Hi. As you can tell, my name is Dominick I think I'm 32 (been intentionally forgetting since 23), am from a morally challenged state called New Jersey, and have loved metal since I was a little kid. Actually, I've always loved Melodic/Power/Progressive/Neoclassical metal (perhaps even before it came out officially). Reason why is because I've always loved classical music, took piano for 7 years as a child, and wanted metal music that incorporated the energy, progressiveness, melody, thoughtful composition, technicality, and soaring high range versatile voices I would hear in classical music and soundtrack.
I started out with Def Leppard ("Foolin"), then on to GNR, Metallica, Megadeth, Helloween, Queensryche, virtuosic people like Yngwie, Tony Macalpine..then..King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, etc..to my favorites:
Angra, X-Japan, Shaamaan, Nightwish, Sea of Dreams, Rhapsody, Darkmoor, Aquaria, Dream Theater, Luca Turilli, Circus Maximus, Pyramaze, Thy Majestie, Into Eternity, Within Temptation, Symphony X, Animasola, Lightmare, Johannson, Tarja, Dragonforce, Death, Derdian, Kamelot, Epica, Orphaned Land, Silent Moon (Yngwie (Fire and Ice yos), Helloween, and Queensryche are definitely in my favorite list too)..and many many other metal bands..I like J-Rock, classical (Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven, Paganini etc..), exotic music like middle eastern, indian, soundtrack, etc.. quite a bit as well. I've found the best singers listen to a bunch of different styles of music so as to increase their pallette in terms of what they can reach for and apply within composition. I think the more varied influences the more potentially interesting, different, creative, yet tasteful pieces can get.
Taking piano allowed me to pick up guitar pretty quickly and have been playing and singing since 1989. I'm more so focused on voice since my guitar (black Ibanez Satriani S model) was stolen a couple years ago..I hope to get a headless Steinberger sometime soon. All I've done is memorize albums I'd get, vocally and in terms of the guitar, and allow that to influence me.
Other than that my main focus has always been in animation (my major), fine arts (drawing and painting since I was a very little kid), movies, and philosophy (my minor) to name a few things. I graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts, which means that I work in retail now. I love Xbox 360 (Halo 2), seeing movies, and of course spending time with my wonderful girlfriend.
Lastly I would like to say that this forum rocks, and that Prog Power VI and VII were awesome! Lord willing, I look forward to next year.
. That's why I'm taking pre-nursing classes now.
That sucks doesnt it? Wait how is it that you cant find work in music..isnt there a real need for musicians in something? Score work, classic orchestra, bands, etc..? Well nevermind about bands as far as benefits or what not..but what happened with that? I have a bachelors in fine arts, with a major in 2d animation..right when everything went 3d..Thats my excuse at least..oh and freelance has no benefits which I needed. Hey nursing at least pays pretty well..always a need for it too.
