The Big Four

[Stevie WOnder]

Can't decide as the 4 of them (which I own and know well) are all excellent discs.

Those beginning to end disc performances along with some thrash is probably the reason why this year sold out.

Once again, kudos to Jen and Glenn for pulling this off.

 

[jem777az]

Celestial Entrance, although I'd prefer Enigmatic:Calling as I think it's a better album.

Then Mercy Falls, & Remedy Lane. Not really a Savatage fan, but I'll still watch and enjoy the performance.

 

[the rhythm]

Streets, followed by a tie between Mercy Falls and Celestial Entrance. So far, Remedy Lane hasn't done much for me. I'll reserve judgement until I've heard it a few more times.

 

[espz]

Streets is a seminal work for me. Part of the foundation, or holy trinity, of Operation Mindcrime, Images and Words and then Streets. That's how I discovered this genre, in that order. So it's really important to me.

I like Pagan's Mind a lot. They are one of my bucket list bands, so really pumped for Celestial Entrance, even though it's not my favorite of theirs. It's been on heavy rotation since the announcement.

I was not familiar with Mercy Falls at all, but the buzz on Seventh Wonder has always been high on this board, so I bought it as soon as it was announced. I've played it about a dozen times so far. Really liking it. Not the love I have for Streets, but solid, and can't wait to see this done live.

POS is hard for me. I've had Remedy Lane for a while, and just never got into it. Since the announcement I've played it about six times, trying to "get" it. It is very slowly growing on me. I keep catching little pieces here and there to hang on to....but then it slips away. Looking forward to seeing it live, also, because there are some powerful themes that play into my crappy year this year.

 

[orcslayr23]

Now serious question...

How many of you are voting without really knowing all four albums?

Present.

I've only heard Mercy Falls. I'm planning on getting Celestial Entrance soon though.

 

[Mardoch]

Now serious question...

How many of you are voting without really knowing all four albums?

Knowing all four albums is why I can't choose one. They're all so damned good.

 

[nomisofsiman]

For me it would go:

1. Streets
2. Remedy Lane
3. Celestial Entrance
4. Mercy Falls

 

[Oblivion Ocean]

Remedy Lane wins by a smidge over Mercy Falls. What almost made Mercy Falls win is the fact that I have never seen Seventh Wonder live and it is easily one of my favorite albums of the last 5 years. Also I was fortunate enough to see PoS's PP V set, which was amazing. Yet, I have to say the prospect of hearing Remedy Lane as a whole is too much to not give it # 1.

 

[Bamafan]

Now serious question...

How many of you are voting without really knowing all four albums?

1) Mercy Falls
2) Streets
3) Remedy Lane
4) Celestial Entrance

I have heard all 4 albums but I'm just now getting more familiar with 3&4. Pagan's Mind just doesn't click with me, I'm afraid.

Streets came out right about the time I went into a cave, so I just heard it for the first time in the last couple of months. Wow! By September, it may supplant MF.

 

[Azrael LenGraden]

Streets (one of my all time favorites) for me with Celestial Entrance being second... although I agree with Kez, "EITHER Enigmatic Calling OR Heavenly Ecstasy over Celestial Entrance" would be better....

 

[nailz]

Not enough unicorns?

Mostly. I've ever claimed my interest in metal has been narrow and most definitely not extensive. My statement is basically my poking fun at myself for not really knowing what's going on that makes these 4 albums being done so amazing.

I fully realize I'm in the super minority on this.

On that topic, if it involves unicorns or parties, I'm down.

OR UNICORN PARTIES.

http://imgur.com/Q9BEAoS

 

[Palabra de Dios]

I hate to just be a hater, but I gave PoS a shot back when I was first getting into metal. Be had just come out, and I just hated it. I listened through it twice, and just hated it both times. I wrote them off. I picked up Remedy Lane and listened to it all the way through recently...and just hated it. All of it - like in the middle, just throwing my hands up going "what's the point of this?" So I'm sorry for all the hate, but their set will likely find me not in the room. I don't want to be a dick to the droves of people who will undoubtedly be drooling all over them.

