Jethro42: Progland M6 | Sputnikmusic

Jethro42 03.24.22	Good journey you guys. Voting ends Saturday, april 2nd TRACK 1 OF APOFENIA IS A TEASER. PLEASE SKIP IT (youtube).
zakalwe 03.24.22	I didn’t cast me vote for the last one because of technical issues with me devices. Stick us down for Brand X please
Jethro42 03.24.22	There were still time to vote mate, but that match was clearly won by Myth.
zakalwe 03.24.22	Nice One Jethro.
Jethro42 03.24.22	I do my best, bro. Your turn is gonna come pretty soon :)
bgillesp 03.24.22	We not doing saturday starts anymore? Oh well. Excited for the new round
Jethro42 03.24.22	@bgillesp, it's because I declared the winner earlier. Let's do it saturday as usual. It will be less confusing.
Divaman 03.25.22	Looks like a good one.
Donchivo 03.25.22	I think end date is more improtant than starting date actually, so I appreciate that you opened the rund today as the other was decided but we still finish it the usual Saturday. wow, two more bands of which I didn't even know they existed. This tourney is great! Thanks so much to all of you guys contributing!
Jethro42 03.25.22	A minimum of 7 days finishing each Saturday is always respected.
bgillesp 03.25.22	Yeah, that's a good point. Starting Flaming Row now
bgillesp 03.25.22	Haven't jammed a lot of Ayreon, but yup, this is it.
Divaman 03.26.22	I have. I like Ayreon.
bgillesp 03.26.22	I do too, just have only listened to The Source and Electric Castle
Zig 03.26.22	metalic prog!? let's see what my ears will get
Scheumke 03.26.22	Owh nice really looking forward to this. Also can't wait to hear my competition!
bgillesp 03.26.22	This round is gonna be really difficult. And I'm not necessarily saying the two are very close in quality so much as I am saying they are both a lot to digest and it could go easily go either way after one listen. But I need a lot more time with them to tell. Both seem very good on first listen though.
e210013 03.26.22	I'm a huge fan of Ayreon and of operas rock in general. So, I've some expectations about the album of Flaming Row, despite never heard to talk about them. About the album of Il Giardino Onirico, I always was a huge fan of the Italian prog. I even dare to say that the best prog in our days belong to Italay and the Nordic countries. Anyway, this an album and a band that I intend to check for a long time, in part due to Jethro. You know, I'm a very busy man that spend almost all my free time preparing and reviewing prog albums. So, not much time left to many other albums and bands that I would like to check and that belong to my list. Said that, I've great expectations about both albums. They probably belong to some of my favourite prog music. I'm more a man of the symphonic ans bombastic side of prog than of its more experimental side. By the way. I'm going to be very busy in the beginning of the week. So, don't expect my decision before the end of the week. Have a nice journey fellows.
Jethro42 03.26.22	I used to like the first few albums of Ayreon, and with time, I found their discog was repetitive, samey and previsible. I return to them from time to time, because it's the further I can go now, when it comes to metal. And if you'd remove metal of their music, there would be not much meat left. Here with Flaming Row, there are a variety of music style which makes me forget about metal, a bit. But when metal comes in, I ask myself if it's justificated to put some. Metal does not always have its raison d'être. Music can live without it. I'm getting old, you see...
e210013 03.26.22	I see, Jethro. But on Ayreon you have also good symphonic prog and good prog folk too, besides metal. Besides, we have usually an amount of some amazing artists, musicians and vocalists. However, I can agree that Arjen uses the almost the same formula all over the albums. As for getting older, I'm older than you and I still enjoy some progressive metal. Oh, I see, I've a younger spirit than you. Lol.
Jethro42 03.26.22	Yes, I also think you have a younger spirit than mine, e21. Same for Divaman. We can agree that metal is often giving substance to the music. But I notice that bands often add metal in the sake of adding some metal. I think one can add metal from time to time, but when it's the base of the music, it doesn't work with me. Some passages of Flaming Row are plain and they put metal only to try to enhance the music. Same for Ayreon. It's my two cents. Sometimes Flaming Row reminds me of some good Pain of Salvation, though.
