Round 1 - Instrumental Song (If there is no link, find it on youtube)
6 points
SoundscapeMN - God Is An Astronaut - Zodiac:
https://listen.grooveshark.com/#/s/Zodiac/2sONS5
I realize this is the first song write-up most of you are reading, but if Ytse's song and Sigz song had a baby, Zodiac would be it. It's everything I liked about their two songs put togeter. I'm definately going to have to check some more out.
5 points
YtseBitsySpider -
MAXXESS - DE-LAYED: This has everything I look for in a instumental: atmosphere, something that grabs my attention, all without smothering the music, and its mixed very well. There's nothing here to really complain about, and someone I'll be looking at getting in the future.
Sigz -
Amesoeurs - Gas in Veins:
https://listen.grooveshark.com/#/s/Gas+in+Veins/1Zkkfz I liked how this song made me feel a sense of urgency, like I should be in a hurry to go somewhere, yet the music itself isn't rushed or super fast. I felt like it is the soundtrack to an impending panic attack that's still internalized...frenzied, yet eerily subdued. I liked this song a little more each time I listened to it. Also, every time I try to come up with a pronunciation for that band name I come up with something different. Again, I'm seeing the worm and thinking about biting.
4 points
Portrucci -
Ragnarok - Dagarnas Skum:
When I read Port's brief description of the song, "Beautiful instrumental prog/folk from 1976." This is pretty much what I had in mind. Very relaxing an enjoyable, reminds me of some of the stuff Veronika has sent out on Track of the Day. It doesn't try to take you anywhere, which is the opposite of the song Sigz sent, but still very enjoyable.
Wolfking -
Jason Becker - Altitudes:
https://listen.grooveshark.com/#/search/songs/?query=jason%20becker%20altitudes You sent this because I'm a fellow Tony MacAlpine fan, and I can definately see the connection. It's a shame about Jason having ALS, I'm sure he could have given us much more. My only real complaint is that the guitar noodling is a little too upfront, as guitarist's solo albums tend to be. Much like Tony, I could really get into this when in the right mindset.
3 points
Zantera -
Porcupine Tree - Mother and Child:
https://listen.grooveshark.com/#/s/Mother+and+Child+Divided/2g4fAl Either you forgot I beat the drumhead for the "Porcupine Tree is overrated" crowd, or you tried to change my mind. Well, this song didn't change my mind. It wasn't very atmospheric, or attention grabbing, or anything noteworthy. It is average, and as such, gets an average score, whether its named Porcupine Tree or Dream Theater.
2 points
Seventh Son -
Celtic Frost - Winter: It is very atmospheric and kind of hangs over your head, much like a Winter night, but in the end there just wasn't enough to this song for it to stand on its own. Like you said, it's part of a larger suite - also, I get the impression that this song is not representative of Celtic Frost as a whole, but it's mostly a bowed instrument over non-descript foreboding background. Not bad...but not really what I'm looking for in an instrumental either.
1 point
Gorille85 -
Ulver - Hallways of Always: Something about this song just didn't click for me. A little too electronic, and some of the noises they used annoyed me more than added to the musical atmosphere. Then there's that record scratch thing in the middle of the song...so yeah, this song never really caught on for me. I kept waiting for this song to kick it up a notch while I was listening...but it never did.
Standings:
See above
Round 2: Standout vocal performance. If I can get them by Sunday morning that would be great.