Progressive Metal 2004

Neu / New

- 10 Tracks
- Dream Theater Singer on Lead Vocals

Success is defined by today's MTV icons through material gain. Real artists like guitarist Tim Donahue and Dream Theater singer James LaBrie define success as the progression and evolution of their music; if fame and fortune happen to be part of the end result, so much the better. Over two years in the making, Madmen & Sinners is a leap forward for Donahue, a project that demanded heart, soul and every drop of his talent. For LaBrie it was a chance to explore some surprising new territory within the progressive metal genre.

With six releases under his belt, Donahue decided it was time to take his music to the next level. After recording Into The Light (2000) and long before the ever meeting LaBrie, Donahue began writing M&S with LaBrie's voice in mind thinking in terms of a progressive metal album in the vein of a bombastic Dream Theater. A chance meeting with a mutual friend of LaBrie's in the summer of 2001, put Donahue in touch with the singer following a spontaneous listening session of the initial demo material. Phone calls were made, LaBrie was suitably intrigued by the offer and Donahue began writing in earnest with realization of the Madmen album in sight. 

Guitarist and singer met for the first time in July 2002 to discuss Donahue's musical vision and ideas for Madmen & Sinners. Over the course of their brainstorming sessions Labrie suggested bringing drummer Mike Mangini (Extreme/Steve Vai) on board, having worked with the skinbasher on his Mullmuzzler side project. Recording took place in January 2003, with Mangini put to tape in Boston, LaBrie's vocals recorded in Barrie, Ontario. The year that followed saw Donahue holed up in his home studio playing and recording all the fretless guitar, bass and synth parts, engineering and mixing the album himself, all while having to deal with a temperamental computer intent on eating precious recorded data at random. Donahue prevailed in the end, coming out of the studio with the best album of his career.

Donahue offers his thoughts on the creative process behind Madmen & Sinners: "The melodic ideas have remained rock solid as I first composed them, but the arrangements - Gregorian chants were used extensively to give the music a cathedral-like ambience, for example -  and lyrics developed as I lived with the music. It's easily the most technically and musically challenging album I've ever done.  As for working with James, I normally work without input from other people, but I fed off of his positive energy. Since I initially wrote the Madmen material with his voice in mind, it was great to have him on board and bring the music to life as I envisioned it".

As for LaBrie, who likes the idea of stretching his creative wings: "Tim would send me CDR's and I would write back saying how that particular song or section sat with me. It pretty much continued that way until we went into the studio, but things seem to take on their own life once you start laying final vocals down. I like to experiment, and that's what we did throughout the Madmen & Sinners sessions. We had a great time, and I believe the music will speak for itself".

Indeed it will, as a testament to creativity, artistry and musical evolution.