Forgotten Legends of Sound

Ian shares his favorite records from the mentioned year. Good times, noodle salad.

Ian shares his favorite records from the mentioned year. Good times!

Collective Soul is one of our favorite bands growing up in the 90s and they have such a talent for writing music that is accessible but also deeply affecting. Sometimes, the pop nature of their music can be a bit deceptive as their music is much more soulful and deeper than one would initially expect from popular music. Afterwords is a fantastic record and it was a lot of fun to jam out to this record with our lifelong friends. We hope you enjoy listening with us! Our score: 8.52 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://stores.portmerch.com/collectivesoul/ https://stores.portmerch.com/collectivesoul/music/collective-soul.html

Collective Soul is one of our favorite bands growing up in the 90s and they have such a talent for writing music that is accessible but also deeply affecting. Sometimes, the pop nature of their music can be a bit deceptive as their music is much more soulful and deeper than one would initially expect from popular music. Afterwords is a fantastic record and it was a lot of fun to jam out to this record with our lifelong friends. We hope you enjoy listening with us! Our score: 8.52 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://stores.portmerch.com/collectivesoul/ https://stores.portmerch.com/collectivesoul/music/collective-soul.html

Reckoning Night is one of our favorite records of all time (of any genre!) so it was a real treat to be able to listen to this record with some of our long-time friends. The songwriting is brilliant and full of interesting stories that are almost parable-like and the instruments all are some of the best in all of power metal. The songwriting is truly unique among their contemporaries and one of the best metal records ever made. A true masterpiece. Our score: 9.67 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://shop.sonataarctica.info/ https://www.nuclearblast.com/search?q=sonata+arctica

Reckoning Night is one of our favorite records of all time (of any genre!) so it was a real treat to be able to listen to this record with some of our long-time friends. The songwriting is brilliant and full of interesting stories that are almost parable-like and the instruments all are some of the best in all of power metal. The songwriting is truly unique among their contemporaries and one of the best metal records ever made. A true masterpiece. Our score: 9.67 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://shop.sonataarctica.info/ https://www.nuclearblast.com/search?q=sonata+arctica

We had a lot of laughs and a good time listening to this album. Even to the point of mistaking Fates Warning with Procol Harum, but c'est la vie! Dukes of the Orient are an underrated AOR band and craft fantastic songs reminiscent of the old school rock of the 80s. The keyboards are fantastic and leave a mark on every track and the vocals are strong and give the songs more weight. We had fun reviewing this record and hope you enjoy watching! Our score: 7.91 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://dukesoftheorient.net/ https://frontiers.shop/collections/dukes-of-the-orient https://www.facebook.com/Dukes.of.the.Orient/

Universal Poplab is one of the most underrated synthpop bands ever, with three fantastic records. Uprising is their second album and contains loads of hooks and melodies that will stick with you for some time. These are amazing songwriters and one of our favorite modern synthpop acts. Enjoy! Our score: 8.31 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: This band is disbanded and I could not find any official site or center to buy directly from them or the label. If someone knows a link to support this artist, please let us know. Thank you.

Unexpect released one of the most challenging metal records with In a Flesh Aquarium and it was a lot of fun to rock out to this crazy album. All members of the band are insanely talented and they blend so many genres together, making their sound unique. While their music catalog is not as extensive as some, the band put out some of the most enduring and interesting metal records during their time and we hope you have a blast listening to this with us! Our score: 8.67 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://unexpect.bandcamp.com/album/fables-of-the-sleepless-empire https://www.facebook.com/people/Unexpect/100050489349624/

Unexpect released one of the most challenging metal records with In a Flesh Aquarium and it was a lot of fun to rock out to this crazy album. All members of the band are insanely talented and they blend so many genres together, making their sound unique. While their music catalog is not as extensive as some, the band put out some of the most enduring and interesting metal records during their time and we hope you have a blast listening to this with us! Our score: 8.67 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://unexpect.bandcamp.com/album/fables-of-the-sleepless-empire https://www.facebook.com/people/Unexpect/100050489349624/

'Til Tuesday are one of the best bands to emerge from the 80s and although they only had three albums, they are chock full of fantastic songs. Everything's Different Now is a masterpiece swan song from the band and the musicianship is tight and cohesive. Different Now also boasts one of the greatest singer, songwriter and lyricist in Aimee Mann which elevates the songs on this record to perfection. This is one of the greatest records from the 80s and we hope more people will recognize that in the years ahead! Our score: 9.07 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/til-tuesday/658057 Since this band is disbanded, I'm not sure the best way to support them. If anyone knows an official site or way to support this artist, please let us know. I did find a link to purchase Aimee Mann's solo material so I've placed a link here: https://www.musicglue.com/aimee-mann/store

