Symphonic Prog albums you're fond of?
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Topic: Symphonic Prog albums you're fond of?
Posted By: David_D
Subject: Symphonic Prog albums you're fond of?
Date Posted: September 08 2022 at 06:30
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Now I think, it's a good point of time for a celebration of Symphonic Prog, and here my own list of not less than about all the albums I've so far found to be fond/very fond of (when not including RPI): Agnus (ARG) - Pinturas Y Expresiones (1980) Ange (F) - Au-delá Du Délire (1974) Änglagård (S) - Hybris (1992) Aphrodite’s Child (GRE) - 666 (1972) Asia Minor (TRK/F) - Crossing, Between F & D (1979, 80) Atila (ESP) - Reviure. “Revivir” (1978)Atoll (F) - L’Araignee-mal (1975) Bacamarte (BRA) - Depois Do Fim (1983) Cai (ESP) - Mas Alla De Nuestras Mentes Diminutas (1979) Camel (UK) - The Snow Goose (1975) Canarios (ESP) - Cycles (1974) Clearlight (F) - Symphony, Forever Blowing (1975) Collegium Musicum (TCH) - Divergences (1983) Crack (ESP) - Si Todo Hiciera Crack (1979) Crucis (ARG) - Los Delirios del Mariscal (1976) Emerson, Lake & Palmer (UK) - debut, Tarkus, Pictures, Trilogy, BSS (70's) Focus (NL) - Moving Waves, Focus 3, Hamburger C. (70's) Genesis (UK) - Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, SEBTP, The Lamb (70's) Gotic (ESP) - Escenes (1978) Greenslade (UK) - Bedside Manners Are Extra (1973) Halloween (F) - Part One (1988) Bo Hansson (S) - Sagan om Ringen (1970) M.I.A. (ARG) - Cornonstipicum (1978) Pell Mell (D) - Marburg (1972) Pulsar (F) - Halloween (1977) Renaissance (UK) - Renaissance (1969) Solaris (HUN) - Marsbeli Kronikak (1984) Tantra (PRT) - Misterios E Maravilhas (1978) Triana (ESP) - Triana (El Patio) (1975) Rick Wakeman (UK) - Six Wives, Myths & Legends, No Earthly C. (70's) Yes (UK) - The Yes Album, Close to the Edge (1971, 72) Enjoy it! ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Replies:
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 08 2022 at 07:18
There are simply too many albums to mention across all nationalities, so I'll just make an A-Z list of the British Symphonic Prog artists I'm really fond of.  Anderson Bruford Wakemnan Howe Beggars Opera Camel Druid The Enid Fruup Genesis Annie Haslam The Inner Road Jade Warrior Karda Estra Jon Lord The Moody Blues Ian Neal Anthony Phillips Renaissance Chris Squire Tempest U.K. Rick Wakeman YES
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 08 2022 at 08:37
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Thank you very much, Paul, and a A-Z list is no suprise here. Btw, as I now have made a list of my Symph albums, I've confirmed Symph Prog to be by far my very fave sub-genre - not least if I include RPI. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: September 08 2022 at 09:28
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Haven't heard 14 of the groups listed, but a fine assortment nonetheless. ------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 08 2022 at 10:35
thanks, Rednight ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Rednight wrote:Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 08 2022 at 11:57
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Strawbs - Hero & Heroine Strawbs - Ghosts ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: September 08 2022 at 13:24
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Many great ones on your list; glad to see the Pell Mell debut! I would venture the first five Triumvirat albums Mediterranean Tales Illusions On A Double Dimple Spartacus Old Loves Die Hard Pompeii and as rare as sin, is the single album by Strange Days-9 Parts To The Wind from 1975 and though some see them as Krautrock only, the first five studio albums by Germany's Wallenstein qualify for me as Symphonic Prog, and damn good ones, at that! Wallenstein-Blitzkrieg -Mother Universe -Cosmic Century -Stories, Songs and Symphonies -No More Love
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 08 2022 at 13:44
thanks, Presdoug ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 10 2022 at 02:46
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This thread seems a bit dead so far. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: September 10 2022 at 06:43
^ Yes, it seems. And you seem not to be much aware of forum ethics: it is actually not done to revive (refresh, bump...) your own threads when there's nothing new to add, in order to keep them artificially alive when - clearly - there is not much interest for it. But maybe I'm the only one who still values old(-fashioned ?) forum ethics...  ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 10 2022 at 06:51
This thread has only been active two days, so it's still early days yet. I'll have a truly international A-Z list of Symphonic Prog favourites coming up soon, which won't include any British prog bands, just for a change.
