Round 4High scoring round! Great submissions guys!
Gorille - The Tallest Man on Earth - Where Do My Bluebirds Fly
Nice submission! Awesome acoustic work and a really great voice. I thought about being alone in an open field and it really suited that atmosphere, so nice job there. This would actually have been a good submission for round 2 aswell in my opinion. Very stripped down and lovely song. Will be checking out his albums for sure. Thanks!
6 PointsReaper - Incubus - Aqueous Transmission
Beautiful song! The soft acoustic and woodwind instruments really created a relaxed atmosphere, although you didn't specify a place it made me feel like lying down in a sunny grassy field overlooking a river. The soothing vocals assisted in that respect. Took me on a little journey and I felt so relaxed afterwards. The song didn't progress much, but that suited it perfectly, I got lost in its sound quite easily.
7 PointsRavenheart - Loreena Mckennitt - Dante's Prayer
I must admit, I listened to this one first and thought Raven had dominated the round again! But many other submissions were just as good this time round. Really beautiful song, the vocals and piano were so touching and I felt really moved as I imagined the description you gave me (which the song really fit! definitely a sunset song in my opinion). I will definitely be checking out this artist for sure! Great song that took me somewhere emotionally as well as creating an atmosphere which fit a specific place.
7 PointsKari - Immanu El - Storm
I had already heard a couple of songs by these guys on youtube but this was slightly different to what I had heard before. Perfect setting you gave me! Really touching and I got a little emotional listening to the song. It gave me the feel of a rainforest with waterfalls when the rain is pouring down. Overall just a great song with an awesome build up which I really loved, the vocals were lovely and suited the song perfectly. Nice one! Was deciding between 8 and 7 but just snuck ahead of the many other contenders for the round.
8 PointsJingle - Frost* - Welcome to Nowhere
That's more like it! I loved that you twisted the round criteria here slightly with your description and it really paid off. To be honest, not what I was looking for in the round but since I was so vague I can't be harsh on that and I loved your description (and the song). Some amazingly catchy and powerful vocals in this song and awesome transitions between the less and more heavy sections. Will check this band out!
6 PointsNekov - Frost* - Hyperventilated
A repeat of artists! This sounded quite different to what Jingle sent though. An instrumental song with an awesome piano opening and some great keyboard and guitar work through the song, with some crazy solos at times. Definitely adhered to the description you sent. Loses marks because I got a little bored during some of the solo parts. Still a solid choice!
5 PointsElite - Wolves in the Throne Room - Dia Artio
I actually have a few of these guys albums on order, waiting for them to arrive, so I already know their sound from listening to one song on youtube. Anyway, I love ambient/atmospheric black metal so great choice! Loved the wall of sound the guitars created and just the whole atmosphere of the song (like much of the genre) really created that feeling of a dense, thick forest in deep night. The atmosphere is really key here, you just have to lose yourself to the song! I imagine it would work much better in a full album setting too.
7 PointsWolfking - Kamelot - Karma
Definitely a very eastern feel to the song. Started off very strong, but dragged a little towards the end. Some strong and very catchy vocals and pretty cool guitar work. I don't really have too much to say here, although the song was very solid it didn't really take me anywhere personally, either emotionally or causing me to imagine a certain scenery.
5 Points
Everyone really stepped it up this round! Another very low deviation of scores. People that would normally have broken away from the pack a little haven't because of the strong submissions by everyone. Thanks guys, heaps of great stuff to check out from that round.
Ravenheart - 31
Kari - 24
Reaper - 24
Wolfking - 23
Nekov - 21
Gorille - 19
Elite - 20
Jingle - 15
Hopefully this puts all those comments about my "harsh marking" aside
Aside from Raven, who still hasn't had anything close to even a decent round, the results are evening out with the majority all within 4 points.
Round 5We've reached the half-way point! Before I start on another string of very specific round criteria, I'll give you another open round! So send whatever you please!