Dream Theater - The Astonishing

As long as I could remember, I have been attracted to intelligent music. Whether it be as a young Guru listening to Ravi Shankar or just listening. The intricate patterns and rhythms create a feel that no other music can. Now when I was introduced to Dream Theater, I was also introduced to other similar bands such as Tool. A sensory overload if you will, but I did not let DT get cast into obscurity. Octavarium is a masterpiece of its time and so are the musicians! Jordan Rudess is a virtuoso, his connection to his instrument allows him to play simultaneously as he thinks, a technique gained by many years of experience. John Petrucci is a mastermind of guitar. His technical ability is milestones ahead of anything else I've seen. And the vocal range of James LaBrie is so astounding that he can incorporate operatic vocal structures to a heavy metal band. I see this band as an arch with five keystones. Together, their music is so incomprehensibly intricate and great that as you may see i have nowhere to start, so i'll start here.

The Astonishing

Concept albums are a tricky thing to do, you could try and fail like most do, or you could completely destroy it and make an album that is so great that it makes Guru get goosebumps. Well Dream Theater did the latter and that is no small feat. In preparation for the release of this album, I have been binge listening to Octavarium to have something to compare it to. Now that its out I realize that there is no comparison. 

The plot line in my interpretation is a mix between 1984 and Siegfried (Die Nibelungen) imagine a futuristic kingdom in which it is dystopian. I do not wish to go into more detail, the interpretation is for you to decide.

Do I even have to talk about musicianship? Isn't it obvious that when DT releases an album, it will be leaps and bounds ahead of any other group in the industry? Well we all know how cool and melodic their songs can get, the diversity between songs (i.e "The X Aspect" vs. "A New Beginnings") It creates a great aura of the intended theme (Game Of Thrones-esque) The length of the album could be interpreted as too long (34 songs), but it's tied together so well that that shouldn't be an issue. All of the songs had a hook that interested me, it seems as if they have mastered the technique of writing good hooks. All and all, this album is simply Astonishing.

This album gets a Guru rating of 9.8 one of the highest ever awarded.

(This post was written by Guru on Grand Pooba's Ipad, Guru's laptop is not charged)

Top 3 Korn Albums

In honor of my friend, Jonathan Davis' birthday yesterday, here are my 3 favorite Korn albums!

3. The Paradigm Shift (2013)

A staple icon of the Korn saga, Paradigm Shift is arguably the most iconic Korn album.

2. The Path of Totality (2011)

The band's collaboration with an assortment of popular EDM artists made this love-child. This album is a fun and legendary bridge between metal and electronica.

1. Korn (1994)

The debut album of Korn, I feel out of all of Korn's discography, this album has the most passion. At the beginning of their story, this album tells the tale.

That concludes my article, Happy birthday Jonathan Davis! 

Guru's 5 Favorite Guitars

The tool of the musician is obviously the instrument, but what is the difference between different instruments. Well have no fear! Concert Guru is also a Guitarist. In this list I will give you my 5 personal favorite guitar models, years, and possibly even color Along with specs, i will give you what genres i feel they fit best into!

5. Gretch G6122

This guitar is a great guitar for fingerpickin' and rocking alike. Playing through distortion gives a good country fusion feel.

4. Fender Telecaster (Humbucker)

I personally like the bridge pickup to be a hot-rail but that is just my preference. This guitar is such a versatile guitar when it comes to playability. When you pick it up, you can tell it's awesomeness.

3. Gibson ES-335 Dot (1960-70)

When i was a youngling, I lusted after this guitar. Probably because it is a blues icon! This guitar can get those subtle warm tones as well as those crunchy hard tones that you've always wanted.

2. PRS Custom 24

As far as feel, this guitar takes the cake! Whenever i test a pedal or an amp, this is the guitar I grab. The action is perfectly set, and the warmth is amazing. Highly recommend!

1. Languadoc G2

Talk about attention to detail! This hand-made guitar from Vermont is as far as i know, as good as it gets! The body can be made out of a variety of exotic woods and the pickups are top notch. They better be with the whopping price tag of 10k! Just go ask the most widely known player of Languadoc Guitars, Trey Anistasio!

