Head to Head: Phantom of the Opera

How's about a little Head to Head action. We've all (hopefully) heard the Nightwish version of Andrew Lloyd Weber's iconic showtune Phantom of the Opera.

Well, it looks like Floor Jansen (X-After Forever, ReVamp) and Russell Allen (Symphony X) are following in their footsteps. This video was recorded by fans at a live show Christmas Metal Symphony.

Which is better? You be the judge. To make it fair I'll put the Floor/Russell against the Tarja/Marko live from the End of an Era concert instead of the studio version. Let us know what you think.

Keep in mind the quality if the Floor and Russell version is pretty low so try not to let that sway your decision.













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Nightwish Unveils New Artwork and Concept for New album: The Rob Liz Take

So did I miss the memo on every major European band releasing concept albums this year? Was there some big council meeting that I missed? First Within Temptation with it's comicbook/movie/album tie-in. Then Amorphis with a story of old Finnish gods. And now we have Nightwish revealing a concept that will follow somewhat with Within Temptation's route minus comic books. Draeden already scooped me about this earlier in the morning but here is what I think about it.

So the artwork looks like something inspired by E.T. and the concept is based off of probably a myriad of human in modern day times being thrust in fantastic worlds. I don't know. I think these bands are getting a bit to ambitious with some of these projects. Concept albums used to be hard to take for the everyday listener. I can't see it changing much these days. The biggest thing with Nightwish is how is it going to sound with Annette since she is a full invested member of the band now. Mostly likely there will be an orchestra and symphonic elements but once again is the music and sound going to overwhelm Annette's pop style vocals again?

Still no release estimate for the album but apparently a movie is being shot for this due in the Spring in Finland I assume. This trend is barely off the ground and I already want it to stop. These movies are not going to be any good and distract from the music I think. Just make good music. Why is there a need to overextend into other media projects? Is it to give the fan the full experience? Funny how the album is named Imaginiarium yet every effort to take imagnination out of something is being done by making audio and visual projects together. Prove me wrong Nightwish. I'll be waiting in 2012 for the result.

Nightwish reveals info on their upcoming album AND movie?

Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish revealed today that they're not only in the process of recording a new CD, but they're also working on a movie. Apparently this venture has been in the works for quite a while and they're going to start shooting this spring and will premier somewhere in 2012. Hopefully they wont make us wait for the new album until then, it seems like it's been forever since Dark Passion Play was released.


Here is the Official statement from the band:

In the midst of recording a new album, Nightwish has been preparing a movie.

"Imaginarium" is a music fantasy - film based on the forthcoming Nightwish album of the same title and its 13 songs.

The protagonist of the film is a songwriter with an otherworldly imagination. He is an old man who still thinks he`s a young boy. While asleep he travels into his distant past where his dreams of old come back to him mixed to the young boy`s world of fantasy and music.

In his dreams the old man fights to find the memories most important to him.

This never-done-before project originates to more than two years in the past when Tuomas first introduced his ambitious idea of the Imaginarium - concept to the fellow band members and to Mr. Stobe Harju, the director behind "The Islander" - music video. He will be the director of this full-length feature. The film will be produced by Solar Films Inc. together with Nightwish.

The shootings for "Imaginarium" will begin this spring, it will have its premiere in 2012 and the album it`s based on will be released in an undefined point in time.

Nightwish will hold a press conference related to this project at the end of February.






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TDM Answers A Question for Tarja

It seems lately I've had urges to commentate on interviews other people do with artists. Probably because the answers given to questions we want the answers to are pretty lame. This time we have Tarja being interviewed by Radio Metal. Here is the question in it's entirety.

Radio Metal: Out of curiosity, did you listen to the album Dark Passion Play? What do you think of Anette Olzon’s work?

Turunen: "I am not the right person to answer this question! I’m so sorry! (laughs)"

Radio Metal: I am just asking you what do you think of her way of singing, it is a simple question…

Turunen: "What I’ve heard… I wish all the band all the best and lots of happiness, that’s all I can tell you really."

Radio Metal: Do you think you could go back on stage with the band when time will have passed?

Turunen: "No… (laughs)"

Granted it's a troll question. But I think by now it should be answered with honesty.

Therefore I will answer it for her. Dark Passion Play was not written for Annette's vocal style. And it is very apparent on some songs like I don't know...The Poet and the Pendulum.There, was that so hard to say? It's not like you're ever going back to the band, Tarja. Though you two should get together and swap some songs. Let Annette do the covers of songs that are clearly out of your element.