Divaman 03.26.22	As you know, I've really become enamored of certain symphonic metal bands over the last few years.
Jethro42 03.26.22	Metal is cursed. jk
porcupinetheater 03.27.22	What in the overwrought hell I'm sorry Scheumke, nothing but love, but I'm like 4 minutes into Flaming Row and I already want to die
porcupinetheater 03.27.22	okay wait this loungy sax bit is kinda fun
Scheumke 03.27.22	Oef that doesn't sound good porc, I hope you're not in for a long painfull experience and find some things to enjoy in it :). I noticed that so far the competitors have not really engaged much about their own rec so I won't either but I get that Flaming Row might be a love it or hate kinda thing.
porcupinetheater 03.27.22	I def didn’t love it, but I think that beginning was some of the worst up front for me. Still too much in a vein of a prog I ain’t so much into anymore, but Journey to the Afterlife was a really cool track
bgillesp 03.27.22	No need to hold back Scheumke. I love hearing why people are passionate about their picks.
SlothcoreSam 03.27.22	Flaming Row is so cheesey, but pretty good. It's like a gourmet pizza, every now and then I'll cut through the fromage and discover some other taste sensations.
Jethro42 03.27.22	Is it a message, bgillesp?
Jethro42 03.27.22	But seriously, I didn't realize I haven't talked about my album except from my blurb...
SlothcoreSam 03.27.22	Yoooooo, the first track off Apofenia is the perfect work music. Hopefully the rest of the album holds up. I'm productive and being sent on a journey at the same time, hopefully my patient reports make sense, lol.
Jethro42 03.27.22	Apofenia is well balanced, melodic, dark with a pinch of hope, as indicated on the cover art. Not many vocals, but we don't need much. We got some earworms. Songs are rather mid tempo, rarely speedy with brillant chord progressions, crescendos and stuff. Despite their metal roots, it barely touches it on this album. It's an ingredient, non essential. It intensely rocks and progs.
bgillesp 03.27.22	I love cheese so I’m all for it, but yeah, the lactose intolerant like porc up there are gonna have trouble with Flaming Row. Apofenia is a real beauty though
porcupinetheater 03.27.22	“Apofenia…Not many vocals” I am much very excited!!
Jethro42 03.27.22	I don't get it, porc :/
porcupinetheater 03.27.22	I usually prefer my prog with less singing in it My low vote for Brand X last round might contradict that. But as a (very) general rule of thumb for me, fewer vox = better progs
Jethro42 03.27.22	Me too I tend to. Instrumentals are meant to be beautiful.
SlothcoreSam 03.27.22	First listen done, Apofenia is by far the best album I've heard out of all of them so far. Will have follow up listens to both throughout the week.
Sabrutin 03.28.22	It has to be Apofenia for me. It may not reinvent the wheel but the songs keep going to places that grab me. Dig the piano in track 2. The prog metal habit of taking something and making it it dramatic via overproduction / heaviness / huge-sounding vocals just doesn't sit well with me. And what's up with that transition just before the 3:00 minute mark in the opening song of Mirage? Sounds like post-production gone wrong
Sabrutin 03.28.22	Also fun fact, I believe the Jenny Sorrenti who sings in a song off Apofenia is the sister of Alan Sorrenti. She sang for the prog band Saint Just in the 70s
Friday13th 03.28.22	^ cool, we're definitely familiar with this Alan Sorrenti guy.
bgillesp 03.28.22	Jethro, it annoys me how good you are at picking albums for this tournament
Jethro42 03.28.22	Oh, I'm sorry then, bgillesp :) And thank you! I listened to them all before matching. That's my only secret.
