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General => Archive => General Music Archives => Topic started by: Crow on May 06, 2017, 11:09:45 PM

Title: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Quick Album Reviews)
Post by: Crow on May 06, 2017, 11:09:45 PM
Parama’s Roulette v2.5

The queue is basically dead and I’m about out of stuff to check out, so now seems as good a time as ever to run another roulette. I know how you all get when you’ve not had your hangmanen fix for a while.

The Victims
1. Bolsters
2. home
3. Train of Naught
4. Tomislav95
5. Luoto
6. LordCost
7. Nekov
8. Stadler
9. Evermind
10. twosuitsluke

Useful links:
Rules and Round Structure (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2314771#msg2314771)
Roulette Grading Scale (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2314772#msg2314772)
Tastes (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2314773#msg2314773)
Banned List (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2314774#msg2314774)
Songs Sent During the Roulette (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2314775#msg2314775)
Roulette v1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=44434.0)
Roulette v1.5 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=47943.0)
Old Top 50 List (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=44367.0)
2015 Retrospective List (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=47258.0)

Round Results
Round 0 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2317174#msg2317174) - Round 0 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2319561#msg2319561) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2319562#msg2319562)
Round 1 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2320584#msg2320584) - Round 1 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2322051#msg2322051) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2322054#msg2322054) - Round 1 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2322055#msg2322055)
Round 2 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2322982#msg2322982) - Round 2 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2324436#msg2324436) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2324437#msg2324437) - Round 2 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2324439#msg2324439)
Round 3 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2325163#msg2325163) - Round 3 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2327195#msg2327195) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2327196#msg2327196) - Round 3 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2327200#msg2327200)
Round 4 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2327975#msg2327975) - Round 4 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2330323#msg2330323) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2330324#msg2330324) - Round 4 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2330327#msg2330327)
Round 5 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2331283#msg2331283) - Round 5 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2333077#msg2333077) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2333078#msg2333078) - Round 5 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2333080#msg2333080)
Round 6 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2336485#msg2336485) - Round 6 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2338443#msg2338443) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2338444#msg2338444) - Round 6 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2338445#msg2338445)
Round 7 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2339218#msg2339218) - Round 7 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2341571#msg2341571) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2341572#msg2341572) - Round 7 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2341575#msg2341575)
Round 8 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2342488#msg2342488) - Round 8 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2343932#msg2343932) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2343933#msg2343933) - Round 8 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2343934#msg2343934)
Round 9 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2345085#msg2345085) - Round 9 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2346692#msg2346692) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2346693#msg2346693) - Round 9 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2346694#msg2346694)
Round 10 First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2347739#msg2347739) - Round 10 Results: Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2351196#msg2351196) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2351197#msg2351197) - Round 10 Secondary Judge Results (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2351198#msg2351198)
Final Round First Impressions (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2354061#msg2354061) - Final Round Results: 5th Place (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2358962#msg2358962) - 4th Place (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2359192#msg2359192) - 3rd Place (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2359396#msg2359396) - 2nd Place (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2359660#msg2359660)

The Winner Is... Part 1 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2359662#msg2359662) - Part 2 (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2359663#msg2359663)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 06, 2017, 11:10:20 PM
Rules:
1. Send songs via PM. I’d prefer mp3 downloads but youtube links are fine. Spotify links are not allowed, and you will be asked to resubmit. Basically I’d like to have a link from which I can download mp3s for free, is the primary requirement.
2. The banned list is color-coded for your convenience.
Red means bands I have heard enough from to know I dislike them in general.
Orange means bands I don’t actively listen to or own music from, but find generally alright.
Teal means bands I have looked into and plan to get an album from, or have an album but haven’t listened to extensively yet.
Yellow means bands I like and own music from but don’t quite love.
Green means one of my favorites.
3. In the interest of variety, if the same artist is sent multiple times in one round, only the first two submissions of the artist will be accepted. If the same song is sent by multiple people, only the first submission will be accepted.
4. I reserve the right to reject any song or artist not on the banlist, most likely because I either know the specific song or the band probably should be on my banlist (which I will update if so).
5. The maximum song length for the preliminary round is 10 minutes; no exceptions. The maximum song length for standard rounds is 12 minutes; and once during the course of the roulette each player may send one song longer than this, but no longer than 20 minutes.

Roulette Structure:
There will be 10 players for the main roulette. I will run one preliminary round accepting as many contestants that want to enter, but I will be cutting down to the top 10 players at the end of that round. Preliminary round points WILL factor into your overall score.

The main roulette will be 10 standard rounds, with one twist; each round, one player on the playerlist will also receive and be judging the songs, and ranking them according to their preference. They will not be affecting the roulette score of any participant however; but at the end of the 10th round, the player with the highest secondary judge score will be given a pass into the final round, if and only if they are not already in the final round through normal roulette score.

The top three players at the end of round 10 will proceed to the final round, which is an EP round. If there is a distinct secondary judge top scorer, they will also proceed, meaning the final round will have either 3 or 4 players.

The secondary judge’s scoring system will be as follows:

5 points for favorite song
3 points for second favorite song
2 points for third favorite song

This is to equalize all the secondary judging scores and ensure a fair chance for everyone.

The EP round rules are as follows:
1.   At least 30 minutes, and no more than 40 minutes
2.   Must use at least 4 different artists
3.   No more than two songs per artist, and the total length per artist must be no more than 12 minutes.
4.   Bonus points will be applied as follows; each full point a player has over the lowest-scoring player in the EP round will be converted to a quarter point bonus. So if one player scores 80, and another 82.5, the second player will receive +0.5 bonus points for the EP round.
5.   Song lengths will factor into their portion of the overall EP song score. This will be scored out of 30.
6.   Flow, variety, and cohesiveness of the EP (the EP score) will be out of 10.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 06, 2017, 11:10:59 PM
Roulette Numeric Score Grading Scale

10: One of the best songs I've ever heard.
9: A fantastic song that I'll return to frequently.
8: A great song that I'll probably keep spinning.
7: Good, but not especially impressive; I may or may not check out the album.
6: Decent, but not particularly memorable or not something I'd keep listening to.
5: Pretty average, but not unpleasant to listen to.
4: Fairly mediocre, generic or uninspired.
3: Evokes little to no positive feelings and a fair bit of negative ones.
2: Yeah, you're definitely getting cut for sending me something this bad.
1: You're probably trolling if you get a score this low.
0: Merzbow is on the banned list.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 06, 2017, 11:11:22 PM
Tastes:
Rather than describing the kind of music I like, I figure it’d be better to just give examples of stuff I’ve been listening to lately.

Black metal has been my biggest stint as of late and I’ve been pushing in a lot of different directions with it. Spectral Lore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5LGi4BQQZs) is probably my best find of last year, and a good example of both the more progressive and more atmospheric sides of the genre, and I’ve been looking into a lot of the dissonant stuff like Deathspell Omega (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN_i4p2T1GA) as of late. As for the weirder/more avant-garde stuff, Aenaon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh4cemBzKMA) has been a pretty strong fascination.

As far as progressive metal goes, my preferred style has tended away from dream theater-esque bands and towards bands that emphasize the metal a lot more.  Hacride (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEghLlOLHwI) and The Hirsch Effekt (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVUFmHHw99Y) are two great examples of this. Indukti (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjqptjuTH2Y) are not so extreme but another good example of what I’ve been into. Wilderun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1DOGUgPy7c) is also worth bringing up for the folkier style while still containing a lot of the same metal that does it for me. Dissona (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp2XVgcu2xY) is probably the closest to a dream theater-like band that I’ve really enjoyed lately, but even then they still have a harder edge and different sound to them.

For music leaning really heavily on atmosphere, I’ve been enjoying both the serene beauty of Eluvium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=963Tt7CEt2s) and the crushing bleakness of Menace Ruine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sp8nVi1z7E). It’s totally possible that these are both flukes and ambient/drone can be really hit and miss for me but the best stuff can be pretty potent when it works for me.

Rock in general only tends to work for me when it’s emotionally charged. The Antlers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fpI2PPRAM4) were my favorite find of early 2017 and The Receiving End of Sirens (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylHOq5quSMc) is shaping up to be that for spring 2017. Though I’ve also been getting back into Amplifier (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfdo56CafP4)’s The Octopus, most for the more sinister vibes it carries. And even though they’re not a band I’m spinning that much lately, I’d be remiss to not mention Oceansize (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODw2B1ZL4Ps) somewhere in here. Still one of my favorites & nobody else sounds quite like them.

And of course I’d be remiss to not mention my love for progressive metal that has a sludge/post-metal lean. East of the Wall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZh6INr-KaI) is a band I will never shut up about and The Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgv_IJF_9Lw) have probably my favorite song of anything I found last year. I’ve also been on-and-off obsessed with El Drugstore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIZ7NSU4ICc), though I’ve failed to find anything similar that hits the same niche… yet.

A few other scattered styles mostly disconnected from the rest. The Flight of Sleipnir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsCehClhA0s) have a pretty compelling doom/black metal hybrid going on that I find really enjoyable, and I’ve been checking out more post-metal like Callisto (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0ZXXr8ZP3U) lately.

Pop and electronic are genres I haven’t really checked out much from lately, but Lorde (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pstVCGyaUBM) and Julia Holter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh0b2jI0iGg) remain staples for me for sure. Though a display of raw power like Sia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vjPBrBU-TM) provides can also work if well-executed.

My only further recommendations are to NOT send me straight up folk music, soundtrack music, video game music, hardcore electronic stuff, etc. I will straight-up reject soundtracks and the others are all pretty likely to not get many points from me, as historically shown in my previous roulettes. A little outside of my comfort zone might be fine but go way too far out of it and I’ll either be annoyed or bored. I’m not looking to suddenly become a hip-hop fan or a connoisseur of Chinese folk music or the like. Because I won’t be either of those things ever, most likely.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 06, 2017, 11:12:44 PM
Banned List:
65daysofstatic
A Flourishing Scourge
A F***ing Elephant
A Perfect Circle
Admiron
Aenaon
Agalloch
Aghora
Agent Fresco
Alcest
Algiers
Alrakis
Alter Bridge
Amadeus Awad
American Football
Amorphis
Amplifier
An Abstract Illusion
Anaal Nathrakh
Anathema
Anciients
Animals As Leaders
Anomalie
Aosoth
Arcade Fire
Arcturus
Arjen Lucassen
Arsaidh
Astronoid
At the Drive-In
Auriga
Avantasia
Avenged Sevenfold
Ayreon
Baroness
Bastille
Being
Ben Folds
Ben Levin Group
Bent Knee
Between the Buried and Me
Beyond the Bridge
Biffy Clyro
Big Big Train
Bing Satellites
Black Crown Initiate
Blindead
Blut Aus Nord
Blink-182
Bodies of Water
Brain Tentacles
Brand New
Bruce Springsteen
Burst
Burzum
Caladan Brood
Caligula’s Horse
Callisto
Canvas Solaris
Casualties of Cool
Cave In
Chelsea Wolfe
Chimp Spanner
CHON
Circus Maximus
Cloudkicker
Cobalt
Codes in the Clouds
Coheed & Cambria
Coldplay
Converge
Crisis
Cult of Luna
Cursive
Cynic
Damien Rice
David Bowie
David Maxim Micic
Day Without Dawn
Deafheaven
Deathspell Omega
Deep Purple
Destrage
Destiny Potato
Devin Townsend
Diablo Swing Orchestra
Dir En Grey
Dire Straits
Dissona
Dodecahedron
Don Caballero
Dordeduh
Dragonforce
Dreadnought
Dream Theater
dredg
Dysrhythmia
Earth
Earthside
East of the Wall
Edge of Sanity
Eight Bells
El Drugstore
Elder
Electro Quarterstaff
Eluvium
Ensiferum
Enslaved
Ephel Duath
Eryn Non Dae.
Esben & the Witch
Ex Eye
Exivious
Exotic Animal Petting Zoo
Explosions in the Sky
Fallujah
Fates Warning
Fen
Flaming Row
Flying Colors
Foals
Foo Fighters
Frost*
fun.
Gazpacho
GEoRGiA
Genesis
Giant Squid
Ghost
Ghost Bath
Glen Hansard
God is an Astronaut
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Gojira
Goldfrapp
Gordian Knot
Gorguts
Gotye
Grace Cathedral Park
Graviton
Green Carnation
Gregor Samsa
Guilt Machine
Hacride
Haken
Hammock
Have a Nice Life
He Is Legend
Headspace
iamthemorning
Ihsahn
In the Woods…
Indukti
Insomnium
Inter Arma
Intronaut
Iron Maiden
IQ
Irepress
Isis
Jakob
Jethro Tull
Jesu
Jolly
Julia Holter
Jute Gyte
Kamelot
Karnivool
Kayo Dot
Keelhaul
Khonsu
Kimbra
King Crimson
King Woman
Kontinuum
Kyuss[/orange]
Judas Priest
Lacuna Coil
Leprous
Lesoir
Levin Minnemann Rudess
Lorde
Ludovico Einaudi
Machine Head
Mandroid Echostar
Mare Cognitum
Marketa Irglova
Mastodon
maudlin of the Well
Maybeshewill
Megadeth
Menace Ruine
Merzbow
Meshuggah
Metallica
Mew
Midnight Odyssey
Minsk
Modest Mouse
Mogwai
Moonsorrow
Mono
Mord’A’Stigmata
Mouth of the Architect
Mr. Bungle
múm
Muse
My Morning Jacket
Nadja
Native Construct
Ne Obliviscaris
Negură Bunget
Neurosis
Neutral Milk Hotel
Nightwish
Nine Inch Nails
Nirvana
Nothing More
Novembre
NY in 64
Oak Pantheon
Obscure Sphinx
Obsidian Kingdom
Oceans of Slumber
Oceansize
Ólafur Arnalds
Opeth
opul
Oranssi Pazuzu
Ordos
OSI
Our Ceasing Voice
Pain of Salvation
Panopticon
Pantera
Panzerballett
Patrick Wilson
Pelican
Periphery
Persefone
Pink Floyd
Planning for Burial
Porcupine Tree
Primordial
Premiata Forneria Marconi
Progenie Terrestre Pura
Protest the Hero
Pure Reason Revolution
Purity Ring
Pyramids
Quandary
Queen
Queensryche
Radiohead
Rage Against the Machine
Red Sparowes
Redemption
Rishloo
Riverside
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Rosetta
Rosk
Royal Blood
Rush
Russian Circles
Saor
Scale the Summit
Schammasch
Schizoid Lloyd
Serdce
Seventh Wonder
*Shels
Shining
Sia
Sigh
Sigur Rós
SikTh
Skyharbor
Slayer
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Slice the Cake
Slipknot
Slowdive
Smashing Pumpkins
So Hideous
Soen
Sólstafir
Sonata Arctica
Soundgarden
Speaking to Stones
Spectral Lore
Spock’s Beard
Star One
Stellardrone
Steven Wilson
Storm Corrosion
Sufjan Stevens
Susanne Sundfør
Swallow the Sun
Symphony X
System of a Down
Taylor Swift
TesseracT
Thank You Scientist
The Angelic Process
The Antlers
The Beatles
The Contortionist
The Cure
The Dear Hunter
The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Fall of Troy
The Flight of Sleipnir
The Gentle Storm
The Hirsch Effekt
The Human Abstract
The Mars Volta
The Ocean
The Old Dead Tree
The Pineapple Thief
The Postman Syndrome
The Receiving End of Sirens
The Swell Season
The Sword
The Thirteenth Sun
This Will Destroy You
Thomas Giles
Thrice
Thumpermonkey
Thy Catafalque
Thy Light
Tool
Toothgrinder
Transatlantic
Ulcerate
Ulver
Uneven Structure
Unexpect
Unwound
Vanden Plas
Vangough
Vattnet Viskar
Vektor
Vennart
We Made God
Whispered
White Ward
Widek
Wilderun
Winterfylleth
Wishbone Ash
Wolves in the Throne Room
Woods of Ypres
Xanthochroid
Yes
Yndi Halda
Zeal and Ardor
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 06, 2017, 11:13:14 PM
Banned During the Roulette:

Round 0:
CHVRCHES
Windir
Kwoon
Need
Be'lakor
Jane's Addiction
Infected Mushroom
Helms Alee
Faith No More
Old Man Gloom
Kamasi Washington
Textures

Round 1:
Dream the Electric Sleep
Black Peaks
Sleep Party People
Lesbian
The Mayan Factor
The Gathering
Batushka
Skein
Lykke Li
Black Sabbath

Round 2:
Rx Bandits
Broods
Votum
Von Hertzen Brothers
Thrawsunblat
Kowloon Walled City
Khemmis
James LaBrie
The Panic Channel
Cardiacs

Round 3:
Crippled Black Phoenix
HAIM
Twelve Foot Ninja
Oddland
Eidola
Kaddisfly
Sunburst
Immanu El
The Nautilus
The Michael Schenker Group

Round 4:
Sunpocrisy
Arena
Slash
Eden Circus
Tall Ships
Aoria
Mechina
Katatonia
Paradise Lost
Foxes

Round 5:
Low Roar
Turbid North
Manchester Orchestra
Adrift for Days
Alice in Chains
Chronos Zero
Lonely Robot
Angels and Airwaves
Emma Ruth Rundle
Ellie Goulding

Round 6:
Junius
Disillusion
Airbag
Oathbreaker
Judas Priest
Set and Setting
Cønstantine
Bendik

Artificial Language

Round 7:
Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister
Nerve End
Ilúvatar
Aquillus
Megosh
Hypno5e
With Our Arms to the Sun
Jorn Lande & Trond Holter
Enchant
Mother Love Bone

Round 8:
Norma Jean
Omnium Gatherum
Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik
Suspyre
Caspian
Rainbow
Todtgelichter
London Grammar
Faunts
King Prawn

Round 9:
Daughter
Chaos Divine
This Day & Age
Soup
Chthonic
Marillion
And So I Watch You From Afar
Nokturnal Mortum
Retrospective
Aereogramme

Round 10:
The Ongoing Concept
Barren Earth
Arcane Roots
Downfall of Nur
The Naked and Famous
Tomahawk
Evergrey
Ulrich Schnauss & Jonas Munk
Motörhead
NO BS! Brass Band – Khan
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Bolsters on May 06, 2017, 11:40:08 PM
Ready to subject myself to your torture for one round.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: home on May 07, 2017, 01:13:22 AM
In  :hat I hope I've got enough bands not on your banned list xd
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 07, 2017, 01:24:17 AM
0: Merzbow is on the banned list.
ok

I'm in
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 07, 2017, 01:35:32 AM
btw go ahead and send me songs for the prelim round. i've already received & first impressioned Bolsters' but I'll keep this open until at least wednesday, maybe all the way until next Saturday tbh because doing a round a week works really well for me. i have a lot more time to write on the weekends.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 07, 2017, 02:12:27 AM
In  :hat I hope I've got enough bands not on your banned list xd
Same. But I'm ready. 
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Elite on May 07, 2017, 02:53:04 AM
Yeah, I'll join! :)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Luoto on May 07, 2017, 03:07:34 AM
I'll give this a go

FWIW, yellow text is almost impossible to read. I'd appreciate a little fix on the banned list because of that :)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 07, 2017, 03:39:06 AM
Join dark forum theme master race club :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Luoto on May 07, 2017, 03:46:39 AM
Join dark forum theme master race club :P

Ok, I found where to change it. There are probably still better alternatives than bright yellow :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 07, 2017, 03:53:29 AM
Join dark forum theme master race club :P

Ok, I found where to change it. There are probably still better alternatives than bright yellow :P
There's white :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: home on May 07, 2017, 04:00:51 AM
Dark text on a light background is way easier to read though  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 07, 2017, 04:17:22 AM
Dark text on a light background is way easier to read though  :P
Maybe on paper ;D
Don't say you use light theme in your text editor :o my eyes would hurt in a few minutes if I did
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: home on May 07, 2017, 04:23:24 AM
Dark text on a light background is way easier to read though  :P
Maybe on paper ;D
Don't say you use light theme in your text editor :o my eyes would hurt in a few minutes if I did
I do actually  :biggrin: The only time I use a dark background is when using the terminal in linux, but that's just because I never bothered to change the standard settings  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: LordCost on May 07, 2017, 04:54:35 AM
I'm in. I'm already in trouble about doing write ups as a secondary judge but it's a lot of time since I've been a roulette so I want to participate!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 07, 2017, 08:48:34 AM
I'll give this a go

FWIW, yellow text is almost impossible to read. I'd appreciate a little fix on the banned list because of that :)
I use dark themes where it's easy as hell to read so I'm not changing it  :corn
All the color choices were made with dark themes in mind

Also secondary judges aren't required to do write ups but you can if you want
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 07, 2017, 11:48:00 PM
bumping this because it kind of fell off the top of the section  :lol
still room for at least three more players (if we don't hit 10 then we'll just cut down the number of rounds and not have a prelim at all, that's fine by me) & four of the people who've joined haven't sent me a song yet either. feel free to take your time on that for now but i am going to be a lot pushier about sending songs than the last few hosts
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Sacul on May 08, 2017, 12:08:01 AM
I’m not looking to suddenly become a hip-hop fan
*deletes Kendrick from roulette playlist*

I've discovered lots of cool stuff last year and this one so far so what the hell, I'll join.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 08, 2017, 12:09:27 AM
i've heard some kendrick tbh and while i can appreciate his talent i don't like his voice and a lot of the music he has backing him i reeeally don't like
it's just not for me though, lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Luoto on May 08, 2017, 01:44:19 AM
Sent for whatever will be the first round (titled the PM round 1 :P)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Elite on May 08, 2017, 02:35:24 AM
four of the people who've joined haven't sent me a song yet either.

I wanted to be John Cage'd

but seriously, I didn't know I had to send already. I will do so today.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 08, 2017, 04:30:06 AM
I tried to find some stuff for you yesterday but I'm not too sure. You're listening to pretty much everything I do :P I'll probably go with black/death metal as long as I'm in. It's been a while since I listened to black and I think that spark is back ;D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Nekov on May 08, 2017, 06:33:27 AM
It's been a while since I participated in one so I'll join. One question though, are the secondary scores being revealed? Because if that's your plan I can see a scenario where someone gives a low score knowing it can benefit them.

I'll send you a song tonight when I'm home and can go through my MP3 library, or sooner if I find something in youtube.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 08, 2017, 09:05:43 AM
they will be revealed but i will leave it in your hands to keep the system trustworthy. just rate the songs, guys. it's easy
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: home on May 08, 2017, 09:13:15 AM
Do you also rate your own song? Cause I'm only sending 10/10's  :hat
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 08, 2017, 09:21:38 AM
no. you cannot give yourself points  :lol

reminder that the secondary judge rating scale is just a ranking scale & only the judge's top 3 songs get points
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 08, 2017, 09:25:58 AM
Satanic music sent :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Nekov on May 08, 2017, 10:09:49 AM
they will be revealed but i will leave it in your hands to keep the system trustworthy. just rate the songs, guys. it's easy

Not sure how old you are, but clearly not old enough to know you can't trust people  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 08, 2017, 10:39:21 AM
Satanic music sent :corn
Ok when I have bought a deathspell omega album, which is literal satanic music, I dunno how much this can apply  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 08, 2017, 10:58:50 AM
Got rejected already :( sent again, less satanic, more folky this time.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Evermind on May 08, 2017, 01:34:38 PM
As one of the finalists of your previous mini-roulette, I'm in for exactly one round of this madness.

Question: what happens if the secondary judge already knows one or more songs that've been submitted? Do they still rank them according to their tastes or these songs won't be included in the secondary judge's rankings?

Sending in a minute.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 08, 2017, 01:41:29 PM
Yeah they should rate them same as anything else

The whole secondary judge thing is more a bonus sort of thing than anything else but I still wanna see it turn out okay
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Evermind on May 08, 2017, 01:53:05 PM
I would've said that everyone should sent power metal in the round where I'm the secondary judge, but obviously now that there are 11 participants, that round won't happen anyway. :biggrin:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Elite on May 08, 2017, 01:58:00 PM
Now watch me get eliminated first
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 08, 2017, 02:19:05 PM
ill also discourage you from sending songs to fit the secondary judge's taste rather than mine and if I see that happening I'll probably just cut the secondary judge thing entirely tbh because at the end of the day this is still my roumette
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Nekov on May 08, 2017, 02:35:08 PM
ill also discourage you from sending songs to fit the secondary judge's taste rather than mine and if I see that happening I'll probably just cut the secondary judge thing entirely tbh because at the end of the day this is still my roumette

I think you should keep it in the dark. Like, don't tell everyone who the secondary judge will be, just that person. That person can send you the results and you can post them. That way you can avoid people from catering to someone else's taste.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 08, 2017, 02:38:21 PM
It'll prob be obvious who it is once they don't participate in hangman (since obviously the secondary judge will know all the songs) but yeah I'll probably do that
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: home on May 08, 2017, 03:15:19 PM
Sent something brvtal  :metal
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 08, 2017, 08:33:19 PM
tad bit funny that of the 9 songs i have so far 5 of them are from bands i've heard at least something from before (and tomislav got rejected with a 6th band)

i'm not like, notably familiar with any of them though so
should be fun  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Luoto on May 09, 2017, 01:58:35 AM
I was surprised to not see them on the banned list, tbh
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Elite on May 09, 2017, 03:36:15 AM
oh great founder of hangmanen, when shall we be released?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 09, 2017, 08:36:42 AM
i'm not closing signups until saturday, and two of the people who signed up haven't sent anyways
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Sacul on May 09, 2017, 07:33:47 PM
Well, I've already spoiled you some stuff on the plug.dj sessions so I'll see how much I have to scrap the barrel and send in a while.

EDIT: Sent some jazz.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 10, 2017, 02:21:29 AM
Oh go on then. I don't have any confidence that I'll get as far as I did in Tomi's but I'll give it a go. Might get past the first round this time!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 10, 2017, 11:21:34 PM
i'm through one listen of the 11 songs i've been sent so far, stadler still hasn't sent but he did confirm he wants to play over PM so he has until saturday-ish to submit. and i'm still leaving signups open until saturday so if anyone else wants to join that's totally fine by me.

from what i have received... this is an interesting variety of songs, to say the least  :P i dunno if there's any of the songs in particular that strike me as most likely to get cut but that could either mean i liked them all or there were a fair number i disliked, i'll leave it for you to decide  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Sacul on May 11, 2017, 08:43:55 PM
results and hangmanen when, I NEED MAH FIX
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 11, 2017, 10:05:29 PM
i'm not closing signups until saturday, and two of the people who signed up haven't sent anyways
except it's only one person who hasn't sent now
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 12, 2017, 03:17:59 PM
It's saturday in 43 minutes ayyy :neverusethis: when hang men? May-B all the Scar accounts will join between now and tomorrow doe
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 12, 2017, 04:07:52 PM
Saturday my time isn't for 9 hours and I'm closing it at like 10 AM or so my time because I don't feel like starting hangmnanen at midnight
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Nekov on May 13, 2017, 09:34:42 AM
Are we there yet?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 10:13:22 AM
Nein
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Bolsters on May 13, 2017, 10:24:05 AM
It's Sunday here. :loser:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 10:57:20 AM
hello future man
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 10:59:56 AM
Round 0 First Impressions

If there’s one thing I do genuinely like it’s the vocals, they fit really well with the style and the singer has a unique enough voice on top of that, and it’s not like most of this really sounds bad to my ears.

I guess one thing is that it does sound sufficiently dense and I can appreciate it for that; some stuff in this vein seems to lose depth and feels really thin and lacking in punch for it but that’s not the case here.

When the vocals enter, hmm… on one hand I’m generally not a huge fan of this style but it works well here. The vibe of the song and the vocals play off each other well & they go together nicely on the larger-sounding chorus as well.

I can see this being fairly catchy, a lot more so than the other song I’ve heard from them.

I feel like the quiet parts are a bit underwhelming compared to the louder moments but that might be because I like the loud bits quite a lot.

Knowing what I know about this band I went into this prepared for the worst but what I found was surprisingly solid and actually really diverse considering the genre, so props for that if nothing else.

The heavier bits right near the end also feel kind of like part of a different song spliced into this one, the guitar tone seems completely different and it creates a weird effect. Which I kind of like, but it’s also a bit distracting.

While I do think all the riffs and melodies are pretty solid on their own, the lack of uniqueness does take away from it a little. Just a little, though, since overall I still do enjoy this.

And the vocals are… completely buried. Just the way I like it, ‘cause that means the atmosphere is dense as heck. Like seriously I’m mostly indifferent on this style of vocals so burying them is totally fine by me.

There’s not really a ton of emotional depth here, which is what I tend to like in music like this, but it’s got a lot of fun jams and especially those basslines are fun to listen to.

I have to say that I am really digging this first heavy riff though. It has this dense and ominous sound that I quite like.

I do appreciate that it keeps things dynamic & that main riff is pretty great but having it hammered in to this extent might have been a bit overkill, even with the song not being so long.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 11:07:53 AM
Round 0 Hangman!!!

???: _____ – _____________
???: ____’_ _________ – _____ ____
???: ____ – _______
???: _____ ____ – ________
???: ______ - ____________ __ ________________
???: ________ ________ – _____
???: _____ __ ____ – __________
???: ______ __________ – ___ ______ _______
???: ________ – ___ ______ __ _____
???: __’_____ - ___'_ ________
???: ___ ___ _____ – __ _____ ___ _____
???: ________ – _______ __ __ ______
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 13, 2017, 11:09:52 AM
Be'lakor - Sun's Delusion

gimme D

Maybe #5 is mine but I have no idea tbh
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 11:13:03 AM
???: _____ – _____________
???: ____’_ _dd______ – _____ D___
???: ___d – _______
???: _____ ____ – _______d
???: ___d__ - _________d__ __ ___d____________
???: _______d ________ – ____d
???: _____ __ ____ – __________
???: ______ __________ – ___ ______ _______
???: ________ – ___ ______ __ _____
???: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: __d ___ _____ – __ _____ ___ _____
???: ________ – _______ __ __ ______

Letters Guessed:
D

Train waits 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 13, 2017, 11:25:55 AM
Be'lakor wasn't banned? That's Luoto.

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 13, 2017, 11:43:35 AM
I guess people sent pretty obscure songs considering your enourmous banned list so I'm just guessing a letter: I.  Also most of those tid-bits seems pretty positive.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 13, 2017, 11:43:59 AM
Those first impressions sound pretty positive.

Did you get laid or something?  :lol jk
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on May 13, 2017, 11:46:30 AM
Jane's Addiction isn't obscure though
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 11:57:19 AM
i intentionally chose positive parts of the first impressions writeups, for what it's worth, glad y'all are noticing  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 12:04:23 PM
???: _____ – ___i_______i_
???: ____’_ _ddi__i__ – _____ D___
???: ___d – _i_i___
???: _____ ____ – _i__i__d
???: _i_di_ - _________d__ __ ___d____________
???: I______d ________ – ____d
???: __i__ __ ____ – _i________
???: _____i ____i_____ – ___ ______ _______
???: ________ – ___ ______ __ _____
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: __d ___ _____ – __ _____ ___ _____
???: ________ – _______ __ __ I_____

Letters Guessed:
DI

home waits 3
Train waits 2
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 13, 2017, 12:04:36 PM
I knew you hate my song :'(
Many of those tidbits could be about my song but I'll say it's either #7 or #8
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on May 13, 2017, 12:10:43 PM
Tomislav(?): Windir - Svartesmeden og lundamyrstrollet
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 13, 2017, 12:12:31 PM
Tomislav(?): Windir - Svartesmeden og lundamyrstrollet
:tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 12:19:44 PM
aww man i wanted that one to take longer for people to get  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 12:25:46 PM
I have no idea which of those tidbits is mine. They're all pretty similar and probably half of them could apply to my song, actually.

K
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 01:07:23 PM
???: K____ – ___i_______i_
???: ____’_ _ddi__i__ – _____ D___
???: ___d – _i_ik__
???: _____ ____ – _i__i__d
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: I______d ________ – ____d
???: __i__ __ ____ – _i________
???: K____i ____i_____ – ___ ______ _______
???: ________ – ___ ______ __ _____
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: __d ___ _____ – __ _____ ___ _____
???: ________ – _______ __ __ I_____

Letters Guessed:
DIK

Elite waits 3
home waits 2
Train waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 13, 2017, 01:44:12 PM
aww man i wanted that one to take longer for people to get  :corn
I'd like to know why but I'm too afraid to ask.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 02:15:31 PM
It's got long words in a weird language. I wouldn't expect it to be guessed quickly either.

Jane's Addiction - Three Days
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on May 13, 2017, 02:30:44 PM
C

:vomitard:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 02:35:19 PM
Is the first band Kyuss? I kind of want it to be, but the song title doesn't fit with any song of theirs I know.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 02:35:27 PM
???: K____ – _c_i_______ic
???: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
???: ___d – _i_ik__
???: _____ ____ – _i__i__d
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: I___c__d ________ – ____d
???: __i__ __ ____ – _i________
???: K____i ____i_____ – ___ ______ C______
???: C___c___ – ___ ______ __ _____
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: __d ___ _____ – __ C____ ___ _____
???: ________ – _______ __ __ Ic____

Letters Guessed:
CDIK

Sacul waits 3
Elite waits 2
home waits 1

also no it's not Kyuss but thanks for reminding me that they should be on the banned list
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 02:38:37 PM
First song is 'schizophrenic'?

Edit: yes it is. Found a matching band named 'Kwoon' as wel. Never heard of them.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 02:55:58 PM
CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share


Bolsters?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 03:02:18 PM
all of those are correct but i'm waiting for another letter to update  :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 03:03:17 PM
Right, in that case I'm also guessing Luke sent Jane's Addiction
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 03:23:13 PM
and you would be an incorrect person!  :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 13, 2017, 03:27:55 PM
T me up
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 03:32:20 PM
???: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
???: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
???: ___d – Ti_ik__
???: _____ ____ – _i__i__d
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: I___ct_d ________ – ____d
???: __it_ __ ____ – _i________
???: K____i ____i__t__ – T__ ___t__ C______
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: __d ___ _____ – T_ C____ T__ _____
???: T__T____ – _____t_ __ __ Ic____

Letters Guessed:
CDIKT

Tomislav waits 3
Sacul waits 2
Elite waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 13, 2017, 03:41:17 PM
Van I have L  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 03:43:09 PM
Van I have L  :facepalm:

wtf
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 03:49:44 PM
???: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
???: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
???: ___d – Tilik__
???: __l__ _l__ – _i__i__d
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: I___ct_d ________ – ____d
???: __it_ __ ____ – _i__l_____
???: K____i ____i__t__ – T__ ___t__ C______
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: _ld ___ _l___ – T_ C____ T__ _l___
???: T__T____ – L____t_ __ __ Ic____

Letters Guessed:
CDIKLT

home waits 3
Tomislav waits 2
Sacul waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 13, 2017, 03:51:37 PM
Van I have L  :facepalm:

wtf

Squ
scRa are the resultaten of sound nog bring propey
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 03:55:05 PM
home's so drunk he didn't notice i switched his song out for napalm death - you suffer
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 04:46:09 PM
Infected Mushroom

Sacul
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 13, 2017, 04:48:51 PM
Old Man Gloom - To Carry the Flame
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 13, 2017, 04:55:06 PM
Guessing R

 :natalieportman:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on May 13, 2017, 05:19:55 PM
Infected Mushroom

Sacul
Not me. Song is Leopold, interesting pick, I'd have sent Pink Froid from that album tho. Parama will probably hate it so that means I'm second to last hell yeah.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 13, 2017, 05:39:22 PM
home's so drunk he didn't notice i switched his song out for napalm death - you suffer
Nah Elite guessed mgsong so you didn't switch it. Also Infected Mushroom is perhaps a Scorpion?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 13, 2017, 05:47:39 PM
???: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
???: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
???: ___d – Tilik__
???: __l__ _l__ – _i__i__d
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: Infected Musroom – ____d
???: __it_ __ __r_ – _i__l____r
???: K____i ____i__t__ – T__ R__t__ C______
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: Old Man Gloom - To Carry the Flame
???: T__T__r_ – L____t_ __ __ Ic_r__

Letters Guessed:
CDIKLRT

twosuitsluke waits 3
home waits 2
Tomislav waits 1

scorp isn't in the roulette  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 13, 2017, 06:23:29 PM
scorp isn't in the roulette  :lol
:lol
Mine could be #1 or #9. I think that I'll never guess any song.of the hangman, it's hard only to find 10 bands not in the banned list for me.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 13, 2017, 06:26:55 PM
Icarus should be the last word of the last song, but I don't recall any song with that word
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Sacul on May 13, 2017, 09:30:10 PM
Knowing what I know about this band I went into this prepared for the worst but what I found was surprisingly solid and actually really diverse considering the genre, so props for that if nothing else.

There’s not really a ton of emotional depth here, which is what I tend to like in music like this, but it’s got a lot of fun jams and especially those basslines are fun to listen to.
One of these is mine, maybe the last one.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (GET YER SIGNUPS FREE FOR ALL)
Post by: Bolsters on May 13, 2017, 09:38:45 PM
If there’s one thing I do genuinely like it’s the vocals, they fit really well with the style and the singer has a unique enough voice on top of that, and it’s not like most of this really sounds bad to my ears.

I can see this being fairly catchy, a lot more so than the other song I’ve heard from them.
I'm guessing one of these is mine.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 14, 2017, 02:02:49 AM
home's so drunk he didn't notice i switched his song out for napalm death - you suffer
Nah Elite guessed mgsong so you didn't switch it. Also Infected Mushroom is perhaps a Scorpion?

So you sent Jane's Addiction? :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 14, 2017, 10:34:20 AM
Need - Tilikum, sent by Evermind perhaps?


So you sent Jane's Addiction? :lol
Nope. And fuck, I should put an alcohol lock on my phone or something  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 14, 2017, 10:47:39 AM
home is all correct but nobody has guessed a letter so i'm not gonna update just yet
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on May 14, 2017, 11:11:41 AM
Gimme the V
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 14, 2017, 11:27:19 AM
???: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
???: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
Evermind: Need - Tilikum
???: __l__ _l__ – _i__i__d
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: Infected Musroom – ____d
???: __it_ __ __r_ – _i__l____r
???: K____i ____i__t__ – T__ R__t__ C______
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: Old Man Gloom - To Carry the Flame
???: T__T__r_ – L____t_ __ __ Icarus

Letters Guessed:
CDIKLRTV

Sacul waits 3
twosuitsluke waits 2
home waits 1

good letter, sacul
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 14, 2017, 11:32:39 AM
Kamasi Washington - The Rhythm Changes

I'll refrain from guessing who sent it, because I suck at that.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 14, 2017, 12:21:51 PM
Kamasi Washington - The Rhythm Changes

I'll refrain from guessing who sent it, because I suck at that.
Sacul?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 14, 2017, 12:24:08 PM
you have put the pieces together and they fit
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 14, 2017, 12:55:15 PM
But Tool is banned :neverusethis:

BTW I'm gonna be that guy and ask for A
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 14, 2017, 01:14:03 PM
???: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
???: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
Evermind: Need - Tilikum
???: __l__ Al__ – _i__i__d
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: Infected Mushroom – _a__d
???: _ait_ __ __r_ – _i__l____r
Sacul: Kamasi Washington - The Rhythm Changes
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: Old Man Gloom - To Carry the Flame
???: T__T__r_ – La___t_ __ a_ Icarus

Letters Guessed:
ACDIKLRTV

Tomislav waits 3
Sacul waits 2
twosuitsluke waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 14, 2017, 01:24:51 PM
I see Faith no More but don't really know any of their songs.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 14, 2017, 01:25:15 PM
Faith no More - smilelobber

Good pick :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 14, 2017, 01:34:58 PM
The random capital T in the middle of the name and incorrect 'r' placement kinda threw me off, but I'm pretty certain the last one should be Laments of an Icarus by Textures. Excuse me, I mean TexTusre

And I guess you can give me F
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 14, 2017, 02:49:25 PM
???: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
???: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
Evermind: Need - Tilikum
???: __l__ Al__ – _i__i__d
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: Infected Mushroom – _a__d
???: Faith No More – _i__l____r
Sacul: Kamasi Washington - The Rhythm Changes
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: Old Man Gloom - To Carry the Flame
???: Textures – Laments of aa Icarus

Letters Guessed:
ACDIKLRTV

Train waits 3
Tomislav waits 2
Sacul waits 1

i don't proofread my hangmanen so w/e
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 14, 2017, 02:57:20 PM
Faith no More - smilelobber

Good pick :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 14, 2017, 03:07:40 PM
yup, that's not the song name  :tup :tup :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 14, 2017, 03:12:31 PM
Yes it is
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 14, 2017, 04:26:26 PM
as the person hosting the roulette, i can tell you with 100% certainty that smilelobber is not the song name, and in fact i can't find evidence that a faith no more song of that name even exists
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 14, 2017, 11:58:31 PM
Uhhh, smilelobber is not what I posted at all. Is there some sort of profanity filter stopping me from posting the real title? I have the album the song is on, so I know I'm correct :lol

j i z z lobber


edit: I just unticked the box 'leave words uncensored' (Forum Profile -> look and layout) and now I see smile instead of j izz as well.

Haha, the filter is messing up hangmanen :)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 15, 2017, 12:00:35 AM
that's the correct title, i guess DTF hates life
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 15, 2017, 12:05:14 AM
yeah :(

^ edited my post up there
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 15, 2017, 12:27:28 AM
okay that's hilarious. i see the title correctly now  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on May 15, 2017, 01:57:27 AM
I didn't even know that DTF had a profanity filter. Fuck that.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 15, 2017, 02:01:00 AM
I do think it's hilarious it turns 'smile' into 'smile'
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 15, 2017, 02:39:37 AM
I wanted to post 'that's what she said' once and I got 'I would love to be banned' instead :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on May 15, 2017, 08:06:52 AM
I think I didn't read the rules for the hangman because I have no clue what is going on in here  :lol. Am I gonna lose because of that? Based on your first impressions I can guess which one is mine and I'm not very confident, so I don't want to hurt my options even more  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 15, 2017, 08:57:24 AM
hangman is just for fun, it doesn't affect score at all  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on May 15, 2017, 09:28:33 AM
That's a relief
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on May 15, 2017, 10:31:05 AM
N
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 15, 2017, 10:32:30 AM
Sacul waits 1

And anyways I'm not updating hangmanen on my phone so
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 15, 2017, 11:19:01 AM
N
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 15, 2017, 11:48:39 AM
there are two n's inbetween the two i's of the top increased song
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 15, 2017, 12:38:39 PM
Is it Pinniped?

(https://img.memesuper.com/4dbd69b5bcd380f55fc14445531583a6_awkward-moment-seal-wants-to-awkward-seal-meme_660-330.jpeg)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 15, 2017, 12:52:54 PM
It is indeed,

pinniped
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on May 15, 2017, 02:21:52 PM
I wanted to post 'I would love to be banned' once and I got 'I would love to be banned' instead :lol

DTF still does that.  ;)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 15, 2017, 02:30:33 PM
Not if you turn the filter off
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 15, 2017, 07:05:05 PM
???: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
???: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
Evermind: Need - Tilikum
???: __l__ Al__ – Pinniped
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: Infected Mushroom – _a__d
???: Faith No More – smilelobber
Sacul: Kamasi Washington - The Rhythm Changes
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: Old Man Gloom - To Carry the Flame
???: Textures – Laments of aa Icarus

Letters Guessed:
ACDIKLNRTV

home waits 3
Train waits 2
Tomislav waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on May 15, 2017, 08:45:26 PM
Helms Alee - Pinniped? trainy?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 15, 2017, 09:03:37 PM
yes / no

how has nobody guessed the infected mushroom song yet anyways
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on May 15, 2017, 10:35:37 PM
how has nobody guessed the infected mushroom song yet anyways
I only know two Infected Mushroom songs and this one is neither of them.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 16, 2017, 12:23:03 AM
Give me the S
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 16, 2017, 12:46:42 AM
Right, the Infected Mushroom song is 'Saeed'.

alright, that was hangmanen, now let's guess who sent what :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 16, 2017, 01:15:23 AM
???: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
???: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
Evermind: Need - Tilikum
???: Helms Alee – Pinniped
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: Infected Mushroom – Saeed
???: Faith No More – smilelobber
Sacul: Kamasi Washington - The Rhythm Changes
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: Old Man Gloom - To Carry the Flame
???: Textures – Laments of an Icarus

 :corn

Results will probably be up on Saturday, will be a little faster after this round hopefully but I have 80 minutes of music between 12 songs, so
I still haven't settled on whether I'm gonna go with 8 or 10 players so I guess it's up to how good the songs are in this round  :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on May 16, 2017, 06:18:34 AM
There's some people in this round I don't know and I also don't know most of the bands that were sent so it's hard to guess who sent what. I'll let you guys have all the fun
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 16, 2017, 07:32:42 AM
I already guessed all the hangmanens. Someone else can go after who sent what.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 16, 2017, 11:06:03 AM
I try: Elite - Textures, because you guessed almost all the other songs apart that one ;D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 16, 2017, 11:19:04 AM
I try: Elite - Textures, because you guessed almost all the other songs apart that one ;D
this guy, he's a smart guy
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 16, 2017, 11:46:15 AM
Yeah, well. That's what happens if nobody else guesses songs I think
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 16, 2017, 01:42:49 PM
Train - Infected Mushroom
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 16, 2017, 02:26:34 PM
Stadler - Jane's Addiction
home - Infected Mushroom
Train - Kwoon
Luke - Old Man Gloom
LordCost - Helms Alee
Nekov - Faith no More
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 16, 2017, 02:49:23 PM
Well, two of those are right  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 16, 2017, 02:50:16 PM
Yeah, that's why I said I suck at guessing who sent what.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 16, 2017, 03:19:33 PM
Well, two of those are right  :corn

I'd guess home and Train are right? If not then I'm guessing Train sent Old Man Gloom??
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 16, 2017, 03:20:39 PM
Stadler and Train are the two correct guesses
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on May 16, 2017, 03:31:39 PM
LordCost sent Infected Mushroom then
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 16, 2017, 04:17:56 PM
Still wrong
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on May 16, 2017, 06:18:53 PM
Luke?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 16, 2017, 08:32:31 PM
Train of Naught: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
Stadler: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
Evermind: Need - Tilikum
???: Helms Alee – Pinniped
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
???: Infected Mushroom – Saeed
???: Faith No More – smilelobber
Sacul: Kamasi Washington - The Rhythm Changes
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
???: Old Man Gloom - To Carry the Flame
Elite: Textures – Laments of an Icarus
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 17, 2017, 12:12:22 AM
So LordCost sent Faith no More then?

And Luke Pinniped and Bolsters Infected Mushroom?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 17, 2017, 12:20:07 AM
OK, time to do this shit:

Nekov - Infected Mushroom
Luke - Helms Alee
LoCo - Faith No More
home - Old Man Gloom

Bolsters Infected Mushroom?
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 17, 2017, 12:44:21 AM
Train of Naught: Kwoon – Schizophrenic
Stadler: Jane's Addiction - Three Days
Evermind: Need - Tilikum
twosuitsluke: Helms Alee – Pinniped
Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet
Nekov: Infected Mushroom – Saeed
LordCost: Faith No More – smilelobber
Sacul: Kamasi Washington - The Rhythm Changes
Bolsters: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Luoto: Be’lakor - Sun's Delusion
home: Old Man Gloom - To Carry the Flame
Elite: Textures – Laments of an Icarus

you've done it, the madman

tbh after three listens. I dunno who's gonna get cut  :lol
i don't know if there's any songs i find really great but of the 12 tracks i don't think there's any one that's notably weak. i know at least two people who are safe for sure but beyond that it's anyone's game
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 19, 2017, 04:08:45 AM
:corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on May 19, 2017, 07:39:41 AM
:corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 19, 2017, 08:35:33 AM
yeah, i have three writeups written right now and i'm gonna do more tonight & finish the rest saturday if i don't finish tonight, so chill
:vomitard:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 20, 2017, 08:16:01 AM
:corn











I'm gonna get cut, aren't I?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 20, 2017, 10:11:07 AM
every single song was so bad that they all get 0/10 and the roulette is cancelled
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 20, 2017, 10:17:29 AM
such a shame
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 20, 2017, 10:23:09 AM
w/e
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 20, 2017, 05:52:49 PM
i have all the writeups done but i want to give the bottom 4 or so another listen just so i'm sure on who to cut

also need to refine my scoring scale a little bit i think because one of the songs feels like it's scored too low & i might just bump it up a quarter point? dunno
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 20, 2017, 06:11:46 PM
ok I'm going to bed, I'll see my 3/10 tomorrow.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 0 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 20, 2017, 06:34:36 PM
elite: text - Carrie

3/10 bD
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 20, 2017, 09:05:40 PM
Trapped in the Disaster Zone

LordCost: Faith No More – smilelobber (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th_KKvb9yO8)

First Impressions:
I’ve heard some Faith No More before but, not a lot & I can’t really say I have a good grasp on what they “sound” like from what I’ve heard, so. We’ll see. I have to say that I am really digging this first heavy riff though. It has this dense and ominous sound that I quite like. The chorus is… something. I don’t know if repeating the same chuggy riff so many times does it any favors & the vocals are pretty much indecipherable. I feel like I would’ve been more into the triplet section in the middle when I was younger but now it just feels a bit forced to me. Not necessarily bad though. It does feel like this song really just meanders about a lot and while I’m mildly positive on how it sounds I feel this might not hold up well on relistens very well.

Final Thoughts:
Okay, I’m gonna have to say it. Mike Patton doesn’t do a very convincing growl. Like at all. He sounds like an angry white guy. Not some primal force or anything. Granted, I still don’t tend to feel much beyond neutral towards growls, they can work in context, and the music of this song is certainly music I could see growls working in, just not these growls. I’m not sold on them at all.

Though in general I’m just not sure if this style of metal really does it for me. The riffs are there but the song is just too stagnant to really hold my interest, and the slight phaser effect on the guitar tone isn’t very appealing either. It takes away some of the rough crunch of the guitar tone.

I don’t really think any parts of this sound “bad” but as a whole the song does have this vibe of “sections strung together without cohesion”. The first few minutes all fit together but then the triplet bit in the middle kills the flow, and it changes up again a bit later… and then fades into that organ bit. Which, granted, makes for a solid ending, sure, I don’t mind it and it’s not as abrupt or out of place as some of the other transitions here feel.

I wouldn’t say this is a bad song by any means but it just stirs up no strong feelings from me. It kind of has that vibe of being heavy for the sake of writing something heavy and not really anything else. At the very least it’s not convincing me to check out this album. But, ehh, it’s okay I guess.

6.5/10



home: Old Man Gloom – To Carry the Flame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWWtkon7Ra8)

First Impressions:
WHAM. The moment the song starts it’s just, all-out. Massive sludgy riff and intense growled vocals. Works for me. I dig that riff quite a lot, so. Though this does feel a bit stretched thin over its runtime. I do appreciate that it keeps things dynamic & that main riff is pretty great but having it hammered in to this extent might have been a bit overkill, even with the song not being so long. And, weird drone-y outro. Sure. I dunno, this seems pretty fine and I totally get why you sent it. It just feels a little underwritten, I guess.

Final Thoughts:
I can’t really complain about the vocals here considering it’s just the guy from Isis doing vocals. He does this style of growl about as good as anyone is ever going to & it sounds plenty fine here.

I think what misses the mark for me here is that a lot of these riffs just aren’t very compelling. I thought the main riff was at first, but the more I listened to this the more it wore off on me. It’s a fine enough riff but it’s not one good enough to sustain the majority of a song like it does here.

The part of the song that holds my interest the most is the instrumental stretch in the middle that sounds more like an Isis song with the tom-heavy drumming and punchy brighter guitar chords. The way that section builds up back into the heaviness of the rest of the song is decisively pretty cool. I kind of wish the song had stuck to this longer and really had time to flesh out this bit and make the build even more gradual, since as it is the song is a bit short really.

And that outro… ehh. In the context of the album I bet it works really well but taking the song on its own it’s a minute of noise stitched onto an already fairly short track. I’d rather it not be here but I’m not so bothered by it.

I think the biggest problem of the song is how little of it does a lot for me given its length, though. The first minute and a half are okay but not that great, so I’m waiting for that second main section to show up and I do enjoy the song from there on until the minute-long outro, at which point I kind of tune out again. The parts of this I do like aren’t even that incredible either but they’re pretty decent at the very least. Overall it balances out to something slightly above an “…eh.” for me.

6.5/10



Nekov: Infected Mushroom – Saeed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxov0BQ2fpE)

First Impressions:
Okay, so I’m either going to hate this or love this. I feel like there’s not going to be any inbetween here. The voice-y synth in the intro is… meh. Oh. I wasn’t expecting this to turn into an industrial metal kind of track… sure. Still sort of makes me feel like I should be raving… except that raving and rave culture are two things the appeal of is utterly and completely lost on for me. I can tell that this is going through lots of different sections and progressing just fine and all but all the sections still sound really samey to me. Loud blaring synths and really crunchy guitars can only support so many different sounds on their own, I guess. And I think the length is really what kills it for me, at 4 minutes maybe I could get this, but at 7 minutes it feels really stretched thin. If there’s one thing I do genuinely like it’s the vocals, they fit really well with the style and the singer has a unique enough voice on top of that, and it’s not like most  of this really sounds bad to my ears. It just doesn’t catch my attention in any real way, though. Guess I don’t love it nor hate it, how about that.

Final Thoughts:
When I first listened to all the songs, I was almost positive this one was going to end up right at the bottom of the pack. It definitely has the most elements that immediately struck me as unpleasant. Between the synths I didn’t like and the length, it felt like it dragged on quite long despite not being one of the longest songs this round.

But it did grow on me a little, mostly in part due to the vocals. I honestly wish they were given a bigger focus, as I like the tone & the melodies the vocals provide whenever they’re around, and as well they seem to bring out the best in the music whenever they show up. Either the song gives them room to breathe or the atmosphere gets dense as heck to have them blend in. The chorus especially is actually genuinely great. Even brings in some piano in the background. Heck yeah.

I still can’t get too behind a lot of the synth work in this though. It’s bleepy bloopy noise that doesn’t feel like it has much groove to it nor is it providing any compelling melody. And a lot of the tones aren’t too pleasant either. At the very least I’m pretty certain I won’t be checking out more from this artist because I’d expect the synth work like that to be a fairly defining feature of their style.

I think this would’ve made a great 4-5 minute song with some of the instrumental fluff trimmed down and the vocals made the main focus of the song. Even then I feel like there’s still at least half of this I can really get behind and groove to, and the rest for the most part isn’t really bad, just kind of… there. There’s at the very least enough here for me to give this a pass above some of the other songs this round.

6.75/10



twosuitsluke: Helms Alee – Pinniped (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDIHc_3Wpek)

First Impressions:
Let’s hope this isn’t another Crowbar, ehh? I mean, right off the bat I’m already feeling this more than I felt that one. The riffing feels a bit uninspired and the vocals don’t have a ton of presence but the drums are at least kind of interesting. Bass should be higher in the mix for what they’re going for here, too, at least in my opinion. The style of this song is certainly something I enjoy, and what the song has going for it isn’t half bad at all, but. But. It’s sort of just white noise, in a way. I don’t feel any emotional presence from this. And it’s instrumentally not that impressive. Even the drums, while pretty solid, aren’t really notably great. And I can kind of see why the vocals are so low in the mix, since when you can make them out more clearly, they’re kind of… lacking. The heavier bits right near the end also feel kind of like part of a different song spliced into this one, the guitar tone seems completely different and it creates a weird effect. Which I kind of like, but it’s also a bit distracting. I don’t know. I don’t dislike this like I disliked Crowbar, but this doesn’t have any moments as cool as that song’s outro.

Final Thoughts:
I don’t really think that my opinion of this song has changed dramatically since first listen. It’s a very fine song. It’s very okay. It’s a decent track. It just has no qualities that stand out one way or another.

This like… has a very post-metal vibe to it but doesn’t lean in the direction of atmospheric and drawn-out tracks like a lot of post-metal tends to. Which I think is not really a good decision, at least for me. I’ve never been a big Russian Circles or Red Sparowes fan because they’re basically just “God Is An Astronaut But Heavier” and, well, God Is An Astronaut is another band I’m not so fond of.

These guys are at least distinct from those bands because they have vocals, and the vocals here are pretty fine. Cleaner during the more melodic bits of the song, harsher during the more aggressive parts. Can’t say there’s any sort of mismatch there.

This song feels like it has very little substance to it though. Verse/chorus tradeoff, a bridge, and then the outro is a slight variation on the verse. Granted I do still think the outro is the best part of the song by virtue of being the only thing that really catches my ear and after further relistens doesn’t seem so out of place either.

I don’t have any real criticisms of this song though other than that it doesn’t do much to stand out. It’s still a song I get some enjoyment out of and it’s far from the weakest of the pack here, too. But I can’t say much more about it beyond that.

7/10



Stadler: Jane’s Addiction – Three Days (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD8UeWHGl-A)

First Impressions:
Well, I did not expect the longest song of the round to come from this band. Those vocal samples at the start are… strange but once the bass comes in everything is a lot more sensible. This is a lot more downbeat than other songs I’ve heard from this artist, and that’s certainly interesting if nothing else. I sort of expected something kind of proggy with that length and yeah it’s certainly delivering on that. The guitar tone is a bit oddly muddled during the louder moments but the bass comes through clearly so it’s a bit… strange sonically. There’s not really a ton of emotional depth here, which is what I tend to like in music like this, but it’s got a lot of fun jams and especially those basslines are fun to listen to. There’s really not a lot that can be said about this one though, for its length it’s pretty simple but pretty enjoyable nonetheless.

Final Thoughts:
I’ve never taken this band as one that’s more adapted to slower, atmospheric, long form tracks like this. The first song I heard from them is Stop!, which is a really fun and energetic track which, yes, does have a more atmospheric bridge but it’s a smaller part of the song. And I know Oceansize takes their name from the band’s song of a similar name. I don’t remember what that song sounds like though.

Anyways this is… I can’t connect with this emotionally, which I think I’m supposed to, at least for some parts of this? The tone of the singer’s voice just isn’t one that feels suited to this kind of song. He has this very distinct sound that fits in really well with the more upbeat stuff I’m familiar with but at slower tempos kinds of sounds off-key and doesn’t have much emotional depth to it, at least for me.

I do like the way that this uses its instrumental breaks to continuously pick up though. Take the one groove, have it increase in both intensity and tempo as it goes on. That works out well and makes the song really feel like it’s progressing while also being fun to listen to. I still think the bass is the highlight of the track, for sure, but the guitar work is solid too. Also that bit near the end that syncopates all the instruments hammering in one note but is broken up by this stinger riff, that works out pretty well for them.

I will say that when this song does get going it’s pretty fun to listen to though, for sure. They have a way with good basslines and good riffs as well, I just kind of wish they got to that point a bit faster than they do but it’s not a huge deal, at its weakest this song still sounds plenty fine in my books. It’s not something I’m reeeeally into but I do enjoy it for what it is, certainly.

7/10



Luoto: Be'lakor - Sun's Delusion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXUhWMnEzvI)

First Impressions:
For the record I picked a different youtube link than what you gave me because that one sounded suspiciously youtube-compressed and turns out, yep, 360p. Anyways. I think these guys had an album that was getting a lot of acclaim last year, but I don’t think I ever checked it out. I will admit that melodic death metal tends to be something where I get the appeal but it’s never been something I can get too into. Like, thus far this is pretty enjoyable in its own right but I’m not sure what there is about this that I can’t get from other bands. I guess one thing is that it does sound sufficiently dense and I can appreciate it for that; some stuff in this vein seems to lose depth and feels really thin and lacking in punch for it but that’s not the case here. And for all intents and purposes this is pretty dang fine, will score at least a 7 easily, but I’m not sure if it’s something I’m going to find really “great”.

Final Thoughts:
I think this is the kind of song that suffers a little from the roulette format because I don’t feel I’ve quite had the time to really absorb and understand this song. It’s not the longest song of the entire round, but it’s probably the most complex and a lot more dense than the songs of similar or longer length here.

One thing for sure is that I’m not too sold on this style of growl. I still think Akerfeldt is the only one who’s pulled off this low death metal style of growl really well, and while this guy isn’t bad he’s not even close to that level. It doesn’t bother me that much since the vocals are never really the focus of the track, though.

There’s a lot of the triumphant riffing I’ve come to associated with melodic death metal throughout this song but there’s also moments where the guitars breathe a bit more and just hammer in huge chords, and honestly I prefer those moments over the more technical riffing. They have a power than the other moments don’t, though the riffing on display here is still pretty solid.

The song handles its transition from a triplet feel to a straight 4/4 feel pretty smoothly and I can definitely give it credit for that. There’s also a pretty solid clean moment about two-thirds through the song and while it’s brief I do enjoy the reprieve it provides and the gentle guitar lines themselves are rather pleasant as well. It feels like the heavy bit that immediately follows doesn’t really matter at all, it’s brief and doesn’t do anything new and mostly just fills space between the clean bit and the piano outro. But I mean it’s fine to listen to.

I still can’t say I have a particularly solid opinion on this track, but I also definitely can’t say it’s anywhere close to bad, it’s actually pretty dang solid, but just lacks any qualities that really stand out for me. I’ve heard all this done before. And it’s definitely no Garden of Fire. But yeah, still a pretty good track on the whole.

7.75/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 20, 2017, 09:06:41 PM
Evermind: Need – Tilikum (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tNLRQew1EE)

First Impressions:
Like I said in PMs I know I heard a song off this album before but I wouldn’t be able to tell you which one by name. The vocal has that very European timbre of vocals that I’m honestly growing less a fan of the more I hear it, but other than that no complaints from me. Okay I am pretty sure by now this is in fact not the song from this album I’d previously heard. I don’t remember any of this at all, so good. This is… a bit heavier than I was expecting from you, but I’m not complaining. The first issue that stands out to me is that… while it all sounds fine, there’s not really much of anything here particularly unique or original, nothing I haven’t heard other bands do before. While I do think all the riffs and melodies are pretty solid on their own, the lack of uniqueness does take away from it a little. Just a little, though, since overall I still do enjoy this.

Final Thoughts:
Okay, dude, this is a safe as hell entry. You know it is, I know it is, we can both agree on that, okay? Okay. I mean I totally get why since this is an elimination round and risky stuff is the best way to get cut, so.

That first heavy riff is actually really good. It’s got decent groove to it despite being a 5/4 riff, and it’s also definitely sufficiently heavy. It’s the kind of riff that makes a great centerpiece  for a prog metal song, certainly way better than anything DT themselves have been able to write recently.

I do think the song might be a bit too much “heavy guitar chords” overall though, the riffs change up a bit but for the first few minutes it doesn’t feel like there’s really so much else to the song. When the bass/drums/synth driven interlude pops up though I can totally get behind it, the guitar lead is honestly the least interesting this about this section really, could’ve cut it entirely and I wouldn’t notice.

The vocals at their cleanest don’t appeal so much to me, but the singer provides a rougher edged style throughout a lot of the song to match the intensity of the riffs and that sounds much better to my ears, I can totally get behind that. There’s even some growls here and there. The only downside is that I don’t think there’s a single catchy vocal melody in this entire track, which is one secret to writing a good chorus that a lot of bands seem to overlook. Oh and the female vocals are nice whenever they show up here. Not outstanding, far from bad, given plenty of room to breathe whenever they’re around. No complaints from me.

I do think overall the song could stand to be a touch more diverse, but I vastly prefer this to instrumental wankery prog metal songs & there’s enough here that I can still definitely get behind this and will probably at least check out the album.

8/10



Train of Naught: Kwoon – Schizophrenic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_mQHRUeH28)

First Impressions:
Okay this intro is giving me Radiohead vibes for some reason. Waiting to see what this evolves into though. Oh man at like 1:30, some pretty dang intense atmosphere going on. Yeah, it’s like a heavy post-rock feel that I really enjoy. I feel like the quiet parts are a bit underwhelming compared to the louder moments but that might be because I like the loud bits quite a lot. The vocals are maybe a bit meh though, not really getting anything from them. He should be singing his heart out to match the intensity of the louder moments but he’s not and is just getting lost in the mix as a result. This feels maybe a bit light on substance but the substance I do like I like quite a lot.

Final Thoughts:
I feel like you have a better sense of what I like this time around than you did in my first two roulettes, partially due to plug.dj I’d imagine. Obviously that’s the kind of line that starts out a fairly positive writeup and you’d not be wrong there, because I do think this works quite a bit.

I still do feel that the quieter parts pale a little in comparison to the louder parts, but that’s only due to the lush atmosphere of those louder parts. That combination of tremolo guitar, strings, organ, and ethereal vocals mixed in with the plodding drums and bass creates a really tense and ominous mood and the song only builds up that mood the longer it holds onto it.

I still am not so hot on the vocals in general on their own, though. During the softer moments they fit in well but during the louder moments I would really prefer a bit more intensity to them. This could’ve been really great if there was a particularly evocative vocal performance going on but it feels like even at their most intense the instruments have to restrain themselves to not completely bury the vocals.

And I feel I really am being a bit hard on the quiet moments, because, let’s be honest they’re totally fine on their own. But this song basically just has two parts; “soft” and “loud” and that’s all it really needs, it just leaves about a third of the song feeling necessarily inferior. And overall I feel this song had more potential than it was actually able to deliver on, but it’s still a pretty fine song on its own merits regardless.

8/10



Tomislav95: Windir - Svartesmeden og Lundamyrstrollet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz-UA6rjQ8Q)

First Impressions:
Well, that’s certainly going to be a fun one in hangman. Right off the bat this just punches you in the face with a buzzsaw black metal guitar line. I can dig it. And the vocals are… completely buried. Just the way I like it, ‘cause that means the atmosphere is dense as heck. Like seriously I’m mostly indifferent on this style of vocals so burying them is totally fine by me. I don’t really have a ton to say about this other than I dig it, and that the synth is… interesting. It keeps things dynamic enough, there’s a few relaxed moments mixed into the intensity. Yeah, dunno what else to say about this other than that I like it. And that the production could be a bit better, but looking into it this is from 1999 so it can be excused a little.

Final Thoughts:
That production is definitely the weakest aspect of this, it does sound a bit too muddy for my tastes & doesn’t really match well with the synth sound being used here either. But that’s really a nitpick at best.

As far as the rest of this goes though I feel like I don’t really have much to say about it. It’s kind of repetitive at points, but what it drives in are these massive walls of sounds punctuated by very memorable synth lines. Like, I don’t even know if I like the synths that much, I’d probably like this more without them, but at the same time it probably wouldn’t stand out so much without them. So ehh. It’s a fair trade.

That bit in the middle with the offbeat synth hits is a really strange interlude though. It’s nice that they broke up the song a little to keep it from feeling too samey, but I can’t say I’m actually a fan of that bit because it’s just too different to the point of feeling out of place. Maybe it’s just because it doesn’t sound as good to my ears as the more dense & intense metal on display here. It’s a brief moment of a 9 minute track though so I can’t complain too much.

Really as far as black metal goes... I’ve heard better for sure but I still do get a lot of enjoyment out of this. It’s not too repetitive and it’s more than sufficiently dense with only that one moment I’m not so fond of, and it just sounds good. The atmosphere is on point, which is one of the things I really look for in good black metal, so it’s hard to fault the song for that much overall.

8.25/10



Escaped Impending Doom

Elite: Textures – Laments of an Icarus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9elFmmEGDM)

First Impressions:
So I came within inches of buying an album from this band like 3 years ago when I was still into djent! Not the one this is on, but. Right away this is slamming me in the face as a “look at dem polyrhythms bro” type of song, which is. Well, it sounds kind of cool, sure, I’ll give it that, but it also feels really gratuitous in a “show-offy” kind of way, and it’s not something I feel could hold up interest for very long. And I mean, they don’t stick to it for that long. Eugh, those growls though. I am not into them at all. At aaalll. Which is a shame, when there’s moments of clean vocals I actually dig them a lot. Bit in the middle is actually really dense while still pulling off that djenty groove thing. And the break focusing on drums & synth is a cool little moment too. Knowing what I know about this band I went into this prepared for the worst but what I found was surprisingly solid and actually really diverse considering the genre, so props for that if nothing else.

Final Thoughts:
This really core-y style of growls is just. So not my thing. Honestly I never liked it to begin with, it’s what put me off listening to BTBAM originally and I still can’t think of any examples where I find the style a positive. This guy should’ve just stuck to his cleans more. They don’t have the whiny sounds that a lot of other djent vocalists tend to have, they’re actually very smooth and pleasant.

A lot of the riffs in this song feel like… a lot of chugging on one note, just varying up the rhythms. Not every riff, but that’s the kind of riff the song seems to focus on the most. And I dunno, it just feels like heaviness for heaviness’ sake.

That synth & drums bit though is actually really great and I wish they would’ve held that vibe longer, or heck, based the song around that instead of the chugging it does. And also I’ll say that the moments of lead guitar, when they do show up, are pretty solid. Nothing mindblowing but they stand out by virtue of not being chuggy nonsense.

I feel like I’m being really down on this song now, but I think it’s just a consequence of me not being too into this style of music much anymore. Even warned people away from sending djent in the tastes section of my opening posts (it sort of feels like only a few of you even read that, honestly, you should all go read it). But as far as the genre goes I’ve heard words. But I’ve also heard better.

And the vocals here are the real dealbreaker for me. I think I could tolerate the song without those vocals but they drown out a lot of the positive qualities & there’s not enough cleaner or more melodic moments to make up for them. I find myself only liking the “little moments” this song has to offer but not so much the song as a whole, and while I wouldn’t say I dislike it, it doesn’t stir up enough positive emotions for me to want to revisit it, either.

6/10



Sacul: Kamasi Washington – The Rhythm Changes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpF-qs3yP7Y)

First Impressions:
For the record, I have in fact heard a song from this album before (Change of the Guard). But only that song. This starts off… a little strange and kind of dissonant really. When the vocals enter, hmm… on one hand I’m generally not a huge fan of this style but it works well here. The vibe of the song and the vocals play off each other well & they go together nicely on the larger-sounding chorus as well. The instrumental moments of the song are… nice enough, I suppose, but I’ll be the first to admit that I just don’t really get jazz. But I definitely prefer the moments with vocals. I don’t know, just in general I can’t get very hyped for soloing in general, unless it’s like Thank You Scientist doing it because they make it fun as hell. This is pleasant enough though and doesn’t overstay its welcome and I’d be totally okay with spinning it several more times.

Final Thoughts:
I honestly have no clue why you sent me this. I’m sure you’re already aware that this is just so far outside of the kind of music I’m interested in and familiar with. And I honestly have no clue how to talk about this.

Well okay, the vocal parts I totally get. They’re nice. They sound a bit too old-timey to be something I’d find myself returning to, but they work. The vocals sound nice enough & match with the music well enough, and the chorus has a lot of swell and power behind it. And the swell of the outro is pretty solid too. If the song was just these parts I wouldn’t call it something I really enjoy that much but I would’ve certainly scored it higher.

The rest of the song is just… I can appreciate the skill of the musicians, but that’s just something I’m not interested in really listening to for entertainment. And even then it doesn’t even sound that particularly good to me.

In order. The first solo just sounds bad. I think this is actually genuinely badly played and performed. Nothing about it works. The saxophone solo is nice enough. It’s not anything special but it’s pleasant to listen to. Third solo. Again this one’s pretty alright though I’m not as big  fan of the tone of this instrument. The keys solo kind of just fades in from the layers beneath it. Not a fan of the tone but it’s. An okay solo. That’s like all I can say about any of this though.

The core instrumentals of the song, the drums and piano, are both okay enough but a bit too unchanging. I’m sure there’s a ton of subtleties going on here but little subtleties don’t keep the overall song sounding very diverse. So I don’t really care. They at least provide decent groove for the song but that’s about all they do as far as I can care.

Overall… I don’t mind listening to this as much as some of the other songs this round I’m kind of meh on, it’s chill and laidback and thus a lot easier to sit through. But at the same time that mostly relegates it to the domain of background music, because it also doesn’t catch my attention as much. It’s reeeeally hard for me to fairly score this though. I don’t know. The parts of this I like aren’t even especially great, at least for me, so… I don’t know.

6.25/10



The Eye of the Storm

Bolsters: CHVRCHES – The Mother We Share (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mTRvJ9fugM)

First Impressions:
Risky move sending the band that got you eliminated in my last roulette as your preliminary round entry for this roulette, isn’t it? Right away I am not liking that choppy vocal thing, honestly. Maybe a weird complaint to make but it feels like the vocals are mixed just a bit too loud to the point where they sound disconnected from the music. Like even on the chorus which is supposed to sound huge and climactic, the vocals drown out everything else. I can see this being fairly catchy, a lot more so than the other song I’ve heard from them. It’s a bit fluff-y as far as pop goes but so was Purity Ring and I dug that song. I feel like I’ve mostly been negative in this first impressions bit but I do feel this a lot more strongly than the other song from them at the very least. Seems solid.

Final Thoughts:
I don’t know if this is as good as the Purity Ring song from last roulette. For one the vocal hooks aren’t quite as good. And I just don’t like that choppy vocal effect at all. Haven’t ever liked it. My least favorite song across Pure Heroine and its bonus tracks is Million Dollar Bills for that exact same reason.

Anyways. The instrumental groove of the verses is really strong and kind of addictive. Maybe my favorite part of the song. The punchy synths and the straightforward drums, and the vocal rhythms playing off it well. And that chorus hook is actually, really great. I had the title drop line on its own stuck in my head after just a single listen (though I couldn’t remember anything else about the song).

The production on this song is also pretty great in general, lots of depth to it but it breathes at the points where it needs to. It’s a really great pop production. I also do like the tone of the vocals here, probably more than the breathy sound of Purity Ring (which I have to keep using as a reference point, shut up).

This writeup feels kind of scattershot but I mean. On the whole I like this a lot. I have no clue what I was talking about with the vocals feeling disconnected from the music in my first impression writeup to be honest, they play off each other really well. Whatever. Screw you, past-Parama. Anyways, this one’s easily getting you to the main roulette. I haven’t even done any other write-ups yet but this was one of my favorites the whole way through.

8.5/10



Current Standings:
Bolsters – 8.5
Tomislav95 – 8.25
Train of Naught – 8
Evermind – 8
Luoto – 7.75
Stadler – 7
twosuitsluke – 7
Nekov – 6.75
home -  6.5
LordCost – 6.5


Everyone still in, go ahead and send for round 1. I’m going to send out the round 1 songs to the secondary judge once I’ve posted first impressions tidbits for the round.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 20, 2017, 09:12:57 PM
also, before anyone else says it:
yes, i am aware of the irony of cutting two of the finalists from my first roulette in the prelims as well as ranking the winner of my last roulette close to the bottom. i just. didn't like the songs as much, sorry  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Sacul on May 20, 2017, 09:33:08 PM
hell yeah

tbh sent you that track because it's pretty accessible jazz, with some emotional punch. Maybe too risky for a prelim entry but tbh wasn't really sure about the rest of the stuff I had lined up - should have saved some from the plug sessions :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 20, 2017, 09:37:50 PM
for what it's worth the more intense moments of the sung parts are pretty nicely done. not really up my alley so much (if they were  i'd probably have rated it higher) but they worked for me at least somewhat.

i do sort of feel like our tastes don't overlap much anymore though but feel free to send me some other stuff if you want me to listen to it, i'm totally game for that i just won't score it
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Sacul on May 20, 2017, 09:54:09 PM
Yeah you seem to be pretty much into weird metal these days while I'm into whatever hipster shit crosses my way as of late :lol

But still got some cool stuff you may dig, maybe I'll wait until the EP round and send an unnoficial one with just a couple tunes if ye don't mind.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 20, 2017, 10:17:04 PM
yeah go for it, will put it into hangmanen for sure
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on May 20, 2017, 10:39:33 PM
I'll send something in a few hours when I have the time to listen to a few things.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 21, 2017, 12:57:49 AM
Yessss, I'm not eliminated :D glad you liked that. I'm not sure would you like rest of the album because it's very synth driven and some other songs have electronic music bits (it gets weird).
I may go with something different this round, seeing non-metal song got the best score but I'm not sure yet.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: home on May 21, 2017, 01:02:08 AM
Wooo I'm still in  ;D Now I can send whatever songs you'll  probably hate for the next 10 rounds.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 21, 2017, 01:15:38 AM
send me exclusively your worst songs and make me hate myself

i will be taking a break after round 5 as i did with my first roulette, and probably again after round 10 though that time mostly because people need time to put together EPs I'm sure
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 21, 2017, 01:49:19 AM
Thanks for liking kww00n yo
 :natalieportman:
 :natalieportman:

Reminded me of Radiohead first too, but also Oceansize a bit during the heavier part. The album is overall heavier on the soft parts (not very vocal-centered either from what I remember)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Elite on May 21, 2017, 01:58:19 AM
ffs :lol

For the record there's nothing about about djent in the opening post, but I don't consider Textures to be djent any way. I sent you the song because you stated you had strayed away from the 'progressive' and more to the 'metal'. I thought Textures would be a good fit. I can understand you not liking the vocals; as a matter of fact I'm not too fond of them either. Their new singer is better though. If it's any consolation, the band is breaking up at the end of this year :(
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 21, 2017, 02:18:08 AM
like if i'm being honest the vocals were the real dealbreaker for me with the song. i actually thought it was one of the better songs of the round first listen but those vocals reeeally got to me :s

and i associate them with djent because i'd looked into them earlier when i was still into djent & almost got their 2011 album at some point (but didn't)
and to be fair the song is def djenty to some extreme

ehh. it's not even that bad, definitely not on the same level as slint  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 21, 2017, 02:57:33 AM
Heyyy-ooooo

I am on a trajectory to win this thing!! So yeah, Crowbar was a poor choice in your last roulette but I think I have a better grasp of what you like now. I might be able to send today but I have just finished a 45 hour stint at work and I'm going to see Riverside tonight ( :metal) so I might struggle to send.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 21, 2017, 02:58:20 AM
Sent! (and ready to resend)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on May 21, 2017, 03:28:12 AM
After reading "Trapped In The Disaster Zone" and my song first in the list I was sure to be out of the game! I will send tomorrow probably
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on May 21, 2017, 04:32:33 AM
Nice to see I'm still in. I have a fairly good idea what kind of music you like, but it's all in the banned list, so I will have to send something else. :lol

Good thing is that I can't be eliminated now, time to start getting these 4/10 scores.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Elite on May 21, 2017, 04:54:57 AM
You want the list of bands I compiled for Parama? :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on May 21, 2017, 04:56:53 AM
Sure, but I probably don't know any of them. Also, seeing how you scored in this round, I'm not sure it would be helpful. :lol

Sent my song for the next round, hopefully it doesn't get rejected.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Elite on May 21, 2017, 05:15:23 AM
To be honest, I thought Textures would get the job done of having me in the roulette. I didn't think it would score exceptionally high, but I didn't expect to be cut already. The rest of the bands I had in mind are not 'djent' at all.

I kind of worried about not having enough to send, since Parama's banned list pretty much overlaps with stuff I listen to as well, so I compiled a huge list of stuff beforehand. Too bad I can't use any of that now. Maybe I'll send an EP for the hell of it.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 21, 2017, 10:46:13 AM
everyone should send me an EP. i will make the ultimate hangman of 12 EPs
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on May 21, 2017, 12:41:15 PM
Cool stuff. I recalled you like Winter's Gate so I decided to go with a song of theirs that's more on the proggier side.

The growls on that album aren't as well produced as on the following two, and his delivery has also improved since. Also, the clean guitar bit starting around 6:50 is the same theme right until the end and isn't even the first time it comes up in the song.

I'll send in a minute.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 21, 2017, 10:17:25 PM
I have received & listened to half of the songs for this round, still waiting on the other half though  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 22, 2017, 12:43:29 AM
I'm working all day and sleeping in tonight so not sure when I will get the chance to send. I'll try and do it today, if not it will be tomorrow morning.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on May 22, 2017, 06:47:31 AM
Wow, that was a close call. I knew I was taking a risk, I'll might play it safer from now on. Will send something later today.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on May 22, 2017, 11:18:40 AM
So no theme, no nothing, just send a song?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on May 22, 2017, 11:28:33 AM
Sent
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 22, 2017, 11:59:23 AM
No themes for any rounds  :tup
I just want good music
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on May 22, 2017, 01:29:12 PM
No themes for any rounds  :tup
I just want good music

I did that!   :)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: home on May 22, 2017, 02:55:01 PM
Just did that as well! :)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 22, 2017, 06:23:55 PM
Just waiting on Luke now, everything I have so far is fine, including easily the most well-known band I've ever been sent in a roulette  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on May 22, 2017, 06:55:33 PM
Just waiting on Luke now, everything I have so far is fine, including easily the most well-known band I've ever been sent in a roulette  :corn

I am smiling.  :) 
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 23, 2017, 03:11:27 AM
I'll send within the next few hours dude, sorry for the hold up.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 23, 2017, 09:27:31 AM
i have all the songs now but i don't have time to listen to luke's rn so y'all will have to wait until after work for me (like 9 hours at least lol sorry)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 23, 2017, 10:05:52 AM
Just waiting on Luke now, everything I have so far is fine, including easily the most well-known band I've ever been sent in a roulette  :corn

I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say Stadler sent Guns N Roses  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on May 23, 2017, 11:07:55 AM
Just waiting on Luke now, everything I have so far is fine, including easily the most well-known band I've ever been sent in a roulette  :corn

I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say Stadler sent Guns N Roses  :lol

No, but pretty damn close.  My only saving grace is that it was a song by the FIFTH best known and best liked singer in the band.   :)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 23, 2017, 08:06:21 PM
Round 1 First Impressions

The chuggy riff has plenty of groove & the drums play off it well. And the production is, well, the usual for the genre, but I think it’s at the level of quality to not detract from the song in any real way.

The way this song builds up and the way all its elements come in and out, build upon each other and then collapse again to make way for new ones, is really quite compelling.

I’m not huge on this at the start but it builds up nicely & has enough of a rock edge to it to appeal to my simple mindedness. And by the climax is it genuinely pretty great.

I dig all the little things going on during the bridge, even if it means they’re not really changing the core sound of the song dramatically for the bridge.

This is a bit all over the place but it’s pretty diverse about it, both some chuggy and technical riffs alongside some cleaner, atmospheric parts & it definitely keeps this from feeling the least bit dull.

There’s that weird contrast going throughout this entire song, where the riffs are rather aggressive & jagged but the chorus is really smooth and kind of atmospheric.

Instrumentally this does atmosphere well enough while still having a driving feel to it. I’m trying to find the right word to describe it and failing but it’d be a good word, if I could remember it.

The vibe of this song isn’t one I’d say I generally find myself liking and it sounds more like some soundtrack song for a childr- WHOA HEY THERE THAT GOT LOUD –en’s movie, but it’s a good vibe nonetheless.

I didn’t really have much to say about this at the start until it hit upon that cool, jagged and dissonant riff near the middle. That is a cool as heck riff & it completely changes the tone of the song in a good way.

I dig that the bass is mixed decently high in the mix on this one, unlike a similar song this round, but at the same time I wish it was playing something more interesting than it is.

I will say that I think this round is quite a bit better than the last round on average, at least 3 or 4 songs that could compete or top the best song of the prelim rounds  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 23, 2017, 08:10:30 PM
Round 1 Hangman!!!

???: _____ _______ - ____________
???: _____ ___ ________ _____ - _________
???: _____ _____ ______ - _ ____ ___ _____
???: _____ _____ - _______
???: ___ _____ ______ - _________
???: _____ - ______
???: _____ __ - __ ____ ___ ___ ______
???: ________ - _________ _
???: _______ - _________ _________
???: ___ _________ - ______ _____
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on May 23, 2017, 09:48:46 PM
G
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 23, 2017, 10:03:24 PM
???: _____ _______ - ____________
???: _____ ___ ________ _____ - _________
???: _____ _____ ______ - _ ____ G__ _____
???: _____ _____ - _______
???: ___ _____ ______ - _________
???: _____ - ______
???: _____ __ - __ ____ ___ ___ ______
???: ________ - _________ _
???: _______ - _________ _________
???: ___ G_______g - ______ G____

Letters Guessed:
G

Bolsters waits 3.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 24, 2017, 12:17:37 AM
Haha, you guys all lose





:( :(
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 24, 2017, 01:19:37 AM
The Gathering? If so then probably Tomislav.

Also M


Also, also I think this is me:

I didn’t really have much to say about this at the start until it hit upon that cool, jagged and dissonant riff near the middle. That is a cool as heck riff & it completely changes the tone of the song in a good way.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 24, 2017, 01:23:10 AM
???: _____ _______ - ____________
???: ____m ___ ________ _____ - _________
???: _____ _____ ______ - _ ____ G__ _____
???: _____ _____ - _______
???: ___ M____ ______ - _________
???: _____ - ______
???: _____ __ - __ ____ ___ ___ ______
???: ________ - _________ _
???: _______ - _________ _________
Tomislav95: The Gathering - ______ G____

Letters Guessed:
GM

Luke waits 3
Bolsters waits 2

some really great letter guesses here
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 24, 2017, 01:28:33 AM
E
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 24, 2017, 02:11:22 AM
You really had to guess G first :lol

The Mayan Factor - Warflower? Evermind?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on May 24, 2017, 02:26:44 AM
The second or third impression could fit my song
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 24, 2017, 02:47:28 AM
???: _____ _____ ______ - _ ____ G__ _____
I Wanna Get Drunk? :lol

I'll take the R
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: home on May 24, 2017, 06:07:02 AM
The vibe of this song isn’t one I’d say I generally find myself liking and it sounds more like some soundtrack song for a childr- WHOA HEY THERE THAT GOT LOUD –en’s movie, but it’s a good vibe nonetheless.
This could be mine  :hat
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 24, 2017, 07:10:12 AM
This song is absolutely terrible and it should be considered a crime to force me to listen to this utter crap. Why you would even send this is completely beyond me.

This is mine.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 0 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on May 24, 2017, 08:01:57 AM

The way this song builds up and the way all its elements come in and out, build upon each other and then collapse again to make way for new ones, is really quite compelling.

This is a bit all over the place but it’s pretty diverse about it, both some chuggy and technical riffs alongside some cleaner, atmospheric parts & it definitely keeps this from feeling the least bit dull.

Instrumentally this does atmosphere well enough while still having a driving feel to it. I’m trying to find the right word to describe it and failing but it’d be a good word, if I could remember it.


I think any of these 3 could apply to my song  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 24, 2017, 08:38:19 AM
???: _____ _______ - ____________
???: __e_m __e E_e_____ __ee_ - E________
???: __ee_ _____ _e___e - _ ____ G__ _e___
???: _____ _e___ - _______
Evermind: The Mayan Factor - Warflower
???: __e__ - ____e_
???: ____e __ - __ _e__ ___ __e ____e_
???: ________ - _e__e____ _
???: _e_____ - _________ _________
Tomislav95: The Gathering - ______ G____

Letters Guessed:
EGM

Elite waits 3
Luke waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

This song is absolutely terrible and it should be considered a crime to force me to listen to this utter crap. Why you would even send this is completely beyond me.

This is mine.
correct
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 24, 2017, 09:08:05 AM
Can I get S?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 24, 2017, 09:26:20 AM
???: _____ S______ - _s__________
???: __e_m __e E_e_____ S_ee_ - E________
???: S_ee_ _____ _e___e - _ ____ G__ _e___
???: _____ _e__s - S______
Evermind: The Mayan Factor - Warflower
???: S_e__ - ____e_
???: ____e __ - __ _es_ ___ __e ____e_
???: ____s___ - _e__e____ _
???: _es____ - ___s____s _________
Tomislav95: The Gathering - ______ G__ss

Letters Guessed:
EGMS

Tomislav waits 3
Elite waits 2
Luke waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 24, 2017, 09:43:35 AM
You really had to guess G first :lol

The Mayan Factor - Warflower? Evermind?