Tarja's new song is just so wrong, it's right!

Many of us love Nightwish. For a lot of NW fans out there it was Tarja's operatic siren-song voice that drew us to them and for some people (like our own Rob Liz) Anette Olson's voice just doesn't cut it. So we followed Tarja like the Pied Piper of Hamelin like rats in a row; headbanging all the way to the water's edge.

I really enjoyed Tarja's first solo release My Winter Storm and was right there in the front row when she brought the tour to the Bay Area. I'll even admit, though Rob'll give me shit for it that I even liked her cover of Alice Cooper's "Poison". Ok, there, I said it.

Her new CD, What Lies Beneath is just as epic and out there, taking you from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows; but what really caught my attention was the first track Anteroom of Death. The fist time I heard it I thought to myself - wow, this is weird. The next time I was what the eff?!?! But as time went on the song worked its way into my brain like a cancer and I ended up humming the tune or singing lines from time to time and I found myself hooked.

The next couple times I listened to it was pure pleasure and this once strange song now made perfect sense to me. What turned out to be a bonus that I honestly had no idea about the first few times I listened to it was that my favourite Metal A Capella band Van Canto was responsible for the arrangement and performance of the choir vocals.

You might need to give the song a few listens before you completely write it off, I know I almost did. Just give it a chance and you'll end up loving it and awe at how this crazy tune will grow on you whether you want it to or not.

Here's the song for your listening pleasure.


Tarja - Anteroom Of Death (Feat. Van Canto) found on Metal


You can purchase Tarja's album What Lies Beneath here on iTunes.

Here it is on Amazon if you want the physical copy.





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and
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A Christmas song you most likely didn't know was a Christmas song

So, as we come to an end to the holidays, with only a couple more hours to go til Christmas (at time of posting), I'd like to share one of my traditions with you. As a kid I grew up with Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and The Grinch. As an adult, I've gone back to my roots, back to my families history and made The Snowman a yearly tradition. I've had my copy loaned out to one of my mates for years, and it wasn't until this year that I finally got another copy of The Snowman in a stocking stuffer. So, without further ado, here's the famous song from The Snowman, performed by Nightwish. Merry Christmas.



If you're curious, here's the original. I suggest seeing the whole cartoon for yourselves, its rather good.







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Tarja Turunen doing a 180 from Nightwish

I *JUST* watched Tarja's newest single, and upcoming track from her new CD What Lies Beneath, called "I Feel Immortal". Wow.

I enjoyed her first solo CD, My Winter Storm, but it wasn't great and it sounded really Nightwishy. This song shows me that she's finally starting to discover who she is as an artist, showing a softer pop side with the operatic vocals we all love. Rob and I have had disagreements in the past about Nightwish, he's Team Tarja and I like them both (Team Switzerland).

Either way, here's the first video, I absolutely love it. I'm not sure it will be well received in the metal community but as far as I'm concerned, it's beeee-utifal.

Watch the video and make your own opinion.

Allow myself to introduce myself...

Here is my first attempt at blogging. I'm sure, down the road, as I get more and more involved with this blog-site, the posting's will look better and better. I wish I could say the same thing about the content, but that's something I can't promise..

Heavy Metal is one of the most amazing and creative genres of music out there, and I'm honoured that Mr. Liz has asked me to share my thoughts about it and the people and bands that make that music. I've been a fan of TDM (That Devil Music) for a long time, and it's going to sound kinda cheesy, but I really do get a lot of great info from here, so it's great to have the ability to share with you all anything that happens to come to my ears.

Just to give you guys an idea of what I'm into, even though I'm a fan of SO many bands and musicians, I've decided to post a couple of my fav's for you.

Rock on!

Wow...Nightwish....just wow.

Ok check this out. I love alot of Nightwish's music. They were one of the original operatic female lead vocalist bands that came out that mixed opera, symphonic, and folk into a metal stew and most of it was really good. Tarja was fired and Annette Olzon was hired. Now I'm sick to death with all of the comparisons and drama that surrounded this move but I have to say for the record. I prefer Tarja era Nightwish over Annette....so far.

And the reason behind this as I was telling a friend of mine is that her vocal style and range to me does not match up well with the type of music that is being composed. She reminded me of a pop singer that got thrown into a heavy band and just seemed out of her element. Well not to toot my own horn but I think I'm right based on this little treasure that got posted on Youtube. Check it out.