Zig 03.28.22	my vote goes to Il Giardino Onirico, sorry, Scheumke, but I just hate operatic metal. Flaming Row is a painful 2.0 Il Giardino is a good - although overlong - listen with bland vocals; Apogeo is interesting. 3.0
bgillesp 03.28.22	The matchups are very good, but what I meant is your individual album picks (this one, regal worm, landberk, etc.]
Jethro42 03.28.22	Oh I see! It's mostly thanks to a progressive rock group on Facebook. It's crazy how I discover prog albums out there. I also find stuff to my local prog albums store, like Landberk for instance.
bgillesp 03.28.22	Gotcha. Outside of this yearly tourney, I usually only listen to a handful of new-to-me prog rock albums per year, so that's probably why I always lose quickly
Jethro42 03.28.22	Lol, yeah so there aren't much choice left on your hand. In the future, I suggest you to take a look on my last few prog lists. You could find something of your interest.
bgillesp 03.28.22	Nah, that's too much work. I still like all sorts of other music that I get behind on because of these tourneys. I'll just keep letting random chance guide me. Just finished my 4th(I think?) listen of Flaming Row. I really like it a lot, but my only gripe is the story is very hard to follow.
Jethro42 03.28.22	Same here, I never made prog indigestion, but I like rock in general, also indie and stuff (Built to Spill, Flaming Lips etc) and I used to listen to a lot of metal, but I kinda lost interest. After 2 listens of Flaming Row, I find it's a very good album, really. Rare are the tracks that are not pleasing me.
kalkwiese 03.28.22	Flaming Row was fun, but idk maybe a bit rough around the edges. At least on my first listen. I am two tracks into the other album and damn, it's just really cool. Love the symphonic prog there.
Jethro42 03.28.22	@Sabrutin, fun fact indeed. Alan Sorrenti and his album Aria. Saint Just are in the data base, will check. 0:2 Sab Zig
Divaman 03.28.22	Just gave Flaming Row a first listen, and it's definitely my kind of album. Jethro, you're up next.
Jethro42 03.28.22	I hope you''ll not be all alone again :)
Divaman 03.28.22	Fibber. You totally hope I'll be alone on this one. :)
Jethro42 03.28.22	I know you won't be alone though. You all young spirits carburize to metal. It smells and it tastes metal, but it's metal at least.
Divaman 03.29.22	Hmm. Apofenia is also a strong album. This won't be an easy choice for me.
Jethro42 03.29.22	Ah, make my day, Diva. Sorry for that other dilemma!
Jethro42 03.29.22	Do what you usually do; taking for your favorite one - as you use to say -
Divaman 03.29.22	Both LPs are long and have a lot to them. It will require at least my usual three listens.
Scheumke 03.29.22	Damn Jethro, your pick is really really good. Might be my favorite of the tournament so far (not counting my own). It uses a lot of different elements in a very elegant way (leave it to the Italians). It's super smooth and flies by even if it's a long record. Good to hear some people are enjoying Flaming Row. For me personally, Pictures might be one of my favorite songs of all time (in context with the record). The way it builds and uses the chorus of L45 as a bridge gets to me every time haha.
Divaman 03.29.22	Giving Flaming Row a second listen as we speak. I might actually like this better than Ayreon (although I love how Ayreon has worked Simone Simons into the last few LPs.)
MrSirLordGentleman 03.29.22	Difficult pick. Flaming Row is certainly more typical modern prog with its cheesy sound and production, while Apofenia makes a really cool interplay between guitar and synths However, while I'd say I like Apofenia's sound more, it is also way more repetitive, which is specially bad with an album that long. Flaming Row might be more on the run of the mill spectrum but it has different vibes and sounds throughout its course (some of which are really cool) that give it more variety Will need to check them a couple more times to decide
Jethro42 03.29.22	@SirLord, Apofenia is not exactly repetitive, band just prepare the song with chord progressions and they use crescendos to build it all. Everything is calculated that way, I would say. @Scheumke, Flaming Row is full of great melodies. It's only that there is a sense of deja-vu when they go metal. I can hear kinda A.C.T. , Pain of Salvation, Symphony X and maybe Shadow Gallery. Half way of Pictures, there is something identical to Horslips - ''The Man Who Built America'' (when Horslips start to sing). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NynajakSbV0 Album's metal doesn't annoy me as much as in my first listens.
zakalwe 03.29.22	Battle of the ropey vocals. My vote goes to Il Giardino Onirico. Flaming Row is too denim jacket and mullet for me.
