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General => Archive => General Music Archives => Topic started by: ariich on August 04, 2018, 09:19:37 AM
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I’m really glad to see album roulettes proving popular among some other DTFers – I loved my first one (and indeed really enjoyed participating in Katt’s and Parama’s) and so I’m doing it again. But I’m doing it differently this time – I’ve learned from last time and from seeing what others do.
GENERAL RULES:
- Submissions: Whole albums (which can include EPs), sent to me by PM.
- Scoring: Albums will be rated out of 10.
- Length: There is no maximum or minimum length. In general, I have no particular preference for longer or shorter albums, though albums that don't have much variety of tone or style tend to be better if they're not too long IMO. And on the flipside, an EP of just three short songs probably won’t have much impact unless they’re really, really good.
- Banned artists and albums: As in previous roulettes, instead of typing out a banned list, banned artists are based on my RYM profile (https://rateyourmusic.com/~ariich – scroll down to the "music" section and you can use the "ratings" tab to see what I've rated, or use the "Search ariich's music for" bar to see if something you're thinking of is already in my list - If you really can't figure out, you can just ask!). The banned rules are as follows:
- Any album I have rated is banned.
- Anything by an artist that I've rated 3 times or more is also banned, even if I haven't rated that particular album. Basically, If it's an album that I haven't rated, by a band or artist I've rated only 1 or 2 other albums by (or none, obviously), it's cool.
- Any artist that scores 7.5 or above in the roulette will also have any other albums of theirs banned, and I’ll maintain a list in this OP.
ROUNDS:
- The first round will be open to anyone. Assuming this is more than 8 players, the 8 highest scoring will progress to round 2 and everyone else will be booted. So, you know, start strong. :P
- There will then be 4 further open rounds with no eliminations. After this, the 4 highest-scoring players will reach the semi-finals, and everyone else will be eliminated.
- The semi-finals will be knockout – 1st v 4th place and 2nd vs 3rd. The winners will progress to the final.
- To make the final more of a challenge, and a bit of fun, the two finalists will submit 2 albums each, which will need to be very different in style and tone. As well as the two ratings out of 10, an additional score out of 5 will be awarded based on how different the two albums feel to me, for a maximum total score of 25.
- The winner will be bathed in glory for all eternity.
- (EDIT: After the first round, I decided to accept 11 people to round two instead of 8. Therefore 6 will be in the semi final and 3 in the final!)
OTHER INFO:
- The first round may take quite a while if there are lots of entries, which is why I’ve created this thread slightly early. After that I will try and keep rounds to between a week and 10 days. Hangman will occur.
- I have a Spotify subscription, so that's pretty ideal for submissions as I can sync for offline listening, but other free streaming platforms such as bandcamp are also acceptable. You can always just tell me what the album is, and I'll see if I can stream it from somewhere, or if absolutely necessary you can send me the files - better to have your preferred submission than whatever happens to be on Spotify.
- I will commit to listening to every album an absolute minimum of twice, though I should normally be able to listen three or more times. If I'm really not finding myself at all interested after two listens, then even if I have time I reserve the right to give up on it. The ease of streaming platform may also affect the number of listens.
MY TASTES:
I haven’t really done a “my tastes” section before, and I’m not really going to do a proper one now, because I don’t really know how to describe them. My RYM profile probably gives a decent idea, particularly on albums I rate 4 stars or higher (though in terms of style I wouldn’t read much into the difference between 4 and 5 stars).
I have a general leaning towards rock and metal, but I like music from pretty much any other genre too, as will be clear from my RYM profile. It’s a bit of a cliché, but broadly speaking the stuff I like the most is that which evokes a feeling in me, or makes me want to immerse myself in it. But there are completely different ways that music can do that, which depending on the style could contrast or could complement. An incomplete list of ways that music can, but does not necessarily, speak to me includes:
- Strong melodies and harmonies (I’m absolutely fine with harsh vocals, though I don’t think there are many albums I rate highly that are 100% harsh);
- Energy and dynamism/variety (which can include technicality);
- Strong production, of various types (e.g. punchy, deep, etc.);
- Atmosphere.
I’d say that all my favourite music hits at least one of those, often more. And if something is particularly weak in one or more of those areas, it would normally need to really excel in others to compensate. But to be honest, I’m unpredictable and something might tick all those boxes and still just not really speak to me. So, yeah, good luck. :lol
Additional note from later in the thread:
A couple of people have commented in here, and in PMs when submitting albums, about my favourite albums on RYM, so I just thought I'd provide a note on how to sensibly interpret my RYM ratings if people are using that as a guide.
Essentially everything 4 stars and above I consider to be excellent. Within that, the stuff that I rate even higher (4.5-5 stars) is pretty random and really just comes down to how much it really grabs me, but that almost always comes after many listens (or if I'm already very familiar with an artist). With completely new stuff, I rarely commit to a 4.5 star rating (and pretty much never a 5 star rating) after only a few listens. So if you're trying to judge what I might like a lot, taking in everything 4 stars and up is a good starting point, and higher ratings can of course be considered but may not be as reliable (to the extent that anything is very reliable, which is not much).
Stuff I rate 3.5 stars I still consider very good, but there's normally something about it that I find slightly lacking for whatever reason. Even more so for 3 stars which is basically "good enough but not very exciting". 2.5 stars and lower is basically the range where I'd probably never bother to listen to it again.
PARTICIPANTS:
1. Train of Naught
2. Parama
3. Luoto
4. twosuitsluke
5. LordCost
6. TAC
Eliminated in Round Five:
7= jingle.boy
7= Sacul
7= Lethean
7= Puppies_On_Acid
11. Kattelox
Eliminated in Round One:
12= Nekov
12= romdrums
12= kingshmegland
12= Elite
12= Evermind
17= Indiscipline
17= Stadler
BANNED DURING ROULETTE:
Ábime
AFI
Alithia
Amendfoil
Arcane Roots
Astronoid
Be'lakor
Cardiacs
Conception
Devil Sold His Soul
Dreamgrave
The Earth and I
Earthside
Eidola
Enslaved
Euphoreon
Evership
The Fall of Troy
Fireproven
The Flaming Lips
Ghost Brigade
Hannes Grossmann
Hooverphonic
Hyperomm
Kælling
Katatonia
Kauan
Kepler Ten
The King Blues
King Goat
Kingcrow
Kings of Leon
Little Tybee
Lör
Morcheeba
Mr. Bungle
Need
New Horizons
Odd Palace
Omnium Gatherum
The Ongoing Concept
OWEL
Phi
Port Noir
Rishloo
Rolo Tomassi
Rx Bandits
Sieges Even
Skyclad
Sons Of Seasons
Structural Disorder
St. Vincent
Talk Talk
Toto
Tribulation
The World Is Quiet Here
Vangough
Voyager
Zeal & Ardor
ROUND RESULTS:
Round One (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2464024#msg2464024)
Round Two (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2466381#msg2466381)
Round Three (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2468979#msg2468979)
Round Four (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2471287#msg2471287)
Round Five (end of group stage) (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473786#msg2473786)
Semi finals (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2477174#msg2477174)
Fourth place match (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2478850#msg2478850)
Final (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2479469#msg2479469)
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In like Flynn... so that I can be out like Floyd next week.
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Yes Here I Am
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I already signed up but sure sign me up again :tup
I can send right away if you're fine with that
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WTH, why not.
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I'm down. You sent a variety of wild stuff in my roulette and helped turn me onto Frost* in a big way as well as Caligula's Horse, Frank Turner, and a bit more appreciation for Myrath and Haken, so I'm looking forward to this. Good to know you're up for a variety of music.
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I'm flying out of town on a business trip tomorrow which will apparently take who knows how many days (probably more than a week), but I'd like to play. You'll get my album in a few hours.
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I can send right away if you're fine with that
Absolutely - for those who are signing up, feel free to send whenever you're ready.
I'm flying out of town on a business trip tomorrow which will apparently take who knows how many days (probably more than a week), but I'd like to play. You'll get my album in a few hours.
Perfect timing then! I decided to start a bit early to give more time for people to sign up, and this first round might be a long one if we have a lot of submissions.
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I haven't participated in a roulette for quite a while (due to my life being way more hectic than I'd like) but I think I'll find an album roulette easier to keep up with.
Will send shortly if I'm in.
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I'm definitely in :metal
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I'll give it a try. :)
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I am definitely in! I will send shortly
(and by shortly, I mean sometime in the next 12-13 hours...)
By the way, your rankings of Rush albums makes me a little sad.... :'(
SENT!
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Sent one of the best discoveries of mine in the last year :metal
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Sent one of the best discoveries of mine in the last year :metal
This? (https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/aqua/aquarium-1/)
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Sent one of the best discoveries of mine in the last year :metal
This? (https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/aqua/aquarium-1/)
Nope, trust me, I discovered that when it came out (because my sister has always liked terrible pop music and so the whole family ended up listening to it). I always preferred the follow up singles :hat
On this topic, I remember when I was living in Sydney, I lived around the corner from The Enmore Theater, which had some great metal bands playing all the time, over the 4 months I was there. One night I was walking past the venue, to the pub, and there was a queue around the block! The queue was probably about 3 times bigger than any other band that I'd seen play there. I was thinking "Holy shit, must be a really big name playing tonight".
You guessed it, it was fucking Aqua! Damn Aussies!
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i sent an album that i would expect ariich would have sent to me in my roulette had he already known it
so, post-hardcore
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Sure, why not.
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Sent one of the best discoveries of mine in the last month :metal
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Sent one of the best discoveries of mine in the last year :metal
Which unfortunately I already know and have done for years :P (and in fairness, rate highly). You'll need to re-send I'm afraid!
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what was it :corn
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Sent one of the best discoveries of mine in the last year :metal
Which unfortunately I already know and have done for years :P (and in fairness, rate highly). You'll need to re-send I'm afraid!
At least I know I'm on the right track. It was I, Vigilante by Crippled Black Phoenix :metal
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Can I join?
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oh yeah crippled black phoenix
i was so sad the rest of their stuff wasn't that similar to the one song you sent me because that one was sooooo good
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Can I join?
No :biggrin:
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Sent one of my favorite albums from 2017.
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Can I join?
The first round will be open to anyone. Assuming this is more than 8 players, the 8 highest scoring will progress to round 2 and everyone else will be booted.
:P
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I read that, but I asked just in case :biggrin:
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We've already had a submission of an album I haven't heard before, but by a band who I've highly rated two albums by. I actually considered tightening that rule, but decided not to in part because this never happened in the last roulette (also there are so few artists that applies to anyway). So we'll see how that goes.
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‘win if you can; lose if you must, but always cheat'
:corn
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:lol
It's in the rules, so it's not cheating. Unless I actually rated a third album by this band, but the person in question hacked my RYM and removed one of the ratings.
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Alright, count me in. I'll decide what to send soon, already a few decent options :corn
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I'm sending the greatest album that has ever been laid to tape. Game on, gentlemen.
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Really glad to have so much interest, and sorry that so many of you are going to only last one round.
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‘win if you can; lose if you must, but always cheat'
:corn
(https://replygif.net/i/159.gif)
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Really glad to have so much interest, and sorry that so many of you are going to only last one round.
On the plus side, at least Chad won't be the only one eliminated in round 1 this time OH BURN
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Really glad to have so much interest, and sorry that so many of you are going to only last one round.
Well, K-Lox really fucked up by dropping me after the prelim round. Hopefully you won't suffer the same fate.
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Sent ‘Vector’ by this band called Haken. Hope you like it.
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Sent Vector. Hope you like it.
(https://abcfapps.blob.core.windows.net/funday/2016/6/55d9894b-47f8-4b81-be82-3c47ee8f629c.jpg)
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^ what/who is that?
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That's Vector, from the first Despicable Me movie.
@ Kingshmegland...see how I simply answered the question like a decent human being. I didn't direct Elite to Google, Twitter, Insta whatever.
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Thank you!
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Really glad to have so much interest, and sorry that so many of you are going to only last one round.
Well, K-Lox really fucked up by dropping me after the prelim round. Hopefully you won't suffer the same fate.
You'll get your shot at redemption soon enough :biggrin:
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Sent ‘Vector’ by this band called Haken. Hope you like it.
It's alright I guess.
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I'm really looking forward to hangman here, but I probably won't able to participate because of my business trip. Whoever sent Sieges Even can go screw himself though. :biggrin:
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I'm really looking forward to hangman here, but I probably won't able to participate because of my business trip. Whoever sent Sieges Even can go screw himself though. :biggrin:
SPOILERS
But yes, we've also had two people try to submit the same album, something else that didn't happen last time. It's only the first day of sign-ups and this roulette is already more dramatic than the last one!
EDIT: Also I've found a way to do hangman quite easily in a spreadsheet, which I'm really glad about as it means I don't need to do it super manually but also don't need to try and figure out how the hell Sacul's script thing is supposed to work. :lol
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I'm really looking forward to hangman here, but I probably won't able to participate because of my business trip. Whoever sent Sieges Even can go screw himself though. :biggrin:
I'm sure it was J Boy.
But even if he didn't send it, he can still go screw himself. ;D
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I'm really looking forward to hangman here, but I probably won't able to participate because of my business trip. Whoever sent Sieges Even can go screw himself though. :biggrin:
I'm sure it was J Boy.
But even if he didn't send it, he can still go screw himself. ;D
I'm fine with that!
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i never even used dacul's script thing
i sent vektor too, how convenient
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I'm sending the greatest album that has ever been laid to tape. Game on, gentlemen.
I can’t even do that. Rich has my top 3 albums ever all rated as 4,5 or higher.
Will send someday soon.
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i already sent the apologist so
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Vektor actually isn't banned, hope someone will take that risk so I can sit back and :corn at the write-up
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train send frontierer
i don't even like vektor that much tbh
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Sent!
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Vektor actually isn't banned, hope someone will take that risk so I can sit back and :corn at the write-up
Vektor the band? Never heard them.
Vector the album is not only banned but also I'm the only person on this forum that's heard it (well, except Ray and maybe Hen who technically still have accounts here I think). :lol
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Vektor actually isn't banned, hope someone will take that risk so I can sit back and :corn at the write-up
Challenge Accepted! :biggrin:
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Vektor actually isn't banned, hope someone will take that risk so I can sit back and :corn at the write-up
Vektor the band? Never heard them.
Vector the album is not only banned but also I'm the only person on this forum that's heard it (well, except Ray and maybe Hen who technically still have accounts here I think). :lol
how does it compare to aquarius
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Vektor actually isn't banned, hope someone will take that risk so I can sit back and :corn at the write-up
Vektor the band? Never heard them.
Vector the album is not only banned but also I'm the only person on this forum that's heard it (well, except Ray and maybe Hen who technically still have accounts here I think). :lol
how does it compare to aquarius
It is different.
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Similarly, I've never heard of Vector, but after reading that I figured out the upcoming Haken album is called that
train send frontierer
i don't even like vektor that much tbh
I actually do like them, but I only truly got into them after hearing Pillars of Sand and then delving into the whole album. It was easier to digest when broken up in pieces, wouldn't say I love Terminal Redux but I think it and Outer Isolation are awesome (prog) thrash records
Frontierer is buried 6 feet underground and being dug up once all roulettes in existence are completed. That stuff is never coming out of my outbox on DTF, trust me :lol and neither is Sectioned
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Vektor actually isn't banned, hope someone will take that risk so I can sit back and :corn at the write-up
Vektor the band? Never heard them.
Vector the album is not only banned but also I'm the only person on this forum that's heard it (well, except Ray and maybe Hen who technically still have accounts here I think). :lol
how does it compare to aquarius
It is different.
haken has made all their albums different so far so i guess i shouldn't be surprised by That
i hope it's better than affinity which i thought was just "fine" but it had the mountain to live up to so
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also don't need to try and figure out how the hell Sacul's script thing is supposed to work. :lol
Hi ariich! Hangmanenator 2000 Tech Support here, how may I help you? :)
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I'm really looking forward to hangman here, but I probably won't able to participate because of my business trip. Whoever sent Sieges Even can go screw himself though. :biggrin:
I'm sure it was J Boy.
But even if he didn't send it, he can still go screw himself. ;D
A) I didn't send it - don't like Sieges even enough to send them in a roulette.
B), I am hung enough to screw myself, so ..... brb
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Ok, I'm back.
Sent ... to your email address.
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Sent!
Spotify via Facebook IM.
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Sent!
Spotify via Facebook IM.
(https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-46bb9a21fae8c607af0529391990adc3)
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I believe that is understood.
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In 1984 maybe..
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Yet you don't understand the technology at your fingertips. How'd you send you album? Smoke signals? Lol
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i projected my album into ariich's mind telepathically, etching it into a permanent part of his psyche so he can never get it out of his head
was that not the right way of sending?...
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I hope you ordered fish n' chips as well?
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Yet you don't understand the technology at your fingertips. How'd you send you album? Smoke signals? Lol
:lol
What me? No. I mean...why'd you say that?
(https://i.imgflip.com/2faxus.jpg)
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:lol
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Sent!
Spotify via Facebook IM.
Yeah, I guess I could've done that too.
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It's bad enough to use Facebook for a DTF function, but to then state that you did it is double douchey.
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You're also calling the guy running this Roulette a douche too.
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No you did. :P
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No, you are generalizing sucka.
You too much of a man to be on Facebook? Just like branching out musically. Lol
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(https://i.imgflip.com/2fb1yw.jpg)
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What's Facebook?
Can I have in? I figure I'll send Rainbow Rising, get canned, and be amused at the rest of the roulette. :).
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Didn’t you do the exact same thing in ariich’s previous roulette though? :)
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Didn’t you do the exact same thing in ariich’s previous roulette though? :)
(https://i.imgur.com/TdIiDxK.jpg)
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I'm going to resend when I get home from work tonight, which will be in like 13 hours :yeahright
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Luke has agreed to let me send the following album on his behalf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9Y8Vopzg-k
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What's Facebook?
Can I have in? I figure I'll send Rainbow Rising, get canned, and be amused at the rest of the roulette. :).
If Rising beats my submission I'm going to cry manly tears. Not that Rising is bad, but, you know... mine's better. :lol
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What's Facebook?
Can I have in? I figure I'll send Rainbow Rising, get canned, and be amused at the rest of the roulette. :).
If Rising beats my submission I'm going to cry manly tears. Not that Rising is bad, but, you know... mine's better. :lol
Rising was his first entry in my last roulette, and it did very well. It came joint 2nd in that first round. He then followed it up with Diary of a Madman which scored rather less well and saw him eliminated. :P
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By the way, for those submitting by Facebook/email, there's no need to worry about my PM inbox. As a mod I have a bigger inbox than you mere mortals. And to be honest, it's easier to keep everything in the same place.
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By the way, for those submitting by Facebook/email, there's no need to worry about my PM inbox. As a mod I have a bigger inbox than you mere mortals. And to be honest, it's easier to keep everything in the same place.
It's not the size of the inbox that matters, but how you use it.
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By the way, for those submitting by Facebook/email, there's no need to worry about my PM inbox. As a mod I have a bigger inbox than you mere mortals. And to be honest, it's easier to keep everything in the same place.
It's not the size of the inbox that matters, but how you use it.
I keep mine trim and tidy.
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Modscape.
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Luke has agreed to let me send the following album on his behalf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9Y8Vopzg-k
Mmmmm, my favorite there is Inject Me Sweetly. :hefdaddy :vomitard:
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I've had 10 submissions so far (not including rejected ones), and have made a start on listening.
Like I said in the first post, I expect this first round to take a fair while (maybe 2-3 weeks), which is why I started it early. I'm going to keep sign ups open for another few days and after that we can start hanging some men.
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Sent submission 2.0 (operation: get my foot in the door)
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sended
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Sent too! I'm confident even if it's a rather risky move considering ariich's RYM profile.
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Awesome, 13 entries in now. Listening has commenced in earnest.
The only person to express an interest who hasn't yet submitted is Elite. But there's still time for others to have a shot as well. Hangman later this week.
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I'll send some Toehider today!
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What a silly name, they sound shit.
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We'll, I personally prefer Fingermisplacer, but that's tastes for you.
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I'm here to defend my crown. Sending soon
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I figure it's time to try my hand at one of these. Sending shortly.
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Good lord SO MUCH MUSIC
See you in a few months for results.
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How many is that now? I did 14 but it looks like you're getting more. Have fun! :omg:
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How many is that now? I did 14 but it looks like you're getting more. Have fun! :omg:
15 submissions now which will rise to 16 once Elite sends. Possibly 17 if Stadler wants to take part.
At least half of the participants are going to get cut after round one.
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At least half of the participants are going to get cut after round one.
I'm counting on it.
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Good lord SO MUCH MUSIC
See you in a few months for results.
YOU ASKED FOR IT. DON'T BLAME IT ON US YOU BLOODY TORY
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YOU BLOODY TORY
Wait, what now? :lol
EDIT: Also, Stads has indeed submitted, so now we're up to 17 including Dutch Rich.
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YOU BLOODY TORY
Wait, what now? :lol
It's a brexit joke, thought you would get it....
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YOU BLOODY TORY
Wait, what now? :lol
It's a brexit joke, thought you would get it....
Aha, the whole blaming others when it's my own fault thing. :lol In fairness, Brexit isn't only a Tory thing.
Regardless, don't even get me started on the state of UK politics, it'll just get me angry and then everyone will score 0/10.
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Thankfully Trump hasn't made the most excellent album you have ever heard.
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YOU BLOODY TORY
Wait, what now? :lol
It's a brexit joke, thought you would get it....
Aha, the whole blaming others when it's my own fault thing. :lol In fairness, Brexit isn't only a Tory thing.
Regardless, don't even get me started on the state of UK politics, it'll just get me angry and then everyone will score 0/10.
So no change for me. Let's go! :)
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Biggest roulette massacre in one round ever.
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The streets of the forum will flood with severed tracks and discarded interludes. :metal
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Biggest roulette massacre in one round ever.
Didn't Obscure kill like 6+ people in one round?
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I cut 8 participants in the first round in roulette v4 ::)
But the record is probably DTVT cutting 15 people in the first round.
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But the record is probably DTVT cutting 15 people in the first round.
I can now beat that if I just pick a winner and eliminate all 16 other players.
Congratulations Parama!
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:lol
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:lol
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Nice to meet you!
Sending.
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But the record is probably DTVT cutting 15 people in the first round.
I can now beat that if I just pick a winner and eliminate all 16 other players.
Congratulations Parama!
I choose to believe this is because you already listened to my album and loved it, so I already know I'm safe for next round :corn
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I choose to believe this is because you already listened to my album and loved it, so I already know I'm safe for next round :corn
Hope is a wonderful thing.
Nice to meet you!
Sending.
Welcome, and glad to see I'm inspiring some roulette newbies to join in!
However, we are now up to 18 submissions. To be honest, I think I might need to close entry there or this first round will take forever.
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Right, yes I've decided to close sign ups. I have 16 hours 20 minutes of music to listen to multiple times.
Hangman will be up shortly!
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Average album length: 54:44
Who sent more? :corn
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Shortest album is 39 minutes, longest is 74 minutes.
