Flower Kings Appreciation Thread

Just seen the news on the Transatlantic Website that they are touring the USA and Europe next April and May.  This is fantastic news .  Even though I don't have The Whirlwind yet (Santa please) I will definitely be at the gig at Manchester Academy.  I simply would not miss this.  Barney, that is a must right?

I will be there...Anyway just off into Manchester for my works do - I will probbably be back on here before xmas - but anyway - PEACE and lets all get as pissed as farts

^ Gus, I'm with you on this one, I'm considering the Philly gig, but only considering.  I think I'm in the minority, but I'm just not nearly as impressed by Transatlantic as most of the regular posters in here.  The Whirlwind is ok in my mind, but only ok. 

If they were playing here in Pittsburgh it'd be a no brainer, but I don't know if I feel like driving three hundred miles for Transatlantic.  I don't know.  We'll see.

Speaking of Nearfest, who's playing this year?  With the lack of a 3RP this year, Marianne may consider going to a different festival.

I'm going to see Tranasatlantic in Downey, CA on April 17th! I'm traveling over 600 miles during finals week. I'm determined to make it no matter what the cost. This is the biggest concert event in my lifetime so far, I can't wait! Transatlantic is my favorite band, and I never thought I'd get the opportunity to see them live. It's going to be awesome!

My best bet for the TA show is the Chicago gig.  However, the game plan is to be in Florida that week. ROSfest is the following weekend and I am considering trying to make that since Pendragon is going to be there. 

TheCaptain wrote: Wow. I was just about to bitch about being 6 or 7 hours away on a weekday. With your crazy dedication I'd have no problem doing it. If I knew for sure this was the final tour Transatlantic would ever do I would find a way to make it happen, but I think they'll tour again.

Yeah, this isn't the first time I'll make a long trip to see a prog band. Unfortunately, not too many prog bands come to Utah, so I have to travel if I ever want to see a good concert. Luckily, my family lives in Southern California, so the trip doubles as a chance to visit the family, so that helps give me added incentive. Plus, it's Transatlantic! Come on! I do hope they tour again though and make more albums, I just refuse to have too much hope after they delivered my favorite album of all time (Bridge Across Forever) and then took an 8 year break.




Edited by natewait - December 18 2009 at 16:47

Roland113 wrote: ^ Hey Jeff, Unrelated to the Flower Kings, I've been really getting into Vanden Plas lately.  With your progressive metal leanings as of late, I figured you'd be all over them.  I have "Christ 0" and "The God Thing", what should I get next?

progrules wrote: Roland113 wrote: ^ Hey Jeff, Unrelated to the Flower Kings, I've been really getting into Vanden Plas lately.  With your progressive metal leanings as of late, I figured you'd be all over them.  I have "Christ 0" and "The God Thing", what should I get next?   Again a little late, sorry . But I'm thrilled to see you like this German prog metal genius band. Christ0 is even in my top 10 albums of all time. Songs like Silently, Wish you were here and January Sun are beyond believe as far as I'm concerned. What do you think of this supertrio ? Far off Grace and Beyond Daylight are great as well by the way.

Hey Henk,

I actually picked up Christ 0 a year and a half ago, gave it a few listens and put it on the back burner.  It was one of those CD's that I liked and needed to give more listening to, I'd get around to it eventually (I got a lot of music last year)  The only song that instantly clicked with me was "Wish You Where Here". 

So I'm actually writing a book and got to a section about a serial killer and I needed some appropriate background music while I wrote.  I remembered the premise behind the CD, so I gave that a few listens.  Not only did it fit the mood, it turned out to be a fantastic CD all around.  "January Sun" was the second song to really click with me.  I was listening to the CD on the way home from a Christmas party last weekend and I really noticed that song.  The keyboard work is phenomenal, and being a keyboard player myself, I'm typically critical of keyboards.  "January Sun" has eclipsed "Wish You Where Here" as my current favorite off of that CD.

I'm listening to "Silently" as we speak and it's not striking me as much as the other two.  Don't get me wrong, it's good, I just think that the first two that you mentioned are fantastic.

Roland113 wrote: Speaking of German Progressive Metal, I've really been enjoying Siege's Even lately.  Another great band with some stand out guitar work.  Not the shredding that dominates Dream Theater style ProgMetal but a lot more melodic stuff.  Hmm, I'm noticing a trend, I seem to enjoy German Metal, I never made the connection before.  Who else should I explore? So I did a quick search, Scott already recommended Abydos so I may have to give them a whirl after all.  What about Blind Guardian, anyone familliar with them?

Blind Guardian is AWESOME!!! They are much more straigthforward than other prog metal bands (they have a lot of power metal influences), but they have produced some really great albums.

If you're looking to get into Blind Guardian I highly recommend Nightfall In Middle Earth and A Night At The Opera.


Edited by J-Man - December 19 2009 at 12:05

Not that I like them or anything, but the German Power Metal band Helloween is said to be really good and to have some prog leanings in some of their albums, just thought you might be interested.

Edited by The Quiet One - December 20 2009 at 17:18