Donchivo 03.29.22	Wow, giving Flaming Row a spin now. I must say that the 80s Bon Jovi vibes (Shot through the heart!!!) are strong in 'Burning Sky'
SlothcoreSam 03.29.22	After another listen going to have to go with Apofenia, best album so far.
Jethro42 03.30.22	0:4 Sab Zig zak Sloth
Donchivo 03.30.22	Well... that Flaming Row album is an eclectic fella! After being apalled by Bon Jovi worship I was delighted by Memento Mori, which sounds a bit like a less mythological and more grounded version of Symphony X. Haha that album definitely isn't an easy one to judge (which definitely is a compliment, especially for anything Prog related).
kalkwiese 03.30.22	I won't vote today, but Apofenia floored me on the first listen, while Flaming Row is a bit much imo, definitely a good one, but feel drawn towards that italo prog album. However, albums that floor me on first listen tend to fall off quite hard later on
e210013 03.30.22	Guys, I'm back. I'm on it. It seams to be another tough journey. I like both albums till now. I need a couple more listens to decide. Finally we have something different on this journey, which is great. Maybe I only vote on Friday.
Mythodea 03.30.22	Loving Flaming Row more than other albums I've heard on this tournament, some I've even voted for. It's great, dynamic, fun, and with top musicianship. Has a lot to digest and I'm not 100% sold on all vocalists, but still it's got that prog-playground vibe to it. The band is having fun, and I can feel it.
Jethro42 03.30.22	Welcome back, e21! Is this a vote, Myth?
bgillesp 03.30.22	Man I’m so upset by this round because it looks like Flaming Row is gonna get trounced. I would have voted for Flaming Row versus most of the albums we’ve had so far, but after 4 listens a piece, I have to vote for Apofenia. It’s a close one for me, and I’m really happy to have heard both albums. I’ll be listening to both in the future, but I have to vote Apofenia. Now to decide if I prefer Apofenia or Frogg Cafe…..
Jethro42 03.30.22	No worries, fervent metal's admirers will show up sooner or later to choose Flaming Row. Watch out of what I'm saying. Frogg Cafe is one of my favorites as well. Each and every tracks is worth a serious listen. I will probably buy their album. I need to check out their other ones before. 0:5 Sab Zig zak Sloth bgillesp
Jethro42 03.30.22	I'm really glad Apofenia receives so much attention. I freaking love it...
Mythodea 03.31.22	No, Jethro, not yet, I haven't listened to Apofenia yet ;)
kalkwiese 03.31.22	My vote to Apofenia. Flaming Row is a little bit too much cheese for me (and I freakin enjoy Avantasia), even though it's fun
TwigTW 03.31.22	This round was tougher than I thought it was going to be at first. Both albums grew on me, but Apofenia grew more ...My vote goes to Apofenia.