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AND HERE IS SOME HANGMAN (let's see if my spreadsheet will work properly)
?: ___ – __ _________ _____
?: ________ – ________
?: _______ – ___ _____ __ _ ____
?: _______ – ______ __ ______ ____ _________ __ _____
?: _________ – ____ ___ _____
?: ___ ______ – ______ __ _____ __ ___ ____
?: ___ _____ __ _____ ____ – ________
?: _______________ – ____ __ ______ ____
?: ___ ______ _____ ______ ____ – _____ __ _____ ___ _____
?: _____ _______ – __ - ___ ____ ___ _____
?: ___ _______ ____ – _______ _______ ___ ____ ______
?: _____ _____ – _____ ______
?: ______ _____ – _________ ___ _____
?: _____ _____ – ______ ______
?: ______ _______ – __________
?: ____ ____ – ___ ___ ___ ____ _______
?: ______ ____ – ___ ___ __ __________ __ ___ _____
?: ____ – __
Guessed letters:
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GIVE ME THE FIRST D
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T
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Lör - In Forgotten Sleep
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GIVE ME THE FIRST D
I THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER ASK
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Lör - In Forgotten Sleep
Correct.
And golly there are a lot of Ts.
?: Lor – In Forgotten Sleep
?: ________ – ________
?: ___t___ – T__ ____d __ _ ____
?: _______ – ______ __ ____t_ __t_ ____d____ __ T__t_
?: __t_t____ – D__d __d _____
?: _dd ______ – T_____ T_ _____ __ T__ ____
?: T__ ____d __ ____t ____ – ________
?: _______________ – __d_ __ ____t_ ____
?: T__ _____t ____t ______ ____ – _____ __ _t___ t__ _____
?: ____t _____d_ – __ - ___ __t_ t__ _t___
?: T__ _______ ____ – _______ __tt___ t__ ____ ____t_
?: _____ T____ – D____ ______
?: ___t__ ____t – _________ T__ T__t_
?: ___t_ _____ – ______ __t__t
?: ______ ______t – D_t______t
?: ___t ____ – ___ ___ T__ ___d _______
?: ______ ____ – T__ __t __ ______t___ __ t__ _t___
?: T_t_ – __
Guessed letters: DT
-
The World is Quiet Here - Prologue
Toto - IV
-
The World is Quiet Here - Prologue
Toto - IV
Alright smartass.
?: Lor – In Forgotten Sleep
?: ____s___ – ____s___
?: __st___ – T__ ____d _s _ ____
?: __s____ – ______ _s ___sts __t_ ____d___s _s T__t_
?: __t_t____ – D__d __d ____s
?: _dd ______ – T____s T_ _____ __ T__ ____
?: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue
?: s________s____s – __d_ __ ____t_ ____
?: T__ _____t ____t S_____ ____ – S____ _s St___ t__ _____
?: ___st _____d_ – __ - ___ __t_ t__ St___
?: T__ _______ ___s – __s____ __tt__s t__ ____ ____ts
?: _____ T____ – D____ ______
?: ___t__ ____t – _________ T__ T_st_
?: ___t_ ____s – _s____ __t_st
?: ______ ______t – D_t______t
?: ___t ____ – ___ ___ T__ ___d ______s
?: S____s ____ – T__ __t __ ______t___ __ t__ St__s
?: Toto – IV
Guessed letters: DTS
romdrums waits a turn
-
I'd like an S.
-
I'd like an S.
Added to the above post.
EDIT: Also, I'm not going to have waiting 3 turns for letter guesses because too often that just ends up stalling, but I'll have the latest guesser needing to wait for one other person.
-
U
-
U
i see where this is going
?: Lor – In Forgotten Sleep
?: ____s___ – ____s___
?: __st___ – T__ ____d _s _ ____
?: __s____ – ______ _s ___sts __t_ _u__d___s _s T__t_
?: __t_t____ – D__d __d ____s
?: _dd ______ – T____s T_ _____ __ T__ ____
?: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue
?: s________s____s – __d_ __ ____t_ ____
?: T__ _____t ____t S_____ __u_ – S____ _s St___ t__ _____
?: ___st _____d_ – __ - ___ __t_ t__ St___
?: T__ _______ ___s – __s____ __tt__s t__ ____ ____ts
?: _____ T____ – D____ ______
?: ___t__ ____t – ___u_____ T__ T_st_
?: ___t_ ____s – _s____ __t_st
?: ______ ______t – D_t______t
?: ___t ____ – ___ ___ T__ ___d ______s
?: S____s ____ – T__ __t __ ______t___ __ t__ St__s
?: Toto – IV
Guessed letters: DTSU
Katt waits a turn
-
I'd say H
-
I'd say H
C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER
?: Lor – In Forgotten Sleep
?: ____sh__ – ____sh__
?: __st___ – Th_ ____d _s _ ____
?: __sh___ – ______ _s _h_sts __th _u__d___s _s T__th
?: __t_t____ – D__d __d ____s
?: _dd ______ – Th___s T_ _____ __ Th_ ____
?: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue
?: s________s____s – __d_ __ ____th ____
?: Th_ ____ht ___ht S_____ H_u_ – S____ _s St___ th_ _____
?: _h_st _____d_ – __ - ___ __th th_ St___
?: Th_ _______ ___s – __sh___ __tt__s th_ ____ ____ts
?: _h___ T____ – D____ ______
?: ___t__ ____t – ___u_____ Th_ T_st_
?: _h_t_ ____s – _s____ __t_st
?: ______ ______t – D_t__h___t
?: ___t ____ – ___ ___ Th_ ___d ______s
?: S____s ____ – Th_ __t __ ______t___ __ th_ St__s
?: Toto – IV
Guessed letters: DTSUH
Indiscipline waits a turn
Right I'm going to bed now, so happy guessing over the next 8 hours or so, will update when I get up.
I'll also probably post first impressions in 3 batches of 6 otherwise you might be waiting a while...
-
Rishloo-Living As Ghosts With Buildings As Teeth
-
Toto was sent by Kattelox...?
-
And Rishloo by Train?
-
I wanna seeEeee
-
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars
-
ALL THOSE ROULETTE CLASSICS WOW
-
Katatonia - Dead End Kings
I figured this would be the one that almost got rejected :P
-
Katatonia - Dead End Kings
I figured this would be the one that almost got rejected :P
I will bet my next paycheck that is Lethean's submission.
-
I think we all agree TAC enthusiastically sent Toto IV.
-
I think we all agree TAC enthusiastically sent Toto IV.
I couldn't remember how to send the tracks so I figured this would work..
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y9KU7KYr_wc/hqdefault.jpg)
-
Good thing I'm a cat person. :hat
-
E (by enslaved)
-
I think we all agree TAC enthusiastically sent Toto IV.
I couldn't remember how to send the tracks so I figured this would work..
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y9KU7KYr_wc/hqdefault.jpg)
You even let three of them splash before picking the right one.
-
Nah... I'll bet Kattoe stole from me by sending Mystery / The World is a Game.
Cocksucker. If that gets thru and I don't, I'm claiming a moral victory.
Ghost Brigade - IV - One With The Storm
<fuck knows how I figured THAT one out?>
-
The World Is Quiet Here has been probably sent by Train.
There is also Gentle Giant - Acquiring The Taste. Good luck to the one who has sent it, I always failed with GG in roulette :lol
-
Ghost Brigade - IV - One With The Storm
<fuck knows how I figured THAT one out?>
I was seriously playing this album today figuring out whether there might be something on it that would be suitable for your roulette
Of course I'm only admitting that because I'm already at the point that I know for sure I won't, but it's a good album. Is Luoto playing? If so maybe he sent it.
Maybe Lord sent Rishloo? Why the hell didn't I think of that one. Though tbh the album took a while to grow on me, only Just a Ride, Winslow and Landmines were instant bangers for me
-
Nah... I'll bet Kattoe stole from me by sending Mystery / The World is a Game.
Cocksucker. If that gets thru and I don't, I'm claiming a moral victory.
Ghost Brigade - IV - One With The Storm
<fuck knows how I figured THAT one out?>
:lol I thought about it! But Lethean guessed mine; I sent Toto :)
-
Ok. Then King prolly sent it.
-
Ok. Then King prolly sent it.
Nope. I know Rich's disdain for 80's production.
-
Katatonia - Dead End Kings
I figured this would be the one that almost got rejected :P
I will bet my next paycheck that is Lethean's submission.
Anyone wanna take him up on that bet?
-
Ok. Then King prolly sent it.
Nope. I know Rich's disdain for 80's production.
No you moron - you prolly sent Mystery
-
Nope.
-
Evermind perhaps then. I dunno... I'm all confused.
-
Rishloo-Living As Ghosts With Buildings As Teeth
Toto was sent by Kattelox...?
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating by the Stars
Katatonia - Dead End Kings
I figured this would be the one that almost got rejected :P
I will bet my next paycheck that is Lethean's submission.
... Mystery / The World is a Game.
...
Ghost Brigade - IV - One With The Storm
The World Is Quiet Here has been probably sent by Train.
There is also Gentle Giant - Acquiring The Taste. Good luck to the one who has sent it, I always failed with GG in roulette :lol
Ghost Brigade - IV - One With The Storm
<fuck knows how I figured THAT one out?>
I was seriously playing this album today figuring out whether there might be something on it that would be suitable for your roulette
Of course I'm only admitting that because I'm already at the point that I know for sure I won't, but it's a good album. Is Luoto playing? If so maybe he sent it.
Maybe Lord sent Rishloo? Why the hell didn't I think of that one. Though tbh the album took a while to grow on me, only Just a Ride, Winslow and Landmines were instant bangers for me
This is all :tup Everything else was :tdwn
-
Oh except...
Evermind perhaps then. I dunno... I'm all confused.
Well done, on the third attempt!
-
?: Lor – In Forgotten Sleep
?: E_e_sh__ – E_e_sh__
Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game
LordCost: Rishloo – Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth
Lethean: Katatonia – Dead End Kings
?: _dd _____e – Th___s T_ ____e __ The ____
Train of Naught: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue
?: s_ee____es___es – __de __ __e_th ____
?: The ____ht ___ht S_____ H_u_ – S___e _s St___ the ____e
Luoto: Ghost Brigade – IV - One With the Storm
?: The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
?: _he__ T____ – D_e__ _____e
?: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste
?: _h_te ____s – Es___e __t_st
?: ______ ____e_t – Det__h_e_t
?: ___t ____ – ___ ___ The ___d _____es
?: Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars
Kattoelox: Toto – IV
Guessed letters: DTSUHE
-
Evership - Evership sent by Chad?
sleepmakeswaves - Made of Breath Only
and give me an M
-
White Walls - Escape Artist sent by Elite
-
sleepmakeswaves - don’tknowanyoftheiralbumtitles
-
sleepmakeswaves - don’tknowanyoftheiralbumtitles
^^ :biggrin:
-
also Dacul sent Flaming Lips and TAC sent Lor
and Train sent Port Noir - Any Way the Wind Carries
-
You edited your post though!
White Walls - Escape Artist sent by Elite
And this is true as well.
TAC sent Lör
Sacul sent Flaming Lips
jingle sent Sieges Even
-
You edited your post though!
True...
Barock Project - Detachment.... This was on my short list to send.... whoever the cock blocker is.... :biggrin: :corn
-
TAC sent Lör
Sacul sent Flaming Lips
^^ :biggrin:
-
TAC sent Lör
Sacul sent Flaming Lips
^^ :biggrin:
:rollin
-
i didn't even edit my post either elite was just Too Slow
-
Guesses all correct, except Train didn't send Port Noir and Chad didn't send Sieges Even.
TAC: Lor – In Forgotten Sleep
Jingle.boy: Evership – Evership
Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game
LordCost: Rishloo – Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth
Lethean: Katatonia – Dead End Kings
?: _dd _____e – Th___s T_ ____e __ The M___
Train of Naught: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue
?: sleepmakeswaves – Made of Breath Only
?: The ____ht ___ht S_____ H_u_ – S___e _s St___ the ____e
Luoto: Ghost Brigade – IV - One With the Storm
Sacul: The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
?: _he__ T____ – D_e_m _____e
?: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste
Elite: White Walls – Escape Artist
?: Barock Project – Detachment
?: Port Noir – Any Way The Wind Carries
?: Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars
Kattoelox: Toto – IV
Guessed letters: DTSUHEM
Pupper waits a turn
-
I
want it now
-
Smh people forgetting that the only reason I was sending Port Noir previoisly was because luke was not here to do it himself, luke sent it
-
who the heck is luke :corn
i only acknowledge the existence of people who participated in my last roulette because i have the attention span of a roaming owl
-
Do you know my name?
-
of course, jingle
-
Smh people forgetting that the only reason I was sending Port Noir previoisly was because luke was not here to do it himself, luke sent it
:tup
TAC: Lor – In Forgotten Sleep
Jingle.boy: Evership – Evership
Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game
LordCost: Rishloo – Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth
Lethean: Katatonia – Dead End Kings
?: _dd _____e – Thi__s T_ ____e __ The M___
Train of Naught: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue
?: sleepmakeswaves – Made of Breath Only
?: The __i_ht _i_ht S__i__ H_u_ – S___e is Sti__ the ____e
Luoto: Ghost Brigade – IV - One With the Storm
Sacul: The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
?: _he__ T_i__ – D_e_m ___i_e
?: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste
Elite: White Walls – Escape Artist
?: Barock Project – Detachment
twosuitsluke: Port Noir – Any Way The Wind Carries
?: Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars
Kattoelox: Toto – IV
Guessed letters: DTSUHEMI
Parama waits a turn
-
i only acknowledge the existence of people who participated in my last roulette because i have the attention span of a roaming owl
Same for me with this roulette, but thankfully that's the entire forum so I'm ok.
-
Odd ??? - Things to ??? on the ???
The Bright Light Social Hour - ??? is Still the ???
Cheap Trick - Dream Police :lol
Stads for Cheap Trick?
anyways i need to sleep now
-
Smh people forgetting that the only reason I was sending Port Noir previoisly was because luke was not here to do it himself, luke sent it
My man!
-
anyways i need to sleep now
I just woke up!
-
Romdrums sent sleepmakeswaves
-
of course, jingle
Then it's finally clear, Rivers of Nihil's latest album is about DTF
-
Romdrums sent sleepmakeswaves
Odd ??? - Things to ??? on the ???
The Bright Light Social Hour - ??? is Still the ???
Cheap Trick - Dream Police :lol
Yes to all.
Stads for Cheap Trick?
YOU DON'T SAY
TAC: Lor – In Forgotten Sleep
Jingle.boy: Evership – Evership
Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game
LordCost: Rishloo – Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth
Lethean: Katatonia – Dead End Kings
?: Odd Palace – Things To Place On The Moon
Train of Naught: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue
romdrums: sleepmakeswaves – Made of Breath Only
?: The Bright Light Social Hour – S___e is Still the ____e
Luoto: Ghost Brigade – IV - One With the Storm
Sacul: The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Stadler: Cheap Trick – Dream Police
?: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste
Elite: White Walls – Escape Artist
kingshmegland: Barock Project – Detachment
twosuitsluke: Port Noir – Any Way The Wind Carries
?: Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars
Kattoelox: Toto – IV
Guessed letters: DTSUHEMI
-
Odd Palace - Things to Place on the Moon (Toto's discography)
-
:tup updated above
-
kingshmegland - Barock Project?
-
King sent Barock Project.
-
Well, I don't log in for a couple of hours and the hangman is already solved. Seems these people are participating in all roulettes and sending similar stuff in all of them
And how the hell wasn't Toto banned?
-
kingshmegland - Barock Project?
Yep, also updated above.
And how the hell wasn't Toto banned?
I only know one song by them.
-
I would have sent Hydra by Toto.
King sent Barock Project.
Yup.
-
And how the hell wasn't Toto banned?
I only know one song by them.
Africa
Rosanna
Hold the Line
Everybody knows at least those three.
-
Assuming I'm getting the remaining un-guessed players right ...
Nekov sent Gentle Giant
Puppies sent Sieges Even
Parama sent Odd Palace
Indiscipline sent Bright Light Social Hour
-
And how the hell wasn't Toto banned?
I only know one song by them.
Africa
Rosanna
Hold the Line
Everybody knows at least those three.
Africa is by quite a long way the most well known (it's the only one I knew. I might have heard others).
Assuming I'm getting the remaining un-guessed players right ...
Nekov sent Gentle Giant
Puppies sent Sieges Even
Parama sent Odd Palace
Indiscipline sent Bright Light Social Hour
No
Yes
Yes
No
Bet you can't work out the last two!
EDIT: We're also missing an album title.
First set of first impressions will be up soon.
-
Jingle, a hint: when a submission is met by (totally correct) "it won't go down well" or "good luck to that" headlines, it's mine. *grin*
-
While I really like some of Gentle Giant's work, I don't think I would use it in a roulette. And if I did, I would probably send Octopus or Free Hand
-
Octopus is focking great, Free Hand was unfortunately already reviewed.
-
Round One first impressions, part 1 of 3
#1 Energetic, occasionally quirky and consistently engaging. Second half slightly weaker, but still solid. First album I’ve listened to but I feel pretty confident this is making it to round 2.
#2 Pretty much what I expected, which is no bad thing. Great mood and atmosphere, and lots of lovely vocal harmonies.
#3 Not really what I was expecting, which is no bad thing. Nice vibe. Surprising and enjoyable similarities to Queen at times.
#4 Very nice album, though would maybe benefit from fuller sound/production. Surprising and enjoyable similarities to Queen at times.
#5 Felt very unconvinced by the first song, but the album picked up a fair bit after that. Lots of warmth.
#6 I dig it. This type of music needs solid hooks for me, and I'm not 100% sure from first listen, but there are great moments and more may come out on repeat listens.
-
of course, jingle
Then it's finally clear, Rivers of Nihil's latest album is about DTF
I was going to say, I know a place where the owls know your name..... :lol
-
Assuming Toto is in this batch, it could be most of those. Not sure if I hear Queen similarities in that album but there are lots of great vocal harmonies... I don't think it's #4 because the production is top notch. It could be #5 because maybe ariich doesn't like Rosanna, and that album is indeed pretty warm. "This type of music needs solid hooks" - well, there's definitely no shortage of solid hooks there.
Interesting :corn
-
of course, jingle
Then it's finally clear, Rivers of Nihil's latest album is about DTF
I was going to say, I know a place where the owls know your name..... :lol
it's more like where owls -don't- know your name :corn
-
kingshmegland - Barock Project?
Yep, also updated above.
Yay me! Jingle would never have guessed it without me guessing it first....
-
I could easily describe mine by any of those snippets; the trick (see what I did there?) is, whether Ariich would as well.
-
kingshmegland - Barock Project?
Yep, also updated above.
Yay me! Jingle would never have guessed it without me guessing it first....
:lol
He should have known. I sent a single song from them to him personally a month ago.
-
kingshmegland - Barock Project?
Yep, also updated above.
Yay me! Jingle would never have guessed it without me guessing it first....
:lol
He should have known. I sent a single song from them to him personally a month ago.
What did you send him? I thought they were great at Rosfest, and certainly woke me up from the previous band, but then when I played a few tracks on youtube later I wasn't feeling it.
-
Assuming Toto is in this batch
A bold assumption.
I'm over half way through my first listens now, and there are two or three front-runners for round winner.
-
I could easily describe mine by any of those snippets
And that's the trick, isn't it.
-
Can't really see mine being anything other than #1 or any of the snippets that are yet to come a.k.a. still about 70% clueless
And Rishloo could be one of the Queen ones?
-
By the way here's the final list:
TAC: Lor – In Forgotten Sleep
Jingle.boy: Evership – Evership
Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game
LordCost: Rishloo – Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth
Lethean: Katatonia – Dead End Kings
Parama: Odd Palace – Things To Place On The Moon
Train of Naught: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue
romdrums: sleepmakeswaves – Made of Breath Only
Nekov: The Bright Light Social Hour – Space is Still the Place
Luoto: Ghost Brigade – IV - One With the Storm
Sacul: The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Stadler: Cheap Trick – Dream Police
Indiscipline: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste
Elite: White Walls – Escape Artist
kingshmegland: Barock Project – Detachment
twosuitsluke: Port Noir – Any Way The Wind Carries
Puppies On Acid: Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars
Kattoelox: Toto – IV
-
1 or 6 are the only ones that I feel like could describe mine, but there's also 12 albums unaccounted for at present, so :lol
-
kingshmegland - Barock Project?
Yep, also updated above.
Yay me! Jingle would never have guessed it without me guessing it first....
:lol
He should have known. I sent a single song from them to him personally a month ago.
What did you send him? I thought they were great at Rosfest, and certainly woke me up from the previous band, but then when I played a few tracks on youtube later I wasn't feeling it.
I didn't know you were at RoSfest! I was there as well! I sent him Happy To See You.
-
I know #1 is not mine because he had already started listening when I sent
-
kingshmegland - Barock Project?
Yep, also updated above.
Yay me! Jingle would never have guessed it without me guessing it first....
:lol
He should have known. I sent a single song from them to him personally a month ago.
What did you send him? I thought they were great at Rosfest, and certainly woke me up from the previous band, but then when I played a few tracks on youtube later I wasn't feeling it.
I didn't know you were at RoSfest! I was there as well! I sent him Happy To See You.
I know you were, that's how I guessed it. :) I'll give Happy to See You a listen; I thought both singers were very good and their set had a great energy.
-
I’d like to think #1 is mine.
-
I’d like to think #1 is mine.
Except that, for the same reason as Diego, it can't be. :P
-
Considering I sent pretty early it could be mine :corn
-
I’d like to think #1 is mine.
Except that, for the same reason as Diego, it can't be. :P
Crap
-
Rishloo is #3, and I think mine could be #4.
-
By the way, just to make sure it's clear, the #s are the order I've listened in, not any kind of ranking. I'm pretty sure most of you had gathered that, but thought it best to make sure.
-
This is why I randomize my first impressions before posting most of the time
Didn't do it last roulette tho because it was more fun to make people dread results :corn
-
I think any of them except the Queen ones could apply to my album
-
This is why I randomize my first impressions before posting most of the time
Didn't do it last roulette tho because it was more fun to make people dread results :corn
Yeah I didn't really feel the need to. I'd received 10 submissions out of 18 by the time I started listening, and by maybe my third album I'd received everything. And I listened in random order. Well, random-ish - there was some judgement based on what I felt like checking out, but it wasn't in the order received.
Not sure what I'll do when I get to the normal rounds yet.
-
I'm not that convinced that the Queen ones are related to Rishloo like TAC and Train.
Gentle Giant could be number 2 since it talks about lots of vocal harmonies.
I had some notes on the bands and albums to send to ariich but my old phone is dead, but I remember that Gentle Giant was on the list
-
Based on that I'm 100% sure mine is in the set of 6 then :corn
-
I'm not that convinced that the Queen ones are related to Rishloo like TAC and Train.
Lorenzo, you sent me Rishloo right? I know I cited Freddie Mercury in my writeup.
-
Parama, that Odd Palace record is a solid choice. It sounds to me like what would happen if The Mars Volta had been able to focus.
-
I'm not that convinced that the Queen ones are related to Rishloo like TAC and Train.
Lorenzo, you sent me Rishloo right? I know I cited Freddie Mercury in my writeup.