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: September 10 2022 at 06:56
Well this is a pretty well discussed topic here. My favourite two would be Nursery Cryme and CTTE but they have been discussed to death so probably best to focus on some less well-known ones. I would add a couple of later Renaissance ones myself. Oh, and it's Emerson btw.
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 10 2022 at 07:30
great, Paul  ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 10 2022 at 07:34
Thanks for an explanation and the correction, Chopper. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 10 2022 at 09:15
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My international A-Z of Symphonic Prog favourites:- Aphrodite's Child (Greece) Burning Candle (Germany) Clearlight (France) Dragonfly (Switzerland) Earth and Fire (Netherlands) Focus (Netherlands) Grand Stand (Sweden) Hands (United States) Isidurs Bane (Sweden) Jane (Germany) Kayak (Netherlands) Like Wendy (Netherlands) Magic Spell (Switzerland) Novalis (Germany) Outer Limits (Japan) Par Lindh Project (Sweden) Quill (United States) Relayer (United States) Sebastian Hardie (Australia) Trace (Netherlands) Unitopia (Australia) Vermillion Sands (Japan) Welcome (Switzerland) Zomby Woof (Germany)
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 10 2022 at 09:27
Very nice, Paul, and I'm particularly happy to see these three bands.
While, after having seen you mention this Swedish band some times lately, I'll give Gothic Impressions a listen. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 10 2022 at 09:32
I'm sure the Par Lindh Project's debut album will leave you with a good Impression, in a Gothic way.
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 11 2022 at 04:14
It's very impressive or even outstanding, Paul, that you could make these two fond of/favourites A-Z lists. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 11 2022 at 04:23
To complete my A-Z list, I had to bend the "rules" a little by including some artists who aren't categorised as Symphonic Prog on PA.
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 11 2022 at 05:23
While I can tell that I've followed strictly PA's classification, but I'm not sure that I'd consider all the albums on my list as mostly Symphonic Prog.  ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: September 11 2022 at 06:51
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Studio albums only All Traps On Earth – A Drop of Light Anglagard - Viljans Oga Aphrodite’s Child – 666 Camel – Mirage Discipline - Unfolded, Shatter, Captives Echolyn – Suffocating, World, Cowboy, Mei, The End, s/t,
Listening ELP – Trilogy, BSS Genesis – Nursery, Foxtrot, Selling, Trick, Duke Izz – River, Darkened, Crush, Don’t Panic Kansas – s/t, Song, Masque, Left, Point Neal Morse - ? Puppet Show – The Tale of Woe Spock’s Beard – V, Snow, Nocturnes Transatlantic – SMPTe, Bridge, Whirlwind, Absolute Wobbler – From Silence to Somewhere Yes – TYA, Fragile, Close, 90125, Big Generator |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 11 2022 at 08:39
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That may be more Symphonic Prog albums than I've imagined you being fond of, Grumpy - nice. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 12 2022 at 02:07
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I wrote: "Atoll (F) - L’Araignee-mal (1975) Cai (ESP) - Mas Alla De Nuestras Mentes Diminutas (1979)" Grumpy, you may like these two albums, as they have long, quite jazz-rocky, not soft parts, and especially, the second album if you can be fond of Rock Andaluz (Flamenco) as well.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 14 2022 at 05:03
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Some famous Symphonic lyrics: Genesis - "Musical Box" (excerpt) She's a lady, she's got time Brush back your hair and let me get to know your face She's a lady, she is mine Oh, brush back your hair and let me get to know your flesh I've been waiting here for so long And all this time that passed me by It doesn't seem to matter now You stand there with your fixed expression Casting doubt on all I have to say Why don't you touch me, touch me Touch me now, now, now, now, now (from the album Nursery Cryme (1971)) Yes - "Close to the Edge" (excerpt) A seasoned witch could call you from the depths of your disgrace, And rearrange your liver to the solid mental grace, And achieve it all with music that came quickly from afar, Then taste the fruit of man recorded losing all against the hour And assessing points to nowhere, leading every single one A dewdrop can exalt us like the music of the sun, And take away the plain in which we move, And choose the course you're running Down at the edge, round by the corner, Not right away, not right away Close to the edge, down by a river, Not right away, not right away (from the album Close to the Edge (1972)) ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: AlanB
Date Posted: September 15 2022 at 12:09
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The Yes Album, Close To The Edge Mirage, Snow Goose, Moonmadness (Camel) ?, Sola Scriptura, Jesus Christ The Exorcist (Neal Morse) The Grand Experiment, The Similitude Of A Dream, Innocence and Danger (Neal Morse Band) SMPTe, Bridge Across Forever, The Whirlwind, The Absolute Universe (Transatlantic)
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: September 16 2022 at 22:18
| There's a lot out there both old and newer. I really liked one called earthly paradise by German band Epidaurus. That's probably one of the most underrated symph prog albums I can think of. A must for any symph fan. Imagine a cross between 70s Genesis and Camel with a bit of Renaissance thrown in because of the female vocals. Some people have complained about her singing (saying it's a bit pitchy) but I never really had much of a problem with it. It's one I had a long time ago and need to get again. I'm curious if anyone knows it. There's plenty of others I could mention but other members on here probably know about most of them. |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 20 2022 at 15:28
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PA's Symphonic Prog definition Symphonic is without doubt the sub-genre that includes the most bands in Progressive Rock because for many people it's almost synonymous classic Prog, something easy to understand being that most of the classic and/or pioneer bands released music that could be included in this sub-genre, except JETHRO TULL and PINK FLOYD (who still blended some symphonic elements), even KING CRIMSON who very soon expanded their horizons to more experimental music, made their debut with a Symphonic album, "In the Court of the Crimson King" which is a cornerstone in the development of the genre.
