Final Round ResultsAnd here it is, we've come to the end. The scores are every song added together then divided by the number of songs submitted to get the average.
BrentSnakeyes - Black and WhiteBrent kicks things off with someting he describes as Spain's version of Priest or PF and he's pretty spot on. Nice chunky yet predictable riffs, snarling vocals and the tempo throughout is really nice. The high vocals were very impressive too. Certainly nothing I haven't heard before, but a fan of this style can't find anything really wrong with this.
Appeal of Style - 9.0
Instrumentation and Vox - 9.0
Structure and Songwriting - 9.0
Replay Value - 9.0
Would I Purchase - 9.0
Score - 9.0Randy Piper's Animal - Eye of the StormI remember when I read that Randy Piper was putting his own band together but didn't get around to checking it out, and I certainly missed out. This track was my fav of the EP. Again, just solid metal here, great sound, nice solid riffs and the vocals were just awesome. The chorus is what got me, fucking brilliant. It's just so simple and straightforward but brilliantly done. Definitely an album I need to check out. Good to see Randy doing his own thing and not producing a WASP clone, love it.
Appeal of Style - 9.0
Instrumentation and Vox - 9.0
Structure and Songwriting - 9.5
Replay Value - 9.5
Would I Purchase - 9.5
Score - 9.3Conerstone - Unchosen OneThe name doesn't ring a bell, but the vocalist certainly does in Doogie White. His vocals here are awesome as they always are. Nothing really wrong here, solid song but didn't have me going like the other two. Pretty simple in structure and teh songwriting I actually get a Tony Martin Sabbath era feel. I think maybe it just lacked the energy that the other two did. Still very good.
Appeal of Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 9.0
Structure and Songwriting - 8.0
Replay Value - 8.5
Would I Purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.5Knight Fury - The MessageAnother solid metal track with some more names that I know. Not much to say with this one, it was cool, but nothing mindblowing at all, and I think this is one of those ones that normally I'd like more but so far into this thing, perhaps just doesn't have the impact like it should or normally would. Still good stuff here.
Appeal of Style - 8.0
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.0
Structure and Songwriting - 8.0
Replay Value - 8.0
Would I Purchase - 8.0
Score - 8.0Artch - Living in the PastAnother Brent classic that I've never even heard of and this one was pretty cool. First thing I notice is that it sounds fantastic for 1988, great sound and production. Brent highlighted the vocals and definitely he was right, great singer and I do hear the Bruce vibe he was saying. I also hear a bit of Lizzy Borden in this too for some reason. I like the chorus, definitely more 80's sounding here. Nice groove and definitely keeps my interest. Solid 8.5
Appeal of Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.5
Structure and Songwriting - 8.5
Replay Value - 8.5
Would I Purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.5Zool - Snake EyesRight off the bat you hear a more vintage sound to this one. Brent tells me it's a project created by Henrik from Evil Masquerade, and I definitely hear Evil Masquerade lite in here. Again, I think this is something normally I'd like more, but this one left me a little flat. Everything was good, just didn't live up to the rest.
Appeal of Style - 7.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.0
Structure and Songwriting - 7.5
Replay Value - 8.0
Would I Purchase - 7.0
Score - 7.6Portrait - We Are Not AloneThis one got the energy kicking again, with a nice start. Brent says these guys are going for a Mercyful Fate type of thing and I have to be honest, I don't hear that too much here, but I can definitely get that vibe in some of the vox and the chorus, so I guess I do haha. Nevertheless, I really liked this one. Evil, dark. nice riffs, and bloody great guitars too. Good mix of heavy riffing and melody.
