1) A Norwegian progressive me… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists with this name:
1) A Norwegian progressive metal band.
2) An American 60's psychedelic rock band.
1)
Circus Maximus is a progressive metal band from Oslo, Norway.
In 2000 long-time band mates Michael Eriksen (vocals) and brothers Mats (guitar) and Truls Haugen (drums) were joined by keyboard genius Espen Storø and Glen Cato Møllen on bass to form Circus Maximus.
Initially being a cover band, they got a lot of positive feedback for their interpretations of technically challenging material like songs of Dream Theater and Symphony X. However, soon the band started writing their own songs: With other influences varying from pop/rock through classical progressive rock to heavy and death metal, their music synergized into a mixture of melodic and groovy sound with lots of heavy riffs and odd time signatures. In the musical press their sound has been compared to Queensrÿche, TNT, Shadow Gallery, Pretty Maids, Helloween and Pagan's Mind.
Releasing two demos to receive great reviews in Norway, as well as in Europe and USA, before signing with Danish Intromental Management in April 2004, resulted in a record deal with American record label Sensory Records for the USA and Canada, which in turn forwarded a licensing deal for Europe and Russia to Frontiers Records.
Their debut album, The 1st Chapter, was released in May 2005 and has received eminent reviews in the international music press.
Half a year later, in November 2005, keyboards player Espen Storø decided to leave the band for personal reasons. In February 2006, Lasse Finbråten was announced as the band's new keyboard-player.
Circus Maximus released their second studio album, Isolate, on August 7, 2007. In February and March 2008 the band toured Europe as an opening act (along with German progressive metal band Dreamscape) at the Symphony X Paradise Lost Tour 2008.
The third album, called Nine was released June 1st 2012. The band describes the album being both more melodic and more dynamic than the two previous albums.
Current Members:
* Michael Eriksen - vocals
* Lasse Finbråten - keyboards
* Mats Haugen - guitars
* Truls Haugen - drums
* Glen Cato Møllen - bass
Former Members:
* Espen Storø - keyboards (2000 - 2005)
Discography:
* 2005: The 1st Chapter
* 2007: Isolate
* 2012: Nine
http://www.circusmaximussite.com/
2)
Circus Maximus was a United States band in the late 1960s, who combined influences from folk music, rock, and jazz into a form of psychedelic rock. Bob Bruno's song "Wind", from their eponymous first album, was a minor hit on the West Coast of the United States.
In late December 1967, they performed in an unusual pair of "Electric Christmas" concerts together with the New York Pro Musica, an ensemble devoted to performing early music. The 80-minute performance at the New York City—rehearsed in the nightclub Electric Circus where Circus Maximus were in residence much of that month, but performed at Carnegie Hall included a light show by Anthony Martin and electronic music by Morton Subotnick; the groups performed both together and separately. The material performed together included a reworking 14th-century composer Guillaume de Machaut's "La douce dame jolie" as an English-language song "Sweet Lovely Lady" and a Bruno original "Chess Game" that, unbeknownst to Bruno himself but noted by John White, director of the Pro Musica, strongly echoed the "Romanesca", a piece first written down in 16th-century Spanish lute books.
The concert was not a critical success. Donal Henahan, writing in the New York Times, said that it "fell somewhat short of being the total-environmental trip that was promised… the night summed up most of the esthetic ideas now in the air: incongruity, simultaneity, games theory, the put-on, the parody, the Trip… and the effort to create a 'Total Environment' in which all the senses can come into play." Henahan opined that the concert's commercial success showed a break-down in the separation of classical and popular audiences.
By July 1968, the band had broken up and Walker was appearing at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village, sharing a bill with Joni Mitchell.
Robert Shelton included the Circus Maximus album Neverland Revisited in a November 1968 list selected to represent "the breadth… of today's rock".
Walker later moved toward country music and Bruno toward jazz.
Members:
* Jerry Jeff Walker - rhythm guitar and vocal (credited on first album as "Jerry Walker")
* Bob Bruno - lead guitar, organ, piano, vocal
* David Scherstrom - drums
* Gary White - bass
* Peter Troutner - vocal and tambourine; also some guitar work
Discography:
* Circus Maximus (1967)
* Neverland Revisited (1968)
Game of Life
Circus Maximus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the presence of another
Just for one day
Would it make a difference anyway
If I knew what you were thinkin'
I wouldn't bother wasting my time
I'd spend my day being out of harms way
What you gain ain't free in life
It isn't where you come from,
It's where you're going that counts
You get back into the saddle again
Ride alongside lifes rain
And walk out as the winner
When you own the game
Would you live with it or let it go
Will you remember it all
With only one goal
When time catches up with you
Then I'll know what you'll do?