Nice. Apparently I overplayed that one in the plug.dj room. :biggrin:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on May 24, 2017, 09:57:56 AM
Dream The Electric Sleep
Sleep Party People
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 24, 2017, 10:00:57 AM
Dream The Electric Sleep
Sleep Party People

Home sent that
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 24, 2017, 10:14:32 AM
Those are two artist names. Which did home send?  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 24, 2017, 10:21:41 AM
You really had to guess G first :lol

The Mayan Factor - Warflower? Evermind?

Nice. Apparently I overplayed that one in the plug.dj room. :biggrin:
I was just listening to that song yesterday :D (Last.fm recommendation) and then I remembered you played it once I was in there.

Did Stadler send Black Sabbath?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 24, 2017, 10:25:26 AM
You really had to guess G first :lol

The Mayan Factor - Warflower? Evermind?

Nice. Apparently I overplayed that one in the plug.dj room. :biggrin:
I was just listening to that song yesterday :D (Last.fm recommendation) and then I remembered you played it once I was in there.

Did you like it?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 24, 2017, 10:26:54 AM
Those are two artist names. Which did home send?  :lol

 :facepalm:

Sleep Party People
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 24, 2017, 10:27:14 AM
Did Train send Dream The Electric Sleep?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 24, 2017, 10:39:55 AM

Did you like it?
Yep. And I heard it before. Do you have any of their albums? Are other songs any good?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 24, 2017, 10:42:43 AM

Did you like it?
Yep. And I heard it before. Do you have any of their albums? Are other songs any good?

I don't have any of their albums because they're bloody difficult to find, but I've heard In Lake Ch' a few times (the album the song is from). It's pretty good, but there are parts where the singer goes into a rap-mode which brings the album down for me.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on May 24, 2017, 10:43:33 AM
The Gathering - Broken Glass
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 24, 2017, 11:08:41 AM

Did you like it?
Yep. And I heard it before. Do you have any of their albums? Are other songs any good?

I don't have any of their albums because they're bloody difficult to find, but I've heard In Lake Ch' a few times (the album the song is from). It's pretty good, but there are parts where the singer goes into a rap-mode which brings the album down for me.
I'll check it out probably.

The Gathering - Broken Glass
I can see how much Luke liked it when he couldn't guess the same song I sent him :'(
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 24, 2017, 02:09:42 PM
The Gathering - Broken Glass
I can see how much Luke liked it when he couldn't guess the same song I sent him :'(

Yea sorry dude. That song really did nothing for me  :natalieportman:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 24, 2017, 02:25:00 PM
The song of Dream The Electric Sleep is Elizabeth. Best song of them I know, even if I don't know many..
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 24, 2017, 02:31:48 PM
Random thought: if we limit the number of vowels to choose during hangmanen? For example a vowel can be called only 4 turns after the previous one. In an italian tv show "buying" vocals cost a lot to players.

I don't manage to guess bands even with A, E, I all already placed, it's just a proposal. :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 24, 2017, 03:07:09 PM
Did Train send Dream The Electric Sleep?
No but I was going to, next round >:( :censored

I think Nekov is the only one other than me that I saw ever talking about DTES last year, so I'm going to guess he sent it
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on May 24, 2017, 03:51:47 PM
Others may feel free to fill in the artist for No Rest for the Wicked :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 24, 2017, 07:16:59 PM
Stadler: Black Sabbath - _s__________
Nekov: Dream the Electric Sheep - Elizabeth
home: Sleep Party People - _ ____ G__ _e___
???: _____ _e__s - S______
Evermind: The Mayan Factor - Warflower
???: S_e__ - ____e_
???: ____e __ - No Rest for the Wicked
???: ____s___ - _e__e____ _
???: _es____ - ___s____s _________
Tomislav95: The Gathering - Broken Glass

Letters Guessed:
EGMS

Tomislav waits 3
Elite waits 2
Luke waits 1

Nobody guessed a letter  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on May 24, 2017, 08:00:33 PM
Gimme the D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 24, 2017, 08:27:06 PM
Stadler: Black Sabbath - _s__________
Nekov: Dream the Electric Sheep - Elizabeth
home: Sleep Party People - _ D___ G_d _e___
???: _____ _e__s - S______
Evermind: The Mayan Factor - Warflower
???: S_e__ - ____e_
???: ____e __ - No Rest for the Wicked
???: ____s___ - _e__e____ _
???: _es____ - ___s____s _________
Tomislav95: The Gathering - Broken Glass

Letters Guessed:
DEGMS

Sacul waits 3
Tomislav waits 2
Elite waits 1

wow such D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on May 24, 2017, 09:59:49 PM
Show me dat A
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 24, 2017, 10:17:24 PM
Stadler: Black Sabbath - _s_________a
Nekov: Dream the Electric Sheep - Elizabeth
home: Sleep Party People - A Da__ G_d _ea__
???: __a__ _ea_s - Sa_____
Evermind: The Mayan Factor - Warflower
???: S_e__ - _a__e_
???: ____e __ - No Rest for the Wicked
???: _a__s__a - _e__e___a _
???: _es__a_ - ___s____s ______a__
Tomislav95: The Gathering - Broken Glass

Letters Guessed:
ADEGMS

Bolsters waits 3
Sacul waits 2
Tomislav waits 1

where dat A at, gurl
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 24, 2017, 11:00:05 PM
The second band name yet to discover could be Sleep?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 24, 2017, 11:20:03 PM
nah, there's only one e in it
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on May 25, 2017, 03:36:53 AM
K
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 25, 2017, 09:20:48 AM
Stadler: Black Sabbath - _s_________a
Nekov: Dream the Electric Sheep - Elizabeth
home: Sleep Party People - A Da_k G_d _ea__
???: __a_k _eaks - Sa_____
Evermind: The Mayan Factor - Warflower
???: Ske__ - _a__e_
???: __kke __ - No Rest for the Wicked
???: _a__s_ka - _ek_e___a _
???: _es__a_ - ___s____s ______a__
Tomislav95: The Gathering - Broken Glass

Letters Guessed:
ADEGMKS

Luoto waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Sacul waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 25, 2017, 09:56:03 AM
Black Peaks?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on May 25, 2017, 10:05:10 AM
Oh, that's Lykke Li
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 25, 2017, 10:12:49 AM
At this point, the bands are so obscure I have no clue what the rest are. :lol

B
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 25, 2017, 10:37:25 AM
Yes & yes

I'll update letters after work
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 25, 2017, 12:28:08 PM
At this point, the bands are so obscure I have no clue what the rest are. :lol

B
After this roulette Parama will reach the total musical knowledge. I can't imagine the vastness of the banned list of his next roulette :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on May 25, 2017, 12:32:03 PM
At this point, the bands are so obscure I have no clue what the rest are. :lol

You've heard mine on plug.dj actually :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 25, 2017, 12:39:33 PM
At this point, the bands are so obscure I have no clue what the rest are. :lol

You've heard mine on plug.dj actually :corn

Could be. I've heard so many bands on the plug.dj, it's pretty much impossible to remember them all.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 25, 2017, 02:50:03 PM
Black Peaks?

That'll be Train
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 25, 2017, 03:23:22 PM
Surprisingly, it isn't  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 25, 2017, 03:24:28 PM
I like how in this round there are two bands that are seemingly associated with me because I've sent them before, but I didn't send either of them :corn

I only discovered the band I sent like 2 weeks ago and I'm seeing them this Saturday :corn they're waaayy less obscure than my round 1 entry too
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 25, 2017, 06:50:05 PM
Stadler: Black Sabbath - _s_______b_a
Nekov: Dream the Electric Sheep - Elizabeth
home: Sleep Party People - A Da_k G_d _ea__
???: Black Peaks - Sa_____
Evermind: The Mayan Factor - Warflower
???: Ske__ - _a__e_
???: Lykke Li - No Rest for the Wicked
???: Ba__s_ka - _ek_e___a _
???: _esb_a_ - ___s____s _____ba__
Tomislav95: The Gathering - Broken Glass

Letters Guessed:
ABDEGMKS

Evermind waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 25, 2017, 10:59:36 PM
R
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 25, 2017, 11:15:42 PM
Stadler: Black Sabbath - _s_______b_a
Nekov: Dream the Electric Sheep - Elizabeth
home: Sleep Party People - A Dark G_d _ear_
???: Black Peaks - Sa____r
Evermind: The Mayan Factor - Warflower
???: Ske__ - Ra__er
???: Lykke Li - No Rest for the Wicked
???: Ba__s_ka - _ek_e___a _
???: _esb_a_ - ___s____s _____ba__
Tomislav95: The Gathering - Broken Glass

Letters Guessed:
ABDEGMKRS

LordCost waits 3
Evermind waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on May 25, 2017, 11:22:01 PM
A dark god pearl?  ??? I don't know, I can only guess at random.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on May 26, 2017, 02:26:42 AM
The Black Sabbath song is Psychophobia. And third to last band is Batushka.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on May 26, 2017, 02:44:23 AM
Lesbian?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 26, 2017, 09:35:16 AM
Stadler: Black Sabbath - Psychophobia
Nekov: Dream the Electric Sheep - Elizabeth
home: Sleep Party People - A Dark God _ear_
???: Black Peaks - Sa____r
Evermind: The Mayan Factor - Warflower
???: Ske__ - Ra__er
???: Lykke Li - No Rest for the Wicked
???: Batushka - _ek_e___a _
???: Lesbian - ___s____s _____ba__
Tomislav95: The Gathering - Broken Glass

Letters Guessed:
ABDEGMKRS

LordCost waits 3
Evermind waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 26, 2017, 04:21:09 PM
Results this weekend or...? :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 26, 2017, 04:46:53 PM
Yeah for sure, gonna start writing them tonight tbh
Secondary judge said they want to do write ups so those will be posted whenever they have them done
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 26, 2017, 04:51:43 PM
Oh cool, I totally forgot about secondary judge :azn: (hope it's not Luke lol :loser: )

Just to be clear, nothing against Luke :P

The Gathering - Broken Glass
I can see how much Luke liked it when he couldn't guess the same song I sent him :'(

Yea sorry dude. That song really did nothing for me  :natalieportman:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 27, 2017, 02:32:59 AM
Oh cool, I totally forgot about secondary judge :azn: (hope it's not Luke lol :loser: )

Just to be clear, nothing against Luke :P

The Gathering - Broken Glass
I can see how much Luke liked it when he couldn't guess the same song I sent him :'(

Yea sorry dude. That song really did nothing for me  :natalieportman:

No offence taken dude  :lol tbh the secondary judge thing will be a lottery I think. Parama's tastes will be bringing in a varied mix of stuff and probably plenty that won't appeal to the majority of participants in the roulette. Like, the songs I am sending, I can't imagine sending them in any other roulette.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 28, 2017, 12:08:21 AM
all my writeups are done but i am not that happy with some of the scoring right now and feel like i need to do another listen through to really settle on some of these. I will say that currently the range is from 6.5 to 9 (yes, i finally gave one of those again) and i feel those scores are both fairly accurate as to how i feel but there were so many songs i couldn't really decide on how i felt towards and basically just gave placeholder scores or something. it's frustrating but there's really no rush in this roulette so i'm gonna take as much time as i need to. unlike my mini-roulette scores do count so i want to make them add up & as well i'll probably go and do the same relistening thing I did in my first roulette and see if any scores change there
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: home on May 28, 2017, 01:53:26 AM
That's fine man, no rush  :tup Perhaps it'll get my score from a 6,5 to a 6,75  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on May 28, 2017, 04:13:38 AM
Aww yes, entering though the backdoor again in round 2!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 28, 2017, 11:00:03 AM
(https://media.tenor.co/images/16d2a256f9e50654b2b8be4963f0bdc5/tenor.gif)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 28, 2017, 11:14:57 AM
Can't wait for both Parama and secondary judge to spurn my song. :biggrin:

By the way, I recognize Skein - Rapier and I'm pretty sure Luoto sent that one.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 28, 2017, 11:32:10 AM
Can't wait for both Parama and secondary judge to spurn my song. :biggrin:
I wouldn't be surprised if your song was 9, it's that good :tup actually, I probably like it more than the song I sent :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 28, 2017, 11:49:35 AM
chill guys I woke up an hour ago & still have to do relistens geez

Also yes luoto sent skein
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 28, 2017, 12:33:18 PM
Can't wait for both Parama and secondary judge to spurn my song. :biggrin:
I wouldn't be surprised if your song was 9, it's that good :tup actually, I probably like it more than the song I sent :lol

I would agree that my song is amazing, unfortunately that probably means that Parama will give it 6.5 :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 28, 2017, 02:04:35 PM
Round 1 Results

Stadler – Black Sabbath – Psychophobia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt7ktyGZJ7Q)

First Impressions:
I mean, I am familiar with some Sabbath but I’ve never really given them any kind of in-depth listen. And yeah… honestly between the style of the riff and the different singer this barely sounds like anything I’ve ever heard from them. That chorus is really 80’s pop-y, but it’s an interesting change of pace for sure. This is from 1994 apparently though, so, I don’t even know. There’s that weird contrast going throughout this entire song, where the riffs are rather aggressive & jagged but the chorus is really smooth and kind of atmospheric. It makes for an interesting listen though maybe a bit of a disjointed one as well. It’s alright.

Final Thoughts:
Sorry man, I just don’t care for these vocals. That rough-edged hard rock style isn’t something I tend to find much appeal in even in the best songs, and this one kind of lacks emotional depth to it as well. It’s more of a rocker of a song, with the chorus being a bit of breathing room. Maybe it’s trying to sell some emotional depth but I feel like the vocals can’t sell it.

If there’s one part of this I like more than the rest it’s the bridge right after the second chorus, that part is actually pretty fun and rockin’. I. I actually came to a bit of a realization just now. On the earlier verses it’s not really the vocals that are the problem. It’s that jagged 3/4 groove. It just doesn’t work for me. It’s just not something you can sing over really effectively. Each measure gets punctuated by a chord that kills any flow and the vocals can’t really mix in well when the guitar isn’t giving it room to breathe. Man. Okay, that makes my job a lot easier. Now I know exactly why this doesn’t work for me.

For half the song at least. I do genuinely like the rest, aside from that. Like I said the chorus doesn’t have much emotional presence for me but it does at least have a bright atmosphere with the guitar providing some roaring texture. And that bridge is genuinely pretty good, I can dig that groove that the guitar and vocals provide.

The production is a bit muddy but for a 1994 song from a 1970’s hard rock band I don’t know what I was expecting. It doesn’t really get in the way of the song anywhere but it’s still worth noting at the very least. So yeah on the whole I can’t get behind this song due to how awkward its first half ends up feeling but I still like a decent bit of this.

6.5/10



Bolsters – Lykke Li – No Rest for the Wicked (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-0y8Qe0Sw)

First Impressions:
I am pretty sure there’s some song of the same name that was used for some movie trailer or something and I was worried that would be this same song but no this is more of a pop song, not that hard rock sound I remember with the similarly-named song. So anyways. She has a loooot of reverb on her voice. That’s the first thing that sticks out here. Especially on the chorus. I’m actually generally not a huge fan of that, drowns out the natural tones of the singer’s voice. Instrumentally this does atmosphere well enough while still having a driving feel to it. I’m trying to find the right word to describe it and failing but it’d be a good word, if I could remember it. It’s not hitting me too hard right away though but it’s nice enough.

Final Thoughts:
A lot of the time I go over my first impressions while doing these write-ups to avoid being repetitive or to tell my past self how wrong they were. I was thinking “man she has a lot of reverb on her voice” and read “she has a loooot of reverb on her voice” at the same time. And yeah. That really genuinely bugs me honestly. I get it. There’s supposed to be a larger-than-life sound to this song. The piano is drenched in reverb too and the production in general feels really spacious. I guess I would prefer that to have been a sound the song natural had instead of having to rely on studio effects to achieve that level of fullness.

It also feels like there’s not enough time between the second and third chorus. It’s a very, very brief bridge and then right back into it, and nothing new happens in the bridge either. It’s just there. Feels pretty pointless.

I don’t really dislike this but that simulated spaciousness is about the only quality this song really has going for it and if it didn’t have that I couldn’t imagine this working well at all. And while it does sound fine enough as is, I don’t really get any emotional punch from this, it’s just, nice.

6.75/10



Luoto – Skein – Rapier (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n26Th4EJqdM)

First Impressions:
From the start this sounds kind of familiar but I can’t really say why, so hopefully that’s not a bad thing haha. This is nice so far but really does feel like it’s taking its sweet time to get somewhere. Over three minutes into a 7 minute song and it hasn’t really hit anything that feels like serious rising action. Okay, there it goes. For a bit. It does feel like this song is a bit too restrained in general, like it never really comes alive. I dig that the bass is mixed decently high in the mix on this one, unlike a similar song this round, but at the same time I wish it was playing something more interesting than it is. I think this song is supposed to be carried by the strength of the singer? Which he really isn’t that strong of a singer, sounds fine enough and all but is really lacking in power. Maybe he’s why the song feels like it never comes alive. Oh and, random growls right near the end, I guess there’s at least a decent climax to this song at the very least. Sure.

Final Thoughts:
You and Evermind sent songs that are really quite similar and I think it negatively impacted both of you because I can’t help but compare the two. I like this vocalist more than on The Mayan Factor, he has a smoother tone to his voice that appeals to me more. Musically though this is definitely weaker. The guitar work is just, the bare minimum, it clearly means for the listener to focus on the vocals but if the vocals aren’t especially strong then that kind of backfires a little.

This song also feels like it moves too slow though. Doesn’t really get any swell until around the 5 minute mark but after that there’s a nice build and climax. And the vocals kind of get overpowered by the music as a result. And the growls at the end are okay. Kind of too short to really judge. Seems similar to the growls in east of the wall though so that’s always a plus.

And I… have absolutely nothing else to say about this one. Again it sounds fine enough but there’s just not much here and if it’s lacking emotional punch this kind of song is always going to fall a little flat for me, unfortunately.

7/10


Train of Naught – Batushka - Yekteniya 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUhBykAA0D8)

First Impressions:
Hmm. This chanting vocal style… actually works pretty well with this kind of sound, doesn’t it? Nice. Anyways right away I like how this begins. The chuggy riff has plenty of groove & the drums play off it well. And the production is, well, the usual for the genre, but I think it’s at the level of quality to not detract from the song in any real way. I think when it gets to the more traditionally black-metal sounding stuff I’m not quite as big a fan of it, but it’s still enjoyable to be sure. I guess if there’s one thing I can say it’s that it feels like the song runs out of new material after about the halfway point. Not necessarily a bad thing if the material it does have on display is good material, but worth commenting on nonetheless.

Final Thoughts:
I sort of found this one to lack any real lasting impact on relistens and I’m not sure why. Like, I’ve listened to it as much as any of the other songs this round, but it’s the one I have the most trouble remembering anything about, despite that it should be right up my alley. Sure I recognize it right away when I start listening to it again, but. That memorability is a factor I do look for.

I am kind of having trouble saying much else about this one unfortunately. It’s got solid atmosphere to it. And it’s got a good driving feel to it as well. But it really feels like it doesn’t have much happening. Most of the riffs feel like variations of that first chuggy riff. And it’s not a bad riff but it’s not really one to base an entire song around either.

I feel like this sounds really negative but it’s mostly because I don’t have much else to say. I do like how this sounds, yes. I just don’t find it particularly memorable or unique. Just enjoyable in a non-specific way. Ehh.

7/10



Tomislav95 – The Gathering – Broken Glass (https://1drv.ms/u/s!Av71RC6BVSWKnkd3uUiwMZ5LSOyO)

First Impressions:
Trip-hop has historically not done so well in my roulettes (see: Sacul throughout half of my first roulette) but we’ll see. I guess it should also be said that I’ve never been hugely a fan of Anneke as a vocalist? She’s alright and she’s generally given good material but I don’t find her voice that distinctive nor especially powerful, but just pretty fine. Okay anyways I guess I should talk about the song itself. I’m not huge on this at the start but it builds up nicely & has enough of a rock edge to it to appeal to my simple mindedness. And by the climax is it genuinely pretty great. I am not sure what else to say about this? It’s pretty simple but effective for what it is, it’s barely even trip-hop really.

Final Thoughts:
I feel like this song takes too long to really get going. The front half is just one long buildup, and while it’s fine to build up to something louder, I don’t really get much from any of the buildup here. Sounds fine enough but there’s no real emotional connection in it for me that this kind of song would really need.

The back half does have a nice payoff to it though, I really enjoy the climax of this song, and there’s a bit right past the halfway mark that’s a pretty nice sign of things to come as well. The peak of the song is very dense and atmospheric though, I get feeling from that guitar work especially & when the rest of the instruments join in to the thick atmosphere right near the end it’s really quite satisfying.

I think, what makes this fail to work better for me is the synth that drives a lot of this song, right from the very start. I don’t really like that sound. That really may be what makes a lot of this not work for me, more than anything else. And yeah Anneke sounds fine here but she doesn’t get to sing over any of the best parts of the song so what even is the point really.

I don’t mind this but ultimately there’s just too much of this song that doesn’t do anything for me and definitely doesn’t make the parts that do work particularly worth it. It’s not bad, certainly, but I don’t think I’d miss it either.

7.25/10



Evermind – The Mayan Factor – Warflower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkxjPjmUyBQ)

First Impressions:
This intro feels very much like something Arjen would do, though the acoustic guitar tone is better than how he’d produce it. It feels like the bass is a bit underplayed, when it kicks in, considering there’s not anything heavy going on above it it’s still really quiet which is a shame because it feels like it should be driving some kind of groove here but it can’t. I can’t say I’m particularly impressed by the vocals on this either, at least on first listen. Feels like they’re lacking any kind of power to them and they’re supposed to be the driving element of this kind of song. I dig all the little things going on during the bridge, even if it means they’re not really changing the core sound of the song dramatically for the bridge. Well until that meter change right after, fair enough then. Yeah, I do think this is pretty solid but also feel I would definitely like this more with a better singer, this guy just doesn’t do it for me. And for the amount of substance it maybe feels a touch too long. But ehh.

Final Thoughts:
It takes a bit for that opening guitar bit to pick up some groove but when it does it’s actually a pretty interesting groove. I can tell it’s a constant 16th notes type of thing going on but there’s accentuation on the most important notes and that makes it work better than it would otherwise. Considering that’s one of the more prominent elements of this song too I think it’s important that it works.

I think I figured out what bothers me about the vocals – he really doesn’t enunciate very well. I’d very much expect this guy to not be a native English speaker just from that alone. It’s not a huge dealbreaker for me since I barely care about lyrics at all, and a lot of the vocal melodies he’s working with here are pretty solid.

The bridge is a kind of “neat that they’re doing all these little things but it doesn’t have enough build to it so it just feels like the song staying stagnant” thing going on. I don’t mind listening to it but  I wouldn’t miss it either. The meter change bit is a nice diversion it never goes anywhere and they’re back to 4/4 for the chorus making it feel maybe a bit pointless. I don’t know.

I think this song would’ve been improved by being a bit shorter, because really there isn’t a ton going on here. It’s nice for what it is but a 5 minute cut of this would’ve probably won me over more. As it stands though I can’t say I really dislike it, it has positive qualities to it and no real negatives, just that the positives aren’t so strong. Decent, though. Probably not going to remember it after the roulette.

7.25/10



twosuitsluke – Lesbian – Poisonous Witchball (https://lesbian.bandcamp.com/track/poisonous-witchball)

First Impressions:
Well that’s certainly a band name. Also can’t find any youtube version except a live version so bandcamp it is. From the start this is… certainly heavy. Hopefully it’ll be something else eventually. Okay there it goes, now it’s kind of math-y. I am okay with math-y. The long instrumental stretch of this kind of makes me think of Keelhaul. The vocals make me think of bad vocals though. I don’t like them. This is a bit all over the place but it’s pretty diverse about it, both some chuggy and  technical riffs alongside some cleaner, atmospheric parts & it definitely keeps this from feeling the least bit dull. While there’s a decent amount of it that I wouldn’t say does a ton for me on first listen I feel like relistens will help it for sure.

Final Thoughts:
Maybe that intro could’ve gone on a bit shorter but it’s really honestly not a big deal here. If that riff was a bit more interesting I guess, it wouldn’t be a problem at all. Heck, The Cavern has one riff for like 5 minutes straight but the riff is so good I barely care. So yeah.

The song certainly knows how to keep moving most of the time. That mathy/frantic guitar lead in-between the jagged riffing certainly builds up some intensity though I think it lacks a sense of flow as a result. It feels kind of messy. I like how it sounds but it can be a bit awkward too.  And that’s just one thing it does over the span of the next few minutes, it’s basically impossible for me to keep up with this one when typing. But it doesn’t really feel forced in doing so, just that the song keeps flowing whenever it feels like it’s time to move onto something else.

Anyways on the subject of those growls. These guys do have the exact same problem as Keelhaul, they’d be better as an instrumental band, no doubt. I don’t care for the vocals here. They’re drowned out a lot of the time but they’re just not very pleasant to my ears when they’re more audible. A lot of this is instrumental though at the very least.

And I do like how they can have these cleaner, post-rockish sections in the middle of the more intense metal stuff and not have it feel at all out of place. There’s also a good build about two thrids through where they use this cleaner moment to escalate back into some heavier stuff.

And the production on this is… too muddy, definitely. Makes the song feel a bit too sludgy even for me, the riffs lose a bit of their distinctness, the bass feels a bit drowned out, the drums feel a bit too loud.

While on the whole I would say I do enjoy this, I also really feel that there’s just nothing here that sticks out particularly strongly, and I feel the production is partly to blame for that at the very least. It’s a long string of decent metal that doesn’t really do a ton more for me beyond that. Don’t mind it but I wish I liked it more than I do. And again, those vocals… meh.

7.5/10



home – Sleep Party People – A Dark God Heart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JazOLeHqp-Y)

First Impressions:
This starts out with quite the dreamy & ethereal vibe. And then it brings in some strings for a dense atmosphere… then pulls back to a pizzicato string bit with the vocals even more washed out. It’s like. Uhh. Weird. The vibe of this song isn’t one I’d say I generally find myself liking and it sounds more like some soundtrack song for a childr- WHOA HEY THERE THAT GOT LOUD –en’s movie, but it’s a good vibe nonetheless. Until they come and destroy it with a steamroller of a climax which is actually, genuinely, really freaking excellent?? I can see exactly why you sent this now given how well Slowdive did on your EP last roulette. Yeah. This is pretty solid stuff.

Final Thoughts:
This song is actually kind of creepy, but in a good way. It starts off really gentle and kind of lulls you into a false sense of security but the slurred, seasick vocals provide a sense of unease contrasting with the really pretty piano and atmosphere. The atmosphere it builds on this base gets pretty lush and then pulls back for the very stiff strings in the middle with the vocals again providing that sense of unease.

Or maybe I’m just seeing things. I actually get the feeling this isn’t meant to be creepy at all but it sort of is for me, and I don’t mind that at all. The climax near the end certainly makes me think it isn’t meant to be, at least. That’s just a really triumphant and powerful climax that, yes, feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the song aside from being based on the main melody of the earlier bits. So there’s enough there to tie it together.

Honestly I do wish that climax was a bit longer as it’s easily my favorite part of this song, and as with Kwoon last round the quiet parts are nice but sort of pale in comparison to the big climactic moments. Here though they just go all out with it and that’s great. And the calmer moments are certainly very pretty and good at building suspense, though they’re not as enjoyable as the ending.

Overall this is a pretty fine track – one that definitely makes me want to check out at least a bit more from the artist, but not one that really blows me away, except for about a minute of the song near the end. Still, solid stuff for sure.

7.75/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 28, 2017, 02:09:16 PM
Oh well, I should've known better than to trust Parama's tastes for music. I guess 7.25 is good enough though, at least it's not 6.5.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 28, 2017, 02:09:37 PM
Lordcost – Black Peaks – Saviour (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKEQozKYsXk)

First Impressions:
I didn’t really have much to say about this at the start until it hit upon that cool, jagged and dissonant riff near the middle. That is a cool as heck riff & it completely changes the tone of the song in a good way. It gives room for there to be some kind of contrast going on here as well. Hmm. This started out fine but kind of eehh but built into something pretty cool as it went on. The post-metal-y growls are also nice to have. Honestly? They kind of have a similar vibe to The Hirsch Effekt, though the production is muddier and the song is a bit more atmospheric. But no, this is kind of, all over the place but in a really cool way. Maybe the beginning will grow on me with relistens too but I am currently digging this a lot.

Final Thoughts:
There’s something about the guitar tone at the start that I think really works against the sound they’re trying to go for. It sounds way too clean, it’s lacking any sense of crunch and it makes that opening riff not hit as hard as it needs to. That kind of carries over to the vocal bits following it but it’s not so big of a deal there since the guitars are definitely out of focus.

On the subject of the vocals since I never commented on it before, the clean vocals sound totally fine. Nothing outstanding but they fit the tone of the song. And the growls sound fine too. That’s all I have to say on the subject I guess.

This song doesn’t reeeeally hit its stride until around the 2 minute mark, in which the guitars do actually pick up some crunch for that dissonant, jagged riff I like so much. And what’s really cool is how that riff mixes in with them carrying on the vibe from earlier in the song too, it gives an extra layer of power and density to the already fairly dense atmosphere from earlier in the song.

I also like that this pretty religiously stays in 4/4 even with the riffs being very offbeat and convoluted as the song goes on. What this allows is for the song to really pick up some groove and I can totally get behind that. I like the bit that starts at around 4:30 too, the drums just go crazy and really ramp up the intensity of an already pretty heavy song. And then the guitars go noodly crazy right after. It doesn’t really matter what the individual notes are, it just hammers in this frantic vibe. All in 4/4. That’s great.

You really have to listen all the way through to see it but this song is just like a giant snowball that starts out pretty big and heavy but just keeps getting heavier and picking up more momentum as the song goes on. I think it works to have a fairly basic start with how much complexity the song picks up later on & by the end it’s got so much going on and is so damn satisfying to listen to. This is for sure the kind of metal I’d love to hear more of and easily another favorite of the round.

Also I did listen to the other song you were considering and it didn’t strike me as strongly on first listen so you probably lucked out here and sent a song that fits my tastes more on accident.

8.75/10



Nekov – Dream the Electric Sleep – Elizabeth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wAR5KdMJx8)

First Impressions:
Okay right from the intro and first verse this sounds kind of like something Thrice would do. Even the vocal style is kind of similar. Actually I think that’s most of what’s doing it, musically it’s not quite so in line with Thrice’s style. But it’s got a good drive to it for sure. Man am I a sucker for a good 6/8 vibe. The way this song builds up and the way all its elements come in and out, build upon each other and then collapse again to make way for new ones, is really quite compelling. And it helps that the distinct elements themselves are all pretty good too. This is like, easily the best song in the roulette thus far honestly. I love it. Unless one of the songs I still haven’t listened to in this round is better.

Final Thoughts:
Throughout the entire round this was well and truly the standout track for me. No question about it. Obviously I’m a bit biased as this guy really does sound like Dustin Kensrue quite a bit, and I really like the sound of that man’s voice. And thus I like the sound of this guy’s voice. It’s not technically perfect but it has depth to it, man.

And goddamn does this song just sound pristine. Absolutely fantastic production job on this one, jesus christ. The acoustic guitars sound spacious & deep, the electric guitar tones have nice fuzz and atmosphere to them, the thumping drums are generally pretty simple but sound plenty fine, and the bass is always there in the background chugging away. And when it all combines it’s just a great sound to hear. It barely even matters what’s being played. It really isn’t that special but bringing all these sounds together works for me where it absolutely does not in the similar songs this round.

And the song is dynamic & diverse enough to not get boring. The first half is pretty straightforward with a verse/chorus structure but at the midway point everything pulls back for just one guitar and vocals to really give you a moment to breathe before exploding into an even more powerful climax in the back half. The moment that solo kicks in is probably the highlight, fantastic groove and the solo itself plays off it well enough. Again it barely even matters what’s being played, it just sounds good, man.

If I had to criticize anything, I do feel it runs out of momentum after that. The ending is a bit of a slow burn that doesn’t feel particularly satisfying especially considering what comes before it, though I don’t mind the ambient transition into the next track & that probably works even better in the context of the album. It’s just a bit of a disappointing ending but it’s not enough to bring what is otherwise a really great song down in my books. Easily my favorite track so far and at least on par with the best stuff from my last roulette, if not even better.

9/10



Current Standings:
Nekov – 15.75
Tomislav95 – 15.5
Bolsters – 15.25
Evermind – 15.25
LordCost – 15.25
Train of Naught – 15
Luoto – 14.75
twosuitsluke – 14.5
home -  14.25
Stadler – 13.5

Not really a ton of spread in the scores yet, since a lot of the best scores this round came from people with lower scores in Round 0. How about that  :lol

Go ahead and send for round 2, secondary judge writeups will be up in a moment.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 28, 2017, 02:14:19 PM
Round 1 Secondary Judge Results – Judge Evermind

Skein – Rapier

Delightfully dark and mellow, this song somehow manages to involve a lot of elements that speak to me in music. The quiet parts are enhanced by wonderful vocal melodies throughout, with subtle and calm acoustic guitar playing beneath them. The song slowly and gradually builds up the tension, and when it finally breaks and erupts to growls it’s just oh so satisfying. This song is all about proper build-up and pay-off, and it does that perfectly. Best song of the round here.

5 points

The Gathering – Broken Glass

First I’ve got this song in my roulette, and now I get it again? 0/10, sorry Tomislav.

- Luke


Okay, no.
This song has one big advantage over others: Anneke makes everything better, and this song isn’t an exception. I know this one, of course, and while I dislike the dubstep-like keyboard sound that sometimes appear throughout the song, the black metal-like guitars and Anneke’s voice both make up for that. Wonderful song, the second best of the round for me. Apparently you’ve won the lottery this time. Congratulations?

3 points

Lykke Li – No Rest for the Wicked

Simple and wondrous, this singer-songwriter song fulfills its purpose successfully, forming a catchy and memorable tune under four minutes mark without any exquisite instrumental support or high notes by the singer. Not as emotional as other singer-songwriters like Tori Amos or Susanne Sundfor, but very good nonetheless. Enjoy the secondary points.

2 points

Batushka – Yekteniya 1

A curious combination of Gregorian-like chants, cut-and-dried black and death metal riffs and So Hideous-like screams, this song mixes the elements that aren’t supposed to go together in music, and does it remarkably well. The song upholds the atmosphere it builds throughout its length. Just missed out my Top 3, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 9/10 from Parama for this song.

The Mayan Factor – Warflower (Judge's Song)

You know, musically, that was quite nice, especially with that prominent bass, natural percussion and adventurous acoustic guitar. However, what kills this song is the vocal delivery, because this guy sounds like he was heavily drinking for the whole month before recording the aggressive vocals for this song, especially during the chorus. All the ingredients for the good song are there, including the vocal melodies, but the singer just murders it in cold blood. It’s amazing how much potential is wasted in this song because of the vocals.

Black Sabbath – Psychophobia

A short, catchy song from the well-known band, I can’t imagine this going too well with Parama. In fact, when I think about it, “Parama” and “Black Sabbath” are about as far apart on the musical map as you can imagine. Nice little song, but I’m not sure if the 90s era of Sabbath was the best one to choose from. If you wanted to expose Parama to this kind of music, you might’ve as well gone with Ozzy or Dio era. Still, this was good enough.

Dream the Electric Sleep – Elizabeth

I’m fairly sure it’s not a coincidence that this band has both “dream” and “sleep” words in their name, because this song is just like a progressive rock lullaby in the beginning. If you can manage to pay enough attention to it, it’s beautiful and emotional, but once your attention slips, it’s difficult to get back into the song. The pace picks up a bit in the second half, making the experience more intense. Still, this is meant to be listened without any distractions, otherwise it’s difficult to keep track of things happening. Overall, it’s a fine progressive rock song.

Black Peaks – Saviour

It’s never a good sign that I can’t recall any vocal melody from the song after five or six listens (except when it’s an instrumental), and this is just the case here. I’m at loss, because I don’t have nearly enough meaningful things to say about this in the writeup. It’s an alright progressive song. That’s about it.

Sleep Party People – A Dark God Heart

Before you read this, remember that I’m only a secondary judge. Perhaps Parama will like this song more. I, unfortunately, can only describe this is “outright boring”. There is nothing that appeals to me in this song. I can see a trend here with the bands that have “sleep” in their name. Even the grand ending with the cymbals isn’t that satisfying. Still, it’s not the worst song of the round, so that’s something, right?

Lesbian – Poisonous WitchBall

While that Batushka song tries to mix the genres up, this song is as straightforward as it gets. I mean, no, it has some quiet and even cheerful parts, but mostly it’s just growling with heavy riffs beneath it. Did I say that Dream the Electric Sleep was difficult to pay attention to? This song takes this notion and turns it to eleven, and not in a good way.

Parama’s notes:
It’s amusing how opposite me and Evermind’s opinions are on the songs this round but that shouldn’t come as anything surprising. And it also makes total sense that Skein is his favorite this round considering the similarities between it and his song.

Current Secondary Judge Standings:
Luoto - 5
Tomislav95 - 3
Bolsters - 2
home - 0
Train of Naught - 0
LordCost - 0
Nekov - 0
Stadler - 0
Evermind - 0
twosuitsluke - 0
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 28, 2017, 02:18:57 PM
Wow, both the bands I was planning to send later got #2 and #1 :lol though I don't know that Dream The Electric Sleep album, should get on that.

I don't know, I personally don't like when music like Batushka would move on to new themes and riffs constantly, I like the more plodding stuff because it moves the attention more to the atmosphere and satanic (even though weird enough they're actually a christian band) feel that it has.

Gonna probably not send Dodecahedron either because apparently you also checked out that new album on top of the Ulsect one, stop checking out new albums damnit. I'll have to think about the next round for a bit.

@secondary judge I'm almost certain who you are, and if I'm right I'm pretty shocked and at the same time glad you liked that Batushka song :metal it's really funny to see that the top 2 songs got bottom tier scores from the second judge too
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 28, 2017, 02:21:01 PM
train i own the dodecahedron album lol. they are already on the banned list. i have been listening to it the past two weeks
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 28, 2017, 02:28:47 PM
7.25 is nice score, I didn't expect more tbh :P What to send next, hm? Black metal or poppy progressive rock or singer-songwriter? Hm...
And thanks, secondary judge :azn:

I love it how Evermind sneaked in between two results posts :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on May 28, 2017, 02:35:29 PM
Well, the singer on Warflower is an acquired taste indeed. Still, I'm disappointed by both Parama's score and secondary judge's one. Good taste on The Gathering though, that's a good song indeed.

Sent my next song.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: home on May 28, 2017, 02:40:26 PM
Wooo, that's better than I though the score will be tbh (especially after rereading what you wrote about the song I put on Luke's EP)  :tup

This song is actually kind of creepy, but in a good way.
It doesn't strike me as that creepy, it's a kinda comforting atmosphere to me actually. But the lyrics "I will cry in love tonight, with a dark god heart I die" do fit a creepy mood better perhaps  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on May 28, 2017, 02:44:56 PM
Now that I have a confirmation in PM with my song accepted, I'm happy to say I have indeed pulled a Stadler in this round. :biggrin:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 28, 2017, 02:50:53 PM
Now that I have a confirmation in PM with my song accepted, I'm happy to say I have indeed pulled a Stadler in this round. :biggrin:
Rainbow?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on May 28, 2017, 02:53:49 PM
Nope.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 28, 2017, 02:57:20 PM
Evermind - Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven

what the hell is this crap

0/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 28, 2017, 03:56:38 PM
What to send next, hm? Black metal or poppy progressive rock or singer-songwriter? Hm...

Could not decide so I sent something fourth.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on May 28, 2017, 05:51:27 PM
Nice, i'm glad you liked it. I'll be sending something tomorrow
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on May 28, 2017, 10:06:43 PM
Sent.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on May 29, 2017, 09:05:51 AM
Sent
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 29, 2017, 08:29:25 PM
still only have half the songs & have listened to all the ones I've received thus far  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 30, 2017, 12:48:34 AM
I'll be sending after work, in at least 15 hours  :tup

Think I know the band, just deciding on song.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on May 30, 2017, 05:38:54 AM
I'm really surprised about the score. The riff that starts at 2 minutes is great, but I was worried that you wouldn't like the rest of the song and I would have been happy with a 7/10 honestly :lol . I had doubts about vocals too because I don't know much your tastes.

Hang 'em High is really powerful even if it's maybe repetitive, but it works really well and I like it more. You're right, I was lucky!
The band was previously called Shrine and they had another song called Closer To The Sun that didn't make the album but you could like it.

I'm sending in 24 hours
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on May 30, 2017, 08:25:15 AM
Lot of comments in this thread and I (sort of) get it, but I would respectfully ask that those with the comments try and understand there's a method to the madness in what I'm doing.  Anyone can pull an obscure band that no one has heard of off the internet and flog it.  My take is, if they were really that good, we'd have heard about them already.  Not always true, but...

I'm trying to take a name that everyone has heard - and everyone has their preconceived notions on - and give something new to it.  Something you haven't heard.    Something that isn't played on classic rock radio in rotation.  Isn't the point to open up the listener to something new that isn't in their wheelhouse?  I get it, this usually means I get crushed in these roulettes (I'm not sure I've ever even finished in the top HALF let alone won something) but all I need is even one comment to the effect of "I know [insert fairly popular artist] from [inset overplayed hit], but this was a total surprise!" and I'm happy. 
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 30, 2017, 08:32:51 AM
I know Black Sabbath from pretty much all albums with Ozzy and Dio but I never listened to Martin era albums :justjen maybe I should :D
and that definitely was a surprise
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 30, 2017, 05:31:54 PM
Sent a bit of a risk this round. This is a band I've sent before in other roulettes and I'm trying (unsuccessfully) to champion them on DTF.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 30, 2017, 07:19:02 PM
also a band i've heard a few songs from before but i'll accept them  :corn

just waiting on homeboy now
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: home on May 31, 2017, 06:27:37 AM
Just sent some sludge your way. Sorry for being late.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 31, 2017, 09:25:35 AM
Round 2 First Impressions

This really doesn’t have anything unique to offer for the style of music it is, but it’s plenty competent for what it is too and I can’t really knock it for that.

Is there really anything nice I can say about this, because I’m worried there isn’t going to be. I guess, it’s got a nice energy to it? That’s really all I can think of here.

This is pretty upbeat but not claustrophobically so, I don’t know if these vocals are my favorite style but they don’t sound out of place here.

The individual parts all seem decently interesting and I could see myself digging this. I’m just hoping they’ll start to feel like more than just parts.

And I like that the song stays pretty dynamic throughout, a balancing act between some heavier moments and quieter interludes, without ever really losing momentum either.

This is actually a kind of song I imagine myself digging, it’s just paced well. It’s hard to describe what that means I guess but it’s all over the place in a really cohesive way?

At the very least it’s decently diverse, a mix if chugging metal, dense atmosphere, and some cleaner moments, and by the end I can get into it at least a little.

I do like all the harmonizing that’s going on here, the melodies themselves aren’t that great but the vocals sound better in unison than either do separately.

The instrumental work on this isn’t particularly unique in comparison to a lot of similar-sounding music but it’s, fine enough I guess. Decent level of groove, decent level of technicality.

It leaves me stuck at least enjoying the entire song, but definitely liking some parts more than others, and feeling the way the song moves between those different parts stiff and messy.

I will say that this round feels like the weakest thus far, but some of these might be growers, we'll see. Though there's one song here I found actually really unpleasant. And yes, it's your song specifically.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 31, 2017, 09:33:08 AM
Round 2 Hangman!!!

???: ______ - _________
???: _____ ______ - ______ __ ____
???: __ _______ - __ ___ ______
???: ____________ - ______ __ ____________
???: ___ _______ ________ - _____ ___ ___ ______
???: _____ - ________
???: ________ - ___ ______ _______ _______ ____
???: ___ _____ _______ - ________ __ ___ _______
???: _______ ______ ____ - ___ _____
???: _______ - ______ ___ ____
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Train of Naught on May 31, 2017, 09:37:53 AM
At the very least it’s decently diverse, a mix if chugging metal, dense atmosphere, and some cleaner moments, and by the end I can get into it at least a little.
This one? It's not one of the more positive ones, I can almost say that for sure

Give me the T?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on May 31, 2017, 09:38:45 AM
Quote
Is there really anything nice I can say about this, because I’m worried there isn’t going to be. I guess, it’s got a nice energy to it? That’s really all I can think of here.

Looks like mine!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 31, 2017, 09:43:34 AM
???: ______ - ______t__
???: _____ ______ - ______ __ ____
???: __ _____t_ - __ ___ ______
???: T__________t - ______ __ _____t_____t
???: ___ ___t___ ___t____ - _____ __t t__ ______
???: __t__ - ___t____
???: ________ - ___ ______ _______ _______ ____
???: T__ _____ _______ - T_______ __ t__ _____t_
???: _______ ______ __t_ - T__ ____t
???: _______ - ______ t__ ____

Letters Guessed:
T

Train waits 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on May 31, 2017, 09:51:31 AM
A
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on May 31, 2017, 10:09:26 AM
1. Maybe
2. Please no (and it probably isn't, there are bunch of nice stuff about it :P)
3. No
4. No
5. Could be
6. I don't think so
7. Could be but I don't think that could be called chugging :-\
8. No
9. Maybe
10. No
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on May 31, 2017, 10:30:28 AM
Quote from: Parama link=topic=50206.msg2322982#msg2322982 jdate=1496244335

The individual parts all seem decently interesting and I could see myself digging this. I’m just hoping they’ll start to feel like more than just parts.

This is actually a kind of song I imagine myself digging, it’s just paced well. It’s hard to describe what that means I guess but it’s all over the place in a really cohesive way?

It leaves me stuck at least enjoying the entire song, but definitely liking some parts more than others, and feeling the way the song moves between those different parts stiff and messy.

It should be one of those three
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on May 31, 2017, 10:55:52 AM
About half of those comments would fit my song, I just hope it's not the worst ones  :P

Also for the hangman: S
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 31, 2017, 11:08:45 AM
Already have a letter pending but ehh I'll do both when I get home why not
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on May 31, 2017, 04:42:49 PM
Quote
Is there really anything nice I can say about this, because I’m worried there isn’t going to be. I guess, it’s got a nice energy to it? That’s really all I can think of here.

Looks like mine!

I'll take a bet on that as I reckon it's mine too! I'm expecting 2/10, max
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 1 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on May 31, 2017, 05:31:20 PM
Though there's one song here I found actually really unpleasant. And yes, it's your song specifically.
:corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on May 31, 2017, 07:47:07 PM
???: _____s - S____sta_
???: _a__s _a____ - ______ __ ____
???: __ _a___ts - __ ___ __a___
???: T__a_s____at - _____s __ _____t_____t
???: ___ ___t___ ___t___s - _____ __t t__ S_a__s
???: __t__ - ___t__a_
???: _a___a_s - T__ ____s_ ___s___ _______ ____
???: T__ _a___ __a____ - T_a___s_ __ t__ S____ts
???: _______ _a____ __t_ - T__ ____t
???: ______s - ______ t__ ____

Letters Guessed:
AST

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Train waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on May 31, 2017, 11:16:31 PM
M
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 01, 2017, 12:03:01 AM
???: _____s - S____sta_
???: _am_s _a____ - ______ __ ____
???: __ _a___ts - __ ___ __a___
???: T__a_s____at - _____s __ _____t_____t
???: ___ ___t___ ___t___s - _____ __t t__ S_a__s
???: __t_m - ___t__a_
???: _a___a_s - T__ ____s_ ___s___ _______ ____
???: T__ _a___ __a____ - T_a___s_ __ t__ S____ts
???: _______ _a____ __t_ - T__ ____t
???: ___mm_s - ______ t__ ____

Letters Guessed:
AMST

Bolsters waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 01, 2017, 01:46:44 AM
Votum - Vertical
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 01, 2017, 08:38:10 AM
Since I don't know/see any of the songs besides mine, I'll have to ask for the D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 01, 2017, 09:03:19 AM
???: ____ds - S____sta_
???: _am_s _a____ - ______ __ __d_
???: __ _a_d_ts - __ ___ D_a___
???: T__a_s____at - _____s __ __d__t_____t
???: ___ ___t___ ___t___s - _____ __t t__ S_a__s
???: Votum - Vertical
???: _a_d_a_s - T__ ____s_ ___s___ ____d_d ____
???: T__ _a___ __a____ - T_a___s_ __ t__ S____ts
???: _______ _a___d __t_ - T__ ____t
???: ___mm_s - _____d t__ D___

Letters Guessed:
ADMST

Tomislav waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Nekov waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on June 01, 2017, 11:12:36 AM
O
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 01, 2017, 11:20:49 AM
???: __oods - S____sta_
???: _am_s _a____ - ______ __ __d_
???: __ _a_d_ts - __ ___ D_a___
???: T__a_s____at - _____s o_ __d__t_o___t
???: _o_ ___t___ __ot___s - _____ o_t t__ S_a__s
???: Votum - Vertical
???: _a_d_a_s - T__ ____so __os___ ____d_d ____
???: T__ _a___ __a____ - T_a_o_s_ o_ t__ S____ts
???: _o__oo_ _a___d __t_ - T__ ____t
???: ___mm_s - __o__d t__ Doo_

Letters Guessed:
ADMOST

Evermind waits 3
Tomislav waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

I did this one from work so if there are mistakes well whatever I had to remember all the song names to even do it
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 01, 2017, 11:44:55 AM
I can confirm one O is missing ;)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 01, 2017, 11:52:16 AM
I don't even remember which one is yours  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on June 01, 2017, 01:08:43 PM
This roulette is way too obscure for me to guess those bands  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 01, 2017, 01:26:11 PM
Is the last band called Hummus? Seems legit.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 01, 2017, 02:09:16 PM
Nah, not enough letters :P
And y'all are gonna be kicking yourselves over one of these  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 01, 2017, 02:12:37 PM
Broods - Superstar by Bolsters
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 01, 2017, 02:29:08 PM
Von Hertzen Brothers - Bring Out the Snakes... could be Luke

Evermind: James LaBrie - Jekyll or Hyde :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 01, 2017, 02:51:12 PM
Von Hurtz Baby is not luke but everything else is right
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Stadler on June 01, 2017, 02:56:53 PM
Are these real bands?   ;)   :) 

I'm going to have a roulette, and one of the rules is "No bands that haven't sold at least 1,000 copies of a release."   :) 
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 01, 2017, 03:07:01 PM
Unknown bands are the most fun though  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 01, 2017, 03:11:35 PM
Are these real bands?   ;)   :) 

I'm going to have a roulette, and one of the rules is "No bands that haven't sold at least 1,000 copies of a release."   :)

It'd still be really easy to send bands you've never heard of  :biggrin: There is so much music out there at your fingertips and there are literally thousands of bands that are releasing quality music (even if they're not well known).

This forum has opened me up to so many bands and avenues to discover new bands. You just need to be able to listen to stuff with an open mind and judge on the music alone, not based on any preconceptions. My thirst for discovering my next musical obsession knows no bounds so I'm all about the unheard of, lesser known bands  :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 01, 2017, 03:32:34 PM
VHB would actually meet Stadler's humorous criteria, and are one of the few who've received multiple certifications for their albums in this roulette so far.

In other news, album sales don't mean jack shit and the radio is dead to me.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 01, 2017, 04:07:50 PM
Cardiacs - A Song By A Band I Dont Listen To But Would Like To Check Out Some Time
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 01, 2017, 04:49:51 PM
Cardiacs - A Song By A Band I Dont Listen To But Would Like To Check Out Some Time
That would be Sacul
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 01, 2017, 04:55:45 PM
Only thing right is band name
Sacul is not even in the roulette anymore  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Stadler on June 01, 2017, 04:58:56 PM
Are these real bands?   ;)   :) 

I'm going to have a roulette, and one of the rules is "No bands that haven't sold at least 1,000 copies of a release."   :)

It'd still be really easy to send bands you've never heard of  :biggrin: There is so much music out there at your fingertips and there are literally thousands of bands that are releasing quality music (even if they're not well known).

This forum has opened me up to so many bands and avenues to discover new bands. You just need to be able to listen to stuff with an open mind and judge on the music alone, not based on any preconceptions. My thirst for discovering my next musical obsession knows no bounds so I'm all about the unheard of, lesser known bands  :tup

Well, first, I was being funny, I get the point of a roulette.

But it's not about "an open mind" though, at least with me.  Hell, I have everything from Justin Beiber to the guy who played guitar in my band in high school's self-released solo album (hey, maybe next round...).  To me, it's visceral.   If it feels good, it works.   I don't have that "I liked REM before they were popular; now they SUCK" gene.

I DEFINITELY do not subscribe to the notion that "if it's popular, it must suck".  Just the opposite; I think it takes an incredible and rare talent to write a song that touches people's hearts.   

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 01, 2017, 05:00:37 PM
Only thing right is band name
Sacul is not even in the roulette anymore  :lol
:lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 02, 2017, 04:49:30 AM
Rx Bandits is the third band but I don't know any of their songs
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 02, 2017, 07:06:54 AM
L
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 02, 2017, 07:21:15 AM
Ex Bandits could be mister two suits
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 02, 2017, 09:10:10 AM
Bolsters: Broods - Superstar
Evermind: James LaBrie - Jekyll or Hyde
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits- __ ___ D_a___
???: T__a_s___lat - _____s o_ __d__t_o___t
???: Von Hertzen Brothers - Bring Out the Snakes
???: Votum - Vertical
???: Cardiacs - T__ ____so _los_l_ ____d_d L___
???: T__ _a___ __a___l - T_a_o_s_ o_ t__ S____ts
???: _o_loo_ _all_d __t_ - T__ ____t
???: ___mm_s - __o__d t__ Doo_

Letters Guessed:
ADLMOST

home waits 3
Evermind waits 2
Tomislav waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 02, 2017, 08:52:45 PM
Might not have results ready this weekend considering the lack of hangmanen  :corn

(also just might not get to it anyways)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on June 02, 2017, 10:07:59 PM
H
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 03, 2017, 12:02:50 AM
Bolsters: Broods - Superstar
Evermind: James LaBrie - Jekyll or Hyde
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits- __ H__ D_a___
???: Th_a_s___lat - _____s o_ __d__tho__ht
???: Von Hertzen Brothers - Bring Out the Snakes
???: Votum - Vertical
???: Cardiacs - T__ ____so _los_l_ ____d_d L___
???: Th_ _a___ _ha___l - T_aho_s_ o_ th_ S____ts
???: _o_loo_ _all_d __t_ - Th_ ____t
???: _h_mm_s - __o__d th_ Doo_

Letters Guessed:
ADHLMOST

Bolsters waits 3
home waits 2
Evermind waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 03, 2017, 12:32:38 AM
Luoto: Thrawsunblat - Rivers of Underthought
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 03, 2017, 12:47:44 AM
yes. that's all correct
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 03, 2017, 02:16:29 AM
Khemmis - Beyond the Door

Been meaning to check this band out.

Edit: for some reason my phone auto corrected to Khimmis???
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 03, 2017, 02:18:47 AM
band name is not quite right  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 03, 2017, 02:19:47 AM
E

(I'm pretty sure you put me on the waiting list by mistake)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 03, 2017, 10:43:01 AM
Bolsters: Broods - Superstar
Evermind: James LaBrie - Jekyll or Hyde
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits- __ He_ D_a_e_
Luoto: Thrawsunblat - Rivers of Underthought
???: Von Hertzen Brothers - Bring Out the Snakes
???: Votum - Vertical
???: Cardiacs - T_e E_e_so _losel_ __a_ded L__e
???: The _a___ _ha__el - Teaho_se o_ the S____ts
???: _o_loo_ _alled __t_ - The ____t
???: Khemmis - Beyond the Door

Letters Guessed:
ADEHLMOST

home waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 03, 2017, 10:57:11 AM
In her ....?

The Everso Closely ..... Line? Braided?

Teahouse of the ....?

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 03, 2017, 11:02:31 AM
all close
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 03, 2017, 11:17:14 AM
C
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 03, 2017, 11:51:07 AM
Bolsters: Broods - Superstar
Evermind: James LaBrie - Jekyll or Hyde
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits- In Her D_a_e_
Luoto: Thrawsunblat - Rivers of Underthought
???: Von Hertzen Brothers - Bring Out the Snakes
???: Votum - Vertical
???: Cardiacs - The Everso Closely __a_ded Line
???: The _a___ Cha__el - Teahouse of the S____ts
???: _o_loo_ _alled C_t_ - The ____t
???: Khemmis - Beyond the Door

Letters Guessed:
ACDEHLMOST

Sacul waits 3
home waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 03, 2017, 11:55:04 AM
Kowloon Walled City, dunno the song. Sent by trainy I think.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 03, 2017, 12:17:29 PM
yes // no
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 03, 2017, 12:18:35 PM
Teahouse of the ....?

Spirits
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 03, 2017, 02:11:07 PM
By The Panic Channel.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 03, 2017, 02:39:48 PM
Bolsters: Broods - Superstar
Evermind: James LaBrie - Jekyll or Hyde
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits- In Her D_a_e_
Luoto: Thrawsunblat - Rivers of Underthought
???: Von Hertzen Brothers - Bring Out the Snakes
???: Votum - Vertical
???: Cardiacs - The Everso Closely __a_ded Line
???: The Panic Channel - Teahouse of the Spirits
???: Kowloon Walled City - The ____t
???: Khemmis - Beyond the Door

Letters Guessed:
ACDEHLMOST

Sacul waits 3
home waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 04, 2017, 04:11:23 AM
Panic Channel is Stadler
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 04, 2017, 04:37:44 AM
Votum sent by Train?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 04, 2017, 04:51:02 AM
The everso closely guarded Line? By Elite perhaps?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 04, 2017, 05:15:15 AM
My guess is that Elite sent none of these songs :P

Votum - tomislav
Cardiacs - lordcost?
Vom Hertzen Brothers - sounds like a sacul band
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 04, 2017, 05:30:32 AM
Vom Hertzen Brothers - sounds like a sacul band

You're the second to guess Sacul even though he didn't get past round 0 :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 04, 2017, 02:15:11 PM
Results when? :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 04, 2017, 02:36:17 PM
The everso closely guarded Line? By Elite perhaps?
And neither Elite made it into the roulette :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 04, 2017, 02:44:46 PM
Bolsters: Broods - Superstar
Evermind: James LaBrie - Jekyll or Hyde
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits- In Her D_a_e_
Luoto: Thrawsunblat - Rivers of Underthought
???: Von Hertzen Brothers - Bring Out the Snakes
Tomislav95: Votum - Vertical
LordCost: Cardiacs - The Everso Closely Guarded Line
Stadler: The Panic Channel - Teahouse of the Spirits
???: Kowloon Walled City - The ____t
???: Khemmis - Beyond the Door

Letters Guessed:
ACDEHLMOST

Sacul waits 3
home waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

results tomorrow probably i haven't even started writeups yet
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 04, 2017, 02:52:48 PM
Von Hertzen Brothers by Nekov and Khemmis by Train?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 04, 2017, 03:04:51 PM
Yep.

Wonder who sent Kowloon Walled City  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 04, 2017, 03:19:00 PM
Kowloon Walled City, sent by Parama perhaps?
Title: home's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 04, 2017, 03:33:41 PM
Darn  :corn

Results when, home?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 05, 2017, 01:07:45 AM
Round 2 Results

LordCost – Cardiacs - The Everso Closely Guarded Line (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls5T200OXn4)

First Impressions:
Well I think I tried to listen to a Cardiacs album before but did not finish it. So. This is certainly… something weird alright. I don’t know, right now, this doesn’t feel like a cohesive song, it’s just jumping about between ideas arbitrarily and with almost no transition. The individual parts all seem decently interesting and I could see myself digging this. I’m just hoping they’ll start to feel like more than just parts. I just. Don’t have any other words right now I’m actually kind of tired honestly. And this is exhausting to listen to. Maybe in a good way maybe in a bad way. I can say I don’t really feel like I have any degree of an opinion on this yet though.

Final Thoughts:
It seems like you have the bad fortune to send me a song that absolutely does not click for me in every one of my roulettes. Because yeah… this is just a disaster of a song.

Let’s start with the vocals. I absolutely hate them. The tone and style of the singer’s voice is really unpleasant and it doesn’t help that the vocal melodies feel completely out of control. I almost worry that it takes serious talent to sound this unpleasant.

Musically the song fares better than the vocals, though it still often sounds like a disjointed mess. For one. I actually don’t tend to like when music sounds circus-y, which this has a tendency to devolve into from time to time. It works on a few Haken songs but I’ve never found it to work anywhere else.

I can see where they did at least try to tie ideas together – there’s one motif in particular that pops up in a few different places and it’s one of the more melodies in the song, so that was a good call on their end.

I think the big failing here is that there’s not really any emotional connection to be found here though. That’s one thing I look for in music more than anything else and this just feels like unrestrained wackiness with no real point to it other than to be weird. The song has a seasick sense of tempo and different instruments cut in and out for moments just because.

I’ve listened to this five times at this point and there’s very little I can recall from this one when I’m not listening to it. Mostly how annoying the vocals sound. Like seriously, I don’t know what they’re going for here but I very much do not like it.

And yeah this is definitely an exhausting listen. It’s only 8 minutes but because the song has no sense of focus it feels much, much longer and it’s really just too much to take in. My thoughts on this are kind of disjointed since I feel like I haven’t really been able to process this one as well as the other songs here.

I do come off as pretty hard on this but I don’t think it’s really, completely and utterly useless like that one Slint song. There are moments here that work, and aside from the vocals none of it is really that unpleasant to listen to. But it’s definitely lacking in terms of positive qualities, while having a fair few negative qualities. Dunno how else to say it. It’s just a mess.

4.5/10



Stadler – The Panic Channel – Teahouse of the Spirits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JccPRQ8TZic)

First Impressions:
Well I haven’t heard of the artist you sent this time, at least. This is. Well I wish the video I found to download the mp3 sounded better but I couldn’t find a better one so I’m gonna try and not hold that against this one. This is pretty upbeat but not claustrophobically so, I don’t know if these vocals are my favorite style but they don’t sound out of place here. This is…. pretty brief and a bit lacking in substance but it’s fun enough. I don’t have much else to say, the song is already over.

Final Thoughts:
I really do wish I had a video with slightly better sound quality because it does feel a bit muddy and muted here (and quieter compared to all of the other files this round.) But that’s really a minor complain and kind of out of the artist’s control.

I get what’s going on with this song sure but I’m really baffled as to what about it stands out. The closest reference point I really have is earlier Coheed stuff, but even then most of those songs had something beyond the bare minimum to them. This just seems to be hitting a lot of the bullet points and not really doing much else with them.

Does it sound bad? Nah, not at all. It’s a fun enough track & the main guitar line does create a good driving feel, plus the chorus sounds pretty full and powerful and provides a nice reprieve from the energy of the rest of the song. And the vocals are fine, not especially impressive but they fit with the song well enough. I also do dig the actual mixing on this the bass comes through well and that’s nice to hear.

But again it’s just lacking in substance for me, I want more out of this than it has to offer and there’s not much about it that’s particularly memorable. It’s just an alright rock song.

6.5/10



Evermind – James LaBrie – Jekyll or Hyde (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-T5p8Qz-ng)

First Impressions:
Who’s this loser on the vocals? He sounds like a dying bird. Also there are growls apparently, nice. Actually this just pointing out how much better he sounds on The Source than usual. So good job on that. Aside from the growls this isn’t really dissimilar from a lot of power metal I’ve heard. Honestly it doesn’t feel like it has the weight behind it to support the growls, they sound a bit out of place because the song sounds too thin. The instrumental work on this isn’t particularly unique in comparison to a lot of similar-sounding music but it’s, fine enough I guess. Decent level of groove, decent level of technicality. This mostly just sounds like… a song, I don’t know what other way to describe it. One I’m totally okay with but one that doesn’t do a ton for me either.

Final Thoughts:
To me this is just a song that doesn’t stand out much in any way, either for good or bad. LaBrie has never been one of my favorite vocalists and he sounds… a bit below average here, honestly. He can do rough-edged vocals well but here it just sounds like he’s trying too hard. And the growls are actually kind of bad, I have no clue if he’s doing them himself or if it’s someone else (I’d guess the latter, but I don’t know).

Musically it’s a pretty alright power/prog metal type of song. Decent energy to it, the riff in the intro and the prechorus makes me think of that Speaking to Stones album a lot for some reason, I dunno why I bought that album.

I think the chorus is a bit annoying honestly, more for the vocal melodies here. They just don’t really do it for me. Also the background growls make it sound really silly actually. Again it doesn’t sound awful but it doesn’t sound particularly good either. And the instrumental break is… eh. The kind of solo here can work sometimes (see: Hacride’s Awakening) but here it just sounds kind of… forced. Like of course there has to be a solo section because most DT songs have solo sections you gotta have it man.

I don’t really wanna be too hard on this song but at the same time I can’t find myself wanting to return to this, or wanting to check out JLB’s solo work on the basis of this. It’s an okay song. Just not particularly memorable.

6.75/10



Train of Naught – Khemmis – Beyond the Door (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBITCUlqdF8)

First Impressions:
I hope this is a song. Wow, it’s a song. Like I dunno what to say for the start. It’s nice but maybe a bit slow to get going. I like this more when it picks up that triplet groove though it still feels like it’s maybe a touch too slow. And the transition back into the doom-ier sound feels completely botched and awkward. It leaves me stuck at least enjoying the entire song, but definitely liking some parts more than others, and feeling the way the song moves between those different parts stiff and messy. And I’d almost just rather listen to the song without the slower parts, really? The groovier stuff is more fun and stands out way more.

Final Thoughts:
Yeah, I agree with my first impressions self, this kind of feels like two songs that are only tangentially related and stitched together to make one song.  Not that either of the main styles of this song is bad, and I think they totally could work well together just fine, it’s just that in this case they kind of don’t, unfortunately. And that’s primarily the fault of the awkward transitions in this song.

Beyond that what is there to say. Hmm. I don’t think this hits on either niche particularly well? Like sure it doesn’t do a bad job either. There’s some fun groove to the more upbeat moments & the lead guitar work is solid if a bit uninspired. I guess it’d be more enjoyable if it progressed a bit faster?

The doomier stuff is solid too though a bit too driven by guitar leads for my taste. In my plodding, sludgy music, I really prefer it to be riff and atmosphere driven as much as possible. Something visceral I can really get into. The melodic work here is far from bad of course and it fits just fine but I would genuinely prefer it to not be there. The riff right at the end is a pretty solid riff though. I dig it.

I feel like this is just a song that should do more for me than it actually ends up doing. Is it a bad song? Nah. But nothing about this really stands out for me and it’s not something I’d check out a full album of, especially since even this song feels a bit stretched out for what it has on offer.

7/10



home – Kowloon Walled City – The Grift (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx7cKbeyawY)

First Impressions:
Right off the bat I’m inclined to like this more than Old Man Gloom even if that guitar tone isn’t quite as thick. The 6/4 riff that varies itself up a lot is certainly more compelling than a 4/4 riff that never changes. And the riffing in this song does have a sense of groove, albeit not so straightforward of a groove but it’s there nonetheless. And I like that the song stays pretty dynamic throughout, a balancing act between some heavier moments and quieter interludes, without ever really losing momentum either. It’s not like, an especially compelling song but I can definitely see the appeal here.

Final Thoughts:
Of the songs this roulette that fit into this kind of post-metal vein this is probably the best of them so far. Though one thing that definitely stands out to me. The guitars don’t feel like they have enough crunch during the heavier moments. They sound a bit too rubbery and can’t quite provide the punch I think this song needs.

What’s being played though is pretty cool. The riffing has a nice jagged feel to it that creates an interesting groove and keeps me pulled into the song even as it keeps repeating. Like, there isn’t really a ton to this song but no one part feels like it goes on too long either. The clean moments aren’t as strong as the heavy main riff but they serve their purpose well enough.

It does feel like the song ends maybe a bit anticlimactically though? The payoff for the buildup in the back half of the song doesn’t really go much of anywhere, or doesn’t go far enough. It leaves the ending feeling a bit unsatisfying.

Again I don’t know if I’m really feeling this that strongly, but it’s alright enough. I do find that this shorter style of straightforward post-metal is never as compelling as the more longform pieces though so it’s a bit weird I keep getting sent it but oh well, still solid stuff.

7.25/10



Luoto – Thrawsunblat - Rivers Of Underthought (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuNQ-BbsUts)

First Impressions:
So like two minutes in and this is certainly pretty solid folky black metal so far. This really doesn’t have anything unique to offer for the style of music it is, but it’s plenty competent for what it is too and I can’t really knock it for that. Like I really don’t even know what else to put here. The production seems sufficient? It’s diverse enough to not really get boring? The clean bit in the middle with just acoustic guitar and strings is rather pretty. Yeah I really don’t have much but at the same time this is probably my favorite of everything I’ve listened to so far this round.

Final Thoughts:
This is a very agreeable song, for me. Like, it just has a lot of qualities I find to be pretty solid qualities. There’s not much in the way of standout moments here but the way the song flows and the way it sounds are both things I am inclined to like. Which makes it incredibly hard to have much to say about this song.

Like, genuinely stumped as to what to write. I’m already almost halfway into the song and there’s just not much to comment on other than “the riffs are pretty solid and the dense atmosphere is satisfying”. I guess, I would say the harsh vocals aren’t that great, but they’re passable? I don’t mind listening to them?

Every part of this is just so fundamentally “fine” that I have nothing to say about it, I’m sorry. I’ve heard the riffs and melodies in this song done in other songs. I’ve heard similar clean breaks before. I’ve heard moments of intensity that far surpass the loudest parts of this song. I’ve even heard the intro like this song has done before (Saor – Farewell is very similar). I think the problem is that everything is solid but nothing stands out and there’s no unique twist on anything. Which can be, fine, absolutely, but I guess I’m just looking for something a bit more than that.

But still, I mean, it’s a solid song for sure.

7.5/10



Nekov – Von Hertzen Brothers – Bring Out the Snakes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQKF5YG2YiU)

First Impressions:
It’s funny that you make the assumption I like “weird” music when most of the highest scorers thus far have not actually been very weird at all, and as well I have an entire post on my tastes at the start of the thread. Anyways right away I do not like these samples at all. Like I’d stop listening to the song if I wasn’t obligated to listen to it, honestly. Is this… ever going to start? Okay good finally. I dig the noodly bass thing going on in the background throughout this but there definitely needs to start being more to this to get me interested. I can’t say I’m a big fan of that really processed-sounding heavy guitar tone either. It makes it basically just sound like a synth at that point. Is there really anything nice I can say about this, because I’m worried there isn’t going to be. I guess, it’s got a nice energy to it? That’s really all I can think of here. It doesn’t sound all bad but the song feels really slow-paced and there’s a lot here I could really do without.

Final Thoughts:
I really, passionately, do not like the spoken bits that take up almost the first two minutes of this song. It’s very viscerally unpleasant to listen to. Both the tone of voice and the dialogue itself piss me off honestly. The music here is okay, decent atmosphere and the drum stings are solid but god I want to punch that guy so much and make him shut up. Jesus christ. It’s so damn long.

And honestly it’s a shame, because the rest of this song is actually pretty solid? The twinkly melodies going on in the background of a fairly decent atmosphere and the way the song is constantly building up are both pulled off well. I don’t dig the break in the middle with the really crunch guitar line though, it’s an okay line but it’s really out of place and completely disrupts the momentum of the song.

I even like the washed out sound a lot of the song has. It just results in lots of elements blurring together to build atmosphere and by the last few minutes of the song the momentum of the song is exhilarating. Considering this is decisively not metal, the song sounds bloody huge during that outro. It’s really damn great stuff and the way the melody of the “come on press rewind” refrain keeps changing with the music reflecting the tone changes is pretty great.

I do think having a fade out at the end is really anticlimactic though. That kind of sound really deserves a proper, bombastic ending instead of just fizzling out at the end.

Anyways. Despite 75% of this being actually pretty great, there’s also an entire quarter that is goddamn insufferable and I unfortunately have to dock points for that, because it is genuinely a big deal that absolutely will keep me from wanting to relisten to this again, in spite of how good its best parts are. So that’s a bit of a shame.

7.5/10



Tomislav95 – Votum – Vertical (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cDIcWtbYOU)

First Impressions:
I feel like I listened to this album before (or had them played in plug.dj) but I remember literally nothing about them so I’m fine with keeping this. I’m really having a hard time finding much to say about this on first listen though. I guess, and I’m gonna keep saying this all roulette long I imagine, but the vocals aren’t doing much for me. Like I’m pretty sure this specific style of vocals never has. I generally just don’t like deeper vocal tones, or something. And I’m not really finding the instrumentation of this particularly compelling either. At the very least it’s decently diverse, a mix if chugging metal, dense atmosphere, and some cleaner moments, and by the end I can get into it at least a little. But it’s just very normal, in every aspect, and not in a way that particularly speaks to me.

Final Thoughts:
I want to talk about something. The effect that you can create when every part of a song snaps into place at once and creates something really cool and powerful out of it. It sort of requires having something to contrast off of; like a quiet start, or a bit of space before everything clicks into place. It’s a technique a lot of pop songs use to great effect – one of my favorite pop hits ever, Sia’s Chandelier, does this exact thing and the end result is utterly glorious.

And that’s exactly what I feel like they’ve managed to pull off here – having that little pause before the song just explodes into full force for the first chorus. It makes what would otherwise be a solid but unremarkable chorus into something I actually find myself really getting into. It’s definitely a quality I would consider admirable. They don’t exactly pull off the same stunt as well with the second chorus since the buildup is just as loud, but at that point I’m already biased to like the chorus.

I think the unfortunate side effect is that the rest of the song can’t really support the weight though. The intro itself is fine, works well as a buildup. The second verse is a bit… forgettable, not bad but doesn’t stand out. I at least dig the atmospheric back half and the way it builds up, it’s executed pretty well. Nothing about it is really that impressive but it comes to a nice climax for the song. I can’t fault it for that.

And yeah, still not really a huge fan of the vocals by themselves but they work well on the chorus for sure, and having them in the backdrop for most of the second half of the song takes the focus off them and mostly has them provide some texture for the atmosphere.

Huh. When I lay it all out like this, I actually like this one a lot more than I expected to, huh? It does one thing really well and a few other things pretty satisfyingly, though not especially impressively. So yeah. I can dig that.

7.75/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 05, 2017, 01:11:19 AM
Bolsters – Broods – Superstar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSAIwmFV6-I)

First Impressions:
Right off the bat, man, the singer has a really breathy voice and generally that’s the kind of voice that doesn’t work so well for me. Or I think there’s like two singers here? One of them sounds like a really breathy Lorde. So I can kind of tell why you sent this now. I do like all the harmonizing that’s going on here, the melodies themselves aren’t that great but the vocals sound better in unison than either do separately. The production on this is very decisively taking a backseat but it’s got enough force behind it during the chorus to make it stand out. I just can’t get past the really breathy vocal style though unfortunately. Really is a problem that just annoys me throughout the entire song.

Final Thoughts:
God dammit Bolsters. I have no clue how you keep sending me these pop songs that have little to no impression on me first listen but get pretty dang good on relistens. I don’t think this is as good as Purity Ring or CHVRCHES but I still enjoy this one quite a bit.

And yeah, it’s the vocal interplay. More the melodies than the tone, though having one of them sound quite a lot like Lorde definitely helps. The chorus especially, it’s really pleasant and even the lyrics are actually pretty sweet. I’m not usually one to care about lyrics but here it just gives off really pleasant vibes. The singers sound passionate enough to sell me on the emotions they’re proclaiming to have. They sell it well.

And the production work is, not anything really special but it’s got enough drive to it and definitely more than enough texture. Nothing that really stands out but the vocals are obviously the focus here & the song knows it. Can’t really complain about the simple musical background here when it works to the song’s favor, can I?

So yeah overall? Good stuff. Certainly could’ve used less breathy vocals, but aside from that I don’t have any real complaints.

7.75/10



twosuitsluke – Rx Bandits – In Her Drawer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv2JcZS2Ez4)

First Impressions:
Well, those drums certainly start the song. With style. The horns are a nice touch, whenever they show up. From what I’ve heard from these guys previously I remember them usually having decently interesting guitar work but I’m not really feeling that here. Okay, this bit in the middle that’s really dissonant and awkward, I can dig that, it’s definitely ear-catching for sure. Yeah, this got pretty cool for at least a bit.  There’s definitely a nice energy to this song but there’s chill moments and just outright weirder moments to keep you on your toes. This is actually a kind of song I imagine myself digging, it’s just paced well. It’s hard to describe what that means I guess but it’s all over the place in a really cohesive way? I have mostly positive thoughts on this on first listen though so that’s good.

Final Thoughts:
This is easily the most interesting song of the round (well, maybe besides Cardiacs but that’s not a good interesting). Though to be fair there really wasn’t a ton of competition – a lot of really normal-sounding stuff with a few oddities is how I’d describe this round.

Honestly though it’s not the horns that really make it stand out here. The vocals don’t really have a ton of power to them but they are excellent at providing energy. And the song starts out fairly normal and energetic but then kind of devolves into complete madness for a bit about a third of the way through. A good madness though. Noisy, dissonant, jagged stuff that I really dig. It’s kind of got a really similar arc to the Black Peaks song from last round.

There’s also this break around the 3 minute mark that somehow tones down the energy of the song without actually reducing it – the drums keep the pulse going but there’s decisively still more breathing room than elsewhere in the song. And I can appreciate that considering the tempo of the rest of the song. The song does well to use it to build up to a climax as well.

The song is also pretty hard to pin down because it doesn’t repeat a ton of ideas, and when it does there’s usually a slightly different take on them as well. The drums are probably the standout instrument here, honestly, they’re what keeps the energy going throughout this and makes it such an exhilarating listen.

I think I would’ve liked it more if they’d pushed the weirdness of it a bit further and had it build on the chaotic momentum that it starts building up but then drops soon after. Though I certainly don’t mind the direction it did take, it’s still a pretty dang solid song nonetheless.

8.25/10



Current Standings:
Nekov – 23.25
Tomislav95 – 23.25
Bolsters – 23
twosuitsluke – 22.75
Luoto – 22.25
Evermind – 22
Train of Naught – 22
home -  21.25
Stadler –20
LordCost – 19.75

Time for round 3, boys  :hat
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 05, 2017, 01:20:26 AM
Round 2 Secondary Judge Results – Judge Bolsters

James Labrie - Jekyll or Hyde

All I have to say is: WOW. I had heard a little of JLB's solo music, from Mullmuzzler and Elements Of Persuasion, but I thought that was pretty meh stuff overall, and I didn't follow him after that. But this song was AMAZING. Good energy and riffs, keyboard/guitar work, James sounds good. Loved this song the most right from the beginning. I liked it a lot even if Parama doesn't!

5 points

Rx Bandits - In Her Drawer

REALLY cool energy in this song, and it's very catchy (in the good way). It never gets boring either, there is quite a bit to it for only a 5 min song, but it also doesn't jump around too much. As awesome as the energy is though I think my fav parts are the parts where the song is calmer. Another really good song and a deserving #2.

3 points

Thrawsunblat - Rivers Of Underthought

Didn't like this much at first, but in the end I ended up liking most of it but there were some riffs that were a bit monotonous. I liked the harsh singing more than the clean. The instrumental parts like the intro and bridge were my fav parts I think. There was definitely more that I liked than I didn't though, this was the grower of the round, so you get a couple of bonus points here I think.

2 points

Votum - Vertical

Not a bad song at all, there's nothing really special here but I dig it. Nice combo of heavy and light, headbanging stuff when it gets down to it, it has good energy. It's the perfect length too. I did like this song but I think you miss out on bonus points at this rank, sorry.

Broods - Superstar (Judge's Song)

A nice little pop song, lovely to listen to. I REALLY liked the singer though. Could have done with some more variety and I didn't like the bridge, felt like it killed the flow of the song a bit towards the end, but I did enjoythis song, even if I thought it was a bit unspectacular at the same time.

KHEMMIS - Beyond The Door

This was a cool song, had nice atmosphere and some decent riffs, but nothing special at all, and all in all there wasn't much going on, and I thought the song was WAY too long for what it is. It really drags on in a lot of places, imo if this was like a 4-5 min song it would be a lot better.

The Panic Channel - Teahouse Of The Spirits

This song has a cool chorus, but nothing else really stood out in a good way, sorry. I thought the song was pretty bland and didn't achieve any highs at all, even if it didn't have any lows either. This is a style of rock that doesn't appeal to me.

Von Hertzen Brothers - Bring Out The Snakes

This song was weirder than I thought it would be? Thought VHB was like jazz/prog or something. :lol did not feel the intro here, and it dragged on a bit. I don't like the singer when he sings normally but he has a nice falsetto and the parts where he sings falsetto were kinda cool. And then the song gets REALLY busy and distorted towards the end, that did not help me to like the song any more, actually the opposite.

Kowloon Walled City - The Grift

Some okay riffs but this song was very plodding for me overall, not enough variety, and I didn't feel this singer at ALL. I did not mind the sludgy, raw guitar sound, but the distorted singer was overdoing it imo. There wasn't nearly enough that I liked to want to put this song any higher, sorry.

Cardiacs - The Everso Closely Guarded Line

This song was a tough one, VERY little appealing to me. The structure of the song is all over the place, not in a good way, and a lot of the sounds remind me too much of MIDI or cheap keyboards. Didn't like the main vocalist. There were little bits here and there that were not bad but they were very very short, not enough of them either. 8 minutes was too long for this sort of thing aswell imo. Sorry but I have to place this song last.

Parama’s notes:
Man, me and Bolsters agreed on a lot here (though not in the slightest on JLB, funnily enough). Not much else to say except that I feel he was nicer to Cardiacs than I was, somehow.

Current Secondary Judge Standings:
Luoto - 7
Evermind - 5
Tomislav95 - 3
twosuitsluke - 3
Bolsters - 2
home - 0
Train of Naught - 0
LordCost - 0
Nekov - 0
Stadler - 0
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 05, 2017, 02:03:22 AM
Yep, still trudging on the solid 7+ train

Von Hertzen Brothers - Bring Out The Snakes

... I don't like the singer when he sings normally but he has a nice falsetto and the parts where he sings falsetto were kinda cool.

Two lead vocalists in that song ;)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 05, 2017, 02:57:46 AM
Nice to see I'm at the top ;D I think I know what to send next but give me some time
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 05, 2017, 03:21:27 AM
I'm actually stunned (and chuffed) that you liked that as much as you did dude. It was a risk but I thought it had something that might've appealed to you. RX Bandits would appeal to a number of people on this forum I reckon.

Anyway, I'm at work all day today so will have to send tomorrow.

I hope I don't fuck it up  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on June 05, 2017, 04:34:25 AM
God dammit Bolsters. I have no clue how you keep sending me these pop songs that have little to no impression on me first listen but get pretty dang good on relistens.
Hopefully this translates into more points when you relisten.

My next submission has been sent.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 05, 2017, 05:25:37 AM
Sent the song I'm obsessed with lately ::)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on June 05, 2017, 05:27:47 AM
I had to send Cardiacs soon because they are rapidly becoming one of my favourite bands. On Land And In The Sea is probably already in my top 20-30 albums ever and I still don't know by heart most of the songs (A Little Man And A House and Sing To God are better albums to start)

I sent The Everso... because searching in DTF I saw that Zantera sent that song in the Lolzeez roulette and it got a good score. That song is 8 minutes but it isn't as tiring as many 3-4 minutes Cardiacs songs, trust me. It contains more instrumental parts than many other songs so if you don't like at all the singer don't go further. The only thing that comes to my mind thinking at vocals is that they sound a lot an English band, I don't know why. But I love it as a singer and mostly as a composer.

I'm thinking at what to send, in 24 hours I will do it.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on June 05, 2017, 05:28:27 AM
I know the band I'm gonna send, just have to decide on the song.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 2 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 05, 2017, 05:36:27 AM
That's an okay score  :tup I'm not pleasing the secondary judges so far tho  :lol

It does feel like the song ends maybe a bit anticlimactically though? The payoff for the buildup in the back half of the song doesn’t really go much of anywhere, or doesn’t go far enough. It leaves the ending feeling a bit unsatisfying.
Yeah I can see where you're coming from, it does end kinda suddenly.

I do find that this shorter style of straightforward post-metal is never as compelling as the more longform pieces though so it’s a bit weird I keep getting sent it but oh well, still solid stuff.
I should have sent another song from them perhaps  :P Ah well, I'll keep this in mind if I'm sending another post metalish song.



I'll try to send faster this time
I know the band I'm gonna send, just have to decide on the song.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on June 05, 2017, 06:46:39 AM
Yeah, I've heard other people complain about the intro to that song, it's a hit or miss thing. I personally like it because of the WTF factor and because it servers well to prepare you for what's coming next but to each his own.

I played it safer this time, hope it pays off.
I'm not pleasing the secondary judges so far tho  :lol
I'm with you there
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 05, 2017, 07:08:17 AM
My band only has 4 songs, so it was pretty easy to pick one. :lol

Not pleasing the primary nor the secondary judge. Though I must admit, this Khemmis entry felt waaay too safe on my part, I wasn't sure what to send but now I have a decent list of songs/bands ready for the rest of the roulette.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on June 05, 2017, 10:14:00 AM
Well, at least I scored some points from the secondary judge.

I forgot to plan what to send next. I'll either send in 3 hours or in 27 hours from now on.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: home on June 05, 2017, 02:42:12 PM
Just sent. Here's to hoping that Train is the secondary judge as I'm pretty sure he at leasts likes my song  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 1 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 05, 2017, 02:49:02 PM
Can't believe you are completely oblivious to the fact that I was actually the round 1 secondary judge.
Sleep Party People – A Dark God Heart

I, unfortunately, can only describe this is “outright boring”.
:neverusethis:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 05, 2017, 03:22:59 PM
He says, quoting results from round 1.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 05, 2017, 11:46:03 PM
I can say for sure you guys are good at having exactly 5 people send me songs within 24 hours. It's happened three rounds (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2319825#msg2319825) in a row now (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50206.msg2322388#msg2322388) :corn
Listened to all five that I have but still eagerly waiting on the other 5.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 06, 2017, 05:31:39 AM
Sent dude  :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on June 06, 2017, 11:46:01 AM
I will definitely send in two hours. Might actually go slightly over 12 minutes with this one.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 06, 2017, 11:54:04 AM
Already have one song over 10 minutes so this should be a fun round (read: will be more annoying to do writeups because longer songs  :corn )
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on June 06, 2017, 12:42:18 PM
Well, I'm choosing between 6-minutes, 7-minutes, 9-minutes and 12-minutes long songs, and the other three are unlikely to be sent by anyone, so I'm going with the longer one just to be safe.

4.5 incoming.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 07, 2017, 12:25:50 AM
Round 3 First Impressions

I like the vocals on this a bit more, that chorus especially is pretty nice. This goes more of an atmospheric route though and less of a “controlled chaos” route.

The guitar work here is at least pretty solid, both the leads and the riffs are interesting enough.

Yeah, I can dig the jagged feel this song wants to seem to go with. Though they haven’t done anything as cool as that intro since, unfortunately.

Man, with the way this starts I bet I’m almost going to be let down by the rest when it really kicks in, because thus far this is excellent.

This does have a nice chill vibe to it though, even if it’s lacking the emotional potency I prefer having from this style of music.

It’s solid stuff overall though not hitting me especially hard. Right near the halfway mark though I am digging this more jagged groove going on.

Honestly if this was just the entire song I’d be okay with that? The vocals are nice and I enjoy the laid-back, nostalgic vibe of the guitar work.

It has its moments where it really plays its core sound straight but the oddities throughout the song don’t just feel shoehorned and they break up the heavier moments effectively.

It’s got a fun sound to it for sure though & the singer sounds more than enough into the groove of the song.