Yes I sent Landmines in your roulette. I remember I got a 9 but not that particular. It's not wrong the comparison to Freddy Mercury now that I think about it, but when I listen to that album I think more to The Mars Volta or contemporary prog bands
-
kingshmegland - Barock Project?
Yep, also updated above.
Yay me! Jingle would never have guessed it without me guessing it first....
See, your problem is that you're making the assumption that I read your posts :neverusethis:
Well, I don't hear Queen in Evership, but if they are in this batch, it could be #4 because the production is a little thin - even for a (I believe) self-produced album.
-
Round One first impressions, part 1 of 3
#1 Energetic, occasionally quirky and consistently engaging. Second half slightly weaker, but still solid. First album I’ve listened to but I feel pretty confident this is making it to round 2.
#2 Pretty much what I expected, which is no bad thing. Great mood and atmosphere, and lots of lovely vocal harmonies.
#3 Not really what I was expecting, which is no bad thing. Nice vibe. Surprising and enjoyable similarities to Queen at times.
#4 Very nice album, though would maybe benefit from fuller sound/production. Surprising and enjoyable similarities to Queen at times.
#5 Felt very unconvinced by the first song, but the album picked up a fair bit after that. Lots of warmth.
#6 I dig it. This type of music needs solid hooks for me, and I'm not 100% sure from first listen, but there are great moments and more may come out on repeat listens.
Round One first impressions, part 2 of 3
#7 Good variety and some strong melodies, particularly at the start of the album. Can't yet decide how much I like it - will take some more listens I think.
#8 Pretty immediately engaging and powerful, though for some reason I'm not quite sure about its staying power. Will see what I feel after subsequent listens.
#9 I'm a bit torn on this after one listen. It's pleasant and seems to objectively tick a lot of my boxes, but isn't really exciting me very much.
#10 All perfectly nice, but to be honest nothing really stood out until the last song which has some cracking stuff. Not sure what I think about the singer for now.
#11 Hmm, not sure I’m massively feeling this right now. It’s got a nice vibe and a few good tracks especially later on, but overall it’s not really grabbing me so far.
#12 Hmm, not sure I’m massively feeling this right now. There’s some very cool stuff, but a lot of it is a bit out-there for my tastes.
-
OHHHHH!! Mind games. first batch good, second batch not so much!
-
Oh dear.
-
OHHHHH!! Mind games. first batch good, second batch not so much!
Yeah everything has been at least good, but there was definitely a run of a few albums that interested me less. Final batch is a bit of a mix of the two so far.
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#12 Hmm, not sure I’m massively feeling this right now. There’s some very cool stuff, but a lot of it is a bit out-there for my tastes.
That's my luggage, officer sir.
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#12 Hmm, not sure I’m massively feeling this right now. There’s some very cool stuff, but a lot of it is a bit out-there for my tastes.
That's my luggage, officer sir.
Ima gonna agree with you here.
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9 and 11 sound slightly like my reaction to most of sleepmakeswaves' music, so maybe one of those
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All of those except for #8 and #10 could be my album.
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Let's finish these off.
Round One first impressions, part 1 of 3
#1 Energetic, occasionally quirky and consistently engaging. Second half slightly weaker, but still solid. First album I’ve listened to but I feel pretty confident this is making it to round 2.
#2 Pretty much what I expected, which is no bad thing. Great mood and atmosphere, and lots of lovely vocal harmonies.
#3 Not really what I was expecting, which is no bad thing. Nice vibe. Surprising and enjoyable similarities to Queen at times.
#4 Very nice album, though would maybe benefit from fuller sound/production. Surprising and enjoyable similarities to Queen at times.
#5 Felt very unconvinced by the first song, but the album picked up a fair bit after that. Lots of warmth.
#6 I dig it. This type of music needs solid hooks for me, and I'm not 100% sure from first listen, but there are great moments and more may come out on repeat listens.
Round One first impressions, part 2 of 3
#7 Good variety and some strong melodies, particularly at the start of the album. Can't yet decide how much I like it - will take some more listens I think.
#8 Pretty immediately engaging and powerful, though for some reason I'm not quite sure about its staying power. Will see what I feel after subsequent listens.
#9 I'm a bit torn on this after one listen. It's pleasant and seems to objectively tick a lot of my boxes, but isn't really exciting me very much.
#10 All perfectly nice, but to be honest nothing really stood out until the last song which has some cracking stuff. Not sure what I think about the singer for now.
#11 Hmm, not sure I’m massively feeling this right now. It’s got a nice vibe and a few good tracks especially later on, but overall it’s not really grabbing me so far.
#12 Hmm, not sure I’m massively feeling this right now. There’s some very cool stuff, but a lot of it is a bit out-there for my tastes.
Round One first impressions, part 3 of 3
#13 Nice chill vibe. Felt slightly background music at times and some moments were a little repetitive, but I liked it overall.
#14 Enjoyable enough, but not something I can see myself being drawn to much. Feels like everything I’m going to get out of it, I got from the first listen. A couple of very cool songs though.
#15 Sounds like a band that has potential but hasn’t found their feet yet. Some really good moments but others that fall pretty flat for me.
#16 I’m really digging this after one listen. A lot. Great atmosphere and energy, and nice punchy production. Definitely making it to round 2.
#17 Hmm, the thing with this genre is that the music often sounds good but has little staying power unless there’s something a bit different or unique. And I’m not sure this is doing that very much, but we’ll see.
#18 Seems to me this album should feel messy and disjointed, but for some reason it works really well and is highly enjoyable and pretty rocking for a lot of it.
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I still feel like mine is #4. I don't know though...
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I might stake claim on 15.
Alternate possibilities- 2 or 4 or 9 or 14.
Which means I'm likely none of those. :D
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I might stake claim on 15.
Alternate possibilities- 2 or 4 or 9 or 14.
Which means I'm likely none of those. :D
You don't seem to be able to decide whether you're feeling optimistic or not.
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I'm confused like a teenage girl.
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I'm pessimistic like a teenage girl.
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More teenage girls in this thread than I was expecting, apparently.
It's also just occurred to me that quite a few submissions are debuts or other early albums by pretty new bands. That's cool, and is exactly the sort of thing that roulettes are great for in terms of discovering new music. Then again, I'm also being introduced to classic bands from the 70s and 80s that I've never fully checked out before. At both ends of the spectrum, some are proving more my thing than others.
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Win/win. I love finding new music. I never thought in my 50's I'd still search but the love of music transcends.
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Yeah, I could really see a couple of those that could fit what I sent. Count me in the teenager wagon
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I might stake claim on 15.
Alternate possibilities- 2 or 4 or 9 or 14.
Which means I'm likely none of those. :D
You don't seem to be able to decide whether you're feeling optimistic or not.
I'm as confused as a baby in a topless bar.
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I'm as confused as a baby in a topless bar.
:rollin
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I love finding new music, but it's frustrating at times, because I'll listen to something and it's so obvious that they stole a Fleetwood Mac record from their mom, or a Sabbath record from their dad... I'd love to hear new things that register (Rival Sons is the last one I can really name) but it's few and far between these days. Why would I listen to a band that sounds like Rush when I can listen to, well, Rush. Even if it's Grace Under Pressure.
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I love finding new music, but it's frustrating at times, because I'll listen to something and it's so obvious that they stole a Fleetwood Mac record from their mom, or a Sabbath record from their dad... I'd love to hear new things that register (Rival Sons is the last one I can really name) but it's few and far between these days. Why would I listen to a band that sounds like Rush when I can listen to, well, Rush. Even if it's Grace Under Pressure.
Or Power Windows!
Replying on behalf of Tim.
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The write-up for the album I sent is definitely one of those 18!
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The write-up for the album I sent is definitely one of those 18!
Nailed it.
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I love finding new music, but it's frustrating at times, because I'll listen to something and it's so obvious that they stole a Fleetwood Mac record from their mom, or a Sabbath record from their dad... I'd love to hear new things that register (Rival Sons is the last one I can really name) but it's few and far between these days. Why would I listen to a band that sounds like Rush when I can listen to, well, Rush. Even if it's Grace Under Pressure.
Probably because they don't just sound like Rush. DT totally borrowed/borrows from Rush but they also do stuff that Rush wouldn't do.
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That’s because at a certain point around 1981, Rush stopped trying.
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Um, no.
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That’s because at a certain point around 1981, Rush stopped playing a style what TAC wanted.
FTFY
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That’s because at a certain point around 1981, Rush stopped playing a style what TAC wanted.
FTFY
Nicely done.
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TAC's partially right. Moving Pictures is weak, but they came back with Signals. I'm kidding. MP is good.
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I'm surprised he didn't give up on Iron Maiden durring Seventh Son of a Seventh Son since they added keyboards. Lol
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here's my opinion on rush:
Rush is a band
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that is not an opinion Parama
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here's my opinion on rush:
Rush is a band.com
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I might stake claim on 15.
Alternate possibilities- 2 or 4 or 9 or 14.
Which means I'm likely none of those. :D
You don't seem to be able to decide whether you're feeling optimistic or not.
I'm as confused as a baby in a topless bar.
Sig'd! :lol
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:lol
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I might stake claim on 15.
Alternate possibilities- 2 or 4 or 9 or 14.
Which means I'm likely none of those. :D
You don't seem to be able to decide whether you're feeling optimistic or not.
I'm as confused as a baby in a topless bar.
Sig'd! :lol
Woot! 11 fuckin years here, and I'm pretty sure that's my first sig. :hifive:
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I might stake claim on 15.
Alternate possibilities- 2 or 4 or 9 or 14.
Which means I'm likely none of those. :D
You don't seem to be able to decide whether you're feeling optimistic or not.
I'm as confused as a baby in a topless bar.
Sig'd! :lol
Woot! 11 fuckin years here, and I'm pretty sure that's my first sig. :hifive:
Yeah buddy! :metardica:
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So, we already solved the hangman, we've gotten snippets, what comes next?
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The big payoff! The money shot!! Results, babay!
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The big payoff! The money shot!! Results, babay!
Indeed, but 18 albums totalling over 16 hours means it'll be a while before all results are posted. So I think what I might do is start with those albums I know are definitely going through or not, otherwise this thread will be pretty stale for a week.
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The suspenseful tactic. I approve :corn
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suspense me up baby
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Well then, this is worse than I expected :lol
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The big payoff! The money shot!! Results, babay!
Indeed, but 18 albums totalling over 16 hours means it'll be a while before all results are posted. So I think what I might do is start with those albums I know are definitely going through or not, otherwise this thread will be pretty stale for a week.
Can you trickle out one or two at a time? Without telling us who's next? Yeah, some poor sap (I feel karma revving it's engines right about now) will wait for a week or more, but at least we can bicker, quibble and trash talk the stuff you do release.
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I like that idea, way more fun that way
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Yeah, the Negan way.
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Yeah I'll probably do something like that. :)
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Hey baby.....
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I'll probably get the first couple of results up this evening. And in fact I'm just going to start posting those results that I've decided a rating on, without even knowing at this stage which ones are going through (well, except a couple).
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may Africa's blessing carry me to the next round
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may Africa's blessing carry me to the next round
Here's your result... but is it enough to get through..?
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Toto - IV (1982), submitted by Katt
First impression: Not really what I was expecting, which is no bad thing. Nice vibe. Surprising and enjoyable similarities to Queen at times.
Final opinion: The only song I knew by Toto was Africa, which wasn’t enough for me to have any fixed expectation, but I’d somewhat assumed they’d be in a pretty standard accessible classic rock vein. And of course some of the album is like that, but there’s a terrific variety and it’s definitely both jazzier and poppier than I’d expected. Some moments sound like some of Queen’s music, while others sound more like soul artists such as Stevie Wonder. And despite King’s claim that I have some sort of fundamental dislike for 80s production, the album sounds great and the production fits the style perfectly. Some of the tracks aren’t especially interesting, but overall it’s a thoroughly enjoyable listen. My 5-month-old also seemed mesmerised by it earlier today so it apparently gets his seal of approval.
Score: 8.0
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Evership – Evership (2016), submitted by Jingle
First impression: Very nice album, though would maybe benefit from fuller sound/production. Surprising and enjoyable similarities to Queen at times.
Final opinion: I stand by my Queen comparison, there were a number of moments that really reminded me of them, such as the whole opening of A Slow Descent Into Reality. Before I started listening, from just seeing the song lengths and album cover, I did wonder if they’d be a bit mid-tier prog. But I always avoid assumptions or pre-judgements, and I was pleased to enjoy this quite a bit. There are some prog cliches for sure, and in general it doesn’t really do anything that bands weren’t doing in the 70s, but what it does it does rather well. Some very nice symphonic and quirky elements and some great tunes. I do think the production isn’t the strongest, but again maybe it’s intentionally a bit 70s prog to fit with the style.
Score: 7.5
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Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste (1971), submitted by Indiscipline
First impression: Hmm, not sure I’m massively feeling this right now. There’s some very cool stuff, but a lot of it is a bit out-there for my tastes.
Final opinion: Yeah this hasn’t improved too much on further listens. I mean, I can completely appreciate how proggy and original this was for its time, much like King Crimson. But whereas Crimson’s best work holds the experimental stuff together with some gorgeous atmosphere and absolutely cracking tunes, this is mostly the quirky stuff with nothing else to ground it. I’ve heard Free Hand a few times before and I definitely preferred that. Which isn’t to say that this is bad at all, there are some very cool moments - Wreck particularly stands out - but there’s just not enough that interests me to make me want to listen more.
Score: 6.5
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I'll probably get the first couple of results up this evening. And in fact I'm just going to start posting those results that I've decided a rating on, without even knowing at this stage which ones are going through (well, except a couple).
I think that's more fun from our perspective too, as most of the mid (and probably even mid-high) scoring people won't be sure whether they've qualified until more results are posted, and vice versa for the ones whose album score hasn't been revealed.
I should really check out a Toto album sometime, is this the best one to start with Kat? Also I feel kind of the same about the Gentle Giant song I got in my last roulette (Proclamation), very experimental stuff, even moreso for its time, but apart from the occasional groovy synth and quirkiness there wasn't much I liked. In my very first roulette I got a song off Octopus (I think it was River?) and I found it much better, though honestly I don't remember any of it so maybe I hate it now.
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Train, try Hydra by Toto.
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Glad you liked Wreck. Who can resist a prog rock sea shanty?
Judgement's very fine by me, as the album is truly an acquired taste and - if that brand of quirkiness isn't really your thing - its lack of substance (and of structure at times) can lead to a lack of satisfaction, even to frustration in the worst case.
Submission was in the hit or miss spirit and I believe it won't get me through, but I'm happy I'm beginning to understand this roulette business and hopeful the album hasn't bored you anyway. I'd hate for it to have made the crazy amount of music you've put yourself through even more ponderous.
Toto rules.
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Train, try Hydra by Toto.
Cool beans
Glad you liked Wreck. Who can resist a prog rock sea shanty?
Judgement's very fine by me, as the album is truly an acquired taste and - if that brand of quirkiness isn't really your thing - its lack of substance (and of structure at times) can lead to a lack of satisfaction, even to frustration in the worst case.
Submission was in the hit or miss spirit and I believe it won't get me through, but I'm happy I'm beginning to understand this roulette business and hopeful the album hasn't bored you anyway. I'd hate for it to have made the crazy amount of music you've put yourself through even more ponderous.
Toto rules.
Can we put this in the roulette tracker thread as a quote on how to take a maybe-not-ideal roulette score like a fucking man? Great post.
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Glad you liked Wreck. Who can resist a prog rock sea shanty?
It really is a great song. There are moments in other songs that are really cool too, but that one really stands out.
Judgement's very fine by me, as the album is truly an acquired taste and - if that brand of quirkiness isn't really your thing - its lack of substance (and of structure at times) can lead to a lack of satisfaction, even to frustration in the worst case.
Submission was in the hit or miss spirit and I believe it won't get me through, but I'm happy I'm beginning to understand this roulette business and hopeful the album hasn't bored you anyway. I'd hate for it to have made the crazy amount of music you've put yourself through even more ponderous.
Absolutely, I definitely wouldn't say it bored me, and I know what you mean about frustration but that doesn't really apply here either. As described in my RYM, I consider 3 stars (6-6.5/10) to still be a good album. In general if I rate something around that mark, it normally means that there's a decent chunk of it that I enjoy, but not enough, or not consistently enough, for me to really want to listen again. To be honest, my tastes are pretty eclectic and to be honest inconsistent so it was always worth a shot. I appreciate the risk-taking, which others have done and I hope continue to do.
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Wicked! I'm glad you enjoyed it, ariich. It's definitely different than what people seem to expect from the band because they can (and do) play so many different styles throughout their career, and hell just on that one album you heard a lot of variety. Since that's my all time favorite album I'm pleased with the 8.0 :hat
Train, I second Hydra, but nothing comes close to IV in my honest opinion. The production alone makes it stand out from quite literally everything else in their catalog (until maybe Tambu in 1995), but it's in my opinion the most genuine, organic Toto album of their early career. All depends on what sound you think you're looking for. Hard rock? Kingdom of Desire. Want stuff drenched in 80s production? Fahrenheit and The Seventh One. Sick, smooth bass parts? Mindfields. But I strongly suggest IV to start considering it's bookended with Rosanna and Africa, two of their biggest hits. But each album is so different, and they have so many different members that make their sound different, it's a crapshoot.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the results. Evership rocks, I loved it when jingle sent it to me.
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Totally fai assessment, and I'd be shocked if 7.5 was in the top 8. Glad it was enjoyable.
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Train, try Hydra by Toto.
Train, don't.
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Glad you liked Wreck. Who can resist a prog rock sea shanty?
Toto rules.
I will likely hold a The TAC Roulette V.3 later this fall. If you plan on sending Gentle Giant or Toto, DON'T!
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I'm going to re-tag a Toto song and trick TAC into loving it.
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The funny thing is that I have literally heard Africa like 4 days in a row, be it in various places, a store, mall, etc...
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I will likely hold a The TAC Roulette V.3 later this fall. If you plan on sending Gentle Giant or Toto, DON'T!
Gotcha. Actually I'm torn between XVII century madrigals and '70 Afrobeat. You'll love 'em.
@Train: thanks, man!
@ariich: glad to hear that!
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Train, try Hydra by Toto.
Train, don't.
Train, do.
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Train, try Hydra by Toto.
Train, don't.
Train, do.
im gonna do the thing
Or or or, I will just host a Toto only roulette in a couple of months, wouldn't wanna make things too complicated right?
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:lol
That would be tough to score. Toto just covered Weezer's, Hash Pipe and released a single. Really cool to see bands interact like both have.
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Or or or, I will just host a Toto only roulette in a couple of months, wouldn't wanna make things too complicated right?
Calling dibs on Better World
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Or or or, I will just host a Toto only roulette in a couple of months, wouldn't wanna make things too complicated right?
Calling dibs on Better World
We will have David Paich off for that song. How can sing like his low baritone. It's on like Spanish Eyes!
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I call Spanish Steps
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brb just renaming this the official Toto thread
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I call Spanish Steps
Or call it the right tittle like you did. :lol
brb just renaming this the official Toto thread
As you should.
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Spanish Sea!
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I call Spanish Steps
Or call it the right tittle like you did. :lol
:lol
ariich has the right idea. Why don't we just move his roulette to another thread? :lol
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By the way, my next couple of results updates are going to focus on those who were in my last roulette.
Performances are... mixed.
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My excuse is that I sent my album in a hurry.
It's a great album though.
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By the way, my next couple of results updates are going to focus on those who were in my last roulette.
Performances are... mixed.
(https://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma2boib6Zt1rpuj1d.gif)
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So the Rishloo snippet was not one of the two about Queen. I bet on #6 and #9 now
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Round One results, 6 of 18
First three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463026#msg2463026
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Odd Palace - Things To Place On The Moon (2018), submitted by Parama
First impression: Energetic, occasionally quirky and consistently engaging. Second half slightly weaker, but still solid. First album I’ve listened to but I feel pretty confident this is making it to round 2.
Final opinion: You were correct that this was yours, and you were right to identify this as something that I’d enjoy, I guess from the experience of us both being in each other’s roulettes previously. I dig it a lot. Thrice meets Dear Hunter with a bit of Closure in Moscow thrown in. Vocally he reminds me at different times of the singers from Fair to Midland, Manchester Orchestra and occasionally even ORBS. I like that there are plenty of quirky moments in songs like Chemical Solution and the title track that make the album that bit more dynamic and surprising but still consistent enough in style and mood that it all hangs together very well.
Score: 8.5
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Mystery – The World Is a Game (2012), submitted by Evermind
First impression: All perfectly nice, but to be honest nothing really stood out until the last song which has some cracking stuff. Not sure what I think about the singer for now.
Final opinion: I just can't get over how much this sounds like Rush a lot of the time. But mid-tier Rush, for my tastes. There's nothing bad about any of it, but there's very little that particularly interests me either, and that hasn't changed with subsequent listens. Except the big epic closer, which is really good and has some absolutely brilliant moments and brings the score up a bit. Everything about it is just punchier and more immersive than the rest of the album. It’s a song I can definitely see myself going back to on occasion and although I'm not usually a song listener, it's long enough to sort of work as an EP. The rest of the album, though, I'm not sure I'll want to bother with again.
Score: 7.0
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White Walls – Escape Artist (2013), submitted by Elite
First impression: Sounds like a band that has potential but hasn’t found their feet yet. Some really good moments but others that fall pretty flat for me.
Final opinion: Further listens haven't really changed my opinion here. There are lots of good ideas and so much potential, and instrumentally there are some great moments, but a lot of the vocal melodies just don't do anything for me. Not that I dislike his voice in itself, it's either the melodies themselves or his fit to them, or maybe it's the production. Loose Ends is a great example of this - really good music and one groovy vocal line in the middle, but the rest of it just doesn't work for me. Oddly they feel more convincing to me in the heavy shouty parts. I enjoyed it enough that I'll check out future albums to see how they develop, but I can't see this one getting many more listens from me.
Score: 7.0
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Ranking so far
1. Parama: Odd Palace - Things To Place On The Moon - 8.5
2. Katt: Toto - IV - 8.0
3. Jingle: Evership – Evership - 7.5
4=. Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game - 7.0
4=. Elite: White Walls – Escape Artist - 7.0
6. Indiscipline: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste - 6.5
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Dayum... You really not such a fan of the prog/neo-rock, huh? That Mystery album is on par with Milliontown, imo. I always equated Mystery closer to Yes - considering vocalist David Benoit sang and toured for Yes back in '11/'12.
TASTES!
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Dayum... You really not such a fan of the prog/neo-rock, huh? That Mystery album is on par with Milliontown, imo. I always equated Mystery closer to Yes - considering vocalist David Benoit sang and toured for Yes back in '11/'12.
TASTES!
I didn't know that... wow. Yeah, that Mystery album is awesome indeed. Gonna be a tight squeeze to the next round... :corn
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Well, hey, good luck everyone who makes it. This Mystery album rocked my world for at least a month after I discovered it. Such a good one.
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Dayum... You really not such a fan of the prog/neo-rock, huh? That Mystery album is on par with Milliontown, imo. I always equated Mystery closer to Yes - considering vocalist David Benoit sang and toured for Yes back in '11/'12.
