Mark Monforti, Author at PROGROCK.COM

Mark’s Quick Review: Blank Manuskript’s – The Waiting Soldier

by Mark Monforti | Nov 11, 2017 | News, Reviews

If you love the flute this is your album there are count ’em, three flutist in this band. Not that they are all playing them all the time this is a six piece band of multi-instrumentalist. As I was looking up this band I did notice some very positive reviews for the band. But I am sorry that I can’t quite jump on that band wagon. The album never stirred any emotion from me. This is better than 90% of whats on terrestrial radio, but in this amazing era of progressive rock, this is below average.

I look forward to their next album in hopes I like it better.

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(2.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(1.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.5 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(4.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(1.0 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(2.5 / 5)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Public Enemy Request Here

Click Album Image to purchase at Amazon US and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Pi Mezon’s – A Lone

by Mark Monforti | Oct 15, 2017 | News

So this album showed up in my mail a few months back. I looked at their bandcamp site and saw that it was a Finnish band so I was cautiously optimistic thanks to all the great prog Finnish bands I had heard already.

I was not to be disappointed. The album pushes all my buttons. Mostly melodic, above average vocals, and percussion that works impossibly well.

The opening track reminds me a lot of Riverside, but the comparison ends there. The album splits off into their own sound and it takes you on a wonderful journey.

This album is for fans of melodic progressive rock and especially for fans of Cosmograf and Riverside.

This album was featured it on our podcast.

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(3.5 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.5 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(3.5 / 5)
DRAMA:	(4.0 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(4.0 / 5)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Request Here

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Big Big Train – Grimspound

by Mark Monforti | Sep 29, 2017 | News, Reviews

So here were are with the prolific band Big Big Train. So here is a band that I have and am flying to the UK (from chicago) to see. In fact I am seeing them live today, That’s how much I think of this band.

On the note of this album however I think that is does not quite live up to the ridiculously good albums of the English Electric I and II and the Wassail EP. That being said I think this album is decent and I will be glad to hear any of it live today.

At its worst the songs are average but there are a few gems out there.

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Brave Captain, Meadowland, A Mead Hall in Winter.

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(4.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(3.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.5 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(4.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(4.0 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(4.0 / 5)

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Von Hertzen Brothers – Love Remains the Same

by Mark Monforti | Sep 14, 2017 | News, Reviews

This 2008 release shows the steady improvement of this band. The opening track shows a new maturity to their song writing and was the highlight for me at RosFest show.

As I like to say when reviewing their albums I do like the way siblings can harmonize. The siblings have a bit of a “sonic” quality when doing so.

The album Highlights make this album a buy recomendation

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Bring out the Sun (So Alive), Somewhere in the Middle, I Came for You

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(3.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(4.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(3.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.0 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(3.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(4.0 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(3.5 / 5)

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Europica’s – EUROPICA- part one

by Mark Monforti | Sep 12, 2017 | News, Reviews

A new album from Hungary EUROPICA- part one with guest singers Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden, Wolfsbane),Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteen Band, Iced Earth), Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire, Kamelot, Angra), Ralf Scheepers (Gamma Ray, Primal Fear), Tomek Horytnica ( Horytnica).

The album consists of 10 songs, which were recorded for nine months in eleven different studios. The cd cover is the artwork of the famous graphic designer Gyula Havancsák, who has already worked for bands Accept, Stratovarius, Destruction, Kreator, Grave Digger.

This album is just a fun romp for fans of albums like Operation Mindcrime or Iron Maiden. No song is longer than 4:07 but when listened to in its entirety you can tell it basically on long song.

For what ever reason I thought it was fun and accessible but not a lot of drama despite the subject matter and the crunchy guitars and great vocals.

Its an album to enjoy for sure but I don’t know if I could ever be passionate about this album. Looking forward to part II though.

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(3.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(4.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(2.0 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(3.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(2.5 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(3.0 / 5)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Request Here

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Blank Manuskript’s – The Waiting Soldier

Mark’s Quick Review: Pi Mezon’s – A Lone

Mark’s Quick Review: Big Big Train – Grimspound

Mark’s Quick Review: Von Hertzen Brothers – Love Remains the Same

Mark’s Quick Review: Europica’s – EUROPICA- part one

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