Right away this is definitely hitting some right notes, a nice heavy riff going on in the intro.

Pretty solid round overall, it feels like. A few songs here I see myself really digging.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 07, 2017, 12:30:16 AM
Round 3 Hangman!!!

???: _________ - ________
???: ___ _______ ________ _____ - _______
???: ________ - ______ __ __ _____
???: ______ __ - _____ ____ _____ _’__ ____
???: ________ _____ _______ - ______ ___ _____
???: ____ - _______
???: ___ ________ - ___________
???: _______ - ______
???: ______ - ______ ______ (_______ ______)
???: ______ ____ _____ - ___ ___ _____
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on June 07, 2017, 12:41:10 AM
G
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 07, 2017, 01:13:01 AM
[???: _________ - ________
???: ___ _______ ________ G____ - _______
???: ________ - ______ __ __ _____
???: ______ __ - _____ ____ ___g_ _’__ ____
???: ________ _____ _______ - ______ ___ _____
???: ____ - _______
???: ___ ________ - ___________
???: _______ - ______
???: ______ - ______ ___g__ (G______ ______)
???: ______ ____ _____ - __g ___ _____

Letters Guessed:
G

Bolsters waits 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 07, 2017, 01:30:53 AM
B
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 07, 2017, 01:40:56 AM
???: _________ - ________
???: ___ _______ ________ G____ - _______
???: ___b____ - ______ __ __ _____
???: ______ __ - _____ ____ ___g_ _’__ ____
???: ________ B____ _______ - ______ ___ _____
???: ____ - _______
???: ___ ________ - ___________
???: _______ - ______
???: ______ - ___b__ ___g__ (G______ ______)
???: ______ ____ _____ - __g ___ B____

Letters Guessed:
BG

Luke waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 07, 2017, 02:28:13 AM
O
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 2 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on June 07, 2017, 05:59:56 AM
This does have a nice chill vibe to it though, even if it’s lacking the emotional potency I prefer having from this style of music.

I can see this being my song
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 07, 2017, 09:14:47 AM
???: _________ - ________
???: ___ _______ ________ G_o__ - _______
???: ___b____ - ______ o_ __ _____
???: ______ __ - _____ _o__ ___g_ _’__ ____
???: ________ B____ __o____ - ______ ___ __o__
???: ____ - _o_____
???: ___ ________ - ___________
???: O______ - ______
???: ___o__ - ___b__ ___g__ (G_o____ ______)
???: ______ _oo_ _____ - __g _o_ Bo___

Letters Guessed:
BGO

Luoto waits 3
Luke waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on June 07, 2017, 10:36:38 AM
BGO? Really guys?


S
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 07, 2017, 04:05:01 PM
BGO? Really guys?

Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group

I don't see the problem with that :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 07, 2017, 04:24:13 PM
holy crap  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 07, 2017, 07:03:35 PM
???: _____s___ - ________
Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group - S______
???: S__b__s_ - ______ o_ __ _____
???: ______ __ - _____ _o__ ___gs _’__ ____
???: ________ B____ __o____ - S_____ ___ __o__
???: ____ - _o_____
???: ___ _______s - ___________
???: O______ - ______
???: ___o__ - ___b__ ___g__ (G_os___ S____s)
???: ______ _oo_ _____ - __g _o_ Bo__s

Letters Guessed:
BGOS

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Luke waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 07, 2017, 09:34:23 PM
L
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 08, 2017, 01:39:08 AM
???: _____s_l_ - ________
Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group - S______
???: S__b__s_ - ______ o_ __ _____
???: ______ _l - _____ _o__ ___gs _’ll ____
???: _____l__ Bl___ __o____ - S_____ ___ _lo__
???: ____ - _o_____
???: ___ _____l_s - ___________
???: O__l___ - ______
???: ___ol_ - ___bl_ L__g__ (G_os___ S____s)
???: ___l__ _oo_ _____ - __g _o_ Bo__s

Letters Guessed:
BGLOS

Sacul waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on June 08, 2017, 01:39:43 AM
E
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 08, 2017, 01:41:37 AM
???: _____s_l_ - _______e
Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group - S______
???: S__b__s_ - _e_e__ o_ __ _e___
???: ______ El - ___e_ _o__ ___gs _’ll ___e
???: _____le_ Bl___ __oe___ - S___e_ ___ _lo_e
???: ____ - _o_e_e_
???: __e _____l_s - _________e_
???: O__l___ - _____e
???: E__ol_ - ___ble Le_ge_ (G_os___ S___es)
???: __el_e _oo_ _____ - __g _o_ Bo_es

Letters Guessed:
BGLOS

Bolsters waits 3
Sacul waits 2
Nekov waits 1

wow that was fast
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 08, 2017, 02:05:10 AM
Eidola. More than one candidate to send them, but let's guess Train
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 08, 2017, 02:35:45 AM
Thats Humble Ledger (Gnostic States)

Ill admit, this was on my short list since that is their best song, but I was very unsure of what Parama would think of it. He's terrible if it gets lower than 7 though, thats for sure.

Btw it's probably home who sent it.

Let's go with N
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on June 08, 2017, 02:51:30 AM
Twelve Foot Ninja - Dig For Bones
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 08, 2017, 03:23:14 AM
Twelve Foot Ninja - Dig For Bones
Luke, maybe?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 08, 2017, 04:33:07 AM
Seeing Crippled Black Phoenix too
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 08, 2017, 04:38:11 AM
Seeing Crippled Black Phoenix too
That has to be Luke then :lol Train might have sent 12 foot ninja
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 08, 2017, 09:40:15 AM
???: _____s_l_ - _______e
Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group - S______
???: S_nb__s_ - _e_e__ o_ __ _e___
???: ____n_ El - _n_e_ _o__ __ngs _’ll ___e
twosuitsluke: Crippled Black Phoenix - S___e_ _n_ _lone
???: ____ - _o_e_e_
???: __e N____l_s - ______n__e_
???: O__l_n_ - _n___e
home: Eidola - Humble Ledger (Gnostic States)
???: Twelve Foot Ninja - Dig For Bones

Letters Guessed:
BGLNOS

Train of Naught waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Sacul waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Stadler on June 08, 2017, 10:38:50 AM
BGO? Really guys?

Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group

I don't see the problem with that :corn

WOW. Either that's a HELL of a guess, or I'm way more predictable than I think I am.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 08, 2017, 10:47:42 AM
I did notice the last word was probably "Group" and the first was probably "The", but that was about it :lol
Seeing Crippled Black Phoenix too
That has to be Luke then :lol Train might have sent 12 foot ninja
And I'm less predictable than I thought I was :corn my band only has 4 songs guys! It's basically the most useless submission ever cause even if Parama likes it the EP only has 3 more songs. No signs of a potential new release soon and this got released in 2015 I think :neverusethis: I promise I will be more of a help for finding new music after this round.

Is Sunburst a band? If so, it's in there and it is probably an Evermind band

Which fucking band name has two words of which the second word is "El", that makes no sense.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 08, 2017, 10:56:54 AM
Sunburst is definitely an evermind band

Oh btw I ordered the black peaks album yesterday so we're already making good progress on the "get parama to buy music" agenda
Yes I know I still have like, 20ish albums from my last haul but I really had to get the qTp album & I like the number 3 shut up
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 08, 2017, 11:03:34 AM
I did notice the last word was probably "Group" and the first was probably "The", but that was about it :lol

Michael Schenker's band was the first "group" I could think of and it happened to fit in :biggrin:

T
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 08, 2017, 07:26:40 PM
???: _____s_l_ - _______e
Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group - S______
Evermind: Sunburst - _e_e__ o_ __ _e__t
???: ____n_ El - _n_e_ _o__ __ngs _’ll ___e
twosuitsluke: Crippled Black Phoenix - S___e_ _n_ _lone
???: ____ - _o_e_e_
???: T_e N__t_l_s - ______n__e_
???: O__l_n_ - _nt__e
home: Eidola - Humble Ledger (Gnostic States)
???: Twelve Foot Ninja - Dig For Bones

Letters Guessed:
BGLNOST

Luoto waits 3
Train of Naught waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 08, 2017, 08:16:46 PM
The Nautilus?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 08, 2017, 08:24:05 PM
The Yesindeed
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 09, 2017, 06:48:17 AM
Sunburst is definitely an evermind band

Oh btw I ordered the black peaks album yesterday so we're already making good progress on the "get parama to buy music" agenda
Yes I know I still have like, 20ish albums from my last haul but I really had to get the qTp album & I like the number 3 shut up
:tup

I ask for D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 09, 2017, 08:45:35 AM
I ask for D

Finally :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 09, 2017, 09:30:06 AM
???: __dd_s_l_ - _______e
Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group - S______
Evermind: Sunburst - _e_ed_ o_ __ _e__t
???: ____n_ El - _nde_ _o__ __ngs _’ll __de
twosuitsluke: Crippled Black Phoenix - S___ed _nd _lone
???: ____ - _o_e_e_
???: The Nautilus - ______n__e_
???: Oddl_nd - _nt__e
home: Eidola - Humble Ledger (Gnostic States)
???: Twelve Foot Ninja - Dig For Bones

Letters Guessed:
BDGLNOST

LordCost waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Train of Naught waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on June 09, 2017, 10:25:35 AM
I'm guessing Oddland?

How about the A? The one for crippled black phoenix looks like it's something and alone
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on June 09, 2017, 10:28:04 AM
Oddland is Luoto's.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 09, 2017, 10:37:51 AM
How about the A? The one for crippled black phoenix looks like it's something and alone

Scared and Alone, probably
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 09, 2017, 11:00:04 AM
All right but there are many a's and i am not touching that from work so I'll update whenever
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 09, 2017, 01:17:15 PM
_nde_ _o__ __ngs _’ll __de

Something like: Under four fangs I'll fade? Kinda sounds like a post-rock song
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 09, 2017, 01:56:22 PM
Something like: Under Your Wings I'll Ride?

Fixed ;)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on June 09, 2017, 02:20:37 PM
Edit: Nothing to see here
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 09, 2017, 02:29:28 PM
It is absolutely a post rock song
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 09, 2017, 06:38:04 PM
???: _add_s_l_ - _a_____e
Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group - Sa___a_
Evermind: Sunburst - _e_ed_ o_ __ _e__t
???: ___an_ El - Under Your Wings I'll __de
twosuitsluke: Crippled Black Phoenix - Scared and Alone
???: _a__ - _o_e_e_
???: The Nautilus - A_____n__e_
Luoto: Oddland - _nt__e
home: Eidola - Humble Ledger (Gnostic States)
???: Twelve Foot Ninja - Dig For Bones

Letters Guessed:
ABDGLNOST

Nekov waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 09, 2017, 11:42:25 PM
Immanu El - Under your Wings I'll Hide. Nekov?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 10, 2017, 12:00:16 AM
everything is all right
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 10, 2017, 07:51:56 AM
Kaddisfly?


Results when? :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 10, 2017, 08:12:25 AM
Uhm

LordCost: Twelfe Foot Ninja
Tomislav: Whatever band remains unguessed so far
Luoto: Kaddisfly (I'd think Oddland but that was guessed and apparently wrong)
Bolsters?: Oddland

Results when? :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 10, 2017, 12:17:07 PM
Luoto: Kaddisfly (I'd think Oddland but that was guessed and apparently wrong)
Bolsters?: Oddland

That's untrue, read again.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on June 10, 2017, 02:35:00 PM
Is the Oddland song's name Untrue? :biggrin:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 10, 2017, 02:56:25 PM
???: Kaddisfly - _a_____e
Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group - Sa___a_
Evermind: Sunburst - _e_ed_ o_ __ _e__t
Nekov: Immanu El - Under Your Wings I'll Hide
twosuitsluke: Crippled Black Phoenix - Scared and Alone
???: _a__ - _o_e_e_
???: The Nautilus - A_____n__e_
Luoto: Oddland - Untrue
home: Eidola - Humble Ledger (Gnostic States)
LordCost: Twelve Foot Ninja - Dig For Bones

Letters Guessed:
ABDGLNOST

Nekov waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Luoto waits 1

i have the judge rankings but not writeups yet, may or may not actually have them but w/e
i'll do my own writeups tomorrow
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 10, 2017, 03:36:07 PM
My band/song wasn't guessed first, mission complete :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 11, 2017, 09:19:53 AM
So to wrap up I'm guessing:

Tomislav = Kaddisfly
Train = The Nautilus
Bolsters = other one
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 11, 2017, 11:26:51 AM
Tomislav95: Kaddisfly - _a_____e
Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group - Sa___a_
Evermind: Sunburst - _e_ed_ o_ __ _e__t
Nekov: Immanu El - Under Your Wings I'll Hide
twosuitsluke: Crippled Black Phoenix - Scared and Alone
Bolsters: _a__ - _o_e_e_
Train of Naught: The Nautilus - A_____n__e_
Luoto: Oddland - Untrue
home: Eidola - Humble Ledger (Gnostic States)
LordCost: Twelve Foot Ninja - Dig For Bones

Letters Guessed:
ABDGLNOST

Nekov waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Luoto waits 1

Surprised nobody has gotten bolsters' artist yet  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 11, 2017, 07:25:03 PM
Gimme the V
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 12, 2017, 01:27:17 AM
i still have two more writeups to go + there's at least a few tracks i wanna relisten to but results will hopefully be tomorrow
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 13, 2017, 12:19:21 AM
Round 3 Results

Stadler: The Michael Schenker Group – Samurai (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUA1vTkfvkk)

First Impressions:
Okay knowing what I know about this artist I am prepared for this to go very, very poorly. Like hmm… yeah this is an alright hard rock song but I am just not sure what about it is supposed to stand out at all. The guitar work here is at least pretty solid, both the leads and the riffs are interesting enough. I don’t really care for the vocals, barely notice the drums and the bass, the organ mostly just provides texture. Uhh. Yeah I don’t know what to say sorry.

Final Thoughts:
I could just post an endless string of confused emotes and that’d be a good enough take on how I feel about this but. I genuinely don’t know what you’re doing at this point, dude. I can see how the last three entries border on stuff I might be interested in but this one just eludes me entirely why you’d think to send it to me. 80’s hard rock is not generally my thing.

Anyways, the chorus of this is actually really good and I like it more than I expected it to. The vocals on the verses are also… strange. I still haven’t figured out if I like them or if they completely miss the mark for me, so we’ll settle on a “ehh”.

Also I’m pretty sure the version of this I was sent has an audio glitch in the third verse & I’m not going to take it into account because it absolutely sounds like an audio glitch and nothing else. It really bugs me though, like, a lot lol. Okay anyways.

I like the chorus on this but the rest I can’t say does a ton for me. It’s not. Awful or anything but it’s really not my style of music and I don’t get much out of this on relistens. So yeah. That’s all I have to say.

6.5/10



Train of Naught: The Nautilus – Accupuncher (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yURg298ouZQ)

First Impressions:
So it’s not impossible that I missed listening to your song right when you sent it, so, oops. Right away this is definitely hitting some right notes, a nice heavy riff going on in the intro. When the vocals enter I’m more like “oh…” though. I’ve decried this –core style of harsh vocals before and I’m not finding it particularly appealing here either. Yeah a lot of this actually ends up feeling like heavy for the sake of heavy which I’m generally less a fan of. The quiet break in the middle is pretty cool though. It’s a nice reprieve from the rest of the song. The rest of the song being… ehh!

Final Thoughts:
Yeah, I don’t think my opinions on this have changed much upon relistens. That intro is pretty killer & if the whole song had stuck in that vein I bet I would’ve really liked this. But this devolves too much into “generic loudcore” metal for me to really stay interested in, unfortunately.

And those vocals are incredibly, absurdly unappealing. I’m thankful they’re at least buried under the music most of the time. I think the “chorus” of this song in particular would’ve worked a lot better had it been sung instead of screamed, or even if there was a layer of sung vocals mixed in with the harsh vocals.

Really musically I guess the song isn’t bad. There are riffs here that work & the instrumentation is solid, there’s a moment in the middle with some cool bass work going on. And that clean break is honestly pretty nice.

Man, the more I think about it, the real big failure of this song for me is the vocals. I mean, the music isn’t really that outstanding or unique, but it’s solid. But the vocals just destroy a lot of the appeal for me. And there’s definitely an argument to be made for a lot of it being kind of samey-sounding. Also I guess, the bass drum is too loud. That’s more a nitpick though.

This certainly hits more right notes for me than stuff like Textures and Old Man Gloom previously, in terms of really heavy stuff, but it’s not something I can imagine myself getting too into. It’s not a bad song by any means though, just, kind of okay with a few problems and really genuinely unappealing vocals.

6.75/10



Nekov: Immanu El - Under Your Wings I’ll Hide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u66oDuadNWc)

First Impressions:
Okay when I say I like post-rock it comes with the disclaimer that most post-rock doesn’t do enough to stand out in any real way so unless it’s really emotionally captivating it’s a risk to take. But let’s see. Thus far I would say that it is, indeed… a song. I dunno, the drumming is pretty solid. If this is building up to a great climax then I can see it working for me. Because it kind of has the vibe that it’s going to… and nope that was supposed to be the climax, not the buildup to it. Dang. This does have a nice chill vibe to it though, even if it’s lacking the emotional potency I prefer having from this style of music. And it’s diverse enough. Not like, especially diverse, doesn’t do anything particularly unusual for the genre but it’s, fine.

Final Thoughts:
This is just a very… fine post-rock song. It sounds nice. The instrumentation is solid. It’s definitely very explosions in the sky-esque.

Explosions in the sky don’t really do a lot for me. They were never one of my favorites and at this point I find them really dull, honestly. I mean yes, this isn’t unpleasant in any way. But it’s just kind of. Dull? Something I can only see myself enjoying as background music, I guess. It’s got all the twinkliness of standard post-rock and it has decent atmosphere to it, but.

Well there’s just not really much emotional depth here. Things are nice and they sound nice. There’s no conflict in this music, nothing challenging to make it interesting.

All that said, I mean, I don’t mind listening to this at all. The strings and vocals at least make this kind of worth listening to, but I am not going to remember what a single second of this sounds like a week from now, I imagine. It’s just wholly unremarkable and unmemorable. But it’s fine enough.

7/10



Evermind: Sunburst – Remedy of My Heart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loJ-7sxEy10)

First Impressions:
The lunatic. The mad. He is. For sending such a long song. This is opening very much like some epic movie score or something. Thus far the metal in this song is… very solid, I can dig it but it’s not anything unique. The constant bombastic nature of the song is what the real draw here is, I imagine. The singer is “technically” pretty fine though not really my style so much. It’s solid stuff overall though not hitting me especially hard. Right near the halfway mark though I am digging this more jagged groove going on. Oh good they’re doing. That one thing I’ve always dug. Putting a noodly guitar in the background of the instrumentals to provide a nice energetic backdrop. I don’t know why but that always works really well. Mmm. The clean break is fine enough though really nothing special. The guitar lead at the climax of the song is pretty great though and the music behind it has a nice driving swell to it. I don’t know if this really needed to be as long as it is, it’s a very standard prog metal semi-epic, but I mean, it’s alright, yeah.

Final Thoughts:
Really I’m trying to figure out why you’d go out of your way to use up your one song over 12 minutes on this. Because it’s just so… average. At least for about half of the song. I know that’s a weird as heck thing to be feeling about this but this song just feels kind of by-the-numbers as far as symphonic prog metal goes. I will say the orchestration is at least pretty good, though not Mob Mentality-good. But it’s definitely more than a gimmick.

Beyond that though I really do not know what to say about the rest of this. The riffs are okay. Nothing really that unique and nothing that hits me particularly hard. The vocals are fine, very power metal-y but they have decent power and depth to them. There’s just not much that stands out in the first half of this track except the bombastic intro, really. Heck it’s basically just a power metal song and nothing else.

It definitely does get better at the halfway mark when it takes more of a turn towards jagged metal riffing, and I do genuinely love that bit with the noodly guitar in the background. Way more compelling than the very, very average solo after it. Very much a “look how fast we can play” kind of solo, it just sounds like something I’ve heard before a dozen times.

Honestly most of the back half is where the appeal of this song lies for me though. The clean break is notable both for being the only really chill moment of the entire song and also being pretty nice. Nothing amazing, but enjoyable. And yeah that solo right after it is way more of the kind of guitar lead I prefer to hear. And honestly it builds up into the intense & aggressive finale well too.

You know. If the front half was cut down to just the intro and maybe a bit of the standard, generic metal stuff and then the rest of the song played, and it was like 8-9 minutes long, I’d probably like this a lot. But it’s really slow to get anywhere unfortunately. It balances out to just being… solid. The good parts aren’t really thaaat good but they’re pretty fine. And the weaker parts aren’t really bad at all, just standard and not really that compelling.

So ehh. Overall I think this is actually getting a slightly better score than I was expecting it to going into this writeup, mostly for the better moments in the back half alone. But I doubt I’ll be checking out this band further. Who knows though.

7.5/10



Tomislav95: Kaddisfly – Campfire

First Impressions:
Can’t find a video or bandcamp link or anything at all here, unfortunately. And yeah I’m not gonna complain about the awkward intro whatever. It still has enough of a start by its own. Anyways right away this is giving off really similar vibes to the Rx Bandits song from last round. So obviously I’m going to have to mentally compare it to that one. I like the vocals on this a bit more, that chorus especially is pretty nice. This goes more of an atmospheric route though and less of a “controlled chaos” route. And it’s… pretty solid, yeah. Not really blown away by it but, it’s nice.

Final Thoughts:
I kind of don’t know what else to say about this one that I didn’t already say in my first impressions writeup. Hmm. The chorus is really good. Wait no already said that. The chorus reminds me of a Thank You Scientist chorus quite a bit? A slower-paced and powerful release of emotion with a pretty catchy vocal line. Okay there that’s an original thought.

The bridge is also a nice cooldown moment and builds up decently into the final chorus. So that’s good. Look I’m trying it’s genuinely hard to have much new to say about this one. It’s not really that similar to the Rx Bandits song I guess I just compared them because the previous one was on my mind.

Outside of the chorus of this one the rest is fine but not really as strong, but that chorus is actually genuinely really great. The ending feels a bit abrupt but I imagine it bleeds right into the next track on the album the same as how it starts so ehh.

This is a fine enough song. I enjoy listening to it. I don’t really have much else to say about it though, really.

7.5/10



home: Eidola – Humble Ledger (Gnostic States) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_fb91kP5ek)

First Impressions:
When you get sent post-hardcore it’s basically impossible to predict what you’re going to get because it’s such an awful genre identifier that covers a wide variety of styles somehow. Like this starts out as just. A pretty dang solid alt-rock song. Honestly if this was just the entire song I’d be okay with that? The vocals are nice and I enjoy the laid-back, nostalgic vibe of the guitar work. And oh dang, the vocals building up to the second chorus, that harsher vocal layer in the background especially, man. O-oh and then this changes to something completely different halfway through. Well. Alright. There’s a nice frantic energy to this half of the song but I think it could use a bit more crunch. Again I like the guitar work in general though. Okay and the last minute is back to chill stuff. That is. Really bad transitioning honestly. Unfortunate really. I honestly do prefer the more chill stuff in this song and would’ve been fine if it had just been that stuff and honestly the awkwardness of the faster stuff makes it feel a bit out of place. But it’s still a good song nonetheless?

Final Thoughts:
Really, the first half of this is so good. I don’t know exactly how to describe the sound they’re tapping into here but it’s a sound I really, really like. It’s subtle but there’s a ton of power to it. Like, no fancy guitar work or anything, very basic instrumentation in general. The vocals do most of the work, both the main vocal lines and all the other little touches that are added in, vocal harmonies and occasional background voice coming in. It’s really just great stuff and it builds up so well.

And then... the momentum completely fizzles out as it transforms into an entirely different song that just isn’t as compelling. In comparison, at least. It’s solid enough stuff, the vocals are still powerful and the instrumentation is doing a lot more work, and this part of the song definitely has its own build to it as well. It’s just. The transition into this feels so poorly handled and it doesn’t feel like a logical continuation of the same song. And the transition to the quiet finale is even worse. The song just… stops right as it’s just about to hit a climax, again.

So in the end this song feels like kind of a total disaster structurally. It has two separate segments that both cut off right before they reach their peak preventing either of them from reaching the power they could have had. And as well the entire last minute is completely disposable.

This song is just so frustrating to me. On one hand I am interested in checking out this band more & planned to listen to their recent album anyways. On the other hand I just can’t like this song as much as I want to because of the extreme wasted potential here. Ugh.

7.75/10



Luoto: Oddland – Untrue (https://lasersedge.bandcamp.com/track/untrue)

First Impressions:
So you’ve played these guys in plug.dj a number of times and I’m sure everyone will know this is your song the moment the band name gets guessed in hangman. Nice. This intro is… something. Oh man I actually really dig that dissonant melody and the mood is just so frantic and heavy. Dang. What a way to start a song. Yeah, I can dig the jagged feel this song wants to seem to go with. Though they haven’t done anything as cool as that intro since, unfortunately. I think the song could serve to be a bit more diverse in the middle? They do hammer on a kind of similar sound for a lot of the song but there’s a cleaner moment to break things up about two-thirds through and that brings my interest back, so. That’s cool. Oh nice the outro comes back to the sound of the intro, that’s a good note to end on.

Final Thoughts:
I don’t know what it is about this song but I see that it’s 6 minutes long yet it always feels way shorter than that every time I listen to. Like in a “oh, it’s already over?” sort of way. Which can be both a good and bad thing but it’s definitely a good thing here because I get that feeling in more of a “I wish there was more” sense than anything else here.

I don’t know, I just like the guitar work in this song mostly. This kind of jagged riffing is totally my jam, especially with the drums playing really straight on top of it. And the vibe of the entire section of the guitar solo near the end is pretty cool too. Uhh. I think that’s about all I have to add on that note though.

The vocals are pretty solid. Of the stuff I listen to they’re probably closest to Dissona though pitched a bit deeper, but the singing style is very similar. Considering I think it’s a pretty solid singing style no complaints here, not my favorite style or anything but it fits.

But yeah this is just a pretty solid prog metal track, I don’t really know what more to say. I don’t feel it incredibly strongly but I enjoy it quite a bit every time I listen to it & there’s enough here to keep me interested the whole way through. I feel like this writeup is a bit short but I don’t really have much else to say other than, yeah, good stuff.

8/10



LordCost: Twelve Foot Ninja – Dig For Bones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjj4vv9ydC4)

First Impressions:
Would you call this, party rock, then? Ahaheh. Eww. Right away though this is… huh. It’s got this kind of eccentric vibe and then the djent guitars show up. This singer is actually pretty fitting for the style, the deeper tone of his voice plays well off the vibe of the song. And there’s the frantic cleaner (Arabic?) moments that break up the louder bits to create decent dynamics. Okay, and, suddenly chiptune. You did say this song was kind of all over the place but it feels a lot more cohesive than something like Cardiacs. It has its moments where it really plays its core sound straight but the oddities throughout the song don’t just feel shoehorned and they break up the heavier moments effectively. Granted I can’t say I feel it especially strongly but it is an enjoyable metal track for what it is.

Final Thoughts:
I can’t really pin down what this song is going for, but I almost end up not caring because it’s just interesting and enjoyable the whole way through so whatever go with the flow and let’s rock out to some weird chiptune interlude while our faces get djented off by sitar. Woo.

But no really what ties everything together here are these vocals. They play off all the different styles the song goes through really well and sound damn fine while doing so. There’s more of a focus on the clean singing too but the harsh vocals sound pretty fine as well and are used to accentuate some of the more intense moments.

You know what. These guys are kind of. A less weird SikTh. Which is exactly what I’ve always wanted SikTh to be. That might be it. Like there’s weirdness here but there’s still definitely a core to the song (and a pretty good chorus) and there’s also a lot of different vocal styles here (I’m pretty sure there’s at least two, maybe three singers, actually) but none of them are grating or overly weird like SikTh tends to have. And they’re not as technical either but that’s totally fine by me.

I can’t say this song is especially powerful or anything but damn is it a fun listen regardless. Totally get what you mean when you say you’d play this at a party. Definitely going to be checking out more from these guys and hopefully it’ll be as good or even better, maybe.

8.25/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 3 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 13, 2017, 12:20:23 AM
Bolsters: HAIM – Forever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgbEfvcuG3Q)

First Impressions:
Were you the one who sent me HAIM last roulette? I think so. That was a pretty alright song. Right off the bat this is very much a different kind of song. Really 80’s funk sounding, actually. Which… can work for me but it’s not a style I’m that keen on in general. It’s got a fun sound to it for sure though & the singer sounds  more than enough into the groove of the song. I am kind of out of other things to say about it though. The bridge is… ehh. It’s alright but not as fun as the rest of the song so I don’t think it works so well.

Final Thoughts:
This is the most upbeat breakup song I’ve ever heard, I think. That dissonance between the lyrics and the vibe of the song actually works really well in its favor honestly, because it puts up this front of being really bright and poppy but the moment you start paying attention to the lyrics you see how kind of depressing and desperate they are.

But really the appeal here is that this groove is addictive as hell. Once again as with CHVRCHES this song firmly lodged itself in my head after only two or three listens and it’s easily been one of the songs this round I most looked forward to returning to.

Also I gotta say the singer does a really good job of matching the vibe the song is going for. They sound like they could fit right into the genre back at its peak. Sounds a lot different from Let Me Go.

Also the bridge is totally fine actually. It’s the one part of the song where the upbeat façade fades and is basically the emotional climax of the song, even as subdued as it is. And it works to have that small moment in what is an otherwise bright and cheery sounding tune. I guess just not really parsing the lyrics on my first listen made me feel that bit was out of place but nah it’s actually pretty smart.

So all in all? I don’t think I dig this quite as much as The Mother We Share but it’s still a damn fun song and one I’m certainly going to have stuck on my mind for a while longer.

8.25/10



twosuitsluke: Crippled Black Phoenix – Scared and Alone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDfWL1l_a9c)

First Impressions:
Well, a band from Season of Mist is usually a good sign so let’s see how this goes. This intro is… ominous and I really like it. Dang. Roaring but distant guitar and strange but fitting vocals. And there’s piano and some horns creeping in? Man, with the way this starts I bet I’m almost going to be let down by the rest when it really kicks in, because thus far this is excellent. Okay admittedly I guess I was expecting something metal from that and it doesn’t look like it’s actually going there but it still does a good job of holding up its atmosphere and gradually building as it progresses. I guess the one thing this sound feels like it fails to deliver on is a really satisfying climax – I mean, it certainly tries but even at its most full I don’t think it quite gets there.

Final Thoughts:
Seriously though can someone mix this sound with metal? That’d be so good it’d be unreal. Because I mean by itself this sound is, very good. Let me just get that out of the way first and foremost.

The horns are such a nice touch here. They provide exactly the kind of melancholy this kind of sound needs while also being something different from the standard rock instrumentation. The raw atmosphere of the first third of this song before the drums kick in is the kind of thing I live for. It’s a great, smoky sound. Not a sound I often hear but one I tend to enjoy when I do.

And I mean when the drums kick in, they’re certainly effective at giving the song some swell, but I do think it trades off some of the atmosphere in return, though there was really no avoiding it if they wanted the song to go anywhere so I can’t complain. Oh and when the organ kicks in about five minutes in it brings back the atmosphere anyways, so yeah. Good.

God, this song just takes bits and pieces from so many influences and melds them together really damn well. I can’t say I’ve ever heard a song quite like it as a result. And not only can I say that but I can genuinely say I enjoy it. It’s really good.

Also I’m inclined to always like lyrics like “but I guess if it hurts I know I’m alive” despite how kind of edgy it can come off as. Especially the way it’s sold here with the very broken-sounding tone of the singer and the atmospheric swell backing it. Did I mention the singer before? She has a very desperate tone throughout the song and it’s one I think works very well for the tone the song is going for.

I guess one thing I would’ve changed is made the last climax go on for a bit more, but that’s mostly just because I want more. But yeah. This is a great track front-to-back, easily one of the best of the roulette so far.

Still waiting for a metal take on this style though.

9/10



Current Standings:
twosuitsluke – 31.75
Bolsters – 31.25
Tomislav95 – 30.75
Nekov – 30.25
Luoto – 30.25
Evermind – 29.5
home – 29
Train of Naught – 28.75
LordCost – 28
Stadler –26.5

Luke is pretty well on fire now, apparently  :corn
But realistically this is still anyone's game, 7 more rounds to go before the EP round and the scores aren't really particularly spread just yet, so.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 13, 2017, 12:28:19 AM
Round 3 Secondary Judge Results – Judge twosuitsluke

1. The Nautilus – Accupuncher

5 points

2. Sunburst - Remedy of my Heart

3 points

3. Kaddisfly - Campfire

2 points

4. Twelve Foot Ninja - Dig for Bones
5. Eidola - Humble Ledger
6. Crippled Black Phoenix – Scared and Alone (Judge's Song)
7. Oddland – Untrue
8. Immanu El - Under Your Wings I Will Hide
9. The Michael Schenker Group – Samurai
10. HAIM – Forever

Parama’s notes:
Not sure what Luke has against HAIM but beyond that I don’t really disagree much with these rankings. A lot of the stuff this round was pretty good and points weren’t really that spread for me, 6 of the 10 songs in the 7.5 to 8.25 range.

Current Secondary Judge Standings:
Evermind - 8
Luoto - 7
Tomislav95 - 5
Train of Naught - 5
twosuitsluke - 3
Bolsters - 2
home - 0
LordCost - 0
Nekov - 0
Stadler - 0

No writeups from this judge but if I ever do get writeups from them I'll add them here.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 13, 2017, 12:50:41 AM
LOL thanks for the points 2nd judge :corn

I'm so bad at listening to good music it seems, gonna try again today, sending now
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 13, 2017, 01:21:44 AM
Wow, how the fuck am I in first? I don't think I've ever been first in a roulette and I really didn't expect it to be in yours dude. I'm inexplicably on a roll but I'm sure I'll send a 6/10 next.

Glad you liked CBP. I only have two of their albums at this point and Bronze is easily my favourite. I think I may have found the key to sending songs you dig but we'll see how that goes in the next round.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 13, 2017, 01:26:34 AM
the secret: send good music  :neverusethis:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 13, 2017, 02:25:26 AM
I think it's time for some harsh noise :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on June 13, 2017, 03:58:17 AM
Sent.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 13, 2017, 04:39:34 AM
Sent a song to be guessed first, again.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on June 13, 2017, 06:23:21 AM
Well, that didn't go as expected. I thought you'd enjoy the calm and beauty a little more but well, to each his own. I'll send something later
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: home on June 13, 2017, 06:46:02 AM
Okay score. I'm pretty much agreeing with your sentiments, I don't mind the first transistion at all but the one at the end is a little akward yeah. And it indeed would have been nice if the heavier part ended in some kind of climax instead of just stopping  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on June 13, 2017, 09:25:36 AM
Wow, 2nd song over 8/10. It's already a success for me
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on June 13, 2017, 09:32:15 AM
I'm doing better than I expected, but it's still not good enough. Oh well, sending in a few hours.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on June 13, 2017, 10:05:56 AM
Nice, cracked the 8/10 barrier :) Quite a few vocal bits on that album actually remind me of Leprous, even though his tone is completely different. Would've been more obvious in another song I thought about sending.

Sent for R4 as well.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on June 13, 2017, 10:31:31 AM
the secret: send good music  :neverusethis:

NOT the secret;   I've been doing that for three rounds and am in dead last.  ;)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 13, 2017, 10:58:42 AM
btw evermind what was the song that sunburst song we supposed to remind me of because I definitely did not pick up on it
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on June 13, 2017, 11:06:10 AM
Well, given how the singer reminds me of Roy Khan a lot, and how the song is structured, I see a lot of similarities with Memento Mori. Your mileage may vary, though.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 13, 2017, 11:33:03 AM
I... do not see it at all  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on June 13, 2017, 11:40:12 AM
No you don't, the score you've given that song already was the evidence of that. :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Elite on June 13, 2017, 04:35:20 PM
the secret: send good music  :neverusethis:

NOT the secret;   I've been doing that for three rounds and am in dead last.  ;)

at least you're actually in the roulette :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on June 13, 2017, 06:25:32 PM
Sent
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Sacul on June 13, 2017, 06:36:05 PM
the secret: send good music  :neverusethis:

NOT the secret;   I've been doing that for three rounds and am in dead last.  ;)

at least you're actually in the roulette :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 14, 2017, 10:18:21 AM
Still missing songs from 4 people, would be nice to have everything by the time l get back from work today  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: home on June 14, 2017, 03:58:53 PM
Just sent something boring  :hat
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 15, 2017, 11:00:30 AM
I have all the songs now but I haven't listened to the last two yet so that'll happen whenever and hangmeme will be up tonight or something
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 15, 2017, 07:20:36 PM
Round 4 First Impressions

It’s actually a pretty solid riff to base the song off of, pretty punch and the lead guitar stuff harmonizing with it is pretty nice too.

The atmosphere at the start of this song is pretty nice though, a lot of small details contributing to a good vibe.

It’s a kind of fun and kind of powerful song and while I’m not really feeling it especially strongly nor is it especially unique it’s still enjoyable enough for what it is, though.

I actually like this quieter verse a lot, especially this vocalist, has a tone to his voice I really enjoy.

The instruments have both punchiness and atmosphere to them and the vocals sound pretty fine as well.

The leads give the song a nice bluesy swing and they sound good both with and without distortion too.

Yeah, what this lacks in really outstanding or compelling moments, it makes up for by at least being very consistently interesting and varied and generally enjoyable.

It’s got a very dense atmosphere to it driven by both the synths and the guitars and that’s something I can definitely get into.

It does have decent power to it though regardless and the instrumentation is at least varied.

I do think all the individual segments of this song are pretty good, not incredibly unique but interesting enough.

Overall this round is particularly diverse and there's a few songs here I can see liking a fair bit, but also a few that don't do much for me on first listen.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 15, 2017, 07:34:18 PM
Round 4 Hangman!!!

???: _____ - __ ___ ____
???: __________ - _ - ___
???: _________ - ___ ______ _____
???: _______ - __ ___ _____ __ ______
???: ____ _____ - _=_
???: _____ - _______ ___ _____
???: ____ ______ - ___ ______ _____ ____ ___ _____ _____
???: ________ ____ - ____ ______ (____ __ ______ _________ ___)
???: _____ - __ ___ _____
???: _____ - _ ____ ______ _____
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on June 15, 2017, 09:41:15 PM
I
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 15, 2017, 09:50:11 PM
???: _____ - I_ ___ ____
???: _______i__ - _ - __i
???: _______i_ - ___ ___i__ _____
???: ____i__ - __ ___ _i___ __ _____i
???: ____ __i__ - _=_
???: _____ - ____i__ ___ _____
???: ____ _i____ - ___ ______ _____ ____ ___ _____ _____
???: _____i__ ____ - ____ ______ (____ I_ ______ _________ _i_)
???: _____ - __ ___ _____
???: ___i_ - _ ____ ___i__ _____

Letters Guessed:
I

Bolsters waits 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 15, 2017, 10:03:28 PM
D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 15, 2017, 10:48:33 PM
???: _____ - I_ ___ ____
???: _______i__ - _ - __i
???: _______i_ - ___ ___i__ _____
???: ____i__ - __ ___ _i___ __ _____i
???: ____ __i__ - _=_
???: _____ - ____i__ ___ ___d_
???: _d__ _i____ - ___ ______ ___d_ ____ ___ _____ _____
???: ____di__ ____ - ____ ______ (____ I_ ______ _________ _i_)
???: _____ - __ ___ ____d
???: ___i_ - _ ____ ___i__ _____

Letters Guessed:
DI

Sacul waits 3
Bolsters waits 2

the one true d
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 16, 2017, 02:33:44 AM
N
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 16, 2017, 09:20:12 AM
???: _____ - In ___ ____
???: __n____i__ - _ - __i
???: ______ni_ - ___ ___in_ _____
???: ____in_ - _n ___ _in__ __ N____i
???: ____ __i__ - _=_
???: ___n_ - ____in_ ___ ___d_
???: _d_n _i____ - ___ ______ __nd_ ___n ___ _____ _____
???: ____di__ ____ - ____ ______ (____ In ______ _________ _i_)
???: _____ - __ ___ ____d
???: ___i_ - _ ____ ___in_ _____

Letters Guessed:
DIN

Luoto waits 3
Sacul waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 16, 2017, 12:57:28 PM
That = in the song title is strange..

E
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 16, 2017, 06:33:09 PM
???: ___e_ - In _e_ ____
???: __n____i__ - _ - __i
???: ______ni_ - __e ___in_ _e___
???: _e__in_ - _n __e _in__ __ Ne_e_i
???: ____ __i__ - _=_
???: __en_ - ____in_ __e ___d_
???: Eden _i____ - _e_ ___e__ __nd_ ___n __e _____ E____
???: ____di_e ____ - ____ _e__e_ (____ In _____e ____e____ _i_)
???: _____ - __ __e ____d
???: ___i_ - _ ____ ___in_ _____

Letters Guessed:
DEIN

LordCost waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Sacul waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 17, 2017, 12:57:38 AM
I wonder if the third from top is Chthonic :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 17, 2017, 01:26:22 AM
it is not.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 17, 2017, 02:36:27 AM
I wonder if the third from top is Chthonic :P

I've been toying with the idea of sending them, don't quite think it'd be your thing though Parama.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 17, 2017, 10:24:23 AM
y'all should guess something, anyways. can't do hangman if nobody's guessing  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 17, 2017, 11:00:03 AM
R
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 17, 2017, 11:19:18 AM
???: ___e_ - In _er _r__
???: __n___ri__ - _ - __i
???: ______ni_ - __e R__in_ _e_r_
???: _e__in_ - _n __e _in__ __ Ne_e_i
???: ____ __i__ - _=_
???: _ren_ - ____in_ __e __rd_
???: Eden _ir___ - _er ___e__ __nd_ ___n __e _____ E_r__
???: __r_di_e ____ - ____ Re_re_ (____ In _r___e _r__e__r_ _i_)
???: _____ - __ __e ___rd
???: __ri_ - _ ____ ___in_ ___r_

Letters Guessed:
DEINR

Luke waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 17, 2017, 12:04:35 PM
Arena is the sixth band?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 17, 2017, 12:44:48 PM
yes. someone finally guessed something, geez  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 17, 2017, 05:42:22 PM
yes. someone finally guessed something, geez  :lol
It's still too difficult at the moment. The band that starts with Eden is still not guessed, neither the song with the = in the title. My band is one of the most obscure band ever sent in a roulette, I doubt it will be guessed by someone.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 17, 2017, 05:49:20 PM
My is 'how it's not guessed already' level :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 17, 2017, 06:16:53 PM
tomislav guess a letter
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 17, 2017, 06:24:01 PM
Oh ok, I should :P
A
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 17, 2017, 06:36:44 PM
???: ___e_ - In _er Ar__
???: __n___ri__ - _ - __i
???: _a_a__nia - __e Ra_in_ _ear_
???: _e__ina - _n __e _in__ __ Ne_e_i
???: _a__ __i__ - _=_
???: Arena - ____in_ __e _ard_
???: Eden _ir___ - _er ___e__ _and_ ___n __e __a__ Ear__
???: _aradi_e ____ - _a__ Re_re_ (____ In _ra__e _r__e__ra _i_)
???: __a__ - __ __e ___rd
???: A_ria - A ____ ___in_ ___r_

Letters Guessed:
ADEINR

Tomislav waits 3
Luke waits 2
LordCost waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on June 17, 2017, 10:01:54 PM
Paradise Lost
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 17, 2017, 11:57:14 PM
Answer found
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 18, 2017, 02:21:26 AM
Katatonia - The Racing Heart

Eden Circus - Her Bluest Panda Moon the Crazy Earth

Foxes - In Her Arms, hmmm BOLSTERS? :neverusethis:

T
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 18, 2017, 02:49:52 AM
Paradise Lost

Last Regret
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 18, 2017, 10:15:39 AM
Bolsters: Foxes - In Her Arms
???: __n___ri__ - _ - __i
???: Katatonia - The Racing Heart
???: _e__ina - _n t_e _in__ __ Ne_e_i
???: Ta__ __i__ - T=_
???: Arena - __ttin_ t_e _ard_
???: Eden Circus - _er ___e__ _and_ ___n t_e __a__ Eart_
???: Paradise Lost - Last Regret (___t In _ra__e _r__e_tra _i_)
???: __a__ - __ t_e ___rd
???: A_ria - A ____ ___in_ _t_r_

Letters Guessed:
ADEINRT

Train waits 3
Tomislav waits 2
Luke waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on June 19, 2017, 06:11:43 AM
O
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 19, 2017, 06:17:21 AM
Gutting the lards?

Paradise Lost

Last Regret
By Tomislav?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 19, 2017, 07:01:45 AM
Mechina
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 19, 2017, 07:27:48 AM
Gutting the lards?

Paradise Lost

Last Regret
By Tomislav?
No, Luke (probably) stole them from me :angry:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 19, 2017, 09:35:22 AM
Bolsters: Foxes - In Her Arms
???: __n_o_ri__ - _ - __i
???: Katatonia - The Racing Heart
???: Mechina - On t_e _in__ o_ Ne_e_i
???: Ta__ __i__ - T=_
???: Arena - __ttin_ t_e _ard_
???: Eden Circus - _er _o_e__ _and_ __on t_e __a__ Eart_
twosuitsluke: Paradise Lost - Last Regret (_o_t In _ra__e Or__e_tra _i_)
???: __a__ - __ t_e ___rd
???: Aoria - A __o_ _o_in_ _tor_

Letters Guessed:
ADEINORT

Nekov waits 3
Train waits 2
Tomislav waits 1

i still need to do two more listens tbh so this might take until wednesday, dunno
i'm more interested in finishing persona 5 than doing this atm, if i'm being honest, but i'm not gonna forget about you guys entirely
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 19, 2017, 09:37:59 AM
Lost In Prague Orchestra Mix.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 19, 2017, 09:52:29 AM
yeah
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 19, 2017, 09:55:56 AM
Arena - Cutting the Cards. Nekov?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 19, 2017, 10:48:06 AM
Tall Ships?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 19, 2017, 11:17:49 AM
Y'all continue to be correct
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 19, 2017, 02:35:04 PM
A friend of mine who is a Tall Ships fan told me that the song is T=0.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 19, 2017, 04:44:35 PM
Mechina is Train and Katatonia is Tomislav
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 19, 2017, 04:49:01 PM
I have a lot to update when I get home, but no letters
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 19, 2017, 07:08:37 PM
Bolsters: Foxes - In Her Arms
???: __n_o_ri__ - _ - __i
Tomislav95: Katatonia - The Racing Heart
Train of Naught: Mechina - On t_e _in__ o_ Ne_e_i
???: Tall Ships - T=0
Nekov: Arena - Cutting the Cards
???: Eden Circus - _er _o_e__ _and_ __on t_e __a__ Eart_
twosuitsluke: Paradise Lost - Last Regret (Lost In Prague Orchestra Mix)
???: __a__ - __ t_e ___rd
???: Aoria - A __o_ _o_in_ _tor_

Letters Guessed:
ADEINORT

Nekov waits 3
Train waits 2
Tomislav waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on June 19, 2017, 07:13:16 PM
C
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 19, 2017, 07:15:33 PM
Bolsters: Foxes - In Her Arms
???: __n_ocri__ - _ - __i
Tomislav95: Katatonia - The Racing Heart
Train of Naught: Mechina - On t_e _in__ o_ Ne_e_i
???: Tall Ships - T=0
Nekov: Arena - Cutting the Cards
???: Eden Circus - _er _o_e__ _and_ __on t_e __ac_ Eart_
twosuitsluke: Paradise Lost - Last Regret (Lost In Prague Orchestra Mix)
???: __a__ - __ t_e ___rd
???: Aoria - A __o_ _o_in_ _tor_

Letters Guessed:
ACDEINORT

Sacul waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Train waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on June 21, 2017, 08:39:21 AM
Results when?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 21, 2017, 09:31:26 AM
thursday maybe. i dunno. it's hard to find time to do writeups during the week which is why i've been trying to have them done before the weekend but that wasn't really an option with how late i got the songs this round. i haven't even started writeups tbh & i'm actually considering giving all the songs another listen before i do because i'm not really feeling ready for writeups yet.

maybe because... this round is not really that great, nothing i really dislike but nothing i'm really loving either  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on June 22, 2017, 05:58:19 AM
Give me a P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 23, 2017, 01:28:15 AM
i have half the writeups done and i hope these tidbits give a good sense of why i had a ton of trouble with this round  :corn
i feel like the extra listen has made these writeups way better than the ones for the last few rounds though, at the very least

I think this song is totally fine and enjoyable but I also get the distinct impression that for these guys, this song isn’t really anything special? Like not even my opinion just like. It’s a very normal song for them that wasn’t designed to stand out in any way from the other songs they make. It’s got that kind of feel to it.

I’m just frustrated by this, moreso than any other song in this incredibly frustrating round. I’ll probably check out this artist further, though, because the potential is definitely there. It’s just not realized here.

There’s just nothing special about this music. It’s not gripping enough for me to get invested in it and it’s not musically complex enough to have much relisten value. I have bands that do either of those much better individually, and bands that do both of them better at once.

But there’s just. Something that never quite clicks for me here. For one I don’t think the song ever truly comes alive, like I said previously. Even the climax at the end isn’t that grand, or that notable from what came before.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 23, 2017, 01:34:45 AM
oh and some hangmanen i guess

Bolsters: Foxes - In Her Arms
???: __noocri__ - _ - P_i
Tomislav95: Katatonia - The Racing Heart
Train of Naught: Mechina - On t_e _in__ o_ Ne_e_i
???: Tall Ships - T=0
Nekov: Arena - Cutting the Cards
???: Eden Circus - _er _o_e__ _and_ _pon t_e __ac_ Eart_
twosuitsluke: Paradise Lost - Last Regret (Lost In Prague Orchestra Mix)
???: __a__ - __ t_e ___rd
???: Aoria - A __o_ _o_in_ _tor_

Letters Guessed:
ACDEINOPRT
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 23, 2017, 05:42:04 AM
Her Lovely Hands Upon the ??? Earth

???: __npocri__ - _ - P_i

Fixed ;)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 23, 2017, 07:37:34 AM
On the Wings of Neheki?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 24, 2017, 05:00:12 PM
Round 4 Results

Bolsters: Foxes – In Her Arms (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnHGvo9t_mY)

First Impressions:
Right away this is definitely weirder than any of the other songs you’ve sent thus far. It sort of feels like the instruments are carrying the weight of the song here more than the vocals are, which is a bit of an inversion from the rest of the stuff you’ve sent thus far too. I kind of feel like it’s musically a bit cluttered though. The instruments have both punchiness and atmosphere to them and the vocals sound pretty fine as well. That one repeating bell-like sound though especially feels a bit out of place and kind of repetitive. And I dunno, it just doesn’t ever come together well for me. Still solidly interesting though, I suppose.

Final Thoughts:
Maybe it’s just me, but the more artsy and eccentric pop stuff gets, the less it seems to do for me. I don’t know. There’s not really anything that offputting about this and I can tell it’s a pretty delicately crafted song, but. It’s kind of just this mellow drone that goes on for five minutes. There’s slight dynamic variance sure but most of the time it doesn’t vary too much.

And I should really like the pounding drums that drive a decent sense of energy in this song. And I should really like the gentle strings in the background. And I definitely should like the vocals, probably the most talented singer out of all the artists you’ve sent this roulette. Especially those little backing vocal bits during the chorus and bridge.

But there’s just. Something that never quite clicks for me here. For one I don’t think the song ever truly comes alive, like I said previously. Even the climax at the end isn’t that grand, or that notable from what came before. Also. That bell instrument probably bothers me more than anything else. It’s probably the most iconic feature of the track but if it was dropped entirely I bet I’d like this way more than I do. That might really be the problem for me, and with how prominent it is throughout I can’t just ignore it.

At the end of the day though, this is still… alright. There’s enough here that does work for me to keep me from getting bored, even if none of it is particularly compelling. And aside from that bell everything in the song sounds great, the production is very organic and broad and makes the song feel very lush. Maybe it’s just the lack of a strong hook, maybe it’s just the lack of dynamics and a climactic moment, maybe it’s just that bell that really feels obtrusive to the rest of the song. Whatever it is I do wish I liked this more than I do but I can’t see myself doing so anytime soon.

7/10



twosuitsluke: Paradise Lost - Last Regret (Lost In Prague Orchestra Mix) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s_sEt922Pw)

First Impressions:
Using a different version of the song because the one you sent was 240p badness. Considering it’s an orchestra song I figure we’re trying to hit on some Mob Mentality vibes here, right? Or is this like entirely orchestral. It seems like it. Hmm. I usually am not actually that big a fan of entirely orchestral stuff honestly, this is fine but it’s like, not really doing anything special with it. I’d definitely like it more if there was a metal edge to it in there. It does have decent power to it though regardless and the instrumentation is at least varied. I don’t know, I’m not feeling this much at all though if I’m being honest. I don’t know if I’d like the normal version either though considering I am pretty sure it’s some power metal thing Evermind would send. So.

Final Thoughts:
Okay okay so. What the heck is up with the horns at the climax? They sound like. Like a comedy instrument, like a “wah wah waahh” horn you hear all the time when something dumb happens in a cartoon or something. That’s just a bad instrumental choice I can’t take it seriously in the slightest. And it kind of kills the climax of this song

But I mean beyond that this is pretty solid? I’ve warmed up to it a little since my first listens, at the very least. Because yeah, it’s (for the most part) really well orchestrated, a lot of little details to pick apart and enjoy, especially during the denser parts of the song.

One big gripe I have is actually how the singer sounds. I don’t know if there are two singers or if there is some effect on the vocals to make it sound like he’s doubled. But I really wish it was just a single voice. I think that would be so much more effective. It feels like just compensating for how kind of boring the vocalist would be without the weird doubling, I guess. His tone is a bit flat throughout, he’s easily the weakest aspect of the song besides that dumb sounding horn.

Overall though I can’t get too bothered by this, but I am just not compelled by it either. For a song whose entire focus is on the emotional power of this bombastic orchestral backing, it just… doesn’t stir much in me. I don’t know what else to say. It’s alright, sure, but not much more.

7.25/10



Tomislav95: Katatonia – The Racing Heart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1WzJXp6p48)

First Impressions:
I don’t really know why I’ve never bothered to check out more Katatonia either really. Just never been on my radar I guess. They seem really popular around these parts. I mean if I had to guess it’s because the vocals generally aren’t my style? The atmosphere at the start of this song is pretty nice though, a lot of small details contributing to a good vibe. And the chorus does have a fair bit going on too though the denser atmosphere is actually not as interesting. It feels like a bit short of a song though, two verses and two choruses and that’s basically it.

Final Thoughts:
I’m not really sure how I’m supposed to feel about this one. Does it have decent power to it? Yeah. Does it have emotional depth? Definitely, not incredibly emotional or anything but it definitely comes through in the vocals & the music does well to match that.

I feel it’s a bit too simple of a song though. The instrumentation doesn’t really feel like it has a ton of nuance to it, and as well I feel like the production does the song no favors, it does sound a bit muddy during the louder moments and where I can tell there’s quite a bit going on, it ends up a bit of a blur with only that noodly guitar line and the drums coming through clearly. And it definitely feels like it’s over far too soon, the song fails to hit any sort of climax because of how brief it is.

It’s also a bit unfortunate that I’m having to judge this at the same time that I’m finding myself really into the Blindead album I got, which has a similar vocal style but much more depth and instrumental nuance and plays to a genre that’s much more up my alley as well. I can’t really blame this band for that and I can’t blame you for being unlucky to send this at a bad time, but it can’t help but affect my opinions towards this song.

So at the end of the day what do I feel? I feel like… I’m still probably not going to check out more Katatonia based on this song, and as well the song I received from them in my first roulette. There’s just nothing special about this music. It’s not gripping enough for me to get invested in it and it’s not musically complex enough to have much relisten value. I have bands that do either of those much better individually, and bands that do both of them better at once, and I just can’t see what makes Katatonia worth my time at the end of the day.

But I mean, the song’s alright? I’ve mostly not talked about it because there’s just so little to say. It’s an alright song. I like it but I’m not going to remember it either, I feel.

7.25/10



Train of Naught: Mechina – On the Wings of Nefeli (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ_TYrEbOpk)

First Impressions:
I’ve seen these guys somewhere before and I have no clue where. Thus far this is definitely something where I can see why you sent it. It’s got a very dense atmosphere to it driven by both the synths and the guitars and that’s something I can definitely get into. I guess I’m not a huge fan of the vocals but they’re not awful either. Also the chill, pretty moments break up the song pretty well and sound pretty lush as well. Yeah this is pretty solid.

Final Thoughts:
I think this song is totally fine and enjoyable but I also get the distinct impression that for these guys, this song isn’t really anything special? Like not even my opinion just like. It’s a very normal song for them that wasn’t designed to stand out in any way from the other songs they make. It’s got that kind of feel to it.

What do I think of it though? I totally get why you sent it after I played that Khonsu song a few weeks ago, yes. It doesn’t really hit on much of the same sound or anything, but it’s got kind of similar vibes to it.

I do think the electronic stuff here ends up feeling a lot more enjoyable than the more metal elements though. The riffing is… very average. There’s a few riffs here that I can kind of groove to but they’re not anything that special or memorable. The synth orchestration and the female vocals are the real highlights though, the former infuses the song with a lot of atmosphere while the latter does well to give the song some unique flavor.

While I can enjoy this song for what it is certainly, I just never feel that into it at any point, honestly. Nothing about it really holds a ton of power or emotional depth. It’s just a song that trends towards “solid” in every way, nothing I really dislike about it but not much I find myself getting really into or finding all that memorable. But I mean, it’s nice, yeah.

7.5/10



LordCost: Aoria – A Slow Moving Storm (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_txvddNHr0)

First Impressions:
Honestly the start of this makes me think of Leprous-lite, maybe this is what their new album is going to sound like? Anyways. It’s actually a pretty solid riff to base the song off of, pretty punch and the lead guitar stuff harmonizing with it is pretty  nice too. I dunno if the vocals are doing a ton for me but they’re pretty fine. When the song really kicks in halfway it’s got this great wall of guitar fuzz with the drums doing some solid stuff under it. It’s a simple but intense sound I tend to dig a lot. Huh. The ending felt a bit abrupt though I guess.

Final Thoughts:
I actually started spinning Coal like, right before you sent me this song and was enjoying it quite a bit, so I was definitely alright with having something in a similar vein, yet distinct enough to still stand out. Plus, this album came out before Coal, so if anything Leprous copied them haha. Yeah no I doubt there’s any correlation.

It does bring up the point though that I do wish this song was a bit heavier than it is. It’s obviously trying to have some degree of power considering the booming riff it opens with. If that riff had more crunch to it or more bass, maybe, I think it’d hit harder than it does, not to say I dislike it or anything as is, just a thought.

Also the video I was linked and have been using has kind of bad audio quality – I checked another version I found just a minute ago and the audio quality there is totally fine so I’m not gonna hold it against the song but the version I have definitely sounds muffled and may have harmed my enjoyment of the song a bit so ehh. That may nullify my earlier complaint honestly because it sounds better in general on this version. So. Oops. Not really my fault though.

I’m writing about this because besides that I… really don’t have a lot to say about this honestly. On one hand it’s pretty solid stuff, but on the other hand it’s just not something I feel that strongly. I guess its’s because it feels like it’s lacking emotional depth. Simply put the singer sounds nice but isn’t very compelling otherwise, he doesn’t have the power or tone to really make me feel much of anything, he just blends in with the music.

And that’s about all I have to say. A pretty decent song. May check them out further, may not. Dunno.

7.5/10



home: Tall Ships – T=0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JYt3eYDQY0)

First Impressions:
Let’s see if I remember this from plug.dj, then. Huh, kind of but only because that one guitar line repeats a heck of a lot, apparently. It’s actually kind of annoying if I’m being honest because it’s not that great of a line and it’s so short that it gets feeling repetitive really fast. Everything else around it is pretty solid though at the very least. Oh and it does stop eventually okay. I actually like this quieter verse a lot, especially this vocalist, has a tone to his voice I really enjoy. And there’s the guitar line again. I mean I guess it’s not as bad when it’s buried under other layers of instrumentation to the point where you can barely hear it, but still. Also dang this really is quite a short track isn’t it. Well then.

Final Thoughts:
I think what’s off about this song to me is how… robotic it comes off at the start. The drums at the start feel very rigid, and the one looping guitar line that goes on through most of the song has something off about it too. I can’t really place my finger on it but it does bother me, especially given its prominence.

And really that’s the only complaint I have because the rest of this is actually pretty good. The way the song ebbs and flows at the start, leading up to a sort of climax before peeling back for the verse, it makes for pretty a pretty compelling listen. Or would, if not for that guitar line. And as I mentioned before I do quite like the vocalist here, he has a very charismatic voice.

I do legitimately feel that repeated guitar line does nothing but detract from this song as a whole though. During the louder moments it’s trying to steal the attention away from some goddamn gorgeous dense atmosphere, with the guitars and horns and strings? in the background all painting this luscious soundscape, but that guitar is still wailing duh duDEE duDEE the whole way through and it’s just. It’s so wrong. It’s like musical vandalism. I cannot fathom what made them think that was a good musical choice.

And in the end that’s what bothers me most about this song. It has potential to be a lot better than it is but its most prominent element is its weakest and feels like it’s trying to steal the spotlight from other elements far more compelling than it. So it really takes me out of the song as a whole and makes me not as inclined to listen to it. You know what it reminds me of? Within My Fence by Leprous. That song, too, has a repetitive guitar line that dominates the rest of the song, with that guitar line just not being very compelling. This song is better than that one though by quite a bit, since I think that song isn’t anything special even besides its weak points. And if this is the band’s “Within My Fence” then I can only hope the rest of the album lives up to the potential this song had and failed to capitalize on.

7.5/10



Evermind: Eden Circus – Her Lovely Hands Upon the Black Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNWF9Rh1Wig)

First Impressions:
Eww, has guitars. 0/10. But no this actually starts out fairly promisingly. Lots of layers of texture coming in as the song’s intro builds upon itself and I’m expecting it to explode at any moment. Though I think they end up not quite capitalizing on that momentum unfortunately. Oh and then the song just… stops at around the four minute mark to go be something completely different. Well okay. I feel like that break, while fine on its own, utterly destroyed the momentum of the track. The bit after feels like an intro to a different song. I do think all the individual segments of this song are pretty good, not incredibly unique but interesting enough. But string them all together the way they have and man it feels like it does not work at all.

Final Thoughts:
I think, because of that monumentally stupid complete halt to momentum in the middle of this song, I find it hard to really get a good grasp of what this song sounds like. Because it is literally two songs. There’s no way around it. This is two songs with an absolutely abysmal transition between them. So I’m going to review it as two songs.

The first song I can actually enjoy quite a bit; the vocals actually work pretty well for me and the chorus has an explosive power that flows quite well with the stunted 11/8 time signature. It’s a prog touch that I actually think works in the song’s favor. It really keeps you on your toes without ever obstructing the song’s flow and gives it a touch of uniqueness in the process. It changes up its flow for the “climax” though and I don’t think that does it in favors, may be why the climax comes up a bit underwhelming. I’d give this song like a 7.75/10 or so. Maybe an 8.

The bit in the middle is completely disconnect from both songs and is a fairly barren and probably too long interlude. It’s not bad on its own but it fails to be anything interesting and is absolute utter garbage at tying the two songs here together. Not gonna rate it as it’s basically nothing.

The second song actually starts off really great, I dig this bassy 7/8 groove quite a lot. I do think this one takes a bit too long to build up though, it sticks to that groove a bit too heavily. It’s a cool groove but I don’t think it can support the song on its own. And it comes full circle, reusing the chorus of the first song (without much notably different, making it a fairly weak climax, I might add), and then has a decent reprise of the intro to the first song. I’d probably also give this song a 7.75/10. Not quite as strong as the first one overall.

And yes I know I’m being a bit facetious with this whole two song thing. But. That middle is absolutely disasterous for this song. I legitimately do not understand the decision to completely halt the momentum of the song right as it was building up to something just to go and do something completely different and unrelated. It doesn’t work. It flat out doesn’t work. And it’s a shame because the separate pieces of this song are there. But as a whole it does fall apart. Honestly, if they’d capitalized on the momentum of the first half, cut the interlude entirely, and had the 7/8 groove bit as a bridge to the last chorus, this could’ve been really great stuff. Maybe amp up the intensity of the last chorus too. But as it is. Ehh. I’m just frustrated by this, moreso than any other song in this incredibly frustrating round. I’ll probably check out this artist further, though, because the potential is definitely there. It’s just not realized here.

7.5/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 24, 2017, 05:01:12 PM
Stadler: Slash – By the Sword (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwENuEZ7XPc)

First Impressions:
Not really a GnR fan, for what it’s worth, though Axl is probably the biggest reason why & Slash’s solo stuff I’ve heard is usually better so whatever. I see this is sticking more to a power ballad type of feel at least at first. The guitar work is unsurprisingly pretty nice, really. The leads give the song a nice bluesy swing and they sound good both with and without distortion too. I know this video isn’t 240p but man does it sound like it, I may find a better sounding one for myself. But I am enjoying this more than I expected to, it’s kind of simple in structure but the substance is entertaining enough to keep me interested.

Final Thoughts:
Yeah, this is easily the best song you’ve sent so far, or at least the one that appeals to me the most. The guitar lines throughout keeping up that bluesy swing vibe are one of the strongest points but I think my favorite part might actually be the chorus, the simplest part of the song. The vocals themselves aren’t great but the melodies and intensity of the vocals really sells it for me. I think this is the first song you’ve sent that I can connect to on an emotional level somewhat and that’s basically what makes it work.

That riff in the bridge right before the solo is also a solid change of pace, it’s a more straightforward rock riff and the kind I’ve seen done before but I always like when stuff like that shows up. Another small detail I like is how the main guitar leads have a different tone every time they show up; clean at the start, distorted later on, and drenched in wah pedal effects after the solo. The last one especially makes for a clean transition out of the solo into the final chorus.

It is still maybe a bit light on content for me and I don’t know if I’d find myself coming back and relistening to this a ton after the round’s over, but I’m still glad I was sent it, it’s an enjoyable rock tune for what it is.

7.75/10



Nekov: Arena – Cutting the Cards (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIBagl3Ecn4)

First Impressions:
Okay the vocals make me think this is going to be something rather folky when they come in, but before that I couldn’t really tell. Also the youtube video is really low quality again I’m going to find something for myself. This feels like something Evermind would send, honestly. It’s a solid combination of power metal and folkier stuff. Kind of reminds me of Arjen’s style actually, including some of the vocal melodies on the chorus. It’s a kind of fun and kind of powerful song and while I’m not really feeling it especially strongly nor is it especially unique it’s still enjoyable enough for what it is, though. Even with the bad video quality.

Final Thoughts:
Honestly I think they could’ve cut that slow intro entirely, it feels unnecessary, starting at the folky guitar strumming would’ve been a good enough way to kick the song off proper. Anyways. This is definitely one of those songs that I imagine would be really great and fun to see live. Lots of singalong moments and a fun energy to it that can really get crowds excited, plus a stomping beat keeping it grounded.

It’s not really music that works as well in the context of “some loser sitting at his computer typing reviews of songs after midnight on Friday morning” though. I mean that’s not a knock against the song as much as it is just that this style of music is something I tend to appreciate more than actually get into.

Which isn’t to say I dislike it. That’s definitely not true. For one. The singer is excellent and is really what makes this song, there’s power and depth in his voice and it matches the feel of the song perfectly. And the rollicking guitar leads throughout the song are especially good at driving the energy of the song. The organs providing a good base for the other instruments to lay upon, giving the chorus a nice sense of broadness.

Honestly this song is almost too perfect at what it’s trying to accomplish that I can’t speak negatively of it beyond “it’s maybe a bit too simple” but even that isn’t necessarily true, the instrumentation changes up enough to keep you on your toes and it never feels boring nor does it feel too long. And that singer really is great, I’m almost inclined to check out a few other songs from this band just to hear him on other songs.

So having said all that. Yeah, despite this not really being “my thing” I still think it’s pretty dang great for what it is, mostly because I can’t come up with any legitimate criticism beyond “the intro is a bit disposable but pretty fine otherwise”. So yeah. I’m actually a bit surprised at how much I liked this one in the end but hey, not complaining.

8.25/10



Luoto: Sunpocrisy – Φ – Phi (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f65z6mi2fyM)

First Impressions:
Okay just seeing what genre tags this band has makes me unreasonably excited to listen to it so I’m prepared for it to absolutely disappoint me. When the heavy guitars kick in that’s a damn solid tone. Mmm. Thus far the song is delivering in pretty solid riffs & the prog edge helps too. Vocals are pretty standard post-metal but I’m okay with that. Oh but that clean break made me realize… bass hasn’t had much of a strong presence here unfortunately. The bass line here is nice though, it’s actually driving the melody while the guitars mostly provide texture. Yeah, what this lacks in really outstanding or compelling moments, it makes up for by at least being very consistently interesting and varied and generally enjoyable. I can’t really think of anything here I dislike on first listen, it’s all solid stuff.

Final Thoughts:
This is probably the most “up my alley” song of the entire roulette so far. Proggy post-metal. That’s like. My thing. I guess the one weakness of it is that nothing here really “pops” though. There’s nothing here that really wows me. It’s just very competent music the whole way through.

Like, I could just comment on all the little things. The drums do a good bit of diverse and interesting stuff without every really getting too aggressively technical but they’re great at driving different rhythms. That clean guitar tone during the quieter moments is delicious, the reverb effect basically forces it to create a tone of atmosphere just through simple melodies. The choice to mix the vocals a bit low probably works for the best, they’re still very much audible but at the same time give the music tons of room to breathe.

I am going to totally criticize the lack of bass presence during the louder moments though. The quieter moments it’s definitely there and… well, the tone is maybe a bit rubbery for my tastes but I am more than satisfied with the melodies it provides. It’s just unfortunately absent during louder moments, maybe due to that rather weak tone. Maybe I’m just spoiled by the great bass tones of Intronaut and East of the Wall though.

Like I said in my first impressions writeup I can’t say any of the guitar riffs here really pop, none of them are really that memorable, but they’re all pretty great nonetheless. Lots of dense, deep tones and jagged grooves. Never feeling too repetitive or monotonous. Some moments where lead guitar comes to the forefront to give the song a bit more melodic power in contrast to the crushing vibe of the heavier riffing.

I feel like even with the listens I’ve given it it’s really still too early for me to accurately judge this song and I’m sure I’m going to be coming back to this song and this band to check out further, it’s almost necessary really, but even as is I still like this one quite a lot.

8.25/10



Current Standings:
twosuitsluke – 39
Nekov – 38.5
Luoto – 38.5
Bolsters – 38.25
Tomislav95 – 38
Evermind – 37
home – 36.5
Train of Naught – 36.25
LordCost – 35.5
Stadler –34.25

Not much action at all in the standings this round since basically everything trended towards a fairly narrow gap of scores. Oh well  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 24, 2017, 05:10:31 PM
Round 4 Secondary Judge Results – Judge Nekov

1. Foxes - In her Arms

5 points

2. Tall Ships – T=0

3 points

3. Katatonia – The Racing Heart

2 points

4. Eden Circus – Her Lovely Hands Upon the Black Earth
5. Arena – Cutting the Cards (Judge's Song)
6. Slash – By the Sword
7. Aoria – A Slow Moving Storm
8. Paradise Lost – Last Regret (Lost in Prague Orchestra Mix)
9. Mechina – On the Wings of Nefeli
10. Sunpocrisy – Φ – Phi

Parama’s notes:
Not really too surprised that Sunpocrisy ended up at the bottom for Nekov but oh well. Our lists are almost entirely dissimilar and that’s the fun part of this really.

Current Secondary Judge Standings:
Evermind - 8
Luoto - 7
Tomislav95 – 7
Bolsters - 7
Train of Naught - 5
twosuitsluke - 3
home - 3
LordCost - 0
Nekov - 0
Stadler - 0
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on June 24, 2017, 05:56:49 PM
That's alright I suppose. Will send something tomorrow.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on June 24, 2017, 06:05:46 PM
Train of Naught: Mechina – On the Wings of Nefeli (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ_TYrEbOpk)
I think this song is totally fine and enjoyable but I also get the distinct impression that for these guys, this song isn’t really anything special? Like not even my opinion just like. It’s a very normal song for them that wasn’t designed to stand out in any way from the other songs they make. It’s got that kind of feel to it.
I had a feeling that this was about my song but no, not really. The Bulgarian choir (or whatever eastern-European country it would otherwise be, I've been told Bulgarian) only appears on this song I'm pretty sure at least, but the symphonic, electronic and deathmetal stuff appears throughout most of the album. And there's some female vocals as well, the album is pretty tough to get through though I admit, it can be a drag. But I like most of it.

Disappointed to see The Racing Heart near the bottom, such a good song :( I know the score itself is fine though. Also boo secondary judge

sending now
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 24, 2017, 06:09:20 PM
so you're saying i definitely shouldn't check out the band further. alright  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on June 24, 2017, 10:17:13 PM
I did start to have reservations after sending that song that it might be a bit too mellow to do well with you. Lesson learned.

I will send something later tonight when I have the time.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 25, 2017, 01:54:16 AM
Uh, I expected better :sad: at least secondary judges like my songs :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 4 First Impressions)
Post by: home on June 25, 2017, 01:59:53 AM
Not too shabby, I guess I can kinda understand why you don't like that repeating guitar line. It's works for me though  :P I like how it, in the parts where it's buried in atmosphere, still provides a sense of groove. And wow, I actually got secondary judge points for the first time!

And if this is the band’s “Within My Fence” then I can only hope the rest of the album lives up to the potential this song had and failed to capitalize on.
Hmm, the album is kind of a mix between indie and mathrock with quite some atmospheric moments, but if you liked the T=0 apart from that guitar line I think you might actually like it  :tup



Also, I keep on getting the feeling I should send you longer songs  :lol

Also dang this really is quite a short track isn’t it. Well then.
since as it is the song is a bit short really.
I do find that this shorter style of straightforward post-metal is never as compelling as the more longform pieces though
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 25, 2017, 02:08:23 AM
you'll notice that most of my favorite songs are in the 7-11 minute range  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on June 25, 2017, 02:38:41 AM
Might be the first time for me in the top 3 of a roulette, not completely sure.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on June 25, 2017, 01:10:47 PM
Nice, glad you enjoyed it. That band has some cool stuff that you should definitely check out. Will send something later today or tomorrow.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on June 25, 2017, 04:59:01 PM
Sent
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 26, 2017, 03:23:26 AM
I'm happy with that. Still on top  :hat

No idea what to send next, but will try to do it today.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on June 26, 2017, 05:24:48 AM
I don't hear anything related to Leprous in Aoria. I think they are close to Anathema newer albums if you want to make a comparison.
And they are so unknown that nobody could have copied them :lol
You can hear their EPs without losing much time. There are not many songs, I think they are around 10.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on June 26, 2017, 11:34:02 AM
Sending now
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on June 26, 2017, 12:24:33 PM
Sending now.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 26, 2017, 12:51:31 PM
I'll start listening to stuff tonight ok
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on June 26, 2017, 01:04:23 PM
And sent...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 27, 2017, 04:54:43 PM
Sent some (self-proclaimed) psychedelic/post-metal/doom/drone...

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 28, 2017, 01:27:12 AM
i'll put hangman up in the morning if i have the last song when i wake up otherwise it'll have to wait until tomorrow night

so far this round has music in it  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 28, 2017, 02:54:48 AM
Just to be clear, how do the 'secondary judge' scores come into play? Do we get the full score added to our total score at the end of round 10 or something?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on June 28, 2017, 04:44:44 AM
Do we get the full score added to our total score at the end of round 10 or something?

No, the secondary judge points don't accumulate into roulette proper. Winner just proceeds into the final round if he's not already in the top 3.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: home on June 28, 2017, 05:35:55 AM
Whoops, sending (a longer song) in 5 minutes  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 4 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on June 28, 2017, 09:21:23 AM
Round 5 First Impressions

It definitely excels at creating a textured atmosphere with lots of different things to divide focus between, and the guitar work is pretty solid as well.

There’s a nice sinister undertone going through this song during the quiet parts but it doesn’t really seem to carry over into when the song explodes.

I like the wood percussion on the verses & I dig the laidback groove of the entire song really. I don’t think the vocals sound quite great but they’re solid enough and definitely fit with the music.

It’s nice and downtempo and the guitars have a ton of texture, especially during the louder moments. And the vocals sound better than other stuff I’ve heard from them too honestly.

Her voice is quite nice and I do like the touches of atmosphere in the background. It’s subtle but I think it works, assuming there’s something it’s going to build to off of it.

There’s at least a nice layer of textures in the backdrop and as a whole the song sounds nice and lush.

I do think the sound of the song is pretty solid though, and it definitely builds up throughout its runtime.

The vocal melodies are pretty strong throughout though and kind of ominous. As are the horns. Yeah, I can dig that.

So far I am enjoying the melodic but also sort of dissonant clean guitar going on here, it’s very ominous. And then the crunchy guitars just kick in like nobody’s business.

I dig the touches of electronic stuff happening throughout this song though the fact that they never seem to come to the forefront is a bit disappointing.

Can't say I'm too impressed with much this round after first listen, but hey maybe they're all growers  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 28, 2017, 09:31:52 AM
Round 5 Hangman!!!

???: ______ _____ - __________
???: _____ ________ - ___ ______
???: ______ ___ ________ - ______ ______
???: ______ ___ ____ - ____ ___ ____ ______
???: _____ __ ______ - ____ __ _ ____
???: ___ ____ - _______, _______, _______
???: ______ _____ - ___ __ ______?
???: __________ _________ - ______
???: ____ ____ ______ - ___ ______ __ __ ____
???: _______ ____ - ___ ___________ __ ____
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 28, 2017, 09:38:12 AM
S

I'm still amused we didn't guess Slash because of wrong letter choices, not making that mistake again :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 28, 2017, 09:45:36 AM
???: ______ _____ - S_______s_
???: _____ ________ - ___ ______
???: _____s ___ _______s - S_____ _____s
???: ______ ___ ___s - ____ ___ ____ _____s
???: _____ __ _____s - ____ __ _ ____
???: ___ ____ - _______, _______, _______
???: ______ _____ - ___ __ _____s?
???: ______s___ _____s___ - ______
???: ____ ____ ______ - ___ S_____s __ __ ____
???: ______s ____ - ___ ______ss___ __ ____

Letters Guessed:
S

Luoto waits 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on June 28, 2017, 09:50:41 AM
B
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 28, 2017, 11:15:57 PM
???: ___b__ _____ - S____b__s_
???: _____ ________ - ___ ______
???: _____s ___ _______s - S_____ _____s
???: ______ ___ ___s - ____ ___ ____ _____s
???: _____ __ _____s - ____ __ _ ____
???: ___ ____ - _______, _______, _______
???: ______ __b__ - ___ __ _____s?
???: ______s___ _____s___ - ______
???: ____ ____ ______ - ___ S_____s __ __ ____
???: ______s ____ - ___ ______ss___ __ ____

Letters Guessed:
BS

Bolsters waits 3
Luoto waits 2

i think y'all simultaneously decided to send me songs that are all kind of simple and that's what's making this round feel weird. of all 10 tracks this round maybe 1 or 2 of them at best isn't super straightforward and even then the most complex songs aren't really that complex even still. it isn't necessarily a bad thing though
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 29, 2017, 05:14:10 AM
Don't worry, I have a 12+ minutes song ready for the next round
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 29, 2017, 05:15:13 AM
Give me an E
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 29, 2017, 08:56:31 AM
???: ___b__ _____ - S____b__s_
???: E___E ________ - __e ____e_
???: ___e_s ___ ______es - Se__e_ _____s
???: ______ ___ ___s - __e_ __e ____ ____es
???: ____e __ _____s - ____ __ _ ___e
???: ___ ____ - _______, _______, _______
???: ____e_ __b__ - __e _e ____es?
???: _____es_e_ ____es___ - ______
???: E___ ____ _____e - __e S_____s __ __ ___e
???: ______s _e__ - __e _____ess___ __ ___e

Letters Guessed:
BES

LordCost waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luoto waits 1

it's not necessarily song length, i have two 9 minute songs this round  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on June 29, 2017, 09:59:20 AM
T
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 29, 2017, 10:16:00 AM
???: T__b__ ___t_ - St___b__st
???: E___E ________ - T_e ___te_
???: ___e_s ___ ______es - Se__et _____s
???: _____t ___ ___s - __e_ t_e ___t __t_es
???: ____e __ _____s - ____ __ _ ___e
???: ___ ____ - T_____t, T_____t, T_____t
???: ____e_ __b_t - __e _e ____es?
???: _____este_ ____est__ - ______
???: E___ __t_ _____e - T_e S_____s __ __ ___e
???: ______s _e__ - T_e _____ess___ __ T__e

Letters Guessed:
BEST

Nekov waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

YOU'RE THE BEST
AROUND
NOTHING'S EVER GONNA KEEP YOU DOWN
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 29, 2017, 02:59:18 PM
H
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 29, 2017, 04:01:24 PM
The Progression of Time
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 29, 2017, 07:56:31 PM
???: T__b__ ___th - St___b__st
???: E___E ________ - The ___te_
???: ___e_s ___ ______es - Se__et _____s
???: _____t ___ ___s - _he_ the ___t __t_es
???: ____e __ _h___s - ____ __ _ H__e
???: ___ ____ - T____ht, T____ht, T____ht
???: ____e_ __b_t - __e _e ____es?
???: ____heste_ ___hest__ - ______
???: E___ __th _____e - The Sh____s __ __ ___e
???: _h____s _e__ - The _____ess___ of Time

Letters Guessed:
BEHST

Luke waits 3
Nekov waits 2
LordCost waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 30, 2017, 02:53:16 AM
Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight

Possibly Tomislav? I know I've heard the name mentioned around here...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 30, 2017, 08:33:20 AM
???: T__b__ ___th - St___b__st
???: E___E ________ - The ___te_
???: ___e_s ___ ______es - Se__et _____s
???: _____t ___ ___s - _he_ the ___t __t_es
???: ____e __ _h___s - ____ __ _ H__e
???: Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
???: ____e_ __b_t - __e _e ____es?
???: ____heste_ ___hest__ - ______
???: E___ __th _____e - The Sh____s __ __ ___e
???: _h____s _e__ - The _____ess___ of Time

Letters Guessed:
BEHST

Luke waits 3
Nekov waits 2
LordCost waits 1

Correct, Correct, inCorrect
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 30, 2017, 08:41:21 AM
Manchester Orchestra? Something tells me it's not what you'd think if it's correct :P

D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 30, 2017, 09:27:44 AM
???: T__b_d ___th - St___b__st
???: E___E ____d___ - The ___te_
???: ___e_s __d ______es - Se__et ____ds
???: _d___t ___ D__s - _he_ the ___t __t_es
???: ____e __ _h___s - D___ __ _ H__e
???: Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
???: ____e_ __b_t - __e _e ____es?
???: Manchester Orchestra - ______
???: E___ __th ___d_e - The Sh_d__s __ __ ___e
???: _h____s _e__ - The _____ess___ of Time

Letters Guessed:
BDEHST

Luoto waits 3
Luke waits 2
Nekov waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on June 30, 2017, 09:29:00 AM
I want to stay alive
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 30, 2017, 09:40:07 AM
???: T__bid ___th - St___b__st
???: E__ie ____di__ - The __ite_
???: ___e_s __d _i____es - Se__et ____ds
???: _d_i_t ___ D__s - _he_ the ___t __ties
???: __i_e i_ _h_i_s - D___ i_ _ H__e
???: Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
???: ____e_ __b_t - __e _e ___ies?
???: Manchester Orchestra - _i__i_
???: E___ __th ___d_e - The Sh_d__s __ __ ___e
???: _h____s _e__ - The _____essi__ of Time

Letters Guessed:
BDEHIST

Bolsters waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Luke waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on June 30, 2017, 09:57:17 AM
Ellie Goulding sent by Bolsters?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on June 30, 2017, 10:05:10 AM
more like Ellie Correcting
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on June 30, 2017, 10:12:19 AM
Adrift for Days - When the Knot Unties
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on June 30, 2017, 10:51:32 AM
R
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on June 30, 2017, 11:08:47 AM
Turbid North is in there. Just need to remember who recommended them to me before  ???

Edit: I'm guessing Luoto  :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 01, 2017, 01:07:42 AM
Luoto: Turbid North - St_r_b__st
Bolsters: Ellie Goulding- The _riter
???: ___e_s __d _ir___es - Se_ret _r__ds
???: Adrift for Days - When the Knot Unties
???: __i_e i_ _h_i_s - D___ i_ _ H__e
???: Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
???: ____e_ R_b_t - _re _e ___ies?
???: Manchester Orchestra - _ir_i_
???: E___ R_th R__d_e - The Sh_d__s __ __ ___e
???: _hr___s _er_ - The ____ressi__ of Time

Letters Guessed:
BDEHIRST

Nekov waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luoto waits 1

gonna start writeups probably tomorrow & hopefully have them done sometime sunday.
also taking a week-long hiatus after this round (really convenient since SGDQ starts this week, i didn't plan it this way & always intended to take a hiatus after round 5 lol) but you can send round 6 songs whenever you want it'll help to have them all after the week is over tbh. i'll probably do some relistens and rescorings if there are any songs i feel i underrated
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on July 01, 2017, 04:05:20 AM
I see a Robot, potentially a Lonely one if the E is misplaced.

Chronos something, The Compression of Time

Alice in Chains (Stadler)

Angels and Airwaves
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 01, 2017, 04:39:18 AM

Alice in Chains (Stadler)

Down in a Hole :hefdaddy one of my favorite song ever
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: home on July 01, 2017, 04:48:52 AM
Could be Luke too, he has sent Alice in Chains before
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 01, 2017, 05:11:47 AM
Chronos something, The Compression of Time

Chronos Zero
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 01, 2017, 06:37:59 AM
Ellie Goulding's song should be The Writer. It's so easy but someone has to say that.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 01, 2017, 07:10:31 AM

Alice in Chains (Stadler)

Down in a Hole :hefdaddy one of my favorite song ever

It really is a great song. I have only ever listened to Dirt by AiC. I first heard Them Bones as it was on the Street Fighter II: Animated Movie soundtrack (anyone else?). Heard that at about 10 years old and knew back then it was great  :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 01, 2017, 10:45:08 AM
Luoto: Turbid North - St_r_b__st
Bolsters: Ellie Goulding- The Writer
???: Angels and Airwaves - Se_ret _r__ds
???: Adrift for Days - When the Knot Unties
???: Alice in Chains - Down in a Hole
???: Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
???: Lonely Robot - _re _e ___ies?
???: Manchester Orchestra - _ir_i_
???: E___ R_th R__d_e - The Sh_d__s __ __ ___e
???: Chronos Zero - The Compressionof Time

Letters Guessed:
BDEHIRST

Nekov waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luoto waits 1

Down in a Hole :hefdaddy one of my favorite song ever

Awesome, I get to disappoint two people instead of just one  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 01, 2017, 11:38:05 AM
Luoto: Turbid North - St_r_b__st
Bolsters: Ellie Goulding- The Writer
???: Angels and Airwaves - Se_ret _r__ds
???: Adrift for Days - When the Knot Unties
???: Alice in Chains - Down in a Hole
???: Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
???: Lonely Robot - _re _e ___ies?
???: Manchester Orchestra - _ir_i_
???: E___ R_th R__d_e - The Sh_d__s __ __ ___e
???: Chronos Zero - The Compressionof Time

Letters Guessed:
BDEHIRST

Nekov waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luoto waits 1

Down in a Hole :hefdaddy one of my favorite song ever

Awesome, I get to disappoint two people instead of just one  :corn
Even Luke said he likes the song, so 3 people. And I bet the secondary judge won't like the song :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 01, 2017, 04:18:44 PM
Stadler sent A&A

Tomislav sent Manchester Orchestra

That's the last of my brain power used for the day...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on July 02, 2017, 03:11:05 AM
You should have sent Dam That River, it's an amazing song but I would have killed to see Parama react to "Oh you couldn't dam that river, but maybe I don't give a damn anyway"

The second word in that girl's name is probably Ruth, the A&A song is Secret Crowds, the Manchester Orchestra song is Virgin and the Lonely Robot song is Are We Copies?