MrSirLordGentleman 03.31.22	I'll go with Apofenia, though if I had to pick individiual bits of the albums I might've gone with Flaming Row
wham49 03.31.22	apofenia
e210013 03.31.22	Usually I never decide my vote and rating with less then 4 auditions. Since I've been a bit busy in this week and I only listen to both albums twice, I'll rate them a bit latter. However, and for the first time in this tournament, I've no doubt with my vote. So here it is. Flaming Row - Mirage - A Portrayal Of Figures I agree with Scheumke. This is a great album in the same vein of the best metal rock operas in the great tradition of Ayreon. Unlike my compatriot and friend Zig, I've no problems with bombastic metal rock operas. Sincerelly I love the album and it surpassed my expectations. It has an amount of musical influences that never spoiled the work as a all. They brought a nice eclectic mix to it. Il Giardino Onirico - Apofenia This is an album that didn't disappoint me a bit since the first minute. It confirmed what I mentined in one of my previous comments that Italy is in the vanguard of prog nowadays. The album is simply magnificent and gorgeous. It has beatiful parts and at the same time it's also dark. It seems to me a schizophrenic album in the good sence. It's one the most strongest candidates to win this tourney. Mirage - A Portrayal of Figures rated with 4.0. Apofenia rated with 4.5. So, as I said before I liked both albums very much. Mirage - A Portrayal Of Figures is a great metal rock opera album without any weaknesses to point out, except that is very close to Ayreon. But, Apofenia is an album with another dimention. It has pratically what I most like in prog. It's adventurous, beautiful, heavy and dark at the same time, in the right mesures. So, I've no doubt in choose Apofenia.
Scheumke 03.31.22	If you look at the score it's gonna be a one-sided affair, but I have no trouble losing to an early contender to win it all. Also, I'm very happy with a lot of people enjoying it and finding value in it. I was a little afraid I'd be one of the only ones to love it but seeing people evaluate it as a very good contender warms me :D.
e210013 03.31.22	Yeah. I know what you feel. I felt the same in the last year. But surely, Mirage - A Portrayal of Figures is an album that I intend to return in some other ocasions. I can assure you that. And thanks because you brought it to my knowledge, pal.
Jethro42 03.31.22	0:10 Sab Zig zak Sloth bgillesp kalk Twig SirLord wham e21
Jethro42 03.31.22	Man, I haven't expected that score, Scheumke. Nobody likes to live that. You were so confident with your knight, so I thought it would be a tight match. Your album maybe needs some time to sink in, but once it's done, we see right away it's good from start to finish. I thought both could rivalize. I really don't like to see such thing. Good choice, Scheumke, really.
Divaman 03.31.22	Well the heck with it. I was going to go for at least another listen apiece, but the score being what it is, I'm going with Flaming Row. Excellent as Il Giardino Onirico is, Flaming Row deserved a better fate.
Scheumke 03.31.22	No please no pity votes hahaha. @diva vote for it like you haven't seen the score, if only to make me feel better about it. If Flaming Row gets votes, I want to know it was genuine and deserved because someone preferred it ;).
Jethro42 03.31.22	1:10 Diva Sab Zig zak Sloth bgillesp kalk Twig SirLord wham e21 Again, e21, very good write up!
Divaman 03.31.22	Oh, so I count for nothing, huh? I see how it is, heh heh (This remark was in reference to Jethro's original 0-10 tally after my vote.)
Divaman 03.31.22	It's genuine and deserved, Scheumke. I would have given them each another listen, but I've got a really busy week music wise, and both are really long albums. So it's maybe a rushing-my-vote-a-little-quicker-than-I-otherwise-would-have vote, but it's not a pity vote. (I actually plan to buy both of these albums.)
Divaman 03.31.22	Thank you Jethro.
Jethro42 03.31.22	You've got an eye of a tiger, Diva lol
e210013 03.31.22	Thanks Jethro. By the way, maybe I also buy both albums, like our good friend with the eye of a tiger. Lol.
Jethro42 03.31.22	It would worth the purchase! I was not aware you were two for that plan! I'd like to own Apofenia though...
e210013 03.31.22	Apofenia is for sure, but not always is easy to find Italian albums to buy. However, I hope to can buy it. Meanwhile, I intend to check their two other albums.
Jethro42 03.31.22	Both are metal infused, melodic and we detect they're from the same musicians, thanks to the more mellow sections.
e210013 03.31.22	Thanks for the tip, bro.
Jethro42 03.31.22	I've seen their album Complesso K in Amazon. It's my least favorite, but I really think you would like it more than I.
Divaman 03.31.22	Have you listened to Flaming Row's other two albums, Scheumke?
