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Interview With Mike Portnoy, DREAM THEATER, WINERY DOGS...

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The chance to talk with Mike Portnoy from The Winery Dogs was something I couldn't resist. As a musicians musician, Portnoy has played with many of the best bands, and we cannot forget his contribution to DREAM THEATER.  Mr. Portnoy took   a few minutes to answer questions before his sound check.     How is the tour going?   It's going great. we are on the fourth or fifth month. Traveling the world. we did South America, then Europe and we are about halfway through the u.s. Been awesome. the response to the album has been unanimously positive everywhere.   The band videos show you as very relaxed and comfortable yet producing this incredible barrage of music.    Just 3 guys playing good music together   what are your favorite tracks?    depends on my mood. I love "elevate". I have different favorites for different reasons   Do you agree with the term "super group"?      Well we don't

HAMMERFALL---The Interview With Bassist Frederik Larsson

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"Most people laughed at us in the beginning, but we proved them wrong "   HAMMERFALL Back in 1997 while most of the United States was knee deep in the Grunge movement, a power metal band emerged from Sweden that would challenge the status quo and keep the metal flame burning for a new generation. I spoke with Bassist, Frederik Larsson about Touring, Recording, and the lasting legacy of HAMMERFALL as they are set to release their latest album,BUILT TO LAST! Greetings It's early for you. Yes it's about 5 am here.   Take us through the recording process for the new album. Yes. It is still pretty fresh for me. We had a deadline to get it down and I still have not listened to all of it. So it's really fresh for me. It continues from the "Revolution" album. Recorded the same way, the same people. The drummers are different of course. But it feels like a natural progression from Revolution. Mostly the parts are basically writt

VEONITY, Into The Void album review

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VEONITY INTO THE VOID SLIPTRICKRECORDS Here at the office, we get a lot of cds. And an equal number of power metal cds. While the very nature of power metal means that you have superior performances by musicians at the height of the technical prowess, most lose it all in the mix down. The end result is a fantastic sonic pile of mush. Few bands can find that ability to rise above and separate the perfect ingredients without over cooking. VEONITY is not that band. They have found that magical sweet spot whereby raw talent mixes equally well with production and style. The end result on their latest release, INTO THE VOID” Is nothing short of a sonic masterpiece. Here is a band that plays to its strengths. Each track is a master class in performance and control. Stand out tracks to me are: “Winds Of Faith”, “Astral Flames”, “Awake”. Great cover, great look and production. This is a band to watch. Some are asking who will carry the flame now that M