/Train signing out
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 02, 2017, 04:06:00 AM
You should have sent Dam That River, it's an amazing song but I would have killed to see Parama react to "Oh you couldn't dam that river, but maybe I don't give a damn anyway"
:lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 02, 2017, 04:42:48 AM
Who sent AiC in the end? Was it me? I don't think so :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 02, 2017, 09:24:52 PM
Luoto: Turbid North - St_r_b__st
Bolsters: Ellie Goulding- The Writer
Stadler: Angels and Airwaves - Secret Crowds
???: Adrift for Days - When the Knot Unties
???: Alice in Chains - Down in a Hole
???: Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
???: Lonely Robot - Are We Copies?
???: Manchester Orchestra - Virgin
???: E___ Ruth R__d_e - The Sh_d__s __ __ ___e
???: Chronos Zero - The Compression of Time

Letters Guessed:
BDEHIRST

Nekov waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luoto waits 1

oops, i didn't do anything all weekend lol. i'll try to get all the writeups done in the next two days ok.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on July 02, 2017, 10:09:59 PM
The Shadows of my face? of my time?

Also Trainy sent Alice in Chains
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: home on July 03, 2017, 04:37:29 AM
Something like this? (0/6 correct ikr)

Train: Manchester Orchestra
Tomislav: unguessed song
LordCost: Chronos Zero
Nekov: Alice in Chains
Evermind: Lonely Robot
Luke: Adrift for Days

I wonder who sent Low Roar....
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 03, 2017, 06:07:56 AM
Something like this? (0/6 correct ikr)

Train: Manchester Orchestra
Tomislav: unguessed song

I wonder who sent Low Roar....
These two are correct :tup

home: Low Roar (yes, I'm that smart)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Stadler on July 03, 2017, 07:49:02 AM
Luoto: Turbid North - St_r_b__st
Bolsters: Ellie Goulding- The Writer
???: Angels and Airwaves - Se_ret _r__ds
???: Adrift for Days - When the Knot Unties
???: Alice in Chains - Down in a Hole
???: Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
???: Lonely Robot - _re _e ___ies?
???: Manchester Orchestra - _ir_i_
???: E___ R_th R__d_e - The Sh_d__s __ __ ___e
???: Chronos Zero - The Compressionof Time

Letters Guessed:
BDEHIRST

Nekov waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luoto waits 1

Down in a Hole :hefdaddy one of my favorite song ever

Awesome, I get to disappoint two people instead of just one  :corn
Even Luke said he likes the song, so 3 people. And I bet the secondary judge won't like the song :lol

Four; I didn't send AiC, but if I did, Down In A Hole would be one of the three or four I would choose from.   It's a fucking classic song on every level (and even moreso when you add in the back story). 
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: home on July 04, 2017, 03:27:54 PM
i'll try to get all the writeups done in the next two days ok.
:corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 04, 2017, 04:10:33 PM
hello, i have 8 of 10 writeups done atm and it's 3 PM on tuesday
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 04, 2017, 05:03:32 PM
Wow, your time is so slow
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on July 04, 2017, 05:20:36 PM
Tomi sent Slow Roar
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 04, 2017, 09:11:23 PM
Round 5 Results

Bolsters: Ellie Goulding – The Writer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-ru2glqXAg)

First Impressions:
I mean she is a kind of big name over here in the US, since around 2012 or so, but this predates her hits here so. Also, aside from Lights I haven’t actually cared much for her hits, honestly. At first I didn’t get that this was in a 9/12 cadence and though it was some awkward artsy 9/8 pop song but it makes more sense when the drums kick in. Anyways besides that. It’s honestly a really standard, bright, radio-friendly pop track. There’s at least a nice layer of textures in the backdrop and as a whole the song sounds nice and lush. But it’s probably just a bit too sugary for me and that’s a touch offputting.

Final Thoughts:
Yeah this is just definitely a bit too… bright, glittery, sugary, poppy for me. There’s just no undertone of anything at all going wrong in Goulding’s life here. She sounds completely lovestruck and it’s probably really romantic but it doesn’t resonate in the slightest for me.

Regardless of that I can appreciate how “nice” this song sounds. She’s a pretty decent singer, maybe a touch breathy but it’s not distracting, and the vocal melodies she’s given are pretty solid too, especially the bridge. And the production has a lot going on – piano and synths come to the forefront but there’s some strings in there alongside a guitar/bass/drums rock trio. It kind of gives it a late 90’s/early 00’s vibe from the instrumentation honestly.

But there’s really not a ton else to say here – it’s just a solid pop song that I don’t find especially memorable or compelling. Can’t really knock it, but can’t say I’m too interested in it either.

6.25/10



Tomislav95: Emma Ruth Rundle – The Shadows of My Name (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT_cmBIFmR4)

First Impressions:
Time for the Tomislav indie stuff hour. I worry that this is going to stay too minimal for me if it keeps on the path it’s going but I can also see it having the potential to come alive and I hope it does. Her voice is quite nice and I do like the touches of atmosphere in the background. It’s subtle but I think it works, assuming there’s something it’s going to build to off of it. Okay yeah it does take its time but there’s at least a bit of swell near the end. I don’t know if it’s quite enough though.

Final Thoughts:
There’s nothing really wrong with this song, but at the same time I just… don’t find much compelling about it. There’s a faint groove driven by the guitar line during the quieter moments that kind of gives this some appeal, and her voice is pretty nice, not really a powerhouse during the quieter moments but emotional enough to work.

And the “loud” moments of this especially I do like the vocals, though I don’t think the music has quite enough power to back it up, even if it’s doing more than the rest of the song. Again I have to stress that it doesn’t sound bad at all, it just doesn’t hit me hard in any real way. And that’s what this song would need to do to work. If I don’t connect with this emotionally I’m going to have trouble enjoying it much.

And that’s, basically what happens here. Again, nothing really wrong with this. It does what it wants to do pretty well, but I guess it’s just not for me. I like my low-key indie stuff to still be really textured, and actually more downbeat than this, but also generally having highs that go higher than this. Also honestly I have no clue what most of the lyrics are either, can’t make them out well and can’t be bothered to look them up.

So yeah on the whole. Wish I liked this more than I do, but I just… don’t.

6.5/10



Stadler: Angels and Airwaves – Secret Crowds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDyH2tfADA4)

First Impressions:
Another band I’m vaguely familiar with (I think one of their songs was in guitar hero?) but haven’t really listened to much at all. Thus far it’s a pretty solid alt-rock song, and I. Dunno what else to say? I like the wood percussion on the verses & I dig the laidback groove of the entire song really. I don’t think the vocals sound quite great but they’re solid enough and definitely fit with the music. He has a bit of a tendency to overenunciate words, I think. Also I feel like I’m vaguely hearing a bell in the background which is nice. Yeah this is. Nice. I don’t know if I love it or anything but it’s enjoyable enough.

Final Thoughts:
On basically every listen of this song, I was bothered immensely by the singer’s weird tone and overenunciation. So just getting that out of the way right off the bat. That does work against the song for me, unfortunately. It also feels like he’s a bit flat on some notes too but I can’t tell for sure. Ehh. Basically what I’m trying to say is that the vocalist bothers me. The vocal melodies in general are pretty solid though, the chorus especially I do like.

Beyond that, it’s just. A pretty nice song. It’s got a bright vibe to it that never really lets up but never gets oppressive either. It’s just a song that sounds pretty happy. There isn’t a ton really unique about the instrumentation, but it’s got small touches; the intro riff that plays a few times throughout the song is a pretty solid riff, and the bells accentuating the melody in some of the louder moments is a nice touch too. Also the drums right at the end get decently intense.

It is, again, a bit simple, and considering my gripes with the vocalist I can’t really get fully onboard with this, but on the whole it’s still a pretty nice song. Not sure it’ll be a particularly memorable one, but, ehh, I don’t feel like it was a waste of time to listen to it either.

6.75/10



Nekov: Lonely Robot – Are We Copies? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM2DG_6BfN0)

First Impressions:
The start of this is kind of giving me Tool vibes. Though those dissipate when the vocals come in, for sure. There’s a nice sinister undertone going through this song during the quiet parts but it doesn’t really seem to carry over into when the song explodes. Maybe a bit disappointing there. And it does feel a bit light on substance or a bit too repetitive, something along those lines. Yeah I can’t really find much else to comment on. This is the third song in a row that’s felt just a bit too simple for me, honestly.

Final Thoughts:
I find this song… really nondescript. Like, it’s not bad or anything. It’s pretty fine honestly. There’s just… not a lot here that has any kind of personality. I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s not necessarily a quality that makes a song bad but it is definitely something that makes a song rather unmemorable.

Like, I can appreciate that there’s usually several layers of instrumentation going on here. Guitar and drums mainly drive the song but there’s synth and piano stuff happening in the background of both the verses and choruses and the song never really feels empty even in its quieter moments. And the chorus really explodes out of the quieter moments which gives it a fair bit of power. While the quieter moments are interesting for their ominous tone.

The bridge amps up the intensity even more though it also has breathing room every so often that gives the song a bit of space. It’s, pretty solid for sure. I don’t know if anything especially compelling happens but I’m not bored. It’s kind of like a porcupine tree instrumental break, though not on the same general level of quality either.

I legitimately don’t have anything bad to say about this song besides that it just kind of lacks personality in any way. It’s kind of catchy, it’s kind of powerful, it has decent atmosphere. It’s sort of just. A really average song in every way, but not a bad one at all.

7.25/10



Evermind: Chronos Zero – The Compression of Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyUxv_tsW34)

First Impressions:
Has guitars, 0/10. This is way heavier than I’d usually expect from you though haha. And apparently has at least three different vocalists. I dig the touches of electronic stuff happening throughout this song though the fact that they never seem to come to the forefront is a bit disappointing. Also are those some horns near the middle of the track, nice. If I had to complain about one thing, a lot of the riffing is really chuggy and kind of monotonous. It kind of makes everything feel not-so-special. I totally dig when I can hear the bass too, which seems to be on and off every so often. Yeah this is alright enough I suppose.

Final Thoughts:
If I do have one big complaint here I do think the guitars sound too chuggy way too often. I can tell a lot of the chugging is actually multiple notes but it can be hard to tell because the constant palm-muting makes a lot of the notes sound almost indistinguishable. It kind of gives off an illusion that the song doesn’t actually have a lot of melodic focus, but it’s actually there, just, distorted.

I also appreciate the variety of vocal styles. The rougher-edged male vocalist who also goes into harsh vocals at times, the much cleaner male vocals, and the female vocalist who only seems to show up for the chorus. All of them sound pretty good, not like amazing or anything, but having different vocalists playing off each other makes the vocals more interesting than they would’ve been with just one of the vocalists doing the entire song.

I do wish this song took breaks a bit more often because they tend to have more of the interesting happening – the swells of horns, the bass licks coming to the forefront, a better sense of atmosphere. I guess one thing I’m not a huge fan of besides the guitar tone is the synth sound, it’s a bit too bleepy bloopy for me, but it’s a very minor part of the song overall.

This also gets a bit too “prog” at times, some of the time signature changes feel a bit forced, but it’s not constantly happening throughout the song either and a lot of the song is more straightforward anyways. It’s more of a nitpick than anything.

On the whole though I do think there’s a fair bit to like here, but not a lot that really blows me away. It’s just a fairly solid prog metal track. A bit on the heavy chuggy side that doesn’t actually appeal to me so much, I really do wish they toned that down a bit but that’s my only major complaint. Also I guess it ends a bit abruptly? Ehh. I do like this, regardless.

7.5/10



LordCost: Alice in Chains – Down in a Hole (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8hT3oDDf6c)

First Impressions:
If I’m gonna be honest Alice in Chains was always my least favorite of the big name 90’s grunge acts. Just something about how sludgy and gloomy their sound is never clicked with me. Though thus far this track is pretty nice. It’s nice and downtempo and the guitars have a ton of texture, especially during the louder moments. And the vocals sound better than other stuff I’ve heard from them too honestly. It does feel maybe a bit overly simplistic for me though. The vocal harmonies near the end of the song are great too though, I dig that.

Final Thoughts:
This is another of those kinds of songs that would really have to connect with me on an emotional level to work. And I think this one does better than some others, though at the same time… yeah, can’t say I feel it especially strongly either.

There’s definitely some decent power to the chorus, the guitars having a lot of roaring texture and the vocals definitely having some strong emotion and power in them, especially when the harmonies come in during the back half. I don’t really have a good grasp on what the lyrics are either, which I don’t think matters too much since I mostly just care about the vocal performance itself anyways so whatever,

If there’s one thing about this song that sounds slightly off, it does feel like the entire thing is being filtered through a light phaser effect. It’s a very 90’s thing to do, to be sure, but it does muddy the sound of the song just a little, especially the clean guitars during the quieter moments, it kind of destroys the tone of those entirely honestly. A lot of the song is louder throughout but it’s way more noticeable during the softer moments.

And yeah, I don’t know if I feel especially strong emotional presence here but I am definitely onboard with a lot of the vocal harmonization going on, gives the song a good bit of power on its own. Instrumentally it’s a bit basic though, aside from some guitar leads creeping in near the end of the song there’s just not a ton happening. The bass line is solid but not fantastic, but, hey, it works.

So yeah overall… I’m sure whatever score I give this is going to be disappointing to several people here but you can take solace in the fact that, yes, I do like this. I’m not exactly planning on checking out more Alice in Chains after this though.

7.5/10



twosuitsluke: Adrift For Days – When the Knot Unties (https://adriftfordays.bandcamp.com/track/when-the-knot-unties)

First Impressions:
I dig the eccentric atmosphere at the start but at the same time it feels like the song is starting several times over due to a weird start-stop nature it seems to have. I feel like that kind of applies to this as a whole. It’s nice but, fairly meandering. It definitely excels at creating a textured atmosphere with lots of different things to divide focus between, and the guitar work is pretty solid as well. And then it gets post-metally, whew. So yeah now this really reminds me of Minsk, who also have that kind of tribal post-metal thing going on. Though this took its sweet time getting there. But I like it, it’s definitely interesting, probably the most unique song this round really.

Final Thoughts:
I think this song gets off to a bit of a slow start, but in the context of the song I wouldn’t really say it’s a problem? It needs that ambient intro as a jumping point to build off of, to set the tone without really driving the rest of the song. However, I do think the whole “completely stopping about a third of the way in” thing was absolutely a mistake though, because that just kills momentum. The song basically has to restart building up momentum from that point on, and while sure that’s fine in theory it makes the intro feel really disconnected.

And because of that I also feel it ends up taking too long for the song to build up as a whole – it’s not until the last third that things start getting really exciting here. And when they do, whew, I absolutely adore it, the escalating atmosphere before they just explode into this crushing riff. And yeah it makes for a good climax to the build. But I do feel the build there takes too long.

There’s not much else to talk about here though, really. A lot of the appeal comes from the little details. The bassline going throughout most of the song is pretty solid as a base, the guitar work is pretty nice and keeps the song from feeling monotonous. And the heavy part of the song is decisively unsubtle but in a great way. I just feel that cutting the entire first section of the song entirely would’ve made for a more compelling and cohesive experience as a whole, though. I do like this, but I could’ve liked it oh so much more.

7.75/10



Train of Naught: Manchester Orchestra – Virgin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKgSs0MQ270)

First Impressions:
Well the start of this is, kind of creepy. Yeah this is very much nothing like the other song I’ve heard from them but probably more up my alley as well. It’s maybe a bit minimal on content though? I don’t know, doesn’t feel like it has a ton to offer. The vocal melodies are pretty strong throughout though and kind of ominous. As are the horns. Yeah, I can dig that. I don’t really have much else to say though.

Final Thoughts:
Yeah, if you want me to really get into some more straightforward rock stuff this is definitely the right kind of song to do it with. For one that chorus is a killer. Even as subtle as it starts off. Probably because you have that children’s choir echoing it at times. It definitely gets a lot stronger as the song escalates.

I would say the vocals don’t actually sound that technically good, very offkey and with a bit of a tone I’m not a huge fan of. Except that due to the vibe this song is going for, that actually works really well, way better than a cleaner performance would. It fits well with the repeating guitar line.

They maybe do hammer in that one melody a bit much though – it drives the chorus, the guitars play it a lot, the horns on the bridge play it as well. But I mean it’s a solid melody and definitely a good one to base the vibe of this song off of. But it is definitely what makes this song end up feeling a bit light on content, in the end.

My overall vibes end up pretty positive but not something I remember especially strongly nor something that really hits me exceptionally hard – there’s a bit of an emotional core to this, sure, but not the kind that speaks to me. Still I’m definitely glad I listened to it, it’s a good song for sure.

7.75/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 5 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 04, 2017, 09:11:44 PM
Luoto: Turbid North – Stormblast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHAVuJvq96A)

First Impressions:
I automatically expect any song in the 8-10 minute sweet spot to automatically be good so you have high expectations to live up to. So far I am enjoying the melodic but also sort of dissonant clean guitar going on here, it’s very ominous. And then the crunchy guitars just kick in like nobody’s business. The growls are very death metal-esque it seems. Thus far the song’s heavy parts seem to be divided between “huge doomy chords” and “crunchy chuggy riffing” and I’m kind of hoping maybe there’s a bit more to it. Oh okay the rough-edged cleaner vocals a bit past halfway are great though, honestly prefer those. I dunno what it is about that style of vocals but I always like it. Yeah while I do dig how this sounds it does end up feeling a bit light on variety for 9 minutes, I can see a lot of the same pieces repeating or having only slight variations. That being said I still do enjoy it but I worry this won’t hold up as well on relistens.

Final Thoughts:
You basically lucked out by sending one of the few songs this round that actually has a decently complex song structure, at least by comparison with everything else here. I try to review all the songs in a void without letting other songs in a round influence my opinions but with this round that was almost impossible to do. But it’s a positive thing here so don’t complain okay? Good.

Anyways. The parts of this song I really like. I like the moments with the clean melody. That’s just such a basic but simultaneously satisfying melody. It’s both kinda pretty and kinda ominous at the same time, and also really one of the only “pretty” moment of this entire song so it definitely stands out to that extend. And honestly, really dig the moments of huge chords, that heavy, sludgy riff is fantastic. The rough-edged vocals when they come in only accentuate that for me.

Speaking of the vocals there’s something like three different styles here. The very straightforward death metal vocals that are primarily used, some more shrieklike screams that border on black metal growls, and the rough-edged cleans that I really like. Not that I mind the other styles but that’s definitely my favorite.

And paying attention, there are at least a fair number of different riffs besides the main one here; a lot of them are fairly chuggy so they do kind of blend in but I can distinguish them a bit better given the relistens. I can’t say I’m huge on the guitar solo in the song though, it’s a bit too shreddy for me, though the bit over the sludgy riff near the end is nice.

Overall though yeah, this is definitely a song I can get behind. It’s got decent variety to it and some really heaviness to boot, I don’t really ever find myself bored listening to it & it has one heck of a killer main riff. Lots of positive things to say and not really any negatives. I can’t say I really love it but, yeah, more songs like this and I wouldn’t complain.

8.25/10



home: Low Roar – Tonight, Tonight, Tonight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts11tHPBAEg)

First Impressions:
Feels like it gets off to a bit of a slow start, I can understanding wanting to build atmosphere but not much really builds at the start. Though it does sound really nice, so, ehh, whatever. It does kind of just stick to this one vibe throughout most of the song, a bit of a slow burner. I do think the sound of the song is pretty solid though, and it definitely builds up throughout its runtime. I just think that the pacing feels a bit slow, I guess. And right when it’s about to hit a real climax it just cuts out, huh. Okay.

Final Thoughts:
I find myself… really enjoying the atmosphere of this one. Yeah, it’s a slow start, but it’s a long build. I think it wouldn’t make sense to get into the meat of the song too quickly. And man, those strings just provide this massive sounding backdrop throughout the entire song. It sounds like a cello to me and man is the cello an underrated instrument.

The singer has a voice that fits into this ominous vibe quite well; soft-spoken with a sinister undertone to the voice, and the effects on his voice here help with that. The chorus in particular is pretty memorable, as understated as it is. I also like the use of the electronic drums here, they create a rigid structure to the song that contrasts well with the really organic strings and the washed-out vocals. It’s all these contrasting but complimentary elements that go together to just make the vibe of this song work.

Also I actually kinda dig the outro, it’s just. Noise. It’s like a buzzsaw cutting through the unresolved tension the song ends on. I think it works as an ending for the song pretty well, though I kind of wish the meat of the song came to a bit of a stronger conclusion on its own. It’s not a bad way to close out, but it doesn’t feel like it’s quite enough.

All that aside though I’d probably call this my favorite of the round by a hair. It’s not immensely powerful but it taps into a great atmosphere that really works for me, and definitely isn’t quite like anything I’ve ever heard before either. Basically just hitting the qualities that make me like a song pretty well. So yeah. Good stuff.

8.5/10



Current Standings:
twosuitsluke – 46.75
Luoto – 46.75
Nekov – 45.75
home – 45
Bolsters – 44.5
Tomislav95 – 44.5
Evermind – 44.5
Train of Naught – 44
LordCost – 43
Stadler – 41



home pole-vaulted up the standings by sending his best entry in a round where the people right above him didn’t send anything as strong, and we have a tie for first, but beyond that the standings didn’t really move much.

I feel like I’m giving out a lot of scores in a really narrow range this roulette, but I feel that’s a testament to the quality of songs being sent more than anything else. Only one song I wasn’t really keen on and even then it wasn’t as awful as some stuff I’ve been sent in previous roulettes.

Anyways feel free to send for round 6 but I won’t be starting up until at least Sunday, probably not until Tuesday. In the meantime I’m likely to do relistens of stuff from rounds 0 through 4 and maybe throw out a few extra fractions of points if I feel my scoring was too low before – nobody will lose points though, even if I end up feeling like I overscored a song here or there.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 04, 2017, 09:21:13 PM
Round 5 Secondary Judge Results – Judge home

Emma Ruth Rundle – The Shadows of my Name

Right from the start I absolutely love the vibe of the song. The subtle music accompanying her beautiful voice works perfect to create a melancholic atmosphere. I like how it builds up slowly till the acoustic guitar becomes more prominent and is played slightly aggressive even. Combined with how she puts more power in her voice it makes the chorus really stand out. The bridge part is pretty nice and transitions really in the final chorus, which does end a little suddenly. But it works? Well, you won the lottery this round, I really love this song and am definitely going to check out more from this artist.

5 points

Adrift for Days - When the Knot Unties

Now that’s creating an atmosphere done right! It takes more than a minute for the real instrumentation starts, but it doesn’t get boring at all. You just feel the tension building, knowing it’s going to burst lose any time. However it doesn’t, rather it suddenly ends and goes into a soft part with barely eligible vocals. It seems to be a rather unsatisfying release at first, however it builds up again after sometime. I love how it gets more intense with weird vocals surrounding the guitar. And then release in the form of a massive sludge riff! Coupled with harsh vocals and weird sounds make the climax of this song pretty grat.

3 points

Lonely Robot – Are We Copies?

I love how the music fits the lyrics, the first part sounds kind of tense and gives a sense of imminent danger. Like it’s growing but then exceeding itself. The chorus sounds really powerful and is a great release of the tension built up in the couplets. The riff after the second chorus is really strong, I love how it’s doubled with a higher riff. The spoken words work just perfectly here and fit the vibe of the song so well. In the end I think what makes this song so great for me is that everything, lyrics instrumentation, composition, all fit the concept of the song so well.

2 points

Manchester Orchestra – Virgin

I just love how you get a small taste of the chorus sung softly in the background in the intro. I also love how the vocals start almost unsure in the first couplet and are stronger and almost angry in the second couplet. The chorus is just great too, as is the NEVER GONNA BE THE SAME part. I also like the children’s choir that was softly in the intro makes a comeback. I love the feel of this song and I really love the composition.  This was one of the four songs that really stood out to me, but it unfortunately just didn’t make the top three.

Low Roar - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight (Judge's Song
Iceland just has a stupid amount of great artist for the small country it is right? The atmospheres throughout this song are hauntingly beautiful. My favourite part of the song is the last minute however, I love how the electric noise starts to creep to the foreground until all the beauty has faded and it’s just annoying, ear bleeding sound that’s left.

Alice in Chains - Down in a Hole

I love the melancholic vibes at the start of the song. I like it how the chorus has slightly more power, especially the “I'd like to fly, …” part stands out to me. The guitar melody in the final chorus is a nice touch. While all parts are pretty nice, this song for me doesn’t stand out among the millions of power ballads out.

Ellie Goulding- The Writer

The intro is pretty pleasant but not very… special, with very predictable chords. The singers voice is beautiful, and saves the couplets. The transition from couplet to the chorus is quite cool, and the chorus tho! Especially the final chorus with the extra voices is just great. Overall I’m feeling a little mixed, the intro and couplets are pleasant but not that special, but the chorus is really nice.

Angels and Airwaves – Secret Crowds

This song sounds kind of familiar, something about the voice and vocal melody rings a bell. Perhaps I’ve just heard this song before tho. The more broken down part near the end is pretty nice but overall this song fails to leave a lasting impression on me.

Chronos Zero - The Compression of Time

Some nice electronic sounds at the start but I’m not liking the production here too much, it sounds a bit too compressed. I’m not a big fan of the male vocals either, especially the harsh parts sound a bit off. The female vocals are pretty great tho. I love the more mysterious vibe at the minute mark, but it gets disrupted by the harsh vocals way too soon for me too really enjoy it.  Ooh the female vocals start again after some part, that’s pretty cool. The proggy instrumental part is pretty awesome too.

Turbid North – Stormblast

You have bad luck with the secondary judge for this song, this just isn’t for me. I can appreciate the intro part, even though I feel it’s a little too bland for its length, but then it just gets too… brvtal. I guess. Especially the high pitched growls are something I just cannot get in to. Overall I just don’t dig the heavy parts that much and the softer parts aren’t special enough to make up for that. Sorry man, I bet Parama will appreciates the song more than I do.

Parama’s notes:
Given the judge of this round, I can’t really be too surprised at these results, yeah. Though it’s amusing to see one person who doesn’t like growls be hard on a song sent by another person who doesn’t generally like growls. I don’t really disagree with most of the write-ups here though.

Current Secondary Judge Standings:
Tomislav95 – 12
Evermind - 8
Luoto - 7
Bolsters - 7
twosuitsluke - 6
Train of Naught - 5
home - 3
Nekov - 2
LordCost - 0
Stadler - 0
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on July 04, 2017, 10:12:28 PM
My secondary judge standing is wrong, I had 7 points last round. :loser:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 04, 2017, 10:28:25 PM
i somehow managed to steal the results of round 2 instead of round 4 it looks like, oops
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on July 04, 2017, 10:58:17 PM
Bad luck everytime with the secondary judge  :'(
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 04, 2017, 11:22:09 PM
Tomislav seems to be the judge favorite, which is convenient since he's in the lower half of the roulette rankings right now  :corn
Gimme dat 4th EP.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 04, 2017, 11:35:09 PM
I should really get my shit together :lol but thanks to secondary.
My next entry definitely needs to be a lot heavier (I have some black and post metal bands), will send later today.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 05, 2017, 12:17:53 AM
i mean, i do like chill stuff too (that antlers song was probably my favorite of everything you sent in my last roulette iirc, so  :lol and hospice is still the best album i've gotten this year)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on July 05, 2017, 01:20:11 AM
Just about first-to-last ratio in Parama vs. secondary judge continues. Parama is almost the only person I would send these kinds of songs so no surprise there :lol Joint first place at least.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 05, 2017, 01:58:14 AM
Sweet. Really glad you and the Secondary Judge both liked Adrift for Days. Your write up is pretty much my thoughts on it. I do think the climax takes a while to build but I thought the end was something you'd dig. Some of the vocals on the album may not be to your liking but it's a good album and it's free on their bandcamp page  :tup

No idea what to send next (as usual) but I'm sure something will spring to mind. I need to make sure I save something good for the EP, if I don't completely fluff it before then  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: home on July 05, 2017, 04:13:39 AM
Nice! That was unexpected, Ik kinda feared the ending would ruin the song for you  :P I guess sending longer songs works...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on July 05, 2017, 06:11:39 AM
I finally managed to send something a secondary judge liked  :laugh: though I was hoping this would fare better with you. I'll send something later today
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 05, 2017, 11:25:10 AM
Nice! That was unexpected, Ik kinda feared the ending would ruin the song for you  :P I guess sending longer songs works...
I have said several times that my sweet spot for songs tends to be stuff around the 7-10 minute range and based on the results of this roulette thus far that should be pretty obvious in practice, the two highest scoring songs so far were both 9 mins :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on July 06, 2017, 08:13:30 AM
I don't know whether to be thrilled or bummed out, regarding my musical tastes...   I probably would flip almost every round in terms of scoring.  Turbid North?   Generic metal as far as I'm concerned.  Give me something I haven't heard 1,000 times before.   Low Roar?  Ironic band name for the song, but while it would be great soundtrack material in the right movie, I'm not sure that that's a song that sustains for me.   

These aren't criticisms, but observations.  It's not my roulette, so my opinions don't matter in the least, and I understand that.   I guess I'm more willing to suspect preconceived notions though; I could care less if a song is 30 minutes or 3 minutes, as long as it has something that perks my ears up and makes me listen again.   There are very few deal-killers for me in music (maybe gangsta rap or growls). 
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 06, 2017, 11:02:35 AM
I think one issue I've had is that most of the songs you've sent are pretty simple and I've already gotten all i can out of them by the time I do my writeups. Then again bolsters has just been sending pop all roulette and that's not really any different and there have been a few songs there I really likedbso ehh, i don't really know
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on July 06, 2017, 12:24:42 PM
Parama, you do not have to explain; it's your roulette.   I'm just saying that for me, my analysis and objectivity is for the P/R forum and when it comes to music I don't care about formats, or lengths, or genres (though I like some genres more than others), it's whatever tickles me.  I'm not a very angsty or angry guy, so I rarely gravitate to death metal for example.

I may have sent you "simple" songs, but I don't think of them in that way.   All the songs I've sent you have - to me - a moment that transcends the song

Three Days - The "Erotic Jesus..." part with the guitar crescendo
Psychophobia - the "My colors all run dry..." part
Teahouse... - the "I can feel you..." part
Samurai - the rhythm guitar behind the "Do you live to die..."
By The Sword - The "With the horses that you ride..." part
Secret Crowds - the voice and the way he sings the "Let me feel you, carry you higher..." part  (I think his quirkly voice is what makes that song)

The latest one too but I'll wait till you hear it.   (And none of this is meant to convince you or change your scoring; we're music fans talking about music.   You either like it or you don't and there's no money riding on this, so...)   
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 06, 2017, 01:27:19 PM
I can't say I'm very angry or angsty either, those are both turnoffs in metal to me really. I mostly just like. Strong emotions & powerful music I dunno that's really vague lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 06, 2017, 02:43:50 PM
Sent something brutally emotional :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on July 07, 2017, 09:09:58 AM
I actually think I will send something chill. I'm tired of getting 7.5 every round, let's get 6.0 or something.

Sent.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 10, 2017, 05:59:47 AM
This is getting difficult now...

I have a really cool band I think you'd like, musically. They are instrumental though and I don't think they'd be enough to get more than a 7.5  :|
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 10, 2017, 10:56:01 AM
Send them to me
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 10, 2017, 11:29:04 AM
Send them to me

I might have to  :biggrin:

If I get to the EP round then I'm going to have to take a '100% risk' approach.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 10, 2017, 11:50:52 AM
Do what i did in tomi's roulette, make a random ep to your own tastes and then send it while ignoring the host's tastes so I can score the songs 5/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on July 10, 2017, 12:57:06 PM
Do what i did in tomi's roulette, make a random ep to your own tastes and then send it while ignoring the host's tastes so I can score the songs 5/10

5/10? If someone did that in my roulette that would be all 1/10  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 10, 2017, 01:12:30 PM
1/10 would be like some generic pop rap
The 1 point is for being a song, unlike merzbow & harsh noise in general
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on July 10, 2017, 02:28:14 PM
I'll send you some Jon Zorn next time then  ;)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 10, 2017, 05:38:36 PM
Yep, went with that instrumental...

Sent
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on July 13, 2017, 05:55:50 AM
What's going on in here? This has been super quiet
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 13, 2017, 07:32:41 AM
Parama said he will take a week off so I think he may start listening soon (if he didn't already).
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 13, 2017, 08:42:50 AM
i'm taking off more than a week bcuz i feel like it, i'll start up again saturday.
i'm doing relistens & rescorings for round 0-4 as well so don't think nothing at all is happening
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on July 13, 2017, 02:34:24 PM
Ok cool  :smiley:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 13, 2017, 03:30:54 PM
I know that this roulette is moving a lot more quickly than mine did. I was feeling the same today, like "Seems quiet from Parama" but that's only because I'm used to your roulettes running so damn efficiently  :lol

Take the time with the week off, hope it gives you the time to bump up my scores  :corn












































Hangmanen when?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 13, 2017, 09:53:05 PM
Round 0-4 Relistens

Nekov: Infected Mushroom – Saeed

I think the better parts of this one do make it a bit stronger of a song than I gave it credit for, though there are still some parts I’m not too keen on & I definitely would’ve preferred this as like a 5 minute song with the noisy electronic stuff cut.

7/10 (+.25)



Train of Naught – Batushka - Yekteniya 1

I can’t figure out if my scoring curve has been getting a little more lenient over the rounds or if I just underrated this the first time, but. Yeah, this is a bit better than I gave it credit for. I think I enjoy it more when I’m not exclusively focusing on it though? So…. yeah.

7.25/10 (+.25)



Train of Naught – Khemmis – Beyond the Door

Okay, I think 7/10 might have been a touch low for this one too. I dunno. The fun parts of this do enough for me that I feel it at least deserves a bit more.

7.25/10 (+.25)



Bolsters – Foxes – In Her Arms

No clue what it is but I was way more into this on this listen than on any of my previous listens. I still think this would be improved if it ditched that bell though. Just does not add anything to the song. But yeah otherwise I enjoyed this a decent bit, yeah.

7.5/10 (+.5)



Tomislav95: Kaddisfly – Campfire

I have no clue how this got only 7.5? I dunno, it’s definitely better than that by at least a little bit & there’s not really any weak moments either. Maybe it just didn’t quire resonate with me when I was doing write-ups. But yeah that chorus and bridge especially definitely make this better than I gave it credit for.

8/10 (+.5)



Bolsters: CHVRCHES – The Mother We Share

Damn, coming back to this one and it’s even better than I remember it being. Yeah, not only was my rating before not just spur of the moment, it might actually have been too low. I’m tempted to give this one an entire half-point because it really deserves it. I wasn’t quite as confident in my grading scale in this round I guess. Just a fantastic pop song that, really, none of your other entries have lived up to.

9/10 (+.5)

Updated Standings:
twosuitsluke – 46.75
Luoto – 46.75
Nekov – 46
Bolsters – 45.5
home – 45
Tomislav95 – 45
Evermind – 44.5
Train of Naught – 44.5
LordCost – 43
Stadler – 41

yeah there wasn't really a ton i felt worth rescoring, oh well  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 15, 2017, 04:36:29 PM
okay definitely gonna start on first impressions today but probably won't be finished until tomorrow. one of y'all sent a 15 minute song after all  :corn
and the song length in general is a bit higher this round, most of the other rounds have been about an hour long, this one's 70 mins. so yeah, might take a little more time than usual but not too much
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 16, 2017, 04:30:08 PM
Round 6 First Impressions

It’s a nice chill song but that’s really all there is to say about it. It wears its influences on its sleeve and doesn’t do anything adventurous but it sounds nice enough for what it is.

The technical chops are the what stands out the most here, there’s skill here but it’s melodic enough and not just mindless shred like a lot of bands devolve into.

I like the vocals, they provide a lot of atmosphere by themselves and contrast nicely with the more energetic music behind them.

Also, I do genuinely appreciate how high the bass is in the mix here. It’s not an especially great groove but I can dig it and it’s great to have it driving the song as strongly as it does.

The lo-fi sound of this is oddly working really well for me, everything sounds washed out but with what the instruments are playing it’s less that stuff is getting lost in the mix and more that it’s all blurring into this great wall of noise.

I dig that, has a solid groove and I honestly could always use more cool bass grooves in my life.

This does sound nice enough and the atmosphere works pretty well, and I do like the female vocals when they appear.

It’s the kind of song where it’s a bit hard for me to really comment much on first listen though – mildly enjoying it but I don’t get a whole lot out of it either.

I do like the style of riff this goes for but I also kind of feel it doesn’t go far enough? Like this could be heavier and still work but it feels… restrained.

And it comes to a pretty decent climax based on the sludgier riff with some noisy guitar strumming seeping up into the mix for a pretty dense atmosphere, I can dig that, yeah.

Feels like a pretty solid round overall though there's nothing standing out to me that much on first listen. Nothing I really dislike either though so ehh, we'll see.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 16, 2017, 06:45:35 PM
Round 6 Hangman!!!

???: __ - ___ __ ___ ____
???: ______ - _________
???: _____ ______ - ___ __ ___ ____
???: ___________ - ______ ___ __ _.
???: ___________ - ____ __ ___ _____ __ ________
???: ___ ___ _______ - ____________
???: __________ ________ - _____ ____’_ _______
???: ______ - ______
???: ______ - _ ____ ___ ____ _____
???: ___________ - ____ ______


whoops forgot to post this at first lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on July 16, 2017, 10:54:39 PM
N
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 16, 2017, 11:56:52 PM
U
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 17, 2017, 12:30:35 AM
???: __ - ___ _n ___ ____
???: __n___ - ______nn_
???: _u___ ______ - _un __ ___ ____
???: ___________ - ____n_ __n __ _.
???: ______u___n - ____ __ ___ _____ __ ____n___
???: ___ _n_ _____n_ - ____________
???: __________ __n_u___ - _____ ___n’_ _______
???: ______ - _____n
???: _un_u_ - _ ____ ___ ____ N____
???: __n___n__n_ - ____ _n____

Letters guessed:
NU

LordCost waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on July 17, 2017, 01:27:04 AM
Eh, my least favourite submission got +.25 :P Batushka on the other hand is still too low but I'll take the bonus

The technical chops are the what stands out the most here, there’s skill here but it’s melodic enough and not just mindless shred like a lot of bands devolve into.
Looks like it could be mine.

Gimme dat S boi
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 17, 2017, 01:34:36 AM
???: __ - ___ _n ___ ____
???: __n___ - ___s__nn_
???: _u__s ____s_ - _un __ ___ ____
???: ___________ - S___n_ S_n __ _.
???: __s___us__n - ____ __ ___ ____s __ S___n___
???: S__ _n_ S____n_ - ____________
???: __________ __n_u___ - ___s_ ___n’_ ______s
???: ______ - _____n
???: _un_us - _ ____ ___ ____ N____
???: __ns__n__n_ - ____ _ns___

Letters guessed:
NSU

Train waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on July 17, 2017, 01:43:34 AM
Fungus?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 17, 2017, 02:10:11 AM
T
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: home on July 17, 2017, 02:51:12 AM
This does sound nice enough and the atmosphere works pretty well, and I do like the female vocals when they appear.
I'm guessing this is mine
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 17, 2017, 09:24:00 AM
???: __ - ___ _n t__ ____
???: __n___ - ___s__nn_
???: _u__s ____st - _un __ t__ ____
???: __t________ - S___n_ S_n __ _.
???: __s___us__n - ____ t_ t__ T___s __ S___n___
???: S_t _n_ S_tt_n_ - __________t_
???: __t_______ __n_u___ - T__s_ ___n’t ______s
???: ______ - _____n
???: _un_us - _ ____ ___ __t_ N___t
???: __nst_nt_n_ - ____ _ns___

Letters guessed:
NSTU

Luke waits 3
Train waits 2
LordCost waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 17, 2017, 09:58:11 AM
Constantine?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 17, 2017, 10:02:24 AM
A

And Junius?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 17, 2017, 10:30:00 AM
Both right basically

It's constantine but with a weird o whatever it's called
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 17, 2017, 11:36:52 AM
Their name was previously without the ø so yeah
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 5 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on July 17, 2017, 04:08:08 PM
Round 6 First Impressions

It’s a nice chill song but that’s really all there is to say about it. It wears its influences on its sleeve and doesn’t do anything adventurous but it sounds nice enough for what it is.

Yeah this is mine.

I only know my song and Train's from the hangman, and I won't spoil the Train's one because he basically introduced me to that band.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 17, 2017, 04:14:32 PM
I already listened to the album train's song is off of like a month ago & he'd played them in plug.dj before as well so
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 17, 2017, 04:24:26 PM
I already listened to the album train's song is off of like a month ago & he'd played them in plug.dj before as well so

Oh it's THAT band. I won't spoil it either as I now know what he sent  :corn

I'm going to guess that Luoto sent Junius.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 17, 2017, 04:44:41 PM
Luoto basically outright said which band he sent and you still got it wrong  :rollin
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 17, 2017, 09:22:34 PM
???: __ - ___ _n t__ ____
???: __n___ - ___s__nn_
???: _u_as ____st - _un __ t__ ____
???: __t________ - S___n_ S_n __ _.
???: __s___us__n - _a__ t_ t__ T___s __ S___n___
???: S_t an_ S_tt_n_ - _______a__t_
???: A_t_____a_ _an_ua__ - T__s_ A__n’t ___a__s
???: A___a_ - _____n
???: Junius - A _a__ _a_ __t_ N___t
???: Cønstantine - ____ _ns___

Letters guessed:
ANSTU

Luoto waits 3
Luke waits 2
Train waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 18, 2017, 12:16:52 AM
Luoto basically outright said which band he sent and you still got it wrong  :rollin

You overestimate how much I am paying attention  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 18, 2017, 01:20:02 AM
Judas Priest is the third band
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 18, 2017, 01:33:09 AM
Give me an I. Maybe the first band is IQ?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 18, 2017, 07:52:39 PM
???: __ - ___ in t__ ____
???: __n_i_ - ___s_inn_
???: Judas Priest- _un __ t__ _i__
???: __t________ - S___n_ S_n __ _.
???: _isi__usi_n - _a__ t_ t__ Ti__s __ S___n___
???: S_t an_ S_ttin_ - _______a_it_
???: A_ti_i_ia_ _an_ua__ - T__s_ A__n’t _i_a__s
???: A___a_ - _____n
???: Junius - A _a__ _a_ _it_ Ni__t
???: Cønstantine - ____ Insi__

Letters guessed:
AINSTU

LordCost waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Luke waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 19, 2017, 02:32:48 AM
Disillusion
Artificial Language
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 19, 2017, 02:44:27 AM
Set and Setting
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 19, 2017, 05:51:59 AM
Give me an O
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 19, 2017, 09:48:59 AM
???: _Ø - ___ in t__ ____
???: __n_i_ - _o_s_inn_
???: Judas Priest- _un o_ t__ _i__
???: Oat____a___ - S__on_ Son o_ _.
???: Disillusion - _a__ to t__ Ti__s o_ S___n_o_
???: Set and Setting - _______a_it_
???: Artificial Language - T__s_ A__n’t _i_a__s
???: A___a_ - __o__n
???: Junius - A _a__ _a_ _it_ Ni__t
???: Cønstantine - ____ Insi__

Letters guessed:
AIONSTU

Nekov waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 19, 2017, 10:09:22 AM
Is fourth song Second Son Of.. (I don't know the last letter)?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on July 19, 2017, 10:10:52 AM
Is fourth song Second Son Of.. (I don't know the last letter)?

R.

by Oathbreaker
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 19, 2017, 12:51:16 PM
The Artificial Language one seems to be These Aren't Mirages?

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on July 19, 2017, 01:00:37 PM
Yep, my favourite song from the album. Train sent it.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 19, 2017, 01:30:21 PM
ahh, so you both have bad taste corn corn corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 19, 2017, 02:17:02 PM
Yea, I definitely wouldn't say that's my favourite song from that album  :loser:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on July 19, 2017, 02:52:56 PM
Bolsters: MØ - Red in the Grey
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 19, 2017, 03:06:22 PM
Ha, two weird-o's in the same round.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 19, 2017, 05:01:02 PM
Yeah I found that pretty amusing  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 19, 2017, 06:50:59 PM
Bolsters: MØ - Red in the Grey
???: __n_i_ - _o_s_inn_
???: Judas Priest- _un o_ t__ _i__
???: Oathbreaker - Second Son of R.
???: Disillusion - _a__ to t__ Ti__s o_ S___n_o_
???: Set and Setting - _______a_it_
Train of Naught: Artificial Language - These Aren’t Mirages
???: A___a_ - __o__n
???: Junius - A _a__ _a_ _it_ Ni__t
???: Cønstantine - ____ Insi__

Letters guessed:
AIONSTU

Nekov waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: home on July 19, 2017, 08:36:08 PM
Pun of the mill? By Stadler?
Ephemerality? Scorpion? (I cheated by looking it up on Spotify, but the bandname made me curious, pretty nifty song)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 19, 2017, 09:27:46 PM
scorpion is still not in this roulette.

Bolsters: MØ - Red in the Grey
???: __n_i_ - _o_s_inn_
Stadler: Judas Priest- _un of the Mill
???: Oathbreaker - Second Son of R.
???: Disillusion - _a__ to t__ Ti__s o_ S___n_o_
???: Set and Setting - Ephemerality
Train of Naught: Artificial Language - These Aren’t Mirages
???: A___a_ - __o__n
???: Junius - A _a__ _a_ _it_ Ni__t
???: Cønstantine - ____ Insi__

Letters guessed:
AIONSTU

Nekov waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Luoto waits 1

guess a letter  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on July 19, 2017, 09:48:28 PM
Disillusion - Back to the Times of Splendor. Luoto?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 19, 2017, 10:06:40 PM
yes // no
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 20, 2017, 01:42:52 AM
Ever heard the term "Run of the Mill?" ;)

Can't guess a letter because me still waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on July 20, 2017, 02:33:29 AM
R
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 20, 2017, 09:04:43 AM
Bolsters: MØ - Red in the Grey
???: __n_i_ - _ors_inn_
Stadler: Judas Priest- Run of the Mill
???: Oathbreaker - Second Son of R.
???: Disillusion - Back to the Times of Splendor
???: Set and Setting - Ephemerality
Train of Naught: Artificial Language - These Aren’t Mirages
???: A_r_a_ - _ro__n
???: Junius - A _ar_ _a_ _it_ Ni__t
???: Cønstantine - ____ Insi__

Letters guessed:
AIONRSTU

Bolsters waits 3
Nekov waits 2
LordCost waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 22, 2017, 02:45:15 AM
I guess all bands I know are banned because I don't know any of these :lol
Give me E then.

And, results when?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 22, 2017, 04:40:29 AM
Airbag - Frozen
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on July 22, 2017, 04:48:21 AM
I'm not sure if you're intentionally misremembering the track name or not. :)

Luoto sent Constantine.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 22, 2017, 09:39:16 AM
Bolsters: MØ - Red in the Grey
???: _en_i_ - _ors_inne
Stadler: Judas Priest- Run of the Mill
???: Oathbreaker - Second Son of R.
???: Disillusion - Back to the Times of Splendor
???: Set and Setting - Ephemerality
Train of Naught: Artificial Language - These Aren’t Mirages
???: Airbag - _ro_en
???: Junius - A _ar_ _a_ _it_ Ni__t
???: Cønstantine - _ee_ Insi_e

Letters guessed:
AEIONRSTU

Tomislav waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Nekov waits 1

results today probably
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 22, 2017, 10:31:08 AM
I'm not sure if you're intentionally misremembering the track name or not. :)

I honestly remembered it wrong :lol Broken it is
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 23, 2017, 12:13:58 AM
Round 6 Results

Train of Naught – Artificial Language – These Aren’t Mirages (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9Czq9YZR-E)

First Impressions:
So this is another case where I have listened to this album before, fairly recently, no more than a month ago I think. I remember finding it pretty decent but I dunno if it really caught my interest. Anyways this is a good chance for me to make up my mind, I guess. There’s kind of like, a neoclassical kind of sound in the guitar work it feels like? It’s a sound I can kind of dig sometimes but it can become repetitive and samey really quick, regardless of the chops the musicians have. The vocals being more in line with a lot of modern prog does feel a bit weird though but it’s not necessarily something I’m against. I also feel like for a three and a half minute song this is kind of repetitive too, there’s a lot of the same stuff going on, especially that one piano line. I do think this is an interesting mix of styles and there’s potential here but on first listen (well, second listen I guess) I am finding this leaving me cold. The technical chops are the what stands out the most here, there’s skill here but it’s melodic enough and not just mindless shred like a lot of bands devolve into. That’s like, the only notably positive comment I have for now though lol whoops.

Final Thoughts:
So. I am definitely just not seeing something everyone else is seeing in these guys, given how much love they seem to be getting around here recently (and with the secondary judge giving them top points – spoilers btw). I mean, this is an alright enough song.

There’s actually a lot of elements I do like. There’s pretty decent atmosphere and swell in parts of this song, a symphonic thing going on in the background alongside some big chords giving a nice full sound that I really like. And the bass, whenever it shines through, has some cool licks going on, holds a decent groove. The vocals mesh well with the backing instrumentation too, pretty decent singer.

But I hate. HATE. The tone of the piano in this song. It’s just so ungodly twinkly and completely clashes with the rest of the song. It feels like it was superimposed on a much less flashy song just to give it some prog cred, and it mostly plays the one melody over and over, even when the song slows down. The guitar is kind of guilty of this too, the lead guitar tone also feels really out of place among the rest of the elements in the song.

I highly suspect this song was written without all those lead parts and they were added in later, and I can’t fathom why. Because take out those elements and I would like this a lot more than I do, but those elements and the complete disparity between the leads (which are given front and center presence in the mixing, much to my dismay) and the rest of the much, much more interesting instrumentation going on in the background is just a gap that I cannot bridge.

It almost makes me want to devolve into some tirade about “forced progginess” that has been something that’s really exhausted me lately, because there’s just no reason to ruin a good song just to show off some technical skill. Like honestly even if the leads weren’t so repetitive and the tones so out of place, what they’re playing just doesn’t interest me much. And they drown out the better parts of the song because of some wholly incompetent or misguided mixing.

This song just. Severely frustrates me, to the point where I’ve written both the longest first impression and the second longest final thoughts section on it, despite it being the shortest song of the entire round. I want to like this, I really do, and there is a lot here I do like but the elements I dislike far outweigh the ones I do, especially given their prominence in the song. So it basically just ends up being not for me in the slightest, because what the appeal of this song is obviously intended to be is the last thing I want to listen to in the song itself.

5.5/10
 


Bolsters – MØ - Red in the Grey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdUSXHLQ5MU)

First Impressions:
Ahh, Moe. I know her from like, that one hit song a year or two ago and basically nothing else. I can say right away that this is kind of tending towards the overly electronic side of pop that doesn’t tend to do as much for me, but we’ll see I guess. It’s the kind of song where it’s a bit hard for me to really comment much on first listen though – mildly enjoying it but I don’t get a whole lot out of it either. That’s really about all there is to say for now.

Final Thoughts:
This song has a few small hooks to it, but I don’t really know if it has a single large hook – there’s one synth line that’s pretty memorable, the first vocal melody of the verses is also kind of catchy and I swear sounds really similar to something I’ve heard before. I do think the chorus itself is a bit weak though, it sounds nice but there’s a surprising lack of any kind of hook.

That may be the thing, she sounds way more into the verses than the chorus, and while that makes the verses pretty good it does make the chorus a bit underwhelming when it drops. The bridge between the second verse and second chorus also has some decent atmosphere to it. And I guess there are some more intense vocals in the backdrop of the second chorus.

The thing about this song is that it’s just not very dynamic, and really doesn’t have a ton to it – a lot of layers of instrumentation, sure, but it’s relatively unchanging throughout the song’s runtime, with that one synth line coming in to fill up the spaces between vocal bits. And no other part of the instrumentation carries much weight. It all sounds okay enough, though yes a bit too electronic for my tastes, but it’s alright.

And that’s basically just the feeling I get towards this song as a whole. It’s alright. I vaguely like it but I don’t feel too strongly about any part of it beyond that. Can’t really complain about it when I’m listening to it but there’s plenty of other songs, even pop songs, that I’d prefer listening to instead.

6.75/10



home – Bendik – Forsvinne (https://riotfactory.bandcamp.com/track/forsvinne)

First Impressions:
Bit of an atmospheric/ambient intro there. If the song wasn’t as short as it was I’d be totally okay with that but it might be a little long of an intro for what is otherwise a sub-5 minute song. But I mean, okay. The synths are a bit… synthy for my tastes, I dunno how to describe it. The vocals are not what I was expecting though but I am also not complaining. I like the vocals, they provide a lot of atmosphere by themselves and contrast nicely with the more energetic music behind them. I do kind of feel like I am waiting for this song to go somewhere, though it may be because it sounds kind of… muted in general. Like even when it’s building up it’s still palm-muted guitars and these bleepy synths. Okay, it does eventually hit something a bit more fleshed out though so, fair enough I guess. This is… okay but I feel like it’s a bit underwhelming.

Final Thoughts:
It’s a bit difficult for me to really write about this because this is another case where, the song itself is pretty fine but I’m not sure what I can add beyond my first impression. I guess, the drumming is pretty diverse and basically drives the mood of the song, some more energetic but restrained parts, some more downbeat and chill parts,  and some more intense parts near the end. It’s probably the instrument here that stands out the most.

This is another case where I wish they’d lay off the palm muting a bit or at least have a chunkier tone if they are going to go with as much muting as they do have. Even the very climax of the song feels like it could be a bit bigger and I feel like this more than anything else is the culprit.

That climax is pretty solid as a whole though, a nice amount of atmosphere and a ton of energy as well. It’s not exactly loud, this song is pretty mellow on the whole, but it’s enough for what the rest of the song is like.

This is definitely a case where I can say my feelings are mixed to somewhat positive, but it’s not a track that resonates with me very strongly and I don’t find it particularly memorable either, and in this case I’m not even sure what about it stands out enough to make it worth sending, but what do I know. I don’t know. I feel the potential for a better song is here but it’s definitely not met.

7/10




Luoto – Cønstantine - Deep Inside (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTef1QWe1BQ)

First Impressions:
Okay, can’t say I was quite expecting such a power metal-y vocalist for this song, especially considering how the rest of the music sounds. It’s a bit more jagged than standard prog metal but I guess the power metal vocals still work fine, it’s not that harsh or heavy of a song really, so. Fair enough yeah. I do like the style of riff this goes for but I also kind of feel it doesn’t go far enough? Like this could be heavier and still work but it feels… restrained. Maybe so the vocals don’t feel too out of place, I guess. Beyond that it’s like, an okay prog metal song but it’s not really striking any chords too strongly with me on first listen.

Final Thoughts:
There’s this really proggy, jagged riff they go for during the verses that I sort of feel is just, kind of botched. I think one thing a lot of prog bands don’t realize is that you can’t just write riffs in nonstandard time signatures, you have to make them actually have flow and groove and that riff just does… not. It sounds so awkward and there’s nothing for me to get into. When just the bass is playing it it sounds a bit better but it’s still kind of off. I think it’s because the riff ends with this weird descending 16th note thing that really just kills the flow. I dunno. The bridge also sticks to this jagged feel that just does nothing for me either.

The rest of the song is not like that, fortunately. The main riff that gets played throughout the song is pretty solid, though I kind of wish the palm muted strumming bits had a bit more power to them, it sounds kind of thin. The chorus starts off making me think they’re still continuing with some clunky riffing but no it comes together & sounds pretty cool. And the vocalist, while a bit weird for the sound this song is going for, is still pretty dang solid & has some cool moments (especially during the chorus).

I kind of don’t have much else to say about this one though. It’s a prog metal song with a style that should work for me that just doesn’t quite ever click. I don’t really mind listening to it but there’s not a lot here that stands out in a good way, it’s just okay. And… that’s it really.

7.25/10



twosuitsluke – Set and Setting – Ephemerality (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rINGdRdTpC0)

First Impressions:
Has guitars, 0/10. From the start though this is nice and atmospheric. Blackgaze-y even. Actually yeah that’s what this is isn’t it, cool, alright. So far this is instrumental too which? I think you said that actually it’s instrumental which I’m pretty okay with, sure. Somewhere along the line this transformed into distinctly more of a Isis- style post-metal song though and I might have missed where it did that. It makes for a solid combination of styles without really doing any of them in a particularly original way, but all at least pretty decent. And it comes to a pretty decent climax based on the sludgier riff with some noisy guitar strumming seeping up into the mix for a pretty dense atmosphere, I can dig that, yeah. I am pretty on board with this though I can’t really say I “love” it either, it’s just, pretty solid.

Final Thoughts:
I think if there’s one thing this song lacks that I’d like to have seen more of, it’s a real sense of intensity. The black metal parts are mostly pretty and don’t really have a lot of power behind them. They sound totally nice for what they are, certainly, but there’s not a ton of weight behind them. And the sludgier riffs have a strong groove to them but again not a ton of power. It’s all very nice-sounding but I can’t say I emotionally connect with it.

Also, as someone who is pretty neutral on harsh vocals a lot of the time… I kinda wish this song had some somewhere. Or vocals at all. I don’t know why but it just feels like this song is lacking without them. Could even be clean vocals like the Junius song in this round, it’d just be another layer adding to the atmosphere and frankly that’s great.

The atmosphere on this song is pretty consistently good throughout, I will definitely say that, the blackgaze bits are obviously very lush and dense but the transitional bit between the first few minutes and the sludiger rest of the song is pretty dense too and of course the climax does hit a pretty solid peak.

Another small nitpick is that, boy, do they really repeat that one riff a lot. I liked it a fair bit on first listen but its charm definitely wears off with how much it gets repeated in this song. It’s still a solid riff and still holds some decent groove but it’s so unchanging and takes up so much of the song… oh well.

On the whole I think I actually like this less than I did on first listen, but I still do think it’s a fairly solid track on the whole, just missing the intensity and maybe a bit of variation that would really make it click for me. And vocals. It’s missing those, I think it should’ve had those but whatever, I still enjoyed this regardless so all’s well that ends.

7.5/10



Stadler – Judas Priest – Run of the Mill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZTakTluPK0)

First Impressions:
When it comes to Judas Priest vs. Iron Maiden I have always generally preferred the latter, though I’ve never been a huge fan of either really. Dickinson’s style of vocals does a lot more for me, I guess. Though uhh. So far this doesn’t have anything to do with any Judas Priest I’ve ever heard, it’s way more in the vein of 70’s rock. Because apparently this is off their first album. Alright then! I’d be lying if I said I didn’t prefer this to the Judas Priest I’m more familiar with. Also, I do genuinely appreciate how high the bass is in the mix here. It’s not an especially great groove but I can dig it and it’s great to have it driving the song as strongly as it does. But yeah this is absolutely not what I was expecting from this entry, yet I can’t say I mind it at all? It’s maybe a touch generic for the style but ehh.

Final Thoughts:
Okay, yeah, that last bit is basically how this song has fared on relistens – it sounds totally fine but it really is lacking in any unique qualities especially for the era. Which makes this a solid enough song, sure, but leaves me without having much to say about it.

Hmm. I guess one thing is that the vocals are not really doing it for me, but they’re present in so little of the song that it’s a minor complaint at best. I guess also, the “chorus” sounds a bit disjointed and messy, the rhythm just doesn’t line up and leaves it feeling underwhelming and the start/stop nature doesn’t help.

I guess the one thing about this that really stands out is how bass-driven a lot of it is, which is certainly a positive quality. Though a lot of it is just one or two repeating bass grooves, but they’re absolutely solid grooves, and there’s still enough to like beyond that.

The climax is also pretty solid, all the instruments coming together with decent swell and the synth in the background providing another layer to the mix. And okay, the vocals here are pretty strong too. It doesn’t feel like the climax comes out of nowhere either, there’s a long instrumental build to it but the build itself isn’t boring or too drawn out. And if the payoff is decent then again there’s nothing to really complain about, it’s just solid.

It’s one of those cases where I can’t say I really love the track or anything but I do like it enough that I’d probably go back and relisten to it, though I doubt I’m going to be checking out any more Judas Priest after this.

7.5/10



Tomislav95 – Oathbreaker – Second Son of R. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kzivheT3JM)

First Impressions:
So this is an album I actually did check out, like, twice I think. And I thought it was solid but didn’t really find it compelling enough to pick up. It’s kind of like… So Hideous but without the orchestra stuff that made that album more compelling? Though if I’m being honest I can’t say I really loved that album either, but it was nice enough. My first complaint here would be that the vocals are a bit loud in the mix, with how washed out the mix is I’d rather hear them blending in rather than somewhat drowning out the instrumentation. Oh okay and there are female vocals in here now too huh. Works for me. This does sound nice enough and the atmosphere works pretty well, and I do like the female vocals when they appear. But it does kind of fail to stand out in any real way and that’s basically how I remember feeling about this album when I first listened to it too. Nice, but not memorable.

Final Thoughts:
This had to contend with several other atmospheric metal songs this round (and this entire roulette)  and compared to those, honestly, it’s less interesting and less satisfying in general. That’s not to say it isn’t good, because, I do like this for sure, yeah, but not much beyond that and I’ve already been given plenty of better options too. I actually remember this being one of the most well-liked tracks on this album in reviews I saw & if that’s the case then it’s no wonder this wasn’t really for me.

I do like the moments where they mix the intense black metal with the female vocals, rather than the harsh screams of the rest of the song. Those harsh vocals do borderline on kind of core-y sounding growls which I tend to shy away from. But the female vocals sound great and honestly way more intense too.

There’s a moment in the middle where the song slows down but stays heavy and I think that’s a solid change of pace, it’s still got the atmosphere and the power but there’s a bit more complexity to it than just blastbeats and dense, one-note riffing like the loudest parts of the song rely on. And there’s an entire minute near the end that’s just of standard cleaner stuff, I don’t really get much out of it at all but it sounds nice enough.

Like, I do like this, there’s some moments where it does get really intense and cool, but it never really clicked for me fully. Maybe it’ll hold up better on relisten, maybe not. For now though I’m not sure what more I can really say, it’s still pretty solid.

7.75/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 6 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 23, 2017, 12:14:21 AM
Evermind – Airbag – Broken (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z1kC45NMyU)

First Impressions:
Ahh, a band probably named after a Radiohead song. I hope they sound nothing like Radiohead. Well, from the very start though they do sound kinda similar, actually. Actually really Pink Floyd-y especially actually. Though the guitar work is definitely not David Gilmour-level guitar work. It’s a nice chill song but that’s really all there is to say about it. It wears its influences on its sleeve and doesn’t do anything adventurous but it sounds nice enough for what it is.

Final Thoughts:
I mean, if you’re going to emulate any band, Pink Floyd is definitely one of the better ones to emulate. The atmospheric melancholy a lot of their songs wade in is definitely not a sound I’m averse to hearing in the slightest, it’s a very nice sounding song.

Though in this case it’s pretty instrumentally drab as well – guitars and synths are the only things doing anything interesting here, the drumming is fine but very straightforward and the bassline is just. Fine. For grounding the song it works fine but I do wish it was at least a bit more adventurous.

But the layers of guitar work here are all pretty nice, the wailing, mournful leads and the acoustic strummed chords, the reverb-soaked atmospheric melodies and the tasteful soloing. It all comes together well to provide a lot to hold my interest and a great vibe on the whole. And again, it’s not David Gilmour-level work but it’s still pretty good.

And the vocals are. Pretty fine. Sells the emotion of the song well enough during the chorus especially but just in general, he sounds basically exactly like what you’d expect a Pink Floyd soundalike to sound like. If this had been a song on DSOTM or WHWH it probably wouldn’t be the most fondly remembered Floyd song but it wouldn’t be the least fondly remembered either, really.

It’s just very solid in a way where I have trouble really gushing about it but I don’t have much to complain about either. I enjoy listening to it well enough, it just doesn’t have anything particularly standout that makes me interested in checking out the artist further. But I mean, still pretty good stuff, sure.

7.75/10



LordCost – Disillusion – Back to the Times of Splendor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBPBEpVJYso)

First Impressions:
Let’s certainly hope this is good ‘cause if it’s not the length is gonna be a detractor here, almost certainly. I will say right away that I like how the violin sounds. I don’t think I’m as big a fan of the vocals though, but they’re also kind of downplayed & low in the mix so it’s not a huge deal. So far I can say all this sound pretty fine five minutes in, but at the same time I haven’t really heard much that particularly stands out to me. It’s a bit sad that the first bit of this I’m like, really into is the bass break starting around halfway into this. I dig that, has a solid groove and I honestly could always use more cool bass grooves in my life. I dunno if it’s something I’m really into the whole way through though, it’s just very… solid. It has moments & I kind of, zoned out a little honestly which isn’t the greatest sign but we’ll see, yeah.

Final Thoughts:
It’s frustrating to have songs this long to be honest and I probably should’ve just outright banned anything over 12 minutes because in the context of every other song being nowhere near as long it’s hard to get in the right mindset for listening to something like this. And it’s definitely hard to properly digest it in a roulette format where I can only give songs a small number of listens before providing my opinions on them.

Like, I can’t really tell you off the top of my head what any of this song sounds like. It’s very much a death metal style song, it has that bass break in the middle, stuff happens between then and there and then.

And then actually putting it on and listening to it, I can go “oh yeah it has that really killer main riff” and “wow there’s a lot of nice violin parts even if they get buried in the mix a little” and “oh yeah, the production is this lo-fi isn’t it, that’s a bit meh but doesn’t harm the song too much”. And it’s just. Scattered thoughts like that because I can’t process a 15 minute track with only 4-5 listens. Can’t really put together cohesive thoughts on how I feel about it.

So hell with it, not even going to try, just gonna keep commenting on all the cool parts. Like that break at 3:30 where the drums switch to a tribal-esque style with lots of toms. There’s some really cool atmosphere going on here and the guitar solo accompanying it is pretty great too. I don’t even remember that section being in the song at all. I’m glad it is.

A lot of these riffs really do have good groove to them and that’s one of the biggest things I’m looking for from my metal, whether it’s a more fast-paced, aggressive groove like this song has or a sludgier, more laid-back groove in something like Stenian. Around the 6 minute mark when the song starts taking a turn towards the really intense it sort of loses that sense of groove and with the low quality production just descends into a mess of noise that does absolutely nothing for me, thankfully it breaks right after that though.

There’s this super tiny moment right at 11 minutes where the song kicks back into gear and there’s just a piano banging dissonant chords in the background and honestly I love stuff like that, there’s a Hirsch Effekt song where they do the same thing. There’s just something about that that’s heavier than any riff could ever dream of being. And the song comes full circle to the first main riff it used for the ending, which makes it feel a bit more cohesive as a track.

Really as a whole there’s a lot here I do like and not much I dislike, it’s just that it’s maybe a bit much for me to have fully processed yet. Obviously that’s lead to a mess of a write-up but as best as I can come to a cohesive conclusion I’d say that, yeah, I’m pretty on board with this? Not really loving it or anything but I’d definitely come back to relisten to it and I can see why you sent it. I feel it’s really likely this is going to end up with a slightly higher score when I do relistens later.

8.25/10



Nekov – Junius – A Dark Day With Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvOxEkMfXlQ)

First Impressions:
So, I actually did check out the album these guys dropped earlier this year but it didn’t do enough for me to warrant a purchase (or even a relisten I think). But right off the bat I am really digging this sound, it’s atmospheric and noisy in a way that really works for me. Vocals have a bit of an interesting accent to them, to say the least. The lo-fi sound of this is oddly working really well for me, everything sounds washed out but with what the instruments are playing it’s less that stuff is getting lost in the mix and more that it’s all blurring into this great wall of noise. I think that’s the effect black metal tries to capture but often fails at. And this isn’t really black metal at all, either. Long story short I am pretty into the atmosphere of this, though. The one criticism is that it is maybe a bit one-note as a whole, but I think there’s enough progression here for it to work. Yeah, I dig this. Maybe should’ve looked further into these guys before, haha.

Final Thoughts:
I’m not even sure what’s so special about this song that it basically just instantly clicked for me where a lot of atmospheric metal doesn’t. But, hey, I mean, it’s not a bad thing at all that it did. I thing one thing is that even with the dynamics of the song varying, the atmosphere always stays dense, but never overwhelming. And really it’s mostly just those guitars providing a lot of the noise in the background but the other instruments join in during the louder moments.

Beyond that there really isn’t a ton to say about this though. The drums and bass are both pretty straightforward, veering into occasional progressive tendencies but nothing too complex. The bass tone is also a bit weak, though I can still here it basically all the time regardless. It just feels a bit thin, lacks any real punch to it.

The vocals also have their moments of power though they’re noticeably more understated than the music most of the time. And yeah the unique accent of the singer makes him more interesting than he would’ve otherwise been. No harsh vocals at all in the song either which I think works in its favor. Oh yeah and there are those choir vocals that come into the background at about 5 minutes in, makes for a strong climax to the song.

I don’t know if there’s really any one part of the song that stands out above the others but I’m not really sure there needs to be when it’s just strong front-to-back. This is definitely the kind of atmospheric metal I’m most interested in, it has structure and decent variance while still sounding huge and dense most of the time. I think the only thing I can say negatively is that it just doesn’t hit me really hard like some of the better entries in this roulette, but I mean it’s still great.

8.5/10



Current Standings:
Nekov – 54.5
twosuitsluke – 54.25
Luoto – 54
Tomislav95 – 52.75
Bolsters – 52.25
Evermind – 52.25
home – 52
LordCost – 51.25
Train of Naught – 50
Stadler – 48.5

We’re starting to see a bit of a gap between the top 3 and the rest of the participants, though scores are still close enough that realistically it’s still anyone’s game.

I’m also a little weirded out to see Train doing so poorly considering that he’s been responsible for several album purchases as a result of plug.dj purchases but I guess that’s roulette life.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 23, 2017, 12:23:59 AM
Round 6 Secondary Judge Results – Judge Tomislav95

Artificial Language - These Aren't Mirages

Instrumental part is a bit too complicated IMO and it goes over the top but that’s prog and fun so I don't mind it in the end, good thing vocals are so cool and melodies are catchy. I love that chorus, it is stuck in my head and in the end it is actually my favorite song here. Looking forward to check this band out.

5 points

Airbag – Broken

This sounds like Pink Floyd (or earlier Anathema) to the point it's scary. Nevermind, I liked it a lot, especially the atmosphere and guitarplay.

3 points

Bendik – Forsvinne

So thick sounding. Love the roaring bass, or keys, whatever it is. I can't understand the word she's singing but I like her voice, and it fits with music well and it's beautiful.

2 points

MØ – Red in the Grey

This reminds me of something but I can't put my finger on it. Maybe some '80s artist? Anyways, it's not something I usually listen to but I could, it is catchy. I'm so sorry I can't award it with some point, there are songs I like a little more.

Cønstantine – Deep Inside

Ugh I think vocals don't fit the music at all. Music is like prog metal and singer would work better in hard rock style IMO. That's actually my only complaint, and few other songs are better so…

Set and Setting – Ephemerality

Not bad at all but a bit too long. In worse round this one would maybe deserve some points, not here. I like atmosphere and those few progressive passages.

Junius – A Dark Day With Night

Production sound very gothic-like and it works well with the music but I can't say I like the song that much. It's ok, I guess, just not that interesting.

Disillusion – Back to Times of Splendor

I like the progressive parts, not so much the melodeath parts. Yes, it's ok but there are much better songs. There are parts I loved and parts I couldn't keep my attention on. It probably has to do with the length, too. I hope our host will rate it better as he'll probably listen to it more times than me.

Judas Priest – Run of the Mill

I'm not too fond of instrumental part, it goes on and on and it's not really the most interesting thing ever. Too bad, because I love singing parts. I'm not the big fan of JP but I heard a few songs and this is not among better ones, sorry.

Oathbreaker – Second Son of R (Judge's Song)

Sorry, I just can't get into screams which take half of the song. I tried with Converge (I guess this is similar) years ago and I felt the same way. Clean vocals are ok but I still don't like instrumental that much.

Parama’s notes:
I’m not really too surprised seeing Artificial Language at the top, and it’s very amusing to me that Tomislav decided to put his song last unlike most people who have been putting theirs around fourth or fifth. I still can’t really pin down Tomislav’s tastes though.

Current Secondary Judge Standings:
Tomislav95 – 12
Evermind - 11
Train of Naught - 10
Luoto - 7
Bolsters - 7
twosuitsluke - 6
home - 5
Nekov - 2
LordCost - 0
Stadler - 0
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 23, 2017, 01:54:45 AM
Good thing you liked that ok, I'm back.
I think if I keep sending black metal I'll lose 1st place in secondary judge rankings :P there is plenty of black metal I discovered recently so I may send them right away, even though I'd like to make a nice EP out of it.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 3 RESULTS)
Post by: Train of Naught on July 23, 2017, 01:58:13 AM
LOL thanks for the points 2nd judge :corn

I could and should have known you wouldn't like this since the neoclassical vibe is extremely similar to The Human Abstract. Anyway surprised there's no ongoing rant about the overly dramatic vocals :corn

My next band sounds more in line with your tastes but personally I thought this band would be banned, maybe you already checked them out before too. Will decide and send today.

The secondary judge writeups are pretty funny when you have a good idea of who wrote them and then start looking at the writeup on their own song
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 23, 2017, 02:24:40 AM
Told you my song would be a solid 7.5. It pretty much felt like playing it safe this round. I really like the new Set and Setting album but if ever an instrumental band needed vocals, these guys are the ones. Can't argue with the score but not gonna lie, slightly upset I've been knocked from the top spot.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on July 23, 2017, 02:51:29 AM
I'm most disappointed by the fact the melodic riff pretty much broke the song for you, because for me it makes it one of the highlights of the album. The boldness of that arrangement pays off for me.

I still haven't dipped below 7/10 which I'm quite happy about.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 23, 2017, 03:03:37 AM
I remembered one song I wanted to send in previous roulette and I didn't so you're getting it now, some beautiful progressive rock/metal.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on July 23, 2017, 04:10:17 AM
That's actually better than I expected. And Train's score is way worse than I expected. :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 23, 2017, 07:34:43 AM
Train, you clearly should've sent 'Turn Off the Pictures' from The Observer. That emotional 'Decomposing from the outside in...' line would've had Parama all  :heart :heart :heart

(maybe)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on July 23, 2017, 07:49:26 AM
Another vote over 8! Probably now you know the song better than me. I think it's a great song without even remembering every part of it, I probably would have rated it with the same score as you.
I'm sending a new song soon
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 24, 2017, 04:50:52 AM
Think I've discovered another new band (whilst looking through a regular DTF members Last.fm profile) that might work for you dude. Gonna give the album a proper listen and choose a song  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on July 24, 2017, 05:59:36 AM
Sweet. That whole Junius album is pretty good IMO and as you said in the writeup, I really like the atmospheres these guys create.
Will send something later
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on July 24, 2017, 12:28:43 PM
Sent for 3.5/10. Secondary judge, you're my only hope this time!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 24, 2017, 12:37:09 PM
0/10, send your round 8 entry early
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 24, 2017, 10:08:05 PM
so i am missing one song but the total length of the songs is already longer than any other round in the roulette except the 12 person round  :lol

y'all are good listeners
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 25, 2017, 07:06:53 PM
Sent.

I played my song to home in the plug.dj and he guaranteed me a 7.5/10...

Cheers
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 6 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on July 26, 2017, 12:12:11 AM
Round 7 First Impressions

Like, I dig that really groovy riff behind the chorus, I’m all in favor of stuff like that believe it or not.

The thumping percussion and atmospheric electronics play off each other pretty well, always a combination that seems to work.

I think I’m waiting for a moment to be really blown away by but instead I’m finding something that’s just. Solid. There’s no real peaks and valleys here, it’s just enjoyable enough prog metal the whole way through.

The end result is that the track itself feels a bit all over the place but taking all the parts separately all of it sounds pretty dang good. It just… feels more like a “movement” than a cohesive song.

I am really digging the bouncy groove of the verses here, it’s the rare instance where I can get into something that just sounds really fun all around.

The classical guitar solo near the end is a moment that stands out at least, and it’s not like the instrumentation throughout the song is bland in general.

I think the instrumentation throughout is pretty solid, I particularly like that guitar solo. And the vocals are certainly enthusiastic if nothing else.

The guitar solo near the end is pretty decent & the music behind it definitely gives it decent space to breathe.

This is one of those weird cases where a band does quieter moments way better than louder moments but still insists on being a metal band when they’d probably be better off as a softer rock band.

I don’t really know what I can say about this, all the elements that make this up are pretty nice and it has a cohesive enough sound.

If nothing else this is a decently diverse round, also a very long one length-wise, just a bit shy of 80 minutes.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 26, 2017, 12:21:51 AM
Round 7 Hangman!!!

???: ________ - __ ___ ___
???: _______ - _________ ___
???: ______ - _____________ & __________
???: ________ - ________ _____
???: ____ _____ & _____ ______ - _____ __ ___ ____
???: _____ ___ - ______
???: ______ ____ ____ - _____ ______/_____ __ ______
???: _______ - ____ ____ ________
???:  ______ _______, _____ _______, ____ _____ & _____ _________ - _______
???:  ____ ___ ____ __ ___ ___ - ______: ___ _____

This is a very  :corn kind of hangman
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on July 26, 2017, 12:43:10 AM
Gimme the D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 26, 2017, 12:49:59 AM
???: ________ - __ ___ ___
???: _______ - _________ ___
???: ______ - ___________d_ & __________
???: ________ - ________ _____
???: ____ ___d_ & ____d ______ - _____ __ ___ D__d
???: _____ __d - ______
???: ______ ____ ____ - _____ D_____/_____ __ ______
???: _______ - ___d ____ ________
???:  ______ _______, _____ D______, ____ _____ & _____ _________ - _______
???:  ____ ___ ____ __ ___ ___ - ______: ___ D____

Letters Guessed:
D

Sacul waits 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 26, 2017, 02:58:15 AM
S
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 26, 2017, 08:39:04 AM
???: ________ - __ ___ ___
???: _______ - _________ s__
???: ____s_ - ___________ds & _________s
???: _______s - ________ S____
???: ____ ___d_ & ____d ______ - _____ __ ___ D__d
???: _____ __d - ______
???: ______ ____ ____ - _____ D_____/_____ __ _____s
???: _______ - ___d __s_ ________
???:  S_____ S_____s, _____ D_ss___, ____ _____ & ____s _____s___ - _______
???:  ____ ___ ___s __ ___ S__ - ______: ___ D____

Letters Guessed:
DS

Luke waits 3
Sacul waits 2
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on July 26, 2017, 08:47:14 AM
O
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on July 26, 2017, 09:05:18 AM
That song with classical guitar is mine
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 26, 2017, 09:10:21 AM
???: ________ - __ ___ ___
???: _______ - _________ s__
???: ___os_ - ________o__ds & _________s
???: _______s - ___o____ S____
???: _o__ ___d_ & __o_d _o____ - _____ o_ ___ D__d
???: _____ __d - ______
???: _o____ _o__ _o__ - ___o_ D_____/__o__ o_ __o__s
???: ____o__ - ___d __s_ _o_o__o_
???:  S_____ S_____s, _____ D_ss___, ___o _____ & ____s _____s___ - _______
???:  ____ O__ ___s _o ___ S__ - ___o__: ___ D____

Letters Guessed:
DOS

Bolsters waits 3
Luke waits 2
Sacul waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 26, 2017, 09:15:57 AM
A
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 26, 2017, 09:44:17 AM
???: ____a_a_ - __ ___ ___
???: ____a__ - _________ s__
???: ___os_ - ________oa_ds & ___a_____s
???: A______s - A__o__a_ S____
???: _o__ _a_d_ & __o_d _o____ - _____ o_ ___ D_ad
???: _____ __d - ______
???: _o____ _o__ _o__ - ___o_ Da____/__o__ o_ __o__s
???: ____o__ - A__d __s_ _o_o__o_
???:  S___a_ S_____s, _____ D_ss___, ___o _____ & _a__s __A__s___ - _______
???:  ____ O__ A__s _o ___ S__ - ___o__: ___ D____

Letters Guessed:
ADOS

Luoto waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luke waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 26, 2017, 09:52:41 AM
With Our Arms to the Sun

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on July 26, 2017, 10:20:14 AM
I'm pretty sure this one is mine:

Quote
I think the instrumentation throughout is pretty solid, I particularly like that guitar solo. And the vocals are certainly enthusiastic if nothing else.

And I'm fairly certain I'm indeed heading into the 4/10 territory with comments like "vocals are certainly enthusiastic if nothing else". :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 26, 2017, 11:16:22 AM
N


Letters Guessed:
ACOS


Fixed
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 26, 2017, 11:29:40 AM
A Change of Scores

All Nekov's scores retroactively changed to 3.5/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 26, 2017, 11:59:09 AM
A Change of Scores

All Nekov's scores retroactively changed to 3.5/10
:lol

Give me an E.

Half of the first impressions could be the ones of my song, but they seem all positive.
Second to last artist is enormous, maybe the last guy after the & is James.

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 26, 2017, 05:10:52 PM
A Change of Scores

All Nekov's scores retroactively changed to 3.5/10

Dammit :getoffmylawn:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 27, 2017, 01:15:53 AM
???: ____a_a_ - _n __e E_e
???: En__an_ - N_______e S__
???: _e_os_ - __e__e__oa_ds & ___a_e__es
???: A______s - A__o_ea_ S_ee_
???: _o_n _ande & __ond _o__e_ - __een o_ ___ Dead
???: Ne__e End - _____e
???: _o__e_ _o_e _one - ___oe Dan_e_/__o_n o_ __o_ns
???: ___no_e - A__d __s_ _o_o__o_
???:  S___an S_e_ens, ____e Dessne_, N__o _____ & James __A__s_e_ - _____e_
???:  With Our Arms to the Sun - _e_o__: __e D____

Letters Guessed:
ADENOS

LordCost waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Luoto waits 1

i keep forgetting to update this after work, ohwell
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 27, 2017, 01:44:02 AM
Sufjan Stevens is one of the people of the second to last artist. And I guess Enchant is the second band.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 27, 2017, 01:49:42 AM
And I try John Lande for the 5th artist
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 27, 2017, 01:51:19 AM
Sufjan Stevens is one of the people of the second to last artist. And I guess Enchant is the second band.

Enchant sounds like an Evermind kinda band.

And the song is Nightime Sky
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 27, 2017, 02:11:30 AM
Enchant is Tomislav
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on July 27, 2017, 02:15:40 AM
Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Queen of the Dead
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 27, 2017, 07:27:46 AM
Second to last is Sufjan Stevens, Bryne Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister - Jupiter
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 27, 2017, 09:21:10 AM
???: ____a_a_ - _n __e E_e
Tomislav95: Enchant - Nighttime Sky
???: _e_os_ - __e__e__oa_ds & ___a_e__es
???: A______s - A__o_ea_ S_ee_
???: Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Queen of the Dead
???: Ne__e End - _____e
???: _o__e_ _o_e _one - ___oe Dan_e_/__o_n o_ __o_ns
???: ___no_e - A__d __s_ _o_o__o_
???:  Sufjan Stevens, Bryne Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister - Jupiter
???:  With Our Arms to the Sun - _e_o__: __e D____

Letters Guessed:
ADENOS

LordCost waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on July 27, 2017, 09:40:41 AM
Nerve End
Mother Love Bone

M
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 27, 2017, 10:10:39 AM
Mother Love Bone is Stadler
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on July 27, 2017, 10:58:12 AM
Second to last is Sufjan Stevens, Bryne Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister - Jupiter
Sent by home. Great song.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 27, 2017, 11:28:12 AM
All of those are right except sacul calling Jupiter a great song :neverusethis:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: home on July 27, 2017, 11:38:53 AM
Damn right, it's a frikking amazing song!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on July 27, 2017, 11:41:37 AM
Come on guys. I had a list of 15 bands to send Parama in this roulette and since my departure none of those have been sent.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 27, 2017, 12:24:53 PM
send me an ep consisting of all of them
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 27, 2017, 01:26:20 PM
Come on guys. I had a list of 15 bands to send Parama in this roulette and since my departure none of those have been sent.
Give me one name for one of the next rounds that I have almost run out of ideas :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: home on July 27, 2017, 01:28:31 PM
You're not alone, half of my entries are songs I saved from Spotify's Discovery weekly playlists  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Elite on July 27, 2017, 01:29:21 PM
Nope. I'll win this roulette with the best EP.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on July 27, 2017, 02:00:38 PM
Nope. I'll win this roulette with the best EP.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 27, 2017, 02:03:09 PM
You're not alone, half of my entries are songs I saved from Spotify's Discovery weekly playlists  :lol

 :lol I've done that in other roulettes, haven't gotten there yet but it's surely getting more complicated as it goes
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 27, 2017, 09:01:58 PM
???: ____a_a_ - _n __e E_e
Tomislav95: Enchant - Nighttime Sky
???: Me_os_ - __e__e__oa_ds & ___a_e__es
???: A______s - A__o_ea_ S_ee_
???: Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Queen of the Dead
???: Nerve End - _____e
Stadler: Mother Love Bone - ___oe Dan_e_/__o_n o_ __o_ns
???: ___no_e - A__d M_s_ _omo__o_
home:  Sufjan Stevens, Bryne Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister - Jupiter
???:  With Our Arms to the Sun - Memo__: __e D____

Letters Guessed:
ADEMNOS

Bolsters waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Nekov waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 28, 2017, 01:08:37 AM
T
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 28, 2017, 01:19:33 AM
???: ____ata_ - _n t_e E_e
Tomislav95: Enchant - Nighttime Sky
???: Me_os_ - __e__e__oa_ds & ___a_ettes
???: A______s - A__o_ea_ S_ee_
???: Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Queen of the Dead
???: Nerve End - T____e
Stadler: Mother Love Bone - ___oe Dan_e_/__o_n o_ T_o_ns
???: ___no_e - A__d M_st Tomo__o_
home:  Sufjan Stevens, Bryne Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister - Jupiter
???:  With Our Arms to the Sun - Memo__: T_e D___t

Letters Guessed:
ADEMNOST

Luke waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
LordCost waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: home on July 28, 2017, 01:51:03 AM
In the eye?
Memory: the drift?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 28, 2017, 02:24:12 AM
U
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 28, 2017, 06:33:23 AM
Aquilus - Arboreal Sleep

And I see a "something" must tomorrow
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on July 28, 2017, 08:11:32 AM
Loviatar - In the Eye
Mepost - Whethertoads & Cigarettes
Hypnose - Acid Mast Tomorrow
With Our Arms to the Sun - Memoir: The Djent

I think it's fair to say I have no idea about anything in this hangman. :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 28, 2017, 08:20:03 AM
 :lol

Those are some fun guesses
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 28, 2017, 09:03:15 AM
???: __u_ata_ - In the Eye
Tomislav95: Enchant - Nighttime Sky
???: Me_os_ - __e__e__oa_ds & ___a_ettes
???: A______s - A__o_ea_ S_ee_
???: Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Queen of the Dead
???: Nerve End - T____e
Stadler: Mother Love Bone - ___oe Dan_e_/__o_n o_ T_o_ns
???: Hypno5e - Acid M_st Tomorrow
home:  Sufjan Stevens, Bryne Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister - Jupiter
???:  With Our Arms to the Sun - Memory: The Drift

Letters Guessed:
ADEMNOSTU

Luoto waits 3
Luke waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

ehh, i filled in all the ones that were "close enough"
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on July 28, 2017, 09:29:50 AM
I'm just sad it wasn't "The Djent".
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 28, 2017, 01:19:13 PM
Acid Mist Tomorrow?

