Mekong Delta and Watchtower

Greevus · #1 06-28-2009, 06:13 PM

Two of my heroes and big influences from the 80's are Ralf Hubert of Mekong Delta and Doug Keyser of Watchtower. Germany and Texas respectively. Ralf's a pick player and Doug's a finger guy. The LP "The Music of Erich Zann" by Mekong and "Energetic Disassembly" by Tower are still two of my fave technical style metal records ever. I just don't hear a lot from bassists out there about these two guys and I think they deserve some props. Both guys do a lot of intros, bass leads, breaks, etc, that are very cool and very impressive technique-wise. Mekong always reminded me of a Megadeth style band Watchtower was called "Rush on speed" many times. Some of you likely know Ron Jarzombek, guitarist for Blotted Science, which also includes Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse. Jarzombek was the 2nd guitarist in Watchtower and is on the "Control and Resistance" CD that followed "Energetic Disassembly". Anyways, just wanted to give some praise for these two and hopefully turn some of you on to their great stuff. Mekong Delta is still going and Ralf is still the bass player. Lots of different members, but his playing and songwriting are still great after 20 years.

DoomandHeavy · #2 06-28-2009, 08:29 PM

Someone thats heard of Mekong Delta? You don't see that everyday

. Both bands are great especially their bass players. I believe Ralf used a Steinberger(sp) bass at one point, and Doug uses some kind of jazz bass. Both guys are insane with their basses. You should check out Pavor and Confessor if you haven't already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BqKuZlSUHc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRiWwovmxg0

Greevus · #3 06-29-2009, 09:04 AM

I actually played shows with Confessor in the late 80's. Great band also. I will check out the other. Ralf did use a Steinberger quite a bit. There are some cool youtube vids of them now. I used to be friends with Jason, the singer from Watchtower, but I never knew Doug. I believe Doug used a G&L if I remember correctly. Always loved his punch. Ralf's too. I'm a sucker for metal bands with bass upfront...

MaskedJackal · #4 06-29-2009, 01:54 PM

Mekong rules. My favorite is either the s/t or Kaleidoscope. Agreed on Ralf's killer pick playing... I love their Mussorgsky interpretations!

Watchtower I love even more, but if you like Energetic, why are you only somewhat mentioning Control and Resistance? That record is so wonderfully over the top and Doug's bass playing is nothing short of insane. The technicality is obvious but the thing that really astounds me as well is how hard the dude is digging in! Unbelievable that he could keep up that endurance. I was learning "The Eldritch" a while back...need to get back to that. And yeah, he used a G&L.

When I interviewed Alex Webster in February, he mentioned Ron was working on some Watchtower stuff. Get stoked!

MaskedJackal · #5 06-29-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoomandHeavy

You should check out Pavor

Pavor are the most technically ridiculous, thoroughly composed, and wonderfully pretentious band I've yet to hear. Love'em. Can't get enough of Furioso.

Greevus · #6 06-30-2009, 10:47 AM

I love "Control" also, but "Energetic" was just my intro to the band and very dear to me. I really love the demos before with Jason singing and Ron on guitar. I liked Alan Tecchio better in Hades. He sounded like he was straining too much on "Control". I would LOVE to hear some new 'Tower stuff. Been waiting for YEARS. I love "Dances Of Death" by MDelta also. Cool that there are still some fans around. Metal has never been the same!

NickBass81 · #7 07-01-2009, 05:35 AM

If now I listen mainly to jazz and fusion it' thanks to bands like Watchtower that I listened a lot to when I was more a "metal kid"...Doug Keyser is amazing but all the guys in the band are top-notch musicians...never heard anything by Mekong Delta, but I'd like to...any suggestions about any album to pick up?

Greevus · #8 07-01-2009, 08:29 AM

"The Music of Erich Zann" is THE essence of Mekong Delta. One of the greatest thrash records of all time. "Dances Of Death" and "Kaleidoscope" are very good overall, but "Mekong Delta", "The Principle of Doubt", and "Lurking Fear" are all great too. They have a few classical type CDs and a live one as well. I prefer the less classical ones, but they are good too. "Erich Zann", their 2nd record, has astoundingly complex riffs and is just intense. The two lead players just about cover metal guitar playing on this record alone. And of course, Ralf's bass playing rips! Check out the three leads in the first track "Age of Agony"..the third is Ralf on bass.