Yes, I love anything the Jamborskies have played on - Watchtower, Spastic Ink, and Blotted Science.
Bobby lost all my respect when he started playing with Sebastian Bach. I was hoping he would be the new drummer for Dream Theater, but looks like thats gonna be Mangini instead.
Also, my new favorite band. Some dude from Necrophagist's solo project. Fucking AMAZING. I don't know anything about Necrophagist, but this side project is awesome. Clean vox, too!
I was hoping Dream Theater would finally break up. :P
No way! No more Portnoy means no more stupid fucking lyrics, no more rapping, no more goofy voiceovers or background vocals, in general Dream Theater has so much more potential now.
The singer is Mats Levan. No idea who he is, but at times it sounds like David Bowie. Strange, but beautiful.
And yes, Portnoy was a talented drummer, but a colossal dickbag that ruined everything he touched. The last album had moments of sheer genius on it, but every song is ruined by some stupid crap Portnoy did. Like the rapping in Count of Tuscany.
I always thought Labrie was a flaming homo of a singer. However, after hearing his solo stuff, I realize it was in fact Portnoy forcing him to be that way.
Sami Raatikainen (Necrophagist, Codeon) has released his solo project Radiance's album 'The Burning Sun'. The album is available for streaming from his project's Bandcamp page and digital copies can also be bought there. It features vocal performances by Mats Levén (Therion, Krux) and Noora Häkkinen.
I avoided the new James Labrie album due to a massive hatred of Soilwork. I can't stand them. I like his 2005 solo album though. I also think Count of Tuscany is one of the best DT songs - musically. The lyrics ruin it.
If Mats Leven has been in Therion since their US tour in 2005, then I saw him on that. The place was totally empty (I saw it in Detroit and they announced it as a DVD shoot...then quietly cancelled that plan when only about 15 people showed up.)