TASTES!
I didn't know that... wow. Yeah, that Mystery album is awesome indeed. Gonna be a tight squeeze to the next round... :corn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkQUgUpaRmQ
Should have sent that ^ album instead, what a shame.
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Dayum... You really not such a fan of the prog/neo-rock, huh?
I've nothing against it at all! Of albums defined as neo-prog on RYM, all of Frost's albums are 4-5 stars for me, and Anubis's A Tower of Silence is also 4 stars. As for prog rock more generally, there's absolutely tons, though that's obviously a pretty broad church. But as with any genre, some stuff works for me, some stuff doesn't. Frost really stands out within neo-prog because of the ludicrously strong melodies, the poppy groove and the exciting electronic infusions that make them pretty unique.
I always equated Mystery closer to Yes - considering vocalist David Benoit sang and toured for Yes back in '11/'12.
Yeah I can sort of see that too, but this album definitely sounded more Rush than Yes to me.
TASTES!
Well quite.
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This is starting to be painful and a bit nerve-wrecking
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I'd feign surprise but just based on what you sent me in your roulette I knew this one was ariich-bait :metal
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I'd feign surprise but just based on what you sent me in your roulette I knew this one was ariich-bait :metal
where does this sudden roulette-optimism come from?
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This is starting to be painful and a bit nerve-wrecking
(https://i.imgur.com/6TmB8Mj.gif)
I'd feign surprise but just based on what you sent me in your roulette I knew this one was ariich-bait :metal
In fairness, what I sent in your roulette was very heavily weighted towards stuff I thought you'd like and, crucially, didn't know already, so it was a pretty limited to pool to choose from. My general tastes are a lot more varied.
But if you're feeling this confident now then I look forward to hearing what else you've got in store!
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you've probably also listened to this one more than k have, I only just got it and have only spun it twice so far
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you've probably also listened to this one more than k have, I only just got it and have only spun it twice so far
In that case yes. :lol I'm managing three listens to each album.
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The last 3 Roulettes I've been in, the first few rounds I'm always getting my results last and it's torture for me but I'm starting to think pleasure for the ones running the show. :lol
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The last 3 Roulettes I've been in, the first few rounds I'm always getting my results last and it's torture for me but I'm starting to think pleasure for the ones running the show. :lol
*makes mental note to leave Joe right to the end*
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*figured* :lol
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Dayum... You really not such a fan of the prog/neo-rock, huh? That Mystery album is on par with Milliontown, imo. I always equated Mystery closer to Yes - considering vocalist David Benoit sang and toured for Yes back in '11/'12.
TASTES!
I didn't know that... wow. Yeah, that Mystery album is awesome indeed. Gonna be a tight squeeze to the next round... :corn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkQUgUpaRmQ
Should have sent that ^ album instead, what a shame.
I love The Expendables.
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Dayum... You really not such a fan of the prog/neo-rock, huh? That Mystery album is on par with Milliontown, imo. I always equated Mystery closer to Yes - considering vocalist David Benoit sang and toured for Yes back in '11/'12.
TASTES!
I didn't know that... wow. Yeah, that Mystery album is awesome indeed. Gonna be a tight squeeze to the next round... :corn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkQUgUpaRmQ
Should have sent that ^ album instead, what a shame.
I love The Expendables.
That sounds pretty fun.
-
Dayum... You really not such a fan of the prog/neo-rock, huh? That Mystery album is on par with Milliontown, imo. I always equated Mystery closer to Yes - considering vocalist David Benoit sang and toured for Yes back in '11/'12.
TASTES!
I didn't know that... wow. Yeah, that Mystery album is awesome indeed. Gonna be a tight squeeze to the next round... :corn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkQUgUpaRmQ
Should have sent that ^ album instead, what a shame.
I love The Expendables.
That sounds pretty fun.
I might just send you their self titled album if I make it to the next round... :corn
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Round One results, 9 of 18
First three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463026#msg2463026
Second three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463312#msg2463312
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The Bright Light Social Hour – Space Is Still the Place (2015), submitted by Nekov
First impression: Hmm, not sure I’m massively feeling this right now. It’s got a nice vibe and a few good tracks especially later on, but overall it’s not really grabbing me so far.
Final opinion: This is definitely a bit of a grower, and I found myself enjoying a little more after further listens. I think the album is at its best when creating warm, chilled out vibes, like Ghost Dance, Ouroboros and most of Escape Velocity. Whereas some of the more psychedelic stuff like Slipstream, while perfectly pleasant, doesn't do it for me so much. So a bit hit and miss really. You tapped into my tastes pretty well in the last roulette, but this is less successful I'm afraid.
Score: 7.0
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Cheap Trick – Dream Police (1979), submitted by Stadler
First impression: Enjoyable enough, but not something I can see myself being drawn to much. Feels like everything I’m going to get out of it, I got from the first listen. A couple of very cool songs though.
Final opinion: Yeah this is a fun album, but I was right in my expectation that I wouldn't really get anything from further listens. One thing I do rather enjoy is the way a few of the songs have a really cool section, even when the the main song is otherwise not particularly interesting. Gonna Raise Hell is a great example of this - a couple of awesome sections but the main tune I just find really quite bland. Need Your Love is also a really good song with a nice groove and good build up. But when they go more middle of the road 70s rock, I don't really feel anything. So yeah, enjoyable overall but ultimately too little of it interests me to make enough of an impression.
Score: 6.5
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Katatonia - Dead End Kings (2012), submitted by Lethean
First impression: Pretty much what I expected, which is no bad thing. Great mood and atmosphere, and lots of lovely vocal harmonies.
Final opinion: Well, you were lucky to find a band that I’d already heard two albums by but had rated them both 4 stars, so you could have felt pretty confident with this submission. As I said, it was pretty much what I expected from the other recent Katatonia albums I’ve heard, which of course is excellent. Their music is very warm and emotional but somehow dark and brooding and occasionally intense as well. I feel like you got away with it a bit here, but then it’s also reminded me to keep checking out more of their music, which I planned to do a while ago and never did, so it’s all good.
Score: 8.0
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Ranking so far
1 Parama: Odd Palace - Things To Place On The Moon - 8.5
2= Katt: Toto - IV - 8.0
2= Lethean: Katatonia - Dead End Kings - 8.0
4 Jingle: Evership – Evership - 7.5
5= Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game - 7.0
5= Elite: White Walls – Escape Artist - 7.0
5= Nekov: The Bright Light Social Hour – Space Is Still the Place - 7.0
8= Indiscipline: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste - 6.5
8= Stadler: Cheap Trick – Dream Police - 6.5
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Dayum... You really not such a fan of the prog/neo-rock, huh? That Mystery album is on par with Milliontown, imo. I always equated Mystery closer to Yes - considering vocalist David Benoit sang and toured for Yes back in '11/'12.
TASTES!
I didn't know that... wow. Yeah, that Mystery album is awesome indeed. Gonna be a tight squeeze to the next round... :corn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkQUgUpaRmQ
Should have sent that ^ album instead, what a shame.
I love The Expendables.
That sounds pretty fun.
I might just send you their self titled album if I make it to the next round... :corn
Do it! I wrote my entie Master's thesis listening to that stuff :')
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1/2 way thru, and I'm right on the cut line. Still not feeling optimistic - With the bunch that still has to be be revealed, I'm certain we'll see a more 8+ scores than what's already been revealed.
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Well, this was fun while it lasted.....
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Katatonia :heart
Glad you enjoyed that one!
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I'm definitely feeling more confident than I did before results started coming in. Some of the tidbits that were like "I'm not really feeling this" were about other albums. I was convinced they were about mine so hopefully I'm getting through. Got so much good stuff to send!
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Ok, so after eliminating the tidbits that have already had scores revealed, taking into account that I had to resend (thus sending late) and assuming that the tidbits were posted in the rough order they were submitted, then eliminating tidbits that I don't think could be about mine...
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assuming that the tidbits were posted in the rough order they were submitted
This is not a correct assumption.
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How many people are getting through?
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17
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(https://media.giphy.com/media/c7PcKQlOqZ8Ws/giphy.gif)
After much calculating I'm going optimistic and saying #16
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17
:lol It's a very solid opening round and I sort of want everything scoring 7 and above to get through but that would end up making this the longest roulette ever.
I'm still deliberating on some scores but there's a reasonable chance I'm going to end up with an awkward break in terms of scores, and I'm not sure what I'll do if that happens...
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There's no place like home! There's no place like home! (Last place, out in the first round, that is.)
You're going to round up decimals for the cut line, right? Like they did in college?
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17
:lol It's a very solid opening round and I sort of want everything scoring 7 and above to get through but that would end up making this the longest roulette ever.
Your point?
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The axe is coming.
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17
:lol It's a very solid opening round and I sort of want everything scoring 7 and above to get through but that would end up making this the longest roulette ever.
Your point?
He knows he will have to axe some of the 7 scores and doesn't know how he will chose. Time to start sucking up to him....
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Chad sucks at sucking up. :lol
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I can take another tiebreaker, if needed. Won't be too gutted if I don't get a chance to play though, I sent a lot of good stuff last time, need to give other people chance to send you great music too.
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17
:lol It's a very solid opening round and I sort of want everything scoring 7 and above to get through but that would end up making this the longest roulette ever.
Your point?
Indeed, the title says 'totally mad'. This is more like 'a little mad, but only if necessary'. Or 'stay up all night!, party wooo' and then going to bed at 1 am.
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At this stage I'm pretty confident that 7s are all getting eliminated.
I could have kept you all in suspense for longer, but I don't want to be too mean and get your hopes up (what can I say, I'm just a nice guy). Ruslan and Diego, you were my finalists last time and sent me so much good music, so in a way it's a shame the first round hasn't gone your way this time, but then it also means more opportunity for new people so it's all good. :)
I've managed to get a shit load of listening done yesterday and today, so next batch of results should be up soon.
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Corn
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Some rather good albums this update...
Round One results, 12 of 18
First three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463026#msg2463026
Second three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463312#msg2463312
Third three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463467#msg2463467
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Rishloo – Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth (2014), submitted by LordCost
First impression: Good variety and some strong melodies, particularly at the start of the album. Can't yet decide how much I like it - will take some more listens I think.
Final opinion: You were correct that this was not one of the Queen mentions. There are definitely some vocal moments that are a bit Freddy Mercury, but the music doesn’t remind me of Queen at all. Whereas you mentioned The Mars Volta, and a minute into my first listen that was my thought too. I know you said in your submission that you’re not keen on that opening track, but honestly it’s one of my favourites. Maybe my favourite actually, it’s just really dynamic and exciting and a bit quirky. Landmines is great too, I can see why it tends to go down well in roulettes. I barely remember Eidolon, but I rated it 3 stars years ago so clearly, while it was fine, I didn’t love it. So thank you for taking a bit of a risk and introducing me to their more recent music, which is definitely more my thing. Strong melodies all over the album and some cool instrumental work. Would have scored even higher if the second half was as brilliant as the first.
Score: 8.0
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Ghost Brigade – IV - One with the Storm (2014), submitted by Luoto
First impression: I’m really digging this after one listen. A lot. Great atmosphere and energy, and nice punchy production. Definitely making it to round 2.
Final opinion: This album sits really well with me, for exactly the reasons in my first impressions. Interesting that RYM defines them as “atmospheric sludge metal”, which is a phrase I hadn’t read or heard before but appears to basically mean post-metal with vocals. It’s got its post-metal elements for sure, but there’s also quite a lot in common with really good melodic death metal bands such as Amorphis and Insomnium. Either way, they had a great blend of heavy and melodic stuff across the album, and all of it has a great nordic atmosphere and tight production that holds it all together very nicely. Shame they’re no longer around but I’ll check out their earlier work too.
Score: 8.5
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The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue (2018), submitted by Train
First impression: I dig it. This type of music needs solid hooks for me, and I'm not 100% sure from first listen, but there are great moments and more may come out on repeat listens.
Final opinion: I can definitely see the BTBAM similarity you mentioned. Kind of an interesting blend of the theatricality present in Coma/Automata with the schizophrenic heaviness of Alaska/Colors. This sort of technical, intense music does need certain hooks for me, otherwise I tend to find it too much. Thankfully this does enough, both in terms of the occasional strong melodies, but also other sections where the vocals might be heavy but the music is melodic and entertaining enough. Good variety across the album that keeps it exciting, and plenty of strong riffs and solid performances. It’s far from perfect, but clearly this band is very new and this is an excellent debut.
Score: 8.0
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Ranking so far
1= Parama: Odd Palace - Things To Place On The Moon - 8.5
1= Luoto: Ghost Brigade – IV - One with the Storm - 8.5
3= Katt: Toto - IV - 8.0
3= Lethean: Katatonia - Dead End Kings - 8.0
3= LordCost: Rishloo – Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth - 8.0
3= Train: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue - 8.0
7 Jingle: Evership – Evership - 7.5
8= Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game - 7.0
8= Elite: White Walls – Escape Artist - 7.0
8= Nekov: The Bright Light Social Hour – Space Is Still the Place - 7.0
11= Indiscipline: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste - 6.5
11= Stadler: Cheap Trick – Dream Police - 6.5
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Dang, I wanna listen to The World is Quiet Here now
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I see you're holding true about leaving my results last. :lol
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Dang, I wanna listen to The World is Quiet Here now
Don’t
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Chad sucks at sucking up. :lol
I suck down... which is apparently the direction of my ranking too! 6 more to come, and only 1 spot left to drop. Yeah, I'm as fucked as Britons are come March 30th. :lol
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Yeah, I'm as fucked as Britons are come March 30th. :lol
:lol
:|
:'(
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:rollin
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I see you're holding true about leaving my results last. :lol
:lol I'd forgotten about that. Yours is one of the albums it's taking a bit longer to decide on a rating for.
I'll hopefully be able to post the final two batches of results tomorrow, if I can make some decisions!
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I'd harass you but that would be a bad idea. :lol
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First impression: I dig it. This type of music needs solid hooks for me, and I'm not 100% sure from first listen, but there are great moments and more may come out on repeat listens.
Final opinion: I can definitely see the BTBAM similarity you mentioned. Kind of an interesting blend of the theatricality present in Coma/Automata with the schizophrenic heaviness of Alaska/Colors. This sort of technical, intense music does need certain hooks for me, otherwise I tend to find it too much. Thankfully this does enough, both in terms of the occasional strong melodies, but also other sections where the vocals might be heavy but the music is melodic and entertaining enough. Good variety across the album that keeps it exciting, and plenty of strong riffs and solid performances. It’s far from perfect, but clearly this band is very new and this is an excellent debut.
Yeah, without the hooks (great example being the chorus in See the Sun and numerous moments throughout Nihil) it probably would fall flat for me too, despite the interesting blend of jazzy swingy stuff on top of the metal. Highly agree on the bold part
Dang, I wanna listen to The World is Quiet Here now
Don’t
Do
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Yeah the See the Sun really stood out, even on first listen. Some pretty epic stuff there.
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:metal
I was pretty confident, considering it was probably the only all-time top 5 album of mine you hadn't heard yet.
Interesting that RYM defines them as “atmospheric sludge metal”, which is a phrase I hadn’t read or heard before but appears to basically mean post-metal with vocals. It’s got its post-metal elements for sure, but there’s also quite a lot in common with really good melodic death metal bands such as Amorphis and Insomnium.
Atmospheric sludge used to be kind of synonymous to post-metal when the scene originally got its breakthrough (Neurosis, Isis etc). Those were just the first bands recognized to combine any kind of metal and post-rock; since then there are lot of bands that can be partially considered post-metal, Agalloch and Ghost Brigade being different examples. I would label Ghost Brigade as both doom metal and post-metal.
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After I wrote to you the album ranking with The Great Rain Beatle at the last position I started to learn it better and appreciate it. I'm listening it during this week sometimes. I have always overlooked it comparing to track 2,3 and 4 which are among my favourites Rishloo tracks.
I agree that second half is slightly weaker, but Just A Ride could be my favourite one.
I have had the same experience with Bilateral by Leprous which I haven't considered much comparing it to Forced Entry, but recently I enjoy that song more.
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Why not? :corn
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I would label Ghost Brigade as both doom metal and post-metal.
Yeah I can see that, there were moments that reminded me of Swallow the Sun actually.
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Well, I'm way less confident now than I was when I sent my album....
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Rich, you should repost the remaining previews.
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:corn
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Round One results, 15 of 18
First three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463026#msg2463026
Second three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463312#msg2463312
Third three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463467#msg2463467
Fourth three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463677#msg2463677
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sleepmakeswaves – Made of Breath Only (2017), submitted by romdrums
First impression: Hmm, the thing with this genre is that the music often sounds good but has little staying power unless there’s something a bit different or unique. And I’m not sure this is doing that very much, but we’ll see.
Final opinion: This settled pretty well for me in the end. I still don’t think it does much that’s unique or different, it strikes me as pretty standard post-rock fare to be honest, but a lot of it is very good at doing that. Some sections are just kind of there, but others are really very immersive. Some nice build ups, as one would hope for from post-rock. And the production is nice and adds to the atmosphere and energy. A solid album, albeit not one of the more exciting submissions.
Score: 7.0
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Barock Project – Detachment (2017), submitted by king
First impression: I'm a bit torn on this after one listen. It's pleasant and seems to objectively tick a lot of my boxes, but isn't really exciting me very much.
Final opinion: So this definitely improved a bit on further listens. It’s very nicely-done neo-prog, and a lot of the songs are really enjoyable. Some really good melodies, nice variety of moods, and the performances and production are really tight and clear. I think the thing that holds it back is a lack of any real flow from song to song, making what is a pretty long album feel even longer. It feels like it’s a just a collection of songs thrown together, many of which are very nice and some of which are fantastic, but each new song could be by a different band, like I’m listening to some sort of prog compilation. The album starts really strongly, but on each listen I’ve found myself getting a bit disinterested towards the end, and the odd final track doesn’t help much in that regard.
Score: 7.0
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Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars (2005), submitted by Puppies
First impression: Felt very unconvinced by the first song, but the album picked up a fair bit after that. Lots of warmth.
Final opinion: Bit of a grower this one. It’s weird though, the album is really strong when doing its big melodic prog stuff, which in fairness is a lot of the album. But it does go heavier and darker from time to time, and I don’t know if it’s just the production or what but it sounds really weak to me. Which is why on first listen I wasn’t a fan of The Weight, those heavy bits just sound so awkward and out of place to me. On further listens, it does have some really nice stuff in it though. And the rest of the album is mostly warm, melodic and emotional prog and it’s very nice. To be honest though, from seeing the varied stuff you sent in other roulettes, I was somewhat surprised to get some pretty straightforward Europrog from you.
Score: 7.5
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Ranking so far
1= Parama: Odd Palace - Things To Place On The Moon - 8.5
1= Luoto: Ghost Brigade – IV - One with the Storm - 8.5
3= Katt: Toto - IV - 8.0
3= Lethean: Katatonia - Dead End Kings - 8.0
3= LordCost: Rishloo – Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth - 8.0
3= Train: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue - 8.0
7= Jingle: Evership – Evership - 7.5
7= Puppies: Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars - 7.5
9= Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game - 7.0
9= Elite: White Walls – Escape Artist - 7.0
9= Nekov: The Bright Light Social Hour – Space Is Still the Place - 7.0
9= romdrums: sleepmakeswaves – Made of Breath Only - 7.0
9= king: Barock Project – Detachment - 7.0
14= Indiscipline: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste - 6.5
14= Stadler: Cheap Trick – Dream Police - 6.5
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Welp. Looks like I won't make the cut.
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(https://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lufhslz8R41qgixe3.gif)
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Round One results, 15 of 18
Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars (2005), submitted by Puppies
First impression: Felt very unconvinced by the first song, but the album picked up a fair bit after that. Lots of warmth.
Final opinion: Bit of a grower this one. It’s weird though, the album is really strong when doing its big melodic prog stuff, which in fairness is a lot of the album. But it does go heavier and darker from time to time, and I don’t know if it’s just the production or what but it sounds really weak to me. Which is why on first listen I wasn’t a fan of The Weight, those heavy bits just sound so awkward and out of place to me. On further listens, it does have some really nice stuff in it though. And the rest of the album is mostly warm, melodic and emotional prog and it’s very nice. To be honest though, from seeing the varied stuff you sent in other roulettes, I was somewhat surprised to get some pretty straightforward Europrog from you.
Score: 7.5
Although I'm not exactly upset with the score you gave it, but based on your writeup are you sure you are listening to the correct album? :biggrin: This album currently sits at number 8 on my all time top 50 albums list and I don't think I would call it straightforward either. Each individual instrument has a very unique sound compared to other prog rock/metal (at least to me). The bass and drums just work so flawlessly together. The guitar is mostly light and airy, yet technical, but also beautiful. I love the little acoustic bits scattered around the album. And Arno's vocals are just magical to me.
If I make it through to the next round I may have to rethink my strategy going forward.
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Round One results, 15 of 18
Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars (2005), submitted by Puppies
First impression: Felt very unconvinced by the first song, but the album picked up a fair bit after that. Lots of warmth.
Final opinion: Bit of a grower this one. It’s weird though, the album is really strong when doing its big melodic prog stuff, which in fairness is a lot of the album. But it does go heavier and darker from time to time, and I don’t know if it’s just the production or what but it sounds really weak to me. Which is why on first listen I wasn’t a fan of The Weight, those heavy bits just sound so awkward and out of place to me. On further listens, it does have some really nice stuff in it though. And the rest of the album is mostly warm, melodic and emotional prog and it’s very nice. To be honest though, from seeing the varied stuff you sent in other roulettes, I was somewhat surprised to get some pretty straightforward Europrog from you.
Score: 7.5
Although I'm not exactly upset with the score you gave it, but based on your writeup are you sure you are listening to the correct album? :biggrin: This album currently sits at number 8 on my all time top 50 albums list and I don't think I would call it straightforward either. Each individual instrument has a very unique sound compared to other prog rock/metal (at least to me). The bass and drums just work so flawlessly together. The guitar is mostly light and airy, yet technical, but also beautiful. I love the little acoustic bits scattered around the album. And Arno's vocals are just magical to me.
If I make it through to the next round I may have to rethink my strategy going forward.
One thing I've learned in these roulettes is that what you hear and what someone else hears can be (and often is) completely different. Not in a bad way, judgmental way, or negative way, but it's like people. I think Margot Robbie is the second most beautiful woman in the world (wife is first, and I'm not just saying that). Zac Efron is the gold standard for men. For the life of me, Scarlett Johanson is like a 6 or 7. I just don't see it. Hugh Grant? 4. Maybe a 5. I just don't see it.
I've been sent home from roulettes with Rainbow Rising, Ozzy's Diary of a Madman, and, as far as it looks now, Cheap Trick's Dream Police. If I had ten albums on a desert island, trust me, they are all there with me. Dream Police is perhaps a perfect album. 45 minutes of pure pop-rock bliss. I'm in last place. (Ariich, there is no passive-aggressive bitching there; I totally get it, and totally understand. I'm just fascinated at the subjectivity of music.)
