Customer Reviews

Demonstrations in Chaos

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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! :-)

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

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.

Watchtower is kinda like an 80's metal version of Dillinger Escape Plan. It's some pretty wild stuff. This CD is a great collection of rarities spanning most of their career. It's a shame these guys didn't get more recognition, because they are absolutely incredible musicians and songwriters. If you like crazy, "technical metal" type stuff, you'll love this. Way ahead of it's time.

This is some of the most extreme metal ever produced, and it was recorded almost 20 years ago!!!Aside from the really high vocals and poor recording quality, this album is flawless. This is skill and musicianship perfected. Watchtower are one of those bands that few saw or heard, but those that did were inspired to form bands and push metal to the next level. Though right alongside Slayer, Anthrax, Armored Saint, and the others in the underground metal movement of the early `80s. The songs are Songwriting-Arrangement 101 nightmares, with so much going on it's hard to keep up, yet the band never loses a beat and it all works in the end. These guys play extremely fast but hop, skip and leap around the beat like gully frogs on biker crank, incorporating jazz rhythms and Zappa-like time changes. The riffs just fly by like lightening and the vocals are so high-pitched and out of control. This album is just plain breathtaking! must have for fans of any musical genre and for people who have musical taste.

I remember seeing Watchtower play in the 80's. They were one of the most amazing bands live combining the heaviness of the day (Metallica, Slayer) with the technical prowess of Rush. I believe they were a band loved by other bands who seemed to be drawn to them because of their musical abilities. This CD gives a glimse into the world of this great Austin band. The CD recording is better than the vinyl and the demos recording are pleasant to hear again and there are some songs I never heard that are live or demo. I would highly recommend this CD but expect the unexpected- this is not normal fare!

Al fin pude escuchar este albúm que es una joya preciada para los amantes de este genero, mezcla de jazz, metal, tecno y que ha influenciado a grandes como Dream Theater. La calidad de la grabación no es buena, pero hay dos grandes cosas que vale la pena considerar, hay temas del Control que las canta Jason Mc Master, que en definitiva es mucho mejor vocalista que Alan, y hay dos temas inéditos de la banda. Estos demos los había escuchado en formato cassette, y nunca pensé que lo reditarían en CD, así que no pierdan la oportunidad de tener esta piedra fundacional del Metal Progresivo.

Jason McMaster & his mates return (sort-of) with this 2002 release. "Demonstrations in Chaos" is a compilation featuring studio cuts, demos, outtakes, & live recordings ALL sung by "Pastor" McMaster. The band is technical, progressive, futuristic & truly on another planet when it comes to their song structures. And Jason's piercing vocals just seem to fit this style of music perfectly. Ya always got to give it up to true pioneers and that's exactly what Watchtower were. Playing music that would eventually be described as prog rock before anyone had a clue what the hell that even meant. So give it up...for Watchtower. They were here before you!

WATCHTOWER's mindblowing 1985 debut 'Energetic Disassembly' was and still is a major landmark in progressive metal and one of the most extreme and unique metal albums of all time. 'Demonstrations In Chaos' is a fascinating, must-have companion piece as the songs featured here immediately pre- and post-date ED.

For one, there are the (almost complete) original 'Energetic Disassembly' sessions from mid '83 which got shelved when the band's original label went belly up. Sonically, these versions are easily superior to the more abrasive sounding '85 LP and the performances are just as good if not better. Unbelievable how good these guys were before they were even old enough to drink! Chops from hell, a knack for writing crazy yet catchy songs, and just a firestorm of youthful energy!

There is more candy, i.e. the original 1987 demos of 4 'Control & Resistance' songs with new boy Ron Jarzombek on guitar that prove there would indeed be 'life after Billy White' for 'Tower. Again, I prefer these versions to what ended up on the actual C&R album, in part because Jason McMaster is still on vocals here and fits the songs much better than Alan Tecchio ever did. 'The Fall of Reason' with its Rush-like mid/lead section is the standout here - Jarzombek's brilliantly constructed, layered solo is not of this earth and sheer genius!

Finally, we have what you might call 'the lesser quality' recordings, including 2 songs that were never cut in the studio by any WATCHTOWER line-up. Someone else wrote that they were 'unlistenable' which is a complete exaggeration! 'Control & Resistance' and 'Cathode Ray Window' sound more than passable for being recorded on a boombox in Billy's bedroom-turned-practice pad. No big complaints. The frantic 'Ballad Assassin' was taken off a live video tape and is admittedly very raw as is the original version of 'Meltdown', the band's first ever (and thus historic!) studio recording from 1982 which first appeared on the cult classic 'Cottage Cheese From The Lips of Death' hardcore compilation. I love having 'Meltdown' on here because it offers a glimpse into how a song can evolve. By the time the band entered the studio to record the second version of 'Meltdown' only a year or so later both song and band had become much more polished.

Bottom line: This album is a treasure for WATCHTOWER fans and a must-buy for anyone into technical, progressive metal because this is the wellspring from which anything from Cynic, Atheist, and Spiral Archtect to Meshuggah, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Between The Buried And Me is derived of, whether directly or indirectly.

I am a huge D-Toys fan, and when I heard that Jason McMaster's earlier band was Watchtower, I tracked this down. I was very dissapointed. It is more thrash oriented than anything. I Guess if you like SLayer or Death, this is good, but if you are expecting glam metal in the vein of Dangerous TOys, look elsewhere.