lurch70]

heck yeah ... Paula

 

[General Zod]

Sounds like you have a pretty cool wife, Zod.

Indeed. Been with her 17 years. Couldn't be happier.

Zod

 

[Demilich]

I don't hear people say things like that nearly often enough for my liking

 

[Dark One]

I don't hear people say things like that nearly often enough for my liking

Absolutely agreed - I often joke around by saying I come from a dysfunctional family because my parents are still together.

 

[General Zod]

I don't hear people say things like that nearly often enough for my liking

Actually, neither do I. Often, when people hear me talk about my wife, they assume we're newlyweds. Speaking as someone whose been very happily married for as long as I have, the one piece of advice I would give others... marry someone you truly like. I see too many married couples, who just don't really like each other. I can't even imagine what that life must be like.

Back on topic... I just put Keepers, Parts I & II on my iPod. These need to go back into heavy rotation. Honestly, I don't think I really grasped these discs as a kid and want to go back and completely absorb them.

Zod

 

[Krilons Resa]

Listening to Empyrium today for the first time in a while. I love these dudes.

 

[Dark One]

Back on topic... I just put Keepers, Parts I & II on my iPod. These need to go back into heavy rotation. Honestly, I don't think I really grasped these discs as a kid and want to go back and completely absorb them.

Nice - be sure to emphasize overlooked gems like A Little Time, Twilight of the Gods, Eagle Fly Free & March of Time (2 kick ass metal tracks off each album that for some reason rarely seem to be discussed when talking about those albums).

 

[JayKeeley]

Nice - be sure to emphasize overlooked gems like A Little Time, Twilight of the Gods, Eagle Fly Free & March of Time (2 kick ass metal tracks off each album that for some reason rarely seem to be discussed when talking about those albums).

Eagle Fly Free is rarely discussed? Interesting. I always thought of it as their "Run to the Hills" or "Paranoid". Isn't it always an encore at least?

Kiske's vocals haven't stood the test of time for me. Or at least, his falsetto can get a little grating at times, but when he's singing at a normal octave, he's da man.

What do you think of the song "Mr Torture"? It is one of life's many guilty pleasures.

 

[Dark One]

Eagle Fly Free is rarely discussed? Interesting. I always thought of it as their "Run to the Hills" or "Paranoid". Isn't it always an encore at least?

Live show performances notwithstanding, I've rarely seen the song discussed when talking about the album. "I Want Out" obviously dominates, with "Dr. Stein" and the epic title track thrown in as well. Could be an odd coincidence with me I suppose, since the track is certainly worthy of being one of the most recognizable in their catalogue, and is also aided by it being the first track on Part II.

Kiske's vocals haven't stood the test of time for me. Or at least, his falsetto can get a little grating at times, but when he's singing at a normal octave, he's da man.

Never bothered me for a second. I can understand how the "falsetto sound" can be as unappealing at times to some as "growls" are to another, but I haven't heard many falsettos peformed better than Kiske did them.

What do you think of the song "Mr Torture"? It is one of life's many guilty pleasures.

Heh - I suppose "guilty pleasure" is the best way to describe it. The lyrics are ridiculous, but the song is indeed extremely catchy. Throw in alcohol and friends and the song reaches true "cult" status.