Alright bitches, here we go. I'll be posting the write-ups in the order I received the songs. Just because your song's at the bottom doesn't mean you got last place. Also, since we don't have a real points hierarchy, each song is getting the exact amount of points I feel it deserved. The only exception to the rule is the "winner" of each round, who will receive 6 points. The rest will be graded on a 1-5 scale.
1 - Ugh, please don't make me listen to this again
2 - Tolerable, but lacking in several areas
3 - Good stuff, with maybe 1 or 2 minor gripes
4 - Highly enjoyable
5 - *boner*
6 - *megaboner*
Gorille85 Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Sleep is WrongWell, this was certainly the best start to this roulette that I could have possibly asked for. This is a band I've always wanted to check out, but I never really had the time nor the motivation (always too much other stuff to listen to). Harry and Alex both sent me a few random songs, but nothing ever really stood out. However, I have now realized what a fool I am for not paying more attention. This is some really fabulous music. I quote one of the comments on the video when I say "This is the heaviest non-heavy song you will ever hear." It achieves this monstrous, crushing sound without a single distorted guitar riff. Based on first impressions alone, this would have gotten 5 points, but all the layers that jump out after repeated listens make me quite aware that this is a band I'll be listening to for a long time.
5 points73109 Shape of Despair - Quiet These Paintings AreLong this song is. Doomy it is also. Yodaspeak the song title is in. Anyway, there's no denying that this song went on for way too long, but it was still entertaining and bleak. I've always been into Swallow the Sun, but I think I might actually like this better. I could see myself exploring Skyrim to this music. It fits that night vibe so perfectly. The piano blending with the oboe (I'm pretty sure. I could be wrong) is a very nice prelude to the ever-familiar doom chords. My one complaint about this song (apart from the length) is that the fade-in didn't really do it for me. I think this song would have benefited from one enormous impact to bring in the heavy parts. I'm actually surprised that you like this, what with the awesome growls and all, but I'm not complaining. Looks like you finally got into good music.
4 pointsDark Castle Desecravity - Enthralled in Decimation This is some excellent modern death metal. Erik Rutan seems to have a gift when it comes to producing the absolute best-sounding death metal ever. Everything (except the bass, of course) cuts through so cleanly, that it gives a certain finesse and beauty to a genre that prides itself on being ugly as all hell. I get a big Cannibal Corpse vibe, but dare I say that these guys might be even better. The riffs never stick around long enough to become static, and the technical prowess of this band absolutely speaks for itself. I especially love when the higher vocals compliment the low stuff like Deicide like to play around with. Really, my only complaint with this song is that it lacks any really memorable sections, but it's still fun as hell to listen to.
4 pointsRavenheart Edge of Sanity - TwilightSo, I hit play on this song. I'm sitting back, enjoying the ambiance and pristine beauty, and then the riff happens. A wicked smile creeps over my face as I begin to bob my head along, and then the OTHER riff happens.
This song went from "pretty fucking sweet" to "Holy fucking christ on a garlic cracker awesome" within about 2 minutes. I've heard Dan Swano's work with Bloodbath, but other than that I didn't have much frame of reference to his numerous projects. If this song (and the rest of the album which I downloaded immediately) is any indicator, Dan Swano is to become one of the chosen few on my list of the best musicians of all time. The most interesting aspect of this song, to me, is how prominent the bass is, and it instantly gives this band a defining sound that sticks out from all the other death metal in the universe.
6 pointsClairvoyantCat Martin Grech - I Am ChromosomeAh, here we go. Some neat, tribal stuff and-HOLY FUCKING JESUS IT'S ANOTHER EPIC RIFF. Seriously, I don't know where the fuck stuff like this has been all my life, but I want it all. ALL OF IT I TELL YOU. I really have no idea how to define this stuff. It's definitely progressive metal, but with little bits of electronic tossed in. I've been looking for another genre-bender for a long time, and I've finally found it. The whole song has a very processed feeling, which I feel helps out that electronic, robotic feeling. Something tells me this guy's voice should annoy me, but it doesn't. He kind of sounds like a less annoying Matt Bellamy. Hell, I'll take it. This album will definitely be on my list for whenever I need an awesome change of pace.
5 pointsYtseBitsySpider Unearth - Shadows in the LightYeesh. Well, it's better than Asking Alexandria, I'll give you that much. Unfortunately, it's not by much. This whole deathcore movement just makes me sad. It's like they took everything cool about metal, threw it away, took all the annoying elements of hardcore and threw them right in. Sure, the riffs are heavy, but it doesn't excuse the whole "uninspired breakdown every 5 seconds to promote hardcore dancing and pussy-moshing" or the high, screamy vocals. Some bands can pull off that style of vocal, but this is not one of them. I'm feeling generous though, so I'll give you an extra point if you promise not to send any more.
2 pointszxkhlo Neurosis - No River to Take Me HomeMan, this song is fucking bleak. After getting into Battle of Mice recently, I've been up for some more post-metal. If this is a good indicator of the rest of this band's output, I'd say I'll enjoy exploring their discography. I'm finding it kind of hard to write about this song. Maybe it's because I'm listening to it right now and it's pretty hypnotic. While the length isn't too terrible, it still feels like it goes on for a bit longer than it needs to. The coolest part of the song has to be the end, where everything mellows out, only to be brought back into heavier territory with the harmonizing guitar lines. Great stuff.
4 pointsariich Protest the Hero - BloodmeatWell, way to cash in on my recent SikTh binging. Mathcore FTW. I can't really find myself listening to much else, lately. Something tells me these vocals would usually bug me, but you're pretty lucky that SikTh's vocal acrobatics have kind of desensitized me to this style of singing. I especially like the "DUH DUH DUHDUH"s and how they add to the rhythmic crushing of that section. I absolutely love the interplay between the guitarists. Oh, and for those wondering, the end of this song is a perfect example of a breakdown done right. I'm positively drooling at the thought of exploring this band further.
5 pointsThe Scoreboard:
Ravenheart - 6
Gorille85 - 5
ClairvoyantCat - 5
ariich - 5
Dark Castle - 4
73109 - 4
zxkhlo - 4
YtseBitsySpider - 2
Next round is open again (as all rounds will be). Try to get me a submission by Friday. Remember that the scoring system is arranged in such a way that it will almost always be anyone's game. Keep up the good work, soldiers.