The more music I listen to, the more I can work out how much I'll like a band based on their name. Occasionally I'll muck up horrendously (The Acacia Strain) but often I can work it out and get awesome results ( Týr , Diablo Swing Orchestra and so on).

One set of names I tend to avoid is bands that begin with 'The' and end in 's', ie: The Somethings. Now there are exceptions but that's not what this is about. Generally, these names conjure up connotations of Indie/hipster/pop bands which isn't my kind of music. However,…

This is quite interesting, it seems that the Beta of Last Fm has recording ALL my artist plays since I joined (I've reset my charts twice before) and the order doesn't surprise me really but I suppose it just cements the fact that Dream Theater must be my favourite band. It's a bit odd to see all those plays (for me at least) but quite amazing to have listened to that much more DT than other bands over 4 years.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3558/alltimechartsfq9.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4494/alltimecharts2sd5.jpg

So if you're a subscriber and have recently reset your charts I suggest you take a look at…

I've recently come into contact with Noise music a few times with various artists and sections of songs and this has always confused me.

Now I'm open minded enough not to slag it off but I really don't understand what it is, and how people can listen to it.

Case in point: Pat Metheny and his album Zero Tolerance for Silence. My Dad bought this for about £3 thinking it was a standard jazzy Pat album. We were, needless to say, very suprised. I listened to it for about 10 minutes expected it to break out into normal Jazzy…

There are some songs that surpass all others. When it's late at night, you're listening to some music on headphones and a track comes on that merely puts a smile on your face or a tear in your eye. You just sit there, quietly taking in all the song has to give and you just think to yourself. May it be about things that have happened recently that conjure up emotions, or thing that happen a long time ago such as the passing of a relative. But these song don't make you cry, they may bring a tear to your…

I went to see Joe Satriani last night at the Hammersmith Apollo and it was excellent. I went with my dad who enjoyed it in the end despite being adamant he wouldn't.

It started off with Favoured Nations artist Johnny A who played a number of country and blues style tracks before playing a brilliant medley with songs such as Voodoo Chile by Hendrix and Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin. He was very good and fortunetely played for 45 minutes instead of his designated 30.

By the time 8:30pm rolled around Satch had started his super long introduction before…

Note: This is for my reference, hence lack of connections.

1
Joe Satriani

1274
2
Dream Theater

804
3
Steve Vai

482
4
The Mooney Suzuki

473
5
Kanye West

390
6
Steps Ahead

323
7
"Weird Al" Yankovic

321
8
Dragonforce

294
9
The Black Mages

279
10
Iron Maiden

247
11
John 5

228
12
Rhapsody

218
13
Goldfrapp

217
14
Lordi

213
15
The Hellecasters

202
16
Ed Harcourt

185
17
Marty Friedman

184
18
Frank Zappa

174
19
Edguy

153
20
Otis Redding

150
21
Charlotte Hatherley

145
22
The Zutons

138
23
Quarashi

135
24…

Huh, number 7 and another Progressive band. I'm pretty sure it's Prog Metal but I've not had much luck with calling bands that but anyway…

Pain of Salvation are Swedish I think. Apparantly very good. They're pretty decent from what I've heard of downloaded tracks (from their site) so I'm not so much wanting songs but albums to try out..

Oh, while I'm here, why does everyone love Daniel Gildenlow's voice?

It's not that great…

Okee doke. Here once again, in my band's to explore series. We've reached number 6. I've heard some great bands along the way and have a pretty decent list of albums to get but I can't stop right here…

Grave Digger is a Power Metal band. Not a clue where from but apparantly they're good. Geez… what else to say except thanks for any help with albums and songs.

I've had a break, but now it's back to more new artists.

Porcupine Tree are a Prog Rock band. They might be English. I'm not sure.

I've heard Shesmovedon and Blackest Eyes. Both are pretty good (Blackest Eyes being better in my opinion) so I don't know where to turn next. I've seen Deadwing for sale in HMV for the hefty sum of £16.99 but is it worth it?

I'd prefer it to be heavier if possible, more like Blackest Eyes but I'm not too fussed.

Thanks a lot.

Just recently I thought to myself: "Hang on, how come I like metal? Where did that come from?" It's taken a while but I've got it. I will relay this to you in a Legendary Tale (of enchanted lands).

It all started when I was about 8 with my Playstation and a game I borrowed off my friend. Wasn't a very popular game, Final Fantasy 7, you've probably not heard of it… Anyway I was playing through it when, about 30 minutes in I found a giant scorpion. It wasn't exactly imposing but anyway. The screen shattered then a new…