Demonstrations in Chaos

Watchtower | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 31, 2002)
• Original Release Date: July 31, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Monster Records
• ASIN: B00006HCFA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,567 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Meltdown

2. Asylum

3. Argonne Forest

4. Social Fears

5. Tyrants in Distress

6. Energetic Disassembly

7. Cimmerian Shadows

8. The Eldritch

9. Instruments of Random Murder

10. Hidden Instincts

11. The Fall of Reason

12. Control and Resistance

13. Cathode Ray Window

14. Ballad Assassin

15. Meltdown

Editorial Reviews

The Texas techno-metal pioneers have returned! In prelude to their upcoming brand-new album we unveil this offering of rare and never-before-released 80s recordings featuring original vocalist Jason McMaster. Showcased here are the original Boss Studio recordings of their "Energetic Disassembly" album, as well as various other original recordings, demos and live versions. It’s a great look into the beginnings of this innovative and influential progressive metal outfit and an important document of the 80s Texas metal scene. Considered by many to be some of the heaviest recordings they've ever done! Don't miss this! Complete with liner notes, lyrics, photos and more! Over 75 minutes of powerful progressive heavy metal!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet the progresive metal's true inventors!, March 18, 2003

By 

I. MUNOZ (Montreal, PQ, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Demonstrations in Chaos (Audio CD)

For those that have never listened to Watchtower, they sound like a rawer version of Rush boosted with Tabasco sauce. Jazzy, technically bold and aggressive as hell, they influenced the entire metal community in the 80's in spite of their short existence... and this CD showcases what Watchtower was.

Their "Energetic Disassembly" release is completely contained here -- although I must say that I do prefer Allan Techio's voice to Jason Mc Master's, who is the vocalist (the "yellist"! :-)) in these previously unreleased "demonstrations". The rawer production makes me feel a sensation of innovation, as if you were listening to something new in its pure inception -- which is true, men!

If you're into progressive metal, you'll certainly enjoy this album. Watchtower challenged the metal world with intricate song structures, more contemporary harmonies and rhythmical insanity. They settled the basis of what today is known as "progressive metal". Even, "technical thrash metal" bands took from them many nowadays-commonly-used ideas. Yet crude, full of heaviness and attitude, Watchtower's style is for me the essence of progressiveness. I like how their compositions are amazingly short, musically intelligent, concise, smart, original, explosive and lyrically excellent.

To conclude: these guys are in the very root of today's progressive metal. They deserve their place in the history of the genre, and this album is a good homage that they did to themselves. Highly recommended! More than five stars! Go for it, NOW! :-)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta have it!, June 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Demonstrations in Chaos (Audio CD)

I must admit that I really wanted to give this disc 4.5 stars. These demo versions of early Tower songs, especially the Energetic Disassembly stuff, is killer; often sounding much better than the original album. However, I feel like they almost ruined this perfectly awesome collection of unreleased material by pushing it too far. The last few tracks are completely ridiculous. What you don't find out until you pop the disc into your player is that the last few songs were recorded on a 'jam box' in a motel room while the band was on tour. You really can't get a solid idea of what's going on musically. It's unlistenable.

Aside from this one complaint, this is still a really great collection of demos; totally worth purchasing, especially for hard-core fans.

New SPASTIC INK!!! For you guys (and gals?) who have kept up with Ron Jarzombek, he has just released the new Spastic Ink C.D., "Ink Compatible". Featuring guest performances by original Tower vocalist Jason McMaster, as well as Jen Johanson (sp?), Marty Friedman and others. 3 years in the making- It was well worth the wait. Check out his website: spasticink.com

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truly quintessential progressive metal act., July 11, 2003

By 

"misterbeagal" (Florence, AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Demonstrations in Chaos (Audio CD)

This is a collection of Watchtower's earliest recordings with original vocalist, Jason McCaster. With their 1986 debut, Energetic Disassembly, Watchtower ushered in a new era of metal. Wielding chaotic time changes with one of the most accomplished rhythm sections in metal, they mixed the aggressive nature of thrash and laced it with mind-numbing technicality. They released a second album in '89, entitled Control And Reistance, which held back a little more than the debut, thought it was still great. Hopefully, the long-awaited third album, Mathematics, will be completed soon.