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i've already been thru since 12 of 18 were revealed but i already sent for the next round
and found like, a gaping hole in the banlist for a band that's like 100% right up ariich's alley so sorry y'all i'm winning the next round for sure, even if there's someone left to beat me in this round :corn
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Although I'm not exactly upset with the score you gave it, but based on your writeup are you sure you are listening to the correct album? :biggrin: This album currently sits at number 8 on my all time top 50 albums list and I don't think I would call it straightforward either. Each individual instrument has a very unique sound compared to other prog rock/metal (at least to me). The bass and drums just work so flawlessly together. The guitar is mostly light and airy, yet technical, but also beautiful. I love the little acoustic bits scattered around the album. And Arno's vocals are just magical to me.
The vocals are definitely one of the strengths of the album, and yeah I like the airy guitar sound that's present on most of the album. Like I said, tt was the heavy bits that didn't work for me so much.
But yeah like Stadler says, it's interesting that everyone hears things differently. It's a very nice album but it definitely doesn't strike me as unique in the world of prog. That wasn't a criticism by the way, more just an observation.
(Ariich, there is no passive-aggressive bitching there; I totally get it, and totally understand. I'm just fascinated at the subjectivity of music.)
Absolutely, as am I and I never took any of your comments as a complaint. I also think it's interesting in the context of roulettes which can be played in different ways, either just sending stuff that you really like, or focusing on stuff that you specifically think the roulette runner will like. In theory the latter is better, but 1. it's difficult with someone like me whose tastes are pretty random and inconsistent, and 2. it can potentially lead to trying to be too safe and not actually doing that well after all.
I'm honestly glad that between this roulette and my previous one you sent me oldie goldies, as it's opened my ears to classic music that for whatever reason I'd not listened to before. Rainbow was an absolutely fantastic submission and I now regularly listen to two of their albums.
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:corn
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:corn
:corn :corn
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Just waiting for Luke to post popcorn before I put the last set of results up. :P
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:corn
:corn :corn
:corn :corn :corn
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:corn
:corn :corn
:corn :corn :corn
:corn :corn :corn :corn
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Just waiting for Luke to post popcorn before I put the last set of results up. :P
:corn
:corn :corn
:corn :corn :corn
:corn :corn :corn :corn
corn (https://youtu.be/O775dHUHxLs) corn (https://youtu.be/O775dHUHxLs) corn (https://youtu.be/O775dHUHxLs) corn (https://youtu.be/O775dHUHxLs) corn (https://youtu.be/O775dHUHxLs)
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Absolutely, as am I and I never took any of your comments as a complaint. I also think it's interesting in the context of roulettes which can be played in different ways, either just sending stuff that you really like, or focusing on stuff that you specifically think the roulette runner will like. In theory the latter is better, but 1. it's difficult with someone like me whose tastes are pretty random and inconsistent, and 2. it can potentially lead to trying to be too safe and not actually doing that well after all.
I'm honestly glad that between this roulette and my previous one you sent me oldie goldies, as it's opened my ears to classic music that for whatever reason I'd not listened to before. Rainbow was an absolutely fantastic submission and I now regularly listen to two of their albums.
Well for me, I didn't see a lot of difference in result either way, so while I see the difference in strategy, I didn't see the difference in outcome. So what I try to do now is take an element of the song/album/artist I think the host likes and find that in one of the bands I like, and send it on. I'm in Jingle's roulette, and I feel like I have a very good idea of what might work with him, but I honestly have very little that's in my wheel house that fits that bill (and that he hasn't heard 1000 times already). I think it would be inauthentic to send a band I don't listen to only to pander to a score, so I send what I can. And if I get to the last round and I'm in last place, I send Kiss as my little personal rebellion. HAHAHA.
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You're not in last place in my roulette - yay. :)
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Well now, this was not the plan, although it was always a possibility...
Round One, final results
First three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463026#msg2463026
Second three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463312#msg2463312
Third three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463467#msg2463467
Fourth three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463677#msg2463677
Fifth three results here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2463871#msg2463871
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The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (2002), submitted by Sacul
First impression: Nice chill vibe. Felt slightly background music at times and some moments were a little repetitive, but I liked it overall.
Final opinion: Cool album. Pretty chill but quite quirky too, in a fun way. This album also highlights the importance for me to listen to each album on different contexts. First listen of this one was on my speakers at home, but it came to life more when listening on earphones. I don't even mind the more compressed production on Spotify, feels like it fits the overall vibe quite well and it's generally pretty immersive. I still think it's a bit repetitive and backgroundy at times, so I don't *love* it, but I definitely like it and it's pretty different to almost anything else 8 listen to.
Score: 7.5
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Port Noir – Any Way The Wind Carries (2016), submitted by twosuitsluke
First impression: Pretty immediately engaging and powerful, though for some reason I'm not quite sure about its staying power. Will see what I feel after subsequent listens.
Final opinion: I found it really hard to rate this one. Enjoyed it quite a lot on my first listen. Second listen left me fairly cold and meh. Third listen a bit better again. Had to listen a fourth time to make a decision, and upped it from 7 to 7.5. There's lots to like here - it's engaging, moody prog with a lot of groove and nice of use of bass synths. Reminds me occasionally of The Butterfly Effect (though that's probably mainly just the singer). It hinges quite a bit on the vocal lines - melodies and delivery - and how much I like those seems to depend on what I'm in the mood for, even more so than most music. But I've really liked two of my four listens so this feels like the fair score. Earth and Onyx are probably my favourite songs, thanks to their big melodies.
Score: 7.5
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Lör – In Forgotten Sleep (2017), submitted by TAC
First impression: Seems to me this album should feel messy and disjointed, but for some reason it works really well and is highly enjoyable and pretty rocking for a lot of it.
Final opinion: So yeah in some ways this album is sort of all over the place. But it also somehow works, and I really can’t explain why. The epic folk-metal stylings should feel cheesy, but mostly they don’t, or at least not too much so. The way it jumps around should feel disjointed, but for some reason it feels surprising and fun instead. Not sure I like it quite as much as my first impression - it’s far from perfect and some songs/sections don’t really do it for me. I found the wackyness all very enjoyable and surprising on first listen, but the novelty has worn off a little. Still, overall it’s really very entertaining, and there are some fantastic moments.
Score: 7.5
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Ranking so far
1= Parama: Odd Palace - Things To Place On The Moon - 8.5
1= Luoto: Ghost Brigade – IV - One with the Storm - 8.5
3= Katt: Toto - IV - 8.0
3= Lethean: Katatonia - Dead End Kings - 8.0
3= LordCost: Rishloo – Living as Ghosts With Buildings as Teeth - 8.0
3= Train: The World Is Quiet Here – Prologue - 8.0
7= Jingle: Evership – Evership - 7.5
7= Puppies: Sieges Even – The Art of Navigating By the Stars - 7.5
7= Sacul: The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots - 7.5
7= Luke: Port Noir – Any Way The Wind Carries - 7.5
7= TAC: Lör – In Forgotten Sleep - 7.5
-----------------------------------------
12= Evermind: Mystery – The World Is a Game - 7.0
12= Elite: White Walls – Escape Artist - 7.0
12= Nekov: The Bright Light Social Hour – Space Is Still the Place - 7.0
12= romdrums: sleepmakeswaves – Made of Breath Only - 7.0
12= king: Barock Project – Detachment - 7.0
17= Indiscipline: Gentle Giant – Acquiring The Taste - 6.5
17= Stadler: Cheap Trick – Dream Police - 6.5
I wanted 8 players. Based on round 1 scores I have either 6 or 11.
WHAT DO :dangerwillrobinson:
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Have all the tied people submit a single song as a tiebreaker
Or the tiebreaker is the best songs on the 7.5 albums
Also nice still first :metal
Luoto. You. Me. The parking lot. At 5.
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Luoto. You. Me. The parking lot. At 5.
For... sexy time?
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Keep 'em all, and round two. Add the two and take the top eight there (the odds of there being ties after two rounds drops precipitously).
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Wow, totally feel like I just scraped through! Glad you liked it though, I really dig that album and Black from the Ink is probably my favourite tune.
I'd say go with 11 participants and maybe drop the bottom three from the next round?
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:'(
Man, I had a killer second album lined up.
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I prefer Parama's idea. :)
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:'(
Man, I had a killer second album lined up.
As did I. Will be watching to see how this one turns out.
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You're supposed to start with the killer album in the round where 56% of participants are going to get cut :P
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I prefer Parama's idea. :)
Less competition, huh?
:'(
Man, I had a killer second album lined up.
As did I. Will be watching to see how this one turns out.
Seriously guys, send me recommendations anyway and I'll add them to my list to check out later on after the roulette (assuming other people don't send them). A few people did that in my last roulette and I posted "results" for all of them.
You're supposed to start with the killer album in the round where 56% of participants are going to get cut :P
Indeed. :lol
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Also concerned for you because 11 albums is a lot, 8 is more manageable :P
White Walls deserved better also, imo, but I can see how it wouldn't be as up your alley as mine
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Have all the tied people submit a single song as a tiebreaker
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3288/2961175776_b341ca0fc5.jpg)
I promise, no glam metal. :lol
I say let everyone thru to round two, and have another culling for the bottom 3 - but use the cumulative scores. That way, the people with 8.5s and 8s in Round 1 have a bit of an advantage, but they can shit-the-bed.
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RIGHT
All 11 players will progress to round 2. I can't really find any basis on which to only choose two. (EDIT: Also a tiebreaker would just add on time which we might as well do by having a larger next round)
However, I want to be fair to those who scored 8 or above and therefore based on the original rules should be safe for the next four rounds. The six of you are, therefore, safe.
The five players who scored 7.5, you're into round 2 but I reserve the right to eliminate up to three of you at any point over the next four rounds, based on how much I'm liking your submissions. I want to see how I get on with 11 players while trying to keep rounds reasonably timely. Consider yourselves on probation.
So with that in mind... send for round 2 if you haven't already!
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Rich, I will still send you that album. I'm interested on your take.
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The five players who scored 7.5, you're into round 2 but I reserve the right to eliminate up to three of you at any point over the next four rounds, based on how much I'm liking your submissions. I want to see how I get on with 11 players while trying to keep rounds reasonably timely. Consider yourselves on probation.
This is completely fair. Will ponder my next choice and send as quick as I can.
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The five players who scored 7.5, you're into round 2 but I reserve the right to eliminate up to three of you at any point over the next four rounds, based on how much I'm liking your submissions. I want to see how I get on with 11 players while trying to keep rounds reasonably timely. Consider yourselves on probation.
This is completely fair. Will ponder my next choice and send as quick as I can.
Reading that paragraph again in isolation, it comes across really strict. I didn't mean it to read so serious. :lol
But I'm glad you think it's fair - I wanted to get the right balance, and to be honest I want to see what else all five of you have in store!
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Sent!
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Sent!
Lies!
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By safe do you mean, can't be eliminated no matter what crap we send? :corn
That being said I'm shooting for at least a 9 this time
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Sent!
:wtf:
:justjen How 'bout you send in mine too while you're at it!?!?! :lol Results have been up for 36 hours ya know.
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Sent!
:wtf:
:justjen How 'bout you send in mine too while you're at it!?!?! :lol Results have been up for 36 hours ya know.
:rollin
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By safe do you mean, can't be eliminated no matter what crap we send? :corn
Correct, for the next four rounds. After round 5, the top four players go to the semi finals.
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Damn... that Odd Palace album sounds a LOT like The Dear Hunter. Not usually the kind of music I turn to, but it was pretty enjoyable. Some of the others ahead of me however .... yikes (for my tastes).
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Jingle I could've sent you that :'(
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Jingle I could've sent you that :'(
As my kids used to say - too bad, so sad. :-\ I usually sample what is submitted in other roulettes I'm in, to size up the competition... and the tastes of the host.
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Sent something that will be guessed as being mine as soon as hangmanen is up
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Jingle I could've sent you that :'(
As my kids used to say - too bad, so sad. :-\ I usually sample what is submitted in other roulettes I'm in, to size up the competition... and the tastes of the host.
guess I gotta send growls instead :metal
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Rich, what's your thoughts on symphonic black metal? For future rounds. I had a look through your RYM and Last.fm but couldn't find much there I'd classify as SBM. I guess that probably answers my question :lol
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Jingle I could've sent you that :'(
As my kids used to say - too bad, so sad. :-\ I usually sample what is submitted in other roulettes I'm in, to size up the competition... and the tastes of the host.
guess I gotta send growls instead :metal
(https://replygif.net/i/312.gif)
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Going in a completely new direction for round 2.
Sent!
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I have already sent before I left.
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Submissions all in except one.
BET YOU CAN'T GUESS WHO
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Rich, what's your thoughts on symphonic black metal? For future rounds. I had a look through your RYM and Last.fm but couldn't find much there I'd classify as SBM. I guess that probably answers my question :lol
I don't have a RYM :neverusethis:
Submissions all in except one.
BET YOU CAN'T GUESS WHO
Is it me again? Good lord, when will I learn?
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Submissions all in except one.
BET YOU CAN'T GUESS WHO
Is it me again? Good lord, when will I learn?
No, you sent already remember:
Sent!
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To which you responded:
Lies!
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Rich, what's your thoughts on symphonic black metal? For future rounds. I had a look through your RYM and Last.fm but couldn't find much there I'd classify as SBM. I guess that probably answers my question :lol
Er, to be honest I'm not hot on my specific subgenres, so I don't know exactly how that would be defined. In principle any genre can be great. There seem to only be three bands classified as SBM on RYM that I've rated, none highly but also all quite a lot time ago (like 10 years plus). Cradle of Filth is kind of lol, and Dimmu Borgir and Emperor I mostly wasn't too keen on, although Prometheus was a pretty good album (3 stars). I've no idea how representative of the genre those are, especially more recent stuff in the genre.
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Well thought you'd like Yoshimi a lot more but I'm in so that's fine for me :lol
Sent some pretty cool and fun music
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HANGMANG TIME
?: ______ ________ – ___ _____ _______
?: __________ ________ – ...___ ___ ____ ________ __ ___ _____ _____
?: _______ – __ ___ ____ __ ____
?: _______ – _____ ____
?: __ ______ – __________
?: _____ __ ____ – ____ ______ _______
?: ____ ____ – ___ ______ __ ______
?: ___ _______ _______ – ________
?: ________ – _______
?: ______ – _____________
?: ______ _____ – ______ _____
Guessed letters:
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A
-
T
-
G
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You're supposed to start with the killer album in the round where 56% of participants are going to get cut :P
And that still didn't work. :) ;)
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Structural Disorder - ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene sent by TAC
give O
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Yep to everything so far.
?: Omnium Gatherum – ___ _o___ __a_o__
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
?: A__t__a – To t__ __g_ o_ T___
?: _o_ag__ – G_o_t ____
?: __ ___g__ – _a___o___a
?: ___g_ o_ __o_ – _o__ A_o___ ____o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – T__ _o_o__ O_ _____g
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
?: ____a___ – ___T___
?: ___o_a – __g____at___a
?: __tt__ T____ – __tt__ T____
Guessed letters: ATGO
Parama waits a turn
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Omnium Gatherum
The Ongoing Concept - Handmade sent by Luke
Talk Talk send by Dacul
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Structural Disorder - ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene sent by TAC
Everyone needs this album. I will use it until everyone bans it.
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Structural Disorder - ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene sent by TAC
Everyone needs this album. I will use it until everyone bans it.
I haven't been sent anything from it...
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Omnium Gatherum
The Ongoing Concept - Handmade sent by Luke
Talk Talk send by Dacul
:tup
Updated above.
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Sacul: Talk Talk- The Colour of Spring
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Structural Disorder - ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene sent by TAC
Everyone needs this album. I will use it until everyone bans it.
Consider it banned. :lol
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How about an L.
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And a K :)
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?: Omnium Gatherum – ___ _o_l_ __a_o__
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
?: Al_t__a – To t__ __g_ o_ T___
?: _o_ag__ – G_o_t __l_
?: __ ___gl_ – _al__o___a
?: K__g_ o_ L_o_ – _o__ A_o___ ____o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
?: ___la___ – ___T___
?: ___ola – __g____at___a
?: L_ttl_ T____ – L_ttl_ T____
Guessed letters: ATGOLK
Lethean waits a turn
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Voyager?
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Kings of Leon
Eidola - Degeneraterra
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Little Talks - Little Talks
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Voyager?
Ghost Mile?
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Kings of Leon was sent by Kattelox.
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I sent Back In Black by AC/DC. Has anyone heard that one yet?
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Eidola - Degeneraterra
Train of Nobvious
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Little Talks - Little Talks
Little is right but Talks is not.
Eidola - Degeneraterra
Train of Nobvious
So obvious as to be incorrect.
Everything else is right.
?: Omnium Gatherum – ___ _o_l_ __a_o__
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
?: Al_t__a – To t__ __g_ o_ T___
?: Voyager – Ghost Mile
?: __ ___gl_ – _al__o___a
Kattoelox: Kings of Leon – _o__ A_o___ ____o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
?: ___la___ – ___T___
?: Eidola – Degeneraterra
?: Little T____ – Little T____
Guessed letters: ATGOLK
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Alithia - To The Edge Of Time. They were a support band during Leprous and Agent Fresco's last tour.
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WTF, Degeneraterra wasn't banned?! How did I not see that :lol
Well, Parama was talking about an obvious hole, so maybe he sent that
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LordCost probably sent Alithia then
And yup :corn
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Alithia - To The Edge Of Time. They were a support band during Leprous and Agent Fresco's last tour.
:tup
WTF, Degeneraterra wasn't banned?! How did I not see that :lol
Well, Parama was talking about an obvious hole, so maybe he sent that
:lol Yep. That was his attitude too. Literally never heard of them. *shrug*
?: Omnium Gatherum – ___ _o_l_ __a_o__
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
?: Alithia – To the Edge of Time
?: Voyager – Ghost Mile
?: __ ___gl_ – _al__o___a
Kattoelox: Kings of Leon – _o__ A_o___ ____o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
?: ___la___ – ___T___
Parama: Eidola – Degeneraterra
?: Little T____ – Little T____
Guessed letters: ATGOLK
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S
Eidola are relatively new so I'm not surprised if someone here doesn't know them :P
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LordCost probably sent Alithia then
It's not like LoCo was the only European DTFer that saw that Leprous tour :lol
I'ma gonna say Lethean - Voyager and Alite - Elithia and Luoto - Omnium Gatherum
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Elite isn't in this round otherwise I would have guessed him for Alithia :lol
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Indeed, but the other two are right.
Luoto: Omnium Gatherum – _e_ _o_l_ S_a_o_s
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
?: Alithia – To the Edge of Time
Lethean: Voyager – Ghost Mile
?: __ ___gle – _al__o___a
Kattoelox: Kings of Leon – _o_e A_o___ S___o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
?: E_sla_e_ – ___T___
Parama: Eidola – Degeneraterra
?: Little T__ee – Little T__ee
Guessed letters: ATGOLKSE
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LordCost probably sent Alithia then
It's not like LoCo was the only European DTFer that saw that Leprous tour :lol
I'ma gonna say Lethean - Voyager and Alite - Elithia and Luoto - Omnium Gatherum
How'd you guess? :)
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well I don't see thumpermonkey so not sure what LC sent yet
Gimme E E E
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Updated above.
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Enslaved - RIITIIR :metal I guess probably sent by puppies
Mr Bungle - California sent by LordCost almost certainly
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Enslaved - RIITIIR :metal I guess probably sent by puppies
Mr Bungle - California sent by LordCost almost certainly
You're too good at this. :lol
Luoto: Omnium Gatherum – _e_ _o_l_ S_a_o_s
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
?: Alithia – To the Edge of Time
Lethean: Voyager – Ghost Mile
LordCost: Mr Bungle – California
Kattoelox: Kings of Leon – _o_e A_o___ S___o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
Puppies on Acid: Enslaved – RIITIIR
Parama: Eidola – Degeneraterra
?: Little T__ee – Little T__ee
Guessed letters: ATGOLKSE
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Hey at the very least I can't be bothered to look up the names of the Omnium or Kings albums rn :corn
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Hey at the very least I can't be bothered to look up the names of the Omnium or Kings albums rn :corn
Lazy bastard.
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H
and Shadows for the last word of the first song?
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Hey at the very least I can't be bothered to look up the names of the Omnium or Kings albums rn :corn
:lol
Hey at the very least I can't be bothered to look up the names of the Omnium or Kings albums rn :corn
Lazy bastard.
Yup. :lol
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H
and Shadows for the last word of the first song?
That H didn't help you very much, there was only one and it was in "Shadows".
Luoto: Omnium Gatherum – _e_ _o_l_ Shadows
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
?: Alithia – To the Edge of Time
Lethean: Voyager – Ghost Mile
LordCost: Mr Bungle – California
Kattoelox: Kings of Leon – _o_e A_o___ S___o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
Puppies on Acid: Enslaved – RIITIIR
Parama: Eidola – Degeneraterra
?: Little T__ee – Little T__ee
Guessed letters: ATGOLKSEH
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H
and Shadows for the last word of the first song?
That H didn't help you very much, there was only one and it was in "Shadows".
I was thinking that last one might be Three. Hmm.
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Little Trree?
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deliver the R :yarr
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It's Tybee I think
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Mr Bungle - California sent by LordCost almost certainly
This is an amazing album. I wonder how it will do in this roulette, but if it does well, I'll be kicking myself for not sending it. Top 10 of all time for me, without a doubt.
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It's Tybee I think
:tup
Luoto: Omnium Gatherum – _e_ _orl_ Shadows
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
?: Alithia – To the Edge of Time
Lethean: Voyager – Ghost Mile
LordCost: Mr Bungle – California
Kattoelox: Kings of Leon – _o_e Aro___ S___o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
Puppies on Acid: Enslaved – RIITIIR
Parama: Eidola – Degeneraterra
?: Little Tybee – Little Tybee
Guessed letters: ATGOLKSEHR
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I'm too lazy to look up who is still in and hasn't been guessed other than me :lol
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jingly
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New World Shadows
Love Around ???
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New World Shadows
Love Around ???
No love.
Luoto: Omnium Gatherum – New World Shadows
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
?: Alithia – To the Edge of Time
Lethean: Voyager – Ghost Mile
LordCost: Mr Bungle – California
Kattoelox: Kings of Leon – _o_e Around S___o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
Puppies on Acid: Enslaved – RIITIIR
Parama: Eidola – Degeneraterra
?: Little Tybee – Little Tybee
Guessed letters: ATGOLKSEHR
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I'm too lazy to look up who is still in and hasn't been guessed other than me :lol
You sent Little Tybee.
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I guess jingle sent Alithia :corn
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Mr. Bungle?? Mr. Bungle?? Shit..
Saw them live back a couple of times back in the early 90's. Fucking strange.
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I guess jingle sent Alithia :corn
How did you work that out?!