Evil Masquerade takes the theatrical sound of classical music and then injects it with more metal than thought possible! The album feels part tributary to the classical composers of old while another part is etching out a new sound that is full of energy and lots of hooks. The musicianship is tops and the lyrics have a slight comic tone to them and it was a lot of fun to listen to this underrated artist. We hope you enjoy the show! Our score: 7.24 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: I couldn't find a better place to buy physical media from Evil Masquerade so if you know a better link, please share it with us! https://evilmasquerade.com/ https://evilmasquerade.com/music/ https://www.facebook.com/evilmasquerade

Anacrusis always were somewhat challenging in their approach to thrash metal, but this is the album that they really brought the complexity and experimentation to the forefront. Screams and Whispers is such a unique album for its time and it was a pleasure to be able to rock out to this fantastic record. We are starting 2024 off with a banger of an album here and we hope you have a blast as well! Our score: 7.65 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://metalblade.indiemerch.com/collections/anacrusis https://www.facebook.com/AnacrusisOfficial/

Welcome to our second Annual Special for 2023! We wanted to continue our tradition for doing something special at season's end, so we decided to listen and discuss two of our favorite concept albums with Kamelot's Epica and The Black Halo! Thomas Youngblood, Roy Khan, Glenn Barry, and Casey Grillo all put in some of the best performances ever in the world of heavy metal music and it was a lot of fun listening to this masterpiece. We are thrilled to share this with you and hope you enjoy listening. And finally, while we still have your attention, we want to wish you all a happy new year! Our Score: 9.74 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://kamelot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/kamelotofficial/ https://jsrdirect.com/collections/kamelot Also, if you want to see our band cover the song Center of the Universe back in high school, here is a clip of the show. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2hUOvp1XCg

Welcome to our second Annual Special for 2023! We wanted to continue our tradition for doing something special at season's end, so we decided to listen and discuss two of our favorite concept albums with Kamelot's Epica and The Black Halo! Thomas Youngblood, Roy Khan, Glenn Barry, and Casey Grillo all put in some of the best performances ever in the world of heavy metal music and it was a lot of fun listening to this masterpiece. We are thrilled to share this with you and hope you enjoy listening. And finally, while we still have your attention, we want to wish you all a happy new year! Our Score: 9.74 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://kamelot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/kamelotofficial/ https://jsrdirect.com/collections/kamelot Also, if you want to see our band cover the song Center of the Universe back in high school, here is a clip of the show. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2hUOvp1XCg

Welcome to our second Annual Special for 2023! We wanted to continue our tradition for doing something special at season's end, so we decided to listen and discuss two of our favorite concept albums with Kamelot's Epica and The Black Halo! Thomas Youngblood, Roy Khan, Glenn Barry, and Casey Grillo all put in some of the best performances ever in the world of heavy metal music and it was a lot of fun listening to this masterpiece. We are thrilled to share this with you and hope you enjoy listening. And finally, while we still have your attention, we want to wish you all a happy new year! Our Score: 9.74 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://kamelot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/kamelotofficial/ https://jsrdirect.com/collections/kamelot Also, if you want to see our band cover the song Center of the Universe back in high school, here is a clip of the show. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2hUOvp1XCg

Thought Chamber is one of the most technical bands for the die hard prog fan. The music on Psykerion is challenging, but there are also great hooks and ideas mixed with complex instrumentation. The songs go through many twists and turns which keeps things engaging. We hope you all enjoy hearing our conversation while we listen to this underrated progressive band! Our score: 7.58 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: I cannot find a good link to post to support this band, so if someone knows the best way to buy Thought Chamber merch, please let us know! https://www.facebook.com/ThoughtChamber

Ah, The Lillingtons! One of the most underrated punk bands! The music on Death By Television is full of catchy hooks and blends lots of punk styles with many lyrics about aliens, espionage, monsters, or anything that would come out of a pulp comic book from the 50s. This album was a blast to listen to and we hope you enjoy as well! Rock on! Our score: 7.82 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://thelillingtons.bandcamp.com/album/can-anybody-hear-me-a-tribute-to-enemy-you https://redscare.storenvy.com/search?q=the+lillingtons https://www.facebook.com/TheLillingtons/