Jethro42 03.31.22	It seems it will be hard to find Apofenia. I heard they don't produce that album anymore. It's a rarity, a discontinued gem.
Donchivo 03.31.22	Not regarding the score so far, I gotta say this might be the hardest for me to vote. While both are not fully my cup of tea (the cheese...) both are growers and I came to enjoy both fairly more than I thought I would upon first listen. I still need some time to decide.
Divaman 03.31.22	I can get the mp3 version of Apofenia on Amazon, which is how I buy all my music these days. There just isn't enough room in my house for any more physical copies of albums. (Actually, I could get a CD version on Amazon if I wanted, too, for $19.99). Same goes for the Flaming Row album - the mp3 version is available for $7.92 and the CD for $23.75, or less if I wanted to buy a used version or new version from a third-party buyer.)
Jethro42 03.31.22	I don't utilize Amazon. I have a friend who does. My brother is buying me albums from time to time on Amazon. It seems it's impossible nowadays to find a copy to my prog rock store.
Jethro42 03.31.22	I'll wait for one or two more votes for Apofenia before doing my way to M7.
SharkTooth 03.31.22	I had a mad fever this week so I didn't have the chance to seriously listen to these, will try tomorrow if I get better
Jethro42 04.01.22	Have a good rest, dude.
Scheumke 04.01.22	@Diva: I listened to their first a couple of times but it has been a while. I remember it as being good but more experimental. Haven't listened to their latest one, for some reason it's not on spotify.
Donchivo 04.01.22	@Diva: resurrecting the curse?
e210013 04.01.22	Yeah. It's seems that Diva really resurrected the curse, Don.
Divaman 04.01.22	I think this one was cursed when Jethro made the matchup. Apofenia is going to be a tough album to beat. Having said that, I'm hoping SOMEBODY joins me in voting for Flaming Row. It deserves some love.
e210013 04.01.22	"Flaming Row deserves some more love." I finished in this right moment the fourth audition of it and I absolutely agree with you pal.
hansoloshotfirst 04.01.22	unfortunately it won't be me. I'm also voting for Apofenia. My issue with Flaming Row is the same I have with most bands of its kind. For every section I enjoy there is another I don't care for.
Jethro42 04.01.22	1:11 Diva Sab Zig zak Sloth bgillesp kalk Twig SirLord wham e21 hansolo ''I think this one was cursed when Jethro made the matchup.'' I did not expect that result. I thought it was the best possible match up for the choice I had. Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is the second totally uneven match in a row. We need your prayer to make an end to it. That being said, I'm calling this one to Apofenia. It's still opened for those who haven't vote. Meanwhile, M7 is coming up, but it's not ready yet.
e210013 04.01.22	I'm very curious about it. I've a suspicion.
e210013 04.01.22	Meanwhile, this was a great journey despite the unbalanced score. I loved it. Thanks to both of you.
Jethro42 04.01.22	He knooows You know
e210013 04.01.22	And I don't tell you.
e210013 04.01.22	I'm listening for the fourth time Apofenia very loud, and man, what a music trip. You know that I loved keyboards but the mix between them and the heavy guitar supported by bass and drums is simply amazing. I'm talking about Apogeo. One of the best tracks of the album undoubtedly.
Jethro42 04.01.22	Yes, it's the best track in my humble opinion as well. ''Apogeo'' is very similar to ''Apofenia''. It's not a coincidence.
Jethro42 04.01.22	''Aletheia'' is superb too. Very dark, sensitive, and the way it builds, wow!
e210013 04.01.22	I love the debut and last track too. At times the album has a Crimsonian feel of the time of Red.
Jethro42 04.01.22	Yes, you're right. Mostly in the arrangements featuring the electric guitar. Fripp has a more schizophrenic sounding of course.
Jethro42 04.01.22	We're ready to move to M7, people.
Jethro42 04.01.22	@Scheumke, you really had a good knight. Many people had hard times to choose between both. And sincerely, at first, I thought you would probably win the match.