Luoto: Omnium Gatherum – New World Shadows
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
Jingle.boy: Alithia – To the Edge of Time
Lethean: Voyager – Ghost Mile
LordCost: Mr Bungle – California
Kattoelox: Kings of Leon – _o_e Around S___o__
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
Puppies on Acid: Enslaved – RIITIIR
Parama: Eidola – Degeneraterra
Train of Naught: Little Tybee – Little Tybee
Guessed letters: ATGOLKSEHR
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Kings of Leon is Come Around Sundown
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puppies sent my favorite enslaved album so i expect a 6/10
tac probably deserves to outscore me but we'll see
everything else i know and am not commenting on i find meh, but i'm not gonna list out which ones :corn
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puppies sent my favorite enslaved album so i expect a 6/10
The Parama curse rears it's ugly head again.... :biggrin:
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to be fair i only have 4 enslaved albums and they have like what 15
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to be fair i only have 4 enslaved albums and they have like what 15
14, but who's counting?....You really need to get on getting the rest of their albums. I'm assuming you have their 4 most recent albums? If that's the case just work your way backwards until you find an album you don't like and just stop there. Knowing your tastes (or not considering my poor showing in your roulette), you will probably enjoy most of their stuff all the way back through Blodhemn, possibly even Eld. The first track on Eld is EPIC!
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nah what i have is kinda arbtrary, i have below the lights, axioma, riitiir, and E, i need to check out in times sometime tho
axioma is probably my least fav of the four but it's solid nonetheless
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tac probably deserves to outscore me but we'll see
You misspelled train of naught
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i know literally nothing about the album you sent so i cannot weigh in on that :corn
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Mr Bungle - California sent by LordCost almost certainly
This is an amazing album. I wonder how it will do in this roulette, but if it does well, I'll be kicking myself for not sending it. Top 10 of all time for me, without a doubt.
I don't know if it's top 10 for me too, but it's certainly close. I had few doubts on Rishloo's album and California, but from the next round I won't be so confident.
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Kings of Leon is Come Around Sundown
Manic day so hadn't checked in, but well done on completing hangmang!
Luoto: Omnium Gatherum – New World Shadows
TAC: Structural Disorder – ...and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene
Jingle.boy: Alithia – To the Edge of Time
Lethean: Voyager – Ghost Mile
LordCost: Mr Bungle – California
Kattoelox: Kings of Leon – Come Around Sundown
Sacul: Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring
twosuitsluke: The Ongoing Concept – Handmade
Puppies on Acid: Enslaved – RIITIIR
Parama: Eidola – Degeneraterra
Train of Naught: Little Tybee – Little Tybee
Guessed letters: ATGOLKSEHR
Have given everything a first listen, though during some I was a bit distracted by work. But yeah, really interesting round. A lot of the albums have a lot going on and are a bit much to take everything in on first listen. Which is exciting but also means it's harder to know what I think about a lot of them until further listens. Might need more than 3 listens for a lot of these. My feeling right now is that this is a very strong round.
I'll try and write up first impressions this evening but might be tomorrow! (EDIT: actually I've written most of them, so I'll put up around half now in a random order)
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impress my firsts :corn
-
Round Two first impressions, part 1 of 2
#1 Nice album, lots of different ideas and things going on. Going to take more listens.
#2 Sounded quite exciting but has the potential to feel like it jumps around too much, like Lor did last round. Time will tell.
#3 Not what I was expecting at all, but this was very enjoyable in a lot of ways. Another one where there’s lots to take in.
#4 I’ve heard some of their songs before but never a whole album. It’s nice. Surprised at how much it sounds like a particular other band at times, particularly in the vocals.
#5 Nice album, not what I was expecting. Reminiscent of some other bands I quite like but still sounds fairly unique.
#6 Some very cool stuff here. Yet another where there's a lot to take in. Going to take more listens.
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*If* Alithia is in this batch...
I'll take "not what I was expecting" for $500, Alex.
Of course, if that's for the judgment against what I would normally send. If it's for the judgment of how I described it, I'm more apt to be 'lots to take in'.
Daily double on #3 - not what I was expecting AND a lot to take in!
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I could see #5 being mine
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Round Two first impressions, part 1 of 2
#1 Nice album, lots of different ideas and things going on. Going to take more listens.
#2 Sounded quite exciting but has the potential to feel like it jumps around too much, like Lor did last round. Time will tell.
#3 Not what I was expecting at all, but this was very enjoyable in a lot of ways. Another one where there’s lots to take in.
#4 I’ve heard some of their songs before but never a whole album. It’s nice. Surprised at how much it sounds like a particular other band at times, particularly in the vocals.
#5 Nice album, not what I was expecting. Reminiscent of some other bands I quite like but still sounds fairly unique.
#6 Some very cool stuff here. Yet another where there's a lot to take in. Going to take more listens.
Round Two first impressions, part 2 of 2
#7 Feels like a band I should have checked out before. Some really great stuff. Not sure about the vocals yet.
#8 Another band I'm surprised I haven't checked out before. Love the vocal style. Loads to like about this.
#9 I can see why you like this so much, but I wasn't entirely convinced by my first listen.
#10 Been craving more music in this style, which I don't have too much of. Not sure it’s quite up to my favourites in the genre but it still sounds pretty great so far.
#11 Guess what… lots to take in! Which I expected, but there's definitely a lot of good stuff on here.
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Also interesting breakdown of when the 11 albums were released.
1980s: 1
1990s: 1
2000s: 0
2010s: 9
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#7 is another one that could fit, tends to be a typical first reaction to the vocals :P
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Mine it's one of the group "lot's to take in" for sure.
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A couple of people have commented in here, and in PMs when submitting albums, about my favourite albums on RYM, so I just thought I'd provide a note on how to sensibly interpret my RYM ratings if people are using that as a guide.
Essentially everything 4 stars and above I consider to be excellent. Within that, the stuff that I rate even higher (4.5-5 stars) is pretty random and really just comes down to how much it really grabs me, but that almost always comes after many listens (or if I'm already very familiar with an artist). With completely new stuff, I rarely commit to a 4.5 star rating (and pretty much never a 5 star rating) after only a few listens. So if you're trying to judge what I might like a lot, taking in everything 4 stars and up is a good starting point, and higher ratings can of course be considered but may not be as reliable (to the extent that anything is very reliable, which is not much).
Stuff I rate 3.5 stars I still consider very good, but there's normally something about it that I find slightly lacking for whatever reason. Even more so for 3 stars which is basically "good enough but not very exciting". 2.5 stars and lower is basically the range where I'd probably never bother to listen to it again.
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I have no idea which one is mine. :)
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I have no idea which one is mine. :)
All of them. :)
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I've figured out the best way to get my head around these albums and immerse myself in them is focus on just two or three at a time (after the first impressions that is). So results will be frequent but small. Here's a start!
Round Two results, 2/11
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Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring (1986), submitted by Sacul
First impression: Another band I'm surprised I haven't checked out before. Love the vocal style. Loads to like about this.
Final opinion: Like Toto in round 1, this is a classic band from the 80s that I should clearly have checked out sooner, and who don’t sound quite like I expected them to. I’ve listened to the remaster on Spotify, and the album has such a great sound and vibe, helped immensely by the really warm vocal style that adds a lot of charm. Favourites songs are definitely the upbeat ones with a bit of soul to them - Life’s What You Make It, Living In Another World and Give It Up. The album ends on a slightly odd note, the last two tracks are definitely a bit more moody and I’m not sure I hugely dig the change of tone (or maybe I just find the songs less interesting, I dunno). But overall this is a great album and the sound on the remaster is for the most part gorgeous.
Score: 8.0
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Omnium Gatherum – New World Shadows (2011), submitted by Luoto
First impression: Been craving more music in this style, which I don't have too much of. Not sure it’s quite up to my favourites in the genre but it still sounds pretty great so far.
Final opinion: I’ve been a big Amorphis fan for years, but I didn’t properly know anything else on the atmospheric side of melodic death metal until Ruslan sent me Insomnium in my last roulette. They’ve quickly become a favourite, and I occasionally get cravings for more music in that broad style, but never really looked into any other bands. So thank you for introducing me to another! I’m not entirely sold on the vocals, he has quite a weird style that works at times but feels a bit awkward at others. So that holds it back a little. Plus the production isn’t the strongest (possibly affecting the vocal sound), although I understand this was their breakthrough album so I appreciate they may have developed in that regard since. But a lot of the music is gloriously melodic and atmospheric, as works so well in the genre, and there are some superb moments. I’m glad there are also some clean vocal sections, as I really do think they add so much to this style of music. So a very strong album and definitely enough to make me want to check out more of their output.
Score: 8.0
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Ranking so far
1 Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 = 16.5
2 Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 = 15.5
-----------------------------------------
? Parama = 8.5 + ? = ?
? Katt = 8.0 + ? = ?
? Lethean = 8.0 + ? = ?
? LordCost = 8.0 + ? = ?
? Train = 8.0 + ? = ?
? Jingle* = 7.5 + ? = ?
? Puppies* = 7.5 + ? = ?
? Luke* = 7.5 + ? = ?
? TAC* = 7.5 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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Hell yeah :2metal:
Chameleon Day is kind of a dud to me, but Time It's Time is a wonderful emotional closer, hope it will grow on you one day ;D . And the remaster is fantastic indeed.
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Yeah Time It's Time is definitely a nice song in itself, just something about it jarrs a little tonally with most of the album. For sure that might change in future though. Agree Chameleon Day is a bit nothingy. But yeah really good album overall, thanks for making sure I checked them out!
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Plus the production isn’t the strongest (possibly affecting the vocal sound), although I understand this was their breakthrough album so I appreciate they may have developed in that regard since.
It's "mixtered" by Dan Swanö (who lends some of his vocals on a couple songs too) so it's definitely not down to lack of experience, probably more of a matter of taste. They'll have a new album out in a couple of weeks so good times :corn
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That makes a lot of sense, I like Swanö's music and voice more than his producing, which isn't bad at all but I never love (it works best in Nightingale, IMO). So yeah maybe something about artistic choices. But still, I dig the album a lot. :tup
I also note you've stuck with the atmospheric Scandinavian metal so far. :lol
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mastered is different from the production or mixing. if the audio quality of the base recording blows, you can't fix that. if the mix level sucks, mastering won't fix that. i've seen at least a few other examples of swano mastering stuff & it still sounds like crap but it isn't really his fault
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Indeed. From Luoto's use of the word "mixtered" I assume Swanö did both.
Some more results in a few hours I think, but I will just say that this is shaping up to be a very strong round. Contender for the most consistently strong roulette round I've ever done, especially considering the number of submissions.
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Some more results in a few hours I think
I've finished all my tasks for the day, I'm just sat in my hammock getting fat on :corn now.
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result me into dust :corn
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Be the :corn to my :corn :corn
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Some more results in a few hours I think, but I will just say that this is shaping up to be a very strong round. Contender for the most consistently strong roulette round I've ever done, especially considering the number of submissions.
I'm hopeful that those of us on probation haven't violated any of the terms. Actually, just me. I don't care about the others. :lol
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I'm quite pleased with this probation approach, as it means I'm not required to eliminate someone each round, but there's also a bit of suspense still because I MIGHT IF YOU DISPLEASE ME.
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Round Two results, 5/11
Results 1-2 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2465172#msg2465172
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The Ongoing Concept – Handmade (2015), submitted by Luke
First impression: Not what I was expecting at all, but this was very enjoyable in a lot of ways. Another one where there’s lots to take in.
Final opinion: What an absolute blast. To be honest there’s very little metalcore I particularly like, but there’s just such a sense of fun, energy and groove in this album and enough melody to make it hugely enjoyable. It’s also super short which helps stop it from getting too much. And of course the fact that they made all the instruments they used on the album is very impressive (right down to chopping wood for the drums, apparently). For my first listen I knew nothing about them except your explanation of the handmade instruments, and seeing the album cover. From those, I was expecting some sort of indie folk or something like that. I couldn’t really have been more wrong, really (with the exception of the first half of Melody, which is definitely closer to what I was anticipating).
Score: 8.5
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Voyager – Ghost Mile (2017), submitted by Lethean
First impression: Sounded quite exciting but has the potential to feel like it jumps around too much, like Lor did last round. Time will tell.
Final opinion: This is really nice, tight, punchy, djenty prog metal, and it gets better with each listen. Unusual vocal style - quite poppy and indie at times and others sounding more like Warrell Dane from Nevermore - but even though it's often pretty far removed stylistically from the music it works surprisingly well. On further listens it doesn't jump around as much as it felt it did on first listen. There are some absolutely cracking tunes, and moments of really cool and original instrumentation. My favourite parts tend to be when they do something unusual. What a Wonderful Day is a particular highlight, fusing elements of metal, musical theatre and more into something quite dark and quirky. Excellent album.
Score: 8.5
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Structural Disorder – ... and the Cage Crumbles in the Final Scene (2018), submitted by TAC
First impression: I can see why you like this so much, but I wasn't entirely convinced by my first listen.
Final opinion: Holy Haken! I mean, the overall sound ends up pretty distinct thanks largely to a very different type of singer (and of course far more use of growls), but damn if some of the riffs and instrumentals aren't very clearly Haken inspired. Which is cool - as you know, I absolutely love Haken - and so in some ways this album speaks to me rather well. But at the same time, it often feels like an inferior version. There's a certain charm that Haken has, particularly in the vocal melodies and overall sound design, but this album lacks for the most part. Still, there's some very tasty stuff, and I think the album is at its best when doing something a bit different, like the unusual use of accordion which adds a quirky bit of character. So I do wonder if they'd benefit from distinguishing themselves a bit more from their influences.
Score: 7.5
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Ranking so far
1= Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 = 16.5
1= Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 = 16.5
3 Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 = 16.0
4 Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 = 15.5
5 TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 = 15.0
-----------------------------------------
? Parama = 8.5 + ? = ?
? Katt = 8.0 + ? = ?
? LordCost = 8.0 + ? = ?
? Train = 8.0 + ? = ?
? Jingle* = 7.5 + ? = ?
? Puppies* = 7.5 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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Hell yeah! Basically everything you like about the album is what I like about it. I discovered them in an issue of Metal Hammer back in 2015. I was intrigued by the idea of a band making all their instruments and was pleasantly surprised by how the album actually sounded. It has such an energy to it and it's definitely 'fun'. It's easily my favourite of their 3 albums and I think I'll just have to go listen to it now :lol
I think Amends scored me my highest score in Parama's roulette as well, he loved it!
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Awesome. :metal
Ghost Mile is fantastic and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. One of my favorite albums from last year and it really does get better with each listen.
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I thought Ghost Mile was rather boring and never listened to it again after the first time :|
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I thought Ghost Mile was rather boring and never listened to it again after the first time :|
Maybe now's the time to spin it again? :)
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I was very shocked at how much I disliked Ghost Mile, because Misery Is Only Company was soo good. I was hoping the album would live up to it but I just ended up disliking almost all of the vocals on the record.
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I was very shocked at how much I disliked Ghost Mile, because Misery Is Only Company was soo good. I was hoping the album would live up to it but I just ended up disliking almost all of the vocals on the record.
That seems weird. He doesn't really sound different from that song to the others, at least I don't think.
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Ghost Mile I've tried to listen through several times yet I don't remember a single second off it, ohwell
I don't hear any Haken at all in structural disorder tbh but fair
:corn for my results plz
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7.5, likely a probation violation.
Oh well, sent two of my favorite albums from each of the last couple of years. I don’t not know ariich or anything at all about his taste in music. But I’m pretty sure it’s not aligned with mine so I picked a couple of quirky albums that I love.
That was fun! ;D
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I was very shocked at how much I disliked Ghost Mile, because Misery Is Only Company was soo good. I was hoping the album would live up to it but I just ended up disliking almost all of the vocals on the record.
I knoe man! I loved Misery Is Only Company and was really looking forward to the album based on that track alone, which seemed lik a step in a good direction (even though I love Univers as well). I sent that track in roulettes as well and probably introduced some people to the band with that song, but man the final album was disappointing. I seriously don’t get why people rave about it, but I suppose I could give it another try!
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I don't hear any Haken at all in structural disorder
Seriously? I mean there are a whole bunch of Haken-esque moments, especially in The Fool Who Would Be King, but some stand out more than others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsVOdgVUpDA&feature=youtu.be&t=295
7.5, likely a probation violation.
For this round at least, 7.5 does not violate probation. You've sent two fun albums that although I haven't loved, I've enjoyed a lot, and I want to see what else you have for me!
I was very shocked at how much I disliked Ghost Mile, because Misery Is Only Company was soo good. I was hoping the album would live up to it but I just ended up disliking almost all of the vocals on the record.
I knoe man! I loved Misery Is Only Company and was really looking forward to the album based on that track alone, which seemed lik a step in a good direction (even though I love Univers as well). I sent that track in roulettes as well and probably introduced some people to the band with that song, but man the final album was disappointing. I seriously don’t get why people rave about it, but I suppose I could give it another try!
Misery Is Only Company isn't even the best song, but tastes obviously. I have no prior knowledge of Voyager so was listening to the album in isolation, and it took a few listens but I think it's awesome.
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Elite and Train are doing so well in my roulette but I bet I wouldn't do so well in theirs...
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You should've played in mine :corn
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Maybe next time; not sure how much I'd have that you'd like though; or that you haven't heard.
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Elite and Train are doing so well in my roulette but I bet I wouldn't do so well in theirs...
Mine is 'ongoing' at this moment (that is; we're in the final round), so you can have a look at what has been sent there. I don't think I'll do another one for some time though after this one has finished, but you're free to give it a shot if I ever sign up to do one again.
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Got me nervous, I hope KoL went over well. Based on what you sent me in my roulette I figured it's a safer choice than in most roulettes, but who knows. I love the vibe of that album.
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Hey... great to see Ghost Mile was well received. Voyager rules. I still can't decide if I like it more than V or not. Meaning of I is the best imo, with those two right behind it.
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Well, guess what. I listened to Ghost Mile this morning and it was .. actually quite enjoyable. I must say I was doing other stuff at the same time, so I didn’t have my *full* attention on the music, but what I heard was better than I remembered it being.
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:biggrin:
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Voyager still sucks.
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Voyager rules. :metal
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Voyager still sucks.
(https://i.imgur.com/cCIxB1i.gif)
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New result.
No points for Jingle!
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Voyager still sucks.
(https://i.imgur.com/cCIxB1i.gif)
Says the guy who loathes Threshold.
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That is completely inaccurate. I only loathe 6 of their albums. :lol
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Voyager still sucks.
:tup
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Voyager still sucks.
(https://i.imgur.com/cCIxB1i.gif)
Says the guy who loathes Threshold.
I can see how you might not pay attention to his thoughts on Voyager as a result. But I love Threshold. And Voyager still rules. :)
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Ok, something is clearly amiss if I'm in agreement with Lucas on ANYTHING musically. :lol
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I'm beginning to fear that my album did not do so hot. Give me my bad score (https://i.imgur.com/wHa3dNC.gif)
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Ok, something is clearly amiss if I'm in agreement with Lucas on ANYTHING musically. :lol
Sounds like you need to revisit them... :)
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Ok, something is clearly amiss if I'm in agreement with Lucas on ANYTHING musically. :lol
Sounds like you need to revisit them... :)
Sounds like you're volunteering to submit them?
(https://replygif.net/i/503.gif)
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I may, but not in the next round. What have you heard?
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Threshold is boring :biggrin:
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It's OK to be wrong sometimes.
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Threshold is boring :biggrin:
Thank god I'm not alone :lol
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Threshold is boring :biggrin:
Thank god I'm not alone :lol
:tup
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Actually, every album ever made sucks. The only exception of course being Odyssey to the West.
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Threshold is boring :biggrin:
Thank god I'm not alone :lol
Says the guy who loves one of their least interesting albums.
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Actually, every album ever made sucks. The only exception of course being Odyssey to the West.
Send this to ariich
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Odyssey to the West is quite good. The Lantern is a killer track.
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Actually, every album ever made sucks. The only exception of course being Odyssey to the West.
Send this to ariich
I'm not extremely confident sending +- 80 minute albums however much I love them. Maybe if I have nothing to lose anymore
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Threshold is boring :biggrin:
Thank god I'm not alone :lol
Says the guy who loves one of their least interesting albums.
Dead Reckoning has two of their very best songs. I'm still disappointed after going through all their albums that there isn't anything quite as compelling as those two, for my tastes. You can't say I didn't try! :) :) edited for politeness out of respect for the fans.
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Oh go on, have a couple more. I was hoping to post three but I can't make up my mind on the rating of the third (but which could it be?!), so that's going to need another listen and be posted (probably along with at least one more) tomorrow.
Round Two results, 7/11
Results 1-2 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2465172#msg2465172
Results 3-5 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2465349#msg2465349
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Enslaved – RIITIIR (2012), submitted by Puppies
First impression: Feels like a band I should have checked out before. Some really great stuff. Not sure about the vocals yet.
Final opinion: Now that I’m checking out genre definitions on RYM of all these submissions, I’m finally understanding some definitions I’ve never really paid attention to before, like the difference between black metal and death metal. And I now realise I have very little black metal that I’ve liked in the past, but well done on finding a band that is largely black metal based but that I really dig. To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of the more raspy vocals although they do work at times, particularly in the more atmospheric moments. But Enslaved use a good variety of vocal styles, including more guttural growls as well as some rich clean vocals, and so it’s all pretty well balanced and keeps things interesting. Same with the instrumentation. There’s a lot of very cool music on this album, even the less interesting tracks are decent and are anyway outweighed by the good stuff. I’m not sure how often I’ll want to listen to this in future, but I like it and it fills a niche that nothing else I listen to fills.
Score: 8.0
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Little Tybee – Little Tybee (2016), submitted by Train
First impression: Nice album, not what I was expecting. Reminiscent of some other bands I quite like but still sounds fairly unique.
Final opinion: What a lovely album. Really nice indie folk with clear proggy influences. Reminds me quite a bit of The River Empires in that regard and even sounds a little like them on occasion, but at other times sounds more like artists such as Kings of Convenience and Joanna Newsom. There are definitely some tracks that feel a bit filler to me, but even those are perfectly pleasant and enjoyable. But the highlights are great. You’d mentioned More Like Jason in your submission, and I wasn’t really paying attention to individual songs but on my first two listens found myself loving one section, and indeed it turned out to be the jam at the end of that song. The album is a real grower too, further listens really bring out how surprisingly intricate a lot of the instrumentation is, which isn’t immediately obvious because of how cute it all sounds. So a pretty inspired pick really.
Score: 8.5
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Ranking so far
1= Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 = 16.5
1= Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 = 16.5
1= Train = 8.0 + 8.5 = 16.5
4 Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 = 16.0
5= Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 = 15.5
5= Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 = 15.5
7 TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 = 15.0
-----------------------------------------
? Parama = 8.5 + ? = ?
? Katt = 8.0 + ? = ?
? LordCost = 8.0 + ? = ?
? Jingle* = 7.5 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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Which tidbits are still left anyways, I wanna know how screwed I am :corn
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Which tidbits are still left anyways, I wanna know how screwed I am :corn
Unsurprisingly it's mostly the ones I identified as needing more listens, so that probably isn't very helpful. :lol
#1 Nice album, lots of different ideas and things going on. Going to take more listens.
#4 I’ve heard some of their songs before but never a whole album. It’s nice. Surprised at how much it sounds like a particular other band at times, particularly in the vocals.
#6 Some very cool stuff here. Yet another where there's a lot to take in. Going to take more listens.
#11 Guess what… lots to take in! Which I expected, but there's definitely a lot of good stuff on here.
