Mike Melton wrote: >>So is anyone here familiar with Opeth? They're supposed to be like Floyd >>in some respects. The NYTimes gave them a couple of rave reviews recently, >>but I don't really listen to much death metal. > I'm a fan of Opeth. They do seem something less than energetic at times, but if you're looking for "Death Metal Floyd", they are one band that /might/ fit that bill. A couple links to a bigger fan of theirs: Live at HoB: http://www.411mania.com/music/concerts/article.php?concerts_id=49 Interview that day: http://www.411mania.com/music/news/article.php?news_id=3069 Damnation review: http://www.411mania.com/music/reviews/article.php?reviews_id=1100 Deliverance review: http://www.411mania.com/music/reviews/article.php?reviews_id=290 I got the impression somewhere that Damnation and Deliverance were supposed to be released as a double set, but were not for one reason and another. I've never been a huge fan of some of the stage antics of other bands, but Opeth are sometimes in marked contrast ... why not just listen to the CD and save yourself finding a place to park? > > Ah. Now you have touched on my favorite topic. In direct response to your question, I have several of Opeth's discs (Blackwater Park, Deliverance, Still Life). While they have a very interesting mix of styles, I can only listen to them for an hour or less at a time. I've seen them live and have never seen a less energetic band on stage. There is no denying their raw talent and song-writing ability, but move something other than your fingers on stage! > > Anyway, if you like, we can take this discussion off-list, but if there are fans of the "mainstream" metal bands here like Metallica and Megadeth (even Tool - one of my personal favorites), there is a whole world out there that you owe it to yourself to experience. > > Dream Theater, Symphony X, After Forever, Lacuna Coil, Threshold, Iced Earth, Evergrey, Adagio, Tristania, Stratovarius, Kamelot, Blind Guardian, Zero Hour, Vanden Plas, Sirenia, Nightwish, Epica, Nevermore...... and these are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. > > I believe that metal acquired a horrible name and reputation during the 80's with bands such as Poison, Motley Crue, Cinderella, and the like. While that type of music has its place, it is by no means representative of the sound or the demeanor of the metal bands that exist now. The members of these bands receive classical music training (eg, three of the members of Dream Theater went to Berklee; a fourth went to Julliard [at 9 years old]), compose epic orchestral pieces, write thoughtful, poetic, meaningful lyrics, and in general treat their art as just that. > > If anyone wants more information or some suggestions of things to check out, email me in private. There is nothing I am more passionate about than music. (It brought me out of lurkdom, after all...) > > Mike > > I'll second most of what Mike said otherwise ... There is a reason, you know, for creating genres and labels for bands: Glam/Hair/Butt/whatever Metal can then be enjoyed by those who enjoy it, and avoided by those who do not. I don't even usually think of Poison et al as Metal, as much as I enjoy that sort of music. Though they are a little more mainstream, you left off Savatage who were my introduction to symphonic metal ... or progressive metal, or wtf ever you call it. As for going off-list, I would but I don't remember who asked about Opeth initially, and wanted to make certain to provide them with what I had at my fingertips. For more information on Metal, I recommend keeping track of this guy: http://www.411mania.com/music/columns/article.php?columns_id=2303 Derrill