The way we Listen

Legendary rock band Queen is finally back ! After resetting with Paul Rodgers on vocals, Queen will release a new album in September, 1st 2008, titled : The Cosmos Rocks

Meanwhile, the band goes for a European tour! That will visit countries from September to November 2008.

Some of you may have recognized the Eagle Nebula on the album cover, probably in relation to the astrophysics Ph.D thesis completed by guitarist Brian May in 2007.

He left the Ph.D programme in 1974 when he decided to concentrate on music. But he took back the course a few years ago and completed his thesis (demonstrating that solar dust clouds are moving in the same direction than the planets) in October 2007.

I also learned that in 2006 he co-wrote a book about astronomy for general public, entitled "Bang! – The Complete History of the Universe".

That makes Brian May the most graduated musician of all times. He was recently graduated in the Imperial College of London, which is one of the highest rank scientific school in the world.

Official website : Queen+Paul Rodgers

Let me introduce you our fresh new author for this blog : vassily. He’s a big rock fan, and he will contribute to the writing of new posts, as much as I do. He’s the finest keyboard player, playing in rock cover band called OverSea across south of France. Feel free to visit the band’s brand new website.

I wish all the best to our new collaborator !

This video is a huge success among the prog fans and the nintendo fans : The Dark Nintendo Night is a clever mix between Super Mario Bros Theme song and The Dark Eternal Night, out of Dream Theater last album, Systematic Chaos. Super Mike Portnoy can be seen as a Super Mario clone, and his mission is to rescue James Labrie out of the castle !

The video is shown at each DT concert, just before the Encore.

Here are the details to notice :

• On the top of the screen, "MIKE" can be seen above the score
• [0:07] On the title screen, the following line can be read : "METROPOLIS PT.3 : SUPER MAJESTY BROS"
• [0:22] Subliminal moment I’m sure you all noticed : )
• [0:27] The object coming out of the ? box is the chained heart from the album Images and Words.
• [0:44] Bowser is replaced by big green bear… Someone knows what this means? Maybe Bear Track Studios?
• [0:55] The Warp Zone is replaced by"WELCOME TO PROG ZONE!"
• [1:05] Toad tells us that "JAMES LABRIE IS IN ANOTHER CASTLE"
• [1:14] On the green flag at the end of the level, the letters "DT" can be seen.
• [1:19] The other flag, coming out of the castle, show the DT logo.
• [1:24] The green floating wizard is the dear Jordan "The Wizard" Rudess
• [2:53] The great James Labrie appears, singing lyrics from The Dark Eternal Night.

I may have skipped other details… Anyway here is the video!

Let me tell you the story of the most awaited rock album of all time.

1994 - Beginning of recording

Back in 1994. US rock band Guns n’Roses are slowing down from their terrific success, experienced two years before with Use Your Illusion I & II. The band members, famous for their drinking, drug and fighting problems, were in a difficult situation, mainly because of the dictatorial mood of lead singer Axl Rose. In this context began the recording sessions of the band upcoming studio album, Chinese Democracy.

1996 - Band falls apart

Two years later, nothing done. Tension between the members is at the highest : drummer Matt Sorum, bassist Duff McKagan and guitar hero Slash leave the band to found Velvet Revolver. A new Guns n’Roses line up is created (the band’s name was property of Rose), with guitarist Robin Finck, bassist Tommy Stinson and drummer John Freese (who’ll leave right away).

2001-2002 - Live shows full of hope

January 2001, fresh new Guns give their first concerts since 7 years, including the big Rock in Rio III festival. The band announces an european tour… then cancels. Another european tour… cancelled. Then a US tour which will indeed begin in november 2002. Then blackout, the band goes on hiatus.

2006-2008 - This time it’s for real… not

Guns appears again in May 2006 with some show, followed by a world tour, ironically called "Chinese Democracy Tour". New songs are played : "Madagascar", "I.R.S.", "There Was A Time", "The Blues", "Better" et "Chinese Democracy". Several announcements made by Axl Rose seem to lead towards an upcoming release. Guest performers are quoted: Brian May, Sebastian Bach, Shaquille O’Neal (!). But… still nothing in 2006, nothing in 2007. In 2008, new rumors say the production of the album is finished, but the problem is now in the hands of record labels. In June 2008, high quality demos leaked out on the internet but were removed right away.

The release seems to be getting closer… Dr Pepper even promised to offer one can to each american people if the album comes out by the end of the year. But, after this so long waiting, we all fear that this so-called wonderful piece of rock’n'roll would be very disappointing. See you soon…