well said james. thats probably the best/most informed post i've seen in a while in response to some negative uninformed remark.
my opinion/rant on samples and some extra bs:
samples are only good if the person who implements them knows what they are doing. i just had a discussion about this with a local band. who ever did their record didn't know what to do properly since the end result sounded more machine than human.
i personally don't like working with samples for recordings because i feel it takes away from the original take. the only time i would use a sample in a recording is if i took the sample myself from a real kit most likely the same one from the recording. it could beef up the sound of a drum kit and make it sound more full and powerful (much like doubling a guitar would), but i prefer to stick to a natural recording as much as possible. meaning i dont' like to loop guitar riffs, drum machines, midis, synths, etc. when i get a good set up, i'd like to have the 'rough'/live track recording to be the majority of what the listener hears. none of this 100 layers of vocals/harmonies or anything else thats not really humanly possible live.
in the end, if a band goes on tour and can't deliver the awesomeness that was heard on the CD, i'm immediately disappointed. of course some things i understand, but come on, these bands (really any touring band) are professionals, they should quit using protools samples live lol. but anyway, i love nevermore because they stay true to the limitations of their band.
i'm sure they have the option to add a lot more to the recordings, but they don't and keep it simple. sure there are certain points where there are 3 guitars heard, but eh certain things will be lost live and it doesn't matter as much when its not holding the song together. (think river dragon solo live) they take out the rhythm part, cause its already being done by the bass. so its 'okay'.
ok i really got side tracked there, so if you are still reading, i am sorry