I’m not having this.
Far too processed.

Album Rating: 2.0

He'll have it Haken not stirred

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Yea, since the Mountain they're really processed. I will always recommend Visions though

Album Rating: 4.0

I agree @kalk. I didn't care that much about Visions initially but compared to the other records the vocals are really good and 'believable' there

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Maybe it's got to do with the writing of the lyrics. Before The Mountain Ross wrote them himself, but since then it's a more collaborative effort. Like when Metallica wrote St. Anger the lyrics became a collaborative effort too and before that James told some cool stories through some of the lyrics.

Album Rating: 4.0

That might be possible, but it mostly feels like Ross just doesn't really puts that much effort into believing his own lyrics

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

As far as I know Ross isn't really involved in writing the vocal lines as well. He is more of an actor that interprets material written by others, even though he said he does have a say when something isn't gonna work out, because his voice isn't built to do it.

I guess there are many reasons why Ross possibly doesn't feel a deep connection to the material he sings. I mean even James LaBrie does a better job at that imo

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I've always thought of this band as being overrated. With that said, this is the first album of theirs that I really enjoy. The vocalist definitely brings it down a bit but everything else is top-notch.

Album Rating: 3.0

I've only listened to this twice, but Messiah hasn't yet stood out



Invasion and Carousel have been the standouts so far.....good record

Album Rating: 3.0

Im never fully sold on this band , I dont like the vocalist too much but the album has some highlights, just not that impressive, like most modern prog bands tbh. I liked Canary Yellow alot tho :>

I've never listened to Haken before, but "high benchmark for prog as a whole" has me intrigued

Album Rating: 3.0

I still say the songs Visions and Celestial Elixir are their finest works

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

@shark



I would start with Vector since that's part one of this. Virus definitely stands on its own, but the callbacks to that album alone are so satisfying and it's a relatively small investment.

Album Rating: 2.5

The back to back listen to both is indeed satisfying. Plus Vector just rules anyway

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

@ Shark, Other albums of theirs are definitely more "progressive" than Vector/Virus, but those two last albums are a treat on their own, without being groundbreaking

Album Rating: 4.0

this band effortlessly makes prog fun and not a chore

Album Rating: 2.5

Small complaint but I really dislike when "epic" compositions with multiple movements like "Messiah Complex" are split up into multiple shorter tracks - just keep it as one long track on the official release imo.

Album Rating: 5.0

"epic compositions with multiple movements"

it's infuriating tbh, so many bands do it, and I hate it every time

Album Rating: 5.0

Messiah Complex wouldn't even be their longest epic if all where together, it would be 17 min 1 sec, boggles my mind why they would split in movements

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

They said it's because they wanted people to be able to easily jump to their favorite parts but yeah I wish they just dropped them as separate digital singles or something and kept the song together. Not the worst thing, but definitely annoying