okay boys and girls, we've got scores!
LieLowTheWantedMan: Kairon; IRSE! - Valorians: I can appreciate the music, and the dreamy kind of atmosphere is pretty cool, but for the most part this genre is not for me. I like really clean production and it sounds like the band is playing inside a running washing machine. There is a twinge of In The Court of the Crimson King that comes through though, that is pretty cool.
Score: 6.0
Scorpion: Dark Empire - The Forgotten Sin: For some reason the production seems a bit off during the heavy sections – almost has a doomy/sludgy feel when the music seems like it should be more in my face. The vocals aren't really my favorite. There's not toooo much wrong with the song, but it just kind of sits there for me while listening.
Score: 7.0
adace: Scale The Summit - Atlas Novus: Kind of lulls you into a trance. A bit reminiscent of Yes at times. Ultimately a really nice instrumental piece, but it lacked a bit of magic that they typically need to draw you in and become memorable.
Score: 7.0
Tom Bombadil: Wings Denied - Generation Y: Slightly too busy for me, but I appreciate the heaviness, and extremely tight playing. Sounded a bit too "generic modern prog metal", if that is the right phrase. Good song but doesn't grab me as much as some of the better ones this round.
Score: 7.5
Sacul: Throne Of Chaos - The Window: Vocals are a little weird for me, kind of too theatrical is my first thought. Nice Rhodes during the break. And after the break I like the shift back into the faster pace with the soaring guitar solo – that kind of had a 70's tv show feel to me for some reason. My wife just walked in and said she liked this song, so that's worth an extra half point. Overall a really cool song.
Score: 8.0
senecadawg2: Angra - Make Believe: Feels like I'm at church at the beginning, I like the Hammond. The guy obviously has a great voice, but the vocals are slightly too emotional for me with a very slight whiny component. I kind of wanted him to be quiet for a bit so I could hear the guitar solo better. I like the acoustic playing over the crunchy rhythm guitar. Very cool relaxed feel to the song even though there is a lot going on.
Score: 8.0
Elite: Darkwater - Again: I like the low key opening in the verses with the extremely crunchy guitars. Tasty riffing during the second half of each verse. Very tight playing by these guys. The bass guitar is really punchy and cuts through in the mix, I like that sound. Portions of the song, primarily the chorus I think, reminds me of Speaking To Stones.
Score: 8.5
Bolsters: Thoughts Factory - No Way Out: So far this wins the title for best riffage this round (probably the quickest way to my heart in the musical sense, hint hint). The vocals remind me of Circus Maximus/Michael Eriksen, which is not a bad thing.
Score: 8.5
bl5150: Arion - Shadows: Nice and heavy! I really like the guitar tone. What does that keyboard solo remind me of? Going to have to think about that one for a bit – maybe something from Images & Words? This song really grabs you and doesn't let go.
Score: 9.0
kingshmegland: A.C.T. - A Truly Gifted Man: Cool reggae groove. This guy sounds like Michael Jackson at the beginning. Pretty cool 80s rock throwback sound with a bit of hip hop production in the vocals. Love that Toto influence. Really enjoyed the vocal performance. My one concern: does this band have enough variety in their music to keep me interested over an entire album, and with multiple listens?
Score: 9.0
Guys, this was an awesome round. If the rest of the roulette is of this quality, I will be very happy. Every song provided at least some level of enjoyment and those at the top were really, really good to my ears.
Rankings
kingshmegland - 9.0
bl5150 - 9.0
Bolsters - 8.5
Elite - 8.5
senecadawg2 - 8.0
Sacul - 8.0
Tom Bombadil - 7.5
adace - 7.0
Scorpion - 7.0
LieLowTheWantedMan - 6.0