Discs Of Doom – James LaBrie

The first album I bought was...
Led Zeppelin – III (Atlantic, 1970)
“Led Zeppelin III – that one has some classic songs on, like ‘Gallows Pole’ and ‘Tangerine’. I remember singing ‘That’s The Way’ by Zeppelin when I was in a band and I was about 18 or 19. No one else has ever sounded like them.”

The album that’s influence me the most is...
Rush – Hemispheres (Mercury, 1978)
“There are many – A Day At The Races by Queen, and also Sheer Heart Attack – that are phenomenally influential to me. Hemispheres by Rush really blew me away – first of all because I was extremely proud to be a Canadian listening to these guys, and to be able to tap into an album such as that.”

My favourite album artwork is...
Rush – A Farewell To Kings (Mercury, 1977)
“Artwork never really piqued my interest. I know some people treat it as seriously as the music! There is artwork I do like, though – Rush being one of them! I remember being very intrigued by the cover to A Farewell To Kings.”

The album I wish I’d made is...
Pink Floyd – The Wall (EMI, 1979)
“I never really fantasized about that. Pink Floyd’s The Wall, I’m a little jealous that I didn’t make that! It would have been nice for that to be us - it was pure brilliance with the music; pushing envelopes, taking risks and being rewarded handsomely!”

I break the speed limit to...
Mutiny Within – Mutiny Within (Roadrunner, 2010)
“My son has been listening to Mutiny Within. I think they’re a brilliant band. They seem to be brave musicians, and their compositions are very mature.”

The album that reminds me of my college years is...
Rush – 2112 (Mercury, 1976)
“I still remember getting together with friends before high school, and we’d be listening to 2112. We were totally into that.”

The future of music is...
Periphery – Periphery (Road Runner, 2010)
“There’s this great band that we’ve just finished an American tour with, Periphery, and we’re bringing them with us to the UK. They just don’t seem to have any limitations. They’re very diverse, they’re very eclectic with where they pull from, they have a very unique sound, and they have this great energy and vibe around them. They’re in their 20s, but they have the maturity to make this style of music that sounds original.”

The album I want to be remembered for is...
Dream Theater – Images And Words (Atco, 1992)
“Images And Words, as it opened up so many doors for us. Internationally, a lot was happening, and it was a whole new experience for each and every one of us because we were so young at the time. It’s a classic progressive album, but it did have the heavy elements in there and was pushing the envelope. I think that if that’s your kind of music and your cup of tea, you can really appreciate where it’s coming from. I think it’ll stand the test of time.”

No one will believe I own a copy of...
Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue (Columbia, 1959)
“I don’t know; would people be surprised that I listen to The Nat King Cole trio? Or Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis? That’s one of my favourite jazz albums. I also like the band Starsailor! Would people think I would go for that? Ha ha!”

A kid asks me what metal is. I hand them a copy of...
Iron Maiden – The Number Of The Beast (EMI, 1982)
“Physical Graffiti or Led Zeppelin III would probably be the first thing I’d throw at them, but them some people debate whether you can have Led Zeppelin in there, so I’d say Iron Maiden, Number Of The Beast, or one of Judas Priest’s later albums, Painkiller. Rob [Halford, Judas Priest front man] is such a great guy.”