You'll keep living a lie don't you know?
Now place your bets on this game
And never let the scornful doubts
Of disbelievers
Have your spirit put to shame
You know what you have found
So close your eyes for the second round
Would you live with it or let it go
Will you remember it all
With only one goal
When time catches up with you
Then I'll know what you'll do?
You'll keep living a lie don't you know?
Live it or let it go
Remember it all, if only one goal
Then time catches up with you
And there is no more to do
In the life that was you
Would you live with it or let it go
Would you live with it or let it go
Would you live with it or let it go
In the opening verse of Circus Maximus's song "Game of Life," the lyrics address the concept of empathy and understanding between people. The lyrics question whether or not our behavior would change if we could sense each other's thoughts for just one day. If we were able to read each other's minds, would it make a difference in how we interact with one another? The lyrics suggest that if we could know what others were thinking, it would save us time and the potential harm that may come from being unaware of another's thoughts.
The song then shifts to a discussion on success and the will that is required to achieve one's goals. The lyrics express the idea that success is not given for free but rather earned through hard work and determination. The lyrics emphasize that it's not where you come from that matters but rather where you're going. The song encourages listeners to persevere through the challenges of life mentioned as 'life's rain' and not give in to those who doubt their potential. In the end, the lyrics question whether we will live with the choices we make or let them go, and the final line suggests that in the life that we have lived, we might have nothing more to do.
Line by Line Meaning
If we could sense each other
If we had the ability to understand one another
In the presence of another
When we are around each other
Just for one day
For a short amount of time
Would it make a difference anyway
Would it change anything?
If I knew what you were thinkin'
If I could understand your thoughts
I wouldn't bother wasting my time
I wouldn't spend time on pointless things
I'd spend my day being out of harms way
I would avoid danger
There's no success without will
Determination is necessary for success
What you gain ain't free in life
Success requires effort
It isn't where you come from,
Your background doesn't define you
It's where you're going that counts
Your goals and direction in life are important
You get back into the saddle again
You keep trying after failure
Ride alongside lifes rain
Endure the hardships of life
And walk out as the winner
Succeed despite adversity
When you own the game
When you are in control of your life
Now place your bets on this game
Make a commitment to succeed
And never let the scornful doubts
Don't let others' negative opinions discourage you
Of disbelievers
Of those who lack faith in you
Have your spirit put to shame
Don't allow your confidence to falter
You know what you have found
You understand your purpose and goals
So close your eyes for the second round
Prepare yourself for the next challenge
Would you live with it or let it go
Would you endure a difficult situation or move on?
Will you remember it all
Will the experience stay with you?
With only one goal
With a singular focus
When time catches up with you
As you age and reflect on your life
Then I'll know what you'll do?
Your actions will be evident
You'll keep living a lie don't you know?
You'll continue to deceive yourself
Live it or let it go
Decide to endure or move on
Remember it all, if only one goal
Hold onto the experience if it aligns with your goals
And there is no more to do
At the end of your life, there's nothing more you can do
In the life that was you
Reflecting on your life after it has passed
Would you live with it or let it go
Would you endure a difficult situation or move on?
Would you live with it or let it go
Would you endure a difficult situation or move on?
Would you live with it or let it go
Would you endure a difficult situation or move on?
Contributed by Taylor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Maxx
This is a very positive, and intensely inspirational song.
I really wish more people knew about it. There are messages in this song that can change lives forever.
Dave RedNight
same with Architect of Fortune
Nulga
That solo... pure goosebumps.
heyJimmayy
This song has probably one of the most eragasmic solos ever
BurnAfterBreading
A gasm so intense it lasts for era's
heyJimmayy
Tarkhun Fora
I just noticed that i made a typo.
I wanted to type eargasmic actually but eragasmic is even better.
BurnAfterBreading
Dograma I know what you meant haha. I've been hooked on this album for the better part of a year or so now. This is definitely one of my favorite tunes off it. For using so many simple melodies and a general pop-ish formula the album turned out pretty damn great.
P_E_A_ R_L_Y
Dograma lsten to dt solos or bad salad solos, they are much better!
heyJimmayy
what do you take me for? an amateur? :p
i have been listening to prog metal for years and i admit DT are awesome (bad salad is also excellent) but i really love the unique style this guitarist has :)
iHorus Smash
This album is so amazing!