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Yesss, I've been spinning the album a lot more lately as well. I found that it gets a bit weaker near the end but like you said, even the weaker stuff is very pleasant to listen to so not jarring at all. (by the way my score should be .5 higher :tup)
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Yesss, I've been spinning the album a lot more lately as well. I found that it gets a bit weaker near the end but like you said, even the weaker stuff is very pleasant to listen to so not jarring at all. (by the way my score should be .5 higher :tup)
It was .5 lower until the final listen, so less of that cheek. :P
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Oh no I mean it literally should be .5 higher on the scoreboard because it says I have scored 8.0 instead of 8.5 :lol I'm extremely happy with the score man
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They all sound pretty positive though :tup
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Oh no I mean it literally should be .5 higher on the scoreboard because it says I have scored 8.0 instead of 8.5 :lol I'm extremely happy with the score man
I've no idea what you're talking about. :angel:
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At this point I'm almost certain mine is #4, as listed in the above selection... It's certainly not 'a lot to take in' I don't think, nor is there an eclectic mix of styles or complicated music, and is almost certainly a band you've heard a song or two from before, so yeah. "It's nice" makes me hope for at least a 7.5 which is what I predict it will get. Fingers crossed.
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Waiting to be the first 9 :corn
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Mine is certainly not #4, since ariich has already rated the Mr Bungle self-titled on RYM with 3 stars. It seems California is going to receive at least an higher rating :)
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Um..ariich, I'm still last. Please fix this! ;D
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Um..ariich, I'm still last. Please fix this! ;D
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrspq51K381qa3oupo1_400.gif)
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:corn
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Here's two more, these were really difficult to rate. Last two hopefully tomorrow!
Round Two results, 9/11
Results 1-2 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2465172#msg2465172
Results 3-5 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2465349#msg2465349
Results 6-7 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2465862#msg2465862
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Kings of Leon – Come Around Sundown (2010), submitted by Katt
First impression: I’ve heard some of their songs before but never a whole album. It’s nice. Surprised at how much it sounds like a particular other band at times, particularly in the vocals.
Final opinion: This is the album I've been struggling a bit to rate. It's really nice music and I like it a lot, and I feel silly for never giving them a proper listen before. Partly due to the vocals, there are quite a few moments that sound like a much lighter Thrice, which really surprised me. What I've struggled to decide is to what extent I think it's just really nice or whether I like it more than that. My favourite songs are definitely those that are more serious and soulful - the album starts and ends brilliantly, for example, and there are other highlights. But there are also quite a few in a more laid back style that are perfectly pleasant but not especially interesting (Back Down South and Beach Side particularly come to mind). On balance, it doesn't excite me enough to quite make the 4 star mark, but it's a very solid 7.5.
Score: 7.5
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Eidola – Degeneraterra (2015), submitted by Parama
First impression: Some very cool stuff here. Yet another where there's a lot to take in. Going to take more listens.
Final opinion: So yeah it was a pretty safe bet that I’d like this quite a lot, and I do, though not quite as much as the Odd Palace album. I can definitely see that this is your kind of post-hardcore - technical and proggy but also raw and a little rough around the edges, and it’s really enjoyable and exciting for all those reasons. Instrumentally it has a bit in common with Closure in Moscow (plus a moth image on the artwork and a song called First Temple, which is kinda weird) and the playing is similarly excellent. I think my rating would have been higher (and I thought it might be after my first listen) if the vocal lines did more for me. Some of them are really good - Humble Ledger was an early favourite and it remains so - but a lot of them just don’t have the hooks to really grab me. Not enough of an issue to stop this still being a really great album, but enough to stop it being an amazing one.
Score: 8.0
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Ranking so far
1= Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 = 16.5
1= Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 = 16.5
1= Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 = 16.5
1= Train = 8.0 + 8.5 = 16.5
5 Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 = 16.0
6= Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 = 15.5
6= Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 = 15.5
6= Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 = 15.5
9 TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 = 15.0
-----------------------------------------
? LordCost = 8.0 + ? = ?
? Jingle* = 7.5 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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Totally fair assessment as even to this day I still mix up Beach Side, Pony Up, and No Money with each other. What did you think about the song The Face? That's my favorite on the album, like you my favorites are the serious and soulful ones. Really happy you liked that - it's a top 10 all time album for me.
Gotta do better next round though :)
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darn, this 4-way tie :lol
I'm gonna send something different next round but I need to figure out what
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What did you think about the song The Face?
The Face is great. My other fave (apart from the opener and closer) is The Immortals, such a warm chorus!
darn, this 4-way tie :lol
Yeah it's close at the top. :lol
I mean, only those who scored 7.5 or more made it to round 2, but I didn't expect quite such a consistently strong round.
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Yeah it's close at the top. :lol
I mean, only those who scored 7.5 or more made it to round 2, but I didn't expect quite such a consistently strong round.
We aim to please.... :biggrin:
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Humble Ledger is their best song but Parama hates it :metalcorn: :metal :corn
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i don't hate it but i don't think it's the best song either :P
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Yesterday I had slow internet connection, it took me 5 minutes to open the thread with results, and then my result was not even published :sad:
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Yesterday I had slow internet connection, it took me 5 minutes to open the thread with results, and then my result was not even published :sad:
:sadpanda:
Sorry about that. Results this morning, just having a final listen to the last two albums - hopefully you'll be able to load them up quickly this time!
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(https://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lufhslz8R41qgixe3.gif)
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Yes, I got 1 Gb more of internet. I'll read the results tonight, no problem
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Let's put you both out of your misery. ;)
Round Two final results
Results 1-2 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2465172#msg2465172
Results 3-5 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2465349#msg2465349
Results 6-7 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2465862#msg2465862
Results 8-9 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2466203#msg2466203
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Alithia – To the Edge of Time (2014), submitted by Jingle
First impression: Nice album, lots of different ideas and things going on. Going to take more listens.
Final opinion: To be honest, part-way through the first track, I did wonder if this was going to be another solid-enough-but-not-hugely-exciting album, but as the album goes on it goes in all sorts of interesting and surprising directions. The production isn’t especially strong at times, and which affected the start of my first impression (particularly that guitar lead early on, which sounds slightly amateurish), but across the album overall it works for some reason and creates a gorgeous atmosphere throughout. Just goes to show that although certain things tend to speak to me, like strong production, there are no hard and fast rules. Even though it covers a lot of different moods and styles, there’s something about the vibe that’s quite consistent. Not everything is great, but there’s so much good stuff that it’s a strong album overall. It’s a strange submission really - it’s not a style that’s prevalent in either of our listening habits - but a successful one. Also, between this and the last roulette, your score has increased with every submission. I wonder how long you can keep it up (giggity).
Score: 8.0
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Mr. Bungle – California (1999), submitted by LordCost
First impression: Guess what… lots to take in! Which I expected, but there's definitely a lot of good stuff on here.
Final opinion: Lots of cool stuff, and this is definitely a big improvement over their debut. In fact, this might edge out Angel Dust as my favourite Mike Patton album. I dig the quirkiness of it, which isn’t as off-the-wall as some of the stuff on the debut (from what I remember anyway) but is genuinely entertaining. And it’s nicely balanced with some more straightforward tunes, some of which are absolutely cracking (Retrovertigo especially, but Pink Cigarette has a real charm as well). As with everything of Patton’s though, there’s stuff that just doesn’t quite work so well for me. I apparently don’t love Ars Moriendi as much as you - about half of it is so damn cool, but overall it’s just a bit too bonkers for me I think. Even some of the songs that start really well just seem to go on too long doing the same thing. So yeah, a really enjoyable album overall, but doesn’t do it for me consistently enough to reach that coveted 8/10 rating.
Score: 7.5
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Ranking after round 2
1= Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 = 16.5
1= Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 = 16.5
1= Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 = 16.5
1= Train = 8.0 + 8.5 = 16.5
5 Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 = 16.0
6= Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 = 15.5
6= LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 = 15.5
6= Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 = 15.5
6= Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 = 15.5
6= Jingle* = 7.5 + 8.0 = 15.5
9 TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 = 15.0
*on probation until round five
Everyone remains in round 3, so get submitting!
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California should be 9.5/10 :biggrin:
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Giggity is right.
Sent.
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Sent something fun and energetic. :biggrin:
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Sent something that would be very un-British for Rich to crap on.
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Not planning to play it safe in this roulette so going with the album that I would send in no other roulette (except maybe if cramx3 did one?). We'll see how this pans out.
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Sent my next 7.5.
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California should be 9.5/10 :biggrin:
Says the guy who didn't reach round 2 this time. :P
Not planning to play it safe in this roulette so going with the album that I would send in no other roulette (except maybe if cramx3 did one?). We'll see how this pans out.
Curious to see what this is now.
Sent my next 7.5.
:lol
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Sent an album about love, life, London and standing up for what you believe in!
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I made possibly my dirtiest move ever in a Roulette.
:burns:
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I made possibly my dirtiest move ever in a Roulette.
I love that Cardiacs album!
Not planning to play it safe in this roulette so going with the album that I would send in no other roulette (except maybe if cramx3 did one?). We'll see how this pans out.
Curious to see what this is now.
Ska punk
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Sent an album about love, life, London and standing up for what you believe in!
I love The Clash
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Ska punk
Guess again :hat
I love The Clash
I really don't!
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Ska punk
Guess again :hat
According to RYM:
Genres
Punk Rock, Ska
:lol
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I have an album to send that I don't think I would send in any other roulette. Except maaaaaybe Parama's? I have no idea how this will turn out. :| You know what they say, no risk no reward.
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Ska punk
Guess again :hat
According to RYM:
Genres
Punk Rock, Ska
:lol
They're part of the punk scene, some of their songs have ska elements but they are in no way a ska punk band. It's more folk punk (which is why I sent them to you) with ska elements in the odd song. You'll see what I mean when you listen.
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I have an album to send that I don't think I would send in any other roulette.
I'm genuinely thrilled that people are doing this. Keep it up!
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Round 3 results:
I appreciate all of you trying to push me out of my comfort zone but you all tanked hard and sent nothing but crap 4/10
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Meanwhile, in paramaland...
This sounds like a combination that might speak to me pretty well. Look forward to it!
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California should be 9.5/10 :biggrin:
Says the guy who didn't reach round 2 this time. :P
While that may be so, California is still brilliant.
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8 out of 11 submissions in already.
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Ready for my 7.5 this round
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I made possibly my dirtiest move ever in a Roulette.
I love that Cardiacs album!
I was just thinking about sending a Cardiacs album this round..
Have you thought about sending Guns while you were reading jingle's post? :huh:
My next submission instead is about one of your bands Train, but I made it for real ;D
During last two weeks I'm listening to the album I have submitted and to Artificial Language, and they're both nice new discoveries.
As for California, I hoped for an even higher score,but it's still fine. I also prefer the first half of Ars Moriendi to the second one, and maybe Golem II is another one that start to bore me as it goes by. But both these two and the other songs of the album are such a strong display of creativity, songwriting and sense of melody combined together that I find it not right to talk bad about them.
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Ready for my 7.5 this round
Um...not MY 7.5 you don't!
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relax, it just means you'll get a 7.0 instead
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(https://i.imgflip.com/109uyt.jpg)
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Guess who's last.
Last again.
Sacul's last.
Tell a friend.
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dacul my dude
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(https://i.giphy.com/media/wIxBzHWegpOUM/giphy.webp)
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As for California, I hoped for an even higher score,but it's still fine. I also prefer the first half of Ars Moriendi to the second one, and maybe Golem II is another one that start to bore me as it goes by. But both these two and the other songs of the album are such a strong display of creativity, songwriting and sense of melody combined together that I find it not right to talk bad about them.
I once had the idea of creating a thread that literally no-one would be interested in, namely my personal top 30 Mr. Bungle songs. I actually made the list about half a year ago, which wasn't too difficult to do, since they have literally 32 songs on official studio records. California makes up a third of that list, wow! I also did some of the write-ups, because it was fun trying to write stuff about the songs in question, but eventually I chickened out and never posted anything on the boards, because I figured nobody would bother reading it :lol
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As for California, I hoped for an even higher score,but it's still fine. I also prefer the first half of Ars Moriendi to the second one, and maybe Golem II is another one that start to bore me as it goes by. But both these two and the other songs of the album are such a strong display of creativity, songwriting and sense of melody combined together that I find it not right to talk bad about them.
I once had the idea of creating a thread that literally no-one would be interested in, namely my personal top 30 Mr. Bungle songs. I actually made the list about half a year ago, which wasn't too difficult to do, since they have literally 32 songs on official studio records. California makes up a third of that list, wow! I also did some of the write-ups, because it was fun trying to write stuff about the songs in question, but eventually I chickened out and never posted anything on the boards, because I figured nobody would bother reading it :lol
There are a lot of things to say about each song. If you still have the writeups you can do it, you have at least 1 reader :lol
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As for California, I hoped for an even higher score,but it's still fine. I also prefer the first half of Ars Moriendi to the second one, and maybe Golem II is another one that start to bore me as it goes by. But both these two and the other songs of the album are such a strong display of creativity, songwriting and sense of melody combined together that I find it not right to talk bad about them.
I once had the idea of creating a thread that literally no-one would be interested in, namely my personal top 30 Mr. Bungle songs. I actually made the list about half a year ago, which wasn't too difficult to do, since they have literally 32 songs on official studio records. California makes up a third of that list, wow! I also did some of the write-ups, because it was fun trying to write stuff about the songs in question, but eventually I chickened out and never posted anything on the boards, because I figured nobody would bother reading it :lol
I'd follow that. Make it a general Mike Patton Top 50 recordings and I'm even loving it.
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Sent something pretty risky :corn
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HANDYMAN TIME
I'm feeling generous, so have a couple of letter guesses to start you off.
?: _____ – _____
?: _______ – __________ _______
?: ____ – _________: _ ____ ___ _______
?: ______ _____ – ___________ _____
?: ___ – ______
?: ___ _____ ___ _ – ___ _________ ___ ___ _______
?: ___ – ____ ___ ______
?: __ _______ – __ _______
?: ________ – ______
?: _____ – _____ ___
?: ___ ____ _____ – ____ ___ _____, ___ ___ ____
Guessed letters: ZQ
ariich waits a turn
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J :neverusethis:
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I want the D
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J :neverusethis:
Impressive, there are actually no Js. :lol
I want the D
Oh you. :eyebrows:
?: _____ – _____
?: ______d – __________ _______
?: ___d – _________: _ ____ ___ ____d__
?: ______ _____ – ___________ _____
?: ___ – ______
?: ___ _____ __d _ – ___ ___d_____ __d ___ _______
?: ___ – ____ ___ ______
?: __ _______ – __ _______
?: ________ – ______
?: _____ – _____ ___
?: ___ ____ _____ – ____ ___ ____d, ___ ___ ____
Guessed letters: ZQJD
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"The letters of the alphabet that are used least frequently in the English language are Q, J, Z and X. Each of these letters is used in less than one percent of English vocabulary. Of these, X is the least common letter at the beginning of words."
so :corn
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T
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A
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"The letters of the alphabet that are used least frequently in the English language are Q, J, Z and X. Each of these letters is used in less than one percent of English vocabulary. Of these, X is the least common letter at the beginning of words."
so :corn
No X. :lol
?: A____ – _____
?: ___c_ad – ___at___a_ A_t____
?: ___d – ___a_a_a_: A ____ ___ ____d__
?: A_ca__ ___t_ – ___a_c____a _____
?: ___ – C_c___
?: T__ _a_t_ a_d _ – T__ Ca_d___a_ a_d t__ C__ta__
?: A__ – ____ T__ ______
?: _t ___c__t – _t ___c__t
?: _a______ – _ac__a
?: _a_a_ – _____ _a_
?: T__ ____ _____ – _a__ T__ ____d, __t T__ ____
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC
Chad waits a turn.
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By the way I'm making good progress on my first listens, and this is proving to be a very surprising round. I'm not sure yet if it'll end up being as consistently strong, but a lot of the entries have subverted my expectations in interesting ways.
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C
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^Updated above.
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R me up inside
Also, Arcane Roots
Phi - Cycles
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:tup
?: A____ – _____
?: ___c_ad – Irrational A_t____
?: ___d – ___a_a_a_: A ____ __r _r__d__
?: Arcane Roots – ___a_c____a _____
?: Phi – Cycles
?: T__ _art_ a_d _ – T__ Ca_d___a_ a_d t__ C_rta__
?: A__ – ____ T__ __rr__
?: _t ___c__t – _t ___c__t
?: _a______ – _ac__a
?: _a_a_ – __r__ _a_
?: T__ ____ _____ – _a__ T__ __r_d, __t T__ __r_
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC R
Parama waits a turn
I'm sure you'd guessed most of it by this point last time. :P
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Word of the second album is Irrational but I got nothing else
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Yep, updated above.
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T__ _art_ a_d _
The Carts and I, sent by Kattelox.
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T__ _art_ a_d _
The Carts and I, sent by Kattelox.
Incorrect. :P
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What, was my text not green enough? :)
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T__ _art_ a_d _
The Carts and I, sent by Kattelox.
:rollin
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What, was my text not green enough? :)
It was but I figured mine might not be which was why I added the tongue smiley. :lol
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Is Arcane Roots 'my band' LordCost? :lol if so, well played. Completely forgot about them, and that's definitely an album you have to listen to in full due to all the intermission tracks.
Oh apparently Parama had not written down the album name yet, it's Melancholia Hymns
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?: A____ – _____
?: ___c_ad – Irrational A_t____
?: ___d – ___a_a_a_: A ____ __r _r__d__
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
?: Phi – Cycles
?: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
?: A__ – ____ T__ __rr__
?: _t ___c__t – _t ___c__t
?: _a______ – _ac__a
?: _a_a_ – __r__ _a_
?: T__ ____ _____ – _a__ T__ __r_d, __t T__ __r_
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC R
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Seriously though, The Earth and I - The Candleman and the Curtain.
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^ :tup
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Train I didn't write the album name because I completely forgot it even tho I listened through the album like 2-3 times :P
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T__ _art_ a_d _
The Carts and I, sent by Kattelox.
:rollin
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E
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Ok, here's your E, but I'm going to bed now so no more until morning (or possibly until the little one wakes up for a feed in the night).
?: A___e – __e__
?: ___c_ad – Irrational A_t_e__
?: _eed – _e_a_a_a_: A ____ __r _reed__
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
?: Phi – Cycles
?: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
?: A__ – ____ T_e __rr__
?: _t ___ce_t – _t ___ce_t
?: _ae_____ – _ac__a
?: _a_a_ – __r__ _a_
?: T_e ____ ___e_ – _a_e T_e __r_d, _et T_e __r_
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC RE
Katt waits One Turn.
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Need-Hegaiamas:A Song For Freedom......Evermind.
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Need-Hegaiamas:A Song For Freedom......Evermind.
I'm eliminated. :)
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The Earth and I is Parama and it's also Paramorecore
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Need-Hegaiamas:A Song For Freedom......Evermind.
I'm eliminated. :)
Dammit! :lol
That's two roulettes in a row that I attributed entries to you and you're not even playing. :facepalm:
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Lethean sent Need in my roulette so I'm guessing that's who sent it :biggrin:
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Oh yeah and Phi is Luoto
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Skyclad - Irrational Anthems
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Well done, team.
?: A___e – __e__
?: Skyclad – Irrational Anthems
Lethean: Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
Luoto: Phi – Cycles
Parama: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
?: A__ – ____ T_e __rr__
?: _t ___ce_t – _t ___ce_t
?: _ae_____ – _ac__a
?: _a_a_ – __r__ _a_
?: T_e ____ ___e_ – _a_e T_e __r_d, _et T_e __r_
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC RE
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M
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Just a couple more Ms.
?: A_ime – __em_
?: Skyclad – Irrational Anthems
Lethean: Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
Luoto: Phi – Cycles
Parama: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
?: A_I – _i__ T_e __rr__
?: _t _i_ce_t – _t _i_ce_t
?: _ae__i__ – _ac__a
?: _a_a_ – __r_i _ai
?: T_e _i__ ___e_ – _a_e T_e __r_d, _et T_e _ir_
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC REMI
I'll be getting first impressions up this evening!
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I'll take the I.
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Updated above.
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AFI - Sing the Sorrow
huh.
first artist also looks like "Anime" which is :lol
Dacul sent St. Vincent - St. Vincent which I expect to go poorly but that may be personal bias :lol
gimme S
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The King Blues - Save the World Get the Girl :corn
I'm also guessing that's Sacul
I take that back it's probably Luke
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Updates:
?: A_ime – __ems
?: Skyclad – Irrational Anthems
Lethean: Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
Luoto: Phi – Cycles
Parama: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
?: AFI – Sing The Sorrow
Sacul: St Vincent – St Vincent
?: _ae__i__ – _ac__a
?: _a_a_ – S_r_i _ai
twosuitsluke: The King Blues – Save The World, Get The Girl
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC REM IS
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Round Three first impressions
#1 A lot of this reminds me so much of another band. But it's got its own distinctive flavour and some really engaging stuff.
#2 This is very enjoyable, lots of synthy goodness and nice variety of styles.
#3 There’s a lot about this I love so far, but I’m not sure it has the hooks I feel like I want, at least on first listen. Needs more listens though.
#4 I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is nice stuff.
#5 I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is absolutely gorgeous.
#6 I was sort of expecting something less heavy, but this is solid and has quite a lot of groove.
#7 Pretty intense at times but fun and tuneful at others. Definitely entertaining.
#8 Not quite what I expected but this was enjoyable, good vibes.
#9 Some cracking tunes here, but also some slightly meh ones. Maybe they’ll grow on me.
#10 Pretty cool album, surprised at some of the feelings it evoked in me.
#11 One of the pleasant surprises of the round, I’m loving this. Great energy and atmosphere.
This round has the potential for the first 9/10 of the roulette. We'll see though.
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Train of Naught: Kauan - Sorni Nai
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:tup
?: A_ime – __ems
?: Skyclad – Irrational Anthems
Lethean: Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
Luoto: Phi – Cycles
Parama: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
?: AFI – Sing The Sorrow
Sacul: St Vincent – St Vincent
?: _ae__in_ – _ac_na
Train of Naught: Kauan – Sorni Nai
twosuitsluke: The King Blues – Save The World, Get The Girl
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC REM IS N
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N
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^^
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Kaelling?
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Round Three first impressions
#1 A lot of this reminds me so much of another band. But it's got its own distinctive flavour and some really engaging stuff.
#2 This is very enjoyable, lots of synthy goodness and nice variety of styles.
#3 There’s a lot about this I love so far, but I’m not sure it has the hooks I feel like I want, at least on first listen. Needs more listens though.
#4 I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is nice stuff.
#5 I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is absolutely gorgeous.
#6 I was sort of expecting something less heavy, but this is solid and has quite a lot of groove.
#7 Pretty intense at times but fun and tuneful at others. Definitely entertaining.
#8 Not quite what I expected but this was enjoyable, good vibes.
#9 Some cracking tunes here, but also some slightly meh ones. Maybe they’ll grow on me.
#10 Pretty cool album, surprised at some of the feelings it evoked in me.
#11 One of the pleasant surprises of the round, I’m loving this. Great energy and atmosphere.
#12 This has 7.5 written all over it.