That being said:

Mercy Falls
Celestial Entrance
Streets

And they're pretty much tied...but that's my level of excitement for three albums I all over the place consider masterpieces for their respective bands. Streets comes in last though because it's likely my fourth or fifth favorite Savatage albums. I'd easily put Mountain King, Edge of Thorns, and Wake ahead of it...but I get doing a concept album in its entirety over just doing an album with songs in its entirety. Especially at a prog fest.

 

[AngraRULES]

I hate to just be a hater, but I gave PoS a shot back when I was first getting into metal. Be had just come out, and I just hated it. I listened through it twice, and just hated it both times. I wrote them off. I picked up Remedy Lane and listened to it all the way through recently...and just hated it. All of it - like in the middle, just throwing my hands up going "what's the point of this?" So I'm sorry for all the hate, but their set will likely find me not in the room. I don't want to be a dick to the droves of people who will undoubtedly be drooling all over them.

Edit - Changed my mind. I will buy you no beer in Atlanta, but will still kick you in the nuts for saying that.

Clearly giving POS a shot when you're "just getting into metal" and using "Be" as your entry point is the worst thing you could've done for yourself.

 

[Harvester]

Remedy Lane has an emotional connection that you either get or you don't. There really is no half way point. "Trace of Blood" is a devastating song for a parent while "This Heart of Mine" is a true love song that is even more uplifting following the tragedy.



The middle part of the album is simply beautiful.

 

[PromisedLand]

For me, the concept of Remedy Lane is beautiful.. the music just takes a while to adjust to, since I'm not very familiar with PoS.. its growing on me, little by little..

 

[Mardoch]

Remedy Lane has an emotional connection that you either get or you don't. There really is no half way point. "Trace of Blood" is a devastating song for a parent while "This Heart of Mine" is a true love song that is even more uplifting following the tragedy.



The middle part of the album is simply beautiful.

This. I was listening to Remedy Lane earlier but I had to stop after Trace of Blood. I can't do that today while I have so much work to do. Just too much feels.

 

[DADRocks]

I hate to just be a hater, but I gave PoS a shot back when I was first getting into metal. Be had just come out, and I just hated it. I listened through it twice, and just hated it both times. I wrote them off. I picked up Remedy Lane and listened to it all the way through recently...and just hated it. All of it - like in the middle, just throwing my hands up going "what's the point of this?" So I'm sorry for all the hate, but their set will likely find me not in the room. I don't want to be a dick to the droves of people who will undoubtedly be drooling all over them.

I'm with you partially on this. I started listening to them when I knew I'd see them with Kingcrow last year... I got into their fist few quite a bit, in fact Remedy Lane sunk in really good. It did take 5-7 listens, but I love that cd now and I may be the only one in my group catching them perform that this year, but that's ok.....i'm looking forward to it. I didn't get BE at all....I may throw that one in again, I just don't remember songs being on there....

 

[AngraRULES]

Remedy Lane is quite possibly the deepest, heaviest (not in a musical context) concept album ever written in the history of progressive metal. It's an absurdly emotional roller coaster of feelings.. From ugly to beautiful. From despair to bliss. From love to hate. From happiness to sadness. There's nothing like it.

As Glenn said, either you get it or you don't. And 9 out of 10 times, people seem to only get it once they explore the concept and the lyrics... and start relating to some of the lyrics/experiences the main character goes through a little bit more.

I know this is going to be a ridiculous comparison... but the "negative" parts of Remedy Lane make me feel like I'm in Silent Hill sometimes. It may quite possibly be my favorite album ever, and this goes back way before I started working with the band.

 

[Justin G]

Now serious question...

How many of you are voting without really knowing all four albums?

I've never heard the SW and PM albums.

 

[Mardoch]

I don't remember exactly where you tastes lie, Justin, but you really should give Mercy Falls some serious listens. In places it almost gets as serious as Remedy Lane for emotional impact. It's just an incredibly good album.