The main characteristics of Symphonic are the ones that defined all Progressive Rock: (There's nothing 100% new under the sun) which among others are:
In this specific case the main characteristic is the influence of Classical music (understood as Orchestral works created from the late Gothic to Modern Classical) using normally more complex structure than other related sub-genres like Neo Progressive (That's why sometimes the borderline that divides Symphonic from Neo is so unclear being that is based mostly in a degree of complexity rather than in an evident structural difference)..It is easy to find long keyboard solos reminiscent of Johan Sebastian Bach or melodic works that could have been written by Handel. As in any other genre, different Symphonic bands had different approaches to Classical music, for example YES and GENESIS are mainly influenced by the Baroque and Classical periods, while EMERSON LAKE & PALMER has a predilection for post Romantic and modern authors like Mussorgsky, Rimsky Korsakov, Bartok or Ginastera, being that their sound is less melodic and more aggressive. The peak of the genre starts in 1969 and lasts until the mid/late 70's (more precisely until the release of A Trick of the Tail), when the genre begins to blend more mainstream influences that took to the birth of Neo Progressive (a new approach for a new decade). It is important to remember that even though the creative peak of Symphonic Progressive ended before the 80's, we can find a second birth in the 90's coming from the Scandinavian countries (specially Sweden with ANGLAGARD or PAR LINDH PROJECT) and even bands that still in the 21st Century recreate music from this period like SPOCK'S BEARD or ECHOLYN. Before ending this short description I feel necessary to say (In order to be strictly accurate) that the term Symphonic is not 100% exact, because these bands very rarely played symphonies and was probably used because the music that influenced the genre was performed by Symphony Orchestras, but it is so widely accepted by the Progressive Rock community that would be absurd and futile for anybody to attempt a change after so much time. Iván Melgar Morey, Peru 2006 ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: September 20 2022 at 16:06
| I remember getting into an argument with a woman at a prog festival who insisted that Yes were not a symphonic prog band. She can disagree all she wants but yes, Yes is considered symph prog. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 20 2022 at 16:12
I wasn't convinced that YES were Symphonic Prog either until I bought the YES Symphonic Live DVD.
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: October 04 2022 at 06:22
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Amongst the most popular and highest rated on PA, modern Symphonic Prog albums are: Wobbler (N) - From Silence to Somewhere (2017) All Traps on Earth (S) - A Drop of Light (2018) Moon Safari (S) - Blomljud (2008) Jordsjø (N) - Nattfiolen (2019) Karmakanic (S) - Who's the Boss in the Factory (2008) Some Swedish and Norwegian bands are surely amongst the most appreciated modern ones in this sub-genre.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: October 04 2022 at 06:41
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I’m still absolutely in love with Genesis “A Trick of the Tail.” I feel, in general, it is still one of the best Prog albums ever made and of all time. ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: October 04 2022 at 06:55
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I have been reacquainting myself (after a few years) with Renaissance's wonderful discography: Prologue > A Song For All Seasons.. I find that run of 6 albums hugely enjoyable...
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Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: October 04 2022 at 06:58
Played it again yesterday; it's simply wonderful. I think in my life, I've listened to Genesis discography (well, Trespass > Duke) more than any other band, as they've always been with me..