Give me an R
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 28, 2017, 01:38:52 PM
???: __u_atar - In the Eye
Tomislav95: Enchant - Nighttime Sky
???: Me_os_ - __e__er_oards & ___arettes
???: Aquillus - Arboreal Sleep
???: Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Queen of the Dead
???: Nerve End - T_r__e
Stadler: Mother Love Bone - ___oe Dan_er/_ro_n o_ T_orns
???: Hypno5e - Acid Mist Tomorrow
home:  Sufjan Stevens, Bryne Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister - Jupiter
???:  With Our Arms to the Sun - Memory: The Drift

Letters Guessed:
ADEMNORSTU

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Luke waits 1

Forgot to fill in aquillus earlier woops
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on July 28, 2017, 01:59:40 PM
Acid Myst tomorrow? Come on, it was close enough last time.

And the third one has cigarettes at the end
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 28, 2017, 02:05:30 PM
He just fails at managing the hangman right now, it's Mist. And it's by Train.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 28, 2017, 02:46:04 PM
I tried to update from my phone, this is why I never do  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on July 30, 2017, 03:43:49 AM
Let's wrap this shit up

Megosh - Checkerboards & Cigarettes --> Luke
Jorn Lande --> Evermind
Hypno5e is actually me, since it has already been guessed I can admit it
With Our Arms to the Sun --> Nekov
Nerve End - Thrive --> LordCost
Aquilus --> Luoto
Some Pop Artist I Don't Know - In the Eye --> Bolsters

results when
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on July 30, 2017, 06:33:15 AM
You are not entirely correct.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on July 30, 2017, 06:34:45 AM
You are not correct.

But you're also not wrong
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 30, 2017, 06:51:56 PM
???: __u_atar - In the Eye
Tomislav95: Enchant - Nighttime Sky
twosuitsluke: Megosh - Checkerboards & Cigarettes
???: Aquillus - Arboreal Sleep
Evermind: Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Queen of the Dead
???: Nerve End - Thrive
Stadler: Mother Love Bone - ___oe Dan_er/_ro_n o_ T_orns
Train of Naught: Hypno5e - Acid Mist Tomorrow
home:  Sufjan Stevens, Bryne Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister - Jupiter
???:  With Our Arms to the Sun - Memory: The Drift

Letters Guessed:
ADEMNORSTU

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Luke waits 1

I appreciate that almost every single who sent what guess is wrong
No pop songs in this round btw
i originally said i'd have results tomorrow but i absolutely do not feel like doing any results today so i'll do half tomorow and the rest tuesday alright
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on July 31, 2017, 09:09:00 PM
i'm gonna cut to the chase and say that this round has been pretty hard to do writeups for because one of you idiots sent an incredibly memorable song that has dominated the round so hard i can barely remember any of the other songs after four listens and not for lack of proper listening or anything. i'm about halfway done with writeups rn and will try to finish some more tonight so i can wrap up the last few tuesday but i don't feel too confident in my scores or my writeups after the usual amount of listens (except for the one stupid awful song i love) so if i don't post results tuesday you can blame the guy with the highest score this round
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on July 31, 2017, 11:12:43 PM
Waiting to see the first 10/10 :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 01, 2017, 12:21:25 AM
it's actually only an 8.75 lol
i maaayyy bump it up to a 9 but yeah

9 is really good btw so
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 01, 2017, 01:29:47 AM
Waiting patiently for my 6.75.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 01, 2017, 05:03:03 AM
I'd be really surprised if the song you mentioned is mine, but then again I really didn't expect such a high score for RX Bandits  :corn

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 01, 2017, 05:38:34 AM
I'm 99% sure it's not my song :lol I don't think I would give it 9 and it's much more in my style than Parama's
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on August 01, 2017, 11:08:26 AM
If you look at my upcoming score upside down I guess it might be 9.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on August 01, 2017, 02:07:18 PM
 :lol I would actually rate my song a 9, which doesn't mean Parama will
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 01, 2017, 02:18:18 PM
I think and hope mine will be around 7.5...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 01, 2017, 10:28:48 PM
Round 7 Results

Stadler: Mother Love Bone – Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HffbME_B7JQ)

First Impressions:
My first impression is that I am not a huge fan of this vocalist. Like I don’t know this style of singing just isn’t really appealing to me at all. Beyond that, this is just… doesn’t really have much going for it yet, at all. It’s got a solid enough chill vibe to it, decent enough power ballad stuff, but the instrumentation is just such a non-presence and I can only assume I’m meant to focus on the vocals… which I don’t care for. The guitar solo near the end is pretty decent & the music behind it definitely gives it decent space to breathe. That’s really about all I can say though, the rest of this just did not do much of anything for me on first listen.

Final Thoughts:
I take it Chloe Dancer is the piano part at the start of the song and Crown of Thorns is the rest of the song after that, correct? Doesn’t really matter that’s just, where I see the split between the two being but it’s tracked the same on the album so I am not exactly certain.

Anyways. Yeah. Just can’t get past the vocalist on this one, just absolutely not my style. I can tell he’s trying to be subtle and emotional during the first part of this to match the (rather thin-sounding) piano, but it just doesn’t work for me. I realize the style is not actually that different from By The Sword but it’s just different enough that there’s something offputting about it. There’s like, some notes he feels off pitch or some syllables overenunciated.

If there’s one positive I didn’t comment on during the first listen, the bassline is often pretty audible and never really mimicking the guitar line, which is something I always like to hear. The bassline itself isn’t exactly impressive but it’s effective enough for the tone the song is going for so I end up enjoying it. And it’s not like the basic music behind the vocals doesn’t have at least some power to it, I do like the swell of the chorus here, it has a nice full sound that makes for an effective climax on its own even ignoring the vocals.

There really isn’t much else to comment on here though. This song basically fails for me to some extent because what the primary appeal of the song is supposed to be is something I find that detracts from the song, and the rest of the elements in the song don’t do enough to salvage it for me. It’s not a miserably bad song or anything, it’s in general pleasant enough to listen to, but replace the vocalist with someone else and while I doubt I’d love it I’m sure I’d like it a fair bit more than I do at the very least.

6/10
 


Tomislav95: Enchant – Nighttime Sky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWbju9opxe4)

First Impressions:
Oh boy the quality of both that synth and those drums sounds kind of. Cheap honestly. Apparently this is from 1993 though. So I mean I guess. Fair enough. The early 90’s were basically just an extension of the 80’s. Ooh yeah the vocals are also super 80’s sounding yeah. I’ve probably said this before but the 80’s are definitely not my favorite decade of modern music. Anyways the song itself. So far it’s okay? I don’t know, there’s not really anything yet I can’t say I haven’t heard before, or heard done better. The instrumental break in the middle is just so standard prog it’s almost mindblowing. Except that awful-sounding snare, geez. It’s mostly that it’s just so… loud in comparison to the rest of the drums. The classical guitar solo near the end is a moment that stands out at least, and it’s not like the instrumentation throughout the song is bland in general. It’s just… I don’t know, I’ve just heard too much prog I think, for this to stand out much.

Final Thoughts:
This is one of those unfortunate instances where there are two similar songs dueling for my attention in one round and one of them has to come off looking worse because of it, and, well, this song definitely lost to the other cheesy prog rock song from 1993 that I got sent this round.

The vocals are definitely one of the weaker points for me, I just don’t like this style of singing at all. I’m glad as hell it’s basically dead nowadays. Though being replaced by the high-pitched whinyboy vocal sound a lot of modern rock and metal bands use isn’t a huge step up to be fair. And yeah geez that snare is just. Bad mixing, yo. That’s not even a production issue that’s an intentional decision that isn’t affected by the age of the song or anything.

I also just am not a huge fan of the really sparkly synth used throughout this. It doesn’t really have atmosphere, it doesn’t really have depth, the only thing it really does have is a rather dated sound. Would’ve been improved if they’d just used a piano for all the parts it plays.

I have all these harsh criticisms but in the end I think the song sounds… okay overall? It’s melodically pleasant and while it’s not overly prog the instrumental bit in the middle at least mixes up things a little even if it’s not really particularly memorable in any way. Also why does the song feel like it’s hitting its climax before the 6 minute mark, then keep going on for another three minutes after that? It’s weird. But yeah. Aside from sounding rather dated in all aspects it’s compositionally pretty sound and I don’t hate it or anything.

I don’t know, I don’t have much else to say about this. It’s just caught between not really being my thing and having to be negatively compared to another song in the same round. And with a dash of going on a bit too long too. Ehhh. That’s all.

6.75/10
 


Evermind: Jorn Lande & Trond Holter – Queen of the Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQmlssMxfac)

First Impressions:
Do I really have to listen to this, we all know I’m gonna hate it, corn corn corn corn corn. But no this is more downbeat power metal type of stuff which, like I said in my last roulette, I tend to be more into. Like, I dig that really groovy riff behind the chorus, I’m all in favor of stuff like that believe it or not. Beyond that I mean, it’s fine. The vocals are solid, I’m pretty sure this guy has been on Ayreon before, he sounds familiar but I can’t pin it down. I think he was on Victim of the Modern Age (the song)? Probably wrong though. Oh man uhh that tapping in the guitar solo I am actually not on board with, I hate that kind of stuff lol. Yeah this solo is doing absolutely nothing for me but the guitar riff behind it is solid. This is… alright, I dunno, mixed feelings but I figure you expected that.

Final Thoughts:
Sorry dude but you’re not landing in the 6/10 tier today. Please don’t send me a worse power metal song though. This is already so awful. Just the worst song I’ve been sent in the entire roulette, aside from all the songs that have scored lower than it so far, as well as all the ones that will score worse in the future.

Anyways the one part of this that definitely sticks in my head is the chorus, with that groovy bluesy guitar line going on in the background and a pretty catchy vocal line. I love that guitar work, honestly, it’s just great & it’s got quite a long loop to it, it’s like a full 8 bars of sweet guitar work. The rest of the instrumentation I don’t really care about at all though, it’s there sure but whatever.

The pizzicato string part before the solo kind of comes out of nowhere but it’s a nice moment to really kick the song in full gear for the ending solo section. I am still not too into that guitar solo itself though, it’s technically impressive and all but a lot of it kind of just sounds like crap honestly.

And yeah anyways I’m not huge on the vocal style here but they’ve got enough power and passion put into them that I at least like them on some level. Cheesy as heck, sure, but so is that guitar riff I really like so you know, whatever.

I end up not really having a ton to say on this one but there’s enough of this I dig to at least make it passable, though I’m far from in love with it. I think if there was like, more than two parts I liked a lot in the song with most of the rest being stuff I’m pretty indifferent to it’d have scored higher but well here we are. Oh well.

7/10



LordCost: With Our Arms to the Sun – Memory: The Drift (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFeaiXzG3WM)

First Impressions:
The vocals at the start of this have more texture and atmosphere than the guitars do somehow. Which may be a good thing but maybe a bad thing, possibly both, who knows. When the heavy stuff kicks in I genuinely can’t tell if that’s a violin in the background or if it’s a bagpipe, it’s rather distorted sounding. I think I’m waiting for a moment to be really blown away by but instead I’m finding something that’s just. Solid. There’s no real peaks and valleys here, it’s just enjoyable enough prog metal the whole way through. Which I mean is fine to be, but has the unfortunate side effect of having this not stand out too much, at least upon first listen.

Final Thoughts:
If you had asked me before this writeup what this song sounded like, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you a single thing, honestly. That doesn’t necessarily mean the song itself is bad, more than it doesn’t really have any memorable moments that particularly stand out to me. Because, yeah, this song is… pretty fine. I could basically end my writeup there and say all I honestly have to say about this song but I’ll keep going just to not look too lazy.

I call this prog metal in my first impressions writeup but there’s like, not actually anything prog about this song at all honestly, it’s just an alternative metal song. With some solid atmosphere, sure, and the vocals are pretty fitting for the style, they have decent atmosphere and all. But it really is pretty straightforward as a song, that one clean guitar line at the start is really the jumping off point for the rest of the song and there are echoes and variations of it basically constantly throughout the song. Which is a nice touch, certainly.

The guitar solo near the end is also remarkably solid. Not super into it but I dig it enough, it fills space and sounds pretty nice, not too indulgent or overlong but it’s nice to have it. And the chorus of the song, has a decent enough level of power compared to the rest, makes it stand out just enough. If I had one real criticism I feel like the ending is a bit weird, it returns to the intro and then starts to build up but winds right back down again after rather anticlimactically. I dunno, it’s just a little weird.

And well. I really don’t know what more I can say about this. Is it bad? Not at all. Is it really good? Nah, it’s fine. There’s just nothing here that really pops out, nothing that impresses me, I don’t mind listening to it but it’s an incredibly unremarkable song in every aspect.

7.25/10



Tran of Naught: Hypno5e – Acid Mist Tomorrow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2wDYm23MKg)

First Impressions:
Has guitars, 0/10. The first thing I’m going to point out is that I don’t like these harsh vocals much at all. Too screamy and angery. The clean bit after is nice though, solid amount of atmosphere and the clean vocals sound totally fine, pretty good really. The heavy riffs have this really janky lumbering feel to them. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing though. The song has this cyclic loop of LOUD PART quiet part going on but it sort of feels like it’s lacking the in-between level of loudness that I actually would prefer having at least sometime. This is one of those weird cases where a band does quieter moments way better than louder moments but still insists on being a metal band when they’d probably be better off as a softer rock band. I mean, the metal stuff is, alright, but the parts I’m finding myself more interested are all the cleaner, acoustic parts with the good vocals. I guess  it’s nice to at least have contrast.

Final Thoughts:
I get why you sent this and I get the impression that people think I think being heavy automatically makes something good which I can assure you is not the case, I actually tend to steer away from mindless heavy stuff like deathcore and meshuggah. Especially meshuggah. And again it’s not like the heavy parts are really that bad. I do not like the vocals at all, that hasn’t changed, but the riffs can be decent at times.

But seriously now, it’s just plain unfair how much better the clean parts of this song are. It’s basically the same phenomenon that I’ve observed with Exotic Animal Petting Zoo, at least on their first album. They are really great at atmospheric and sinister sounding quieter moments but these often get lost in a homogenous mix of uninteresting heavy bits. Granted they can have their solid heavy moments that I dig a lot but that’s beside the point. The point is, I would like this a lot more without any of the heavy stuff.

I don’t even mind the very liberal use of samples throughout the clean bits, they’re in the background and don’t go on for too long. They build tension alright enough. And man, I am serious when I say these clean parts are really quite good, there’s a lot of feels to be had and there’s even a decent sense of dynamics to them, going from more dense moments to more sparse and intimate moments.

And then every time it just cuts right back to something heavy that doesn’t really interest me much. The stuff I dig is when there’s some dissonant guitar melodies going on but a lot of the more monotonous/chuggy parts don’t do much for me at all. There’s also one bit around 8:30 where there’s a really good level of atmosphere going on that makes for a solid climax. But then it cuts to a generic, jagged djenty riff right after and kills any momentum. It’s just a sequence of weird decisions that don’t really work out overall and don’t form a cohesive whole.

Overall I would definitely say I have a love/hate relationship with this – on one hand there’s a lot of parts I do like a fair bit, on the other hand there’s a lot of parts I could do without entirely, though I think the former does outweigh the latter overall. In the end I’m going with what feels like a kind of safe score but ehh it’ll do.

7.5/10



twosuitsluke: Megosh – Checkerboards & Cigarettes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlrlX_boXpc)

First Impressions:
Having a kind of clunky transition so close to the start of the song isn’t filling me with confidence on this one. The vocals are… hmm. Something, alright. Yeah that intro is just completely disconnected from the rest of this isn’t. I think the instrumentation throughout is pretty solid, I particularly like that guitar solo. And the vocals are certainly enthusiastic if nothing else. I guess I’m just not into the vocalist’s tone, more than anything, I don’t know. And it’s over. This is the shortest song here by over two minutes so I guess I was caught off guard by how quickly it ended haha.

Final Thoughts:
What the heck is up with post-hardcore leaning bands like this to have these intros completely disconnected from the rest of the song? It’s just a weird choice. Instead of developing that idea into its own song it’s just awkwardly shoved at the start of another song that would be perfectly fine without it. It’s like, an okay musical idea, not in love with it but ehh it’s passable.

The main song is better though, for certain. The chorus in particular, I like a lot, even if I’m still not sold on the vocalist. A bit too breathy for my taste. But there’s a lot of power and swell to that chorus, there’s like quiet horns and choir vocals in the background I swear. And the muted guitar and frantic drums give a nice energy to the verses.

Beyond the verses and choruses there’s not a whole lot else to this song except a pretty solid guitar solo played over the instrumentals of the chorus, and then a kind of anticlimactic quiet reprise of the chorus that’s not really a great way to end the track. Yeah it’s a bit short and ends a bit abrupt doesn’t it. Also I have no clue why hotel california is being evoked here.

Basically on the whole I am kind of behind this one, but also not like, super behind it in any way. I like most of it but only feel really strongly about the chorus, and the weird intro detracts a bit for how out of place it is. And it just feels underdeveloped in general. I like it but I wish I liked it more.

7.5/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 7 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 01, 2017, 10:29:25 PM
Bolsters: Aquillus – Arboreal Sleep (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa9LiCpVPjg)

First Impressions:
It’s not pop, whoa. Everything I know is a lie. Right off the bat I am liking how this is starting though. I mean yeah. I’m a few minutes into this and it’s just. Very solid stuff. Good riffs, good clean moments, production is a bit washed out but it doesn’t really harm the song in any way. Though the piano break is going on a lot longer than I’d expect for how early in the song it is. I get the distinct impression this is one of those songs-forming-a-suite kind of album and it feels a lot better in the context of the album. The end result is that the track itself feels a bit all over the place but taking all the parts separately all of it sounds pretty dang good. It just… feels more like a “movement” than a cohesive song. And very little of it has anything to do with metal, relatively, but that’s not necessarily a problem.

Final Thoughts:
On one hand this is a kind of song I really should like, but at the same time… it hardly feels constructed as a “song”. It’s more like a stream of ideas that I’d bet good money on being part of a suite or an album where every song flows in to each other and is meant to be listened to like one big song. I still have no clue whether or not that’s the case though and I’m not going to have it affect my rankings.

Anyways, the early metal parts of this are obviously something I dig. Big and epic, lots of power and atmosphere, the guitar tone is pretty great and the vocal tradeoffs between the harsh and clean vocals is all cool stuff. And I do appreciate that there’s a winding down to the long piano break in the form of a short acoustic guitar section.

On the subject of piano breaks like this, I feel that for me personally they are very hit or miss with a lot more falling into the latter pile. It definitely helps here that the piano has a lot of texture and has some strings backing it up for decent swell. On the hit-miss scale I’d say it’s leaning a bit more towards a hit though I can’t say I’m huge on it either. I don’t mind it at the very least. I’ve heard worse breaks by bands I really like (both Precambrian by The Ocean and Winter by Oceans of Slumber end on very mediocre/pointless piano pieces I have no love for) so.

I can’t really say I find the metal stuff here like, particularly unique in any way but it’s serviceable and I get enough enjoyment out of it that I don’t mind it being a little generic. The ending bit is something that at first I felt was a bit anticlimactic but on relistens, no, it’s quite beautiful and has a fair bit of power behind it despite lacking the metal elements of the song entirely. So yeah, no complaints on that front.

At the end of the day though the biggest weakness of this track is that it barely feels like a song at all and it’s really hard to get into it when there are such abrupt shifts between the four main parts the song has to offer. I think every part is pretty solid individually but the whole feels to be a bit less than the sum of its parts, and I’m not wowed by any part of this in particular anyways. So yeah, it’s an interesting enough piece, might check out the album, but I wish I was into it more than I am.

7.5/10



Nekov: Ilúvatar – In the Eye (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L1dZQH3Hfg)

First Impressions:
What the hell, another prog rock song from 1993. Well then. This one has better sound quality in general than the other similar song in this round so that’s at least a good start. I am really digging the bouncy groove of the verses here, it’s the rare instance where I can get into something that just sounds really fun all around. The percussion in the middle section is suuuper 80’s sounding but it complements the rest of the instrumentation well. I genuinely don’t know what it is about this song, this should bore me or I should find it generic or something but everything just works well enough that I can’t help but enjoy it. And like, that’s not a bad thing at all of course. Ends rather abruptly though, geez.

Final Thoughts:
I am actually not too into the start of this, it’s a really sparkly and squeaky clean bright sound that, while it sounds pleasant enough, doesn’t really resonate with me in any way. Also it feels a bit overlong that it sticks to this one sound. But anyways once the triplet groove kicks in I’m on board for pretty much the rest of the song so you know whatever.

Believe it or not I do like fun music every once in a while, though I wouldn’t say any of my all-time favorite songs are particularly fun. The vocals are more tolerable here than the very 80’s sounding vocalists on other songs this round, I can’t say I particularly love them but they certainly help add to the fun groove and sound pretty smooth while doing so.

The middle bit has a darker and more laid-back vibe to it that contrasts nicely with the more fun first half of the song but there’s still a nice amount of subtleties going on in the background and it all comes together pretty well. It’s pretty straightforward on the surface but all the little guitar and synth things going on keeps it interesting.

I do feel the last leg of the song lose me a bit though, it’s far from bad but it doesn’t really have the fun groove or the interesting subtleties of the middle of the song. It’s kind of fun sure, and it’s a solid climax for the song, though the abrupt ending makes it a bit less so of one. I dunno. It just doesn’t appeal to me as much.

On the whole though while there are parts here I’m not too hot on, there’s definitely more I quite like than stuff I’m meh on and while the song could serve to be a bit shorter I still enjoy it a fair bit. Especially the triplet groove part of the track, that’s some really good stuff, if this had been just that part it’d probably have scored way higher, It still trumps the other 1993 prog rock song I was sent this round by a decent margin, nonetheless, so.

7.75/10



Luoto: Nerve End – Thrive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GF9AwXRoSo)

First Impressions:
The last song I listened to named Thrive was off that The Contortionist album & I got sent that song in a roulette. I don’t imagine this song is going to be that similar but it sure starts with a somewhat similar vibe, very melodic but also heavy at the same time. The vocals lack presence, I feel, mixed maybe a bit low. Everything being harmonies might not be helping that feeling either, I guess. This sort of hammers on a kind of samey vibe for a while and feels a bit formless as a result. I don’t really know what I can say about this, all the elements that make this up are pretty nice and it has a cohesive enough sound. But maybe too cohesive? It’s nothing I haven’t heard before anyways so that’s not doing it any favors. Maybe a bit heavier on the intense side than similar stuff at least so it has that going for it.

Final Thoughts:
This is definitely one of those cases where I like the general sound of the song a fair bit, an intense and heavy but simultaneously rather ambient and bright sound. But picking out individual parts of this that really stand out is kind of tough. Uhh. The vocalist actually sounds kind of Devin Townsend-y, at least during the harsher side of his vocals. I dig that sound a lot, but he’s also a bit too buried in the mix.

That verse riff is also kind of catchy in its own way. It’s a tight and kind of bouncy groove, despite only being like two notes. And the recurring melody that shows up throughout the song is a nice and pleasant melody. Those are the musical ideas that stick out the most mostly because they’re the ones that show up in the song the most.

I honestly don’t have much else to say about this one. I just vaguely enjoy it in a non-specific way. The vocals work for me, the dense vibe works for me, it’s dynamic enough to not feel too monotonous though it can definitely feel a bit samey. It’s kind of djenty at times too? Not really in a bad way, and not overly so, it’s more an element than the main body.

I dunno what to say man this is a really bad writeup but I like the song so whatever yo. Maybe I’ll relisten to this one and have a better writeup ready after that but I doubt I’ll have the time to do that before posting these results.

I am actually doing a relisten now and I feel like, almost entirely on the basis of the style and the vocals, this is my second favorite track of the round, though not by a ton – it’s just about the only song here that’s consistently enjoyable the whole way through. It’s basically Devin Townsend Djent. That’s how I’d describe this. Now I’m curious as to what a djent album made by Devin would actually sound like, but I also don’t actually want that it’d be bad. But yeah, the intensity of this one is just something I can really throw myself into, even if there’s nothing that particularly stands out, and I definitely want to check these guys out further (though they apparently only have two short EPs as of now, oh well.)

8/10



home: Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister – Jupiter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-kiFfHkwkg)

First Impressions:
I’m so sorry I can only ever think of that Train song when I see “Jupiter” in a musical context. Darn you, Pat Monahan and your wailing dying cat voice. The thumping percussion and atmospheric electronics play off each other pretty well, always a combination that seems to work. The robot vocals are maybe a bit… I dunno, I think they work here but I think it’d work better without all the effects. And suddenly speaker-destroying bass, WELP. I am not so much a fan of that, yeah. This is… interesting on the whole, not really what I was expecting but I didn’t really have many expectations anyways.

Final Thoughts:
I’m actually writing this one first just to get it off my chest because this is a round where the victor is so blindingly decisive and this one song has just overshadowed everything else here so thoroughly. So uhh yeah, it’s good.

The vocal melody during the early verses of the song is something I find really enchanting and endlessly memorable. It’s both kind of sinister and really beautiful sounding, and the vocalist delivering it (I have no clue which of the people here it is) has a voice that complements it really well. It’s a melody and delivery that captures “space” really well. And the music backing it helps a lot too – the atmospheric synths providing both a solid grounding and some more melodic runs for texture. The booming percussion cuts through the mood and gives the song a driving feel as well.

The song does have other parts to it sure, there’s a quieter and more atmospheric bridge in the middle that breaks up the song quite nicely, it’s not as memorable but it does its job well and sets the stage for the back half of the song.

Oh also yeah the robot vocals are… I dunno if this would work better without them but I almost don’t care because, again, that melody is fantastic. And the effects of the vocals make it sound even more otherworldly. It’s a really intense quiet moment. That the really loud bit kind of breaks. I will admit, I am still not a fan of that part much, but it’s really brief and kicks the song back into motion so it’s not a huge detractor. The higher-pitched reprise of the previous melody is cool too though I don’t think it works quite as well the second time around.

It’s sort of hard to keep up with all the miniscule changes and details that go into this song – right after that you get this really bleepy bit that goes right into an orchestral finale that’s a pretty solid climax. But yeah there’s a lot of really small details going on throughout and it adds up to pretty solid instrumentation, though without the vocals I doubt I’d find this as compelling as I do.

Anyways overall this song utterly destroyed everything else this round in my mind and for that alone it deserves a pretty high score, definitely will need to check out this project for myself.

8.75/10



Current Standings:
Nekov – 62.25
Luoto – 62
twosuitsluke – 61.75
home – 60.75
Bolsters – 59.75
Tomislav95 – 59.5
Evermind – 59.25
LordCost – 58.5
Train of Naught – 57.5
Stadler – 54.5

home takes a step towards closing the gap between himself and the top three, while Bolsters falls just short of reaching the cool kids’ 60 point club. The top three also remains really competitive with only a half point spread between the three. Exciting last few rounds, I bet. And sorry for being so slow on results this time, kind of low energy at the moment, I’ll try to be faster next time.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 01, 2017, 10:36:28 PM
Round 7 Secondary Judge Results – Judge Luoto

1. Hypno5e - Acid Mist Tomorrow

5 points

2. Enchant - Nighttime Sky

3 points

3. Jorn Lande & Trond Holter - Queen of the Dead

2 points


4. Aquillus - Arboreal Sleep
5. Nerve End - Thrive (Judge's Song
6. Ilúvatar - In the Eye
7. Megosh - Checkerboards & Cigarettes
8. Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister - Jupiter
9. With Our Arms to the Sun - Memory: The Drift
10. Mother Love Bone - Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns

Parama’s notes:
Surprised at how much me and Luoto’s tastes didn’t line up here considering how consistent his submissions have been throughout the roulette, but, tastes are just weird I guess. Not much else to say here.

Current Secondary Judge Standings:
Tomislav95 – 15
Train of Naught - 15
Evermind - 13
Luoto - 7
Bolsters - 7
twosuitsluke - 6
home - 5
Nekov - 2
LordCost - 0
Stadler – 0

Yes, the top three people on the leaderboards all got the secondary judge points this round. Sorry to everyone else  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 01, 2017, 11:54:45 PM
I didn't see there was a new page with the secondary judges points. I'm doing so bad in secondary judge scores that I forgot to read them.
I expected a score around 7.5, I think it's right. The album cover of Orenda it's maybe the best of the year, musically is great but nothing extraordinary
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Train of Naught on August 02, 2017, 01:25:07 AM
 :lol
I was actually secretly confident that I finally had something 8+ worthy here, but fair assessment. You'd probably like the song Central Shore: Tio a lot, it's one of the few slow songs in their discography, not counting Gehenne pt. 1 which is part of a three-parter with heavier sections. Overall, I think the soft/heavy contrast is about the same in their music as on this song, but if you don't like the harsh vocals it probably isn't worth it.

Gonna have to check out Sufjan Stevens I guess :tup oh and also:

LOL thanks for the points 2nd judge :corn
If I end up in last place but still manage to grab a final spot due to secondary judge points, does that prove that you have terrible taste? :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on August 02, 2017, 02:56:03 AM
I did have a hard time choosing a song from that Aquilus album, I am pretty sure you will like it at least somewhat, so give it a listen and tell me how poor a choice I made by choosing Arboreal Sleep and how much better my score could have been.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 02, 2017, 02:56:42 AM
Yea, I didn't know you hate that type of vocals (I love them). Everything you said about production is true but that's the charm of the song for me :P

LOL thanks for the points 2nd judge :corn
If I end up in last place but still manage to grab a final spot due to secondary judge points, does that prove that you have terrible taste? :corn
Yes.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 02, 2017, 04:16:42 AM
I'm happy enough with my score, even though I've now dropped to third place  :tdwn

I actually read a review of that Planetarium album and added it to my list to check out (also saw that home has been pimping it a bit). Guess I better get on it soon  :corn

Once again, no idea what to send next, let's hope inspiration strikes.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on August 02, 2017, 04:33:05 AM
Well, secondary judges still don't like me  :P. I'm glad you enjoyed the song, it's a very unknown band which put out some nice albums. I'll send later today
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on August 02, 2017, 11:41:11 AM
Thank you secondary judge!

Another attempt at 6/10 is coming Parama's way.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on August 02, 2017, 11:50:22 AM
Sent a short song
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 02, 2017, 12:03:27 PM
For the next round I can choose between slow post-rock/alternative rock, mathcore, derivative prog, innovative but rather boring prog, nu-metal, post-hardcore, weird bands that blends too many genres and a band too close to Meshuggah. 6/10 or worse is coming in any case
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 02, 2017, 12:11:42 PM
some of those sound better than 6/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on August 02, 2017, 02:23:11 PM
NONE of you should be complaining about your scores. 
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 02, 2017, 02:51:38 PM
Sent some tasty blackish metal :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 02, 2017, 03:00:20 PM
dark grey metal
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 03, 2017, 01:54:22 PM
Guess I should try and find something to send tonight  :justjen

Think it is clearly time to take a risk. "He who dares, wins"
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: home on August 03, 2017, 02:13:14 PM
Yeeah! I'm pleasantly surprised! I mostly agree with your write-up except that I really love the use of electronic vocals in this song. That one line is very memorable indeed :azn:


I already decided on a band, still need to decide on a song (I'll probably just go with the longer one). I do sort of hope I do not make it to the EP round though, as by then I think I'll be out of songs to send  :lol




I played my song to home in the plug.dj and he guaranteed me a 7.5/10...
I was right  ;D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 03, 2017, 06:28:31 PM
Just sent what is easily my biggest risk yet.

I sent some sweet London based, dub/hip-hop/metal with some accompanying strings  :hefdaddy

These guys can't really be categorised and you really are either going to love or loathe this (probably the latter). I was going to play it safe but if I fail hard with this then I will play it safe from here on out.

See you on the other side...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on August 05, 2017, 07:41:13 AM
Nerve End have been working on their first full-length for a while now, life just gets in the way of these small bands.

Sent the longest song this band has ever recorded for R8.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 05, 2017, 12:38:58 PM
Round 8 First Impressions

This actually is starting out really cool though, some great atmosphere going on and tension building quite well. Like I genuinely would listen to a song that’s just nothing but that kind of sound, honestly.

I dig this a lot more than the meat of the song honestly, even when it starts getting proggy again there’s still a sense of flow.

The vocals are nice and smooth, the singer has a tone I just really enjoy in general and has pretty solid melodies to work with.

There’s at least, moments here where this kind of hits on something enjoyable and it’s not unpleasant in general at the very least.

It gets better in the rest of the song though, there’s some cool bass work going on I dig a fair bit.

When the song starts up for real though it’s got some cool and dark atmosphere to it that I do dig a lot more. Though I’ll only be truly satisfied if it builds to something.

The ending is pretty grand and intense, there’s a lot more going on there between the driving rhythm, the vocals, and the guitar leads.

Yeah congrats on sending me a song I quite enjoyed in a genre I’d basically written off a while back, I guess.

Right off the bat I am digging the somber atmosphere, and the vocals here definitely have a tone to them I can appreciate.

I am actually digging the riff behind when the vocals come in a lot though, it’s sludgy but also kind of triumphant in tone.

Pretty diverse round and there's a few songs here I quite liked on first listen so we'll see if this can be the best round yet  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 05, 2017, 12:51:45 PM
Round 8 Hangman!!!

______ - ____.____.________.__.
____ _____ - _______ __ ____
______ ________ - _____ ______
_______ - _____
_______ - ____ __ _______
_____ ____ - ____ _____
_____________ - ____
____ ________ & _____ ______’_ ________ - ________
______ _______ - ___ ___
_______ - _____ __ _______
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 05, 2017, 12:53:54 PM
R
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 05, 2017, 12:57:02 PM
______ - ____.____.________.__.
____ _r___ - _______ __ ____
______ _____r__ - _____ ______
_____r_ - R____
_______ - _r__ __ _______
__r__ ____ - ____ _____
____________r - ____
___r ___r____ & ____r ______’_ ________ - ________
______ _r____r - ___ ___
R______ - _____ __ _______

Letters Guessed:
R

Luoto waits 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 05, 2017, 03:18:04 PM
(https://s2.postimg.org/v0da140eh/the_d.png)

???: ______ - ____.____.________.__.
???: ____ _r___ - _______ __ ____
???: ______ _____r__ - _____ ______
???: _____r_ - R____
???: _______ - _r__ __ ______d
???: __r__ ____ - ____ ___d_
???: __d_________r - ____
???: ___r ___r____ & ____r ______’_ ________ - ________
???: ___d__ _r____r - ___ ___
???: R______ - _____ __ _______

Letters Guessed:
DR

Sacul waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 05, 2017, 03:53:01 PM
Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 05, 2017, 05:08:28 PM
Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
By a train?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 06, 2017, 03:55:33 AM
B
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 06, 2017, 06:56:09 AM
Give me an A
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 7 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 06, 2017, 07:13:26 AM
Round 8 First Impressions

This actually is starting out really cool though, some great atmosphere going on and tension building quite well. Like I genuinely would listen to a song that’s just nothing but that kind of sound, honestly.

There’s at least, moments here where this kind of hits on something enjoyable and it’s not unpleasant in general at the very least.

It gets better in the rest of the song though, there’s some cool bass work going on I dig a fair bit.

Yeah congrats on sending me a song I quite enjoyed in a genre I’d basically written off a while back, I guess.

It could be one of the best or one of the worst. I remember that my song was a grower for me, if it's one of the two positive first impression above I could get a great score in the end
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 06, 2017, 12:13:27 PM
???: _a____ - ____.____.________.__.
???: ____ _ra__ - _______ __ _a__
???: ______ _a___r__ - _____ _a_a__
???: _____r_ - R____
???: _a___a_ - Ar__ __ ____a_d
???: __r_a __a_ - ____ ___d_
???: __d_________r - ____
Train of Naught: Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
???: ___d__ _ra__ar - ___ ___
???: Ra__b__ - _a___ __ Bab____

Letters Guessed:
ABDR

LordCost waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Sacul waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on August 06, 2017, 12:48:05 PM
Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
By a train?
Two can play that game

Caspian - Arcs of Command (home)

Give me a C please

EDIT: also if the b is misplaced the bottom one could be that Babylon song by Rainbow. Forgot the name but Evermind sent me that as well so could be him

EDIT2: i think the name is Gates of Babylon
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 06, 2017, 02:35:12 PM
???: _a____ - ____.____.________.__.
???: ____ _ra__ - _______ __ _a__
???: ______ _a___r__ - _____ _a_ac_
???: _____r_ - R____
home: Caspian - Arcs of Command
???: __r_a __a_ - ____ ___d_
???: __d_____c___r - ____
Train of Naught: Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
???: ___d__ _ra__ar - ___ ___
???: Rainbow - Gates of Babylon

Letters Guessed:
ABCDR

Train waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 06, 2017, 03:08:58 PM
S
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 06, 2017, 03:58:00 PM
???: _a___s - ____.____.________.__.
???: ____ _ra__ - S______ __ _a__
???: ______ _a___r__ - _____ _a_ac_
???: S_s__r_ - R____
home: Caspian - Arcs of Command
???: __r_a __a_ - ____ ___ds
???: __d_____c___r - ____
Train of Naught: Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
???: ___d__ _ra__ar - ___ ___
???: Rainbow - Gates of Babylon

Letters Guessed:
ABCDRS

Luoto waits 3
Train waits 2
LordCost waits 1

i'm also checking out 2017 albums in prep for my next album purchase in probably like a week or so, i've arbitrarily decided i'm so far behind on 2017 stuff that i just need to get a ton of it so any band in the roulette that's scored like a 7.5-7.75 or higher i'm interested in at least checking out, so far i have:
Need
Crippled Black Phoenix (ok this was late 2016 but screw it I loved this song)
Eidola
Junius
Sufjan Squad

let me know if any of the other bands have released stuff at all, I can't be bothered to dig much
i'll prob also listen to Artificial Language again just bcuz it was already in my youtube playlists of stuff to listen to but I'm not expecting much there :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 06, 2017, 04:29:39 PM
let me know if any of the other bands have released stuff at all, I can't be bothered to dig much

Sleep Party People released a stellar album this year :azn:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 06, 2017, 04:57:25 PM
Adrift for Days album (can't remember exactly what score you gave me) is free on their bandcamp, check it  :metal

Oh and the Set and Setting song was from a 2017 album, but I don't think you'll like it as much as Adrift for Days
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 06, 2017, 06:22:22 PM
Suspyre
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on August 07, 2017, 11:27:26 AM
Give me an E
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 07, 2017, 07:28:43 PM
???: _a___s - _ee_.___e.________.__.
???: ____ _ra__ - S__e__e __ _a_e
???: ______ _a__er__ - ____e _a_ace
???: Suspyre - Re___
home: Caspian - Arcs of Command
???: __r_a _ea_ - ___e ___ds
???: __d_e___c__er - _e__
Train of Naught: Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
???: ___d__ _ra__ar - _e_ ___
???: Rainbow - Gates of Babylon

Letters Guessed:
ABCDERS

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Train waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 08, 2017, 12:39:00 AM
P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 08, 2017, 12:47:42 AM
???: _a___s - _ee_.___e.________.__.
???: ____ Pra__ - S__e__e __ _a_e
???: ______ _a__er__ - ____e Pa_ace
???: Suspyre - Re___
home: Caspian - Arcs of Command
???: __r_a _ea_ - ___e ___ds
???: __d_e___c__er - _e__
Train of Naught: Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
???: ___d__ _ra__ar - _e_ ___
???: Rainbow - Gates of Babylon

Letters Guessed:
ABCDEPRS

Bolsters waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 08, 2017, 12:58:34 AM
Second song title is Someone To Have/Make/Take?
Third song title is a Palace
Is there a band called Norma Jean?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 08, 2017, 01:03:14 AM
close, yes, yes
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 08, 2017, 01:07:10 AM
Faunts - feel.love.thinking.of
Suspyre - Reign?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 08, 2017, 03:54:43 AM
close
Hate?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 08, 2017, 09:40:04 AM
???: Faunts - Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.
???: ____ Pra__ - Someone to Hate
???: ______ _a__er__ - ____e Palace
???: Suspyre - Reign
home: Caspian - Arcs of Command
???: Norma Jean - ___e ___ds
???: __d_e___c__er - _e__
Train of Naught: Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
???: ___d__ _ra__ar - _e_ ___
???: Rainbow - Gates of Babylon

Letters Guessed:
ABCDEPRS

Bolsters waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 08, 2017, 01:05:08 PM
T

I'm starting to think I've made a terrible mistake with my submission. It's got 4/10 written all over it! Goodbye top 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 08, 2017, 01:18:01 PM
nah the highest score this round is gonna be like 6/10 so you're fine
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on August 08, 2017, 01:47:43 PM
Ok then now it's certain, Luke sent Norma Jean :biggrin: song name is Hive Minds

This'll probably blow up in my face as my song is gonna rank below the metalcore song eh

F me up please
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 08, 2017, 02:13:50 PM
Rainbow sent by Stadler?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 09, 2017, 09:58:04 PM
???: Faunts - Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.
???: ____ Pra__ - Someone to Hate
???: ______ _a__er__ - ____e Palace
???: Suspyre - Reign
home: Caspian - Arcs of Command
???: Norma Jean - Hive Minds
???: __d_e___c__er - _e__
Train of Naught: Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá - Skuggsjá
???: ___d__ _ra__ar - _e_ ___
Stadler: Rainbow - Gates of Babylon

Letters Guessed:
ABCDEFPRS

Train waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Nekov waits 1

all the Fs are already filled in, grats.
just about to start writeups so i might have everything done tomorrow night? Friday night for sure if not

edit: wanted to get the lowest-scoring song out of the way first, settled on 4.75/10 for it  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 10, 2017, 03:34:19 AM
M

Also, __d_e___c__er is probably Tomislav :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on August 10, 2017, 05:48:00 AM
all the Fs are already filled in, grats.
just about to start writeups so i might have everything done tomorrow night? Friday night for sure if not

Whatever works for you  :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 10, 2017, 11:22:29 AM
edit: wanted to get the lowest-scoring song out of the way first, settled on 4.75/10 for it  :corn
I'm prepared. :hat
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 10, 2017, 11:45:13 PM
Round 8 Results

twosuitsluke: King Prawn – Someone to Hate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1JaBHkat7Q)

First Impressions:
I’ve been given the impression that the “someone to hate” here is going to be Luke for sending this, so let’s see. And yeah I am positive I’d said this many times before but hip-hop is not my thing, at all. In general it puts emphasis on the lyrics over the music, which is just the polar opposite of my musical taste. Though there’s at least okay music here. Also wow the quality of the vid you sent me is so bad, I’m gonna find a better one if I can. There’s at least, moments here where this kind of hits on something enjoyable and it’s not unpleasant in general at the very least. But in general this is just not for me, and I know you know that, but whatever.

Final Thoughts:
Dude, I have no clue what you were thinking with this one. There was no way this was ever going to get any decent points from me, solely on style alone. I specifically warned against this too in my tastes post that I’m pretty sure nobody has read anyways. And it does primarily come down to the vocals. I just don’t like the tone on the verses. It’s slightly melodic but it feels like he’s just loudly yelling words most of the time.

Other than the vocals though I mean, musically this is pretty okay? Every time the intro tricked me into thinking I was going to be listening to a decent song. The guitar melodies are kind of sinister, the bass groove is decent, the strings that come in provide a bit of texture. But it’s not really enough to hold my interest in general, especially with the vocals on top of it. And it does get kind of repetitive too.

Obviously I think the chorus of this is pretty fine. It’s heavier and more intense. Maybe a bit lacking in qualities besides that, the drums are kind of cool I guess but it’s basically just, heavy guitars. It’s really only notable for being the only metal aspect of the song, and it’s so brief every time that it hardly matters.

But yeah overall this is too basic and too far removed from anything I’d really want to listen to. Do I hate it? Nah. I think this will end up scoring higher than I originally expected to give this, but not by a lot. But it’s still easily my least favorite of the round and one of my least favorite tracks of the roulette for sure.

4.75/10



Nekov: Faunts – Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruUSHd4Tdx0)

First Impressions:
You’re right, this is totally out of my comfort zone and I hate it, 0/10. But no in all seriousness I don’t like that synth tone, it’s super 80’s sounding in that it sounds really cheap and cheesy. I do like the vocals though. The vocals are nice and smooth, the singer has a tone I just really enjoy in general and has pretty solid melodies to work with. So it’s kind of a bit of a shame that musically the rest is just not doing anything at all for me. Like it’s vaguely pleasant but eehhh. I don’t have much else to say, I am not feeling this in general on first listen.

Final Thoughts:
I will give this song this much, it’s at least kind of catchy? The chorus sticks with me at least a little bit. And that main synth line is memorable as well. Though I honestly wish it weren’t, because I really don’t care for that synth tone at all. I don’t know why bands go through the effort of recreating the worst aspects of the 80’s sometimes.

Musically this is also really repetitive – that synth line is only so memorable because it gets repeated a heck of a lot throughout the song, and the drums are pretty rigid and unchanging too, they do shift up for the chorus but that’s about it. Maybe there’s subtle differences but not enough for me to bother trying to point them all out. The chorus does have some nice swell going on behind in, it’s just in general the part of the song I can kind of get into, the first time at least.

The song does kind of… die at the end, stripping back in a way that doesn’t really flatter the better elements of the song and leaves only the blocky percussion and a quiet synth to close the track out. And the second chorus doesn’t have any power behind it either, the song peaks early and just kind of dies from there instead of reaching a satisfying climax.

Again, I do like the vocals the whole way through, they feel decisively like an anachronism in the song but to my modern-favoring ears they sound great and I’m thankful they sound the way they do instead of like some 80’s new wave act. The song is also brief enough that I don’t really have time to get annoyed by anything or feel bored, but I do kind of lose interest entirely after the two minute mark.

So yeah as a whole… this is another weird entry to be sent at all, considering my tastes in general. I’ll again say it’s not awful but it’s a very meh track that has a few moments that catch my interest but little else beside that I can really care about.

5.5/10



Bolsters: London Grammar – Hey Now (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMEHJPuggHQ)

First Impressions:
Hey, this song that Shadow Ninja put on his EP once & that’s like the only thing I know about it. Right off the bat I am digging the somber atmosphere, and the vocals here definitely have a tone to them I can appreciate. I’m not sure whether or not I like the quiet guitar picking going on throughout this though. On one hand it’s kind of nice sounding, on the other hand it feels like it breaks the atmosphere a little. It also kind of fails to come to any satisfying climax, making it feel like it would’ve actually been better off if it had stayed more minimal and atmospheric.

Final Thoughts:
I think this is one of those cases where I wish I liked this more than I do. I can absolutely see why you’d send this considering more atmospheric, downtempo pop tends to be my preference in the genre. I guess what this lacks though is anything notably memorable. The only part of this I remember much at all is the opening synth melody that repeats throughout the song.

I think what lets this down is how inconsistent the vocal melodies are. During the verses half the time there’s just blank space. And come the chorus, well, she’s certainly belting well but there’s nothing approaching a memorable melody. And again it’s kind of sparse. Performance-wise I do think she is a pretty good singer, maybe a bit too husky of a tone for me at points but in general she sounds good. I just feel like, she isn’t given great melodies or lyrics to work with.

And most of the instrumentation stays in the background throughout, doesn’t really develop in any meaningful way aside from the drums coming in to give the end of the song a bit of swell. There’s too much going on to hit really good minimalist vibes but not enough going on for the song to ever feel lush enough, compelling enough in any real way. The end result is something that sounds nice but I am just not into at all, unfortunately.

I think the biggest problem for me personally is that I just don’t emotionally connect to this, at all. Obviously I am supposed to, but… no, it feels like a very cold and emotionless song to me. One that sounds nice, but one that does nothing for me otherwise and thus one that I can’t get very into. Maybe it’s personal failing but more likely it’s just that the song is a bit shapeless and meandering in general and fails to do what it intends to do. But I mean, you tried.

6/10



Tomislav95: Todtgelichter – Neon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbbkj5LWLAo)

First Impressions:
I was promised black metal. So this better deliver. Okay right off the bat I am really digging the use of the female vocals here. It’s just a fit that works. Musically though it’s a bit bare so far. Solid atmosphere but nothing else is really happening. I guess, the drumming is pretty impressive? Not really very black metal-y though, which I mean is fine just a comment. It does change up eventually at least. The ending is pretty grand and intense, there’s a lot more going on there between the driving rhythm, the vocals, and the guitar leads. Just a shame it took a while for the song to really get going somewhere.

Final Thoughts:
The female vocals are pretty much the selling point of this song and, yeah, I think they do a good job of selling the song for me. Her voice has some solid presence, and when it gets going with the harmonies it’s pretty intense stuff. And the harsh vocals sound pretty fine too. Not huge on them but not bothered by them either.

The bigger issue here is that musically a lot of this is very shapeless. The first half of the song or so feels like just one guitar line repeated over and over, with the drums not doing much to help vary things up, and the bass is barely there at all. Sure, it sounds nice and dense, but being overwhelmingly dense for so long without having much to show for it gets boring, even with the vocals being enjoyable as they are.

I do kind of dig that two-note chord progression that anchors the first half though, especially when it comes to the forefront. But that’s just the thing, even that gets old quick because it’s literally just two notes. There’s other stuff going on besides but that’s the anchoring element of the song and it just lacks substance outright.

Things do change up eventually, the atmosphere strips back some to give way to some more melodic guitar work before the intense, heavier climax kicks in. And for the song it’s certainly a satisfying climax, I think the drums do the most work to really sell it though, switching up to keep the mood feeling propulsive and frantic. It still has a tendency to feel a bit repetitive and they try to fill the gap with some more melodic guitar work, but it too does wear thin by the end of the song.

I dunno, I think my biggest problem here is that while it has elements that work, it stretches them far too thin and doesn’t do enough in the meantime to keep itself interesting. This isn’t my least favorite song of the round by any means but it’s one of the more boring songs, if I’m being honest. I don’t feel like I will get anything out of relistening to this one. The black metal almost feels like a gimmick with how uninterestingly written it is here.

Man, I’m coming down harder on this that I originally expected to. I think it’s because this makes better background noise than anything. Didn’t really mind it when I was doing casual listens but doing a critical analysis of it and whew I am underwhelmed. There’s basically only one element here that stands out and it’s not enough to save the song as a whole for me, I feel.

6.5/10



Stadler: Rainbow – Gates of Babylon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlo9DoVGAtA)

First Impressions:
So I know like, two Rainbow songs and one of them only because of a dream theater cover I haven’t actually listened to in years but whatever I got the special edition of black clouds on release & I listened to it so yeah. Anyways this is the second song in a row with kind of cheap-sounding bleepy 80’s synths I don’t care much for. Except this predates the 80’s so whatever. 70’s synths aren’t any better. The bass in the song is also… really basic in the verses with only the occasional flourish but the THUMP THUMP THUMP makes the song feel a bit overly simplistic. It gets better in the rest of the song though, there’s some cool bass work going on I dig a fair bit. The guitar seems to be sticking to a middle eastern-esque scale, or at least that’s what I hear in it… not my favorite kind of scale to be fair but it doesn’t sound awful either. It sets a tone, for sure. Oh and, Dio is a good singer sure yeah not hugely my style but he’s technically very sound and emotive so whatever. Not feeling this one much first listen either but we’ll see.

Final Thoughts:
Rounding out the trinity of stuff that’s just “not for me” this round is some heavy metal thingy. I thought when listening to this the first time that it’d probably be right up Evermind’s alley and apparently he’s sent it in a roulette before so, yeah, nailed that one.

The intro they try and pull in this song is just something that I think was legitimately beyond the ability of the technology at the time. If the synths had more depth and presence, and more ability to create an ominous atmosphere, I think that could really work well. I mean, of course, I’d also like a better tone, regardless of judging things for their time I still think it doesn’t sound great.

I will say that I totally respect Dio as a singer. He has a lot of power in his voice and a tone that sounds pretty great too. I feel like he is enjoying what he is doing and putting his all into it. Yeah sure the style isn’t exactly my favorite but he sells it here, not really going to complain about anything on that front.

I will totally complain about the one guitar line that feels a fair bit overused throughout the song, being the primary instrumental focus throughout the verses as well as backing the first guitar solo. And the bass is actually a bit loud in the mix, for once. I think the thumping it’s doing would be fine if it wasn’t overtaking the rest of the mix ever so slightly, but in general it sounds okay, and there are some bass moments I’m glad to be able to hear clearly.

I think my favorite part of this is the bit in the middle of the instrumental break where things slow down and get dramatic, all the instruments are working together to create a powerful moment in the midst of the showmanship surrounding it. That may point to the root of why this doesn’t quite work for me in general – the guitar lines drive a frantic pace throughout the song that generally just isn’t my thing. I can dig fast-paced music but I tend to find that my preferences in rock music lean towards the slower and more bombastic a lot of the time.

There’s a lot of this song where I feel I can certainly appreciate what it’s doing, but there isn’t a lot to this that really sticks out or does a ton for me. And it does have a bit of a dated feel to it that I can’t really get past either. At the very least though I prefer this over the Dio song I was sent in my last roulette, it has a fair amount of substance to it and definitely has its moments, unlike that one where I kind of got bored of it by the time I did my writeup. So yeah. It’s pretty fine.

6.75/10



home: Caspian – Arcs of Command (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2trL6X-tu4)

First Impressions:
To be honest whenever someone says they’re sending me post-rock I always assume the worst because post-rock is such a dead and drearily uninspired genre these days. The way this starts out though is definitely a lot different from what I expected. Like the actual start itself is not that good but the song builds off it very nicely and steadily to reach a pretty solid and still somewhat energetic peak. This reaches borderline metal levels of heaviness as it goes on too while still having a generally pleasant sound to it. And the ending is just completely unhinged haha, the drums are just freaking out and it’s just a huge wall of sound. Yeah congrats on sending me a song I quite enjoyed in a genre I’d basically written off a while back, I guess.

Final Thoughts:
If there’s one thing I would nitpick here, it’s that the synth intro actually doesn’t do much for me. The synth has this really stiff and percussive sound to it that makes it lack any sense of atmosphere and it’s repeating the same five notes over and over and gets tiresome pretty quickly. I understand they want to use it to launch this 5/8 groove but they could’ve done that with a better synth sound or a less repetitive melody or something, anything.

That’s like, the most major complaint I have towards this entire song though and the synth line kind of gets blurred into the background once the rest of the instruments start coming in so it’s not a huge deal really. And the build this song has to it is pretty cool in general, building up slowly but surely, adding more distortion to its guitars, drums cranking up the intensity.

The song kicks into the heavier stuff about halfway through, kicking off with a fairly memorable riff that’s one of the few individual moments here I can remember aside from that synth line. That is one thing, that with how this song is structured there aren’t really any standout moments, it just goes on with the intent of focusing on atmosphere over memorability, but for what the song is trying to do that’s fine, really.

I also think the song could’ve held onto its peak a bit longer instead of going completely unhinged as fast as it does, but to be fair the heaviest moments are just repeating a riff from earlier in the song anyways.

The song does have a nice build to it but it’s not something I find myself emotionally feeling very strongly – it’s just pleasant at best, while certainly having enough to keep me interested, but due to lack of memorability and lack of connection I don’t know how strongly I’ll remember this one. Basically once the surprise of how intense it gets wears off I’m just left with a fairly solid post-rock/post-metal track that knows how to handle a build well. It’s nice, it’s got some unique qualities, but ultimately I can’t really say I love it.

7.5/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 8 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 10, 2017, 11:45:56 PM
Evermind: Suspyre – Reign (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJKX9q63JlI)

First Impressions:
I’m pretty sure I listened to the most recent Suspyre album before but beyond that totally forgot what these guys’ thing is. Starting off with really bad guitar effects isn’t a great sign though. Bringing in a violin is an improvement though. The verses have that herky jerky awkward vibe that I don’t really care for in my prog metal, having no sense of flow can just kill my interest outright. Is that a saxophone? I am interested in that though. Anyways stuff happens and okay. Then the song switches up for an acoustic section right in the middle. I dig this a lot more than the meat of the song honestly, even when it starts getting proggy again there’s still a sense of flow. I guess there is stuff here I like but it kind of feels drowned out by a lot of the reeeeally generic prog metal stuff going on here that is just not doing anything for me. The last chorus is pretty solid though. I don’t know if it’s even a chorus I don’t recall that happening anywhere else in the song.

Final Thoughts:
This is one of the songs where I just feel like I’m not quite ready to write about it, probably because it has the most going on of any song this round. And I also kind of said a lot of what I have to say about this in my first impressions writeup, really.

I think one thing that bugs me is how mishandled the “eccentric” instrumentation is used. Yeah there is violin and sax stuff, but they’re playing lines that don’t really feel suited to the instrument. And especially with how they sound, they’re basically just used as stand-ins for guitar solos. That’s… really disappointing, really. If you’re going to bring in these instruments use them in a way you wouldn’t use other instruments.

That chorus is really good though, a bit of cheese to it but the harmonies & the power behind it are undeniable. TAKE YOUR RIGHTFUL PLACE AMONG THE STARS heck yeah. Mostly just that line. I love that. The guitar line going on in the background of the chorus is pretty cool too and really helps with the climactic build.

The clean break in the middle is also a nice change of pace and just sounds way better from a production standpoint too, everything is really crisp and lush whereas the rest of the song does kind of have a compressed feel to it. So that’s a kind of backhanded compliment. But I do like that section, the prog elements work better there than elsewhere in the song and it’s a nice break even if it kind of happens abruptly.

Also the ending is really anticlimactic. It just fades into this electronic percussion bit after the last chorus. Ehh, nitpicks. I don’t have much to comment on here besides the moments I really liked and the stuff that bothered me because the rest of this is… solid but unmemorable. They try to bring in weird elements for flavor that end up losing their flavor, but then the most straightforward and basic stuff they do ends up being the most compelling and it’s a weird case of the band going against what they seem to be good at.

Overall? I like this, yeah, but it’s definitely not convincing me I’m missing out on much. This will probably be a song I’ll revisit when I do relistens and be like “yeah, ‘s’alright. Not giving it more points, but it’s okay, yeah.” And then move on and forget about it and this band forever. There’s plenty of better bands incorporating sax and violin into prog much better, hello Thank You Scientist you beautiful bastards. Heck, they have the powerful choruses too. Anyways I digress. Yes, this is fine.

7.5/10



Train of Naught: Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá – Skuggsjá (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r-clazKRrk)

First Impressions:
I remember this one yeah but I don’t remember if I ever listened to it, at all? I don’t remember what it sounds like anyways but from the title I get the feeling it’s something weird. Apparently it’s actually just a 6 minute flute solo though. Or at least a nearly two minute one starting off the song. Yeah that’s a bit too slow of a start for me, if I’m being honest. When the song starts up for real though it’s got some cool and dark atmosphere to it that I do dig a lot more. Though I’ll only be truly satisfied if it builds to something. It kind of is just one long build, isn’t it? This feels like the kind of thing you’d save for an EP opener rather than have it be a song sent on its own in a roulette because it clearly belongs as part of an album rather than a standalone track, but I mean, it sounds pretty cool so, sure.

Final Thoughts:
This song is suuuuper slow to start. I just don’t have interest in this intro, it’s not emotionally evocative and it’s not particularly atmospheric either. I think the entire thing could’ve been chopped off and the song could’ve started around 1:45 and been better off for it.

But then like, when this does kick in it’s awesome? Absolutely menacing atmosphere that builds itself up pretty quickly but never too quickly and there’s just a lot to pay attention to and it’s pretty overwhelming in the best way. The layers upon layers of vocals are probably the biggest factor in the song though the strings throughout certainly help add to the mood. And there’s the constant drone in the background that keeps the song grounded as well. It’s not something I connect with on an emotional level really but damn if it isn’t intense.

There’s a moment of reprieve where it does cut back and then start building up again to maybe a slightly bigger climax than the first time? And it’s pretty awesome but does end up feeling like the song runs out of original elements and then starts repeating its same loop again for good measure. Maybe the initial build was too fast, I don’t know. Whatever the case, it’s not like it sounds any less dark and intense the second time around but it does lose its bite a little and makes the song feel a bit anticlimactic in the end.

For that and for the unnecessarily long intro I’m definitely going to have to score this lower than what I would have, but this was still among the more enjoyable tracks in the round regardless and if I was listening to it in the context of the album I wouldn’t really mind the long intro at all. It’s just, that’s not what I’m doing here, so. Gotta judge it as a song.

7.75/10



Luoto: Omnium Gatherum – White Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mt6w7qT7Dw)

First Impressions:
I mean sending a song just because it’s the longest isn’t necessarily a good idea, especially around me. I do tend to find songs over the 10 minute mark tend to drag or are bloated with uninteresting filler at least to some degree. But anyways. I see we are going with these types of harsh vocals… sure. I am actually digging the riff behind when the vocals come in a lot though, it’s sludgy but also kind of triumphant in tone. This is actually a rather bright-sounding song considering it’s some degree of death metal, yeah. I’m sort of having trouble saying much else about this despite its length though, it does kind of stick to a similar vibe throughout. Some softer moments and some heavier moments and it all just sounds fairly nice. So yeah that’s about it.

Final Thoughts:
This really is quite a bright sounding song as a whole considering the genre. Like even behind the first harsh vocals you have this heavy but triumphant riff, and the leads that come in after fit into the triumphant mood as well. And you know what, I totally dig it. I can dig heavy, happy music a lot. It’s basically the appeal of blackgaze stuff, though that tends to be more upbeat when it gets heavy. And honestly I prefer the more downbeat vibe of this song over that. I seem to prefer more downtempo metal in general, over fast and aggressive stuff, but both are good.

Anyways. This song does kind of have a bit of a substance problem, in that for how long it is, it sure feels like you hear a lot of the same segments a lot. The first chorus doesn’t even come in until around 3:30, and that’s after hearing the intro melody three separate times and the entire verse loop twice. They’re all good segments, mind you, but the song lacks a sense of progression with how slowly it evolves in general. And some sections are just slight reprises of earlier sections as well – the quieter moment after the first chorus, that’s just a clean version of the melodies on the verse.

Again, that’s not necessarily a bad thing when the segments themselves are good and I don’t think there’s any part of this that sounds bad in the slightest, it’s enjoyable front to back. Especially with how grand and powerful that chorus is. There’s not even a ton of tension to this track yet it feels like a huge release of tension every time it hits. There’s also a decent guitar solo that comes in around two thirds of the way through the song. That’s something new that happens. It’s just about the only new idea that comes in past the halfway point really. There’s that and a heavily melodic segment near the end, and that’s it.

So yeah my biggest gripe here just comes down to an outright lack of content – this definitely could’ve been improved by being a shorter song. But as far as how it sounds? Yeah, I am way on board with that, I just wish there was a bit more to the sound than what’s shown here. Still, one of the more enjoyable songs this round quite easily.

8/10



LordCost: Norma Jean – Hive Minds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SD1FRso_gg)

First Impressions:
I vaguely know of this band so, we’ll see, I guess. Corn corn. This actually is starting out really cool though, some great atmosphere going on and tension building quite well. Like I genuinely would listen to a song that’s just nothing but that kind of sound, honestly. Though the first riff that kicks in is pretty solid too. The vocals, a bit less. The –core style of harsh vocals I generally only like in moderation & not as the primary vocal style of a song like they’re used as here. There’s some nice moments where the bass is given room to breathe as well and it holds a solid groove whenever it does. Yeah I think as far as songs in this style go this was a solid pick, it doesn’t have the mindless aggression a lot of –core leaning stuff can devolve into (and kind of what I was expecting from this), more just some solid laidback grooves with the occasional harsher moment. I’m not fully behind it but it’s one of my favorites this round on first listen, at the very least.

Final Thoughts:
This is one of those songs where, while I do enjoy this particular song a fair bit, I am almost positive I’m going to hate this artist’s catalogue in general if I do dig into it. Which is, you know, pretty likely to happen.

I will complain about those vocals a little though because they just have the most generic screamy –core sound. Sure they fit in with this kind of song fine enough but they’re just a style of harsh vocals that’s never appealed to me, they’re really monotonous without really having much power behind them. It always feels like they’re singing over a compressed radio.

I’m also going to slightly spoil a secondary judge comment saying that this lacked any melodies, because I disagree to an extent – there’s definitely some riffs with melodic power here, just that it’s more low melodies than high-pitched guitar leads. And yes the song does love its dissonance too, which, surprise, I’m all for. I like slower-paced noisy sounding music more than I like really frantic and chaotic stuff and this definitely hits on those vibes for me.

Also I gotta say, the bass break in the middle is absolutely wonderful. The bass gets to hit on this cool groove while waves of guitars sweep in to build up some dense atmosphere and it really builds up some great tension leading to the end of the song. There’s also like, a few moments where the harsh vocals sort of slip and end up with a bit of a melodic edge to them (“they always do”) and become like, way more appealing, I don’t know why the singer doesn’t just do the whole song that way, it’s only a rare moment unfortunately.

But yeah this is a song that I don’t quite love but definitely has a lot going for it and appeals to me in particular pretty strongly, though I wouldn’t call it one of my absolutely favorites in the entire roulette or anything. I think if there was less presence from the vocals in general and more focus on the guitar riffs and bass grooves it’d score higher. Oh and that intro. Is still really cool too.

8.25/10


Current Standings:
Luoto – 70
home – 68.25
Nekov – 67.75
Evermind – 66.75
LordCost – 66.75
twosuitsluke – 66.5
Tomislav95 – 66
Bolsters – 65.75
Train of Naught – 65.25
Stadler – 61.25

Luke plummets out of the top three due to a particularly weak entry while Nekov works to close the gap between the top three and the rest of the entrants. Meanwhile home jumps up to #2 primarily on the weaknesses of those above him. A lot of shakeup in the scores this round really. Exciting stuff. This was a rather mixed round after all. Honestly I think I may have been slightly harsher on stuff this round than in previous rounds, or at least it feels like it to me, I don’t know.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 10, 2017, 11:58:17 PM
Round 8 Secondary Judge Results – Judge Stadler

London Grammar – Hey Now

I liked this.  I am a sucker for that electric piano sound at the start, and while I liked the vocals, I was expecting them to break into the sort of wailing and vocal gymnastics that characterize much of the female-fronted pop (melismatic singing and an overreliance on tremolo in the vocal lines) but it never came.   Hannah Reid (I looked it up) danced the perfect line for me, showing incredible versatility and carrying the emotional burden of the song (the plaintive “Hey now!”) while simultaneously showing an incredible restraint in terms of the performance.  Well done, and easily the best song of the lot.

5 points

Ivar Bjornson & Einar Selviks Skuggsja – Skuggsja

Being a big fan of traditional music (celtic and renaissance music) I really like the juxtaposition of the old and the new.    I didn’t care too much for the vocals (no, not the language, but the monotony of the vocals) but I got the impression that this is a historical piece, and a little research proved that to be the case, so from that standpoint the intent of the work came through clearly.   I really enjoyed the ending section, starting with the double-vocals and the almost chant-like vocalizing at the end.   This was a creative piece of art, and I was impressed by the scope and ambition of the work.

3 points


Caspian – Arcs of Command

First, “post-rock” is not really my scene, but this was not without it’s good points.  I like the patience with which the song built, and it certainly reached a crescendo (at around 6:30, but I was expecting more of a firm denouement, and it never really came.   The band reached this maddening apex, then – with little of the patience showed earlier in the piece, we were hearing the crashing chords of the conclusion, by far the most “rock” portion of the song (and I half-expected to hear “Attention all planets of the solar federation, we have assumed control.  We have assumed control.)   The piece would have made a great counterpoint to either a movie, or as an introduction to a large, more coherent piece, but as it stands, seemed incomplete.  There certainly was an “arc” of sorts to the work, but I didn’t connect with it on any level other than technical observation.

2 points

NOTE: The rest of these are in no particular order

Faunts – Feel.Love.Thinking.Of

This song propelled me back to the MTV days of 1985.   The song seems a modern take on the electronic synth pop of the 80’s, mixed with all the intervening alternative developments.  It was okay for what it was, but it lacked the simplicity that was inherent in the best synth pop of the 80’s, but didn’t have the depth of the best alternative in the years since.  I prefer melody – of some sort – in my music, and this seemed to be close all counts, but never quite meeting the mark. 

King Prawn – Someone To Hate

Everything I despise in music, frankly; genre specific, without any of the cred of the original participants in the subject genres.   “Wildstyle” basically mixes all the styles of music that connect with me least, so I knew there was to be little emotional connection here.  I went in hoping, at least, for a technical accomplishment, something to say “well, not my thing, but I get it and well done”.   Not this one.  It sounded to me like one of John Lydon’s post-Sex Pistols excursions, and as such just seemed to be trying a shade too hard.   I thought the chorus was a nice respite of melody in what was otherwise a sort of mishmash of styles that never really connected, but that minor break in the clouds was dashed by the reversion to style trope in the outro section. 

Norma Jean – Hive Minds

Out of respect I listened all the way through, but this is just noise.    No melody whatsoever – we didn’t even get a style shift into the chorus as often happens with songs that feature growl vocals.  Growl vocals are to me a flavoring, like salt or garlic, and are best used as a seasoning in contrast to other flavors.  There are no such subtleties in this.   The background music is generic metal-core, and offering little that hasn’t been heard before and better.    Even the lyrics are only pseudo social commentary, and confusing at best.  Are the vines the spirit of those that won’t be broken under the oppression of the “concrete” of society?  Or are they the tentacles (the “cancer”) that will bring down that society?   The narrator says at the end “I will leave you behind”, and so as I leave this behind, I at least find some emotional connection.

Omnium Gatherum – White Palace

A promising opening once again destroyed by growl vocals.  I get it; it’s a style, it’s a way of projecting an emotion, but it brings the most subtle and evocative music down to such a one-note presentation as to overwhelm and obliterate the message.   I absolutely LOVED the music part of this song – the ending solo section and what I would call “guitar symphony” was amazing and really emotive, and yet it was all swept away by the over-powering vocals.  Even the subtle, melodic vocal section (reminiscent of Peter Steele from Type O Negative) wasn’t enough to add color and temper the relentlessness of the brutal vocal presentation.   It wasn’t abundantly clear, but I gather the lyrical point was to present the “White Palace” as the culmination of the power of the individual to create lasting, unified monuments that unite us all into one.   The duality was nicely portrayed by the music – there is clearly metaphor in that closing harmonized guitar section, something I LOVE in music.   This would have won easily had it been Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie Dio or Rob Halford (or any of a number of prog metal singers) singing on it.  As it stands, bottom tier.

Rainbow – Gates of Babylon (Judge's Song)

The intro really sets the mood, transporting us to a different time and place.   The verses are a shade generic, and the less said about the lyrics the better, but I like how the verses lead into a more evocative, pre-chorus and chorus, and the music does a great job of communicating “motion” and “travel”.  I get the real sense of “Babylon” as an exotic location and a place we might want to go to to experience something interesting.  The solo is excellent, and I love how the solo helps build the song and bring it to a new place, as opposed to being just a break in the vocals, though that is sort of dashed with the repeat of the verse.  This song is crying out for a final section that completes the journey, and it is lacking that, but is otherwise a good song.

Suspyre – Reign

I liked this; the influences were obvious (including our “host band”).   I didn’t care for the vocals much and while I liked the creativity of thinking out of the box a little, the saxophone section seemed a tad out of place, and as such, too much of a juxtaposition.  This sounds like the initial demo of a band that has a lot of promise but needs to focus a little, and move from their influences and incorporate more of their personal outlook into their music.   There were too many parts – the aforementioned saxophone, the celtic interlude, the percussive outro – that just seemed to be added for no apparent musical, emotional, or communicative reason.  Well played, but missing a fire or spark that sets it apart from that which came before.   

Todtgelichter – Neon

The music is dreamy and atmospheric, and, in my opinion, evocative of the title.   The initial vocals, seem a tad dislocated from the music; I don’t know if that is a recording technique, a result of the timbre of the singer’s voice (he/she sounds 12 years old), or something else, but it creates, for me, a sort of jarring effect, tempering the electric – in the sense of spark - feel of the rest of the music.   The harsher tone of the vocals later – not quite growls, but close enough to ruin the song – don’t change that disconnect, and don’t really change the disembodied feeling that the vocals have with respect to the rest of the song.  The music is strong, and evocative of the best propulsive metal, but is held back by the top line of the song. and isn't enough to overcome that burden.   

Parama’s notes:
Obviously not surprised that me and Stadler’s tastes don’t align that much here and I didn’t expect him to take well to any of the songs with growls but his pick for 5 points caught me a little off guard regardless. Not a ton else to say here.

Current Secondary Judge Standings:
Train of Naught - 13
Tomislav95 – 12
Bolsters - 12
Evermind - 11
Luoto - 7
twosuitsluke - 6
home - 7
Nekov - 2
LordCost - 0
Stadler - 0
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 11, 2017, 12:55:17 AM
 :facepalm:

I knew this was a risk and did second guess it after sending it. I know you said you hated hip hop but King Prawn just mix hip hop elements into their music. I've always been a sucker for music that splices genres and that's why I love stuff like this, plus they are great live. I'll have to find something pretty special now to get back in this thing. I'll kick myself if I don't make it into the EP round after being at the top early on!

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 11, 2017, 01:19:50 AM
i like genre fusions too but hip-hop is always a turnoff for me. like if it was instrumental it'd have scored higher, for sure. not scored great, but, higher
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 11, 2017, 01:42:05 AM
i like genre fusions too but hip-hop is always a turnoff for me. like if it was instrumental it'd have scored higher, for sure. not scored great, but, higher

I think that's the angle I was going for, I was trying to maybe expose you to those kind of vocals over a different style of music. I knew it was a huge gamble but I honestly didn't think I'd fail that hard!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Train of Naught on August 11, 2017, 01:49:25 AM
I guess I never sent anything else than the title track because the growls (read, actual climax in songs that you are apparently missing) are a bit repulsive at first. But actually, I've seen you enjoy repulsive growls in the past so maybe you'll like the album more than I do. I still think it's a decent album but it doesn't hold up to the 'buildup' IMO. Worth a listen though.

Wow Norma Jean actually won the round :lol awesome. I don't know that song/album so maybe it's time to fix that.

BTW I have quite some EP material submissions left so I'm thinking of sending you an EP regardless of whether I make it through :corn I wanted to just use them all in these last rounds but that's no fun, would be pretty hilarious if I make it to the EP round being second to last place though
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 11, 2017, 01:51:36 AM
everyone should send me an EP so we can have the most epic hangmanen ever had in a roulette

i won't seriously listen to any but the ones from the people in the finals at first though but i will listen to them all

and tbh i doubt you'd like the norma jean song but i dunno what people like & people dunno what i like so it's all good
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on August 11, 2017, 02:02:29 AM
The length of the song wasn't the primary reason for sending it, was more about the sense of progression and ending into a sort of climax, though you just found it lacking a bit. The way you described their music as "bright" definitely suits a lot of their material and they have a quite unique sound for a melodeath band. It's also probably worth mentioning OG is the other band of Insomnium guitarist Markus Vanhala ;)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 11, 2017, 03:46:57 AM
oops :lol I honestly expected to get more than 8 here, I love that song and I thought you would, too. Nevermind, you're getting blacker metal this time :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: home on August 11, 2017, 06:20:39 AM
Not too shabby! I do realise that it's kind of impossible to get a really good score with post rock songs in your roulette, but this score is decent enough. Now I should send you some Kendrick Lamar, I really need to get out of the top 3 before the EP round  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on August 11, 2017, 08:32:20 AM
Please do, I wouldn't mind getting into the Top 3. :lol Seriously though, how the hell I'm tied for fourth place all of a sudden? My highest scored song was an 8 in the preliminary round and after that most of my songs got "yeah, this is fine, whatever" attitude, even the power metal ones.

I'll send something tomorrow.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on August 11, 2017, 09:03:12 AM
Wow, that was bad. I guess this will discourage me from risking it again.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 11, 2017, 09:07:04 AM
Trying with folky black metal this time, hoping to have more luck :D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on August 11, 2017, 09:16:37 AM
Oh and I forgot, props to Stadler for sending that Rainbow song, it's one of my favourites from the band. :tup
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Shadow Ninja 2.0 on August 11, 2017, 09:52:19 AM
Just dropping in to say I know nothing about London Grammar and am fairly sure I never put them on an EP.

edit: It's really good, though.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 11, 2017, 10:15:52 AM
Ok I'm positive I've seen them in a roulette before though

Also you should send me an EP

Edit ok home sent that song in tomislav's roulette & you also sent a chill ep so I can be forgiven for getting that wrong
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 11, 2017, 10:23:51 AM
Mr. home sent it in EP for my roulette
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 11, 2017, 10:53:35 AM
Please do, I wouldn't mind getting into the Top 3. :lol Seriously though, how the hell I'm tied for fourth place all of a sudden? My highest scored song was an 8 in the preliminary round and after that most of my songs got "yeah, this is fine, whatever" attitude, even the power metal ones.

I'll send something tomorrow.
I was second to last and now I have to seriously think to a good song to make the top 3. Instead I didn't know how I could be so much behind because apart a 6.25 in the preliminary round and a vote around 4.5 for Cardiacs, I had 4 votes over 8 and the some around 7.5.

It's hilarious the comparison between Parama and Secondary Judge writeups. Next time someone talks about objectivity in music I should remember this :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 11, 2017, 11:05:33 AM
I don't know what other Norma Jean you could like, Parama. A Thousand Years A Minute, 1.000.000 Watts, Reaction, An Ocean Of War from the new album Polar Similar are some songs I like with some clean vocals and great moments. Some songs are 2 minute aggressive hardcore songs, but the sound is not that different and maybe they can grow on you. There are great songs from Wrongdoers and Meridional too, but Hive Minds is my favourite.
I'm surprised many people knew this band, I thought it would remain not guessed.

Also I thought for days to guess King Prawn at the hangmanen but it sounded silly to me :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 11, 2017, 11:10:03 AM
I'd heard of Norma Jean before too, just never looked into them cause metalcore isn't my thing :B
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 11, 2017, 11:27:31 AM
I'd heard of Norma Jean before too, just never looked into them cause metalcore isn't my thing :B
I'd consider them more hardcore than metalcore, but even Train called them metalcore. When I think to metalcore it comes to my mind bands like Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying I used to listen when I was 15.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 11, 2017, 11:42:06 AM
hardcore
hardercore
hardestcore  :metal :metal :metal
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on August 11, 2017, 12:14:16 PM
Sent, it's not hardocre
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 11, 2017, 12:25:16 PM
I'm tempted to send a song I've heard 15 minutes ago for the first time on the train coming back home. :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: home on August 11, 2017, 12:30:45 PM
Mr. home sent it in EP for my roulette
Yuup, pretty sure I've sent it to mr. Sacul as well
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 12, 2017, 12:28:50 AM
have half the songs right now.

i was curious so i checked, if i had done an elimination-style roulette this time & all the songs sent to me up to this point were the same, the two remaining players would be Nekov and Luoto. two of the current top 3. Just an interest observation  :corn

also i'm listening to the artificial language album right now bcuz like i said it was already in my queue of stuff to check out but i probably will not be ending up picking this one up lol...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on August 12, 2017, 03:01:09 AM
Sent.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 13, 2017, 10:15:50 PM
alright going to go annoy the two people who haven't sent  now

also i'm upset because the new eidola album is like impossible to find naywhere except the band's label's site and it's too expensive there for me to want to bother (also they trapped it in a room with a poster i don't care about)

i might just end up getting degeneraterra bcuz i listened to that one as well and it was pretty dang solid. also i can get that one for under my $15 preferred limit (just barely, but whatever) so that's good news
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 14, 2017, 08:38:30 PM
Round 9 First Impressions

The climax of this is pretty dang intense too. Just a huge wall of noise. Whew. Okay.

Basically this entire song is an amalgamation of elements I don’t tend to like but I will say that it does come together quite nicely, especially that ending.

The music behind the chorus itself though is pretty solid, the strings have more to do and the rest of the instrumentation swells sufficiently, it’s maybe a bit cliché in terms of sound but it’s nice regardless.

Anyways any song that starts with an atmospheric bass groove is a 10/10 in my books so that’s all that really needs to be said.

But the production really does not flatter the songwriting and the riffs themselves seem pretty basic and unmemorable too.

It’s a nice-sounding song with decent instrumentation for sure.

And yeah I can see why I would and do like this, it’s got both some quiet beauty to it and some more intense climaxes that give the song a nice sense of energy.

Yeah I don’t know if this song in particular is something I’m hugely in love with but this is a sound I generally like a lot and this is almost certainly going to get pretty high points.

This is hardly prog thus far but honestly I’m pretty okay with that because from what I’ve heard up to this point, it’s all really good? Like, nothing that unique but just done really well & strikes an emotional chord for sure.

I’m tired right now it’s past midnight. I’m using this as a tidbit so it’s not obvious what I think of this song.

One person still hasn't sent me a song & won't have their song sent to the secondary judge so I only have nine impressions for now. Feels like a bit of a mixed round on first listen, a lot of songs that are almost really good but have one or two major flaws and only a few songs I'm really excited about, but opinions can change.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 14, 2017, 08:48:23 PM
Round 9 Hangman!!!

???: _________ ______ - ___ _____ __ _____
???: ________ - _______ ____ ___ ___ ______
???: ___________ - ________
???: _________ - _________
???: ____ ___ & ___ - ______ ____ __ ___ _____
???: ___ __ _ _____ ___ ____ ____ - ___ _______ __ ____
???: ____ - _____________
???: ________ - _____
???: _____________ - ___ ______ ___ __ _____
???: _____ ______ - __ ___ _______ __ ___ _____
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 14, 2017, 10:21:31 PM
D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 14, 2017, 10:45:17 PM
???: _________ ______ - ___ _____ __ _____
???: ________ - _______ ____ ___ ___ ______
???: ___________ - _______d
???: _________ - _________
???: ____ D__ & ___ - _____d ____ __ ___ _____
???: __d __ _ _____ ___ ____ ____ - ___ _______ __ ____
???: ____ - ___d_________
???: D_______ - _____
???: _____________ - ___ ______ ___ __ _____
???: _____ D_____ - __ ___ _______ __ ___ _____

Letters guessed:
D

Bolsters waits 3

don't know if I've ever given Bolsters the D before
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on August 14, 2017, 11:04:30 PM
It's never too late to get the D.

Gimme the V.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 14, 2017, 11:11:47 PM
???: _________ ______ - ___ V____ __ _____
???: ________ - _______ ____ ___ ___ ______
???: ___________ - ________
???: _________ - __v_____d
???: ____ D__ & ___ - _____d ____ __ ___ _____
???: __d __ _ _____ ___ ____ ____ - ___ _______ __ ____
???: ____ - ___d__v______
???: D_______ - _____
???: ___________v_ - ___ ______ ___ __ _____
???: _____ D_v___ - __ ___ _______ __ ___ _____

Letters guessed:
DV

Sacul waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 15, 2017, 01:23:00 AM
added in the last tidbit :neverusethis:

also fixed hangman with the missing song name
home knows who didn't send their song in on time tho so he can out them if he feels like it
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 15, 2017, 02:42:40 AM
I could kind of see one of the negative tidbits applying to my song, the production is kind of loud and upfront, but with this style of music I think it actually kinda fits. Some of the positive could apply too tho :azn:

also fixed hangman with the missing song name
home knows who didn't send their song in on time tho so he can out them if he feels like it
It was... Elite who didn't sent a song
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 15, 2017, 03:03:15 AM
N
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 15, 2017, 05:06:30 AM
Round 9 First Impressions

The climax of this is pretty dang intense too. Just a huge wall of noise. Whew. Okay.

Basically this entire song is an amalgamation of elements I don’t tend to like but I will say that it does come together quite nicely, especially that ending.

The music behind the chorus itself though is pretty solid, the strings have more to do and the rest of the instrumentation swells sufficiently, it’s maybe a bit cliché in terms of sound but it’s nice regardless.

Anyways any song that starts with an atmospheric bass groove is a 10/10 in my books so that’s all that really needs to be said.

But the production really does not flatter the songwriting and the riffs themselves seem pretty basic and unmemorable too.

It’s a nice-sounding song with decent instrumentation for sure.

And yeah I can see why I would and do like this, it’s got both some quiet beauty to it and some more intense climaxes that give the song a nice sense of energy.

Yeah I don’t know if this song in particular is something I’m hugely in love with but this is a sound I generally like a lot and this is almost certainly going to get pretty high points.

This is hardly prog thus far but honestly I’m pretty okay with that because from what I’ve heard up to this point, it’s all really good? Like, nothing that unique but just done really well & strikes an emotional chord for sure.

I’m tired right now it’s past midnight. I’m using this as a tidbit so it’s not obvious what I think of this song.

One person still hasn't sent me a song & won't have their song sent to the secondary judge so I only have nine impressions for now. Feels like a bit of a mixed round on first listen, a lot of songs that are almost really good but have one or two major flaws and only a few songs I'm really excited about, but opinions can change.

Third or sixth is mine.

Give me an I
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on August 15, 2017, 06:16:38 AM
Hey Parama, I'll be going on vacation on Saturday. I'll send you the round 10 song and the EP (just in case) before then.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 15, 2017, 08:49:26 AM
???: N_____n__ ______ - ___ V_i__ __ _____
???: _____ni_ - _______ __in ___ ___ ____n_
???: ___________ - ________
???: ___i__i_n - N_v____nd
???: __i_ D__ & ___ - ____nd ____ __ ___ _i___
???: _nd __ I _____ ___ ____ ____ - ___ __i____ __ _i__
???: ____ - N__d__v_____n
???: D_______ - _____
???: __________iv_ - ___ _i____ __n _n _____
???: _____ Divin_ - __ ___ _in_in_ __ ___ _i__n

Letters guessed:
DINV

LordCost waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Sacul waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 15, 2017, 09:14:29 AM
You forgot my I
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 15, 2017, 09:36:26 AM
found your eye
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 15, 2017, 10:28:01 AM
Marillion?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on August 15, 2017, 10:42:11 AM
The last one is Vision Divine

Give me an S
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 15, 2017, 11:20:49 AM
Marillion yes
Vision Divine no
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 15, 2017, 11:34:27 AM
Marillion yes

Just realized the song is Neverland :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on August 15, 2017, 11:36:40 AM
Vision Divine no

Yeah, I realized if the Is and ns where guessed they should have been in the first word as well...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 15, 2017, 11:38:38 AM
Chaos divine is the band
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on August 15, 2017, 11:51:06 AM
Marillion is sent by Stadler.

Quote
Basically this entire song is an amalgamation of elements I don’t tend to like but I will say that it does come together quite nicely, especially that ending.

Anyways any song that starts with an atmospheric bass groove is a 10/10 in my books so that’s all that really needs to be said.

But the production really does not flatter the songwriting and the riffs themselves seem pretty basic and unmemorable too.

It’s a nice-sounding song with decent instrumentation for sure.

I suppose any of these could be mine.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 15, 2017, 07:43:32 PM
???: N_____n__ ______ - ___ V_i__ __ S____
???: _____ni_ - S______ __in ___ ___ ____n_
???: ___________ - _______s
Stadler: Marillion - Neverland
???: __is D__ & ___ - S___nd S___ __ ___ _i___
???: _nd S_ I _____ ___ ____ ____ - S__ __i___s __ _i__
???: S___ - N__d__sv__s_n
???: D_______ - _____
???: _____s____iv_ - ___ _is_s_ __n _n _____
???: Chaos Divine - __ ___ _in_in_ __ ___ Si__n

Letters guessed:
DINSV

Nekov waits 3
LordCost waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 15, 2017, 07:47:34 PM
And So I Watch You From Afar
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 15, 2017, 11:46:29 PM
And So I Watch You From Afar

I'm guessing homeboy sent this.