Now that vid was recorded in 2005 but tell me it isn't a dead ringer for schmaltzy 90's pop music (Wilson Philips or Richard Marx anyone?)It's not a bad song but tell me her vocal style and range does not fit this to a tee. How in the hell did Toumas and crew think this would be perfect for what they were doing?

All I know is that on the next album it will be reeeal interesting to see what they come up with since Annette will have more creative input then this one. If Tarja had a sense of humor I wonder if she'd be laughing her ass off at that video or not. I would be, honestly.

Rogues Gallery

dreSo I guess I should make a list of bands I'm listening to alot of lately. Let it be noted that I've only really been aware of of these groups for a few months. And most of them I wouldn't have even had listened to back in the day. But thanks to Blabbermouth and My space for allowing people like me to see whats out there.

Yeah, yeah some people will think, how the hell can you not know about x band or z band and be some professed metal head. Well life happens, people get married, have kids, have mind and time consuming jobs. It's really easy to be out of touch for a long time. Plus it doesn't help that normal radio and tv do zero promoting of this kind of music. I am having alot of fun discovering this stuff though and I'm amazed at the talent and muscianship that has developed over the past 20 years. I've also noticed that metal in general seems to have migrated to the Scandinavian and Norwegian countries. So anyways here is a list of bands I've happily discovered, or were told to listen to with their My space link if they have one. Just click on the band name.


Nevermore: Thanks to my buddy Martin who told me to get over the vocalists style and keep listening. This band is awesome. Mixes brutality with progressive elements.

Overkill: I never got into these guys in the 80's but going back over their catalog from the 90's on, this is probably one of my favorite bands. They left alot of the speed style behind and left some serious riffs. Plus Bobby's vocal style has always appealed to me (Accept, AC/DC).


Jon Oliva's Pain: I always loved Savatage. I lost track of them through the 90's and happily checking that stuff out too. I'm not to big on this latest cd but previous works are just like a continuation from the 'Tage. Same goes for the next band on my list.

Circle II Circle: Zak has a solid vocal style and this definately is a carry over of his days with the 'tage.

Opeth : I'm not a big fan of cookie monster vocals. To me alot of these bands have brilliant lyrics that get lost by trying to sound evil or "metal". I shouldn't have to look up what the hell you're saying. But Opeth is an exception, the blend of grunts and clean vocals and excellant progressive music is really really good.

Nightwish : I was intrigued by the concept of orchestration mixed with metal music after listening to and seeing TSO in concert. I was at first put off by the operatic vocals but came back to it like it alot. I don't much care for Nightwish's new singer as I think she's a poor fit for the powerful songs this band puts out. But the Tarja era stuff is really good.


Ayreon : This is just epic stuff here. It's got conceptual material, it's progressive, has an all star cast. I could literally just listen to this stuff for hours. There is an element of cheese in some of the songs and early on the synth was overused I believe but like all good groups or projects it matured and became more well rounded.


Communic : This is an excellant trio out of Sweden. They get compared to Nevermore alot because on the first two albums his vocals drifted toward Warrel's range and tone but otherwise it's really very differant and really good.


Dream Theater : I had these guys first two cd's then lost touch. Wow, there's a whole lot to digest since then.

Therion : This is pretty epic stuff. It mixes metal, orchestration, opera, and the themes are pretty cool. There were actually some tracks off Lemuria that gave me chills which doesn't happen to often.



Slayer : Yeah yeah,let me explain. Back in the day as in high school, I thought these guys were too fast and heavy for my tastes. Then I heard Seasons in the Abyss and that was more my style. Reminded me of Ride the Lightning by Metallica. But I lost touch from the scene and never bothered to listen to anything after. I've since corrected this error. Nuff said.

Battlelore : By all accounts I should not like this stuff but I do. The concept and look of this band is cheesy but if you get past those elements and take it in the context of what it is, this is great stuff. One of only a few bands I like with cookie monster vocals.

Kamelot : The worst thing about this band is it's name. This is probably the best power metal band I've ever heard. The first albums with the original singer were complete Queensryche rip offs and the first two albums with Roy on vocals were ruined by terrible production. But from the Fourth Legacy on up its good stuff.


Arch Enemy : I put this band up here because the music is just awesome. Angela's voices kills it but the music structure is very progressive and thrashy. Her roar roar I have no range vocals just don't mix most of the time with what's happening in the background, but it's tolerable so therefore I listen.

Well there you go, alot of prog, some thrash, some cheese. I'll probably do a post on what I used to listen to back in the day. That should be good for some laughs.

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