Appeal of Style - 9.0
Instrumentation and Vox - 9.0
Structure and Songwriting - 8.5
Replay Value - 9.0
Would I Purchase - 9.0
Score - 8.9Phenomena - Move - You LoseI actually have one Phenomena album, the latest one I think and they were definitely a project I had been meaning to look into more based on the guests. This is some smooth AOR with the late great Ray Gillan. I'm sure we all wish he did more work and was still around cause of course his vocals here are great. Saying that, this didn't blow me away. Brent warned me of the change in pace in chorus and he thought I'd be fine with it, but yeah, it did actually let it down for me a bit. I thought the chorus was a bit flat and didn't live up to the rest of the song to be honest. I love the vibe in the verses and the guitars are killer too. Good song, again, nothing I haven't heard before.
Appeal of Style - 9.0
Instrumentation and Vox - 9.0
Structure and Songwriting - 7.5
Replay Value - 8.0
Would I Purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.4Total EP score - 8.52MasonBig Big Train - FolkloreI've seen this name floated around here a few times but the name of the band I assumed would be something I wouldn't really be into, so was interested in this one. Instantly what I had in my head from the band name was quite spot on. I get a real Peter Gabriel vibe in the vocals on this one, but they are good. This is really original and was prepared to be open minded when it came to Mason't EP. The instrumentation had a bit of Ayreon and other stuff mixed in which I actually liked. This didn't blow me away, but could really appreciate it and enjyed listening to it. The instrumental part was great too.
Appeal of Style - 8.0
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.5
Structure and Songwriting - 8.5
Replay Value - 8.0
Would I Purchase - 8.0
Score - 8.2Orphaned Land - Ocean LandAnother band I know the name well but have never heard a single thing from them. Again right away the sound is the style I have imagined in my head and again, this is something quite original IMO. Love the tempo and the riffing here and the way it flows is nice. Love the growls that come in and mix with the music, quite wonderful. Get a definite Myrath feel and even some Kamelot and Pain of Salvation at times too. The cleans didn't match the growls but that criteria still gets a good score based on the music adn growls. I really like the chorus and the melodies too. Great guitars which made it more appealing too. I really enjoyed this and could potentially check them out.
Appeal of Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 9.0
Structure and Songwriting - 9.0
Replay Value - 8.5
Would I Purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.7MindMaze - Moment of FlightAs I've made it pretty clear in this roulette, female fronted metal is pretty hit or miss with me and Mason decides to roll the dice with this band here. Things start off really nice and heavy and I like where this is going. Was wondering what type of female vox were coming up and we get a pretty girly and pretty voice which normally isn't my thing. This I think I have to make an exception. The contrast between her voice and the music actually worked quite well for me, and she has some nice qualities to her voice. The chorus was excellent and sold me on this song. The instrumental section was brilliant. I can't believe this scored so highly.
Appeal of Style - 9.0
Instrumentation and Vox - 9.0
Structure and Songwriting - 9.0
Replay Value - 9.0
Would I Purchase - 9.0
Score - 9.0Red Fang - WiresSome stoner rock which I'm a casual fan of, but normally the heavier kind. This reminded me right away of Queens of the Stone Age. The excellent video made it more enjoyable but when I just listen to the track, it doesn't really do it for me unfortunately. Everything here is nice and it has some great qualities but I can take it or leave it.
Appeal of Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.0
Structure and Songwriting - 7.5
Replay Value - 7.5
Would I Purchase - 7.0
Score - 7.7Tiles - Beneath the SurfaceMason sent me these guys cause I like Rush and I quite liked this. Nice sound and a definite Rush vibe, especially in the music and guitar solo. The vocals were a bit different and an acquired taste, but I have no problem with them. Nothing mindblowing but a really nice song, and I'd like to hear more from these guys.
Appeal of Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.5
Structure and Songwriting - 8.5
Replay Value - 8.5
Would I Purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.5Total EP Score - 8.42Final Scores
1. bl5150 - 89.82
2. Dr. DTVT - 88.72
BRENT IS THE WINNER!!!!Mason, even though you threw caution to the wind with your EP, it actually stacked up nicely. Well done and thank you to everyone involved, this has been a most pleasing and worthwhile experience!!
Let me just leave you with a Kip Winger gif!