*snip*
Fine.
ROUND 1: OPENERS
THE RESULTS
Well, you've asked for them. Well, actually.. they were coming anyway. Here are the results for the very first round of the roulette.
EvermindVanden Plas - Vision 11even*In My UniverseWhile this song isn't something exceptionally new, it has grown on me on the last couple of listens. I like the way the song opens up, and damn, this singer is really wicked sounding. Works well with the sinister lyrics. Overall, an enjoyable song, maybe it drags a bit, but it's fairly good.
8/10Train Of NaughtXerath - I Hold DominionThis song is one of the biggest sounding pieces of music ever sent to me in a roulette. The song starts with this cinematic intro, and it cuts to the band which progress in a slow, heavy and glorious march. The song moves along with the vocals, which (as Train wrote in his PM) are insanely Devin Townsend-ish. After this, a cool riff plays and the song kind of repeats itself. This song has a huge vibe, and I can say that I enjoy the hell out of it. It's badass, it makes you feel on top of a cliff while there's a furious battle raging on at its foot. My only complaint it's that it is kind of incosistent, the various parts don't flow really that well with one another, but I don't know, maybe it just requires more listens.
8.5/10TyriasThe Struts - Roll UpThis is a little fun tune. I didn't know these guys and it surprises me that this isn't all over the radio. The song is incredibly catchy, with typical glam rock lyrics. Now, Tyrias, you used the world 'pop punk', and I got terribly scared. Pop punk can be good, like all music, but at times it's really hard for me to enjoy it, especially because of the vocals. But to my surprise, I like this singer a lot (he reminds me of Freddie Mercury) and this doesn't sound that pop-punkish like you said. I've been having
EVERYBODY WANTS EVERYBODY WANTS stuck in my head for a while now. it's a fun and enjoyable song for what it is.
8.5/10Tomislav95The Sword - Acheron/Unearthing the OrbThis is an instrumental overture to The Sword's album "Warp Riders". Considering this is a concept album, I think this would work better in the context of the record. For what it is, it's an okay instrumental, I love the stoner sound production of it but sadly, that's it. The riff are somewhat heard before and it doesn't really go anywhere, so yeah.. kind of a let down.
6.5/10ScorpionNeed - LifeknotNever heard about these guys before. This was kind of hard to figure out, but in the end it grew on me. At first it sounds like Rammstein, then it's Riverside, and then some Nu Metal band. Part of them make me feel like it's 2000 all over again
The song flows good though, and I really like the chorus. Overall, it's kind of a weird track, in the "bad" sense of the word. It sounds a bit confused with its ideas, but it's totally decent.
7.5/10twosuitslukeThe Black Mages - The Skies AboveSo, this is supposed to be a 'Final Fantasy' cover band, with songs from its soundtrack, and their original composer on keyboards. Now, the music is decent - some nice 80's power metal vibes. The things that ruin it for me are two:
- The flow: the song starts with a beautiful piano intro that gets abruptly interrupted by the main guitar riff, which is in a different tempo and time signature. It's a bit of a punch in the face. The song then, towards the end, slows down again, and while the transition there is better than the intro, it still feels somewhat awkward.
- The vocals: This guy is undecided whether to be Pavarotti or Jorn Lande. It's pretty bad. I think the song would benefit
a lot with another singer.
5.5/10 (sorry to let you down, my friend )splentAngra - Spread Your FireI chose Angra within the artist that can be resent because Temple Of Hate, last time, was amazing. A fun, fast track that never let go throughout.
And so, resending this band was a good choice?
Eh.
You chose a particularly standard sounding song that, while good, doesn't bring that fun element that the other track had. Once again, not a bad track, but somewhat standard sounding and predictable.
7/10StadlerGenesis - Eleventh Earl Of MarI've explored a bit of Genesis' early work because, honestly, who the hell didn't? They are one of the absolute classics of music in general, really.
This song is the opener from the second album without Peter Gabriel, Wind And Wuthering.
One thing stands out here. Phil Collins. Such a tight groove
and great vocals. I really enjoy it! The middle clean part reminds me of Rush, which makes a lot of sense. Also, there's a bass line that is fucking amazing! This song has quite the groove going. Also, it may be the best fitting 'opener' that got sent.
9/10ParamaThe Ocean - Mesopelagic: Into The UncannyBack when this album came out, I've seen it mentioned here and there, so one day I went on wikipedia to see what it was all about. Turns out, this is a concept album that takes place from the surface, to the lowest point in the ocean, and each song is darker than the one before. That, to me, is a great concept to have in an album. I've never got around to listen to it, but man, thank you for sending this. Now I will for sure.
This is an incredible song. It works well in everything it does. The vibe is amazing, and the chemistry in the band too. The song is dynamic, it constantly shifts, but in a very subtle way. It's incredibly coherent throughout, and I also like the vocals a lot. Also, the opener vibe is there. What more to say? It's stunning. I love everything about this. It's not perfect, but it's close.
9.5/10EliteShining - FisheyeOnce again, I knew these guys, but I wasn't familiar with any of their material. I know they have saxophones inside big metal tunes, but that's about it. But I certainly didn't think they were
this mad.
This song sounds literally like Rammstein on acid with english random lyrics. Or at least I think they're random.
With that said, I have an incredible time listening to this tune - it's completely batshit insane. The thing is, it doesn't quite fit the theme in my opinion, so I have to rate it a bit less than I would normally. But don't worry, it's still pretty high.
ONE THREE SEVEN FIVE8/10SaculEd Harrison - TachiThe current champion. I was curious of what you would send me, but in the end I kind of knew what to expect when I saw what you sent. A chill, trip-hop-ish instrumental song, that could fit well in a videogame and/or a movie. I like the vibe of this, although I'm not sure how it could work as an opener. I wouldn't get back to it, but it's a nice track overall, so yeah, a fair
7/10---
So, that's it. First round has come and gone. The competition, though, has just started. Here is the chart:
Parama (9.5 points)
Stadler (9 points)
Train Of Naught, Tyrias (8.5 points)
Elite, Evermind (8 points)
Scorpion (7.5 points)
Sacul, Splent (7 points)
Tomislav95 (6.5 points)
twosuitsluke (5.5 points)
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You can now send for round two, which is an open round. Send whatever.