You guys are ready for this?
FINAL ROUND - THE RESULTS
I'm not gonna rank the songs though, I'll just say my thoughts about them. And shortly, since I need to pack, I'm leaving tomorrow
Let's get into this:
ParamaThy Catafalque - Molekulàis GepézetekWow, you surely were aiming for both epic and unique. Never heard about this band and I understand it's from Hungary, so, crazy hungarian avant-gard black metal is a first for sure
Even though this type of music usually bores me a bit, this works really good as background music, but also drags you into the listening experience. I like the change of style towards the middle section with the 'Mr. SaxoBeat' type of sound. It gets back to crazy towards the end, which is never bad.
Totally mad and fun track to listen to!
Train Of NaughtWaken Eyes - ExodusWhat I like about this track is the structure. It's a typical prog-epic structure but it has its subtle twists that make it interesting. I really like the acoustic march-type interlude with the samples going on, it's possibly my favorite moment in the entire 18 minutes, and also the main riff
In the end though, I feel this is too much typical and heard before, I mean, there's a solo that's incredibly reminiscent of The Count Of Tuscany and overall, the vibe is pretty DT and Symphony X-ish, which is not a bad thing at all, but, with a song like this it overstays its welcome a bit, I think. Not a bad tune at all, though.
TyriasAgalloch - Fire Above, Ice BelowI had already heard 'In The Shadow Of My Pale Companion' by Agalloch, the song I mean, and it struck me as incredibly powerful and immersive. I genuinely loved it from the first listen, but never went again listening. I regret now doing so, 'cause this song had a similar effect to me. It took me a couple of spins, but man, such vibes. I like the use of the whispered screech, a nice departure from standard black metal stuff. The acoustic guitars provide to the pathos of the track in a great manner, it gives me a 'desolated mountain' type of vibe. It's incredible stuff, I don't even know how to describe it.
EvermindNeed - OrvamAs of today, this is a song I really needed to hear. A particular thing happened today in my life and I heard this song and it was plainly talking about me (even though in the end my situation got resolved, thankfully). Orvam is.. one of the most emotionally exhausting tracks I ever heard. It reminds me of the vibe The Death Of Music (by Devin Townsen, you should really check it out.) gives me. Everything about this is amazing, the production, the lyrics, the musicianship, the structure, it just is a great way to end the album. And let me tell you, the final spoken part, even though I can't speak greek, sent chills down my spine. I later read it is a Baudelaire poem. An incredible track.
ScorpionGrayceon - War's EndThere are a couple things that really stand out about this track: one is its dark and sad vibe. The other is the really subtle jazz drumming. It may not sound like it, but that shit is hard.
Overall it's a great track to listen to, even just for the production, although it has not too much going on, but I appreciate you sent an important song for you.
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So, these are the five tracks that were sent. After enough listens, I had a clear winner in my mind. It isn't really what I expected based on previous rounds but eh.
CONGRATS TO EVERMIND Yeah, Ev you did it. You won this tediously long roulette which is finally over now! Rejoice, people
No, but really, congratulations to Evermind and to everybody else. I'm gonna make a playlist out of the best stuff that was sent, which will look slightly like this:
Xerath - I Hold DominionVanden Plas - In My UniverseThe Struts - Roll UpThe Ocean - Into The UncannyGenesis - Eleventh Earl Of MarlShining - FisheyeIhsahn - Celestial ViolenceThe Hrisch Effekt - Cotard (btw I got really into them this past month, insanely good band, thanks Parama.)
Caravan Palace - SuzyMoron Police - Stomp That GoombaLunatic Soul - GutterLechuga - O VurdonThank You Scientist - Suspicious WaveformsJon Lord - SarabandeMachine Head - HaloDavid Gilmour - Faces Of StoneWilderun - The Garden Of FireZardonic - VigilanteBillie Holiday - Strange FruitThrice - BeggarsTim Bowness - Sing To MeCynic - The Space For ThisAzedia - SomethingDir En Grey - VinushkaSlice The Cake - The Holy MountainWaken Eyes - ExodusAgalloch - Fire Above, Ice BelowNeed - OrvamSo, as you can see, pretty much each of you has sent a great track to add to my library! Nice job guys, I've really enjoyed the roulette, as far as the roulette went. I did not enjoy delaying the stuff at all, but eh, it was worth it, at least now it's finished.
Thanks for participating, everyone!