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: October 04 2022 at 08:17
yep I know and like that one. I would actually rather they had more of her vocals than they do. Their 1995 follow up is pretty bad though
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: October 04 2022 at 09:40
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The usual suspects came to mind.... Yes-Yes.FRagile, CTTE ELP-st Genesis-Selling, Foxtrot, Cryme Wobbler-Rites, Silence Renaissance-Turn , Scherezade Kansas- Song, Left Spocks Beard- V Greenslade-Bedside many others but some are not listed as symph... Moody BLues, Spring, Cressida, etc ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: October 04 2022 at 12:54
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Such a big category. I don't think I can do a list. (I may be tired/burned out on Symphonic Prog). Some of the bands mentioned click with me, so, off the top of my head: Odyssey: The Greatest Tale Focus "Eruption", III Renaissance Scheherazade, Turn of the Cards, Novella, and self-titled debut All Traps on Earth Island Pictures Pulsar Halloween Klaus Schulze X Relayer Anyone's Daughter "Adonis" ELP Tarkus Pär Lindh Project Mundus Incompertus Echolyn Suffocating the Bloom Pazzo Fanfano di Musica Mr. Sirius Barren Dream Kotebel Omphalos Atoll L'araignée-mal Aphrodite's Child 666 Babylon s/t Finch Beyond Expression New Trolls Concerto Grosso per i New Trolls Celeste Principe di un giorno Il Rovescio Della Medaglia Contaminazione Il Balletto di Bronzo Ys La Torre Dell'Alchimista Neo Nuovo Era Il passo del soldato Randone Hybla Act 1 Kant Freud Kafka No tengas miedo La Coscienza di Zeno La notte anche de giorno Latte e Miele Passio Secundum Matteum - The Complete Work La Boca Della Verità Avenoth So much by Anthony Phillips (1984, Geese & Ghost) and After Crying The Enid ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: October 04 2022 at 13:29
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Thank you very much for all the new posts, and not least from Dr Wu and you Bruford, who "couldn't do a list"...and yet. ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: October 05 2022 at 00:34
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Breadfish Sleeping Parts 1&2 ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 05 2022 at 10:36
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off the top of my head (one per artist) Genesis - A Trick Of The Tail Yes - Fragile Glass Hammer - The Inconsolable Secret Par Lindh Project - Veni Vidi Vici All Traps On Earth - A Drop Of Light Anglagard - Hybris Wobbler - Dwellers Of The Deep The Flower Kings - Banks Of Eden Refugee - Refugee Aphrodite's Child - 666 Echolyn - Suffocating The Bloom Rick Wakeman - Six Wives Of Henry VIII Socrates - Phos |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: October 05 2022 at 11:19
I know …  I guess that's an indicator of how full my head is with prog!------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: October 06 2022 at 05:54
Richard!  So nice to cross your path again. Nice choices here, my friend. Prog definitely on. :) ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 06 2022 at 08:27
cheers
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Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: October 06 2022 at 09:04
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Yes Tales From Topography Oceans Genesis Selling England By The Pound ELP Tarkus Marillion Script For A Jester’s Tear IQ The Wake Spock’s Beard The Light The Flower Kings Stardust We Are Magic Pie Motions Of Desire Citizen Cain Serpents In Camouflage Flamborough Head Unspoken Whisper Lands End Natural Selection The Emerald Dawn Searching For The Lost Key ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: October 06 2022 at 09:51
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Would also have listed several IQ albums....Dark Matter, Frequency, Road, etc but they are listed as neo and not symph. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: KazBodnar
Date Posted: October 06 2022 at 10:04
| The Yes Album counts as symphonic? |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: October 06 2022 at 10:10
The band is listed as symphonic here....so yes to the Yes album. As always it's subjective with the categories. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Jammo58
Date Posted: October 11 2022 at 14:27
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Good list! Add Pekka Pohjola's "Harakka Bialoipokku", aka "B The Magpie" (especially the side A) and I will be even more delighted.. That is one of the grandest symphonic treatise I have ever come across compositionwise. ------------- Happiness runs |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: October 12 2022 at 12:51
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thanks, Jammo ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: October 13 2022 at 04:23
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Sinkadus - Aurum Nostrum Absolutely incredible masterpiece four epic soaked in Mellotron tracks. ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: Magog2112
Date Posted: July 28 2023 at 15:37
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Genesis - Foxtrot Echolyn - As the World The Flower Kings - Stardust We Are Emerson Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery Yes - Going for the One |