Final round results;
Big Hath - Appearance of Nothing - Without A ReasonThis was my fav track of the round. I really really enjoyed this one. 10 minutes long but didn't feel anywhere near that long. Lots of diversity and lots of interseting sections but everything feels like it belongs. The vocals are very interesting, not the strongest but I grew to love them. Love the chorus, very catchy and memorable. Great song.
Style - 9.5
Instrumentation and vox - 9.5
Songwriting and Structure - 9.0
Replay value - 9.5
Would I purchase - 9.0
Score - 9.3bl5150 - Shy - So Many TearsThis is some nice AOR/melodic rock done right. I've heard the name shy, even heard some of their old stuff but don't think I've heard anything more recent. This guy really really sounds like Glenn Hughes which is cool. This is one of those ones that isn't instantly catchy, the melodies grow on you. Ripping guitar too. Nothing I haven't heard before, but a cool track indeed.
Style - 9.5
Instrumentation and vox - 9.0
Songwriting and Structure - 9.0
Replay value - 9.0
Would I purchase - 9.0
Score - 9.1Luoto - Chaos Divine - Before the DawnJeez, another Aussie band I don't know much about. I liked this, had that Dead Letter Circus feel and even though wasn't metal, this had a brilliant atmosphere and feel. Really enjoyed the guys vocals but I liked the melodies and the chorus. This style can often be hit or miss, but I really liked this one.
Style - 9.0
Instrumentation and vox - 9.0
Songwriting and Structure - 9.0
Replay value - 9.0
Would I purchase - 9.0
Score - 9.0lowdz - Nordheim - Over and Over AgainThis is like In Flames with clean vocals, it's funny how much it sounds like them. Although this had a nice slick sound and a polished feel throughout. The In Flames feel is strong throughout so it's kind of funny to hear it with clean vocals. Vocals were adequate though and melodies solid. Cool song.
Style - 9.5
Instrumentation and vox - 8.5
Songwriting and Structure - 9.0
Replay value - 8.5
Would I purchase - 9.0
Score - 8.9TAC - Angelus Apatrida - Sharpen the GuillotineTim's submissions really have a distinct style, but I style I like. Ripping from the get go. More thrashy vocals in the verses but I like the vocals in the chorus. Not the strongest chorus I've heard though, but it becomes pretty catchy pretty quick. Great raw ripping leads too as always and I expect from the style. Solid song.
Style - 9.5
Instrumentation and vox - 8.5
Songwriting and Structure - 9.0
Replay value - 8.5
Would I purchase - 9.0
Score - 8.9Kattoelox - Outworld - War CryThis sounds great from the get go, nice and heavy indeed. Love the vocals too, nice and Halford like. Actually even the music reminds me something from Crucible. Great contrast between the verses and chorus too, didn't mind that. The leads are so self indulgent and raw, love 'em. Solid song.
Style - 9.5
Instrumentation and vox - 8.5
Songwriting and Structure - 9.0
Replay value - 8.5
Would I purchase - 9.0
Score - 8.9Lethean - Superior - Breeze of InsanityIt's all about that piano melody hey, very catchy. But once this got going, fuck the Savatage influence is strong. Vocals really sound like Chris Caffery too. I liked the melodies in this one, it was quite different. It was pretty samey throughout but a nice listen.
Style - 9.5
Instrumentation and vox - 8.5
Songwriting and Structure - 8.5
Replay value - 8.5
Would I purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.7Bolsters - Plini - CascadeNice instrumental this. At first I thought it was kind of your run of the mill prog instrumental, but it grew on me. Had shades of Steve Vai, Frank Gambale, Macalpine, DT even, pretty enjoyable. It was pretty laid back but everything really kept my attention, loved the climax to the ending too. Great gutar work too on this one.
Style - 9.0
Instrumentation and vox - 8.5
Songwriting and Structure - 8.5
Replay value - 8.5
Would I purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.7Puppies_on_Aicd - Moonsorrow - VerisakeetThis is one of those songs that I can happily listen to and enjoy without needing to take it all in, it can flow by and is a really nice listen. I'm pretty sure I've got an album from these guys, but I couldn't tell you the first thing about it. Some of the vocals were cool and over the top. The melodies were cool and a lot of what is going on here reminds me of something from the band Disillusion. Probably wouldn't go out of my way looking for me, but enjoyable.
Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and vox - 8.5
Songwriting and Structure - 8.5
Replay value - 8.5
Would I purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.5 Parama - Monotheist - Desolate, It Mourns Before MeI don't mind this style sometimes but this one didn't really grab me all that much. I liked the vocals though, they were strong and the music itself was very good. Some of the prettier melodies with the vocals over the top worked well. The solos were the highlight, some really intricate playing which was very good. I guess there is nothing really wrong with this one just didn't grab me as much.
Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and vox - 8.5
Songwriting and Structure - 7.5
Replay value - 7.5
Would I purchase - 7.5
Score - 7.9jingle.boy - Kepler Ten - SwallowtailSorry Chad, this is another submission I quite can't understand in why you sent. I can see why you like it, but I couldn't get into it. It just drags on a lot and while the sounds and atmospheres are nice enough, I just lost attention. I know you'd like the chorus, sounds like something you'd like and it did grow on me a little, but it just dragged out too much. Then I thought we were getting into a big heavy buildup and it would keep going but it didn't. The chorus is nice though, just not enough to keep me interseted.
Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and vox - 7.5
Songwriting and Structure - 7.5
Replay value - 7.5
Would I purchase - 7.0
Score - 7.6Stadler - Harry Styles - Sign of the TimesThis isn't my style at all, at all. I appreciate the submission from Stadler and I gave it a go. I've heard this guys name but don't know anymore than that. This had a real British Robbie Williams feel. The melodies in the chorus were actually pretty decent and can see this go down well in concert. I really didn't like the melodies with the falsetto, I found that annoying and while I won't be listening to any more, this had its moments.
Style - 6.0
Instrumentation and vox - 7.5
Songwriting and Structure - 7.5
Replay value - 7.5
Would I purchase - 6.0
Score - 6.9Evermind - Artificial Language - The Grand SkepticYeah, I couldn't get into this. I found it pretty ordinary and didn't care much for the vocals. The melodies aren't really my style either. I tried but I don't know what it was, just didn't get it I guess.
Style - 7.0
Instrumentation and vox - 6.5
Songwriting and Structure - 6.5
Replay value - 6.5
Would I purchase - 6.5
Score - 6.6tomislav95 - Woods of Ypres - Shards of LoveYeah, this one was pretty mournful hey. Not much I could get into here. Not really a fan of the vox or anything. The production was ordinary too. Yeah, a bit of a miss this one.
Style - 6.0
Instrumentation and vox - 5.5
Songwriting and Structure - 6.0
Replay value - 6.0
Would I purchase - 6.0
Score - 5.9bl5150 - 9.1 + 9.4 + 9.0 + 9.3 + 8.9 + 9.2 + 9.0 + 8.9 + 9.1
jingle.boy - 8.9 + 8.7 + 8.0 + 9.2 + 8.8 + 9.2 + 7.0 + 9.3 + 7.6
Luoto - 8.8 + 8.7 + 8.6 + 6.0 + 9.0 + 7.0 + 7.8 + 9.0 + 9.0
TAC - 8.6 + 9.5 + 9.0 + 8.4 + 9.0 + 8.8 + 8.6 + 9.6 + 8.9
Big Hath - 8.5 + 9.5 + 8.6 + 8.4 + 9.4 + 9.0 + 9.1 + 7.9 + 9.3
Evermind - 8.5 + 8.0 + 9.1 + 9.0 + 9.2 + 8.6 + 7.8 + 8.4 + 6.6
Kattoelox - 8.4 + 7.5 + 8.8 + 7.1 + 0.0 + 8.8 + 8.7 + 4.0 + 8.9
Bolsters - 7.9 + 9.4 +7.7 + 8.9 + 8.6 + 8.5 + 8.8 + 8.7 + 8.7
Parama - 7.6 + 6.8 + 7.7 + 7.0 + 7.8 + 9.7 + 6.0 + 8.2 + 7.9
Tomislav95 - 7.4 + 8.4 + 8.5 + 8.4 + 8.0 + 7.8 + 8.4 + 8.7 + 5.9
Elite - 7.3 + 6.8 + 8.3 + 9.0 + 7.3 + 7.0 + 6.8 + 7.7 + 0.0
lowdz - 6.9 + 8.6 + 8.5 + 8.8 + 9.2 + 9.0 + 8.8 + 8.2 + 8.9
Puppies_On_Acid - 6.0 + 7.9 + 7.0 + 9.0 + 8.8 + 6.3 + 9.0 + 9.0 + 8.5
Lethean - 5.8 + 6.0 + 9.2 + 7.7 + 4.8 + 8.7 + 6.4 + 6.5 + 8.7
Stadler - 4.6 + 8.1 + 7.9 + 5.0 + 4.5 + 7.2 + 8.2 + 6.9 + 6.9
bl5150 - 81.9TAC - 80.4
Big Hath - 79.7
Bolsters - 77.2
lowdz - 76.9
jingle.boy - 76.7
Evermind - 75.2
Luoto - 73.9
Puppies_on_Acid - 71.6
Tomislav95 - 71.5
Parama - 68.7
Lethean - 63.8
Kattoelox - 62.2
Elite - 60.2
Stadler - 59.7
Brent is the winner!!!!!!!!
Thanks heaps everyone for contributing, this has been amazing and really disappointed this is over. I have lots and lots of new stuff to get my teeth into that will keep me busy for some time, so thank you all!!!!