This concludes my list of favorite guitars! Thank you come again!

Guru's 5 Favorite DJs

EDM is a vastly growing subculture of house and trap music. With shows being held with over a quarter of a million people in attendance, it is hard to ignore their popularity. It could very well be the next best thing. So here are Guru Sagdiev's 5 favorite DJs.

5. Steve Aoki

I first heard of him when he was on the cover of Musician's Friend magazine a couple of years ago. I later looked into what he did and was astounded. He helped create the genre we now call EDM. He is on the cutting edge of music, and is great at what he does.

4. Knife Party

As far as avant-garde EDM goes, Knife Party is INSANE! The emotion and powerful aura in the music is mind-blowing. Particularly in the song "Facebook Friends," the band uses strange sounds that resemble internet stalking and Siri. This group is great and I highly recommend.

3. Deadmau5

As the most iconic face of EDM, Deadmau5 gets far less credit than he deserves. I first heard of Joel when he was dating a friend of a friend of mine, Kat Von D. His music has influenced most to all of the DJs out there, as well as setting the bar for the genre.

2. Skrillex

Hands down, Skrillex is the BEST EDM artist so far. Self made with roots in punk, Skrillex has the musicianship and talent to make beautifully composed music. As a God of the genre Skrillex deserves first place on my list of EDM Artists, this is not a list of them though.

1. Lin Brehmer

It's Great To Be Alive, Lin Brehmer is the greatest DJ on the planet. his 20+ years of experience with Chicago radio station WXRT is impressive to say the least. Every morning since around 2005 I have had the great pleasure of hearing his morning show. His special segment "Lin's Bin," where he answers questions about aspects of life is simply poetic. I know he isn't an EDM musician, but he is extremely important to me and the daily lives of a great many other people in the Chicagoland area. 

This concludes my favorite DJ list. (remember guys, opinions)

Top 5 Metal Albums of 2015

Despite all of the stuff that has happened in the world this past year, the great metal artists still grinded away at their musical repertoire. Some albums can be busts and others huge successes. I have compiled a list of my 5 favorite albums of 2015:

5. Iron Maiden - Book of Souls

This album adds a cool modern twist to the conventional Iron Maiden we are all used to. It opens doors and broadens horizons for fans and the band alike.

4. Coheed and Cambria - TCBTS

Coheed and Cambria broke the mold with their ongoing concept. Now they've broken it again by releasing their first album that strays from their concept. I am excited to see what they have in store for us in the future. 

3. Slayer - Repentless

The first release after the death of Hanneman. What a wonderful 12th installment of the slayer saga. I was extremely impressed by the intensity. I will review to more detail after i see them in February.

2. Ghost - Meliora

This was actually a tie with #1 but given Manson's extensive 20+ year career, i gave it to him. Ghost has been a recent favorite of mine. While i loved Infestissumam, Meliora seems more put together as an album.

1. Marilyn Manson - Pale Emperor

Manson has been a favorite of mine for many years. So when he makes an album that actually embodies him and doesn't just shock. I and other Manson fans freaked out. It was well produced (obviously) and surprisingly enough, the songs fit well in his live performances.

I hope you enjoyed my list (remember, these are Guru Sagdiev's personal opinions. So don't get all pissy.) 

David Bowie - Blackstar

In honor of the late great king, David Bowie, I give you my review of his new album. But first lets talk about him. 

When i think of the most iconic artists of the alternative world Lou Reed and David Bowie are at the top of my list. As a young guru i sat in front of my black and white 7-inch television set watching this majestic creature singing and performing like no other. Humming space oddity. Those were my fondest memories of him. Around 2014 i had an opportunity to meet him and was un-able to attend. I am devastated by this loss and wish to continue jamming out to his beats for many years to come. Which leads me to my next point...

Blackstar

The feel of the title track tells all, Bowie had nothing to hide. The crazy aura of these songs are outstanding and i cannot compare it to anything else I've heard before. Lazarus seems to be a prophecy of what is to come for him. I highly recommend this album for new and old listeners of Bowie.  

This album gets a guru rating of 9.5, one of the highest ever awarded.