Donchivo 04.01.22	After another spin, my vote goes to Flaming Row. But possibly the tightest race for me so far... The eclectisism just got me in the end, and the passages that just put a smile on my face.
Jethro42 04.01.22	You're no longer alone, Diva. 2:11 Diva Donchivo Sab Zig zak Sloth bgillesp kalk Twig SirLord wham e21 hansolo
Divaman 04.01.22	Whew! The isolation was starting to freak me out.
bnelso55 04.01.22	Have to give my vote goes to Il Giardino Onirico this time.
Jethro42 04.01.22	2:12 Diva Donchivo Sab Zig zak Sloth bgillesp kalk Twig SirLord wham e21 hansolo bnelso
Friday13th 04.02.22	almost done with these two. I’ll give my vote soon.
Jethro42 04.02.22	It's really hard to balance the candidates well.
Friday13th 04.02.22	Going with 2, though Flaming Row was pretty fun. 2 is just epic throughout and very memorable.
Jethro42 04.02.22	2:13 Diva Donchivo Sab Zig zak Sloth bgillesp kalk Twig SirLord wham e21 hansolo bnelso Friday I'm not voting for that match, just like Scheumke is doing.
SharkTooth 04.03.22	I'm gonna do a listen to both of these now that I'm well, I'm actually really enjoying 1 so far
Mythodea 04.04.22	Ι haven't voted yet, really had no time to listen to both albums. I will drop my vote later, just for the sake of it, even if it won't count
Mythodea 04.05.22	Okay, after some thorough listening sessions, I believe I have formed an opinion. Flaming Row's album is magnificent. It has distinct ideas, it's eclectic, a powerhouse of sounds and riffs, travels through a variety of spaces and genres, and there's also a cast of great vocalists not always highlighting the beautiful music, but at least never diminishing it. Storywise I'm not sure I get it 100%, and some lyrics are your trite concept-album phrases, but hey, we love concept albums. Borrowing elements from Nightwish, Dream Theater, and Ayreon, Flaming Row give us a top notch prog metal concept album. However, I find it hard to concentrate to specific songs, and towards the end I kind of feel lost. When the 18 minute epic track closes the album, I can't say I feel a bit relieved. Apofenia is also long, intricate and multilayered. Different kind of beast alltogether, delves more into rhythmic passages, a la psychedelic or kraut rock (I mean, it doesn't wear this identity on its sleeve, but the bassy passages with guitar sparkling solos here and there gave me that feel). If it's neo-prog, it definitely marries italian symphonic prog with the more warm and synthy atmosphere of bands like Riverside. It is more consistent and focused, more serious even, and some surprises like the Protishead-like Mushin with Sorenti on vocals are truly the chef's kiss. Trying to compare apples and oranges a bit here, since both albums differ substantially, and Flamin Row's would better fit in a prog-metal tournnament. Not a case of lesser quality, but of ''out of contest'', I think I'd like to see Apofenia contest other albums off this tournament, and it would be more appropriate, too. Loved Flaming Row's work, but for the sake of tournament consistency, I'll have to go with Apofenia.
Jethro42 04.05.22	Man, I'd like you to write a review for Apofenia. If not, I'd go for it, and I'd borrow some of your lines to garnish the text. Thanx for your elaborated vote. Cheers Myth! 2:14 Diva Donchivo Sab Zig zak Sloth bgillesp kalk Twig SirLord wham e21 hansolo bnelso Friday Myth
Zig 04.05.22	https://youtu.be/UcZzlPGnKdU
Jethro42 04.05.22	Pretty much, 14:2...Man,I hate these scores.
Mythodea 04.06.22	I can say, I wrote those blurbs just to prove that to me Flaming Row is amazing, even though it sounds out of the tournament's context. Scheumke's choice was excellent. @Jethro I'm up to my neck with work to do, and already writing reviews for a Greek site, so you can borrow whatever you want ;)
Jethro42 04.06.22	I should have enough for a review :)