Also, L
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 16, 2017, 12:43:31 AM
???: N_____n_l ______ - ___ V_i__ __ S___l
???: _____ni_ - S______ __in ___ ___ ____n_
???: ___________ - _______s
Stadler: Marillion - Neverland
???: __is D__ & ___ - S___nd S___ __ ___ _i___
home: And So I Watch You From Afar - S__ __i___s __ _ill
???: S___ - N__d_lsv_ls_n
???: D_______ - _____
???: _____s____iv_ - ___ _is_s_ __n _n _____
???: Chaos Divine - __ ___ _in_in_ __ ___ Si__n

Letters guessed:
DILNSV

Luke waits 3
Nekov waits 2
LordCost waits 1

L is for Luke
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 16, 2017, 04:26:08 AM
This Day & Age

A
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 16, 2017, 06:41:53 AM
Set Guitars to Kill is the And So.. Afar song
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 16, 2017, 09:04:24 AM
???: N_____nal ______ - ___ V_i__ __ S___l
???: _____ni_ - S______ _ain ___ ___ ___an_
???: A______a___ - _a_____s
Stadler: Marillion - Neverland
???: This Day & Age - S___nd S_a_ __ ___ _i___
home: And So I Watch You From Afar - Set Guitars to Kill
???: S___ - Na_dalsvals_n
???: Da______ - _____
???: _____s____iv_ - ___ _is_s_ _an _n _a___
???: Chaos Divine - A_ ___ _in_in_ __ ___ Si__n

Letters guessed:
ADILNSV

Luoto waits 3
Luke waits 2
Nekov waits 1

A is for Luoto
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 16, 2017, 09:25:15 AM
Nocturnal something

B
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 16, 2017, 09:57:22 AM
???: N_____nal ______ - ___ V_i__ __ S___l
???: _____ni_ - S______ _ain ___ ___ ___an_
???: A______a___ - Ba_____s
Stadler: Marillion - Neverland
???: This Day & Age - S___nd S_a_ __ ___ _i___
home: And So I Watch You From Afar - Set Guitars to Kill
???: S___ - Na_dalsvals_n
???: Da______ - _____
???: _____s____iv_ - ___ _is_s_ _an _n _a___
???: Chaos Divine - A_ ___ _in_in_ __ ___ Si__n

Letters guessed:
ABDILNSV

Bolsters waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Luke waits 1

B is for Sacul

@Bolsters close but no cigarettes
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on August 16, 2017, 10:56:47 AM
Second Star of the Night
Second Star to the Right
Second Slap in the Fight

I dunno.

Also, R.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 16, 2017, 11:27:54 AM
???: N____rnal __r___ - ___ V_i__ __ S___l
???: _____ni_ - S__r___ _ain __r ___ __ran_
???: A_r___ra___ - Ba_rr__s
Stadler: Marillion - Neverland
???: This Day & Age - Second Star to the Right
home: And So I Watch You From Afar - Set Guitars to Kill
???: S___ - Na_dalsvals_n
???: Da_____r - _____
???: R__r_s____iv_ - ___ _is_s_ _an _n _ar__
???: Chaos Divine - A_ ___ Rin_in_ __ ___ Sir_n

Letters guessed:
ABDILNRSV

Evermind waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on August 16, 2017, 11:49:35 AM
The first one is Nocturnal something

Give me an E
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 16, 2017, 11:52:34 AM
???: N____rnal __r___ - ___ V_i_e __ S_eel
???: _____ni_ - S__re_e _ain __r __e __ran_
???: Aere__ra__e - Barr_e_s
Stadler: Marillion - Neverland
???: This Day & Age - Second Star to the Right
home: And So I Watch You From Afar - Set Guitars to Kill
???: S___ - Na_dalsvalsen
???: Da____er - _____
???: Re_r_s_e__ive - __e _ises_ _an _n Ear__
???: Chaos Divine - A_ __e Rin_in_ __ __e Siren

Letters guessed:
ABDEILNRSV

Nekov waits 3
Evermind waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

as i told bolsters, that is close but wrong
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 16, 2017, 12:08:29 PM
Retrospective - The Wisest Man on Earth
Luke: Chthonic - Supreme Pain for the Tyrant
Tomislav: Nokturnal Mortum
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 16, 2017, 12:23:26 PM
Tomislav95: Nokturnal Mortum - ___ V_i_e __ S_eel
twosuitsluke: Chthonic - Supreme Pain for the Tyrant
???: Aere__ra__e - Barriers
Stadler: Marillion - Neverland
???: This Day & Age - Second Star to the Right
home: And So I Watch You From Afar - Set Guitars to Kill
???: S___ - Na_dalsvalsen
???: Da____er - _____
???: Retrospective - The Wisest Man on Earth
???: Chaos Divine - A_ __e Rin_in_ __ __e Siren

Letters guessed:
ABDEILNRSV

Nekov waits 3
Evermind waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

damn luoto  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 16, 2017, 12:27:36 PM
:lol

At least I don't have any idea of the rest (except for that Scandinavian song title)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 16, 2017, 02:54:59 PM
At The Ringing of The siren??
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 16, 2017, 03:43:45 PM
The voice of squeel?
Barrier?
(In which case an e and i s missing)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 17, 2017, 09:37:00 AM
Possibly Voice of Steel.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 17, 2017, 09:45:20 AM
it's pretty steel-y

waiting on a letter to update tho
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 17, 2017, 11:07:52 AM
M
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 17, 2017, 11:52:18 AM
The voice of squeel?
This will be the name of my band :lol (if I'll ever have one)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 8 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 17, 2017, 11:58:55 AM
Tomislav95: Nokturnal Mortum - The Voice of Steel
twosuitsluke: Chthonic - Supreme Pain for the Tyrant
???: Aere__ramme - Barriers
Stadler: Marillion - Neverland
???: This Day & Age - Second Star to the Right
home: And So I Watch You From Afar - Set Guitars to Kill
???: S___ - Namdalsvalsen
???: Da____er - _____
???: Retrospective - The Wisest Man on Earth
???: Chaos Divine - At the Ringing of the Siren

Letters guessed:
ABDEILMNRSV

home waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Evermind waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on August 17, 2017, 01:58:09 PM
Just realized that Namdalsvalsen band is Soup and it's Train who sent them (yeah Train, that means you should go ahead and reveal which song is mine).
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on August 18, 2017, 06:31:47 AM
When can we expect results?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 18, 2017, 09:45:31 AM
sunday probably
haha i lied writeups are done i just wanna be sure about one of these scores before i post results. i'm comparing it against the best songs submitted so far just so i can be justified with the 9.25 i wanna give it
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 19, 2017, 10:31:45 PM
Round 9 Results

LordCost: Aereogramme – Barriers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLpD9k3093g)

First Impressions:
If this band had a split with Isis I am going to be expecting a certain kind of sound but from the way this starts I am not getting anything remotely like that. It’s more like, piano radio rock. Yeah huh, okay. I dig the violin though but it’s a bit buried in the mix. I think what’s not quite clicking for me on the first listen of this is the vocalist, especially when everything in the chorus snaps into place… he just sounds kind of weak in comparison to all the interesting stuff going on around him. The music behind the chorus itself though is pretty solid, the strings have more to do and the rest of the instrumentation swells sufficiently, it’s maybe a bit cliché in terms of sound but it’s nice regardless. I dunno, I’m just a sucker for that violin I think. This may be a bit on the overly cheery and sugary side for me on the whole though, but it has elements I do like regardless.

Final Thoughts:
Okay I’m gonna be honest on relistens this got kind of insufferable for me. I think based on my tastes you could probably figure out I’m not too into overly cheery, sugary music. I’ve even said as much in the writeup for that Ellie Goulding song. And well, yeah, that’s the exact problem here.

Production-wise this actually sounds fantastic, the violins sound excellent, the piano sound plenty full when it’s the primary driving force, the vocalist is pretty good and I have no real problem with him. Even the standard guitar bass and drums sound pretty good. It’s all produced well, it hits a good balance between sounding clean and not sounding too clean.

I just wish it was playing something a bit less, I dunno, syrupy and gruesomely sweet? Because I just cannot relate at all and it kind of makes me gag. I don’t mind love songs in general though they’re not really my thing, but they can work for me if they don’t overdo it. This overdoes it, it’s just oppressively happy. Especially that violin line on the chorus, and the chord progression the song bases itself off of in general really.

Also what the heck was this band doing on a split with Isis, that makes less and less sense the more I listen to this. Really the only part that emotionally clicks with me is the very end, that part works well in contrast to the rest of the song. I can’t really be especially hard on this though because at the end of the day… it all sounds nice enough, it’s just a bit too cheery for me. So ehh.

6.25/10



Evermind: Retrospective – The Wisest Man on Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lwzB1bXNmw)

First Impressions:
2017 is a bad year though who would ever want to send music from that awful year. Anyways any song that starts with an atmospheric bass groove is a 10/10 in my books so that’s all that really needs to be said. I worry I’m going to hate this when it kicks in proper though. Gives off tool vibes kind of when stuff starts building up actually, which is, you know, not a bad thing to remind me of. Though wow no vocals come in until like 2:45 wow. And I don’t know how much I like these like, whispered harsh vocals. I can’t quite pin my finger on it but there’s something very off about the distorted guitar sound here, it sounds very muffled and weak. Yeah there is something super wrong about that guitar sound, it’s gross. The vocals are a lot better though when the guy is just singing. Yeah wow that one thing is genuinely ruining the entire song for me, I just can’t get past how bad that distorted guitar sounds. The solo tone is fine though, solid enough solo.

Final Thoughts:
Honestly I totally understand why you would send this to me. You do seem to pay attention better than most to what I do and don’t like, and this kind of prog metal, driven a lot by the bass, with a lot of atmosphere, is right up my alley. I’d totally love to give this a good score too.

But holy hell, what the heck happened with the production here? I actually showed this to a few people & got a response saying that apparently what’s happening is that the guitar is fine but the way the bass is mixed, it’s totally destroying how the guitar sounds for some reason or other. I guess I’d liken the sound to what it sounds like when you track two of the same instrument playing the same thing in guitar pro, which is basically, it ends up sounding like crap exactly like this.

And it’s a shame because aside from the bass stuff like I mentioned earlier, the riffs themselves are pretty solid, and the vocals as well are pretty good, it’s a style where I can’t really draw any direct comparisons to other artists but they’re diverse and have a lot of power behind them. And really, most of the song doesn’t sound that bad either? It’s specifically just the chorus where the guitar ends up sounding like total crap. And the chorus would probably be pretty cool without that too.

So at the end of the day, I very much do not have an interest in checking out this band (or at least, this album) further if the production is this horribly botched, but I mean if they put out an album without this mixing disaster ruining otherwise good songs I’d totally be onboard? Since the problems I have with this boil down to just that and basically nothing else, really. But yeah, decent song destroyed by bad production, it’s a shame.

6.5/10



Tomislav95: Nokturnal Mortum – The Voice of Steel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Bm_cNkt1g)

First Impressions:
So I’m absolutely positive I’ve checked out this band before but I don’t really remember it & it might have been when I was first getting into black metal but was more interested in the spacier/less folk side of the genre. Because yeah this is decisively rather folky, that violin thirty seconds into the song is evidence of such. I don’t have a ton to say about this at the start though other than it’s maybe a bit lo-fi for my tastes. Then it picks up intensity and transforms into something that sounds like thrash or death metal about 4 minutes in, okay. Yeah if I’m being honest, as far as black metal goes this is okay but a bit unmemorable aside from its folkier moments. And even the folky bits are kind of really short loops that don’t stay interesting for long. It’s got both a good sense of atmosphere and a good amount of intensity, at the very least. But the production really does not flatter the songwriting and the riffs themselves seem pretty basic and unmemorable too. Feeling really meh about this one unfortunately. No wonder I didn’t check them out further. This album is rated over 3.8 on RYM? Geez. Maybe I’m just the one missing something here, dunno.

Final Thoughts:
I find it difficult to really come to any cohesive conclusion about how I feel regarding this song. Stylistically it’s right up my alley, yes. But the production pushes too far in the direction of muddy and obscures the songwriting. But regardless of that there’s solid atmosphere and some cool riffs too. But then it also ends up feeling a bit monotonous, even for as much as it changes.

…so yeah, the issue here more than anything else is the production. It’s my longstanding gripe with a lot of black metal, and one I feel the genre should’ve moved past. A lot of early black metal bands sound like that because the technology wasn’t there. Sounding this fuzzy and muffled in the mid 2000’s is just a bad stylistic choice; you can still be somewhat lo-fi and have better quality production that doesn’t hamper the composition and power of a song.

That bit in the middle really sounds straight out of a Slayer song. And well, if you’ve noticed, I have Slayer on my banned list, in red. That’s… not a good thing to be, at all. I think this is a bit better than Slayer though mostly for having decently evil sounding vocals and not being nothing but fast-picked riffing, though that guitar solo is a bit too reminiscent of the worthless noise Kerry King often puts in songs. I like some dissonance but mindless, tasteless hammering away at random notes I do not like.

The folky loops in this song also just, feel like a gimmick. They’re all short and incidental, there’s that one violin loop that’s solid and pops up occasionally, and there’s the flute loop about two thirds into the song that is way, way too short and repetitive even when it gets harmonies. And those are about the only claim to folkiness this song has. You can maybe count the backing chanting vocals but that’s barely folk in my opinion.

And the song’s also kinda repetitive in general, the first few minutes and the last few minutes all lean on the same two-three  musical ideas without a ton of variation. Boy, I just have nothing but bad things to say about this do I, huh.

Well. Overall this is still far from the worst song in the round, it’s the kind of thing I wouldn’t mind having on as background music at all, but as active listening music there’s too much wrong with it and too little here for the runtime to keep me interested in it. And yeah, I do like my black metal with better production than this. It’s just a very underwhelming track and I absolutely do not understand why this is as critically acclaimed as it is, but, oh well.

6.75/10



home: And So I Watch You From Afar – Set Guitars to Kill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRD8z4cTjTM)

First Impressions:
Another very Evermind-y song title honestly, wow. No clue what to expect from this but it starts pretty dang weird. Then brings in the heavy guitars and I am digging this riff, basic as it is. The lead guitar loop feels a bit weak though, a bit on the repetitive side. Yeah I am… a bit baffled by this one thus far. I think the lead guitars are supposed to be the focus but I dig everything else more than them? Like this bassline that comes in around the four minute mark, it’s pretty cool and the drums play off it well. While the lead guitars are just doing something else entirely that I barely care about. I guess it’s nice in that it creates a frantic background sound, but I think the song could’ve managed that without the leads. The climax of this is pretty dang intense too. Just a huge wall of noise. Whew. Okay. Kind of mixed to positive feelings here on first listen but I think it’s pretty solid if nothing else.

Final Thoughts:
This is one of those cases where I feel like I failed to develop any additional feelings towards this song after the initial listen and it just ended up as being a very “there” song among the rest of the songs this round. Doesn’t really do anything too awful so as to bother me and get a lower score, but it doesn’t do much at all to wow me either.

Like, the heavy riffs in this are fine enough but they are very basic sludgy stuff. Not crushingly heavy or memorable in any way, just… there to be the heavy aspect of the song. And while I like that the bass is present throughout a fair bit of this song, the tone it’s using is pretty watery and weak, and the basslines are often not that interesting even when I can make them out.

And it’s maybe just a me kind of thing, but I am just not interested at all in what the lead guitars are doing here. Again, I don’t really like the tone of them but these melodies seem rather uninspired and not especially pleasant to listen to. The drums here are really the one element that stands out the most, boasting a nice diversity of styles and some pretty technically satisfying rhythms too. But they can’t really carry the song on their own.

And that’s basically all there is to say. It’s hard to really even comment on the song as a whole beyond that for me… I just find it rather unremarkable. Not bad. Not particularly good. Won’t remember it after the roulette and I don’t think I’m better off for having heard it either, but. Ehh.

6.75/10



Stadler: Marillion – Neverland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZh17m2IBbk)

First Impressions:
So obviously this is a band I’ve from but have never had any interest at all in checking out, I really don’t actively seek out much prog rock tbh. I see this is going the “start out with a piano bit” route. Oh and when it kicks in it definitely seems to be going for a darker vibe which I can always get behind. This is hardly prog thus far but honestly I’m pretty okay with that because from what I’ve heard up to this point, it’s all really good? Like, nothing that unique but just done really well & strikes an emotional chord for sure. That recurring bassline is also pretty great. It feels like it may have hit its peak a little early though but maybe it has somewhere to go from here, who knows. I guess if there’s one thing to complain about I just don’t care for the vocal style too much? Like it doesn’t sound that out of place here, the tone just isn’t one I’m much a fan of. And yeah this kind of just… rides a high for half its runtime. Then ends with a minute of ambient chimes or something, okay. In the context of an album maybe that’d be okay but I’m not a fan of it here.

Final Thoughts:
Honestly on first listen I was more than ready to say this was my favorite of all the songs you’ve sent me this roulette. But man, I was pretty sick of this one by third listen and it never really got better from there. And yes there’s just one major problem…

This song drags on like nothing else, almost half the song is just riding one high, and while there are subtle changes in that high it’s a really similar vibe for something like 5-6 minutes straight without any sense of change or dynamics. And it’s kind of just, boring as hell if I’m being honest. The vocals get a bit annoying here, too, the stuttering lyrics and tone start to grate after a while.

So I’m pretty harsh on basically half the song, but everything before that is still pretty great? It builds up nicely, the bluesy piano lines have a nice restrained groove to them that the bass plays off well, the chorus is quite good too, and there’s just a nice sense of flow and atmosphere. And the bits of guitar lead coming in an out in a floydian kind of way without overstaying their welcome.

I dunno, I don’t think this is awful and it’s pretty good as a whole honestly, I just think it would’ve been a much stronger 7-8 minute song than a 12 minute song. I think if there was something strong driving the ending like a continuously escalating guitar solo, and also maybe less vocals, I wouldn’t be so bothered by it. It’s kind of trying to be the band’s Hey Jude it feels like but misses the mark & doesn’t have a big singalong vibe that makes that song work.

But it’s not a bad song at all and sitting down and listening to it now I’m liking it a bit more than I had been on my past few listens, too, so. There’s that much at least.

7.25/10



twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Supreme Pain for the Tyrant (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jYsu5-TJQ8)

First Impressions:
There’s another band with a similar name that I got these guys confused with at first. I can’t recall the name though but they had a popular album in 2016 I think. Anyways this seems to be like, straight up black metal type stuff? I can’t say I’m huge on the vocals, for starters, but the riffs and guitar leads are at least pretty solid. And there’s a symphonic backing in there kind of though it’s a bit downplayed? It’s all elements I’m totally on board with. I’m tired right now it’s past midnight. I’m using this as a tidbit so it’s not obvious what I think of this song. This is sort of blurring together but I think it’s more because they use kind of similar types of riffs. But that said I mean all of this sounds pretty good, it’s kind of rockin’, decently intense, intermittently beautiful, and never boring. Just not something that hits me hard on first listen.

Final Thoughts:
This is the kind of metal song I’m basically inclined to enjoy just on style alone and I’m fairly certain you know that and that’s why you sent it to me. And I mean, yeah, playing it safe with something you know I like is actually how I wish more people would submit songs in this roulette because I am honestly not trying to expand my tastes that much here.

So anyways the song itself. It’s plenty melodic for the style, a lot of the riffs and guitar leads being based in pretty straightforward progression, but there’s the strings also there backing up the song when the riffing gets more angular and chuggy in nature. Basically it ends up being a pretty “nice” sounding song a lot of the time even when it’s being heavy.

But there’s still moments of dissonance to keep you on your toes as well, the guitar lead in the middle of the song is a more notable moment of that, but I mean, most if not all of the vocals are harsh growls which is also obviously not too “nice”. So there’s a good sense of contrast going on here between the more melodic elements and the harsher, more “metal” elements.

If there’s one fault I can accuse the song of, it’s lacking in dynamic enough to the point where it hardly feels like it has any sort of climactic moment, or any moment that stands out from the rest of the song in a big way. It’s just riding a solid feel the whole way through but the ending always catches me by surprised and feels too early because the song doesn’t have any high to hit that can really take it to the next level and make me really feel strongly about it.

So yeah at the end of the day I definitely would say I like this one but it’s not quite there for me to really love it, though I’ll probably end up at least checking out a song or two from this band if not the entire album this is off of. I think the metal on display here is all pretty solid, I just wish they had a better sense of dynamics to back it up.

7.75/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 19, 2017, 10:33:10 PM
Train of Naught: Soup – Namdalsvalsen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao9rpswy3s4)

First Impressions:
It took me a while to figure out which was the band name and which was the song name but I’m pretty sure this is right, which is also the opposite of what I was expecting. That’s a weird band name, okay. This starts out with some fairly nice piano work and pretty nice vocals as well. Admittedly this style of piano-lead music is never my favorite and I’ve said as much several times this roulette, hint hint, but this is building up nicely enough at least. And it’s got that showtune-y vibe like the dear hunter at times, which is, unsurprisingly, my least favorite element of the band (it’s why I can’t get into Act V at all, lol). Basically this entire song is an amalgamation of elements I don’t tend to like but I will say that it does come together quite nicely, especially that ending. I don’t know if it’s a song I can get behind fully though but in spite of my complaining I did enjoy this, yes.

Final Thoughts:
This is one of those songs that just sounds nice which makes it a very easy track to listen to several times. I think I’d have to listen to this quite a lot of times quite frequently to get sick of it, especially since it’s smart enough to have a good sense of progression even when it totally has the pieces to stagnate if it wanted to.

The chorus of the song in particular has a lot going on at once that works together well – the harmonized vocals not even necessarily playing off each other, a few of the voices adding little flourishes from time to time, the flute runs that happen in the background, the atmospheric drumming, the strings in the back. It all creates an emotional landscape that I can really feel and get into.

And yeah the slow build in the second half to a very satisfying and absolutely immense climax is very satisfying as well. I can’t even really figure out every last thing happening there but I almost wish instead of ending it how they did they had the piano and drums fade out to just leave a huge wall of atmospheric sounds. But yeah for what is going on there it’s still very satisfying.

For as prominently as it features here I’d say the piano is my least favorite part of the whole thing, though. It’s effective in creating a consistent rhythm that grounds the song, but honestly I would prefer it to be a more atmospheric and ethereal kind of song and I could see it working even better in that context, so I’m almost biased against it by default, but I can’t say I’m too into anything the piano is doing, anyways. It’s nice, sure, but just doesn’t do a ton for me.

If that’s the only thing I can complain about in the entire song though, that signifies to me that this is a winner on the whole, and I can definitely say I enjoyed this one every time I listened to it. So yeah. Good stuff.

8/10



Nekov: This Day & Age – Second Star to the Right (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFWH6doVfKY)

First Impressions:
I swear I recognize this name and it was probably sent in another roulette or something. This is some kind of bright and peppy song, isn’t it. I sort of feel like the singer is undersinging, it feels like he wants to have more emotion in his voice than what he’s actually providing and it comes off as kind of robotic as a result. I dunno, the chorus is just underwhelming me, mostly. I don’t really have much else to say about this. It’s a nice-sounding song with decent instrumentation for sure. It just doesn’t really grab me in any way on first listen and I think the lack of emotional connection is what does it.

Final Thoughts:
This is another song in this round that’s unquestionably pretty bright and cheery, but it strays far enough way from oppressively happy to just be a really good feel-good song with one hell of a good chorus. I think in my first impression write-up I thought something else was the chorus and said that was underwhelming but uhh the actual chorus here is pretty great. That’s just a good hook.

The rest of the song bounces between pretty diverse and cohesive instrumentation, with the guitars and piano playing off each other pretty well and the bass occasionally getting its moment to shine. The instrumentation behind the chorus is a lot fuller in sound too with a nice guitar lead going on in the background that provides a bright texture. None of it is really that complex but it all works well and still gives the vocals plenty of room to breathe.

But yeah, I can say whatever I want about the rest but the real draw here is the chorus and that part of the song works really well, hits with a lot of power and a very memorable melody. And it’s not like the song has too much of that chorus, it’s maybe a quarter of the song as a whole. So it doesn’t get tiresome.

I really don’t have a ton to say here it’s just a nice song that I enjoy quite a bit, really. If I had complaints, I guess, the vocals are maybe a touch low in the mix during the chorus? Not enough to matter. And the production isn’t fantastic, and I checked and it’s not the video, I guess that’s just how it sounds. Again it doesn’t really get in the way of the song though, I am just reaching for things to nitpick really. So yeah, good stuff.

8.25/10



Luoto: Chaos Divine – At the Ringing of the Siren (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruL_v00IxV0)

First Impressions:
Song title sounds like something Evermind would send. 5 seconds in and I am in LOVE though. This is literally right up my alley. Like just this kind of sound I dig. Frantic but controlled guitar noodling and jagged riffing is my jam. And the atmospheric verses are also very up my alley, make the whole thing nice and dynamic. You’d usually expect a more high-pitched/post-hardcore leaning vocalist on a song like this but I do honestly prefer the deeper tone of this singer too. Kind of power metal-y in tone. There’s a weird break in the middle, okay. Yeah I don’t know if this song in particular is something I’m hugely in love with but this is a sound I generally like a lot and this is almost certainly going to get pretty high points.

Final Thoughts:
Like seriously, stylistically, this is just hitting right on the musical mood I’ve been in recently, thanks mostly to The Hirsch Effekt and Black Peaks. This could’ve been the worst possible song in that style and it would still have basically been guaranteed pretty high points, but no, this is pretty dang solid.

Like you start out with this frantic and jagged intro that gives way to a more dense sound, dropping out for a quieter moment that still carries the rhythm of the previous part of the song into its transition. And it reprises the intro again for a short buildup to the more straightforward chorus. It feels like this song has a really great grasp on cohesive songwriting.

Oh and the part right after the first chorus with the heavy jagged riff and really freakin’ awesome vocals is probably the best part of the whole thing, it’s just got a great driving feel and the drums are really accentuating that. And then they do one of those tricks I really love, this quieter moment that feels like it’s in a different tempo but it’s actually just 3/16th notes like a lot of the rhythms in the song are based around. It breaks things up without ever breaking the flow of the song because it’s based on a major factor of the song.

This song also seems to be constantly in motion, rarely revisiting specific ideas outside of that chorus and the intro riff, but because the song’s cohesion is as strong as it is it manages to ebb and flow smoothly throughout all its shifts in musical ideas. It’s a lot of varied stuff that just naturally flows together and comes full circle in the end. It’s a really goddamn well-written prog metal song.

So yeah, if it isn’t obvious. I liked this, a lot. I’m seriously debating what I could score this, since it’s easily one of the best songs in the roulette, at least on par with the Black Peaks song, which I guarantee you is getting a point boost when I do relistens and rescorings. Maybe even better than that one though. I’m not even going to be cautious with this one since I’m fumbling over quarter points as usual, this is fantastic.

9.0/10



Bolsters: Daughter – Youth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEpMj-tqixs)

First Impressions:
Apparently I rated this song highly on another site over four years ago (I checked) but I don’t actually remember it at all so I’m allowing it. And yeah I can see why I would and do like this, it’s got both some quiet beauty to it and some more intense climaxes that give the song a nice sense of energy. I feel like that’s all that really needs to be said? I guess the drums are the standout instrument whenever they come in, they drive the louder moments of the song more than anything else but man that’s just some nice lush atmosphere in the background. The vocals are nice too but I can’t say I’m quite connecting with them right at this moment.

Final Thoughts:
On first listen I don’t think this one quite hit me as hard as it could’ve. But on second listen and really every listen since… hell, I’m not even gonna be subtle, this is the best song of the roulette so far easily. It’s the only song I can really call flawless while also having a strong emotional connection.

Like that chorus, she’s not even emoting that strongly but there’s a shakiness in her voice that absolutely sells the emotion, and the lyrics themselves are pretty dang potent. Even the first chorus in its subtleties is pretty good, but the second chorus uses an even quieter start to build itself up to the more intense and dramatic sound of the bridge. With the echoing “you caused it” accusation keeping the chorus going throughout.

And then things just build up from there, with the vocals getting more angry and emotional while guitars swell up even more to create an even more powerful atmosphere. The third chorus repeats the same arc as the second leading to another bridge to top off the emotional climax of the song, though I don’t think it quite tops the earlier bridge. Like if I had any one criticism of the entire song, I feel like the bit after the third chorus doesn’t quite hit hard enough to be a final payoff for the entire song, but it’s still pretty dang potent.

Also I skimmed over it before but the second verse is also really dang great, with the drums punctuating the start of each phrase before fading out to cleaner instrumentation. There’s something about that that just really resonates with me.

It’s really a simple track overall but it’s the kind of track that just carries so much turbulent emotional power and knows how to ebb and flow in the right ways to keep itself from ever getting stale and basically on every listen this was my favorite track of the round. Easily deserves some pretty dang great points.

9.25/10



Current Standings:
Luoto – 79
Nekov – 76
home – 75
Bolsters – 75
twosuitsluke – 74.25
Evermind – 73.25
Train of Naught – 73.25
LordCost – 73
Tomislav95 – 72.75
Stadler – 68.5

This was a pretty good round on the whole really, several quite great tracks and even the weakest stuff wasn't awful.
Round 10 will take a bit longer because I'm going to be doing round 5-9 relistens and rescorings at the same time but please get songs in as soon as possible so I don't have to John Cage anyone.
Also I'm gonna go ahead and say that Luoto should definitely start preparing an EP, I could see anyone else missing the top three with how close 2 through 5 all are right now but I highly doubt the person three points in the lead is going to miss the top three at this point  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 19, 2017, 10:47:48 PM
Round 9 Secondary Judge Results – Judge Train of Naught

1. Daughter – Youth

5 points

2. Retrospective – The Wisest Man on Earth

3 points

3. Chthonic – Supreme Pain for the Tyrant

2 points

4. Aereogramme - Barriers
5. Marillion - Neverland
6. Chaos Divine – At the Ringing of the Siren
7. And So I Watch You From Afar – Set Guitars to Kill
8. Soup – Namdalsvalsen (Judge's Song)
9. Nokturnal Mortum – The Voice of Steel
10. This Day & Age – Second Star to the Right

Parama’s notes:
Well I mean Bolsters sent a song Train was going to send so it’s no wonder it scored highest, also because it’s fantastic. In the same PM that I received these Train told me he liked the new Hirsch Effekt too, which makes Chaos Divine rating so low kind of weird but whatever. A few of these are a bit weird but not that surprising really.

Current Secondary Judge Standings:
Bolsters - 17
Evermind - 14
Train of Naught - 13
Tomislav95 – 12
twosuitsluke - 8
Luoto - 7
home - 7
Nekov - 2
LordCost - 0
Stadler - 0

Everyone with less than 12 points is mathematically eliminated from secondary judge rankings at this point and honestly I don't know how I'd handle a tie in the secondary judge rankings if it's a tie that matters (two people not already going to the finals) but the spot is still potentially up for grabs at this point.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 20, 2017, 02:16:50 AM
Oh well... I really though you'd like Nokturnal Mortum :-\
I'm glad you liked Daughter that much, of course they were on my list to send but I didn't really consider them seriously :loser:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 20, 2017, 02:18:38 AM
i'm rather picky about my black metal, apparently, but i particularly don't understand why nokturnal mortum is so popular? maybe the rest of the songs on that album are good, i dunno
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 20, 2017, 02:41:10 AM
I only heard them recently, listened to that album and their latest a few times, and the song I sent is definitely among my favorites.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 20, 2017, 03:26:49 AM
The previous Aereogramme albums are different. In the past the singer even made screams, but I still know few songs of the previous albums. They did an EP with ISIS but not a split; they have composed together the songs. It was a project organized also with other couples of bands, the collaboration was not decided by the bands.

No surprise I'm last in this round, but I think you could like other Aereogramme songs.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 9 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 20, 2017, 04:42:21 AM
this is the best song of the roulette so far easily.
Figured you'd like it, didn't expect this though.

I've just sent my latest disappointment.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on August 20, 2017, 09:21:55 AM
That's my first 9 in any roulette. I thought about sending another track from them but I'm glad I didn't :biggrin:

I'll send R10 on Monday at the latest. I already have a pretty solid EP idea, though I'm seriously afraid of running out of Paramacore at this point :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 20, 2017, 09:33:00 AM
Waiting for the rescoring points for Black Peaks :corn
Is it the first time that a song is the best one both for secondary judge and Parama?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 20, 2017, 11:56:11 AM
That's my first 9 in any roulette. I thought about sending another track from them but I'm glad I didn't :biggrin:
i wasn't expecting to give it as high a score as i did when i did my writeup but then i realized i just had nothing bad to say about it at all
definitely interested in checking out the band, to say the least
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on August 20, 2017, 01:03:18 PM
Oh wow, and for once I was actually sure about my song getting a good score. :lol

I'm just going to abandon the pretense of trying to cater to your tastes and send something that would hopefully be up the secondary judge's alley, as that's my only hope to reach the EP round.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 20, 2017, 02:17:01 PM
yeah, please don't do that
you can't even be sure who the last judge is anyways  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on August 21, 2017, 01:06:34 AM
Nice. I got td%a sent by king in my last roulette and I just love them.  You already have my last song, I hope it's good enough to make it to the finals.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Train of Naught on August 21, 2017, 05:23:38 AM
Already sent in my last submission. Won't have time to make an EP the upcoming days but I have a substantial collection of songs I want to send so I'll make the best possible EP out of those when I get home again which'll be in like 4 days. Chances of making it to the finals are very small but most of these songs are very different from what I've been sending so maybe you'll find something nice in it.

Generally speaking though, you are wrong for scoring any of my songs higher than 7.5 cause that means you think they're better than Acid Mist Tomorrow which they are not. :corn

8. Soup – Namdalsvalsen
This is also a crime, anonymous judge. You're right about Youth being #1 though
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on August 21, 2017, 08:33:41 AM
I'm really on the fence; I have a song that would be great for round 10, but is an essential part of the EP.  Should I break it up, or hold it for the EP submission?

(I'm kidding.  I am literally the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Morecambe of this roulette.   There will be no need to assemble an EP, or so it seems.    Ah well, more music for me.)

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on August 21, 2017, 12:01:13 PM
I've got a few songs I'm thinking of sending, I'll get my entry in the next 24 hours.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 22, 2017, 04:00:09 AM
Whoever secondary judge is, he'll surely hate me for sending 17 minutes long black metal song :lol but the song is great so
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on August 22, 2017, 05:11:08 AM
Whoever secondary judge is, he'll surely hate me for sending 17 minutes long black metal song :lol but the song is great so

That makes the total of almost 30 minutes for the two of us then :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 22, 2017, 12:36:06 PM
I love how half of you are trying to guess who the last judge is  :corn

I might add it as a poll
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Evermind on August 22, 2017, 12:37:55 PM
Now that my song is actually in, you might consider to reveal if I've got it right or not. :biggrin:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 22, 2017, 01:29:59 PM
Nope  :corn
I'll reveal who was judge for every round after I post results for this round
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Sacul on August 22, 2017, 01:47:05 PM
I should start working on my EP I guess.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 22, 2017, 03:34:21 PM
Whoever secondary judge is, he'll surely hate me for sending 17 minutes long black metal song :lol but the song is great so

That makes the total of almost 30 minutes for the two of us then :lol

Self-organized epic round? :lol
Mine is only 3 minutes long, I didn't join you.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 22, 2017, 08:34:55 PM
i have 8 songs now and the two missing are the usual offenders  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: home on August 23, 2017, 03:14:06 AM
Just sent one of my riskiest entries so far  :corn

Actually got a pretty decent  idea for an EP, but I'll probably screw up with this entry   :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on August 23, 2017, 04:12:33 PM
Sent the song that's gonna see me crash out.

It's been fun...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 23, 2017, 11:58:41 PM
Round 10 First Impressions

I think this works from an atmospheric standpoint and I think stylistically it accomplishes what it’s trying to do.

I will say, it’s a somewhat fun sounding song and there’s some impressive soloing on it.

There’s a ton of noises in the background creating a kind of sinister atmosphere and the vocals do actually fit that tone well too.

Both vocalists put a lot of passion into this and the piano does at least do a good job of matching their emotion, it definitely works as a ballad.

I do appreciate the way the rock and pop instrumentation work together to make the chorus heavier but still as fun as the rest of the song.

I dunno it makes it a lot more fun than the genre usually is but also gives more atmosphere to the groovy nature of the song and I think they complement each other pretty well.

It’s cohesive start to finish & while nothing really blows me away, I dig the riffs, I dig the variety, and it never bores me at any point.

There’s a solid groove running throughout this that I can appreciate, at the very least, and for the most part it doesn’t sound unpleasant.

This is a band not taking themselves too seriously in the best kind of way and making something wholly unique but still cohesive and quite entertaining.

It’s diverse, it’s got a lot of power too it, and while it’s not exactly unique it doesn’t feel generic or recycled either.

This is maybe the most inconsistent round of the entire roulette, there's a few songs I have somewhat positive feelings towards, a few songs I don't like much at all, and a few songs I really like. Wouldn't want anyone to think they've got a free ride to the finals even still, I am not actually sure how things will shake out by the end of this.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 24, 2017, 12:05:51 AM
Round 10 Hangman!!!

???: ________ __ ___ - ___ ______ ___
???: ________ - _____ ___ _____
???: ___ _____ ___ ______ - ____ ___
???: ___ _______ _______ - ______
???: ________ - _____ ___ ___ ______ (_____ _______)
???: ______ _____ - __ ______ ______
???: ______ _____ - ______
???: ______ ________ & _____ ____ - _______ ________
???: _________ - ___ _____ ____
???: __ __! _____ ____ - ____

corn corn corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on August 24, 2017, 12:10:18 AM
E
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 24, 2017, 12:21:40 AM
???: ________ __ ___ - __e ____e_ __e
???: ________ - _____ ___ _____
???: __e ___e_ ___ ______ - ____ ___
???: __e _______ ____e__ - __e___
???: E_e___e_ - _____ ___ __e ____e_ (_____ _e_____)
???: ____e_ E____ - __ ___e__ ___e__
???: _____e _____ - ____e_
???: ______ ________ & _____ ____ - _______ ________
???: ______e__ - __e _____ ____
???: __ __! _____ ____ - ____

Letters guessed:
E

Bolsters waits 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 24, 2017, 02:40:37 AM
T
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 24, 2017, 09:11:30 AM
???: ________ __ ___ - T_e ____e_ __e
???: T_______ - ____t ___ _____
???: T_e ___e_ ___ ______ - ____ ___
???: T_e _______ ____e_t - __e___
???: E_e___e_ - _____ ___ t_e ____e_ (_____ _e_____)
???: ____e_ E__t_ - __ ___e__ T__e__
???: _____e ___t_ - __tte_
???: ______ ________ & _____ ____ - _______ ________
???: __t___e__ - __e T____ ____
???: __ __! _____ ____ - ____

Letters guessed:
ET

Luoto waits 3
Bolsters waits 2

phone home
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 24, 2017, 09:54:18 AM
#6 band name could contain Earth
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 24, 2017, 09:55:02 AM
and it does!
earthy earth of earthington, give me your coffee
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 24, 2017, 10:01:58 AM
The first song title looks like The Chosen One
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: home on August 24, 2017, 10:30:44 AM
This is a band not taking themselves too seriously in the best kind of way and making something wholly unique but still cohesive and quite entertaining.
Really hoping this is mine, but I'm not too certain :p


Time to get that D out
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on August 24, 2017, 11:15:22 AM
Quote
Both vocalists put a lot of passion into this and the piano does at least do a good job of matching their emotion, it definitely works as a ballad.

This is mine.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on August 24, 2017, 11:49:59 AM
There’s a ton of noises in the background creating a kind of sinister atmosphere and the vocals do actually fit that tone well too.

I think this works from an atmospheric standpoint and I think stylistically it accomplishes what it’s trying to do.
One of these two.

Give me an L
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 24, 2017, 07:35:37 PM
???: D_____ll __ ___ - T_e __lde_ __e
???: T_______ - ____t __d _l___
???: T_e ___ed __d ______ - L__d L__
???: T_e _______ ____e_t - __e_d_
???: E_e___e_ - _____ ___ t_e ____e_ (_____ _e_____)
???: ____e_ Earth - __ L__el_ T__e__
???: _____e ___t_ - __tte_
???: _l____ ________ & _____ ____ - _______ ________
???: __t___e_d - __e T____ ___d
???: __ __! _____ ___d - ____

Letters guessed:
DELT

LordCost waits 3
home waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 25, 2017, 05:42:33 AM
M
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 25, 2017, 08:52:23 AM
???: D_____ll __ ___ - T_e __lde_ __e
???: T_m_____ - ____t __d _l___
???: T_e ___ed __d __m___ - L__d L__
???: T_e _______ ____e_t - _me_d_
???: E_e___e_ - __m__ ___ t_e ____e_ (_____ _e_____)
???: ____e_ Earth - __ L__el_ T__e__
???: _____e ___t_ - m_tte_
???: _l____ ________ & _____ M___ - _______ ________
???: M_t___e_d - __e T____ M__d
???: __ __! _____ ___d - ____

Letters guessed:
DELMT

Bolsters wait 3
LordCost waits 2
home waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 25, 2017, 08:58:42 AM
Golden?
matter?

and Motorhead.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 25, 2017, 09:33:09 AM
golden matter motorhead

dripping from bolsters' eye
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 26, 2017, 07:58:42 PM
can't keep hangmanen going if nobody's guessing  :corn
about to head into third listen in a short bit but from first two listens i can definitively say at least one of you totally blew it in this round
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: TAC on August 26, 2017, 08:22:58 PM
Going to be starting a new roulette:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=50756.msg2348737#new

Looking for people that I do NOT know! Plenty of them in this thread! ;D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on August 26, 2017, 08:48:32 PM
gimme the C
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 26, 2017, 08:52:54 PM
???: D_____ll __ ___ - T_e Golden __e
???: T_m_____ - ____t __d Cl_c_
???: T_e ___ed __d __m___ - L__d L__
???: T_e _______ C__ce_t - _me_d_
???: E_e___e_ - __m__ ___ t_e ____e_ (_____ _e_____)
???: ____e_ Earth - __ L__el_ T__e__
???: __c__e ___t_ - Matter
???: _l__c_ _c______ & _____ M___ - C______ ________
???: Motörhead - __e T__c_ M__d
???: __ __! _____ ___d - ____

Letters guessed:
CDELMT

Sacul waits 3
Bolsters wait 2
LordCost waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 27, 2017, 02:03:46 AM
The Golden Age
Loud Lip?


K
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 27, 2017, 10:24:18 AM
???: D_____ll __ ___ - The Golden Age
???: T_m____k - ____t __d Cl_ck
???: T_e __ked __d __m___ - L__d L__
???: T_e _______ C__ce_t - _me_d_
???: E_e___e_ - __m__ ___ t_e ___ke_ (_____ _e_____)
???: ____e_ Earth - __ L__el_ T__e__
???: __c__e ___t_ - Matter
???: _l__c_ _c______ & _____ M__k - C______ ________
???: Motörhead - __e T__ck M__d
???: __ __! _____ ___d - K___

Letters guessed:
CDEKLMT

Home waits 3
Sacul waits 2
Bolsters wait 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on August 27, 2017, 10:53:45 AM
Gimme V
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 27, 2017, 11:25:44 AM
???: D_____ll __ ___ - The Golden Age
???: T_m____k - ____t __d Cl_ck
???: T_e __ked __d __m___ - L__d L__
???: T_e _______ C__ce_t - _me_d_
???: Eve___e_ - __m__ ___ t_e ___ke_ (_____ Ve_____)
???: ____e_ Earth - __ L__el_ T__e__
???: __c__e ___t_ - Matter
???: _l__c_ _c______ & _____ M__k - C______ ________
???: Motörhead - __e T__ck M__d
???: __ __! _____ ___d - K___

Letters guessed:
CDEKLMTV

Tomislav waits 3
Home waits 2
Sacul waits 1

gave you 5
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 27, 2017, 11:37:14 AM
Point and Click?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on August 27, 2017, 12:31:20 PM
A

And the Motörhead song is One Track Mind
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 27, 2017, 01:10:25 PM
???: D____all __ ___ - The Golden Age
???: T_ma_a_k - Point and Click
???: T_e _aked a_d _am___ - La_d L__
???: T_e _______ C__ce_t - Ame_d_
???: Eve___e_ - __m__ ___ t_e ___ke_ (__a__ Ve_____)
???: _a__e_ Earth - __ L__el_ T__e__
???: A_ca_e ___t_ - Matter
???: _l__c_ _c__a___ & ___a_ M__k - C_a____ _a______
???: Motörhead - One Track Mind
???: __ __! __a__ _a_d - K_a_

Letters guessed:
ACDEKLMTV

Luoto waits 3
Tomislav waits 2
Home waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 27, 2017, 01:41:43 PM
Arcane Roots? Wow I'm just a playing a song of theirs on guitar xd
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 27, 2017, 01:49:00 PM
arcane right
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on August 27, 2017, 01:51:02 PM
can't keep hangmanen going if nobody's guessing  :corn
about to head into third listen in a short bit but from first two listens i can definitively say at least one of you totally blew it in this round

Pretty sure it's me
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 28, 2017, 09:56:15 AM
R
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on August 28, 2017, 10:04:49 AM
Like literally right after I left for work & won't be able to update until the evening, nice
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Stadler on August 28, 2017, 10:31:19 AM
can't keep hangmanen going if nobody's guessing  :corn
about to head into third listen in a short bit but from first two listens i can definitively say at least one of you totally blew it in this round

Pretty sure it's me

Well, history would say me, but I have some hope.   
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 29, 2017, 12:48:40 AM
???: D____all __ __r - The Golden Age
???: T_ma_a_k - Point and Click
???: T_e _aked a_d _am___ - La_d L__
???: T_e _______ C__ce_t - Ame_d_
???: Ever_re_ - __m__ __r t_e _r_ke_ (__a__ Ver____)
???: _arre_ Earth - __ L__el_ T__er_
???: Arcane Roots - Matter
???: _lr_c_ _c__a___ & ___a_ M__k - C_a____ Ra______
???: Motörhead - One Track Mind
???: __ __! _ra__ _a_d - K_a_

Letters guessed:
ACDEKLMRTV

Bolsters waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Tomislav waits 1

woops forgot to update this earlier post
i gotta say, this might be the weakest round of the roulette. there's one song here i really, truly love & will get a great score, and the next few songs are at least solid, maybe high 7's, but there's a lot of meh or outright mediocre tracks this round. the weakest song came from someone currently in the top 5 too, which is what i meant when i said someone really blew it. the top 5 may also shift when i finish relistens but probably not too much. also don't have secondary scores yet so i don't know who's qualifying for the finals through that route yet, but it could be interesting  :corn

also it seems like y'all aren't doing any guessing who sent what
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: home on August 29, 2017, 01:53:52 AM
Tomahawk, sent by Tomislav?
Evergrey, sent by Evermind?

The baked and.. Land  :hat
Amends
Barren Earth

There's some chance I blew it, I sent a band that's mostly brass on impulse  :lol It's a pretty epic song tho, so shame on you if it gets a low score
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on August 29, 2017, 02:07:50 AM
Arcane Roots? Wow I'm just a playing a song of theirs on guitar xd
Come to the concert man its almost sold out

The Naked and Famous - Laid Low (Bolsters)
Tomahawk - Point and Click can't be tomislav cause he sent a 17 minute blackmetal song :lol Nekov?
Motorhead by Stadler
Barren Earth - On Lonely Towers (Luoto)
The Ongoing Concept - Amends - uhh this sounds interesting :lol I think I enjoy it way more than Parama will. This could be any of Luke, home or LordCost to be honest, can I just guess all three of them? If not I'm going with Luke
Evermind - Hymns for the Broken (Piano Version) (Evergrey)
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - K_a_
Downfall of Nur - The Golden Age (Tomislav)

So results when
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on August 29, 2017, 02:49:59 AM
I'm more curious about the relisten results at this point (because I know they're coming sooner).
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on August 29, 2017, 04:18:33 AM
I'm probably in the meh/mediocre section
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 9 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on August 29, 2017, 08:42:53 AM
Tomislav95: Downfall of Nur - The Golden Age
???: Tomahawk - Point and Click
Bolsters: The Naked and Famous - Laid Low
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept - Amends
Evergrey: Evermind - Hymns for the Broken (Piano Version)
Luoto: Barren Earth - On Lonely Towers
???: Arcane Roots - Matter
???: _lr_c_ _c__a___ & ___a_ M__k - C_a____ Ra______
Stadler: Motörhead - One Track Mind
???: __ __! _ra__ _a_d - K_a_

Letters guessed:
ACDEKLMRTV

Bolsters waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Tomislav waits 1

jesus christ train  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on August 29, 2017, 11:12:32 AM
trainy sent arcane roots
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Stadler on August 29, 2017, 11:44:42 AM
Sidebar while we're waiting for Parama to eliminate me from the final EP round.   I'm thinking of hosting a roulette myself.   I know the rules/requirements are here for a reason, presumably time tested, but I've not been part of many roulettes, so help me out a little.  Assuming I did one, what are your thoughts if:
- I didn't have a "banned list", but you submitted something I was intimately familiar with at your peril? 
- I did, say, 8 rounds, but each round was a genre or themed?  Too much work for you, the submitter? 

I'm trying to avoid a roulette where you're guessing what I might like.  I know what I like, and for the most part, I seek out that which I want to hear (and generally avoid that which I don't).  I'd rather be surprised by something.  I'd rather let you show your creativity.   For example, I'm HUGE into Purple, I know everything that Blackmore has put out (including the Renaissance and a lot of his early session work) but I couldn't sing you an Ian Gillan tune if my life depended on it.   I don't want you trying to convince me that growls are great, or that Bob Dylan CAN sing, but if you think there might be an example of either that isn't the run-of-the-mill tropes from the genre, that'd be something you might take a chance on. 

Any thoughts? Am I asking for trouble?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on August 29, 2017, 12:02:01 PM
- I didn't have a "banned list", but you submitted something I was intimately familiar with at your peril? 
You'd just have the reject the song - the point of a roulette is discover new music, and a banned list give us an idea of what you dig :P

- I did, say, 8 rounds, but each round was a genre or themed?  Too much work for you, the submitter? 
It depends on whether the theme or genre is too restrictive, but also on the players - if you had a "hard rock only" round I'd have nothing to send if I participated, for example. An idea I had for my future roulette, I was thinking of maybe having like 2 optional themes for every round and players could send tunes that fitted the theme they preferred.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: TAC on August 30, 2017, 06:20:13 AM
Sidebar while we're waiting for Parama to eliminate me from the final EP round.   I'm thinking of hosting a roulette myself.   I know the rules/requirements are here for a reason, presumably time tested, but I've not been part of many roulettes, so help me out a little.  Assuming I did one, what are your thoughts if:
- I didn't have a "banned list", but you submitted something I was intimately familiar with at your peril? 
- I did, say, 8 rounds, but each round was a genre or themed?  Too much work for you, the submitter? 
 

Stadler, There's two reasons for a banned list. One gives the participant an idea of what you like, but maybe more importantly, it saves the time and trouble of sending and rejecting stuff you already know. Don't be fooled by the lightheartedness in these threads. Participants put a lot of thought and energy, often agonizing over what to send. Having a song rejected starts the cycle all over again.

As far as themed rounds, some people like them and some people don't. I wouldn't make them all themed. One Themed Round I did in my first one was a Savatage Round. I could never get into them, yet, everyone in my roulette was a big fan. So I asked them to convince me. It was a great way to get a crash course in a band.

Oh, and count me in for you roulette.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Stadler on August 30, 2017, 07:02:12 AM
Oh, I get the "agonized"; that's me, to a tee.  I get it.  I'll wait till the current ones complete, and I'll start one. 

Thanks everyone for your input, comments, and explanations. 
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on September 02, 2017, 01:41:23 AM
How's it going?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 02, 2017, 02:09:25 AM
as i already said, because i'm also doing round 5-9 relistens this round will take longer. chill. i may or may not finish by monday. no clue
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on September 02, 2017, 02:26:35 AM
Yeah well, how the relistens are going? :biggrin:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 02, 2017, 06:51:36 AM
Time to put together my EP  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 02, 2017, 09:04:03 AM
Time to put together my EP  :P
Reduced it to 2:39 hours, really gonna have to decide on what mood I'll aim to, either a melancholic, dark EP or a joyful one.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 02, 2017, 09:55:18 AM
I'm not putting any effort into an EP until I know whether or not I make it past this round (because I'm probably not).
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 02, 2017, 10:41:13 AM
Yeah well, how the relistens are going? :biggrin:
only have round 9 left, a few people are getting a few extra fractions of points but i dunno how much it'll affect the overall rankings yet

edit: so i've started writeups for this round & the first three scores i've given out are as follows:
3/10
5.25/10
6.25/10

sometimes i loosely order them before starting writeups and this is one of those times (haven't done it for every round, only ones i was more confident about)
but suffice to say, i did not enjoy this round very much. there are like, three songs here that i got any real enjoyment out of and only one i really loved. really weak ending to the whole thing if i'm being honest. hopefully the EP round will be better

edit2:
six done now and the highest score is only a 6.75, and the next song i'm doing a writeup for is maaaaybe a 7 at best but i'm not even sure. gosh. thank god for that one really good song being the light at the end of the tunnel here, that's half of why i'm doing this writeup order this time, to give me some goddamn motivation to finish  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: home on September 03, 2017, 03:59:27 AM
Dibs on the 3/10!

I'm seriously pretty confident I screwed up. I did already put a list of songs together for an EP, but I bet you'll have to wait to hear them in a plug.dj session or something :p
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 03, 2017, 04:44:50 AM
I'm rather confident I didn't fuck up badly enough to get 3/10, probably not the 5.25 either. I wouldn't be surprised if I was the 6.25 though, given my other scores throughout this roulette.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on September 03, 2017, 04:50:13 AM
I don't think my song has received 3/10, it's probably around  6
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on September 03, 2017, 04:58:03 AM
I knew my song was bad but not this bad :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 03, 2017, 04:21:12 PM
To tide you all over while I finish up relistens here's tidbits from the round 10 writeups.
Warning: No "being nice" filter on these like on the first impressions  :corn

Like I said it all sounds nice but there’s nothing that grabs me or sticks out, nothing to make me go “oh yeah this is that song”. I am listening to this for the fifth time now and I feel like I’m still just hearing it for the first time.

This song… hmm. I really have had a hard time holding any sort of opinion towards it, either positive or negative. It’s not a bad song by any means, certainly not, but there’s just… not a lot about it that makes it stand out or makes it particularly memorable.

But is it memorable, does it stand out it any way, does it have any real emotional weight, does it justify its runtime? I’d have to answer no to all of these questions and that’s a bit disappointing in the end.

Mostly I am just wondering what qualities about this made it worth sending to you, though? I don’t see how anyone could get passionate over this song, how this could be anyone’s “jam”. I can see that with a lot of the other songs in this roulette, but there’s just… so little personality to this one.

But here… honestly it feels like he’s just checked out, making his voice sound as rough as possible without putting any feeling or emotion into it, and it just sounds plain unpleasant to listen to.

As a whole… I can see why you like this, this definitely feels like something you’d be more into than I am, but I still like it, I just can’t say my feelings go far beyond “yeah, it’s solid”. Not especially memorable, doesn’t really grab me in any way, has a few glaring flaws, but it’s pleasant overall and has decent energy to it.

I don’t think I’ve immediately fallen in love with a roulette song this hard since Limousine back in my very first roulette. And unlike some other songs that left a really good first impression but grew weaker over time, yeah, this one just continued being awesome.

I honestly can’t stand this much at all. I plan to do another relisten for this round just to solidify my scores but I will be excluding this song when I do because I never want to hear it again in my life. I’m almost worried my score here is too nice to this one.

This song, though, just falls flat because the lyrics are so impersonal and broad in their nature. What is this song about?

It hasn’t been invading my brainspace much at all in the past week and a half, I didn’t even really remember how it goes until about 15 seconds into the song. But that doesn’t necessarily mean I dislike it.


And here's the scores at the moment:
3.0 - 5.25 - 6.25 - 6.5 - 6.5 - 6.75 - 7.0 - 7.5 - 8.0 - 9.0

Still not 100% sure how this is gonna play out since I do have the secondary judge scores already & know who's going to the final round automatically because of them, but I haven't put together the relisten scores I have & this round's scores yet to see where everything here pans out. Might be exciting & might end up with 4 people in the finals, but might only be 3, I really have no clue. I'm not even going to see how the scores add up until I've solidified and locked in all my opinions just to keep myself in suspense  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 03, 2017, 04:32:32 PM
I am not confident at all, pretty sure I'm in the 'below 6.5' bracket. I enjoyed this roulette but have pretty much blown my chance of progressing to EP land....

Unless you've come to your senses and rescored King Prawn with a 7/10  :corn

Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on September 03, 2017, 05:49:11 PM
LOL now I'm actually scared I sent that 3.0 :lol c'mon it's not that bad :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Stadler on September 04, 2017, 11:05:15 AM
Mostly I am just wondering what qualities about this made it worth sending to you, though? I don’t see how anyone could get passionate over this song, how this could be anyone’s “jam”. I can see that with a lot of the other songs in this roulette, but there’s just… so little personality to this one.

As a whole… I can see why you like this, this definitely feels like something you’d be more into than I am, but I still like it, I just can’t say my feelings go far beyond “yeah, it’s solid”. Not especially memorable, doesn’t really grab me in any way, has a few glaring flaws, but it’s pleasant overall and has decent energy to it.

I honestly can’t stand this much at all. I plan to do another relisten for this round just to solidify my scores but I will be excluding this song when I do because I never want to hear it again in my life. I’m almost worried my score here is too nice to this one.

This song, though, just falls flat because the lyrics are so impersonal and broad in their nature. What is this song about?

And here's the scores at the moment:
3.0 - 5.25 - 6.25 - 6.5 - 6.5 - 6.75


So, I fall somewhere in that.  I'm not over 7.0 and one of those write-ups is mine (gun to head, I would pick the "impersonal lyrics" as the actual one for my song.).
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Tomislav95 on September 04, 2017, 11:58:57 AM
Results when
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 05, 2017, 12:00:13 AM
Train of Naught – Artificial Language – These Aren’t Mirages

I will fully admit that my frustration with this song probably contributed to a lower score than it deserved, because there are good moments here – the “stars cross and implode” bits in particular are the moments where atmosphere and feels takes precedence over prog wank, though it’s still there in the background. And this is genuinely the most frustrating song of the roulette because I’d love to like this more than I do. But I just fail to understand why they built over half the song around one not particularly strong melody? It gets annoying. I’m feeling a bit kinder to this now but it’s still among the weakest songs in the roulette.

6.25/10 (+.75)



Bolsters – MØ - Red in the Grey

Was a little on the fence with this one to begin with and I think it’s a little better than I gave it credit for – not super into it still but it’s fun enough and that chorus is pretty solid, so, ehh.

7/10 (+.25)



Stadler – Marillion – Neverland

Mmyeah this is definitely the kind of song where listening to it a lot makes it feel weaker but putting some time between it and then coming back to it made it better upon relisten. So basically just, don’t spin this one a lot, is what you’re supposed to do, sure.

7.75/10 (+.5)



Evermind – Suspyre – Reign

On relisten this at least got some reaction out of me, which I can’t really say for most of this round, so. It’s probably that chorus, it’s a good chorus.

7.75/10 (+.25)



Evermind – Airbag – Broken

Ehh, relistening to this one it’s really quite nice and the 7.75 I gave it feels just a bit too low. So yeah. Nothing new to say on it really.

8/10 (+.25)



Luoto: Nerve End – Thrive

I think what really makes this work are the vocals, they’re right up my alley. I was already a bit uncertain about my score before & I liked this a fair bit on relisten so I figured I’d bump this up a tiny bit, yeah.

8.25/10 (+.25)



LordCost: Black Peaks – Saviour

This is a little unfair because this is the only roulette album I’ve bought & given a lot of listens to at this point, but I mean, the song only got better? So, you know.

9/10 (+.25)



Updated Standings:
Luoto – 79.25
Nekov – 76
home – 75
Bolsters – 75.25
twosuitsluke – 74.25
Train of Naught – 74
Evermind – 73.75
LordCost – 73.25
Tomislav95 – 72.75
Stadler – 69

Again not too many updated standings here but hey maybe it'll make a difference?  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 05, 2017, 12:37:44 AM
Round 10 Results

home: NO BS! Brass Band – Khan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PdDr7tQfsY)

First Impressions:
Sorry about the vid only available in the US but I couldn’t find anything else. Anyways this kind of gimmick band is often one I can find interesting but also tends to not do a ton for me beyond the initial interest. I checked out Brain Tentacles last year which had a decent concept for a band but the songwriting wasn’t there and I got bored of it really quickly. Like the song itself is pretty fine? I’m not sure why this specifically has to be all brass though, or if that was the right compositional choice. You certainly *can* have this song be all brass but some of these instruments could easily be guitar, bass, violin, piano, whatever you want and it wouldn’t make a difference, and would probably make the song more dynamically diverse. Also the random screaming is weird. I will say, it’s a somewhat fun sounding song and there’s some impressive soloing on it. That’s about all I can say positive on this though, unfortunately. Don’t really expect you to make the finals after this entry, I don’t think this is going to grow on me, if anything it’s likely to get worse.

Final Thoughts:
I did find the main motif of this kind of memorable in the end. Not in a good way. Oh lord not in a good way. It plays throughout way too much of the song and it’s almost inevitable for it get stuck in my head after several listens. But god did I wish it didn’t. Because I don’t like it. I don’t  like this at all. I don’t like any of this at all. Genuinely thinking this may be my least favorite song of the entire roulette.

And it is exactly the problem I mentioned in my writeup. Decent concept. Weak songwriting. Got bored of it quickly. And I didn’t even really like this that much to begin with. For starters. I don’t tend to like brass sounds on their own. I like some horns adding flourishes to a song, providing a solid climax. But I think the instruments themselves lack a lot of elements that basically all other types of instruments have. There’s a significant lack of dynamics and the tones always just sound stiff. And it’s not a tone that sounds very good to begin with. It’s just like a more aggressive sounding saxophone that loses the slickness that instrument is capable of.

And the random screaming of “Khan” is stupid too. It’s completely out of place and I assume this entire song is probably a star trek reference I don’t get because of that but I have no clue really. If there’s one part of this song I do like it’s those quiet moments, but don’t think I don’t notice that it’s basically just the same section repeated twice. It sounds nice and breaks up the monotony of the rest of the song well enough, but it’s maybe 30 seconds total in a over 5 minute song and definitely isn’t enough to salvage this.

Also I previously complimented the soloing on a technical level, but listening to it over and over again, it actually sounds pretty awful. It’s fast yeah but there’s a wild lack of tonality that just doesn’t fit. And the song ends really abruptly too, not even any cooldown period.

I just. Honestly can’t find much of anything to like in this. There’s one part I kind of like repeated twice throughout, and the rest of this is just two variations of one main riff with one okay recurring melody and some inane, wanky soloing. Nothing wows me and a lot of it is just plain unpleasant.

I honestly can’t stand this much at all. I plan to do another relisten for this round just to solidify my scores but I will be excluding this song when I do because I never want to hear it again in my life. I’m almost worried my score here is too nice to this one. And yeah, it’s absolutely no question you won’t be making the finals with a score this low, but I can’t really apologize for that when I’ve just gotta be honest about my feelings here.

Quick addition since I forgot to remove this from my relistens and decided… ehh. I might be giving this a bit too little credit, the main bits of this song kind of suck but the melodies are okay (the bit that pops up over the main riff and the quiet bits) and make this at least… not completely insufferable the whole way through, though there’s still a lot I dislike here. So ehh. The score bump isn’t going to save your score either way though, unfortunately.

4.25/10



Stadler: Motörhead – One Track Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy5PGVis7VI)

First Impressions:
Ahh, here’s a band I’ve heard a fair few songs from but have never been particular into. Though this seems to be a bit slower paced than any other song I’ve heard from them, so, fair enough. I may have to see if I can find a better video for this one, this one seems a bit… quiet for one, and kind of shaky quality-wise though I checked to make sure it was at least 480p so I dunno. And I’m sorry, RIP Lemmy and all but I have never and probably will never be a fan of his vocal style, it just has no appeal for me in the slightest. There’s a solid groove running throughout this that I can appreciate, at the very least, and for the most part it doesn’t sound unpleasant. But that’s kind of the nicest thing I can say here, it’s just very much not for me. Not awful or anything but not much beyond that.

Final Thoughts:
And of all the entries you’ve sent me, this is probably my least favorite of them all. I don’t even really know why. It’s less having a lot negative qualities as much as it is just a lack of positive qualities.

Okay, let’s start with this: I don’t like Lemmy’s vocals here at all. I have heard other Motörhead songs and while I was never a fan of his vocals on them, they never annoyed me this much either. But here… honestly it feels like he’s just checked out, making his voice sound as rough as possible without putting any feeling or emotion into it, and it just sounds plain unpleasant to listen to.

As far as the rest of this song… to my ears it just sounds like one repeating groove occasionally broken up by the chorus. And there’s occasionally some stuff happening on top of the groove. Some bright sounding guitar leads. A rather shreddy and not particularly appealing guitar solo. Like I said previously the groove is solid, but it isn’t that memorable either and I’m just not too into it at all.

I don’t even know what more I can say about this. I’ve already said this style of hard rock & early metal never really appeals to me much and this is just solidifying that in my mind. It doesn’t even have the energy that makes other Motörhead songs I’ve heard at least somewhat interesting. It’s a mid-paced snoozer with bad vocals and nothing to really hook me in. Far, far from the worst track this round, but not something I see myself ever returning to either.

5.25/10



Nekov: Ulrich Schnauss & Jonas Munk – Chasing Rainbows (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLsi1vAuCkw)

First Impressions:
Okay from the first 50 seconds or so I was expecting something a bit more downbeat and then I get slammed in the face with a funk groove. Works for me, ‘cause I mean it’s a pretty solid groove. Though now halfway through the song and I’m waiting for vocals to show up and realizing it’s probably an instrumental. So it’s kind of like… post-rock with a bit of a rock/funk groove to it? That’s certainly a combination alright. I dunno it makes it a lot more fun than the genre usually is but also gives more atmosphere to the groovy nature of the song and I think they complement each other pretty well. I can see myself tiring of this quickly though, so we’ll see. Also the sound quality seems to suffer during the louder parts of this a little I’m gonna check if it’s just the video but I don’t think it is… which is worrisome. …nope, it’s just that video, so I replaced it with a better one, okay.

Final Thoughts:
I usually try not to let the secondary judge scores or comments affect my opinion of songs much and I’d say for the most part I’ve succeeded. But the secondary judge this round said something about this track that just instantly ruined it for me.

This is just… a generic background music track. Like this is just something you’d play in the back of some shelled out, bland product, or as like the soundtrack to some instructional video made in the 90’s. Like, okay, if I’m being fair a lot of music is like that – I know Explosions in the Sky gets used as background music for inspirational videos and movies quite a lot, and yeah, they don’t really feel out of place there, but… at least their music inspires emotions?

I mean, not the entire song is like that, at the very least. During the louder and more atmospheric moments there’s at least something there. Some warmth emanating from this song, some power and emotion bubbling up from the surface.

There really isn’t a lot of substance here in the end though. It starts quiet, it builds up a groove, it reaches a climax with that groove, cools down a bit, then goes back to a louder bit with some added synth stuff, the end. And of course it’s atmospheric music more than anything else so there’s not a ton going on here instrumentally, though it isn’t dull or anything, I’ll give it that.

In the end, it’s an okay and inoffensive song, but it’s not one I see myself remembering much about in the future – heck, it’s barely memorable to me now, having listened to it a fair number of times already. Mostly I am just wondering what qualities about this made it worth sending to you, though? I don’t see how anyone could get passionate over this song, how this could be anyone’s “jam”. I can see that with a lot of the other songs in this roulette, but there’s just… so little personality to this one.

I dunno, Maybe I’m letting that one comment get to me a bit too much but I also can’t just ignore it entirely. Just gotta be fair as ever.

6.25/10



Evermind: Evergrey – Hymns for the Broken (Piano Version) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l_CMhGCsnU)

First Impressions:
Well, it’s a solid piano ballad. Both vocalists put a lot of passion into this and the piano does at least do a good job of matching their emotion, it definitely works as a ballad. But it’s probably not going to score great points unless I can find a real emotional sticking point, because there’s not much else here. Like that’s all I can really say.

Final Thoughts:
Piano ballads, and really ballads in general, need to have really good lyrics to work for me. Really personal and intimate lyrics. Like, I’ve been listening to the new Lorde album recently and there’s a track on their, Liability, that’s just… otherworldly in terms of the emotional potency it delivers through piano ballad form, because of how personal and passionate the lyrics (and the tone of her voice) is. That’s a ballad that works goddamn well.

And heck in the scope of DT we even have a good example – Disappear is very much about a specific topic and it’s utterly heartbreaking and emotional, a bit more complex of a song to be sure but it runs on the same idea. Hospice by The Antlers is basically an entire album full of really intimate and personal lyrics like that too, though wrapped up in a metaphor, but it’s clear the struggle and feelings the protagonist are experiencing.

This song, though, just falls flat because the lyrics are so impersonal and broad in their nature. What is this song about? The singers wanna disappear, but why? The chorus is uplifting in its tone but for what reason? What do these people have in common other than feeling sad? It’s just… nothing.

The song itself? It sounds fine. Both are plenty capable singers and emote well enough. But it’s weird to hear them passionately sing about such a nothing song. Maybe these lyrics are deeply personal and powerful to them but I don’t see it myself. And the piano, it’s pretty basic but it sticks to a few main motifs and it never overshadows the singers but gives a good foundation to the song. In terms of actually sounding decent, it passes just fine. I don’t dislike this at all.

But the emotional disconnect present here means my feelings towards this basically end at “it sounds pretty” which is not enough for me. Especially when there are so many better, more emotive ballads out there that do the same thing better.

6.5/10



LordCost: Tomahawk – Point and Click (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzt-e-ys63c)

First Impressions:
I know you basically don’t care anymore anyways but. A three minute song in my roulette is always a bit underwhelming, that’s like barely a song yo! I dig the bass groove this starts out with though… but I’ve never been a huge fan of Mike Patton as a singer and have probably said as much by now.  There’s a ton of noises in the background creating a kind of sinister atmosphere and the vocals do actually fit that tone well too. It kind of feels like it’s holding on to tension without ever releasing it but if it does at the end then that’ll probably work well. And yeah seems like there’s a loud part right at the end. Well then. Yeah, it’s alright.

Final Thoughts:
This song… hmm. I really have had a hard time holding any sort of opinion towards it, either positive or negative. It’s not a bad song by any means, certainly not, but there’s just… not a lot about it that makes it stand out or makes it particularly memorable. I’ve listened to it as much as the other songs here but aside from “has a cool bass groove” I couldn’t tell you much about this song unless I was actually listening to it.

Which I am, right now, of course, and even then I don’t have much to say. It’s quite a short song and it’s basically just a buildup to the loud bit near the end. There is atmosphere here, yes, but it’s often not too dense, though it has its moments. It’s mostly driven by the bass chugging and the sinister-sounding vocals, and it sets a mood fine certainly. It’s just not a mood I find myself really digging. It’s not a style of music I can ever get too into.

I don’t really feel like this is a bad song by any means, all the pieces are in place for it to function the way it wants to. I guess if anything, the climax feels a bit underwhelming and brief and they could probably have taken it further, but… the entire song is so brief as it is anyways.

I don’t dislike this song at all, as I’ve said, but there’s not a lot for me here that makes me want to return to it either. It’s alright. It’s a bit lacking on substance and a bit too short for what it’s going for, in my opinion; there’s no real hook besides that bass groove and the vocals don’t really do it for me. But I can see why someone would like this a lot. I just… don’t, really.

6.5/10



Bolsters: The Naked and Famous – Laid Low (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_aEh9R8oSI)

First Impressions:
I am just not sure what I expected here but it’s apparently somewhere between rock and synthpop? Like I dunno I’m finding this to be Very Much Not My Thing on first listen and have basically nothing else to say. Like the vocals are fine and the song is fun enough but it doesn’t really click for me. I do appreciate the way the rock and pop instrumentation work together to make the chorus heavier but still as fun as the rest of the song. Maybe this will grow on me, I dunno, a few of your other songs did, so.

Final Thoughts:
So I know for certain that I didn’t find this one as memorable as some of the better pop tracks you sent me. It hasn’t been invading my brainspace much at all in the past week and a half, I didn’t even really remember how it goes until about 15 seconds into the song. But that doesn’t necessarily mean I dislike it.

It also definitely means I don’t love it though, a pop song that fails to be memorable and catchy is definitely doing something wrong. That one synth line is kind of catchy but that’s really the only part of this that pops out to me. The vocals are… really understated & have so much goddamn reverb on them that they don’t hit with any power. And the melodies are kind of sugary nothingness, not unpleasant to listen to but they don’t have any real hook power to them.

I don’t think the sound of the song is unpleasant though. There’s a solid energy running through this, it’s decently dynamic throughout, giving the song plenty of room to breathe, and the ending definitely hits upon a solid climax. Though there’s something bothering me about the offbeat title drops that show up in the chorus… it’s just weird and off and I can’t really understand why they made that decision the way they did.

In the end… I can’t say this is a bad song, but it’s a bit inconsequential and just not very memorable. I can totally see the appeal but for me it doesn’t hit the same notes that stuff like Purity Ring and CHVRCHES did that really made me love those tracks.

6.75/10
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 05, 2017, 12:40:51 AM
Tomislav95: Downfall of Nur – The Golden Age (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd_F1QazFD0)

First Impressions:
Well this is going to be the longest song of the entire roulette since EP rounds I won’t allow something this long, okay. And it’s supposedly black metal but you wouldn’t be able to tell from the start since it starts out with piano and acoustic guitar and flute and all that. I get the sense this is going in a somewhat folky direction though, yeah. Okay and at the four minute mark we  finally get some metal, this certainly took its time but I’m okay with that really. Oooh those drums don’t sound too great when the blastbeats finally kick in. Huh, interesting change of pace at around 8 minutes, turns to a lot more upbeat sound mostly on the basis of the drums alone. The vocals here are… here but kind of downplayed. For how good the quieter parts sound production-wise it’s a bit weird how lo-fi the heavy stuff is. I realize I somehow didn’t finish this writeup. I think this works from an atmospheric standpoint and I think stylistically it accomplishes what it’s trying to do. I just don’t know if it’s particularly interesting and the weird production choices hold it back a bit for me, as well.

Final Thoughts:
Yeah, there’s just one thing I’ve very consistently thought about this song with every listen. It’s just… too long. Like, maybe not on its own, but in a roulette setting… well, suffice to say listening to this song once takes up more of my time than listening to some of the shorter songs 5 times. And yet I get much less value out of a single listen of this than I do 5 listens of the best song this round.

Like, is this bad? No, not at all. It’s a very fine black metal tune. But is it memorable, does it stand out it any way, does it have any real emotional weight, does it justify its runtime? I’d have to answer no to all of these questions and that’s a bit disappointing in the end. The folky quiet bits are nice but not enough to substantiate the song on its own, and the actual metal here… doesn’t do much for me.

There’s one motif around the middle of the song that I do like, but it only shows up for a short while and is soon drowned out by less interesting metal. Like, sure, there is some intensity and power here, but for one, the drums really undercut it by sounding pretty bad, and for two, it’s not any sort of black metal I haven’t heard done better. I do like how the walls of guitar sound here, and the melodies are decent, but again, not really memorable or that strong overall.

Basically at the end of the day I would have to say… while this is a fine enough black metal piece, it definitely didn’t need to be as long as it is, and it probably would’ve benefitted from having better production. Is it better than the last two black metal entries you’ve sent? I’d say so, yeah, by a hair. There are at least a few parts here I do find to be pretty enjoyable, but there’s just too much that loses my interest for me to really get into this.

7/10



Train of Naught: Arcane Roots – Matter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3TjDUnlclk)

First Impressions:
Well now you’re giving me high expectations for this one so if it sucks then I’m gonna have to score it like, 4/10. I dig the intro and I dig how it’s metal, also, metal is good. Though I think when it gets louder about a minute in the production works against the song, feels a bit muddy. Eww, electronic percussion, 2/10. But seriously no this is pretty solid, there’s a lot to like here but I don’t know if there’s anything I really “love”. And I think if the riffs came through better on the louder parts it would work better, the production is really the biggest issue I have. It’s diverse, it’s got a lot of power too it, and while it’s not exactly unique it doesn’t feel generic or recycled either. But there’s just a lack of clarity at parts where the song really could use it. Also the ending feels a bit tacked on and anticlimactic.

Final Thoughts:
The intro makes me think of Cynic a lot, both the vocal style and the effects on the voice. It’s not as heavy as the vocoder. Or maybe that new Persefone album, it starts out the same way with vocoder vocals as well I think. Anyways I always dig that kind of start, especially with the harmonizing going on here.

Really I think the vocals are easily the highlight of this song. They’re mixed oddly low at points but they have a commanding presence & just a great tone to them that really makes the louder parts of this track come together well.

The rest of this… hmm. I dig that guitar riffing in the chorus as djent-esque as it is, the rhythm emphasizes notes in the right place to create a decent groove and it’s still solidly melodic besides, not just chugga chug djenty chug blandness. The verses are maybe not as cool, I don’t really mind the electronic percussion but musically nothing about it really clicks with me, it’s just… pleasant.

And the song abruptly stops at the 3:30 mark for a quieter outro but it’s just such a clunky transition and makes the last bit feel tacked on and unnecessary, especially since it doesn’t really add much to the song anyways, it’s similar to the music behind the verses. If the song had ended right at 3:30 I’d say it would’ve felt a bit short but at the same time it wouldn’t have felt unnecessarily drawn out.

As a whole… I can see why you like this, this definitely feels like something you’d be more into than I am, but I still like it, I just can’t say my feelings go far beyond “yeah, it’s solid”. Not especially memorable, doesn’t really grab me in any way, has a few glaring flaws, but it’s pleasant overall and has decent energy to it. Don’t mind listening to it, might check out this album when it releases, but the song itself hasn’t really clicked with me in any strong way.

7.5/10



Luoto: Barren Earth – On Lonely Towers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UZxhxCBWmQ)

First Impressions:
Oh god I have two long songs to listen to in a row, why do you guys do this to me. Is it because I score everything so low? It totally is isn’t it. This starts off pretty cool, atmospheric buildup leading to a sludgy but heavy guitar intro. Honestly a bit surprised this has synth at all. And there’s the harsh vocals. Ooh but screw those the bass is doing something cool here. The break in the middle with the strings is nice. I don’t know this is a lot to take in obviously but on first listen I’m finding it pretty enjoyable. It’s cohesive start to finish & while nothing really blows me away, I dig the riffs, I dig the variety, and it never bores me at any point. Looking forward to relistening & sending you to the finals. Like there’s no way this is getting anything less than a higher 7 unless I really hate it on relistens, so.

Final Thoughts:
While I would definitely say this didn’t click as hard with me as some of your better entries in this roulette have, it was still easily one of the best songs in this round just by lack of any competition, really. But honestly I can’t say I find it hugely memorable? Just a very solid & enjoyable listen.

Like, I’m sort of having a hard time even writing much about this, there’s a lot more to this song than the other songs this round and I don’t feel like I’ve fully taken it in but I plan to give everything a relisten after write-ups just to be certain of scores, but. I also sort of feel that’s part of the problem I have with this? Like I said it all sounds nice but there’s nothing that grabs me or sticks out, nothing to make me go “oh yeah this is that song”. I am listening to this for the fifth time now and I feel like I’m still just hearing it for the first time.

The only real thing that stands out is the constant repetition of “I will wait until the dawn”. I remember that. It’s an okay thing. It gets repeated over what is quite a great and intense climax, the kind of massive, majestic climax I like seeing in songs that really makes the buildup feel worth it. But that only accounts for like a third of the song and the first 7-8 minutes of this still I can’t really recall so well.

I’m wondering if it’s the song itself or just some issue I’m having with it. And like I’ve said – still one of the better tracks this round easily, I do like that last third a bit and there’s nothing I really dislike before that, it doesn’t feel overlong and it doesn’t bore me, it just doesn’t do anything to stand out until it gets to that grand climax. This writeup is a bit of a disaster as a result but I may attempt to fix that when I relisten, who knows.

8/10



twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Amends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqLOmaMjvWo)

First Impressions:
Out of the gate a little different than what I was expecting from this band. When the lyrics start coming in though man that’s a fun sound. So what the everloving hell is this, besides just being fun as hell? Well, pretty engaging and diverse, for one. Like wow the guitar is absolutely not the focus here but I’m totally okay with that? The vocals and the horns just make this a bouncy groovy song even as it firmly cements itself as a metal track. This is a band not taking themselves too seriously in the best kind of way and making something wholly unique but still cohesive and quite entertaining. Yeah, I will definitely be checking out this band as soon as this round’s over.

Final Thoughts:
You probably have the most insane luck out of anyone in the roulette. ‘Cause I probably would’ve listened to this album like, the day after you sent this since I saw they were coming here with Eidola & sounded like they’d be up my alley.

And yeah, uh, umm, on the basis of this song? I goddamn wish I would let myself just listen to this album now because this is? Fantastic??? I don’t think I’ve immediately fallen in love with a roulette song this hard since Limousine back in my very first roulette. And unlike some other songs  that left a really good first impression but grew weaker over time, yeah, this one just continued being awesome.

Like, that chorus? The insane speed of the vocal delivery still being completely audible on every word, combined with the killer riffs and the horns backing it up just make it an absolute joy to listen to, got stuck in my head from the very first listen and never left the entire time I was listening to this round. Hell, you probably had a negative impact on my impressions of all the other songs this round just because of how mind-numbingly catchy this is.

But even besides that there’s a lot here to like? The verses are more intense and hard-edged and while I wouldn’t say they stand out in the same way they’re still enjoyable and provide a nice contrast to the bouncy chorus. And the intro buildup is handled well, starting out chill & adding in more percussion until the layers of vocals come in for the first chorus. And there’s the break in the middle with that delicious guitar line and just a really fun vocal line again.

The lyrics of this are way more pissy than the sound of the song sounds like but that’s just the thing, it’s not an angry song as much as it is laughing at the pathetic attempts of the person the signer is speaking to and I can’t help but want to join in dissing them because of the infections groove and fun vibe of this track.

So umm yeah. This is great? Pretty much flawless? I don’t think it should’ve been longer because it would’ve worn out its welcome. So no complaints there. And it’s not hugely technical but it’s not boring in that regard either, the guitar does some cool stuff and the drums are no bore either. The only thing keeping this from being truly fantastic is some kind of emotional connection which is, well, obviously not gonna be found in a song like this and I wouldn’t want it to be, but it does keep it back from being the uncontested best track of the entire roulette. But damn, it’s certainly up there.

9/10



Final Standings:
Luoto – 87.25
twosuitsluke – 83.25
Nekov – 82.25
Bolsters – 82
Train of Naught – 81.5
Evermind – 80.25
LordCost – 79.75
Tomislav95 – 79.75
home – 79.5
Stadler – 74.25

Took a bit long to post this after the relisten post went up because I wanted to go over all my math and make sure it was all correct - only error I made was snubbing home .25 points on round 2, apparently, so  :lol

Luoto, Luke, and Nekov cam go ahead and start sending me EPs (I won't listen to them for a week, though). Will have some farewell posts up for the rest of you in a bit.

Of course, someone else may make it in through the secondary judge results, so... stay tuned a few minutes for those.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 05, 2017, 12:53:26 AM
Round 10 Secondary Judge Results – Judge LordCost

Arcane Roots – Matter

I knew from the first listen that would have been my favourite. A friend of mine let me listen some time ago some songs of their first album. I liked them, but Matter gave me a better first impression for sure. I have to listen to another album that comes out the 15th September.

5 points

Barren Earth – On Lonely Towers

I like both clean vocals and the different blend of styles in this songs. Sometimes Opeth come to my mind, in brief moments some other bands. The song is well written and interesting in every section. I might check out the latest album with this singer.

3 points

Motörhead – One Track Mind

It left me uninterested on first listen and all I could say was that it was a simple, old and normal plain rock track but then I started to enjoy it. All songs from 3 to 7 could get the third place and these ones are more complex or innovative with respect to One Track Mind, but I think I prefer to listen to this one.

2 points

Tomahawk – Point And Click (Judge's Song)

Good song and atmosphere, but the others have something more to show. If it was longer it could have made the top 3 maybe.

Downfall Of Nur – The Golden Age

I almost don't know what is black metal but it's better than what I imagined before for sure. It could have been higher in the list, but I fear that if I knew better the genre this could have been more generic than what I think. Luckily the growls are almost in the background and I almost enjoy it like it is an atmospheric long instrumental song. I liked the fact that the album is inspired to Sardinia island culture too.

NO BS! Brass Band – Khan

Another track totally out my comfort zone. I don't think myself anymore an eclectic listener after listening to the songs of this round. It's definitely the better instrumental of the two, I get that it's well composed too and I'm enjoying it in the last listenings, but I can't put it higher. I still liked it and it was an interesting listen.

The Ongoing Concept – Amends

Interesting song. It reminds me of Fjokra that I considered to send in this roulette, but with metalcore vocals added in the mix. There's still something that doesn't work for me and I don't enjoy much the listening. Maybe I can find some other songs in the album that I like more.

Evergrey – Hymns For The Broken (Piano Version)

I heard about this band but I didn't like them much for the few songs I tried to listen to. This one is not metal and has got a different style but I didn't like it anyway. I usually like ballads and songs with piano, and this is another reason to put the song among my least favourites. The singers doesn't emotion me and I'm more bored than when I listen to Downfall Of Nur that it's 17 minutes long.

The Naked And Famous – Laid Low

If I enjoyed this style of music I would probably never discovered prog or metal. It's not my thing at all, you were unlucky with secondary judge pick. It's also the only song of the round that becomes worse after every listen, to the point that I can't stand it anymore. It could have been at 10th position.

Ulrich Schnauss & Jonas Munk – Chaising Rainbows

I still don't remember anything of this song after 4 listens, but it's not something I like. I usually listen to music that is either dramatic, angry, theatrical, weird, complex, with great singers, innovative and I could add other similar adjectives but nothing that can describe your song. It's an instrumental song that could work for me as a soundtrack while I study, but I don't see how a song like that could be defined as excellent.

Parama’s notes:
The final secondary scores put Train one point above Bolsters, making it the second time Bolsters gets just barely snubbed out of making the finals this round. Ouch. I am not really too surprised with any of the picks here except maybe that I expected The Ongoing Concept higher, but that’s probably because I enjoy it so much. Also Stadler finally got some points, woo.

Final Secondary Judge Standings:
Train of Naught - 18
Bolsters - 17
Evermind - 14
Tomislav95 – 12
Luoto - 10
twosuitsluke - 8
home - 7
Nekov - 2
Stadler - 2
LordCost – 0

Trainyboy made the finals just barely above Bolsters, and I feel so bad for Bolsters that I’m seriously considering breaking my own rules and allowing a fifth EP because why the hell not. Give me a night to decide on that one.

I’m going to go put up who judged which round and my comments for each round now so look out for that as well.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on September 05, 2017, 12:57:56 AM
Holy fuck I remember listening to that Ongoing Concept song and thinking you would absolutely hate it. I'm already listening to the album now and it's awesome, thanks lukeboy :tup this is awesome. Tomislav did so bad that he didn't get a writeup?