Puracane is one of our favorite trip hop artists and with the music displayed on I've Been Here the Longest, it is easy to see why. Puracane writes music that is immersive, catchy and brooding all in one. Ali's vocals and the musicians create a fantastic musical canvas of melancholy, beauty and depth that is very engaging. This was such a blast to listen to this album together and we hope that this will introduce more people to this amazing band! Our score: 8.15 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: *I couldn't find any official site or means to support this amazing band, so if someone knows a way to support Puracane, please provide a link. Thank you! https://www.merchbar.com/vinyl-records/puracane

Gamma Ray is one of the most successful power metal bands on the planet, so it was fun to listen to one of their more underrated works. Sigh No More combines so many rock and metal elements together to create a power metal record that is anything but conventional. We hope you have fun jamming out to this record with us! Our score: 8.65 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://shop.metal-bar.de/ https://www.gammaray.org/en/ https://www.facebook.com/gammarayofficial/

Devil Doll is one of the most unique bands ever with a fantastic orchestral sound mixing with 1950s horror movie aesthetics. It is impossible to overstate how ahead of its time Devil Doll was from the 80s to the 90s. Masterminded by Mr. Doctor, Dies Irae combines classical music impeccably with amazing rock sections and fantastic vocals. Along with the unique lead vocals from Mr. Doctor and Norina Radovan, the musicians and choirs also deserve credit for bringing this masterpiece to life. Devil Doll's work has been shrouded in mystery and although Mr. Doctor is still creating music, Dies Irae remains the last public musical work from Devil Doll. This album is adventurous, epic and spooky and we hope you enjoy listening to this brilliant record with us! Our score: 9.75 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: This is a difficult artist to support since there doesn't seem to be working links or an official website. If anyone knows a better link to support Devil Doll, please let us know! https://www.facebook.com/MarioPanciera/ https://www.discogs.com/artist/285577-Devil-Doll Here is a link to Mr. Doctor's book on punk '45s. Pretty cool! https://www.amazon.com/REVOLUTIONS-definitive-discography-powerpop-NWOBHM/dp/889559200X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Fair to Midland is a unique band that is relatively new to us, but it was a blast to rock out to this alt rock/metal record. Arrows & Anchors has insanely catchy vocal hooks, cool instrumental ideas and great musicianship from all involved. There are also really cool lyrics as well that are well worth the time to read. We just wish that this incredible band was still around making music since Arrows & Anchors is one of the best albums we have heard in years. We hope you have fun jamming out with us! Our score: 8.45 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://www.facebook.com/ftmband/ https://fairtomidland.bandcamp.com/album/arrows-anchors https://www.merchbar.com/vinyl-records/fair-to-midland https://www.season-of-mist.com/bands/fair-to-midland/ Fair to Midland doesn't seem to be active anymore so if you know a better way to support this artist, please let us know so we can post a link!

Beast in Black is a relatively new artist, but all three of their albums have proven to be some of the best power metal in the last decade! Dark Connection has awesome guitars, amazing vocals and hooks that will stay stuck in your head. This album is just pure fun! Our score: 8.58 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://bib.bravado.de/ https://beastinblack.com/index.php https://www.nuclearblast.com/eu/band/beast-in-black

It was a lot of fun to listen to this exceptional album. One of the most underrated artists I can think of, Oniric only had two albums, but both are exceptional examples of dark cabaret folk music. The music that this Italian duo made is some of my favorite of any genre and we hope you enjoy listening with us! Our score: 8.96 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://www.facebook.com/oniricofficial/ https://causticrecords.bandcamp.com/album/oniric-cabaret-syndrome While looking for links to support this artist, I found that Oniric has released a single two years ago that I had never heard. Needless to say, it was great to listen to this new song and I'm glad they are still making music! Here is a link to the song, Man in the Corner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyaTYooPWC8 Also, their facebook page linked my review on RYM which was really cool to read! I hope that review gets more people into this fantastic artist. If anyone knows a better way to support Oniric, please let us know so we can attach the link. Thank you!

Welcome to our semi-annual special for 2023! This is just an excuse for us to listen to a double album instead of a single one! Enjoy! Therion is one of the most influential Swedish bands to shape symphonic metal with their operatic and heavy sound in the 90s. On Gothic Kabbalah, Therion add more progressive elements to their sound and created a timeless masterpiece with the assistance of some amazing musicians and singers. It was a lot of fun to blast this record and we hope you enjoy as well! Our score: 8.9 / 10 Support the artist at the following links: https://www.therion.se/shop https://www.nuclearblast.com/eu/band/therion