There is seemingly an endless stream of categories in the music scene of the world. I am not familiar with classifications outside metal, progressive rock and hard rock. But inside these genres, journalists and labels and at times the band themselves are more creative than good is. I mean, just recently we got a promo tagged Scottish Pirate Metal! Then again, I suppose this is somewhat necessary to try to make a difference.
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dream theater
A band that has no need to create an identity is Dream Theater. No matter if you like the band’s music or not, you know this band that is especially mentioned for the skills, be it on the albums or on stage. Imhotep’s Thiago Sarkis, in companionship with Adriana Califano (president of YtseBR, the official-Brazilian-Dream-Theater fanclub), has conducted an outstanding piece of writing based on a conversation with Mike Portnoy. Mr. Portnoy has a lot to say, and rarely have we read such an honest and open-minded opinion on the downloading issue. Mike says: “Honestly, I understand the fans. They are willing to have an album as soon as they can. I feel the same when one of my favorite bands finishes an album. I can't wait to get my hands on it, so I totally understand that. But for me, on the other side of the fence, it's frustrating sometimes because you want people to hear it directly in its full fidelity presentation. You want them to see the artwork, and the booklet, and kinda get the whole big picture, so it's frustrating that that can't always be maintained, but, you know, it's uncontrollable. I can't get crazy about it.”
nostalgia vs. downloading
Today’s fans expect everything to knock on the door without having to give as much as a penny for the execution of their desires. We don’t have to look further than Imhotep (your number one webzine, right!). We work for free. We do everything in our spare time and we work very hard to do reviews, interviews and articles that uphold the necessary quality. I remember back in the day, where there were numerous printed fanzines and a never-ending line of demos. And we had to actually write letters (yes, believe it or not) and wait for the ‘zine, demo or LP we’d ordered from some obscure address we’d seen on a flyer. A flyer, you may ask? Yes, that’s just like banners, though on paper.
Today everybody wants a release two months prior to its release. And there’s always one idiot or more that upload a promo. I could’ve done that myself numerous times, as I have at times been so lucky that I’ve got a promo three-four months ahead of the official release date. But what’s the point? Why not wait? Does your life not improve if you don’t download or upload? Ah, perhaps it is quite easy. The tools are there – so use it! In the long run this will of course result into a totally different scene, for the better or worse. I like the internet, by all means, but there’s really nothing like vinyl releases of my favourite albums. The vinyl versions of in example Deathspell Omega’s “FAS” or Mayhem’s “Ordo Ad Chao” are one of the important aspects that make my life worth while. And you can’t download vinyls (yet, haha!).
promos
In fact, if I had been the dictator of the music scene that Imhotep belongs to, I would have ended all signs of promos, downloading pools and pre-listenings. The simple reason is that the albums longevity would increase, and deadlines would be less important. Today each album is in the spotlight for one week or two. The big albums perhaps a month or two. The labels push their releases in a very short amount of time. I think that if we, the reviewers, had got the albums the same days as the official release-date, I think that the good albums would’ve been talked about, reviewed and recommended over a longer period of time. And we would be able to review the whole release instead of only the music, as is mostly the case today!!
Sadly I think this dream of mine will not come true any day soon. So, we better stick to our guns and continue to write while having you, dear reader, in mind. Though, personally speaking I write for myself and hopefully one or three of you are somewhat entertained by my writing.
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A man that goes his best to give the fans what we desire, while at the same time doing what he knows best is Arjen Lucassen. If/when you enter his universe you’ll experience a thorough complexity of music and lyrics that belong together, hints of earlier albums and bears promises of the future. Arjen and his Ayreon has again unleashed a double monster upon us, an album that again secures Ayreon’s place on the throne of progressive rock/metal journeys. If this is a good as the former album or the earlier release, that’s one questions I’ve discussed in the Album Of The Month’s review.
the future of Imhotep
As you, dear reader, can comment on these words, as well as all articles, news and a few selected reviews, we hope that you use this opportunity to raise your voice. In order to improve we’re interested in hearing what you have to say. We will also search for new writers in the time to come, since we want to be the best webzine, your number 1.
Let’s wish for a 2008 that upholds the musical quality of 2007, or even improve it if possible.
Best regards
Roy Kristensen