Also yeah I was sure I wanted to send Matter cause I love it so much but I was aware of the very weird tacked on ending, sent it anyway and typing this now seems like it paid off cause I made it to the finals boiii. I have not gave the EP a single thought yet but I have a lot of songs in my Parama Roulette playlist left so I'll figure something out over the coming few days! It's weird how close I actually came to the top 3 in the end lol, that +0.75 on artilang probably helped
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 05, 2017, 01:12:30 AM
Holy fuck I remember listening to that Ongoing Concept song and thinking you would absolutely hate it.

well you've had pretty bad judgement of my tastes thus far, so  :corn
also what tomislav didn't have a writeup what are you talking about whaaaat  :corn
judge stuff is all up but i'm tired so i'm gonna do the farewell posts tomorrow, also gives me a night to sleep on The Bolsters Decision  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 05, 2017, 01:16:38 AM
Well shit!

I honestly didn't think you'd like the song that much! You like it even more than me by the sounds of it  :lol I'm glad though, I've been contemplating sending The Ongoing Concept in every single roulette I've played but never went for it. I only did this time because I was running out of things to send and the fact they are touring with Eidola  (who I know you love). I'm with Train though, after sending it I kinda thought you were going to hate it  :lol

This goes to show, even after doing well in this roulette, I still don't fully understand your tastes. I'm homing in on it though.

So EP time. How long have we got to send? I don't want to half ass it but I have so much going on at the moment. I might be able to bash it out tonight after work. Just hope I have something left to send you.

Let's finish this...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on September 05, 2017, 01:20:44 AM
you have a week, i am not even touching this roulette for a week, i need a break  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 05, 2017, 01:22:26 AM
you have a week, i am not even touching this roulette for a week, i need a break  :lol

That works for me :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Round 10 First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 05, 2017, 02:29:20 AM
I feel so bad for Bolsters that I’m seriously considering breaking my own rules and allowing a fifth EP because why the hell not. Give me a night to decide on that one.
Depends how much more suffering you would like I guess.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: LordCost on September 05, 2017, 02:49:06 AM
I thought that The Ongoing Concept was one of the candidates for the 3/10 :rollin
I still don't know Parama's tastes after 2 and a half roulettes.

I don't have enough good songs to make an EP, so I'm not sad about not going to the final round. I would have sent you Korn and Drowning Pool to fill the EP, maybe it's better for you :lol

Fun roulette as always, maybe I will organize one in the future too after trying to be the secondary judge. I cannot say more than "I like it/I don't like it" for many songs but I enjoyed round 10 overall. I never listened to the other round songs to compare to it though.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Luoto on September 05, 2017, 03:17:27 AM
I thought that The Ongoing Concept was one of the candidates for the 3/10 :rollin

Haha, that song is too well written to get a score that low in the first place :)

I'm quite positively surprised Barren Earth got as much as that. The song is doomy and kind of through-composed so I get the argument it may not be too memorable, but the atmosphere is great.

I'll send my EP shortly.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Elite on September 05, 2017, 05:14:18 AM
Time to send the EP :corn:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: home on September 05, 2017, 05:30:57 AM
Yeah like I expected.  :P.  Parama, you got to join a plug.dj session soon so I can let you hear the songs I didn't send you yet.

Also, thanks a lot for hosting this! I'm still really glad Jupiter got a great score  :metal
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Tomislav95 on September 05, 2017, 09:05:07 AM
7 is nice for that song. I connected with it but I understand it's hard when you have limited time and I know it's not the most interesting song ever.
Thank you for hosting and having me :tup your notes on secondary judges' scores were interesting, read some of it and will read all of them when I have more time.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on September 05, 2017, 12:30:57 PM
I totally forgot that Nekov already sent his EP like two weeks ago & Luoto already sent his, nice

Also Bolsters you should go ahead and send an EP too why the heck not I hate myself enough to deal with 5 EPs sure
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: TAC on September 05, 2017, 12:45:50 PM
@ Stadler..as much as I LOVE Another Perfect Day, on what planet is it a good idea to send One Track Mind. So many better Motorhead tunes, even on that album..Shine?
Do you have the King Biscuit CD from that tour? It's really cool.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Stadler on September 05, 2017, 12:54:00 PM
@ Stadler..as much as I LOVE Another Perfect Day, on what planet is it a good idea to send One Track Mind. So many better Motorhead tunes, even on that album..Shine?
Do you have the King Biscuit CD from that tour? It's really cool.

I don't know; I just love that song.   

I do have the KB CD; I like it.  As much as I like the early Motorhead - I get why it's classic - I really like the Robo stuff.  I know it wasn't a good fit and I know the stories about what came after, but that's BY FAR my favorite Motorhead record.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on September 05, 2017, 01:05:01 PM
Wow, that was close. I knew it wasn't a strong submission but I thought you might like it anyways. As you said, me ep is already in, hope you enjoy it.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on September 05, 2017, 10:07:20 PM
Also Bolsters you should go ahead and send an EP too why the heck not I hate myself enough to deal with 5 EPs sure
:corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on September 07, 2017, 02:28:39 PM
I have 2.86 EPs, trainy needs to resend one of his songs though  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on September 07, 2017, 10:08:12 PM
I might be able to send mine later tonight but it's more likely going to be tomorrow instead.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Bolsters on September 08, 2017, 05:11:09 AM
I have 2.86 EPs, trainy needs to resend one of his songs though  :corn
You now should have at least 3.86 EPs.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on September 10, 2017, 10:36:24 AM
Will give everyone until 6 PM PST on Monday to submit roulette EPs, I already have four of the five but anyone else who wants to send should do so before then
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Sacul on September 10, 2017, 11:51:42 AM
Finished making my EP, giving it a listen before sending :P

EDIT: Sent.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 11, 2017, 01:53:22 AM
Last minute crafting of EP commencing...






This is going to be such a mixed bag. I'm not expecting to pull off a win here. Flow score...0
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 11, 2017, 04:47:10 PM
EP submitted.

I really have no chance of winning this but I'm glad I just managed to knock an EP together.

I'd say enjoy...but you won't.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on September 11, 2017, 05:37:10 PM
Yeah that's what you said about your round 10 submission too  :corn

6 EPs for hangmanen atm, I won't get to listening through every EP tonight but hangman should be up sometime Tuesday night
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 11, 2017, 06:35:24 PM
Yeah that's what you said about your round 10 submission too  :corn

True.

Who even knows at this point. I never imagined getting this far and winning my first roulette in yours would be an achievement  :rollin
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on September 12, 2017, 01:24:43 AM
i actually only got two EPs listened to tonight so i can't guarantee i'll have the other three listened to tomorrow night but i'll try to get them all done
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Nekov on September 12, 2017, 09:36:07 AM
How's the hangman gonna work? You'll put eps and songs below each? Do we also have to guess the EP name?  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on September 12, 2017, 12:04:48 PM
List of ep titles, list of songs, have to match each ep title and song to a person

I also added ordering into the guessing game last time but probably won't do that again
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (ROUND 10 RESULTS)
Post by: Crow on September 13, 2017, 09:47:34 PM
Final Round First Impressions

Beyond that it’s still pretty great from an atmospheric standpoint and the big moments of the song have the kind of power I’m looking for in stuff like this.

Stompy, cheery intro to this one but that gives it a rock edge I like so, yeah, definitely on board with that.

I think if anything is the real appeal here it’s the drumming, which seems to evolve and drive the song more than anything else does.

I do think the music here does a better job of keeping me interested, probably because I’m a loser and it’s heavier and a bit more dissonant.

It makes the song feel pretty tense throughout, just waiting for the moment when it’s really going to explode.

It’s a pretty well-structured song on the whole and while it doesn’t really blow me away it’s again pretty enjoyable throughout.

Yeah, this is a fun enough song, it mixes in a lot of styles but does it fairly cohesively.

It’s not unpleasant and it’s not instrumentally overly simple and if I didn’t have several other similar songs on the same EP maybe I’d like it more than I do.

I think this song has a pretty solid progression & arc to it, it feels like it goes a fair number of places while still feeling cohesive and succinct.

And I dunno, this song feels like it has a fun vibe to it throughout, at least to me. It’s not really taking itself too seriously but it’s not overtly that goofy or cheesy either.

As an interlude track this is actually pretty nice, atmospheric and kind of massive by its peak, actually wish it was longer.

It also has a way, way better groove to it that I immediately like a lot more.

This seems to be leaning on the more emotive side too, with some chill guitar melodies and a lot less wank.

The interplay between melody and dissonance is what makes a lot of music interesting to me these days; and I feel like this song does a good job of balancing those.

It’s got decent heaviness to it and is fairly dynamic as a whole, or at least as dynamic as the muddy production lets it be.

Yeah this one starts off a bit more interesting (and is like, actually a rock song, with guitars that have some actual power to them this time), so already this is a step up from the last track.

Yeah, as a way to close the EP and tie everything together I think this does its job quite well and is a pretty solid track on its own too.

There’s a lush atmosphere and ambience to all the instrumentation here besides that one element and if it had focused on that more ethereal sound throughout it’d be more effective, at least to me.

The instrumentation is a bit more energetic here, maybe a bit more technically interesting?

The riffs have a more majestic feel to them, the bass gets some cool licks in the quieter moments, and mostly it’s just dynamic in an interesting way.

The vocals here are, again, pretty solid though and easily the highlight of this one.

I don’t really have much else to say about this one, it’s decent but a bit on the generic side and isn’t doing a ton for me on first listen.

I dunno, I dug this more than I was expecting to, it feels like a very complete song with several moments that really clicked with me.

Musically I am getting a decently atmospheric indie rock vibe from this though the music seems really downplayed throughout this.

I don’t feel like this pulls as much emotional weight, but I mean, it’s still pretty dang nice and hits a stronger climax if I’m being honest.

Instrumentally this is solid but admittedly not standing out too much, the vocals seem to be the main attraction here and they do keep me interested at the very least.

And honestly the drums are easily the most interesting and most driving part of this one, they’re really way more in control of the feel of the song than anything else.

Hey, you included it separately in the track listing so I’m counting it.

I’m way more into the atmospheric bits of this, which are pretty nice, than the more standard heavy metal bits, which are just okay.

It’s got some melodies grounding it and it has its moments of atmosphere too, though I can’t say it really does much to stand out in the genre it occupies.

This sounds nice enough and it isn’t really boring but considering the one moment where it sounds less “nice” is the only moment that really caught my interest the most I’m not sure what to think really.

There’s a nice power and energy running throughout the entire song and there’s some moments of melodic reprieve.

That piano break in the middle comes in at a great time and really resolves the tension the song had been building up in an effective way, I dug that a lot.

It’s another nice tune that has a fair bit going on in its atmosphere and pretty solid vocals to carry it.

Regardless of that I still think it’s a song that builds up to a pretty decent climax, though not as strong as the similar song you’ve sent before.

As for the EPs overall... they're all pretty different and I think a few of them are a bit too one-note but there's a good variety overall and a few tracks standing out on first listen, so we'll see. 35 tracks (or 34 one of them doesn't really count) across 5 EPs, and 26 different artists in total. Just a bit under three hours of music. Oh excluding Sacul's I haven't listened to it but it'll be in the hangmanen that will take me like an hour to set up.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 13, 2017, 10:24:56 PM
Final Round Hangman!!!

Participants

Sacul
Luoto
Nekov
Bolsters
twosuitsluke
Train of Naught

EP Titles

___ __ ______
___ _____ __ ___
___ _____ ____ __
_____ ____ ___ ____ __ ___ _____
“__ _____ _ _______ __ ______ ___ ________”
___ ________________ _____ (__ ______) __ _________ ____... ____________


Song Titles

_____ - __
___ - _____
______ - _____
_____ - _______
________ - ____
________ - _____
___ _____ - _____
______ - ________
_______ - ____ ____
_________ - _______
________ - ______ __
__________ - ___ ___
__ - ___ _____ __ ___
________ - ___ ___ ___
__ ____ - _____ __ ____
__________ - ____ __ __
__-___ - ____ __ ___ ____
_______ ___ - ____ _ ____
___ _____ - _____ ___ ___
_________ - ______ ______
____ ____ - _____ ___ _____
___ - _______ ____ ____ ___
________ - ____ ______ __. _
__ - ___ _____ __ ___ (_____)
_________ - _______ __ _____
__________ - ____ __ ________
_____ ___ ____ - _____ __ ____
_____ _______ - _____ __ _____
_____ ___ ____ - _____ __ _____
________ - _’_ __ ___ _____ ____
__ ________ - ____ _ _____ _____
___ ________ - ____ ___ _________
_______ ______ - _______ ___ ____
___ ______ _____ - __ ______ _____
________ - ____________ _____ ____
__-___ - ____ ____ ___ ____ _________
____ ______ - ___ _____ __ ___ _______
______ __ _____ - _______ ___ ___ ____
_____ ____ _____ _________ - ______ ___
______ __ ______ - _____ __ _______ ___ ___
___ ______ _____ - ____ __. ____’_ ________ ______

wew boys
this is gonna be painful to update  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 13, 2017, 11:12:47 PM
Don't you have like a software or even a script that updates it for you? :P

Since you didn't listen to my EP I'll have to ask for the D.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 14, 2017, 01:12:56 AM
Participants

Sacul
Luoto
Nekov
Bolsters
twosuitsluke
Train of Naught

EP Titles

___ __ ______
___ _____ __ ___
___ _____ ____ __
_____ ____ ___ _d__ __ ___ _____
“__ _____ _ ______d __ ______ ___ ________”
___ ________________ _____ (__ ______) __ _____d___ D___... ____________


Song Titles

_____ - __
___ - _____
___d__ - D____
_____ - _______
___d____ - _d__
___d____ - ___d_
___ _____ - _d___
______ - ________
_______ - ____ ____
_________ - ______d
________ - ______ __
_________d - ___ ___
__ - ___ _____ __ ___
________ - ___ D__ ___
__ ____ - _____ __ ____
__________ - ____ __ __
__-___ - ____ __ ___ ____
_______ ___ - ____ _ ____
___ _____ - D____ ___ __d
____d____ - D_____ ______
____ ____ - _____ ___ ____d
___ - _______ ____ ____ ___
________ - ____ ______ __. _
__ - ___ _____ __ ___ (_____)
_________ - _______ __ _____
__________ - ____ __ ____d___
_____ __d ____ - D____ __ ____
_____ _____d_ - _____ __ _____
_____ __d ____ - _____ __ _____
________ - _’_ __ ___ _____ __d_
__ ________ - ____ _ __d__ _____
___ D_______ - ____ ___ _________
_______ ______ - _______ ___ ____
___ ______ _____ - __ ______ _____
________ - ____________ ____d ____
__-___ - ____ ____ ___ ____ _________
____ ______ - ___ _____ __ ___ ___d___
______ __ _____ - _______ ___ __d ____
_____ ____ _____ _________ - ______ ___
______ __ _____d - _____ __ _______ __d ___
___ ______ _____ - ____ __. ____’_ __d_____ ______

Letters Guessed:
D

Sacul waits 3
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 14, 2017, 01:28:28 AM
S
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 14, 2017, 01:42:21 AM
Participants

Sacul
Luoto
Nekov
Bolsters
twosuitsluke
Train of Naught

EP Titles

___ __ S__s__
___ ___s_ __ ___
___ _____ ____ __
S___s ____ ___ _d__ __ ___ _____
“__ ___s_ _ ______d __ ____s_ ___ ________”
___ ________________ _____ (__ ______) __ _____d___ D___... ____________


Song Titles

_____ - __
___ - _____
___d_s - D____
__s_s - _______
___d____ - _d__
___d____ - ___d_
___ S____ - _d___
____s_ - __s_____
___s___ - ____ ____
_________ - ______d
S_______ - ______ __
_________d - ___ ___
__ - ___ ___s_ __ ___
___ss___ - ___ D_s ___
__ ____ - _____ __ ____
__________ - ____ __ __
__-___ - S___ __ ___ S___
__ss___ ___ - ____ _ ____
___ S____ - D____ ___ __d
____d____ - D_____ _____s
____ ____ - _____ ___ ____d
___ - _______ ____ ____ ___
__s____s - ____ S__s__ __. _
__ - ___ ___s_ __ ___ (_____)
_________ - S_____s __ S____
__________ - ____ __ ____d_s_
_____ __d S___ - D____ __ ____
___s_ _____d_ - _____ __ _____
_____ __d S___ - _____ __ _____
S_______ - _’_ __ ___ _____ S_d_
__ ________ - ____ _ __d__ S____
__s D_s____s - S___ ___ ________s
___ss___ _____s - _______ ___ ___s
___ ______ ____s - __ __s___ _____
___ss___ - __s_________ ____d __ss
__-___ - ____ ____ ___ ____ _________
____ S_____ - ___ _____ __ S__ ___d___
_____s __ _____ - _______ S__ __d ____
_____ ____ _____ _________ - __s___ S__
______ __ _____d - ____s __ _______ __d ___
___ ______ ____s - ____ __. ____’s __d_____ ______

Letters Guessed:
DS

Bolsters waits 3
Sacul waits 2

sleeping now so no updates until i wake up
& die from all the updates
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on September 14, 2017, 03:03:18 AM
Les Discrets

A

EDIT: I can see how my EP could be a bit "one-note" as I went for a certain vibe throughout. If I would've discovered Dvne in time it certainly would've mixed things up more :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on September 14, 2017, 05:59:00 AM
Give me a T
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 14, 2017, 08:39:09 AM
Les Discrets

A

EDIT: I can see how my EP could be a bit "one-note" as I went for a certain vibe throughout. If I would've discovered Dvne in time it certainly would've mixed things up more :corn
that dvne album was good. i already listened thru it & i want it


Participants

Sacul
Luoto
Nekov
Bolsters
twosuitsluke
Train of Naught

EP Titles

__t __ S_as__
T__ ___st __ ___
T__ _a___ ____ __
S___s ____ t__ _d__ __ t__ _a_t_
“A_ __ast _ _a_a__d t_ ____s_ t__ _____tt_”
T__ __t_____t____ta_ T_a__ (__ _a___t) __ _____d___ D___... __t_a_a_a__a


Song Titles

_a_a_ - __
___ - __t__
__ad_s - D____
T_s_s - T______
_a_d___a - _da_
_a_d___a - _a_d_
A__ S_a__ - Ad___
____sa - __s_____
___s___ - T___ ____
______ta_ - ____t_d
Sa_t____ - ______ __
_____t__ad - ___ ___
_T - T__ ___st __ ___
__ass_a_ - A__ D_s ___
__ _a__ - __a__ __ T___
_a__a_a___ - T___ _t __
__-_a_ - S___ __ t__ S___
_ass___ __t - Ta__ a _a__
A__ S_a__ - D____ ___ _ad
A___d____ - Da____ _at__s
Ta__ Ta__ - A_t__ t__ ____d
___ - A__t___ _a__ ____ ___
__s_a__s - ____ S_as__ _t. _
_T - T__ ___st __ ___ (__t__)
______ta_ - S__ta_s __ Sata_
_a____a___ - A___ __ _a_ad_s_
T__a_ a_d Sa_a - D____ t_ ____
___st ____ad_ - __a_a __ T__ta
T__a_ a_d Sa_a - _a__t __ __a_t
Sa_t____ - _’_ __ t__ _____ S_d_
__ ________ - ____ a T_da_ S____
Les Discrets - S___ ___ ____ta__s
___ss___ ____ts - __t____ t__ ___s
T__ ______ ____s - __ __s___ _____
__ass_a_ - __s______ta_ ____d __ss
__-_a_ - _a__ ____ ___ ____ __a_t____
____ Sa_a__ - T__ _____ t_ Sa_ ___d___
A___ts __ _____ - __t____ S__ a_d ____
___t_ __t_ __a__ __tt_____ - __s___ S__
______ __ _____d - ____s __ __at___ a_d _a_
T__ ______ ____s - ____ __. _a__’s __d__a__ ___ta_

Letters Guessed:
ADST

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on September 14, 2017, 09:12:49 AM
"At Least I Managed to (Choose?) the Roulette"

N pleas

Is BT in there and is it sent by Bolsters?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 14, 2017, 10:05:59 AM
Looks like one of the song titles near the middle could contain Satan.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on September 14, 2017, 12:30:51 PM
Talk Talk?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 14, 2017, 06:56:38 PM
Participants

Sacul
Luoto
Nekov

Bolsters:
BT - T__ ___st _n ___ (_nt__)
BT - T__ ___st _n ___

twosuitsluke
Train of Naught

EP Titles

__t __ S_as_n
T__ ___st _n ___
T__ _a___ ____ __
S_n_s ____ t__ _d__ __ t__ _a_t_
"At Least I Managed to __n_s_ the Roulette"
T__ _nt____nt_n_nta_ T_a_n (__ Na___t) __ ____nd_n_ D___... __t_a_a_a__a


Song Titles

_a_an - __
___ - __t__
__ad_s - D____
T_s_s - T___n__
_a_d__na - _da_
_a_d__na - _a_d_
A__ S_a__ - Ad___
____sa - _ns____n
__ns___ - T___ N___
______ta_ - ____t_d
Sa_t____ - ____n_ _n
_____t__ad - ___ ___
__ass_a_ - A__ D_s ___
_n _a_n - __a__ __ T___
_a__a_an__ - T__n _t __
N_-_an - S_n_ __ t__ S___
_ass__n __t - Ta__ a _a__
A__ S_a__ - D____ ___ _ad
A__nd____ - Da___n _at__s
Talk Talk - A_t__ t__ ____d
___ - An_t___ _a__ ____ ___
__s_a_ns - __n_ S_as_n _t. _
______ta_ - S__tans __ Satan
_a____an__ - A___ _n _a_ad_s_
T__an and Sa_a - D__n_ t_ _n__
___st ____ad_ - __a_a _n T__ta
T__an and Sa_a - _a_nt __ __a_t
Sa_t____ - _’_ _n t__ ___n_ S_d_
_n ____n_n_ - ____ a T_da_ S____
Les Discrets - S_n_ ___ ___nta_ns
___ss___ ___nts - __t___n t__ ___s
T__ ______ __n_s - __ __s___ _____
__ass_a_ - __s______tan ____d __ss
N_-_an - _a__ ___n ___ ____ __a_t____
___n Sa_a__ - T__ ___n_ t_ Sa_ ___d___
A__nts __ _____ - __t___n S_n and ___n
___t_ __t_ __a__ __tt_____ - __s_n_ S_n
______ __ _____d - __n_s __ __at___ and _a_
T__ ______ __n_s - ____ __. _a_n’s __d_na__ ___ta_

Letters Guessed:
ADNST

Train waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Luoto waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 14, 2017, 10:16:38 PM
In Mourning
Moon Safari
Agents of Mercy


L
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 15, 2017, 12:37:48 AM
Participants

Sacul
Luoto
Nekov

Bolsters:
BT - T__ ___st _n ___ (_nt__)
BT - T__ ___st _n ___

twosuitsluke
Train of Naught

EP Titles

__t __ S_as_n
T__ ___st _n ___
T__ _a___ ____ __
S_n_s ____ t__ _d__ __ t__ _a_t_
"At Least I Managed to __n_s_ the Roulette"
T__ _nt____nt_n_ntal T_a_n (__ Na___t) __ ____nd_n_ D___... __t_a_a_a__a


Song Titles

_a_an - __
___ - __t__
_lad_s - D____
T_s_s - T___n__
_a_d__na - _dal
_a_d__na - _a_d_
A__ S_a__ - Ad___
__l_sa - _ns____n
__ns___ - T___ N___
___l__ta_ - ___lt_d
Salt_ll_ - ____n_ _n
_____t__ad - ___ ___
_lass_a_ - A__ D_s __l
_n _a_n - __a__ __ T___
_a__a_an__ - T__n _t __
N_-_an - S_n_ __ t__ S___
_ass__n __t - Ta__ a _al_
A__ S_a__ - D____ ___ _ad
A__nd___l - Da___n _at__s
Talk Talk - A_t__ t__ _l__d
___ - An_t___ _a__ ____ ___
__s_a_ns - L_n_ S_as_n _t. _
___l__ta_ - S_ltans __ Satan
_a____an__ - Al__ _n _a_ad_s_
T__an and Sa_a - D__n_ t_ _n__
___st ____ad_ - _la_a _n T_lta
T__an and Sa_a - _a_nt __ __a_t
Salt_ll_ - _’_ _n t__ ___n_ S_d_
In Mourning - ____ a T_dal Sl___
Les Discrets - S_n_ ___ ___nta_ns
___ss___ ___nts - __t___n t__ L__s
T__ _l____ __n_s - __ __s___ L____
_lass_a_ - __s____l_tan _l__d L_ss
N_-_an - _a__ ___n ___ ____ __a_t___l
Moon Safari - T__ ___n_ t_ Sa_ ___d___
Agents of Mercy - __t___n S_n and ___n
___t_ __t_ _la__ __tt___l_ - __s_n_ S_n
__ll__ __ __ll_d - __n_s __ __at___ and _a_
T__ _l____ __n_s - ____ __. _a_n’s __d_na__ ___ta_

Letters Guessed:
ADLNST

Bolsters waits 3
Train waits 2
Nekov waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on September 15, 2017, 02:23:29 AM
Two Wardruna songs, one of them is Odal. There's also Sultans of Satan, apparently... and The Flower Kings.

R
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 15, 2017, 02:27:53 AM
Killer Be Killed.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: home on September 15, 2017, 04:45:46 AM
Saltillo- I'm on the wrong side and Giving In.
Nice! By Sacul I assume :azn:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on September 15, 2017, 05:49:34 AM
The first EP seems to be Out of Season. And the one with the ridiculously long name starts with The Intercontinental Train and is probably Sacul
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 15, 2017, 06:05:11 AM
The Intercontinental Train (of Naught)

"At least I managed to finish the roulette"
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on September 15, 2017, 06:09:41 AM
Wtf, Sacul put my username in his EP title? That's low

Sacul-Man - Song of the Surf
Sacul-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful

Sultans of Satan is by Kvelertak, nice, literally anyone could've sent that but guessing Luoto
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on September 15, 2017, 07:32:31 AM
4th EP is Songs from the edge of the (Party)?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on September 15, 2017, 07:42:55 AM
Sultans of Satan is by Kvelertak, nice, literally anyone could've sent that but guessing Luoto

Nah, I'm guessing Luke. Ulvetid is also there.

Kauan - II
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 15, 2017, 07:57:02 AM
Tegan and Sara (I only know of them because NOFX wrote a song about them  :lol), sent by Bolsters??
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 15, 2017, 08:48:33 PM
Participants

Sacul
Saltillo - Giving In
No-Man - Song of the Surf
No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side

Luoto
Nekov

Bolsters:
BT - T__ ___st _n ___ (_ntr_)
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt __ __art
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ t_ _n__
BT - T__ ___st _n ___

twosuitsluke
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan

Train of Naught

EP Titles

Out of Season
T__ ___st _n ___
T__ _a___ _r__ __
Songs From the Edge of the _art_
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"
The Interncontinental Train (of Naught) __ ____nd_n_ D___... __tra_a_a__a


Song Titles

Kauan - __
___ - __tr_
_lad_s - Dr___
T_s_s - T_r_n__
Wardruna - Odal
Wardruna  - Ra_d_
A__ S_ar_ - Ad_r_
__l_sa - _ns____n
__ns___ - T___ N__r
_____t__ad - __r ___
_lass_a_ - A__ D_s __l
_n _a_n - __a__ __ T___
_ar_a_an__ - T_rn _t __
_ass__n __t - Ta__ a _al_
A__ S_ar_ - Dr___ ___ _ad
A__nd___l - Dar__n _at_rs
Talk Talk - A_t_r t__ _l__d
___ - An_t__r _a__ _r__ ___
__s_a_ns - L_n_ S_as_n _t. _
_ar___an__ - Al__ _n _arad_s_
___st _r__ad_ - _la_a _n T_lta
In Mourning - _r__ a T_dal Sl___
Les Discrets - S_n_ __r ___nta_ns
_r_ss_r_ ___nts - __t___n t__ L__s
The Flower Kings - __ __s___ L___r
_lass_a_ - __s____l_tan _l__d L_ss
Moon Safari - T__ ___n_ t_ Sa_ ___d___
Agents of Mercy - __t___n S_n and ___n
___t_ __t_ _la__ __tt_r_l_ - R_s_n_ S_n
Killer Be Killed - __n_s __ __at__r and _a_
The Flower Kings - ___r _r. Ra_n’s _rd_nar_ ___tar

Letters Guessed:
ADLNRST

Luoto waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Train waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 15, 2017, 10:25:13 PM
Pressure Points?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 15, 2017, 10:32:02 PM
pressure yes
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on September 16, 2017, 08:12:02 AM
Give me an O
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 16, 2017, 08:17:29 AM
Pressure Points is Luoto. Damn, I was thinking about sending them. Bet they will score better than anything on my EP  :lol they may be too similar to another band for your tastes though.

And the song is Between the Lies
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 16, 2017, 10:57:06 AM
Participants

Sacul
Saltillo - Giving In
No-Man - Song of the Surf
No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side

Luoto
Pressure Points - Between the Lies

Nekov

Bolsters:
BT - T__ __ost _n _o_ (_ntro)
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt o_ __art
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ to _no_
BT - T__ __ost _n _o_

twosuitsluke
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan

Train of Naught

EP Titles

Out of Season
T__ __ost _n _o_
T__ _a___ _ro_ __
Songs From the Edge of the _art_
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"
The Interncontinental Train (of Naught) o_ ____nd_n_ Doo_... __tra_a_a__a


Song Titles

Kauan - __
___ - O_tro
_lad_s - Dr___
T_s_s - Toronto
Wardruna - Odal
Wardruna  - Ra_do
A__ S_ar_ - Ador_
__l_sa - _ns_o__n
__ns___ - T___ No_r
_____t__ad - _or _o_
_lass_a_ - A__ Dos __l
_n _a_n - __a__ o_ T___
_ar_a_an__ - T_rn _t __
_ass_on __t - Ta__ a _al_
A__ S_ar_ - Dr___ _o_ _ad
A__nd_o_l - Dar__n _at_rs
Talk Talk - A_t_r t__ _lood
___ - Anot__r _a__ _ro_ _o_
__s_a_ns - Lon_ S_ason _t. _
_ar___an__ - Al__ _n _arad_s_
__ost _r__ad_ - _la_a on T_lta
In Mourning - _ro_ a T_dal Sl___
Les Discrets - Son_ _or _o_nta_ns
The Flower Kings - __ _os___ Lo__r
_lass_a_ - _os_o_ol_tan _lood Loss
Moon Safari - Too _o_n_ to Sa_ _ood___
Agents of Mercy - __t___n S_n and _oon
___t_ _ot_ _la__ __tt_r_l_ - R_s_n_ S_n
Killer Be Killed - __n_s o_ __at__r and _a_
The Flower Kings - _oor _r. Ra_n’s Ord_nar_ ___tar

Letters Guessed:
ADLNORST

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on September 16, 2017, 12:05:24 PM
The Ghost in You
Outro
Raido (I also suspect Wardruna is Train)
Kylesa
Song for Mountains
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 16, 2017, 01:06:31 PM
Participants

Sacul
Saltillo - Giving In
No-Man - Song of the Surf
No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side

Luoto
Pressure Points - Between the Lies

Nekov

Bolsters:
BT - The Ghost in You (_ntro)
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt o_ __art
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ to _no_
BT - The Ghost in You

twosuitsluke
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan

Train of Naught
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal

EP Titles

Out of Season
The Ghost in You
T__ _a___ _ro_ __
Songs From the Edge of the _art_
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"
The Interncontinental Train (of Naught) o_ ____nd_n_ Doo_... __tra_a_a__a


Song Titles

Kauan - __
___ - Outro
_lad_s - Dr___
T_s_s - Toronto
A__ S_ar_ - Ador_
Kylesa - _ns_o__n
__ns___ - T___ No_r
_____t__ad - _or _o_
_lass_a_ - A__ Dos __l
_n _a_n - __a__ o_ T___
_ar_a_an__ - T_rn _t __
_ass_on __t - Ta__ a _al_
A__ S_ar_ - Dr___ _o_ _ad
A__nd_o_l - Dar__n _at_rs
Talk Talk - A_t_r t__ _lood
___ - Anot__r _a__ _ro_ _o_
__s_a_ns - Lon_ S_ason _t. _
_ar___an__ - Al__ _n _arad_s_
__ost _r__ad_ - _la_a on T_lta
In Mourning - _ro_ a T_dal Sl___
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
The Flower Kings - __ _os___ Lo__r
_lass_a_ - _os_o_ol_tan _lood Loss
Moon Safari - Too _o_n_ to Sa_ _ood___
Agents of Mercy - __t___n S_n and _oon
___t_ _ot_ _la__ __tt_r_l_ - R_s_n_ S_n
Killer Be Killed - __n_s o_ __at__r and _a_
The Flower Kings - _oor _r. Ra_n’s Ord_nar_ ___tar

Letters Guessed:
ADLNORST

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

Also, here's some more fun times: Brief tidbits of my overall EP thoughts after two listens (and one to Sacul's)

Flow and track order seems a bit weird but there are some solid tunes here from sources I would not have expected

This EP starts off really strong but quickly runs out of steam and I'm quite bored by the last few tracks

I feel like this EP needed to escalate more than it actually did to really work but it's still one of the better ones right now

This sounds exactly like I would expect an EP from you to sound, though the back half felt a bit weak compared to the front half

A bit of a rough start but as this EP goes on it has some of my favorite tracks of the entire round, might be my favorite overall right now

Probably the most consistently solid EP but also a bit too one-note and none of the songs really click for me at all
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on September 17, 2017, 03:03:24 PM
Well, 4 of those comments could easily apply to my EP. Hope it's one of the better ones  :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 17, 2017, 08:14:17 PM
Gonna be seeing Eidola and The Ongoing Concept tonight, hopefully should be a good show  :metal

Reminder on this because I didn't restate it before, every full point over the lowest scoring finalist (in this case Train) gets a bonus quarter point for this round.
So... luke gets .25 points & Luoto gets 1.25 points, doesn't look like anyone else gets anything by those rules  :lol

Keeps things reasonable so Luoto doesn't just autowin for having such a higher score going into this round but still takes into account the last 11 rounds too.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 17, 2017, 11:35:08 PM
update:
Eidola was great, ended up picking two of their albums up
& they played Humble Ledger as the finale which really sounds completely out of place compared to all their other stuff but those first few minutes are still great so w/e
The Ongoing Concept was tons of fun though, def gonna have to pick up their last album as well as the new one dropping in like three weeks, lel

as far as EP listens go i'm through three listens now & i definitely have a favorite though one of the top three songs also comes from what's atm my least favorite (favorite song atm is on the favorite EP, of course)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 18, 2017, 01:53:06 AM
one of the top three songs also comes from what's atm my least favorite

I feel 100% confident this is me. I was really scraping the bottom of the barrel with my EP  :rollin
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 18, 2017, 10:17:47 AM
Guess some hangmnanens guys geez  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: LordCost on September 18, 2017, 11:45:29 AM
In vain?
Karkamanic - Turn it up?
Rising Sun is a title, and the band ends with Butterfly?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 18, 2017, 09:39:00 PM
Participants

Sacul
Saltillo - Giving In
No-Man - Song of the Surf
No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side

Luoto
Pressure Points - Between the Lies

Nekov

Bolsters:
BT - The Ghost in You (_ntro)
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt o_ __art
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ to _no_
BT - The Ghost in You

twosuitsluke
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan

Train of Naught
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal

EP Titles

Out of Season
The Ghost in You
T__ _a___ _ro_ __
Songs From the Edge of the _art_
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"
The Interncontinental Train (of Naught) o_ ____nd_n_ Doo_... __tra_a_a__a


Song Titles

Kauan - __
___ - Outro
_lad_s - Dr___
T_s_s - Toronto
A__ S_ar_ - Ador_
Kylesa - _ns_o__n
__ns___ - T___ No_r
_____t__ad - _or _o_
_lass_a_ - A__ Dos __l
In Vain - __a__ o_ T___
Karmakanic - Turn it Up
_ass_on __t - Ta__ a _al_
A__ S_ar_ - Dr___ _o_ _ad
A__nd_o_l - Dar__n _at_rs
Talk Talk - A_t_r t__ _lood
___ - Anot__r _a__ _ro_ _o_
__s_a_ns - Lon_ S_ason _t. _
_ar___an__ - Al__ _n _arad_s_
__ost _r__ad_ - _la_a on T_lta
In Mourning - _ro_ a T_dal Sl___
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
The Flower Kings - __ _os___ Lo__r
_lass_a_ - _os_o_ol_tan _lood Loss
Moon Safari - Too _o_n_ to Sa_ _ood___
Agents of Mercy - __t___n S_n and _oon
___t_ _ot_ _la__ Butterfly - Rising Sun
Killer Be Killed - __n_s o_ __at__r and _a_
The Flower Kings - _oor _r. Ra_n’s Ord_nar_ ___tar

Letters Guessed:
ADLNORST

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

c'mon letters
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on September 19, 2017, 01:05:15 AM
Give me that tasty E so we can start finishing things off.

Toronto is by Tusks and possibly sent by Bolsters? Sounds like the type of thing he send a lot.
Two Glassjaw tracks (Luke), one of which is titled Cosmopolitan Blood Loss
Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax is also by Luke and it is a friggin amazing song
There seems to be a second Karmakanic song, the title ends with In Paradise. No clue what this band is so I'll take a blind guess and say Nekov sent both of them.
Kylesa song is Luke
my guess at part of the title of the Flower Kings song is Door Nr. Rain's Ordinary, which doesn't make much sense but maybe they're the type of band that has arbitrary song titles to enhance their prog-mystique. Oh and the other Flower Kings song ends with Lover?

& they played Humble Ledger as the finale which really sounds completely out of place compared to all their other stuff but those first few minutes are still great so w/e
The first half of the song is definitely the best but the second half is also awesome :corn also the new album grew a bit more on me, it's not as bad as I first thought, just not nearly as interesting as Degeneraterra.

Flow and track order seems a bit weird but there are some solid tunes here from sources I would not have expected
:corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 19, 2017, 01:13:44 AM
Participants

Sacul
Saltillo - Giving In
No-Man - Song of the Surf
No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side

Luoto
Pressure Points - Between the Lies

Nekov
Karmakanic - Ale_ in Paradise
Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters:
BT - The Ghost in You (_ntro)
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt o_ _eart
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ to _no_
BT - The Ghost in You

twosuitsluke
Kylesa - _ns_o_en
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
Glassjaw - A_e Dos __l
Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal

EP Titles

Out of Season
The Ghost in You
T_e _a___ _ro_ E_
Songs From the Edge of the Eart_
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"
The Interncontinental Train (of Naught) o_ ___end_n_ Doo_... E_tra_a_a__a


Song Titles

Kauan - __
___ - Outro
_lades - Dr_e_
Tusks - Toronto
A__ S_ar_ - Adore
__ns___ - Te__ No_r
____et_ead - _or _o_
In Vain - __a_e o_ T__e
_ass_on __t - Ta_e a _al_
A__ S_ar_ - Dr__e _o_ _ad
A_end_o_l - Dar_en _aters
Talk Talk - A_ter t_e _lood
___ - Anot_er _a_e _ro_ _o_
__s_a_ns - Lon_ Season _t. _
__ost _r__ade - Ela_a on T_lta
In Mourning - _ro_ a T_dal Slee_
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
The Flower Kings - __ _os___ Lover
Moon Safari - Too _o_n_ to Sa_ _ood__e
Agents of Mercy - _et_een S_n and _oon
___te _ot_ _la__ Butterfly - Rising Sun
The Flower Kings - _oor _r. Rain’s Ordinary ___tar

Letters Guessed:
ADELNORST

Train waits 3
Nekov waits 2
Luoto waits 1

some of those EP titles should be really easy to match up by now, you guys  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 19, 2017, 01:52:30 AM
Yea, I'm pretty sure I played all those songs in various plug.dj sessions...

Ghost in You EP is Bolsters

Train is obviously The Intercontinental Train of Impending Doom... Extravaganza


Also gimme P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 19, 2017, 02:32:10 AM
The Flower Kings and Moon Safari could be in Nekov's EP?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on September 19, 2017, 03:26:13 AM
Buckethead - For You
Take a Walk
Drive You Mad
Between Sun and Moon
Poor Dr. Rain's Ordinary Guitar
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on September 19, 2017, 08:06:00 AM
A_end_o_l - Darken Waters?
Talk Talk - After the Flood
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 19, 2017, 09:41:56 AM
Participants

Sacul:
Saltillo - Giving In
No-Man - Song of the Surf
No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side

Luoto:
Pressure Points - Between the Lies

Nekov
The Flower Kings - Poor _r. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
Karmakanic - Ale_ in Paradise
Moon Safari - Too _o_n_ to Sa_ _ood__e
The Flower Kings - __ _os___ Lover
Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters: The Ghost in You
BT - The Ghost in You (_ntro)
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt o_ _eart
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ to _no_
BT - The Ghost in You

twosuitsluke:
Kylesa - _nspo_en
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
Glassjaw - Ape Dos __l
Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal

EP Titles

Out of Season
T_e _app_ Pro_ EP
Songs From the Edge of the Eart_
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"

Song Titles

Kauan - __
___ - Outro
_lades - Dr_e_
Tusks - Toronto
A__ S_ar_ - Adore
__ns__p - Te__ No_r
Buckethead - For _o_
In Vain - __a_e o_ T__e
Pass_on P_t - Take a Walk
A__ S_ar_ - Drive You Mad
A_end_o_l - Darken Waters
Talk Talk - After the Flood
___ - Anot_er _a_e _ro_ _o_
__s_a_ns - Lon_ Season Pt. _
__ost _r__ade - Ela_a on T_lta
In Mourning - _ro_ a T_dal Sleep
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon
___te _ot_ _la__ Butterfly - Rising Sun

Letters Guessed:
ADELNOPRST

Luke waits 3
Train waits 2
Nekov waits 1

Nobody's EP has all the songs yet... I wonder which one will be the first  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 19, 2017, 11:23:13 PM
J
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 19, 2017, 11:26:47 PM
the only J in the entire bunch is the J in Glassjaw

so you get nothing  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on September 20, 2017, 12:30:22 AM
B
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 20, 2017, 12:56:53 AM
Participants

Sacul:
Saltillo - Giving In
No-Man - Song of the Surf
No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side

Luoto:
Pressure Points - Between the Lies

Nekov
The Flower Kings - Poor _r. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
Karmakanic - Ale_ in Paradise
Moon Safari - Too _o_n_ to Sa_ _oodb_e
The Flower Kings - __ _os___ Lover
Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters: The Ghost in You
BT - The Ghost in You (_ntro)
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt o_ _eart
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ to _no_
BT - The Ghost in You

twosuitsluke:
Kylesa - _nspo_en
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
Glassjaw - Ape Dos __l
Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal

EP Titles

Out of Season
T_e _app_ Pro_ EP
Songs From the Edge of the Eart_
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"

Song Titles

Kauan - __
___ - Outro
_lades - Dr_e_
Tusks - Toronto
A__ S_ar_ - Adore
__ns__p - Te__ No_r
Buckethead - For _o_
In Vain - __a_e o_ T__e
Pass_on P_t - Take a Walk
A__ S_ar_ - Drive You Mad
A_end_o_l - Darken Waters
Talk Talk - After the Flood
___ - Anot_er _a_e _ro_ _o_
__s_a_ns - Lon_ Season Pt. _
__ost Br__ade - Ela_a on T_lta
In Mourning - _ro_ a T_dal Sleep
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon
___te _ot_ Bla__ Butterfly - Rising Sun

Letters Guessed:
ABDEJLNOPRST

Luoto waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luke waits 1

well, there were at least a few of those
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 20, 2017, 01:03:05 AM
The Happy Prog EP (Nekov)
Frost Brigade?
White Moth Black Butterfly?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 20, 2017, 01:14:13 AM
frost brigade is wrong, the rest is right
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 20, 2017, 01:15:20 AM
I forgot R had been guessed. :loser:

Ghost Brigade fits though.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 20, 2017, 01:16:11 AM
ghost brigade fits and is also correct
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 20, 2017, 10:42:25 PM
Participants

Sacul:
Saltillo - Giving In
No-Man - Song of the Surf
No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side

Luoto:
Pressure Points - Between the Lies

Nekov: The Happy Prog EP
The Flower Kings - Poor _r. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
Karmakanic - Ale_ in Paradise
Moon Safari - Too _o_n_ to Sa_ _oodb_e
The Flower Kings - __ _os___ Lover
Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters: The Ghost in You
BT - The Ghost in You (_ntro)
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt o_ _eart
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ to _no_
BT - The Ghost in You

twosuitsluke:
Kylesa - _nspo_en
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
Glassjaw - Ape Dos __l
Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal

EP Titles

Out of Season
Songs From the Edge of the Eart_
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"

Song Titles

Kauan - __
___ - Outro
_lades - Dr_e_
Tusks - Toronto
A__ S_ar_ - Adore
__ns__p - Te__ No_r
Buckethead - For _o_
In Vain - __a_e o_ T__e
Pass_on P_t - Take a Walk
A__ S_ar_ - Drive You Mad
A_end_o_l - Darken Waters
Talk Talk - After the Flood
___ - Anot_er _a_e _ro_ _o_
__s_a_ns - Lon_ Season Pt. _
Ghost Brigade - Ela_a on T_lta
In Mourning - _ro_ a T_dal Sleep
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon
White Moth Black Butterfly - Rising Sun

Letters Guessed:
ABDEJLNOPRST

Luoto waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luke waits 1

i sat down and listened to every last song on all five EPs in random order tonight and my conclusion is:

there are four songs that i find particularly strong and three of them are on the same EP. not much i really dislike, only one song comes to mind off the top of my head as the weakest of the round. just a lot that i find solid but isn't really doing a whole lot for me. i can't say for sure how the round results will turn out but based on where my favorites are i have a good guess of who will end up winning this thing. we'll see though, i won't even know for sure until all the scores are set in stone and added up. and i'll post the finalists from 5th place overall to 1st place overall with a bit of time between each, just to drag it out as long as possible  :corn

maybe i'll hold results hostage until hangman is finished, dunno
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 21, 2017, 01:42:52 AM
Does that mean you are pretty much ready to post 5th (*cough mine *cough) place, as soon as hangman is wrapped up?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: home on September 21, 2017, 03:59:39 AM
M83: Outro and Another Wave from you. Probably sent by Train.
Ghost Brigade was sent by Luoto is suppose?

update:
Eidola was great, ended up picking two of their albums up
& they played Humble Ledger as the finale which really sounds completely out of place compared to all their other stuff but those first few minutes are still great so w/e
I'm very glad I at least got you into Eidola  :angel:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 21, 2017, 06:40:46 AM
I think M83 might be Bolsters.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 21, 2017, 08:47:41 AM
Does that mean you are pretty much ready to post 5th (*cough mine *cough) place, as soon as hangman is wrapped up?
i have done zero (zero) work on writeups as of now, so, no

Participants

Sacul:
Saltillo - Giving In
No-Man - Song of the Surf
No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side

Luoto:
Pressure Points - Between the Lies
Ghost Brigade - Ela_a on T_lta

Nekov: The Happy Prog EP
The Flower Kings - Poor _r. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
Karmakanic - Ale_ in Paradise
Moon Safari - Too _o_n_ to Sa_ _oodb_e
The Flower Kings - __ _os___ Lover
Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters: The Ghost in You
BT - The Ghost in You (_ntro)
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt o_ _eart
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ to _no_
M83 - Another Wave From You
BT - The Ghost in You
M83 - Outro

twosuitsluke:
Kylesa - _nspo_en
Kvelertak - Ulvetid
Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
Glassjaw - Ape Dos __l
Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal

EP Titles

Out of Season
Songs From the Edge of the Eart_
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"

Song Titles

Kauan - __
_lades - Dr_e_
Tusks - Toronto
A__ S_ar_ - Adore
__ns__p - Te__ No_r
Buckethead - For _o_
In Vain - __a_e o_ T__e
Pass_on P_t - Take a Walk
A__ S_ar_ - Drive You Mad
A_end_o_l - Darken Waters
Talk Talk - After the Flood
__s_a_ns - Lon_ Season Pt. _
In Mourning - _ro_ a T_dal Sleep
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon
White Moth Black Butterfly - Rising Sun

Letters Guessed:
ABDEJLNOPRST

Luoto waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luke waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Evermind on September 21, 2017, 09:47:18 AM
Talk Talk is probably Sacul and In Mourning is probably Luoto.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Train of Naught on September 21, 2017, 09:55:30 AM
Okay, I'm gonna listen to some songs and try to see whose EP they might match, let's get this shit done

Passion Pit - Take a Walk: Bolsters
In Mourning - From a Tidal Sleep: Luoto
Amendfoil - Darken Waters: also probably Luoto
If the 'a' is incorrectly positioned, one of the songs could be Long Season Pt. Something (just gonna guess 1) by Fishmans: Bolsters?
BT - The Ghost In You (Intro)
Ghost Brigade - Elama On Tulta
Amy Shark - Drive You Mad / Adore
Kylesa - Unspoken
Songs from the Edge of the Earth: Luoto maybe
Moon Safari - Too Young to Say Goodbye
In Vain - Image of Time: just gonna keep guessing Luoto for everything which genre you can describe with death or doom, so Luoto
Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon: Nekov

EDIT: sniped by Evermind, I had originally guessed Nekov for Talk Talk so if it's not Sacul fill that in. I left the In Mourning guess in there since I also completed the song title

Oh and Buckethead is probably Sacul, and the song is called For Mom
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 21, 2017, 10:14:43 AM
Fishmans is not Bolsters, Talk Talk is indeed Sacul, Buckethead is not

Rest is right  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 21, 2017, 10:19:33 AM
Oh and Buckethead is probably Sacul
Why on hell would you assume that? I haven't even listened to him  :lol

It's probably Luoto.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 21, 2017, 10:49:38 AM
pretty sure literally every part of Luoto's EP has been guessed by the end of Train's post actually, so no, Buckethead is not on Luoto's
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 21, 2017, 11:34:04 AM
Then Buckethead is luke's.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 21, 2017, 07:40:31 PM
Sacul:
1. Saltillo - Giving In
2. No-Man - Song of the Surf
3. No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
4. Talk Talk - After the Flood
5. Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side
6. Fishmans - Long Season Pt. _

Luoto: Songs From the Edge of the Earth
1. In Vain - Image of Time
2. In Mourning - From a Tidal Sleep
3. Pressure Points - Between the Lies
4. Amendfoil - Darken Waters
5. Ghost Brigade - Elämä on Tulta

Nekov: The Happy Prog EP
1. The Flower Kings - Poor _r. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
2. Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon
3. Karmakanic - Ale_ in Paradise
4. Moon Safari - Too Young to Say Goodbye
5. The Flower Kings - __ _os___ Lover
6. Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters: The Ghost in You
BT - The Ghost in You (Intro)
Passion Pit - Take a Walk
Tegan and Sara - _a_nt o_ _eart
Tegan and Sara - D__n_ to _no_
M83 - Another Wave From You
BT - The Ghost in You
M83 - Outro

twosuitsluke:
1. Buckethead - For Mom
2. Kylesa - Unspoken
3. Kvelertak - Ulvetid
4. Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
5. Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
6. Glassjaw - Ape Dos __l
7. Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal

EP Titles

Out of Season
"At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"

Song Titles

Kauan - __
_lades - Dr_e_
Tusks - Toronto
Amy Shark - Adore
__ns__p - Te__ No_r
Amy Shark - Drive You Mad
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
White Moth Black Butterfly - Rising Sun

Letters Guessed:
ABDEJLNOPRST

Luoto waits 3
Bolsters waits 2
Luke waits 1

All the songs left unmatched belong to either Train's or Bolsters' EP so you guys should probably figure those ones out really quick  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 21, 2017, 08:28:23 PM
Les Discrets, Kauan and White Moth Black Butterfly go on Trainy's EP, the Amy Shark and Tusks songs on Bolsters'. "At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette" is obviously Luke's :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 21, 2017, 08:33:16 PM
tusks is actually not on bolsters', someone guessed that before  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 24, 2017, 01:35:40 AM
so, i have just finished the last of the writeups for each of the 5 EPs that matter. i'm gonna do brief writeups for sacul's EP so I can include his songs in the overall song rankings & then after that give each EP one more listen so I can have more confidence in my scores, and we're gonna be posting results one at a time until the winner is revealed. I actually have a fairly good guess at who it's going to be though, just based on where all the scores are right now - it has the majority of the 8+ scores, though there were disappointingly few of those overall, and has a pretty good EP score overall. I definitely know who's landing in 5th place too, but I'd have to add up all the other scores to tell you who's getting 2nd through 4th and even then I'm not 100% sure of 1st place either. Plus, a few scores might change on relistens - I'm gonna order every last song ahead of doing my relistens and if any of the rankings feel really weird to me there, there will definitely be some point reshuffling. It's not a very easy thing to keep consistent and while I feel like the scores within each EP reflect my opinions on each song I'm not so sure about scores between the different EPs right now. I've done... a lot of scoring today, guys  :lol my roulette doc is 31 pages long & with over 14k words. And that's without any writeups for Sacul's stuff. So yeah. I would expect result posting to start on Monday if I were you. So y'all better finish up hangman before then.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 24, 2017, 02:07:06 AM
So by one at a time do you mean one per day?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 24, 2017, 02:34:03 AM
it'll probably be more like "one in the morning after i wake up unless i forget in which case oops" and then "one in the evening probably after i've had dinner" which will put things at like 12 hours or so apart for each one

i mean i'll probably post 1 & 2 at the same time but otherwise yeah that
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Nekov on September 24, 2017, 07:58:37 AM
Give me an i
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 24, 2017, 09:39:20 AM
Sacul: Out of Season
1. Saltillo - Giving In
2. No-Man - Song of the Surf
3. No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
4. Talk Talk - After the Flood
5. Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side
6. Fishmans - Long Season Pt. _

Luoto: Songs From the Edge of the Earth
1. In Vain - Image of Time
2. In Mourning - From a Tidal Sleep
3. Pressure Points - Between the Lies
4. Amendfoil - Darken Waters
5. Ghost Brigade - Elämä on Tulta

Nekov: The Happy Prog EP
1. The Flower Kings - Poor _r. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
2. Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon
3. Karmakanic - Ale_ in Paradise
4. Moon Safari - Too Young to Say Goodbye
5. The Flower Kings - __ _os_i_ Lover
6. Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters: The Ghost in You
BT - The Ghost in You (Intro)
Passion Pit - Take a Walk
Tegan and Sara - _aint o_ _eart
Tegan and Sara - D_in_ to _no_
Amy Shark - Drive You Mad
M83 - Another Wave From You
Amy Shark - Adore
BT - The Ghost in You
M83 - Outro

twosuitsluke: "At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"
1. Buckethead - For Mom
2. Kylesa - Unspoken
3. Kvelertak - Ulvetid
4. Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
5. Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
6. Glassjaw - Ape Dos _il
7. Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza
White Moth Black Butterfly - Rising Sun
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains

Song Titles

Kauan - I_
_lades - Dri_e
Tusks - Toronto
__ns_ip - Te__ Noir

Letters Guessed:
ABDEIJLNOPRST

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Bolsters waits 1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Bolsters on September 24, 2017, 09:47:00 AM
Is the Kauan song IV or IX?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 24, 2017, 10:36:40 AM
IV, and belong on trainy's ep. Tusks one on his EP too I guess?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 24, 2017, 11:16:52 AM
Sacul: Out of Season
1. Saltillo - Giving In
2. No-Man - Song of the Surf
3. No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
4. Talk Talk - After the Flood
5. Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side
6. Fishmans - Long Season Pt. _

Luoto: Songs From the Edge of the Earth
1. In Vain - Image of Time
2. In Mourning - From a Tidal Sleep
3. Pressure Points - Between the Lies
4. Amendfoil - Darken Waters
5. Ghost Brigade - Elämä on Tulta

Nekov: The Happy Prog EP
1. The Flower Kings - Poor _r. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
2. Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon
3. Karmakanic - Ale_ in Paradise
4. Moon Safari - Too Young to Say Goodbye
5. The Flower Kings - __ _os_i_ Lover
6. Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters: The Ghost in You
1. BT - The Ghost in You (Intro)
2. Passion Pit - Take a Walk
3. Tegan and Sara - _aint o_ _eart
4. Tegan and Sara - D_in_ to _no_
5. _lades - Dri_e
6. Amy Shark - Drive You Mad
7. M83 - Another Wave From You
8. __ns_ip - Te__ Noir
9. Amy Shark - Adore
10. BT - The Ghost in You
11. M83 - Outro

twosuitsluke: "At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"
1. Buckethead - For Mom
2. Kylesa - Unspoken
3. Kvelertak - Ulvetid
4. Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
5. Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
6. Glassjaw - Ape Dos _il
7. Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza
Tusks - Toronto
White Moth Black Butterfly - Rising Sun
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
Kauan - IV

Letters Guessed:
ABDEIJLNOPRST

Nekov waits 3
Luoto waits 2
Bolsters waits 1

we're so close to finishing. do it
i've marked everything unfinished in red for you
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 24, 2017, 12:00:26 PM
Let's try:

The Flower Kings - Poor Mr. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
Karmakanic - Alex in Paradise
 Glassjaw - Ape Dos Mil

Gimme the M.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 24, 2017, 12:07:58 PM
Sacul: Out of Season
1. Saltillo - Giving In
2. No-Man - Song of the Surf
3. No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
4. Talk Talk - After the Flood
5. Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side
6. Fishmans - Long Season Pt. _

Luoto: Songs From the Edge of the Earth
1. In Vain - Image of Time
2. In Mourning - From a Tidal Sleep
3. Pressure Points - Between the Lies
4. Amendfoil - Darken Waters
5. Ghost Brigade - Elämä on Tulta

Nekov: The Happy Prog EP
1. The Flower Kings - Poor Mr. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
2. Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon
3. Karmakanic - Alex in Paradise
4. Moon Safari - Too Young to Say Goodbye
5. The Flower Kings - M_ _osmi_ Lover
6. Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters: The Ghost in You
1. BT - The Ghost in You (Intro)
2. Passion Pit - Take a Walk
3. Tegan and Sara - _aint o_ _eart
4. Tegan and Sara - D_in_ to _no_
5. _lades - Dri_e
6. Amy Shark - Drive You Mad
7. M83 - Another Wave From You
8. __ns_ip - Te__ Noir
9. Amy Shark - Adore
10. BT - The Ghost in You
11. M83 - Outro

twosuitsluke: "At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"
1. Buckethead - For Mom
2. Kylesa - Unspoken
3. Kvelertak - Ulvetid
4. Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
5. Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
6. Glassjaw - Ape Dos Mil
7. Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza
Tusks - Toronto
White Moth Black Butterfly - Rising Sun
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
Kauan - IV

Letters Guessed:
ABDEIJLMNOPRST

dropping the waits because w/e it's so close to being done anyways
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 24, 2017, 12:18:17 PM
Faint of Heart
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 24, 2017, 12:41:55 PM
My Cosmic Lover?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 24, 2017, 12:53:08 PM
yeah those are both right but not enough to update for  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Luoto on September 24, 2017, 01:08:47 PM
Dying to Know
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 24, 2017, 01:18:49 PM
Dying to Know

...if I'm in last place!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 24, 2017, 01:38:27 PM
Gunship - Tech Noir
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 24, 2017, 01:49:45 PM
quick, which long season part is it? that's like the last thing left i'll update when someone guesses. just guess like every number from 1 to 10 i dunno how many parts there are
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 24, 2017, 02:01:10 PM
Long Season Pt. & Knuckles
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 24, 2017, 02:32:02 PM
Sacul: Out of Season
1. Saltillo - Giving In
2. No-Man - Song of the Surf
3. No-Man - Back When You Were Beautiful
4. Talk Talk - After the Flood
5. Saltillo - I'm on the Wrong Side
6. Fishmans - Long Season Pt. 5

Luoto: Songs From the Edge of the Earth
1. In Vain - Image of Time
2. In Mourning - From a Tidal Sleep
3. Pressure Points - Between the Lies
4. Amendfoil - Darken Waters
5. Ghost Brigade - Elämä on Tulta

Nekov: The Happy Prog EP
1. The Flower Kings - Poor Mr. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
2. Agents of Mercy - Between Sun and Moon
3. Karmakanic - Alex in Paradise
4. Moon Safari - Too Young to Say Goodbye
5. The Flower Kings - My Cosmic Lover
6. Karmakanic - Turn it Up

Bolsters: The Ghost in You
1. BT - The Ghost in You (Intro)
2. Passion Pit - Take a Walk
3. Tegan and Sara - Faint of Heart
4. Tegan and Sara - Dying to Know
5. Glades - Drive
6. Amy Shark - Drive You Mad
7. M83 - Another Wave From You
8. Gunship - Tech Noir
9. Amy Shark - Adore
10. BT - The Ghost in You
11. M83 - Outro

twosuitsluke: "At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette"
1. Buckethead - For Mom
2. Kylesa - Unspoken
3. Kvelertak - Ulvetid
4. Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
5. Kvelertak - Sultans of Satan
6. Glassjaw - Ape Dos Mil
7. Glassjaw - Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza
Tusks - Toronto
White Moth Black Butterfly - Rising Sun
Wardruna - Raido
Wardruna - Odal
Les Discrets - Song for Mountains
Kauan - IV

we did it
guess i'll go do final listens for all the EPs now  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 24, 2017, 02:54:59 PM
Other than Pressure Points I don't listen to a single band here. I have no clue as to how I've faired. Maybe I haven't shit out after all  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 24, 2017, 11:30:20 PM
because i hate myself i decided to listen through every song and try to rank them all individually, rescoring a lot of things in the process.
this is primarily done because i realized i have had a seeerious number crunch between like 6.0 to 7.5 or so and there were a lot of entries i had quite different opinions on scoring only .5 or .75 points difference, which to me just seemed way off. i moved the 6.0 score down to like 4.5 or something based on it being the only track here that genuinely had more i disliked than liked, which is imo fair for "below average", and hopefully whenever i next run a roulette i can fix my scoring better

it's hard to keep this stuff consistent though. since the previous round scores don't matter much for this round i decided now was probably about the best chance i'd get for this, anyways. so don't reasonably compare a lot of the lower scores to similarly score songs from previous rounds - if i went back and rescored some of those i think they'd end up even lower using the scale i'm trying to move towards.

anyways. i'm about 2/3rds of the way through rescores & going to finish them tomorrow and then i'll try to have sacul's EP up tomorrow night.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 25, 2017, 05:06:22 PM
I'll be up for about another 30 minutes before I go to sleep. Are the first lot of results due in before then? If so...

 :corn :corn :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 25, 2017, 05:10:22 PM
No, I'm at work and they're sacul's results anyways so go sleep

edit: okay so i have 13 songs left to rank (the top 13 or roughly that, might be a bit of reshuffling) and looking over what's left i am kind of amazed
10 of the 13 tracks come from two EPs. so i'm pretty sure i know who #1 and #2 are atm, lol.
i actually think the overall EP score might end up the deciding factor here. I could see these two being pretty close in terms of individual scores but one of them has a better EP score overall by a decent amount and that could seal the deal. i'm gonna go finish up these scorings now, anyways. i wanna listen to the good stuff.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Sacul on September 25, 2017, 09:23:27 PM
Just end my suffering :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Final Round First Impressions)
Post by: Crow on September 25, 2017, 09:31:32 PM
Sacul: Out of Season

Saltillo – Giving In

I think my biggest issue with a lot of trip-hop is the percussion, which is just not the kind of percussion I want to hear in my atmospheric music. It’s so constant and unchanging and doeasn’t really give the song room to hit a more ethereal mood that would work well for me.

Aside from that, and aside from the samples I’m not a huge fan of, I do like this as a whole though. The percussion is a constant problem but I can overlook it when the emotion of the singer and all the little nuances in the music can at least keep me interested. I think it may be a bit melodramatic at points but the singer definitely sells the climax of the song.

So yeah, okay enough song. Not hugely in love with it but it’s nice enough.

6.75/10 (#24 out of 40)



No-Man – Song of the Surf

I would’ve totally banned this if you were a legit roulette participant for what it’s worth. Steven Wilson should be banned for his entire body of work alongside a few others (Arjen, Devin come to mind) but since this is an unofficial EP I’ll allow it, whatever. I was at least a little curious.

Apparently this one came out when PT was on its last legs so you’d think it’d be the best kind of downtempo SW song. I mean, there are several haunting tunes on In Absentia and Deadwing. But… I don’t know, this one feels a bit emotionally dry to me. As much as it tries, with those swells of strings and a solid buildup towards the end, I just don’t think Wilson himself is doing a good job selling the emotion of the track in his vocals. They feel really cold and dry in a not particularly interesting way and that’s weird coming from him, in my opinion at least.

I do think the instrumental climax of this is at least pretty satisfying, some nice roaring guitars and a denser sound overall, though when that all fades I do find that the twinkly piano(?) and percussion under it really doesn’t do a lot for me.

So yeah… ehh. Kind of okay at times but I can’t say I’m a huge fan.

6/10 (#31 out of 40)



No-Man – Back When You Where Beautiful

I don’t really have a ton to say on this one that I didn’t say on the last one. I think this one has better atmosphere throughout and I think Wilson sounds better here too, which, god I’d hope so, this is right between the two best PT albums. He doesn’t really sound -amazing- though. I guess, he’s one of those artists that just sounds a lot better when he sounds utterly miserable? Something like that.

Oh and there’s the random banjo at the peak of the song which… yeah, this doesn’t hit as strong of a climax as the last track for sure. It’s an okay enough tune though. On the basis of these two tracks I am not remotely interested in checking out more No-Man, but, okay.

7.25/10 (#18 out of 40)



Talk Talk – After the Flood
This is kind of a meandering, rambly kind of song that really does feel more like a jam session than a song they sat down and wrote. Like, the off-kilter vocal lines embody that notion perfectly. I think there are a few moments where some degree of emotional potency is hit upon, but most of the time it just seems like random rambling. I guess the bit that counts as the “chorus” is the part I’m liking in that regard.

Musically it’s… okay, but definitely longer than it needed to be, I am pretty bored by halfway through this if I’m being honest. Aside from the vocals there’s just no variance in dynamics or emotion, it’s just this constant humming vague pleasantness. Again it seems like a track where the subtleties are supposed to be the main point of interest and music like that just does not tend to do much for me.

As background music it’s totally fine, sure, but outside of that specific use I don’t have much use for this at all. This at least fared a lot better than the last time someone tried to send me a formative post-rock song because this does at least have, like, atmosphere and substance and all. But not enough to keep me wanting to come back for more.

6.5/10 (#26 out of 40)



Saltillo – I’m on the Wrong Side

This certainly exists. I dunno, it’s pleasant I guess, but also so brief that it doesn’t have any time at all to leave an impact. It’s basically just album filler, or EP filler in this case, and I think you explicitly said that was how you intended to use it here too so. Whatever. I don’t have any real cohesive opinion on this because I’ve heard it all of three times and it’s been too short to leave much of an impact each time. But it’s pleasant enough so whatever, I don’t hate it?

5/10 (#39 out of 40)



Fishmans – Long Season Pt. 5

The “ba-ba-bum” bits at the start are not my thing and have never been my thing, it’s just impossible to take seriously for me. And the piano driving this entire thing isn’t quite something I’m a fan of either, it’s hard for a song to really get an atmospheric vibe going with a piano line that seems to want to be driving a faster pace.

The strings or synthstrings or whatever that play that one motif actually work better than they have any right to though, there’s a bit of a nostalgic vibe to them and that section as a whole that I can at least appreciate. Oh and there’s the accordion about halfway through the song too that makes me feel like I’m listening to a Layton soundtrack. The different layers of instrumentation do build up nicely towards the end of the song, it’s a really pleasant sound that makes me just want to chill out.

I don’t think the first half of this works much for me but a lot of the stuff going on in the second half does make this at least my favorite of the tracks on your EP, though I still can’t say I love it as a whole. I dunno, maybe this works better in the context of the album, I may or may not check it out, no clue.

7.5/10 (#16 out of 40)



I didn't do an overall EP writeup for this one because I'm tired. Here you go Sacul. Don't take these scores that seriously because I listened to yours like half as much as the others.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (11 Place - it's sacul)
Post by: Crow on September 25, 2017, 09:48:39 PM
Current Overall Rankings
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16. Fishmans – Long Season Pt. 5
17.
18. No-Man – Back When You Where Beautiful
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24. Saltillo – Giving In
25.
26. Talk Talk – After the Flood
27.
28.
29.
30.
31. No-Man – Song of the Surf
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39. Saltillo – I’m on the Wrong Side
40.

Also, some fun stats:

Average ranking value of each EP (rounded to the nearest tenth):
??? - 15.7
??? - 16.1
??? - 18.8
??? - 21.3
Sacul - 25.7
??? -28.8

5 M's
Mean: 6.92/10
Median: 7/10
Mode: 7.5/10 (5 songs)
Minimum: 4.5/10 (1 song)
Maximum: 9/10 (2 songs)

EP scores:
6/10
7/10
7/10
8/10
9/10

As of the last post I am officially locking all scores but I haven't actually parsed out all the points and percentages of each EP that each song counts as and all that so I am actually not 100% sure who's won quite yet - though I can say with certainty who #5 is going to be. I'll do that in a few minutes. Whichever of these two EPs wins I think I'll be fairly satisfied, they're both on par with the better EPs from my first roulette for sure.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (11th Place - it's sacul)
Post by: Sacul on September 25, 2017, 10:38:06 PM
Saltillo – Giving In
I think my biggest issue with a lot of trip-hop is the percussion, which is just not the kind of percussion I want to hear in my atmospheric music. It’s so constant and unchanging and doesn't really give the song room to hit a more ethereal mood that would work well for me.
Yeah I totally get it, that used to bore me, and it kinda does to me if the music is really uninteresting. But I just have found it helps put me in a hypnotic mood or something, dunno I just dig that these days if the percussion is good and the music too.

Talk Talk – After the Flood
This is kind of a meandering, rambly kind of song that really does feel more like a jam session than a song they sat down and wrote.
I mean, that's the whole point, Mark Hollis wanted to emulate that jammy, "natural" feeling of jazz he loved, so literally everything on the album was jammed with no second takes. But each musician was given some chord progressions and vague directions, not knowing how it fitted into the whole thing. The real magic was piecing all of that into a somehow coherent piece :P But yeah that record is kind boring except for that song and one or two more, I prefer the previous one, was definitely more cohesive and straightforward but with the same approach. Their pop records are my jam tho  :heart

Fishmans – Long Season Pt. 5
I don’t think the first half of this works much for me but a lot of the stuff going on in the second half does make this at least my favorite of the tracks on your EP, though I still can’t say I love it as a whole. I dunno, maybe this works better in the context of the album, I may or may not check it out, no clue.
Oh you'd like it, most of the album is in the vein of the last half of this song and it's very relaxing and lovely. One of my favorite discoveries of the year.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (11th Place - it's sacul)
Post by: Crow on September 25, 2017, 11:59:55 PM
So I have some more numbers for you:
The EP scores. Spent like, two hours doing all the math and double-checking everything and I am pretty dang confident now that I know who won this.

24.80
27.83
29.35
29.66
30.37

And well... the scores actually turned out quite a bit different than I was originally expecting. I was expecting maybe a close competition between two particular EPs with the rest falling behind  fair bit... which didn't happen, and instead there's a pretty tight three-way race going. Huh. Shows what I know, but the EP I was expecting to win has indeed won.

I will say this though: The #1 song is on the winning EP of the roulette, which makes me at least feel satisfied. The top 4 songs are all honestly pretty great, with at least a decent number of songs I find pretty enjoyable beyond that, but then there's just a lot of stuff I wish you guys hadn't sent.

Will those bonus points have an effect on the overall EP results? Who had the best flow? Who had the best song? Who's the grand winner of the longest roulette I'll ever run jesus christ end me already? Find out... starting tomorrow. Good night, DTF!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (11th Place - it's sacul)
Post by: Train of Naught on September 26, 2017, 12:22:36 AM
but then there's just a lot of stuff I wish you guys hadn't sent.
That's why I only sent 30 minutes of music, less to dislike :corn if you at least like Kauan I guess I'll be satisfied. New Kauan album came out last week but I haven't checked it, according to the singles released before it's way more ambient though and sounds like they probably ditched the harsh vocals on this one too. I'm gonna check it out this week

Also congrats to sacul with his baby medal
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (11th Place - it's sacul)
Post by: Crow on September 26, 2017, 12:34:14 AM
Luke actually sent 9 seconds under the 30 minute minimum and i was considering penalizing him slightly for it but i decided 9 seconds isn't a big enough deal so whatever  :corn

I will spoil that Kauan did not get #40 out of 40 on the overall rankings, but something from the EP I'm posting tomorrow morning did. Fun times.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (11th Place - it's sacul)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 26, 2017, 03:28:00 AM

but then there's just a lot of stuff I wish you guys hadn't sent.

I really didn't have much left to send at this point and unfortunately hadn't discovered much in the run up that I thought you'd like. Except perhaps Volur, but I didn't send them.

Luke actually sent 9 seconds under the 30 minute minimum and i was considering penalizing him slightly for it but i decided 9 seconds isn't a big enough deal so whatever  :corn

I could've found a 10 second song to send you  ;)

Or I could've added 9 seconds of silence, may have ended up being the highlight of my EP. Pretty sure I'm last so, yea...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (11th Place - it's sacul)
Post by: Nekov on September 26, 2017, 06:46:52 AM
Will those bonus points have an effect on the overall EP results? Who had the best flow? Who had the best song? Who's the grand winner of the longest roulette I'll ever run jesus christ end me already? Find out... starting tomorrow. Good night, DTF!

Dammit, I was expecting to see something :getoffmylawn:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#5 - What They Call Hard Feelings)
Post by: Crow on September 26, 2017, 09:22:44 AM
5th Place: Nekov: The Happy Prog EP

The Flower Kings – Poor Mr. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYykRUttGtw)

First Impressions:
A bit of an awkward start considering it’s an EP opener but. And I had these guys sent in my previous roulette, the song I got there was… okay but never checked them out further. From the start of this I am actually digging this a fair bit, for “happy” prog this dips into relatively dissonant stuff quite a bit. The interplay between melody and dissonance is what makes a lot of music interesting to me these days; and I feel like this song does a good job of balancing those. Though some of these melodies are, yeah, not huge on them. Yeah, this middle section isn’t doing as much for me as the stuff before nor the stuff after, but I mean on the whole this is a pretty solid instrumental and kicks off the EP well aside from the weird start.

Final Thoughts:
So it turns out I’d actually been listening to the wrong song this entire time (it’s hard for me to figure this out, especially when I’m being sent a file directly so whatever). I think this does make a lot more sense as an EP opener, especially for this EP. But I’m gonna leave the writeup I did for… whatever song you send me the first time for one purpose.

Uhh. It was the best song on the entire EP. The song you didn’t mean to send. Interested me way more than the five tracks following it. Heck, it was one of the better songs of the entire round. So cutting that away and replacing it with this track feels like a significant downgrade, but hey, this is the track you meant to send.

The track itself? It’s a solid enough, fairly nostalgic little guitar piece. As a song on its own it’s a bit lacking in substance but as an opener for the EP I think it does a pretty decent job and fits the tone well. It’s certainly pleasant to listen to. But also a bit hard for me to really evaluate seeing as I have only heard it twice in total (as opposed to the 5-6 listens songs usually get). But yeah. Solid enough intro at least.

6.25/10 (#28 out of 40)



Agents of Mercy – Between Sun and Moon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obQZf0kD6WA)

First Impressions:
The singer of this sounded exactly like what I expected them to sound like. Because apparently it’s Roine Stolt, okay. That makes sense. Roine Stolt is apparently in three of the four bands you sent me, wow. It’s a good thing I’m not a huge fan of his voice then, oops. Actually that’s probably a bad thing. This one’s definitely more in line with what I expected from a “happy prog” EP though. The strings and the choir vocals and cheery guitar lines. Though there’s a bit of a darker turn for a moment in the middle of the song and, again, that’s probably my favorite part of this, again. Maybe I’m just missing the point. Not a fan of those synth tones either. This sounds nice enough and it isn’t really boring but considering the one moment where it sounds less “nice” is the only moment that really caught my interest the most I’m not sure what to think really.

Final Thoughts:
Yeah, the guitar work in this is pretty nice. I especially like that one melody right before each verse. And the bass gets a lot of mileage here just doing some fairly cool stuff, though the mix doesn’t really bring attention to it.

The chorus of this one sounds more like a prechorus than a chorus itself but regardless of that I still think it’s a pretty solid chorus? It’s mildly catchy and the stomping, lumbering beat makes it somewhat memorable.

Aside from that the only thing that stands out here is that instrumental bit in the middle which, yes, it’s a pretty cool instrumental break but in part because it does sound pretty out of place compared to the rest of the song, though it still works well in spite of that? I don’t know, it’s a cool moment. I do think the song meanders on a bit long after the last chorus though, I kind of wish it had just skipped that descending action and gone straight to the louder reprise bit that closes the song off.

Overall… yeah, I think this is among the better songs on the EP but I can’t say I really love it either. There’s stuff here that works but most of it doesn’t resonate that strong with me. I’ll be a little cautious with this one because there’s nothing I really dislike here either, so… yeah.

7/10 (#20 out of 40)



Karmakanic – Alex in Paradise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEJQZQvTwtI)

First Impressions:
The longer this goes on the more I wonder if I’m going to start finding the cheeriness oppressive. I think I’ve made it pretty clear that happy, sugary music doesn’t tend to do as much for me so sending an entire EP aimed that way is a weird risk to take, but. I only say this because I don’t have much else to say about this one? The vocalist is the same as the last song. The instrumentation is a bit more energetic here, maybe a bit more technically interesting? But at the same time less diverse, focusing more just on the traditional guitar/bass/drums. with the occasional synth and piano. I do dig the chill guitar solo in the middle of the song, I almost kind of wish the rest of the band didn’t come back in and make that section more energetic, it’s a nice reprieve. Well anyways. Not much else I have to say on the matter. Well, ending is a bit abrupt.

Final Thoughts:
I get the impression this entire song is intended to be ironic. Like “look how cheery and dumb this song is”. As a metaphor for the person being sung about. Blissfully ignorant and thus completely lacking in strife. I dunno, that’s just the vibe I get from this, especially given some of the lyrics. So if the entire song is a joke it’s hard to really take seriously.

And god I hope it is a joke because if not this borders on insufferable. It absolutely is that kind of oppressively cheery I am just not a fan of and it feels a bit one note in that too. Like you get the one groove and variance on one riff for a good half of this song at least.

There’s still aspects here I do enjoy though. The bass work throughout is pretty damn tight throughout the song. The intro melody is pretty solid and as well the guitar solo in the middle is pretty nice too. But I just don’t like the chorus here and I’m not a fan of the verses either. Maybe the vocals are the biggest problem I have here but I think even besides them there’s just not too much here that really appeals to me.

5.25/10 (#38 out of 40)



Moon Safari – Too Young to Say Goodbye (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvcHl_Wb1aM)

First Impressions:
I think I may have checked out one of these guys’ albums at some point but never being too huge on prog rock as I have been it didn’t really do a ton for me. Was wondering if this was instrumental until two minutes in when the vocals did come in. And yeah, I do like this singer more than Stolt, his tone just sounds smoother to my ears. Sounds more modern but doesn’t really clash with the style either. Some of those vocal harmonies are great too. Instrumentally this is solid but admittedly not standing out too much, the vocals seem to be the main attraction here and they do keep me interested at the very least.

Final Thoughts:
God, having this guy on vocals is such a nice reprieve when literally four of the other songs on this EP all have the same mediocre singer fronting them. There’s just something about the tone here I like a lot more, and especially those harmonies in the chorus. Best vocal moment of the entire EP for certain.

It’s actually interesting how the verses of this very much have a rock vibe despite being driven mostly by the piano and synth and not so much by the guitars. And the prechorus here, it builds up energy pretty nicely leading into the chorus. The bridge after the second chorus too. There’s a nice level of dynamic energy to this song, the feel of the song being able to switch up whenever it needs to and keeps things interesting by doing so.

Tonally this song is also just a bit more up my alley. It’s got a kind of cheery vibe but it’s very decisively bittersweet and not really that sugary. Which I can get into way more than a complete lack of strife. It’s most evident in the vocals but I think musically it accomplishes the same feel too.

So yeah at the end of the day, with the first track being gone, I’d say this one definitely ends up as my favorite on the EP as a result. Best vocal performance, probably the most compelling musically too. It’s not too show-offy but I’m kind of glad for the sense of restraint, it manages to stay interesting the whole way through regardless of that. So yeah, pretty solid stuff. Can’t say I’m super in love with it but it’s a very solid, enjoyable song.

7.75/10 (#10 out of 40)



The Flower Kings – My Cosmic Lover (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=343-k6ntmNs)

First Impressions:
Well, that intro sure is something. I uhh. Kind of failed to have anything else to say about this song in particular. I’m just a little confused as to why you’d send an EP full of very similar sounding songs. What are the unique features of this one, uhh, I guess, it’s a bit more laidback in nature? But I mean, it’s Roine Stolt again. Nothing new to say vocally. And the other Flower Kings song was more interesting instrumentally. This honestly sounds like an early 90’s rock song with just slightly more interesting instrumentation, which isn’t really something I want to hear. The groove of this is okay but it gets old pretty quick and there isn’t really much else to the song, especially for its length. In the spirit of trying to have something positive to say. It’s not unpleasant and it’s not instrumentally overly simple and if I didn’t have several other similar songs on the same EP maybe I’d like it more than I do. Uhh, that’s barely positive, whatever.

Final Thoughts:
This song ended up being kind of memorable, at least more so than a few of the other tracks here, but… I kind of wish it wasn’t. I don’t really know what it is about this track but there’s just a lot here I find rather offputting.

Like the most obvious thing is that the song is locked in one groove the entire way through. It basically leaves the bass and drums as negligible the entire way through as they change so little if at all.  I’m also just not a huge fan of the chorus here. Or at least I think it’s the chorus but whatever.

Mostly I just think this one ends up slotting right into that “overly cheery” vibe that makes me lose interest quick. The prechorus melody here is honestly not bad at all, it’s a solid melody? It gets reprised throughout the song a few times but I don’t think it gets overused. And there’s just a vibe of “jam session” throughout a lot of this that isn’t necessarily a bad thing? Even gets what sounds like a saxophone in there for a bit near the end?

Ehh. This one isn’t really awful at the end of the day but at the same time it does get on my nerves a little and definitely overstays its welcome, without having anything that really stands out in a positive way. Not awful? Not particularly good either though.

4.5/10 (#40 out of 40)



Karmakanic – Turn it Up (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0XAxvH6i04)

First Impressions:
Yeah this one starts off a bit more interesting (and is like, actually a rock song, with guitars that have some actual power to them this time), so already this is a step up from the last track. I think it sacrifices some of the other instrumentation for it though? I do hear other instruments doing some okay stuff but the guitars are really driving this one the most. As an EP closer it’s also certainly more bombastic than the past few tracks. The “turn it up” chorus gets a bit old by the end of a single listen too which definitely isn’t a great thing. I don’t know, I think I’m mostly just… exhausted. By this entire EP, which is just not up my alley at all and to my ears is very, blatantly lacking in any diversity or dynamic and just leaves me completely losing interest by the third or fourth track. Hopefully it’ll be better on relistens but, who knows.

Final Thoughts:
I think at this point in the EP it’s hard for me to not be exhausted by this kind of sound. This one definitely fares a little bit better than the other Karmakanic song because it at least feels earnest and isn’t a monotonous sugary cheeriness like that one, or the song before it on the EP either.

I actually like the general vibe of the verses here, it’s a bit more understated than the rest of the song, with the tom-heavy drums and the mish-mash of guitar lines. And while the chorus itself isn’t really too bad in isolation, it’s fairly catchy, it has a nice lead-in to it… I do get tired of it by the end of the song. I don’t want to turn anything up and/or down ever again after how many times I’m being told to in this song.

Beyond that… I don’t really have much to say about this one? It doesn’t really have anything that stands out much at all. It’s solid as a closer I guess but there’s just not a ton here for me, it’s a bit on the dull side as well. It’s not as obnoxious as the other Karmakanic song can be at times but it also doesn’t have the cool moments that at least make that song interesting at times.

5.25/10 (#37 out of 40)



Overall EP Thoughts:
Err. I really don’t know what you were thinking with this one. I know I’ve made it pretty clear that standard prog rock usually doesn’t do a ton for me, and also made it pretty clear that overly cheerful music often tends to grate on me. And it’s not like any of the songs here are totally awful, but only two of them interest me much at all, and the one song I was previously really into on the EP turned out to be… not on the EP, whoops.

Cohesiveness? Absolutely, it’s there for sure. Variety? No, it’s not there at all. There’s another EP this round that had a serious struggle with variety but even it feels at least a bit more diverse than this one, and I think having the same singer for four out of five songs with vocals is the biggest reason why. As far as flow goes I guess it’s fine enough, the track ordering feels solid though if it were me I’d have put the first Karmakanic song right after the intro track, that would’ve been a bit better of a transition in my opinion, going from an acoustic track to a clean guitar intro. But that’s nitpicking and it’s not a big deal overall.

Ehh. At the end of the day it checks most of the boxes in terms of EP score but it does totally fall flat on its face in terms of variety and that definitely counts as a big mark against it as a whole.

7/10



Song Score Breakdown:

Total EP Length: 32:59 -> 1979 seconds

Poor Mr. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar - 2:44 -> 164 seconds
164/1979 = .083
6.25 * .083 = 0.51875

Between Sun and Moon - 5:04 -> 304 seconds
304/1979 = .154
7 * .154 = 1.078

Alex in Paradise - 5:04 -> 304 seconds
304/1979 = .154
5.25 * .154 = 0.8085

Too Young to Say Goodbye - 6:24 -> 384 seconds
384/1979 = .194
7.75 * .194 = 1.5035

My Cosmic Lover - 6:46 -> 406 seconds
406/1979 = .206 (rounded up .001 so the sum is 1.000 instead of .999)
4.5 * .206 = 0.927

Turn it Up - 6:53 -> 413 seconds
413/1979 = .209
5.25 * .209 = 1.09725

Sum: 5.933
EP Song Score: 5.933 * 3 = 17.80
EP Score: 7
Bonus Points: 0

Final EP Score: 24.80/40

Yeah, sorry, but it was pretty evident from my opinions of most of the individual songs that I was not particularly a fan of this EP. Maybe one or two of the best of these mixed in with some darker, moodier stuff would’ve fared better, but as it stands only two of these songs I was particularly fond of, and losing the one song I actually genuinely liked the most of the bunch didn’t help your EP either. What was that song by the way? I really want to know, because it was quite good, would’ve gotten like a 8.25 or something around there.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#5 - What They Call Hard Feelings)
Post by: Crow on September 26, 2017, 09:25:32 AM
Current Overall Rankings
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Moon Safari – Too Young to Say Goodbye
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16. Fishmans – Long Season Pt. 5
17.
18. No-Man – Back When You Where Beautiful
19.
20. Agents of Mercy – Between Sun and Moon
21.
22.
23.
24. Saltillo – Giving In
25.
26. Talk Talk – After the Flood
27.
28. The Flower Kings – Poor Mr. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
29.
30.
31. No-Man – Song of the Surf
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37. Karmakanic - Turn it Up
38. Karmakanic - Alex in Paradise
39. Saltillo – I’m on the Wrong Side
40. The Flower Kings - My Cosmic Lover

Four of the five EPs main have at least one song in the top 10, for the record. Get hyped.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#5 - What They Call Hard Feelings)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 26, 2017, 10:24:25 AM
Wow, I'm not last, I'm genuinely stunned  :eek

I could take a guess at which song of mine is in the top 10 but knowing your tastes it's probably the one you hated most  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#5 - What They Call Hard Feelings)
Post by: LordCost on September 26, 2017, 10:28:07 AM
What does it mean that one song was lost from Nekov's EP?
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#5 - What They Call Hard Feelings)
Post by: Crow on September 26, 2017, 10:46:10 AM
Wow, I'm not last, I'm genuinely stunned  :eek

I could take a guess at which song of mine is in the top 10 but knowing your tastes it's probably the one you hated most  :lol
Take a guess, I'm curious  :corn
@LordCost Nekov accidentally sent me a really King Crimson-y instrumental as the first song on his EP but the file had the name for the song he meant to send
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#5 - What They Call Hard Feelings)
Post by: Nekov on September 26, 2017, 10:53:22 AM
Well, to be honest I was looking at doing an indie rock EP at first which I wasn't very confident about and also a post rock one but given the low score Immanu El got I decided to go another route. I remember you said you liked beautiful music and to me all those songs I sent are beautiful in their own way. In all honesty, I don't read the comments for every song people write in the roulettes, I usually pay attention to mine and maybe some other if I know the song so I totally missed you saying happy and cheerful music is not your thing which explains why I sent this.

So, I never thought the vocalist would be such a big thing for you and while Roine Stolt is not someone you can easily get into, I find his voice usually matches the kind of music he makes.
Some of these bands have songs that I think are a lot better than what I sent but most of them were longer than the permitted amount (because prog) so I had to leave them out. I would encourage you to listen to The Flower Kings since they have some darker tunes and Stolt is not their sole singer, you could actaully get into them. Karmakanic is kind of a mized bag and Moon Safari is pure sugary cheerfulness so keep the good image you have of them from that song and leave it as it is.

Anyways, this was a fun roulette even if I totally fucked up in the end. I hope you check out more of the things you did like  :smiley:

What does it mean that one song was lost from Nekov's EP?

When I was assembling the EP I was doing so using my google play music account. However, when sending the stuff I did so with youtube links except for that first song which wasn't there so I decided to send him the MP3 version I had in my computer. As it turns out, the MP3 version I have of that album is wrong so to speak and the song I sent him wasn't the one that was intended, it was something else entirely.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#5 - What They Call Hard Feelings)
Post by: Crow on September 26, 2017, 11:08:04 AM
There's a few songs from earlier rounds where I'll definitely be checking out the album, yeah. I did spin that Dream the Electric Sleep one a bit ago, it was pretty nice but a bit overlong but I'll probably relisten when putting together my order for October. Gonna have a loooot of EP albums to check out on top of all the other stuff I want, haha
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#4 - The Moments I Play in the Dark)
Post by: Crow on September 26, 2017, 07:16:21 PM
4th Place: twosuitsluke: “At Least I Managed to Finish the Roulette”

Buckethead – For Mom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwB7uB-rVf0)

First Impressions:
Your EP is actually nine seconds under the thirty minute so you’re automatically disqualified corn corn corn. But no okay fine. I have heard some Buckethead before (though there’s certainly a lot of Buckethead to hear) and I find him a decent songwriter and talented but also sometimes kind of boring musician. Soothsayer is a song I quite like even with its shredfest bits. This seems to be leaning on the more emotive side too, with some chill guitar melodies and a lot less wank. Though I really don’t like how those drums sound, they sound out of place and really blocky. Doesn’t have much else to it besides that though. Ehh.

Final Thoughts:
It is a bit weird that the quiet intro track turns out to be the longest track on the entire EP. I mean, sure, not necessarily a bad thing to be certain. I like me some chill music. Though usually more when it’s atmospheric, which this isn’t really even making much an attempt to be. But it’s still nice enough regardless. The guitar work is, unsurprisingly, quite nice and hits upon a number of pleasant melodies and motifs.

It’s just a bit… simple beyond that. It’s basically the thing a lot of Buckethead music seems to have, where he’s playing over loops so the rest of the music doesn’t ever come into focus. Though I think the drums here are doing enough little things that I can’t really be certain it’s a loop, it might not be, but regardless the drums are pretty static. And there’s moments between the “chorus” of this song where it really feels like not enough is going on with the guitar either.

I just don’t think there’s enough really going on in this song for my interest to hold throughout. Sure, it hits upon a bit more of a “heavy” vibe towards the end with some bigger chords, and there’s a lot of little soloing going on throughout, but I like my songs to change in big strides even if they keep a constant flow going – that’s a problem I have with another song on a different EP that I may or may not have already posted, but. Anyways, the point is… this is fine but not much of a step above background music, at least for me.

5.75/10 (#32 out of 40)



Kylesa – Unspoken (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk7O1lHFFs8)

First Impressions:
The album from these guys I checked out wasn’t this one so sure. I mean, I wasn’t much a fan of that album when I checked it out. And if I’m gonna complain about something here right out of the gate, I really do not like the tones and production of this. Everything sounds really muffled, at least during this starting bit. I think it’s a bit better when the heavy guitars kick in, or at least it doesn’t matter as much. I’m three minutes deep into this though and it’s been an intro I didn’t like and not much else besides one riff that’s just… okay. Yeah I’m sorry the production in general just really sinks this one for me, it’s hard to even say much nice about it. It’s got decent heaviness to it and is fairly dynamic as a whole, or at least as dynamic as the muddy production lets it be. But even that is a stretch honestly.

Final Thoughts:
I feel like this band should be at least a little bit up my alley, but everything I’ve ever heard from them has just not impressed me. I don’t know what it is. Obviously this track is no exception if I’m starting out this way, but it really is what it is. And more than anything I just don’t dig the production on this. I said it like three times in my first impression and it didn’t really get better. It’s to the point where it almost seems futile to have real instruments at all with the amount of effects put on some of them.

The intro guitar line I’m not a huge fan of, especially with the tone, but the bassline there is at least pretty solid. And the heavy riff that comes in after the intro, it’s a solid riff. The choir “aahh”s going on at some points are also a nice touch, I appreciate that. It really does feel like this lacks in content a little though. That one riff goes on and on and then the first thing that happens after is a guitar solo reprising the intro guitar lead. It’s not until about 3:30 that the song hits on a completely new idea with a solid sludgy riff and some decent guitar soloing buried into the mix.

Again, the songwriting itself is alright enough, a bit too little happening at some points but I could see it working with a bit of tightening up… but yeah, that production really just sinks this for me overall. And the song as it is, even aside from that, just doesn’t have enough to hook me.

5.5/10 (#34 out of 40)



Kvelertak – Ulvetid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3B47Fn7l9k)

First Impressions:
I got sent a song by these guys in my first roulette and, well, suffice to say I wasn’t a fan. This one seems to be a lot more straight up black metal in nature though if the intense intro with blast beats has anything to say about it. This is at the very least something I’d be more likely to stick around for. I’m way more into the atmospheric bits of this, which are pretty nice, than the more standard heavy metal bits, which are just okay. But I mean yeah this is a lot better than I was expecting from this band in all honesty, even if I’m not in love with it or anything.

Final Thoughts:
It’s really telling when the black metal song has better production than the Kylesa song. But yeah, for a genre where the production seems to be random chance whether or not it’s good, I think this track does a good job.

I think what this band does that works here is balancing the really intense blastbeat moments out with some more straightforward metaling that keeps the song from ever sounding exhausting without burning away the moment the more intense bits build up entirely. And then there’s the bit in the middle where everything just cuts back to a wall of guitar noise & some tom-heavy drumming providing a frantic pace. Momentum is really the key word here and they do quite well to manage it all throughout this song, while still remaining dynamically interesting.

There’s a bit that happens towards the end of the song where they have this descending triplet hit taking the song straight to an abrupt key change and that moment is just so goddamn brilliant. That one second of music seamlessly turns the song into something completely different & they even hit on a 50’s style rock riff for a moment after, puts a smile on my face.

So yeah… it’s not like, a massive hit with me or anything but it certainly ups the ante of the previous tracks on the EP by quite a good margin, I only wish it was a touch longer honestly, but it’s still pretty damn solid stuff.

8/10 (#9 out of 40)



Killer Be Killed – Wings of Feather and Wax (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVE2GFvQhyM)

First Impressions:
I’m not really sure what this is trying to be other than “heavy”. I’m definitely not a huge fan of this vocal style, neither the cleaner bits nor the harsh vocals. I’m surprised the drummer isn’t the member of Mastodon in this because the drumming style reminds me a lot of him. And honestly the drums are easily the most interesting and most driving part of this one, they’re really way more in control of the feel of the song than anything else. It feels like a bit disjointed of a song overall and could definitely use a bit more dynamic production – it feels wall of sounding hard & just constantly trying to be loud, but there’s some decent riffs here and that drumming is pretty cool, so, ehh.

Final Thoughts:
If there’s one thing I can say about this song, is that the energy it carries throughout the first half of the song is enough to sell the emotion of the track on its own. I actually think the Icarus myth is completely played out as a metaphor and it’s quite cliché, but the mixture of energy and power in the singer’s voice at least makes it permissible here.

Then the song goes off and does a lot of random things in the middle of the track, slowing down for a bit but then turning into a thrash metal tune for a little bit? Sounds kinda like Slayer, but not as sucky. That middle bit is really a weird diversion from the simple but effective meat of the song and while it’s not a bad interlude by its own it doesn’t quite work for me.

Oh and the vocals. I think they’re okay. Not huge on the style but there’s enough passion in the delivery that I can’t help but at least appreciate them. So yeah, here’s another song that is pretty damn solid. I dig the chorus especially. Not something I’m likely to remember outside of the chorus but I enjoy what’s here well enough.

7.75/10 (#11 out of 40)



Kvelertak – Sultans of Satan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQHlHpavkXw)

First Impressions:
I was expecting a black metal cover of Sultans of Swing from a title like that. That would’ve been pretty amusing if nothing else. This feels more like a blackened Ghost track though, especially with that chorus. And it’s a song title they’d probably make too. That riff in the middle definitely has some fun groove to it too. Aaand cowbell. Yeah, this is a fun enough song, it mixes in a lot of styles but does it fairly cohesively. I’m not like, huge on it, but I enjoy it well enough.

Final Thoughts:
Mmmhm… coming back to this after several listens I’m just not sure what to think about it. I am definitely preferring the straighter black metal approach of Ulvetid to this track that leans more heavily on the classic heavy metal sound throughout. And yeah, that chorus is solid though not the most memorable.

Probably the coolest bit of this is that slower groove in the middle – it’s not that unique of a groove but it’s one I can definitely feel and nod my head to. And the guitar line immediately following it leading back into the rest of the song is pretty cool too. And the guitar solo immediately after. It’s all like. Pretty solid stuff, there’s no part of this I dislike. It goes maybe a bit too many places in too short of a time but it’s got a throughline of “heavy metal, but with black metal vocals” that still makes it cohesive overall, with a solid singalong chorus to ground it.

At the end of the day I can say with confidence: Yeah, I like this one. I certainly like both of the Kvelertak songs on this EP more than the one sent in my first roulette and I’d say that these two are the only time across any EP that both songs by an artist are about equally as good & I enjoy them both a fair bit.

7.5/10 (#13 out of 40)



Glassjaw – Ape Dos Mil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7QHHu-gf9Y)

First Impressions:
I’m only aware of these guys because they were touring with Coheed and TYS in 2015 but the show I got where I lived at the time had Cursive instead. And I’m glad it did since, well, I really like The Ugly Organ, quite a bit. But I didn’t actually check out these guys as a result. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of this vocalist though. He’s kind of… all over the place here. I think this song has a pretty solid progression & arc to it, it feels like it goes a fair number of places while still feeling cohesive and succinct. I just kind of wish I liked the places it was going more, nothing is really sticking out for me on first listen.

Final Thoughts:
This one grew on me quite a bit. I’m not too huge on the vocalist’s tone and he goes offkey on random notes quite often. But there’s something to some of these really weird melodies that works better than it has any right to, and the moments where his voice gets a slight rough edge to it adds a layer of realness to it. I think that’s what it is – there’s a lot of high-pitched singers that seem to be doing it mostly for the style but I don’t get the sense of that here, and as a result the emotion of the voice can come through. But seriously get this man at least a few singing lessons.

As for the music, it’s more accompaniment to the mood of the vocals at any given time – palm muted restrained and a downtempo beat for the verses and the bridge, some melodic leads, power chords, and heavier drums for the more explosive chorus. There’s a bit of a buildup to the last chorus too. I think the bass might be doing some kind of cool stuff here and there, I hear at least one solid repeated melody during the chorus for sure.

It’s just the kind of song where nothing really stands out that strongly, but it’s for the most point enjoyable, I can’t really say there’s anything about this I dislike and it doesn’t go on longer than it should either. But aside from the vocals occasionally hitting upon something cool there’s not a huge power to this for me, at least not enough to make it truly great.

Addendum: So this is the only bit I’m writing after doing my initial write-ups because this song has been on my mind quite a bit since I did the writeup, moreso than any other song in the round, even the ones I still like more. There’s like, a lot of little things here that really help this click for me – the force behind “GOD DAMMED SINNER” on the verses, some great melodies during the chorus, it’s just a better song all-around than I feel like I gave it credit for in this writeup. And having said that, I think I still prefer the other Glassjaw song just a smidgen over this one. Oh well. Guy still needs singing lessons though.

8.25/10 (#7 out of 40)



Glassjaw – Cosmopolitan Blood Loss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eghgAnlhPGw)

First Impressions:
This is a bit more explosive right out the gate, it seems. I’m still wondering if these are in the right order on this EP because apparently they’re in the opposite order on the album & back to back there so. Who knows. I do think the music here does a better job of keeping me interested, probably because I’m a loser and it’s heavier and a bit more dissonant. But this feels like it doesn’t have much else besides that heavy riff and its chorus, really. A bit light on substance even for three minutes, I dunno.

Final Thoughts:
The chorus of this one is certainly a lot more striking and immediate – another one of those I’ve had bouncing around in my head almost from first listen. It’s a good singalong chorus for sure, the music behind it isn’t really that special but there’s enough little subtleties to keep it from being completely dismissable.

There’s also that one pounding heavy riff that shows up at a few times, and as basic as it is? Yeah, I dig it a lot. I especially dig when you have what basically amounts to a noise solo on top of that riff. That’s a heavy freakin’ sound right there and it doesn’t really overstay its welcome either.

The one thing this doesn’t have that the other Glassjaw song did have was a bit of an emotional pull to it – it’s a bit of a dry song, one that really succeeds more on its noisiness and heaviness mixed with a memorable chorus than reaching for powerful emotions like Ape Dos Mil. It’s actually kind of hard to compare the two and if not for the offkey singer on both it’d be hard to pin these two songs as being by the same band, much less as being right next to each other on the tracklist of this album. They both work well in different ways and I can’t really say which I prefer.

8.5/10 (#4 out of 40)



Overall EP Thoughts:
The one thing that makes this EP stand out from the rest is that it is not very cohesive. Yes, that’s not a good thing at all, I’m just saying. It does sound more like a collection of songs vaguely organized into a passable track order than a cohesive whole, and that hurts the EP score of this considerably more than the rest of them here. I dig the use of the Buckethead song as an intro, and the Glassjaw song works as a closer, though I honestly would’ve probably swapped the two – have the heavier, shorter one following the heavier Kvelertak song, then the slower, more emotional one as the closer. But that’s more of a nitpick.

The EP is all over the place in terms of styles though. You have the acoustic intro which, while fine as an EP opener, is a bit disconnected from most of the rest of this – the only thing that remotely connects is Ape Dos Mil all the way towards the end of the EP. And the Kylesa track is more of a stoner metal tune. The two Kvelertak songs are both pretty different, but cohesive against each other well enough (no surprise there) – one is heavier on the black metal and the other heavier on the hard rock/classic heavy metal, but beyond that they work together well enough. The Killer Be Killed song is… hard to classify but it’s somewhere between post-hardcore and thrash metal, I guess? And the two Glassjaw songs are both different shades of emo/post-hardcore, the former leaning more on the former and the latter on the latter. I just don’t quite see the throughline connecting all these.

And that’s fine when, at the end of the day, the average bar of quality on this EP is definitely set a bit higher than on some of the other EPs, and aside from the lack of cohesion most of the rest of the EP score is there – variety for sure, flow and ordering both done well enough to not be distracting. But the lack of cohesiveness is probably the biggest dealbreaker on an EP and I do have to judge it on that basis.

6/10



Song Score Breakdown:

Total EP Length: 29:51 -> 1791 seconds (you cheater)

For Mom - 5:10 -> 310 seconds
310/1791 = .173
5.75 * .173 = 0.99475

Unspoken - 4:47 -> 287 seconds
287/1791 = .161 (rounded up .001 so the sum is 1.000 instead of .999)
5.5 * .161 = 0.8855

Ulvetid - 3:29 -> 209 seconds
209/1791 = .117
8 * .117 = 0.936

Wings of Feather and Wax - 3:40 -> 220 seconds
220/1791 = .123
7.75 * .123 = 0.95325

Sultans of Satan - 4:35 -> 275 seconds
275/1791 = .154
7.5 * .154 = 1.155

Ape Dos Mil - 5:03 -> 303 seconds
303/1791 = .169
8.25 * .169 = 1.39425

Cosmopolitan Blood Loss - 3:04 -> 184 seconds
184/1791 = .103
8.5 * .103 = 0.8755

Sum: 7.19425
EP Song Score: 7.19425 * 3 = 21.58
EP Score: 6
Bonus Points: 0.25

Final EP Score: 27.83/40

I'm going to be honest, I actually thought your EP would fare a lot better than it did until right when I did my points breakdown here. Based on the individual song scores alone, you would’ve easily taken second place. But those first two tracks being particularly weak really hurt this EP overall, and the slapdash nature of the flow overall didn’t help matters either. If it helps this did have some of my favorite songs in the entire round and the song standings board is proof of that – you actually had the best ranking average of anyone in the entire roulette, even more than the EP that took first place. I’m standing by my scores though, so that’s how it is. Definitely gonna check out that Glassjaw album though, and maybe give Kvelertak another chance too.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#5 - What They Call Hard Feelings)
Post by: Crow on September 26, 2017, 07:19:44 PM
Current Overall Rankings
1.
2.
3.
4. Glassjaw – Cosmopolitan Blood Loss
5.
6.
7. Glassjaw – Ape Dos Mil
8.
9. Kvelertak – Ulvetid
10. Moon Safari – Too Young to Say Goodbye
11. Killer Be Killed – Wings of Feather and Wax
12.
13. Kvelertak – Sultans of Satan
14.
15.
16. Fishmans – Long Season Pt. 5
17.
18. No-Man – Back When You Where Beautiful
19.
20. Agents of Mercy – Between Sun and Moon
21.
22.
23.
24. Saltillo – Giving In
25.
26. Talk Talk – After the Flood
27.
28. The Flower Kings – Poor Mr. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
29.
30.
31. No-Man – Song of the Surf
32. Buckethead - For Mom
33.
34. Kylesa – Unspoken
35.
36.
37. Karmakanic - Turn it Up
38. Karmakanic - Alex in Paradise
39. Saltillo – I’m on the Wrong Side
40. The Flower Kings - My Cosmic Lover

Really makes me wonder if I'm weighting the EP score too highly given how many of Luke's scores are near the top of the rankings - 5 songs in the top 15! Geez. Oh well, too late to fix that now  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#4 - The Moments I Play in the Dark)
Post by: Train of Naught on September 27, 2017, 12:00:27 AM
Changing ep round results, train gets 5th now
:corn

Seriously thinking the only reason I rank above luke is flow score now, I bet Kauan had a pretty good score at least though.

During hangman I kept my mouth shut and closed the page after having written a post where I guessed both Glassjaw songs and then continued to say I love their instrumentals (very similar to Deftones) but absolutely hate the vocals, and that you'd probsbly hate them as well. :lol I continue to be terrible at figuring out your tastes

Checked out both because I was curious what the fuss was about but meh, vocals still don't grab me

Also I forgot to say this like 3 months ago but congrats on winning Parama's roulette, Luoto!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#4 - The Moments I Play in the Dark)
Post by: Crow on September 27, 2017, 12:05:35 AM
I mean even i admitted the vocals are kind of bad but in a way that works  :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#4 - The Moments I Play in the Dark)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 27, 2017, 03:41:12 AM
I've been vocal about how I was totally scraping the bottom of my 'Parama' barrel for a while.

I totally agree about the flow letting my EP down, it's hard when you struggle to find enough music, and when you do, arranging it to a cohesive piece. Also, I wish I'd had the time to edit all the tracks into one file, with crossfades etc.

But still, I did much better than in your last roulette  :lol

Bit gutted though as it was only my 'flow' that cost me the win in Tomi's roulette as well  :tdwn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#4 - The Moments I Play in the Dark)
Post by: Crow on September 27, 2017, 09:35:25 AM
3rd Place: Luoto: Songs From the Edge of the Earth

In Vain – Image of Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpWk0UHP5TU)

First Impressions:
I am basically just expecting an EP full of good, solid metal here and if this song is any indication of what’s to come I’m going to get exactly that aren’t I. Cool. Though if I’m being brutally honest this one is a bit dull. Decent, but not really doing anything I haven’t heard done better elsewhere. There’s a nice power and energy running throughout the entire song and there’s some moments of melodic reprieve. But mostly I am finding the riffs pretty uninspired, the rhythms a bit too straightforward, the vocals not really up my alley, it’s just a bit too simple all around. It’s a good solid EP opener nonetheless but not one I see myself getting much out of on relistens.

Final Thoughts:
I find this one hard to talk about because… it’s just a phenomenally “okay” metal song. It’s the kind of song where I don’t really mind it in isolation, but an entire album in this style is almost certainly something I wouldn’t listen to the whole way through.

Like, it’s got a stubborn commitment to melody the whole way through that kind of makes it lose any sense of strife or conflict? That’s something metal should have at least some amount of to really work but here, nah, the melodies are all simple and there’s always something bright and clean sounding happening at any given moment. I mean, yeah, of course there are growls, quite a bit of them. I guess you could argue they provide that element of conflict but I don’t think they’re enough.

Really though it just comes down to not much of this being musically very interesting at all. There’s that one 6/4 bit near the start of the song that’s probably the most memorable part, and it’s an okay riff, but it doesn’t really stick around much. I can still kind of get the energy of this one, but it’s the kind of song where I feel like what’s really making this a standout song worth sending.. I’m just not seeing.

So yeah, I can’t say it’s a bad song by any means but it’s also just not a song that does much of anything for me aside from a small few moments. Don’t dislike it but it’s not something I find myself likely to even remember at all after the roulette.

6/10 (#29 out of 40)



In Mourning – From a Tidal Sleep (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga3XBs3yExc)

First Impressions:
A minute into this one and it’s already doing a lot more for me than the last one. I’m a sucker for the 6/8 rhythms but no the instrumentation is just a lot more interesting. The riffs have a more majestic feel to them, the bass gets some cool licks in the quieter moments, and mostly it’s just dynamic in an interesting way. Not a huge fan of the vocals again when they come in, but. There’s also moments where it devolves into more jagged and proggy riffage and I am also wholly on board with that. I dunno if the song really does much more to keep me invested or continue impressing me after but it’s at least at a very solid baseline of quality throughout that I can appreciate.

Final Thoughts:
This basically fixes the main problem I had with the first track you send, which is that, while it’s still certainly pretty melodic, there’s a lot of moments where it goes towards a bit less clean of a sound and more towards heaviness and jaggedness. It’s basically just a better balance of the melodeath sound, at least for me.

That aside, I can’t really say any of this hits particularly hard unfortunately. Like, yeah. There’s some solid riffing, some nice triumphant melodies, a quieter bit in the middle to give the song a bit more dynamics. “Solid” is just the word that comes to mind here more than anything else.

Is this a band I’d go and check out more from though? No. Even with how little melodic death metal I have, I am just not too interested in seeking out much more. There’s not a lot in this that makes it stand out from other songs in the genre, or heck, other songs you yourself have previously sent. It’s still an enjoyable enough song on its own merits, for sure, but not much beyond that. Just… fine.

7.25/10 (#19 out of 40)



Pressure Points – Between the Lies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fKN7vLtP9k)

First Impressions:
The death vocals for the third time are quite not up my alley but I’m used to not really caring for this style of growl. So whatever. The music itself seems a lot brighter in comparison and take away the vocals and I wouldn’t think this is death metal at all. I don’t have much to say about this that I didn’t already say about the first two tracks. Riffs are pretty decent. I dig the clean vocals at least. The clean bit in the second half is maybe a bit uninspired but it breaks the pace up nicely. It’s a pretty well-structured song on the whole and while it doesn’t really blow me away it’s again pretty enjoyable throughout. It’s going to be hard to do first impressions for this round if everyone keeps sending these really samey EPs where I would say basically the same thing about every song, lol.

Final Thoughts:
I guess basically the one thing this has that the first two tracks on your EP didn’t have is that synth that shows up sometimes. A big problem I have with this is that whenever the synth is intended to take center stage, it seems like the instrumentation wants to become really generic to give it more room to breathe. Like there’s a bit where the synth has a plucky sound to it and the guitars, bass, and drums are all just playing this chuggy riff/rhythm together. Which just feels like not enough.

Beyond that, well, I honestly have a hard time finding much to say about this. You have that clean bit in the middle, and what I’m finding with the kind of clean break they’re going for here – the bass is super important and should be accentuated a bit more. I do here it there and it has a few moments in there, but letting the rather basic clean guitar line take up most of the mix instead of the bass is a mistake I feel. The guitar leads are cool though.

I do dig the riff that takes the song out of the quieter middle and starts building it back up to heaviness – add in the piano giving a bit of melodic texture there too and it’s a great escalating moment that leads to a nice reprise of the guitar lead from earlier in the song – one of the few bits in the first half of this that I really did like, I probably should’ve mentioned it earlier in this writeup but whatever. I’m basically just commenting on anything that stands out at this point.

The song… doesn’t really capitalize on its climax though, it just goes back to that really uninteresting chugging riff for a repeat of the chorus and a brief outro. So there’s definitely some wasted potential in there.

I dunno. I think there are parts of this that do work well enough, but there’s also some parts of this that just don’t interest me much. And even the best parts aren’t really blowing me away, there’s nothing that really resonates with me. It just bounces between “kind of mediocre” and “pretty solid”. It’s… okay.

7/10 (#21 out of 40)



Amendfoil – Darken Waters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKSksjyj9Ls)

First Impressions:
This one stands out by being a bit more succinct than the other songs as well as being a bit more straightforward and accessible. Like, that opening riff is just a hard rock riff with a bit of extra distortion. And I dunno, this song feels like it has a fun vibe to it throughout, at least to me. It’s not really taking itself too seriously but it’s not overtly that goofy or cheesy either. It does lean a bit too far on the edge of just being a bit too straightforward and lacking any real instrumental depth, since nothing is really that impressive on a technical level here. But it’s got a good driving groove and I can at least appreciate that.

Final Thoughts:
I think inevitably this one actually ends up being my favorite off your EP on the basis of actually standing out and sounding different from the rest of these tracks. It doesn’t feel out of place at all, it’s still got a solid heavy vibe to it, but it’s just so much more fun and immediately striking.

It’s also definitely got the best vocal performances of all the tracks here, I prefer the rough-edged deep vocals to straight up growls and there’s some moments of harmonizing, especially on the chorus, that work well with the vibe of the song. And you have some moments of driving intensity too, especially the bridge leading into the last chorus, the riffing there and tremolo-picked leads really help the song build and maintain momentum.

It sort of evolves over time from that more fun vibe to a more immense and energetic vibe, sort of power metal-y really, without ever really de-escalating to the very end. It doesn’t really need to be showoff-y or technical to be compelling, basically.

So uh yeah. Definitely the highlight of the EP but because of how songs get weighted on EPs it’s unfortunately going to count the least towards the overall song score, which is maybe a bit of a shame.

8.5/10 (#3 out of 40)



Ghost Brigade – Elämä on Tulta (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYfCZe563U0)

First Impressions:
I think I did check out an album from this band (though not the one this is off of) in the past but wasn’t too impressed by it. Is this better though? I don’t know really, it’s got an emphasis on this driving, melodic riffs mixed in with some more harsh vocals that aren’t doing a ton for me. I think if anything is the real appeal here it’s the drumming, which seems to evolve and drive the song more than anything else does. Unfortunately it’s not a Djakninn-like case where the guitar riff is good enough on its own than excellent drumming only accentuates it – the guitar work here is really damn dull, especially towards the end where it’s just hammering on one note, over and over. Ehh. Kind of feels like a bit lazily-written of a song as a whole if I’m being honest.

Final Thoughts:
This one starts off pretty solid with a cleaner bit that builds up until the real song kicks in – the kind of intro that work well for the more atmospheric angle this song seems to be taking. Or at least I assume that’s the angle it’s taking because the straightforward nature of the song and basic guitar work give that sense.

It’s the kind of song where I think the small differences in the instrumentation are supposed to be the hook? Unfortunately I don’t tend to have the attention span for that. It’s not slow enough and doesn’t have enough groove or power to really drive the hypnotic vibe I can really get lost in that some atmospheric metal has. It does build up its atmosphere a small bit but it’s not a lot.

The drum work, mostly all the fills in between phrases, really is the highlight of this track. I sort of wish the rest of the instrumentation was up to that standard because it’s the one element here that really works and works well, creating this stop-start frantic feel that has its own slow escalation to it – the fills get longer and more involved the further into the song it gets. And yet at the same time the guitar work gets less interesting towards the end, going from at least having slight melodic variance to literally just hammering on one chord.

So uhh. In a word this is definitely a very frustrating song. I would compare it to Djakninn for the drumming style, but that also had a really compelling guitar line that drove emotive power on its own, and the combo of that great and always slightly varying guitar combined with the intense, unrelenting drums make that song work as well as it does, whereas here? It just feels like one idea stretched out to five minutes without enough variance or weight to sustain itself, it really feels like this should’ve been shorter.

For the elements I do like about this, it’s still earning at least a decent score, but they really should hire their guitarist and find a much more capable replacement before they do anything else. Serious wasted potential.

6.75/10 (#22 out of 40)



Overall EP Thoughts:
Okay, I understand wanting to keep at least somewhat of a cohesive sound but I think there’s a way of doing that without having all the songs sound as similar as they do. The Amendfoil track is the only one that feels notably different from the other four, and the first three tracks in particular are all in a very similar melodeath vein to the point where them all being from the same album wouldn’t surprise me.

I do think the Ghost Brigade song could’ve been a good pick as a closer if not for how… frustrating it is, but putting aside the actual quality of the song, and really all the songs, the structure of this EP is pretty good. Energetic opener, longer, more progressive tunes after, then a cooldown shorter and more upbeat track before an atmospheric closer. In concept it works just fine. I mean, the songs really needed to have more differentiating them for it to really work for me, but as far as things go structurally I don’t have a problem there at all, it’s well done on that front.

So yeah, cohesiveness, flow, and structure are pretty good here, but variety is seriously, SERIOUSLY lacking and that really hurts each individual song as well as the EP as a whole. Not enough to totally tank your EP score since everything else is fine, but enough to bring it down a few notches.

7/10



Song Score Breakdown:

Total EP Length: 34:04 -> 2043 seconds

Image of Time - 5:37 -> 337 seconds
337/2043 = .165
6 * .165 = 0.99

From a Tidal Sleep - 6:51 -> 411 seconds
411/2043 = .201
7.25 * .201 = 1.45725

Between the Lies - 9:36 -> 576 seconds
576/2043 = .282
7 * .282 = 1.974

Darken Waters - 4:35 -> 275 seconds
275/2043 = .135
8.5 * .135 = 1.1475

Elämä on Tulta - 7:22 -> 442 seconds
442/2043 = .217 (rounded up .001 so the sum is 1.000 instead of .999)
6.75 * .217 = 1.46475

Sum: 7.0335
EP Song Score: 7.0335 * 3 = 21.10
EP Score: 7
Bonus Points: 1.25

Final EP Score: 29.35/40

I do feel like your EP has it worst in terms of lacking variety and that some of these songs failed to stand out because they were so similar to other songs on the EP – most notable in that the one song with a bit of a different feel ended up being far and away my favorite and one of my favorite tracks of the entire round to boot. And I didn’t dislike any of the tracks here, at the very least, I was just a bit… underwhelmed, on the whole.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#5 - What They Call Hard Feelings)
Post by: Crow on September 27, 2017, 09:37:51 AM
Current Overall Rankings
1.
2.
3. Amendfoil – Darken Waters
4. Glassjaw – Cosmopolitan Blood Loss
5.
6.
7. Glassjaw – Ape Dos Mil
8.
9. Kvelertak – Ulvetid
10. Moon Safari – Too Young to Say Goodbye
11. Killer Be Killed – Wings of Feather and Wax
12.
13. Kvelertak – Sultans of Satan
14.
15.
16. Fishmans – Long Season Pt. 5
17.
18. No-Man – Back When You Where Beautiful
19. In Mourning – From a Tidal Sleep
20. Agents of Mercy – Between Sun and Moon
21. Pressure Points – Between the Lies
22. Ghost Brigade – Elämä on Tulta
23.
24. Saltillo – Giving In
25.
26. Talk Talk – After the Flood
27.
28. The Flower Kings – Poor Mr. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
29. In Vain – Image of Time
30.
31. No-Man – Song of the Surf
32. Buckethead - For Mom
33.
34. Kylesa – Unspoken
35.
36.
37. Karmakanic - Turn it Up
38. Karmakanic - Alex in Paradise
39. Saltillo – I’m on the Wrong Side
40. The Flower Kings - My Cosmic Lover

Two EPs left. Who will win? Find out tonight  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#4 - The Moments I Play in the Dark)
Post by: Luoto on September 27, 2017, 11:00:17 AM
Also I forgot to say this like 3 months ago but congrats on winning Parama's roulette, Luoto!

:rollin

Yeah, I sort of warned about running out of the good stuff, and this EP ended up being more melodeath-based than the earlier rounds (I also mentioned that one band that would've changed everything about variety). That in mind I consider myself being a winner on a personal level for making my first ever roulette finals.

Really happy you liked the Amendfoil track, and I'm sure there are many more on these forums who'd like their stuff. Ghost Brigade's score is a bit underwhelming, but at least we both liken the song to Djakninn in terms of drum work :D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#2 - It's Time We Danced With the Truth)
Post by: Crow on September 27, 2017, 07:22:07 PM
2nd Place: Train of Naught: The Intercontinental Train (of Naught) of Impending Doom... Extravaganza

Tusks – Toronto (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCFBrsLhQ74)

First Impressions:
I’ve never been to Canada. I should visit sometime though I live pretty close really.  Anyways I know exactly why you sent this and it’s because of Daughter. Similar vocalist, similar guitar style. I don’t feel like this pulls as much emotional weight, but I mean, it’s still pretty dang nice and hits a stronger climax if I’m being honest. So yeah. Short but satisfying start.

Final Thoughts:
I think the one failing of this song is that the singer just isn’t great at conveying a sense of emotional power in her performance. I mean yeah, she can sing very technically fine and has decent power to her voice during the louder moments here but I am just never really sold on the emotional power the song is going for and I’m pretty sure the vocals are why.

Beyond that this is musically pretty dang solid, having some quieter moments driven by guitar but having the synths and drums really providing some swell and atmosphere during the more intense parts of the song, especially the last minute or so which really ties all the elements together for a great climax. Though I kind of wish there was more than just the one guitar line throughout this.

I also think having some vocals for the climax of the song would’ve improved it significantly too, it’s still a pretty solid close for the tune but doesn’t hit the peak it really should & I feel the lack of vocals is why. But really overall? Yeah, solid tune. Don’t think I love it but I enjoy it plenty.

7.5/10 (#17 out of 40)



White Moth Black Butterfly – Rising Sun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOh-XlM8ebg)

First Impressions:
The male vocalist here is a bit weird and not really to my taste, but he’s got a more interesting style than the female vocalist here, who instead just sounds better but doesn’t really sound too unique. Musically I am getting a decently atmospheric indie rock vibe from this though the music seems really downplayed throughout this. It sounds nice on the whole for sure and I wouldn’t say it’s boring but due to how downplayed the music is and due to me not really being in love with either vocalist it feels like a bit of a nothing song.

Final Thoughts:
Huh, so apparently this is the Skyharbor/TesseracT guy. Somehow he does not sound the least bit familiar here and honestly his vocal style does sound a bit out of place here. Not bad, just a bit… weird. And  as for the chorus… it’s underwhelming as heck really, those female vocals are just way too understated to carry the hook or have any emotional weight to them.

The music on this track is a bit… strange too. Now that I know this comes from a djent background, the heavy emphasis on the bass makes total sense. I actually really like that, but I do wish the bassline had a bit more to it than what actually is here. Aside from that… the jagged guitar bits are kind of cool but don’t really ever come together, and most of the rest of the instrumentals are atmospheric mush that blends together and sounds pleasant without really grabbing me in any real way.

So overall I’d have to say… ehh. I wish I liked this more than I do but it’s just kind of… okay. It also ends super abruptly without ever hitting any sort of peak which makes the entire song feel like a meandering mess in the end. Yeah, can’t say I’m hugely behind this, there’s elements here and there I do like but nothing that really makes me want to return to this.

6.75/10 (#23 out of 40)



Wardruna – Raido (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fnPwj1AMpo)

First Impressions:
Okay I know you played this artist at least once or twice in plug.dj but I didn’t really check them out after so I figured I’d give a pass on sending them regardless. I mean, I allowed Kauan, whose album I totally listened to at some point (two of them, I think, but I don’t recall either much at all). Anyways the song itself. Seems like another of those where all the elements slowly build upon each other, though I think the 5/8 rhythm doesn’t really work in favor of the track here. Regardless of that I still think it’s a song that builds up to a pretty decent climax, though not as strong as the similar song you’ve sent before.

Final Thoughts:
At the end of the day this one is totally fine but gets completely overshadowed by the song after it. Like same artist, same buildup, but without the melodic hook that makes that song really come together and stick in my mind. This one just feels like… background music, mostly.

It has varied enough instrumentation, for sure, but between the 5/8 rhythm that just doesn’t flatter this style of music, and the kind of musical mish-mash of sounds competing without ever coming together, it ends up feeling like a meandering, directionless track that really doesn’t capitalize on its potential. Even the climax near the end feels a bit understated, with the vocals being drowned out by the rest of the music, and it ends a bit abruptly as well.

Really that just makes it “a song to pass time to while waiting for the next track” in the end. Which is a bit of a shame, I mean, it’s still a decent enough track on its own merit, but between its own failings and how it doesn’t hold up against the better song from this artist I just don’t find myself too interested in this one.

6.25/10 (#27 out of 40)



Wardruna – Odal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_QbyP6q0AQ)

First Impressions:
And another one. I’m pretty sure this is the one you played in plug.dj actually. Not 100% sure but it sounds vaguely familiar. The percussion is definitely a lot more driving on this one. It feels like it hits a peak near the middle of the track and then just kind of, drops off from there. I guess it’s another song that feels a need to repeat its same loop twice? I’ve already made it clear I’m not a huge fan of that kind of song structure but I mean. Beyond that it’s still pretty great from an atmospheric standpoint and the big moments of the song have the kind of power I’m looking for in stuff like this. It’s a bit weird to put both of these tracks next to each other in my opinion since I do think this one overshadows the previous one and makes it feel redundant by necessity, but ehh.

Final Thoughts:
So I basically spoiled in my writeup of the previous song that I like this one a fair bit. And yup, this has basically none of the problems of the last track. For one, it has a great base to the song with that locked drum groove. It’s a solid, pounding rhythm, and being in 6/8 rather than 5/8 gives it a bit more of a straightforward and driving feel, which basically just serves to give the song some direction.

On top of that, this has an actual refrain with a memorable melody to it – that great bit of vocal harmonization that comes at the end of the song’s buildups. It’s both great on its own merit, with all the instrumentation coming together to back up the vocals, and a satisfying climax to the build and groove the song has been riding on up to that point.

Basically the only complaint I have about this is the same thing I said in my first impressions, and the same issue Skuggsja had – it just repeats basically the same loop of buildup twice without any significant variation, which mostly serves to make the song feel longer than it needs to be, and makes sure the second climax can’t really have the power of the first because it’s no longer fresh. And I dunno how much I care for the child vocal ending bit but, whatever.

At the end of the day I do like this but it’s got basically the same issue as Skuggsja and hits me about as hard as that one, which is to say – I do like it a fair bit but it’s got a bit of wasted potential all the same.

7.75/10 (#12 out of 40)



Les Discrets – Song for Mountains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIH5QLjGCf0)

First Impressions:
So yes I’ve also listened to this artist before, or I’m almost positive I have, back when I was first getting into blackgaze. Since they often come up alongside Alcest. I think. I’m pretty sure I recognize the artist at least so yeah whatever. I see that this is kind of continuing off the folk undertones of the previous track a little bit, but not too intensely either. Beyond that I really don’t have much to say about this uhh. It’s decent blackgaze-lite stuff? It’s got some melodies grounding it and it has its moments of atmosphere too, though I can’t say it really does much to stand out in the genre it occupies.

Final Thoughts:
I’m already two minutes into this one during my final writeup and I just don’t have anything to say about this. It’s very much “just another atmospheric metal song”. That’s the only way I can really describe it. The textures the song provides are nice but nothing I haven’t heard before. Same with the vocals, pleasant but without any strong melodies to keep me interested.

It doesn’t even really have a sense of crushing heaviness at any point, even in its louder moments it’s still rather subdued. It doesn’t give the sense of being overwhelmed that a lot of the best atmospheric metal has, I guess. I don’t know what else to say about it really. It just doesn’t work for me. Honestly it’s kind of dull. Not unpleasant, just… uninteresting and without any real emotional weight to it.

5.5/10 (#35 out of 40)



Kauan – IV (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ewBiBsvQjg)

First Impressions:
I got halfway through this without having a ton to say, oops. I am digging those strings for sure, they’re probably the most interesting thing about this. The rest of it being… you know, pretty solid atmospheric metal? Probably something I’ll like more on relistens. That piano break in the middle comes in at a great time and really resolves the tension the song had been building up in an effective way, I dug that a lot. I think the one thing here is that this doesn’t quite get heavy enough? It’s got a low roaring guitar line throughout the louder moments but it never really approaches “crushing” or “overwhelming” like the best atmospheric metal does.

Final Thoughts:
I think the start of this works pretty well, the twinkly guitar tones provide a solid backdrop for the slow start. But I don’t think this really comes alive until it hits that main melody bit about two minutes in. I can’t tell if that’s strings or some weird vocal effect, or both? Whatever it is it really does well to ground the song and give it a sense of cohesiveness as well as a bit of a folky vibe in the melody.

Beyond that it’s hard to really find much about this to comment on other than “it’s very pretty” and “it flows well enough to stay interesting throughout”. I wouldn’t say much of it is particularly memorable given that the main melody is the only part of this I remember to any significant degree and even on fifth listen I still feel like I’m hearing some of this for the first time.

There’s even a bit of growls towards the end of the song but I don’t quite feel like the song builds up enough to really earn them? Yes, that part of the song is a bit heavier and doomier but the guitar is still understated enough to not really be that powerful in the end. It definitely leaves me wanting a more satisfying climax, something I can really feel, but I don’t really even get that. There is certainly -a- climax, but not one that hits hard enough to work.

So… overall I can see why this might work for you but for me I just don’t think it’s quite there. I like it more than most of the tracks on this EP, sure – it’s probably my second favorite behind Odal, but not by that much over the Tusks song, and even the best track here isn’t exactly wowing me in any real way. I guess that makes this a bit disappointing in the end, both as a song and as an EP closer. It’s alright but could’ve been better.

7.5/10 (#14 out of 40)



Overall EP Thoughts:
As far as overall EP score goes… this is probably going to rank the highest of all of them. There’s variety, for sure – two tracks leaning more towards indie rock, two atmospheric folk tunes, two atmospheric metal tunes – but they all feel like they belong together as well. And there’s a gradual build up from the more understated tunes to the heavier stuff at the end of the album, though as is clear from my write-ups I wish there was even more of a build than we got. So in terms of structure and flow it also does really well.

The real failing here is only in the individual songs, none of which grasped me – but that’s an issue with the songs themselves, and I can’t really find any major fault with how the EP is structured. It’s probably because you had to cut the So Hideous song, which would’ve likely completed the buildup throughout the EP, but hey, it was on the banned list not only in this roulette but my last roulette too, so.

9/10



Song Score Breakdown:

Total EP Length: 31:39 -> 1899 seconds

Toronto - 3:21 -> 201 seconds
201/1899 = .106
7.5 * .106 = 0.795

Rising Sun - 3:32 -> 212 seconds
212/1899 = .112
6.75 * .112 = 0.756

Raido - 4:56 -> 296 seconds
296/1899 = .156
6.25 * .156 = 0.975

Odal - 5:31 -> 331 seconds
331/1899 = .174
7.75 * .174 = 1.3485

Song for Mountains - 5:58 -> 358 seconds
358/1899 = .189
5.5 * .189 = 1.0395

IV - 8:19 -> 499 seconds
499/1899 = .263
7.5 * .263 = 1.9725

Sum: 6.8865
EP Song Score: 6.8865 * 3 = 20.66
EP Score: 9
Bonus Points: 0

Final EP Score: 29.66/40

That EP score really propped this one up a good bit and I’d stand by it, I do sort of get the sense this was a “thrown together quickly” kind of EP (but feel to correct me if I’m wrong) but it’s one that lines up well enough that you probably didn’t need to spend more time. Heck, cutting the So Hideous track may have actually worked out for the better as I’m guessing it has a level of intensity that would’ve caused a bit too sharp of an increase compared to the rest of the EP, but I didn’t actually listen to it so I don’t know for sure. Regardless, I did enjoy a few songs on this EP, though I also don’t think anything here has convinced me to check out any of these bands aside from maybe revisiting that Kauan album.

And that means...
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Crow on September 27, 2017, 07:23:55 PM
1st Place: Bolsters: The Ghost in You

BT - The Ghost In You (Intro)

First Impressions:
Hey, you included it separately in the track listing so I’m counting it. I am listening to the single track version of this so I actually have no clue where this ends or where the next song begins but this sure is a decent intro. And it’s over, I think. Bye.

Final Thoughts:
Yeah, I’m not going to rate this or include it in the overall runtime of this EP because I’m pretty sure the entirety of this is present in the full song on the EP, so whatever.



Passion Pit – Take a Walk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YKcGGO2Ljc)

First Impressions:
Stompy, cheery intro to this one but that gives it a rock edge I like so, yeah, definitely on board with that. I didn’t realize the chorus had started until it was half over, whoops. I think the lyrics are actually a lot darker than the tone of the song would let on but I’m also not entirely sure as I don’t have them in front of me. Maybe a bit lacking in depth beyond that as it does feel a bit one-note but it’s fun enough.

Final Thoughts:
Yeah I think this is another one of those cases where the song is really bright and upbeat but the lyrics are kind of dark/depressing. Though I still haven’t figured out what “take a walk” means in this context. But yeah there’s definitely a lot of lyrics here that make this clearly not that happy of a song.

I am not really a huge fan of the vocal effects on the vocals here. They do fit in the style well, admittedly, I just don’t like how they sound. The backing vocals in the chorus don’t seem to have any effects though and I dig those whoa-aa-ooahs. Really the chorus as a whole is kind of catchy. Not huge on it, not huge on the synth tone especially, but it’s stompy and fun enough.

It does kind of lack depth though, there isn’t really a ton of diversity here – stompy bit for the chorus, quieter bit for the verses, buildup bit for the prechoruses and bridge. The verses are just okay, the prechorus is pretty satisfying as a buildup, and the chorus is nice but does get a little old by the end of this. So in the end… it’s fine enough, sure, but not something I expect myself to come back to that often.

6.5/10 (#25 out of 40)



Tegan and Sara – Faint of Heart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_rjO_bVXzQ)

First Impressions:
You’re like the only one who did crossfades and single-tracked the EP like this but the way it’s done here works well enough especially with how the songs are all still separate entities on their own. Anyways this seems like another brighter, cheerier tune. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the effects on the vocals here. I think it’s two of them too but it’s a little hard to tell because those effects make all the voices sound really similar. I don’t really have much else to say about this one, it’s decent but a bit on the generic side and isn’t doing a ton for me on first listen.

Final Thoughts:
Another case where there are two songs from the same artist on an EP and I very decisively prefer one over the other. And not this one. It’s the other one. That’s the one I really like. This one is just… honestly, really generic. At the very least, it doesn’t really hook me in the same way.

The chorus is fine, I guess? Another instance of a synth tone I’m not particularly a fan of. The vocal melody is alright but not that catchy, at least for me. I have had several songs stuck in my head in this round, and this was just not one of them, at all. I guess, the harmonizations are at least pretty alright. That’s about all I really have to say here, it’s just not too memorable or too effective for me.

5.25/10 (#36 out of 40)



Tegan and Sara – Dying to Know (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C62PVctMSg)

First Impressions:
It’s weird to think this is apparently on the same album as the last track since it has just a completely different vibe to it, it feels like it falls way more in line with modern pop. It also has a way, way better groove to it that I immediately like a lot more. Still some of the same vocal effects I don’t really care for but the voices are at least a bit more distinct here. I guess there’s not a ton more to say about this one but having that groove does make a world of difference in my opinion, though I also feel like this could’ve been a bit shorter than it is.

Final Thoughts:
This one on the other hand… ooh man, I love the groove of this song. Like, that electronic percussion just completely dominates this song but it’s an interesting enough rhythm that has a good groove to it. And the vocals play off it really well, especially that damn chorus. It’s really damn fun and catchy as hell. Especially the first half, the title drop bit is good too but definitely not as strong.

It’s not limited to the chorus though, the verses also have some great vocal bits, they definitely exemplify the pissier side of this song that’s pretty evident in the lyrics. They provided great contrast to the booming chorus that sounds more desperate and very much “not over it”. There’s just, a degree of complex emotions here that makes this more interesting than just another cheery pop track. And the quieter moments give you a bit of room to breathe between the louder choruses.

So yeah. It’s not on the level of the CHVRCHES song previously sent but probably about on the same level as the HAIM track, which was still pretty great. Good stuff, will probably at least look into them further based on this track.

8.25/10 (#6 out of 40)



Glades – Drive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPbqQZdFz1I)

First Impressions:
I guess we’re definitely turning towards the more downbeat stuff now, as of this track. It certainly starts out a lot more dreary than the previous few tracks. I think the percussion is a bit of a detriment to this one, it just feels like an element that’s out of place. There’s a lush atmosphere and ambience to all the instrumentation here besides that one element and if it had focused on that more ethereal sound throughout it’d be more effective, at least to me. I’d still easily say it’s my favorite of the tracks on your EP so far, which means I’m already kind of wishing you’d stuck to the more downbeat stuff, but hey, whatevs.

Final Thoughts:
Mmm… in hindsight I don’t really agree that much with my writeup. This is a lot like the London Grammar song in that it would work better without the more rhythm elements that give a sharp edge to what seems to want to be a more ethereal, atmospheric track, and it never hits a loud enough moment for the buildup in the song to really feel warranted.

Like, yeah, the chorus is somewhat dense in nature, but it still has the guitar and percussion bits going on that I’m not huge on. It just doesn’t strike an emotional chord with me, I guess, and it also has the misfortune of being stuck between two tracks on the EP I do quite like, spoilers by the way. Anyways this ended like a minute ago now I wanna write about the next track so I’m gonna go do that.

6/10 (#30 out of 40)



Amy Shark – Drive You Mad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jDa56VJezE)

First Impressions:
Musically it doesn’t feel like this would be too out of place on a Lorde album, though probably more her debut than Melodrama. Even the vocal melodies and phrasing are kind of similar, though her voice is a lot deeper and less breathy, which I’m totally fine with. It’s also got the kind of percussion I wish the previous track had, though also more of it. It’s another nice tune that has a fair bit going on in its atmosphere and pretty solid vocals to carry it. Can’t say it’s standing out hugely but it’s more than pleasant enough to listen to.

Final Thoughts:
I don’t know why you were worried about me disliking that siren synth, because it actually works really dang well? It’s an element that provides a serious degree of tension and contrasts nicely with the vocals. Like, I like how softly the vocals come in, with the siren effect getting more muffled when they come in alongside the piano – but then everything clicks back into place when the chorus starts and provides a satisfying payoff to the tension.

It’s just, a great chill tune. I really like her as a singer, at least on this track – she sells both quiet moments and big emotional climaxes, and the harmonies on the last chorus especially are breathtaking. It’s just… a really powerful track, I would be okay with this one going on longer than it does honestly.

Not really much else to say, I just have no real complaints with this one. It’s right up the alley of the kind of pop I like, it’s memorable, atmospheric, and emotional. That’s… really all I ask for.

Addendum: Okay… I am actually seriously wondering if this isn’t the absolute best track of the entire round now. I gotta do a relisten to Gunship real quick and that’s great to compare them, but this song literally has everything I want in a pop song. It’s on that top-tier level as stuff like Sia’s Chandelier in terms of pop for me. And that final chorus really pushes it over the edge. Whew. Yeah.

9/10 (#2 out of 40)



M83 – Another Wave From You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX60jNPdDX8)

First Impressions:
Hmm. As an interlude track this is actually pretty nice, atmospheric and kind of massive by its peak, actually wish it was longer. But it’s already over so you know. That was nice.

Final Thoughts:
Umm? I am really pissed that this is as short as it is? This is a fantastic ambient piece. The breadth of the music when it hits its peak is fantastic, so many tiny things going on but there’s just enough rhythm to keep it also having this driving feel to it. Like, the only bad thing about this track is that it isn’t three times longer so I could really let it wash over me but damned if this isn’t still great regardless.

8.5/10 (#5 out of 40)



Gunship – Tech Noir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nC5TBv3sfU)

First Impressions:
Didn’t you have this album cover as your icon for some time? I’m pretty sure you did. I dig the darker intro of this even with the spoken word stuff going on, it builds up the atmosphere quite nicely. A bit less a fan of the 80’s synth stuff when the song kicks in proper but it’s relatively downplayed and not too intrusive. The climax of this also has some really great atmosphere going on too & feels like a proper climax for what the song has been building to. I dunno, I dug this more than I was expecting to, it feels like a very complete song with several moments that really clicked with me. Ending felt a touch abrupt though.

Final Thoughts:
Congrats. The intro of this song is one of the best uses of spoken word stuff I’ve ever heard, probably. That synth bit feels goddamn cinematic and it’s pretty solidly atmospheric too, it feels just absolutely natural for there to be narration over it. And it’s low enough in the mix to kind of blend in without overwhelming the music.

Anyways then this kicks in with a chill groove that the song rides  on for a bit. I’m fine with the verses, they’re nice. But hot damn. That chorus actually sounds utterly terrifying in the best possible way, and it’s memorable as heck too, I had it bouncing around in my head after just a single listen here. It’s nice to have the quieter bits in between those peaks of the song to give the listener a bit of room to breathe and it’s not like the verses don’t sound just as polished as the rest, they’re good.

Hell, I’m even forgiving of the 80’s synths because they absolutely fit the aesthetic. When I think of a “tech noir” film, I think of Blade Runner. Guess what. The synths sound like Blade Runner synths. It’s probably at least somewhat intentional here. Oh, and that bridge, just building up an insane amount of tension before letting it break free with that wailing bit into the last chorus. The vocal melody on that bit sounds really familiar but I can’t quite put a finger on it. I do think the song does kind of end abruptly though.

But yeah overall? Whew. Best song of the entire EP round, almost certainly. Not quite on the level of the best stuff in the roulette, but still, pretty damn close. Very few complaints, and it goes way beyond a lot of the other, more simpler songs on this EP in terms of composition too. Like I said, it feels very complete, aside from the very abrupt ending. Definitely can see why this would be your AOTY if the rest of the album is up to this bar of quality.

9/10 (#1 out of 40)



Amy Shark – Adore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-IoluTnuKs)

First Impressions:
Another track that fits nicely into the “laidback rock tune”. Though this one feels almost a bit too minimalistic at times, and I’m not a fan of the percussion here either. It feels too loud compared to the rest of the mix, and a bit too robotic against the lusher, more natural tones of the instrumentation and vocals. Yeah, that really does kind of overshadow the rest of the song in an unfortunate way. The vocals here are, again, pretty solid though and easily the highlight of this one. Just wish the instrumental backing did more for me.

Final Thoughts:
Mmm… this one just doesn’t quite work for me. I know from the other song on this EP that she can sell emotion really well, but in this track it sounds like she’s just kind of half-drunk all song. Maybe that’s the aesthetic it’s going for, it’s literally a line in the chorus, but there’s just a lumbering, seasick vibe to a lot of the vocal melodies I’m not a fan of.

And I really am not huge on that percussion either, it feels out of place compared to the rest of the instrumentation here. The guitar line is nice, there’s decent atmosphere, but you have this blatantly fake percussion just kind of ruining the atmosphere.

Another case where I just wish I liked this more than I do, it’s not bad, not one of the weakest tracks on the EP or even in the round but it definitely doesn’t do much for me, especially compared to the other song by her this round. Also, again, it’s stuck between two much better tracks. So that doesn’t help either.

5.75/10 (#33 out of 40)



BT – The Ghost in You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYxJtutRxJ4)

First Impressions:
And back to this one that you chopped the intro off of before, I guess, cool. The guitar sound is definitely a nice change of pace on this one, it’s got a lot of clean, natural tone to it. Better than the previous track for sure. And the quiet roaring guitar distortions in the background provide atmosphere I really dig. It makes the song feel pretty tense throughout, just waiting for the moment when it’s really going to explode. The vocal tone and melodies feel a little standard but they’re fine enough for what they are. And oh, there’s female vocals in there too eventually. Yeah, it definitely reaches a more full sound by the end of the track that makes the build more satisfying. Though it maybe stays at that peak a little too briefly, feels like there was more that could’ve been done there. Can’t say I’m a huge fan of that drum break either but it’s short enough so, ehh. I think it’s the next song now so I’m gonna switch to writing for that one, okay.

Final Thoughts:
I do think you are kind of right when you thought I’d find this a bit too slow-paced. Or at the very least, it feels like it takes a bit too long to get to the real meat of the song. Not that I mind the long instrumental intro – there’s a lot of texture to it and it’s all pretty gorgeous stuff really. But the song just does not really get going until the vocals kick in.

I mean, even then it’s a pretty downbeat track, there’s like no percussion besides the drums near the end. But those vocal melodies are pretty solid, both the verses and chorus – though I think I honestly prefer the verses to the chorus, the emotion is sold a bit better there in the singer’s softer tones – whereas when he’s giving it his all on the chorus, it feels a bit lacking in comparison, a bit dry.

Also this is a total nitpick, but I hate the stuttering effect on the line of female vocals near the end. Every single time I think the CD is skipping, except that I’m not even listening to a CD, just mp3 files on my computer. I skipped over the bridge, woops. I like the bridge, it’s kind of a louder verse but that’s okay – and the last chorus I do think does actually sell the emotion much better than the previous choruses, but I’m not sure why he couldn’t have done that for every chorus. Ehh, whatever.

At the end of the day I do like this one but it doesn’t blow me away either, and having it be the only lengthy track and the track the EP was named after I guess I was expecting to be a bit more impressed by it? I still like it but it’s just that, not much beyond “like”.

7.5/10 (#15 out of 40)



M83 – Outro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DJ3-BVMjOs)

First Impressions:
This is… hmm. More ambient stuff I guess but then it like, just cuts out for low rumbling noise. Okay and then it builds up to something. The start of this is just kind of weird then, huh. This is certainly a pretty satisfying climax for the EP as a whole, really both this and the shorter track before had some really good atmosphere so maybe I should actually care about this band at least a little. Yeah, as a way to close the EP and tie everything together I think this does its job quite well and is a pretty solid track on its own too.

Final Thoughts:
As an ambient track and finale for the entire EP, I do like this, but… honestly? The shorter interlude track just hits upon this kind of atmosphere a bit better for me. But I do appreciate having more of it here, and this is still a pretty damn solid track on its own.

I think it does at least get pretty damn close though, especially the last minute and a half or so. You have the guitars, strings, synths, and drums all coming together for a satisfying emotional climax and a nice piano bit for some falling action. It’s just not quite the level of overwhelming and I think the big difference is the lack of driving tension that the other track has.

But I sort of feel like I’m nitpicking.  Aside from that the entire first minute of this feels a bit disconnected from the rest, it’s still a pretty solid track and a nice way to close the EP. Obviously not the kind of thing that’d work so well on its own but I do include context in my scores for EP songs because I kind of have to. So yeah, solid stuff for sure.

8/10 (#8 out of 40)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Crow on September 27, 2017, 07:24:22 PM
Overall EP Thoughts:
I think there are a few weird moments with the transitions here that hurt the flow score a little bit but the way all the songs are sequenced makes a lot of sense, at least for the most part. Though it’s not my least favorite of the entire bunch, I think Adore feels kind of out of place where it is, though I really don’t know how you could’ve followed up the Gunship track well.

As far as diversity goes I think this does a great job, there are only a few songs I feel were a bit too similar – obviously the two Tegan and Sara songs are kind of in the same vein, though one is far better than the other, and Drive and Adore both kind of feel like they hit in a similar vein, or at least have a few of the same problems that make me not as big a fan of them. But beyond that every track feels like it does have its value here, even if the quality is a bit inconsistent. And it’s pretty cohesive too, I think the transition from the brighter stuff to the darker tones, and eventually back to a nicer and triumphant song towards the end is all done well.

Overall your EP was the longest of the bunch and yet it had less issues with keeping me interested than some of the shorter EPs, which I think speaks to how good this EP is as a whole – honestly, as a whole it’s probably the best EP I’ve received in any of my roulettes, though the song quality isn’t quite up there with the very best tracks from Seneca’s or Home’s EPs. But yeah, I was pretty satisfied with this one and I’d be surprised if the points don’t add up for you to win the whole thing at the end of the day.

8/10



Song Score Breakdown:

Total EP Length: 39:38 -> 2378 seconds (I know the single file is shorter but hell with trying to time that stuff dude)

Take a Walk - 4:24 -> 264 seconds
264/2378 = .111
6.5 * .111 = 0.7215

Faint of Heart - 2:55 -> 175 seconds
175/2378 = .074
5.25 * .074 = 0.3885

Dying to Know - 3:37 -> 217 seconds
217/2378 = .091
8.25 * .091 = 0.75075

Drive - 3:07 -> 187 seconds
187/2378 = .079
6 * .079 = 0.474

Drive You Mad - 3:32 -> 212 seconds
212/2378 = .089
9 * .089 = 0.801

Another Wave From You - 1:53 -> 113 seconds
113/2378 = .048
8.5 * .048 = 0.408

Tech Noir - 4:57 -> 297 seconds
297/2378 = .125
9 * .125 = 1.125

Adore - 3:05 -> 185 seconds
185/2378 = .078
5.75 * .078 = 0.4485

The Ghost in You - 7:57 -> 477 seconds
477/2378 = .201
7.5 * .201 = 1.5075

Outro - 4:07 -> 247 seconds
247/2378 = .104
8 * .104 = 0.832

Sum: 7.45675
EP Song Score: 7.45675 * 3 = 22.37
EP Score: 8
Bonus Points: 0

Final EP Score: 30.37/40

I actually thought this EP would pull way ahead of the others score-wise when I saw how Luke's EP point total ended up, but it was only a slight step above how other EPs scored songwise and I think a big chunk of that is how a lot of the really good scores only made a minor impact in the long run due to the sheer number of songs on this EP. As well, the only significantly long song got a fairly middling score. But even scoring a flow point less than Train this EP still came out on top in the end, and honestly that's the result I feel like I'm most satisfied by. Hell, this would've come out on top even on song score alone. But yeah, this was the EP I liked the most so I'm glad to see it come out on top. And glad I decided on a whim to give you pity entry into the last round, haha. I wouldn't have done it if it had been only one or the other, but both at the same time... yeah. So anyways congrats on winning my roulette I guess?

Also yes. I had to split up the post. Geez.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Crow on September 27, 2017, 07:25:57 PM
EP Songs Final Ranking
1.   Gunship – Tech Noir
2.   Amy Shark – Drive You Mad
3.   Amendfoil – Darken Waters
4.   Glassjaw – Cosmopolitan Blood Loss
5.   M83 – Another Wave From You
6.   Tegan and Sara – Dying to Know
7.   Glassjaw – Ape Dos Mil
8.   M83 – Outro
9.   Kvelertak – Ulvetid
10.   Moon Safari – Too Young to Say Goodbye
11.   Killer Be Killed – Wings of Feather and Wax
12.   Wardruna – Odal
13.   Kvelertak – Sultans of Satan
14.   Kauan – IV
15.   BT – The Ghost in You
16.   Fishmans – Long Season Pt. 5
17.   Tusks – Toronto
18.   No-Man – Back When You Where Beautiful
19.   In Mourning – From a Tidal Sleep
20.   Agents of Mercy – Between Sun and Moon
21.   Pressure Points – Between the Lies
22.   Ghost Brigade – Elämä on Tulta
23.   White Moth Black Butterfly – Rising Sun
24.   Saltillo – Giving In
25.   Passion Pit – Take a Walk
26.   Talk Talk – After the Flood
27.   Wardruna – Raido
28.   The Flower Kings – Poor Mr. Rain’s Ordinary Guitar
29.   In Vain – Image of Time
30.   Glades – Drive
31.   No-Man – Song of the Surf
32.   Buckethead – For Mom
33.   Amy Shark – Adore
34.   Kylesa – Unspoken
35.   Les Discrets – Song for Mountains
36.   Tegan and Sara – Faint of Heart
37.   Karmakanic – Turn it Up
38.   Karmakanic – Alex in Paradise
39.   Saltillo – I’m on the Wrong Side
40.   The Flower Kings – My Cosmic Lover

And that's that I guess? I'm gonna do a "best of" 2CD set over the weekend, one disc of lighter stuff and one disc of metal stuff, there's definitely enough for both. But beyond that the roulette is, finally, over.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: TAC on September 27, 2017, 07:27:25 PM
Shit, that only took 6 months!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Crow on September 27, 2017, 07:28:59 PM
four and a half months, for 11 full-sized rounds and one EP round with 6 EPs

plus i like doing really detailed writeups which take a while to do, shut up  :loser:
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: TAC on September 27, 2017, 07:48:26 PM
That's like going to Roulette Boot Camp!  ;D



Those are some detailed writeups.  Let me guess, you were an English Major with a Minor in Statistics, or vice versa.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Bolsters on September 27, 2017, 07:58:07 PM
I won a Parama roulette? How the fuck did that happen? :lol

I'm rather surprised with some of those song rankings too. Obviously I sent Tech Noir because I thought you'd dig the atmosphere of it, but at the same time I know that 80's style production isn't your thing for the mostpart, and I kind of expected it to be one of the lower-ranked of my EP's tracks; I never would have expected it to make it to #1. Funnily enough some of the songs I had second thoughts about after sending (Adore) were the lower ranked ones, too. All in all I'd say some of my better choices were deduced but still a lot of them I was just plain lucky that you liked them that much.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Crow on September 27, 2017, 10:41:01 PM
That's like going to Roulette Boot Camp!  ;D



Those are some detailed writeups.  Let me guess, you were an English Major with a Minor in Statistics, or vice versa.
Computer Science actually  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Train of Naught on September 27, 2017, 11:15:37 PM
Hell yeah, got you to check out no albums at all this round :metal I seem to get away with mediocre EP songs a lot lately, making up with it by having higher-than-average EP flow

I thought about the So Hideous track just yesterday, and thought the exact same. It's probably a good thing it got cut for the sake of EP flow. I agree with placing the Wardruna songs further apart, Raido is clearly better in every way, and I would agree with the Les Discrets thoughts (about missing those hardhitting moments) if I didn't love that main guitar motif so much

Congratulations Bolsters! :metal Though obviously I purposely lost this, I just thought it was time for someone else to win a roulette, but still congrats
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Luoto on September 28, 2017, 01:50:48 AM
The "wildcard" wins the whole thing, how appropriate :corn Congrats Bolsters! And of course thanks to Parama for running this.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: jingle.boy on September 28, 2017, 10:05:59 AM
The fact that Gun Ship was the best song of the final round simply confirms what we both already knew... we are not a match.

Holy fuck do you have the gift of gab!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Crow on September 28, 2017, 10:37:46 AM
You wouldn't like my favorite metal tunes in this roulette either  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: jingle.boy on September 28, 2017, 12:42:21 PM
You wouldn't like my favorite metal tunes in this roulette either  :corn

(https://media.makeameme.org/created/ya-think.jpg)

 ;)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Nekov on September 28, 2017, 01:26:49 PM
Congrats Bolsters!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: Sacul on September 28, 2017, 02:10:44 PM
Well done Bolsters! I'll definitely wait for the "Best of Roulette" thing  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (#1 - Move Along With the Truth)
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 28, 2017, 03:48:05 PM
Yea, cheers for this Parama. If nothing else, we can always rely on you for in depth analysis of EVERY aspect of each song. I know you have a better ear than me as you often describe things you hear in my submissions, that make me think "I can't remember hearing that in there?", only to find you are indeed right  :lol

Once again though, I'm just chuffed to have gotten this far. I don't think I would struggle half as much to find things to send in anyone else's roulette. As in, I feel I have a grasp of what you really dislike (of which I have quite a lot of) but luckily I discovered a few bands during this that I thought you'd dig (along with some stuff in my library that you didn't already know). Still can't actually believe that you loved Amends by The Ongoing Concept as much as you did  :eek  glad though.

I'd love to host another roulette one day but reading all this reminds me how much hard work it all is!!!!

Well done Bolsters! I'll definitely wait for the "Best of Roulette" thing  :corn

also, +1
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Crow on October 08, 2017, 12:29:14 AM
Didn't get time to make these as quickly as I wanted to, but, here are the best-of roulette discs!

CD 1: Crystalline Snow (https://mega.nz/#!rBUmQJQB!AV9Ppo1idlmNko7rhrk-KPOQkrPckxhkI3WPURd1vQw)
CD 2: Spiraling Flame (https://mega.nz/#!DEVgyBTI!ky_pNsOKzQq68tO_eXYYjKKvvs4MfI-Yf3mcOsxHD1Q)

As may be evident from the names, the first disc is lighter and contains no metal tracks while the second disc is exclusively the more metal tracks.
I am intentionally not saying what songs are on each & I have tracked both as a single file, so listen and find out~
I will say that each disc has songs from only 4 people each, and only one person made it onto both discs, with 3 people being left out entirely. Just the way it happens, the focus here was picking the best songs possible and I think I'm satisfied with my answers.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Sacul on October 08, 2017, 01:07:38 AM
I guess it's time to use Google's music recognizer :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Crow on October 08, 2017, 01:12:28 AM
you're a scrub, it's no wonder you didn't make it into my roulette
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: home on October 08, 2017, 09:08:24 AM
I guess it's time to use Google's music recognizer :P
It's just that one Opeth song the whole time anyway
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Evermind on October 09, 2017, 12:22:43 PM
I wanted to check it out to see if at least one of my songs made it, but I won't bother with two CDs worth of music without tracklists, sorry Parama.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Crow on October 09, 2017, 12:27:43 PM
I mean, that's the point, the focus is on sharing good music, not "did I make it okay I did time to ignore the rest"

So, your loss  :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Train of Naught on October 09, 2017, 12:40:43 PM
For me it was more like "ok I just finished this song, curious to read your thoughts on it (in some cases "wow really you actually liked this? why??") oh guess I can't because there's no title". Can you at least send it in a PM or something, some stuff on the metal one was pretty good so maybe I can find some cool new albums. Haven't checked the other disc yet but will do so tomorrow

Btw Saloon (title track)>Amends :corn
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Crow on October 09, 2017, 12:51:57 PM
I've posted links to 99% of the roulette songs already but I can send a tracklist over PM I guess
But you could find all of them just by checking out part 2 results tbh, everything on the CDs got at least 8.25 (one of these got 8 originally but got bumped up on relisten, and might have been too low even then, slight spoilers)
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: twosuitsluke on October 09, 2017, 05:45:42 PM
I have every intention of checking out your best of discs dude. It may take a while but I'll try!

I'm hoping I'm the one that made it onto both discs  :corn

Btw Saloon (title track)>Amends :corn

Errr, no.

Come on Train, don't make this a world where I agree with Parama more than I agree with you!!
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Sacul on October 09, 2017, 10:01:18 PM
I mean, you could have always included the tracklist in the CDs' metadata as a comment or something, to force us download the thing at least :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Crow on October 09, 2017, 10:50:28 PM
not good enough, you gotta listen
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Evermind on October 10, 2017, 11:18:10 AM
I mean, that's the point, the focus is on sharing good music, not "did I make it okay I did time to ignore the rest"

I mean yeah, that's exactly why I checked full best-of CDs in almost all of the other roulettes, tracklist or no. In yours, that would be more like two hours of suffering.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Crow on October 10, 2017, 11:47:43 AM
For what it's worth there's not a ton of harsh vocals even on the metal disc   :lol
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Sacul on October 10, 2017, 02:34:35 PM
Am listening to it anyways. This needs some volume normalizing :lol But nice stuff so far.

I mean, that's the point, the focus is on sharing good music, not "did I make it okay I did time to ignore the rest"

I mean yeah, that's exactly why I checked full best-of CDs in almost all of the other roulettes, tracklist or no. In yours, that would be more like two hours of suffering.
Am crafting the tracklist as I listen, I can send it to you via PM :P
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Crow on October 10, 2017, 03:11:42 PM
I didn't spend too much work putting everything together, shut up :V

I still got a few cool transitions anyways with like 15 minutes of work so
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Crow on November 13, 2017, 02:10:05 PM
I'm gonna update this later tonight with my thoughts on all the albums i checked out & how many made it into my recent purchases but it was somewhere in the range of 16-18 or so total I think? definitely felt like this roulette produced a lot more results than my last one. There's even a few that i still may get but just didn't fit in my order (which was already pretty big tbh)

I promise I won't bump this thread again after but this is definitely roulette relevant :lol
I also definitely know what change I want to make for the next roulette to encourage people to not only send good songs but to ensure they're good songs off good albums and not "the one good track on a meh album" like a fair few here turned out to be
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Crow on November 13, 2017, 10:32:36 PM
Okay, let's do this. Unless otherwise mentioned I am talking specifically about the album that the song(s) I was sent came off of. And I had no instance of getting the same artist across different albums.

CHVRCHES - I gave this album two listens through and both times it didn't really do a lot for me. Maybe I'd like it more if I'd listened to it more but I am more inclined to take the song I really do like and leave the rest.
Windir - This was close to being something I considered but ended up feeling too old-school for me, especially in the production and synths. Not bad at all, a pretty solid black metal record, but it didn't grab me strongly enough.
Kwoon - Vaguely pleasant but this was one of the scores that felt too high in hindsight to begin with and the song I was sent was far and away the best on the album to boot, so I ended up not being too into this overall.
Need - I kinda liked this one but that narration track killed a lot of the vibe for me and there just wasn't enough that stood out here. There were other pretty straightforward prog metal albums I did like and I did pick up a few of them in the end - just not this one.
Be'lakor - Gotta be honest, I found this one pretty dull. Melodic death metal by itself is not hugely my thing and this felt really samey the whole way through.
Dream the Electric Sleep - This band I may actually check out more but I can't say this album as a whole did it for me. The first two tracks were cool and the last few tracks were solid too but everything in the middle kind of fell into a blur and I lost interest.
Black Peaks - I mean I've been jamming this for months and still love it a lot, though Saviour is definitely the best track so, smart pick there.
Sleep Party People - I actually don't think I checked out this album in particular but their new one this year, which I didn't even finish, so I guess I just, didn't bother with anything else, lol.
Rx Bandits - I wanted to like this more than I did but the vocals were kind of a turn-off and musically a lot of it I didn't find that interesting. A few decent tracks but overall not something I see myself returning to.
Broods - Their overall sound is decent but boy does every song on this album feel underwritten and a little repetitive. That killed it for me more than anything else.
Votum - I just found nothing particularly notable about this. Hell, Vertical really only worked for me because of how the chorus kicked in, the rest of the song wasn't even that great and in hindsight I may have overrated that one.
Crippled Black Phoenix - A distressing amount of wasted potential because Scared and Alone is probably top 5 of the entire roulette but the rest of this album is just... late-era Solstafir, before the late-era Solstafir albums. So yeah, couldn't get too into it.
HAIM - I kinda dug this one but it did fall into feeling a bit samey and I really do have a hard time getting into more upbeat and fun albums like this one, unfortunately. May check it out again in the future but probably not.
Twelve Foot Ninja - I found this meh on first listen but actually a little insufferable on second listen. Their style of metal is not very interesting by itself, and while Dig For Bones is definitely the best track it can't really save the album. Also really short.
Oddland - So I ended up buying both of this band's albums. Untrue was a weird song pick IMO, that wasn't even really one of the standouts on either album. I think I may slightly prefer the first album's sound overall but I dug both of them, obviously. Cool stuff.
Eidola - I've been spinning their new one for a while and it's... okay, a few dud songs kind of kill the momentum for me and I don't think I *love* any track either. I also do have the one I got a song off of but haven't yet started spinning it, so we'll see about that one, but I remember liking it when I did listen.
Kaddisfly - I can't believe I almost slept on these guys because, wow, I really liked this album, a lot. On first listen it was kind of cool, Campfire has only continued to grow on me, but on second listen (and on picking out a few individual songs just to be sure) I found myself a lot more into it. It's basically just a better version of dredg's El Cielo. Fight me. I don't think El Cielo is that great, but this? Might just be.
Sunpocrisy - So this was basically an auto-buy, at least the album this track was off of. Hell yeah am I down for some prog sludge. Their second album is also... a curiosity more than something I was in love with immediately. It's a very slow burner but I feel like I'll really dig it if I'm a bit patient with it. I got the same feeling from the new dreadnought this year, which I also picked up.
Arena - I... couldn't figure out what the heck this album was going for. Sometimes it was just... the most non-descript metal, sometimes there was prog stuff, a bit of folk stuff. I think the only reason I finished was because the song I knew was right at the end. But yeah, did not click at all.
Eden Circus - Checked this out more on curiosity but also found it just too nondescript to really get much into. I don't remember anything else about it.
Low Roar - I think the overall tone of this was a bit brighter than I was expecting and I wasn't as into it as I'd wanted to be as a result. Tonight, Tonight is really good though, love the dark vibe, and it's not like any of this sounded bad either. Pleasant, but not that powerful.
Turbid North - Screw these guys. They load half of each of their albums with some pretty cool stuff (especially the last few tracks of Orogeny) but the other half of each album is garbage chugfest deathy stuff that I just cannot get any enjoyment out of. It's worse on their second album, which actually ends really poorly, but everything before Stormblast (and to an extent the song after it) gets on my nerves, could not get into either of these albums enough to want to even bother.
Manchester Orchestra - Yeah the tone of this album is completely different from the song I was sent and I preferred what I was sent to what else I found. Didn't finish. Oh well.
Adrift For Days - This was some pretty dull post-metal, not gonna lie. I even felt like I may have overrated the song in particular that I was sent after listening to this. It's just... ehh.
Junius - The song I was sent is off an EP but I mean, I did end up picking up their latest album. Which is a mixed bag. A few cool tracks, a few that annoy me, a few that are just meh. Take tracks 1, 6, 7, maybe 8, and 10 and leave the rest.
Disillusion - The production on this killed it more than anything else, but I just could not get into this quite enough - as far as metal goes this seems to be pretty revered and I do like the song I was sent a fair bit but a lot more of this just did not grab me. I listened through twice and neither time did I have any strong feelings regarding this one.
Airbag - I listened all the way through this but I didn't get a ton out of it. I have listened to Pink Floyd before. Their albums are better. I don't really need something that ends up feeling this derivative. It's not bad, just not memorable.
Oathbreaker - I listened halfway through this and turned it off. Like I said I'd already given this a chance last year and it didn't work for me then, and it doesn't work for me now. Just not very interesting.
Cønstantine - I actually did listen through at least some of this though I don't recall whether or not I finished it. That should tell you enough about how interesting I found it and how much I liked it.
Artificial Language - I had already listened to this before I was sent the song and I listened to it again for posterity. I can kind of get why this is getting so much love from a technical perspective but musically there's not a ton for me here. I don't like neoclassical. A few tracks hit upon some decent atmosphere at least.
Sufjan & Co. - I continue to not be able to get into a full Sufjan album here. Jupiter is one of the few tracks that feels like it has much of an identity and it remains fantastic but not much else on this album was all that engaging and too much of it felt too slow-paced and empty.
Nerve End - They only had an EP so I'll check 'em out again when they drop an album but I do like this sound. The Devin-esque vocals matched with the glittery atmospheric djent sound makes for a pleasant but still emotionally powerful sound, and while I wasn't hugely into the entire EP it didn't have a lot of time to stick with me, honestly.
Ilúvatar - I think I listened to like half of this and then turned it off. Yeah, sorry, fun, bouncy 90's prog is still not my thing.
Aquilus - So I spent the entire roulette spelling this band name wrong apparently. Nice. Anyways, this is another one where I felt like I wasn't massively into it but the style and concept of the album are really cool and I feel like with some patience I could really enjoy it. So yeah, did purchase this one.
Megosh - I listened all the way through this but wasn't that into it and don't remember a lot of it. Oh well.
Hypno5e - Congrats on sending me possibly the worst song on either of their latest two albums. I did listen through the first too and it had some moments but was too heavy on the metal I didn't like. And these guys do feel a bit stylistically limited but the cleans stuff is almost entirely great and the metal has its moments too, I'm just really curious about their sound in general I guess. Oh and I dig the concept of Shores.
Norma Jean - Eehhh no. Metalcore ain't for me still. The more atmospheric moments here are kind of cool but I found a lot of this too monochrome to get much enjoyment out of.
Omnium Gatherum - This entire album felt incredibly one-note to me and a bit boring. Shame, White Palace is at least pretty solid though it kind of suffers from the same problem.
Skuggsja - When I realized this was a Wardruna/Enslaved combo album (which I had not paid attention to at the time) I was basically immediately sold. And heck, I may not even like this that much? The metal feels... not as good as the best Enslaved stuff on its own but when mixed with the folky stuff it comes alive a lot better. I did also get the new Enslaved album too though which I am really excited about so this might just end up feeling inferior in comparison.
Suspyre - I checked out this album and was really surprised by it. Like, okay. They are aping dream theater HARD at some points (the instrumental of that song about sirens or whatever feels like someone really dug the winter instrumental of A Change of Seasons but also liked the main riff of 6:00) but the dream theater they ape is the stuff I like and they have some stuff of their own to add to the mix - the sax is cool, a lot better on some of the other songs than the one I was sent really. But no, was pleasantly surprised here. Also did check out their previous album but wasn't nearly as into it (and I know I've checked out their self-titled before too but I don't recall any of it)
Daughter - Took a second listen for this to really start working for me as a whole but man, a lot of these songs are really lovely stuff. I don't like Human much but that was the only real clunker for me, Shallows and Lifeform in particular might be just as good as Youth if not better. So yeah this got a purchase out of me.
Chaos Divine - I was actually more into this on first listen than on subsequent listens but there was still enough here for me to want to follow through and dig into this some more, it's some pretty solid prog metal stuff with a bit of a heavier edge that I like. Though, At the Ringing of the Siren was probably still my favorite.
This Day & Age - I kinda liked this but couldn't find myself too into it. Kaddisfly also took a lot of the wind out of its sails by doing a similar thing better.
Soup - Mmm yeah I prefer Pasta. But in all serious this just didn't do a ton for me. Was pleasant but not very engaging.
Chthonic - I'm sorry Luke but the one listen I gave this did little for me and while I may revisit at some point I'm probably more likely to just forget about these guys entirely.
Marillion - I didn't really expect to be too into this, and I was right, but I mean it was pleasant enough for the most part. Maybe a bit overlong.
The Ongoing Concept - Man, I wanted to like these guys more than I do. A lot of Handmade was just kind of ehh to me, and their new one was better, but it ended up not quite making the cut and got edged out by a few albums I liked more. Maybe I'll get around to them sometime.
Barren Earth - This was one that just barely made the cut but I liked the two epics a lot (especially the end of the song I was sent, which has only gotten better) and the shorter stuff was generally pretty cool too. I was into it enough that I wanted to keep spinning it just to see if it grew one me, I guess.
Arcane Roots - I have genuinely no clue what this album was trying to be and was mostly confused the entire time I listened to it, I don't even know how to rate this. I don't know what to say.
Gunship - A shining case of "excellent song, average album". I have a friend elsewhere who really digs this one too and given their tastes I can see why but this... was pretty ehh overall, none of the other songs felt like they took from the same well as Tech Noir.
Amy Shark - The aforementioned friend did not know this artist or song but really liked this one, and in hindsight this may be just slightly better than Tech Noir overall, I don't know. Drive You Mad, I mean. On the subject of the EP, it was okay. One other track I liked, the rest was meh, I'll check her out when she drops a full album for sure though.
Amendfoil - So I cut myself a hard limit of 30 albums (excluding Act II of Xanthochroid, which I already had and actually started spinning for real just today). This was #31. I'm sorry  :lol On a lighter note I'll almost certainly be getting this in the future, because it is pretty solid and there are a number of tracks that are pretty cool here, though it's a bit incohesive as an album. And Darken Waters is again the best here.
Glassjaw - I really do not like the sports announcer track or whatever it's called. I don't care about your heart being in the lead. It's annoying and overlong. Anyways the rest of this album is rad and absolutely the kind of emo/post-hardcore sound I want to dig into more, this is probably the angriest album I've ever enjoyed but it works here.
M83 - The track with the little girl speaking is one of the most insufferable things I've ever heard and very nearly ruined what is otherwise a surprisingly enjoyable album. I didn't have any expectations but both the individual songs and the album flow as a whole are pretty solid, even if it may be a bit overlong. But that one track man. I did end up picking this up though because 4 minutes out of 73 didn't get to me that much.
Tegan and Sara - I only just realized that I think this somehow ended up not getting a second listen even when I intended to give it one? Oops. I did enjoy the first listen I gave this even if it was a bit short. It's pleasant and fun. I may not have intended to give this a second listen but now I kind of want to, oops.
Kvelertak - Yeah, a whole album of this just didn't quite do it for me unfortunately, even if I did like the two songs I got individually. Did not get much from this.
Moon Safari - I only barely finished the album this was off of & checked out some of their double album too. Pretty much on point when you said they'd be too bright and cheery for me in general. Musicianship seems pretty solid though.
Killer Be Killed - I didn't make it through the second listen of this, it just didn't grab my attention much at all unfortunately. I dunno what else to say.
Kauan - Another one that I was really on the fence about but I didn't quite find it working well enough for me. I also check out Muistama or whatever it was called and found that one just as okay but never really reaching any sort of heights. With both of these I don't feel them quite strongly enough, I suppose. This may end up in a future order though.
Fishmans - I could see this kind of working, and I do like that main motif that the guitars play, but the repeated piano and the ba badum dum vocals and the really tedious third movement were all too offputting for me.
The Flower Kings - So I figured out that the song I was sent originally was minutes 2 through 7 of Circus Brimstone, and checked out the album based on that and. Well, it's too long. And not really my thing as a whole either. I dig the sound of Circus Brimstone but the band's general sound just doesn't work for me as well. Didn't listen to the epic at the end either so what do I know.

Okay, whew, that's done.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: LordCost on November 14, 2017, 12:05:56 AM
I also definitely know what change I want to make for the next roulette to encourage people to not only send good songs but to ensure they're good songs off good albums and not "the one good track on a meh album" like a fair few here turned out to be
Like all of my albums apart Black Peaks  ;D
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Quick Album Reviews)
Post by: Crow on November 14, 2017, 01:05:19 AM
i mean to be fair you had some cool individual song entries but also a lot of duds that i didn't even check out the album for
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Roulette Best-Of Discs)
Post by: Luoto on November 14, 2017, 01:32:53 AM
I also definitely know what change I want to make for the next roulette to encourage people to not only send good songs but to ensure they're good songs off good albums and not "the one good track on a meh album" like a fair few here turned out to be

We obviously think this is not the case on virtually any of the submissions so I don't expect someting like this to be very fruitful, whatever it would be.
Title: Re: Parama's Confrontational Roulette v2.5 (Quick Album Reviews)
Post by: Nekov on November 14, 2017, 03:23:40 AM
Well, apparently you shouldn't take recommendations from me  :lol