This round has the potential for the first 9/10 of the roulette. We'll see though.
I see mine!
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Kaelling?
TAC
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Nearly there chaps.
?: A_ime – __ems
?: Skyclad – Irrational Anthems
Lethean: Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
Luoto: Phi – Cycles
Parama: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
?: AFI – Sing The Sorrow
Sacul: St Vincent – St Vincent
TAC: Kælling – _ac_na
Train of Naught: Kauan – Sorni Nai
twosuitsluke: The King Blues – Save The World, Get The Girl
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC REM IS N
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It's Abime, is it not?
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Correct.
Just two albums and three senders to go.
Also this is another strong round, but possibly with a slightly bigger spread of scores.
?: Ábime – __ems
?: Skyclad – Irrational Anthems
Lethean: Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
Luoto: Phi – Cycles
Parama: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
?: AFI – Sing The Sorrow
Sacul: St Vincent – St Vincent
TAC: Kælling – _ac_na
Train of Naught: Kauan – Sorni Nai
twosuitsluke: The King Blues – Save The World, Get The Girl
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC REM IS N
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TAC's is naturally Lacuna.
The other one is Poems
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Round Three first impressions
#3 There’s a lot about this I love so far, but I’m not sure it has the hooks I feel like I want, at least on first listen. Needs more listens though.
#8 Not quite what I expected but this was enjoyable, good vibes.
#9 Some cracking tunes here, but also some slightly meh ones. Maybe they’ll grow on me.
#10 Pretty cool album, surprised at some of the feelings it evoked in me.
#11 One of the pleasant surprises of the round, I’m loving this. Great energy and atmosphere.
Probably one of these, and hopefully one of the positive ones :corn
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Round Three first impressions
#6 I was sort of expecting something less heavy, but this is solid and has quite a lot of groove.
#7 Pretty intense at times but fun and tuneful at others. Definitely entertaining.
#9 Some cracking tunes here, but also some slightly meh ones. Maybe they’ll grow on me.
Are the ones *I* think are most applicable to mine - #6 if I had to put money on it.
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One of you picked a selection that includes your album, the other didn't.
And that's all albums done, just thee unidentified senders.
?: Ábime – Poems
?: Skyclad – Irrational Anthems
Lethean: Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
Luoto: Phi – Cycles
Parama: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
?: AFI – Sing The Sorrow
Sacul: St Vincent – St Vincent
TAC: Kælling – Lacuna
Train of Naught: Kauan – Sorni Nai
twosuitsluke: The King Blues – Save The World, Get The Girl
Guessed letters: ZQJDX TAC REM IS N
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J Boy picked himself. He's always playing with himself.
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J Boy picked himself. He's always playing with himself.
Not as much as Mrs TAC plays with me.
:heybaby:
You knew that was coming ;)
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Apparently the only thing that was coming.
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So here's the full hangman:
Jingle.boy: Ábime – Poems
Kattelox: Skyclad – Irrational Anthems
Lethean: Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom
LordCost: Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
Luoto: Phi – Cycles
Parama: The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain
Puppies on Acid: AFI – Sing The Sorrow
Sacul: St Vincent – St Vincent
TAC: Kælling – Lacuna
Train of Naught: Kauan – Sorni Nai
twosuitsluke: The King Blues – Save The World, Get The Girl
And here's the first impressions again as we're on a new page:
Round Three first impressions
#1 A lot of this reminds me so much of another band. But it's got its own distinctive flavour and some really engaging stuff.
#2 This is very enjoyable, lots of synthy goodness and nice variety of styles.
#3 There’s a lot about this I love so far, but I’m not sure it has the hooks I feel like I want, at least on first listen. Needs more listens though.
#4 I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is nice stuff.
#5 I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is absolutely gorgeous.
#6 I was sort of expecting something less heavy, but this is solid and has quite a lot of groove.
#7 Pretty intense at times but fun and tuneful at others. Definitely entertaining.
#8 Not quite what I expected but this was enjoyable, good vibes.
#9 Some cracking tunes here, but also some slightly meh ones. Maybe they’ll grow on me.
#10 Pretty cool album, surprised at some of the feelings it evoked in me.
#11 One of the pleasant surprises of the round, I’m loving this. Great energy and atmosphere.
This round has the potential for the first 9/10 of the roulette. We'll see though.
I'll probably put up the first batch of results tomorrow.
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Also, I'd like to get participants' take on something.
Originally the plan was 8 players, down to 4 in the semi finals, then 2 in the final.
Now I have 11, and everyone is sending me so much good music so I'm getting greedy. I'm thinking top 6 into the semis (so half, like the original plan), then a 3-way final. What do people think?
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Round Three first impressions
#4 I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is nice stuff.
#5 I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is absolutely gorgeous.
#10 Pretty cool album, surprised at some of the feelings it evoked in me.
#11 One of the pleasant surprises of the round, I’m loving this. Great energy and atmosphere. [/i]
I'll take one of these.
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Also, I'd like to get participants' take on something.
Originally the plan was 8 players, down to 4 in the semi finals, then 2 in the final.
Now I have 11, and everyone is sending me so much good music so I'm getting greedy. I'm thinking top 6 into the semis (so half, like the original plan), then a 3-way final. What do people think?
The more the merrier.
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works for me, i'm shooting for the top 1 either way
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works for me, i'm shooting for the top 1 either way
Your victory over me in Elite's roulette has clearly gone to your head.
No points for you this round.
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i hope lethean posts his results today so i can win two roulettes in one day :metal
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What if I win that one though?
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well, ariich beat you in my roulette, and i beat ariich in your roulette, so i'm ultimately the victor here in the end
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Also, I'd like to get participants' take on something.
Originally the plan was 8 players, down to 4 in the semi finals, then 2 in the final.
Now I have 11, and everyone is sending me so much good music so I'm getting greedy. I'm thinking top 6 into the semis (so half, like the original plan), then a 3-way final. What do people think?
The more the merrier.
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Also, I'd like to get participants' take on something.
Originally the plan was 8 players, down to 4 in the semi finals, then 2 in the final.
Now I have 11, and everyone is sending me so much good music so I'm getting greedy. I'm thinking top 6 into the semis (so half, like the original plan), then a 3-way final. What do people think?
The more the merrier.
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Also, I'd like to get participants' take on something.
Originally the plan was 8 players, down to 4 in the semi finals, then 2 in the final.
Now I have 11, and everyone is sending me so much good music so I'm getting greedy. I'm thinking top 6 into the semis (so half, like the original plan), then a 3-way final. What do people think?
The more the merrier.
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+4
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That's like telling people on a plane with both engines out that I have parachutes. They will all want them. Lol
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+5, I'll even send you an album!
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Ok so yeah some really strong stuff this round.
Round Three results, 1-3/11
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Kauan – Sorni Nai (2015), submitted by Train
First impression: I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is absolutely gorgeous.
Final opinion: This is just such beautiful music. You completely threw me when you said it was my positive reaction to Enslaved that made you feel more confident in sending this. I was definitely expecting something heavier and more black metal. I mean a chunk of it is black/doom metal, for sure, particularly in the last couple of tracks as the album gets darker and builds to a climax, but half the album is more post-rock, incredibly atmospheric and delicate. To be honest, it’s impossible to categorise. Definitely captures a beautiful, bleak nordic vibe, so I was a little surprised to discover they’re Russian and based in Ukraine. And more than any other album so far this roulette, it really feels like a complete work. My favourite stuff is the more upbeat, gorgeous stuff in the first few tracks, but the way it becomes darker and bleaker towards the end is pretty stunning. Even more so once I read up on what the album is about.
Score: 9.0
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The Earth and I – The Candleman and the Curtain (2018), submitted by Parama
First impression: Pretty intense at times but fun and tuneful at others. Definitely entertaining.
Final opinion: This is a very enjoyable listen! Actually not much of it is musically intense as I thought on first listen, it’s more the harsh vocals that are quite intense at times. Apart from that, damn do these guys sound like Destiny Potato, especially the lead singer and a lot of the vocal melodies, and the general djent-meets-pop stylings. I don’t love this as much as them, as it doesn’t have the same quirkiness and I’m not sure the harsh vocals always work too well - sometimes they feel a bit too aggressive for the pretty melodic djenty prog going on underneath. But that’s a fairly small quibble. The music is djent done right, melodic and proggy and generally fun. And there are a lot of really fun tunes - the singer’s voice has a real charm and energy to it. The first half or so (which I think was originally an EP?) is especially excellent. Then there’s a couple of less interesting songs, including the long one which is hit and miss, but then it returns to form at the end and the closer is especially great. Struggled to decide between 8 and 8.5 for the rating, but I was the same with Eidola in the last round and went down that time, so feel it’s only fair to go up this time!
Score: 8.5
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Ábime – Poems (2017), submitted by Jingle
First impression: This is very enjoyable, lots of synthy goodness and nice variety of styles.
Final opinion: I know you thought you were being very crafty sending me an album by a fellow DTFer. But actually, I knew it was incredibly unlikely you’d send me something I’d actually find bad, so I was confident that I’d at least like it and could therefore just rate it honestly without any awkwardness. Lucky for you, this is actually really good. I had no idea what to expect when you sent it to me, especially because the band/project isn’t even on RYM, just some old obscure French black metal band called Abîme (which was briefly confusing). But the slickness of the writing, performances and production was a pleasant surprise, I honestly didn’t realise Lalo was such a pro. The music is mostly top-notch, nice synth-heavy prog metal with a lot of really good hooks (I’ve had Sandtrap in my head on and off). Nice variety too, love the ambient stylings in Darkness and Shadow for example. Definitely some less interesting tracks but even those were pretty good. This was looking like 8.0 right up until my last listen, when I found myself really enjoying it so much. Overall an excellent album, and I’ll need to apologise to Lalo for not listening to his stuff sooner.
Score: 8.5
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Ranking so far
1 Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 = 25.5
2 Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 25.0
3 Jingle* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 24.0
-----------------------------------------
? Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + ? = ?
? Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 + ? = ?
? Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + ? = ?
? LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + ? = ?
? Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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:fistpump:
Hell yeah. Glad you mentioned the synthy goodness specifically - not sure if you were aware that Lalo is the keyboardist!
(https://i.giphy.com/media/EDt1m8p5hqXG8/giphy.webp)
Gotta keep my trend going ... next round - 9!
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First 9 of the roulette? I'll take it :metal
That album really was less heavy than I expected upon first listen too, as I was introduced to the band with a mostly atmospheric blackmetal song (Äidin Laulu). That album, Muistumia, honestly might be their best. It's way heavier but the riffs are just great, and still packed with great atmospheric passages. Pirut is a slightly weaker version of Sorrni Nai but still awesome, but I think Muistumia might be the more interesting follow-up to check out after the roulette.
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Competition is heating up! I've listened to an album by Kauan, but it wasn't that one. It wasn't bad so I should probably check out this album.
I've listened to The Earth and I but didn't really like the vocals, didn't fit the music for me. Female vocals sound exactly like Hayley Williams from Paramore (at least to me).
But yea, 3 very good scores, hoping I can keep up!
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Got a feeling mine's gonna get a 7 but who knows, scoring seems to be generous this roulette :biggrin:
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just gonna keep on truckin' with those 8's i guess :metal
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Yeah that Kauan is pretty nice for the most part, although I found the harsh parts to be pretty bland, and got bored of the whole thing quick anyways :corn
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my consistent thoughts on Kauan is that they sound very nice but fail to emotionally resonate with me but that's hard to quantify and I can see them working for others
Also I disagree with the long song being weaker, I think there's a bit of a lull in the middle but then the second half of skeletons whatever onward is all great stuff
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I thought Ricardo Montleban was great in The Wrath Of Kauan.
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First 9 of the roulette? I'll take it :metal
That album really was less heavy than I expected upon first listen too, as I was introduced to the band with a mostly atmospheric blackmetal song (Äidin Laulu). That album, Muistumia, honestly might be their best. It's way heavier but the riffs are just great, and still packed with great atmospheric passages. Pirut is a slightly weaker version of Sorrni Nai but still awesome, but I think Muistumia might be the more interesting follow-up to check out after the roulette.
They're definitely a high priority for exploring more of their albums once the roulette is over.
I've listened to The Earth and I but didn't really like the vocals, didn't fit the music for me. Female vocals sound exactly like Hayley Williams from Paramore (at least to me).
I hear Hayley Williams on occasion, but I think she sounds a lot more like Aleksandra from Destiny Potato (helped by the similar music). Like that band, I really like the mix of djent and pop and think the vocal style works great for it. It was the harsh vocals I was less keen on actually. :lol
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Got a feeling mine's gonna get a 7 but who knows, scoring seems to be generous this roulette :biggrin:
Says the guy who couldn't stop awarding 10/10 ratings in his roulette. :P
Actually scoring is as generous/mean as my last roulette. I'm just rating things based on how much I'm liking them as I would with any other new band I check out. All the ratings here end up on my RYM (with .5s rounded down as RYM doesn't do quarter-stars).
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Got a feeling mine's gonna get a 7 but who knows, scoring seems to be generous this roulette :biggrin:
Says the guy who couldn't stop awarding 10/10 ratings in his roulette. :P
Actually scoring is as generous/mean as my last roulette. I'm just rating things based on how much I'm liking them as I would with any other new band I check out. All the ratings here end up on my RYM (with .5s rounded down as RYM doesn't do quarter-stars).
:lol Hey, in my defense, I've gone back and rated everything from the roulette and like I said, a 10 in the roulette wasn't necessarily a 10 overall; only a couple came out with 5 stars on RYM when I rated them a week or two ago. Don't worry, the next one will be much less lenient :biggrin:
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Yeah my roulette ratings are always my actual ratings which end up on RYM, though of course when I listen more or revisit them after the roulette, some end up moving up or down.
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Got a feeling mine's gonna get a 7 but who knows, scoring seems to be generous this roulette :biggrin:
Says the guy who couldn't stop awarding 10/10 ratings in his roulette. :P
Actually scoring is as generous/mean as my last roulette. I'm just rating things based on how much I'm liking them as I would with any other new band I check out. All the ratings here end up on my RYM (with .5s rounded down as RYM doesn't do quarter-stars).
:lol Hey, in my defense, I've gone back and rated everything from the roulette and like I said, a 10 in the roulette wasn't necessarily a 10 overall; only a couple came out with 5 stars on RYM when I rated them a week or two ago. Don't worry, the next one will be much less lenient :biggrin:
Nice to see you rated Tyranny as 5 stars, but then October Rust only 4? and the Sieges Even album only 4.5? WTF ??? :huh: :biggrin:
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SE might get bumped up soon actually. I'm still loving it. There are albums I've changed after 10+ years of owning them so I like to think they're flexible :biggrin:
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hell yeah you gave east of the wall a 1/5 :metal :metal :metal
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hell yeah you gave east of the wall a 1/5 :metal :metal :metal
On the one hand I don't think that score is deserved......On the other hand I can understand why KTLX doesn't like it.
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A Score Unearned
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I can't even listen to that album. Sorry Parama :lol
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It's okay, that's an artist that I also have to be a bit mean to Parama about.
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I'm just glad you've given Ommadawn a 5, and A Moon Shaped Pool a 4.5 :metal
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It's okay, that's an artist that I also have to be a bit mean to Parama about.
can i send them in your roulette
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I'm just glad you've given Ommadawn a 5, and A Moon Shaped Pool a 4.5 :metal
:hug:
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How about a couple more this morning.
Round Three results, 4-5/11
Results 1-3 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2467835#msg2467835
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Skyclad – Irrational Anthems (1996), submitted by Katt
First impression: Some cracking tunes here, but also some slightly meh ones. Maybe they’ll grow on me.
Final opinion: I’ve heard of Skyclad, but didn’t know anything about them and had no idea they were the original pioneers of folk-metal. Got to give credit to them for that, and this is definitely original and fun although it’s a bit of a mixed bag. I don’t find the more straightforward metal side of the music anything to write home about for the most part, kinda sounds like mid-tier early Maiden (and occasionally Metallica) which I generally find hit and miss. Some of the songs are fun enough but nothing especially exciting. And the bizarre cover of Sabre Dance is just… yeah I don’t enjoy that at all. But it’s when they go particularly folksy that they really shine and have so much fun and charm in their music. Inequality Street is a cracking song to open with, Penny Dreadful is another strong favourite, Dubious is highly enjoyable and closer Quantity Time has a great folksy atmosphere to it. All in all, a flawed but overall solid album.
Score: 7.5
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The King Blues – Save The World, Get The Girl (2008), submitted by Luke
First impression: Not quite what I expected but this was enjoyable, good vibes.
Final opinion: Like Train’s entry, you threw me a bit with the Frank Turner comparisons. I mean, I hear the occasional similarity, especially in some of the more folk-rock kind of tunes. But actually the ska/reggae side of the music (plus the cockney accent which as everyone knows isn’t entirely dissimilar to Australian) made me think more of The Cat Empire in a whole load of places (who I also love by the way). So the first listen was an odd one, but as can often happen, once I knew what to expect, this grew on me quite a bit. There are moments where he does the whole 70s-British-punk-Sex-Pistols-singing-out-of-tune thing, which to be honest I’m not a fan of, but that’s pretty rare. The rest of the time this album has a ton of charm and feels very authentically London working class, and it’s that authenticity that I guess reminds you of Turner. Most of the songs are great, but particular standouts are Let’s Hang the Landlord (great hooks and rather relatable lyrics) and What If Punk Never Happened (I definitely wasn’t expecting a fusion of rap and post-rock, about an alternative universe, to close the album, let alone one this good).
Score: 8.0
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Ranking so far
1 Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 = 25.5
2 Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 25.0
3= Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 = 24.0
3= Jingle* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 24.0
5 Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 23.0
-----------------------------------------
? Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + ? = ?
? LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + ? = ?
? Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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give TAC his 7.5 already man :corn
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I'm hoping for an 8.5 :angel:
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I'll take that.
Yea, the comparison with Frank Turner isn't so much in the actual music and how they sound similar. It's more that they stir up similar emotions in me and the message in their music/lyrics is similar. I'm glad you picked out Let's Hang the Landlord as a highlight as it's my favourite on the album (check out the music video (https://youtu.be/2OSlU8lYwH0) too, it made me love it even more). What if Punk Never Happened is also a curveball and not what you'd expect on an album like this but it ends the album perfectly. When the play it live they usually open with it and Itch performs it as a spoken word piece; it's really powerful!
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give TAC his 7.5 already man :corn
:lol
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All right, looks like I'm playing for middle of the pack. I'm happy Skyclad got a 7.5 considering I'm trying to send 'different' stuff while still clinging to the sides of this ship :lol Need to find something prog that ariich will dig but I'm out of my league with the rest of ya'll, so I need luck on my side :biggrin:
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All right, looks like I'm playing for middle of the pack. I'm happy Skyclad got a 7.5 considering I'm trying to send 'different' stuff while still clinging to the sides of this ship :lol Need to find something prog that ariich will dig but I'm out of my league with the rest of ya'll, so I need luck on my side :biggrin:
Depends what you mean by "different", or indeed by "prog". I haven't calculated it, but I reckon on average albums that I'd call prog score no better (maybe even worse) than those I don't. With any style it's more about finding an alignment of tastes between sender and sendee.
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I'm 100% certain that Parama will definitely approve of this update.
Also sorry TAC but you'll have to wait a bit longer for your 7.5.
Round Three results, 6-7/11
Results 1-3 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2467835#msg2467835
Results 4-5 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2468062#msg2468062
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St. Vincent – St. Vincent (2014), submitted by Sacul
First impression: There’s a lot about this I love so far, but I’m not sure it has the hooks I feel like I want, at least on first listen. Needs more listens though.
Final opinion: There are some tracks that don't do too much for me, but most of the album is totally my kind of quirky pop. It's a very well paced album - whenever it feels like the quirkiest stuff might get too much, a calmer song comes up and provides some nicer vibes. And yeah after a few listens some songs definitely have good hooks - Prince Johnny and Bring Me Your Loves in particular keep getting stuck in my head. Meanwhile others like Digital Witness and Regret have excellent groove and really cool instrumentation. I didn't know anything about St Vincent apart from this album doing really badly in Parama's roulette. Lucky for you this time, I'm not Parama. :P
Score: 8.0
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Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns (2017), submitted by LordCost
First impression: One of the pleasant surprises of the round, I’m loving this. Great energy and atmosphere.
Final opinion: I'm actually finding it a bit hard to articulate my love for this album. To be honest I also find it hard to even describe it. It seems to blend all the best features of post-hardcore, post-rock, indie, post-metal, pop and downtempo electronica into something greater than the sum of its parts. Feels like it was tailor made for someone who likes all those genres (i.e. me). It starts with a glorious atmosphere that returns at various points, before kicking quickly into some really energetic and infectious metal. After two tracks it's already covered so much ground and the brilliance just carries on throughout. Pretty much every track has something I love about it (often multiple things), and it's constantly surprising but never disjointed. Off the Floor is a great example of this, the first half of the song is an odd Dear Hunter / Everything Everything hybrid, before seamlessly launching into pretty full on post-hardcore. And then just as I'm listening again as I write this, the next song Curtains does even more of that, building from atmospheric synths at the start to intense metal by the end. Seriously, on each of my listens, when it ends I just want to put it straight back on again. This has real potential to end up a 10/10 album for me, but I can never commit to that after only a few listens, so you'll have to “settle” for 9.5.
Score: 9.5
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Ranking so far
1 Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 = 25.5
2= Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 25.0
2= LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + 9.5 = 25.0
4= Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 = 24.0
4= Jingle* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 24.0
6 Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 23.5
7 Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 23.0
-----------------------------------------
? Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + ? = ?
? Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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Yeah as mentioned I wouldn't agree with either of those scores but tastes :P
St. Vincent was pretty much unlistenable to me :lol
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I've been wondering if mine was the "heavier than expected" snippet, and it looks like that one is still available...
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Just checked out the Arcane Roots album. If that's a 9.5, then I ain't getting very far, which is already the worst kept secret of the roulette.
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Wow, I didn't expect that score at all. I find it hard to describe and judge too, but I'm frequently listening to it so I can't say for sure is a bad album.
I tried to listen to their album Blood And Chemistry one or two years ago but I wasn't excited about that and I found it good but generic in the few listens I gave to, and maybe I'm not rating Melancholia Hymns so high because I still have them in my mind as a band without much talent.
Matter, Indigo and Curtains are my favourites, but I enjoy every track even if I can't recall the melodies of some songs in the second half of the album.
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Wow, I didn't expect that score at all. I find it hard to describe and judge too, but I'm frequently listening to it so I can't say for sure is a bad album.
I tried to listen to their album Blood And Chemistry one or two years ago but I wasn't excited about that and I found it good but generic in the few listens I gave to, and maybe I'm not rating Melancholia Hymns so high because I still have them in my mind as a band without much talent.
Matter, Indigo and Curtains are my favourites, but I enjoy every track even if I can't recall the melodies of some songs in the second half of the album.
It's great when the person running the roulette loves an album more than the person who sent it. :lol Not sure what inspired you to send it, but it was... well, inspired. Like I said in my write-up, I can't really explain why I love it so much. It just seems to hit me in exactly the right place.
And yeah the second half is maybe a tiny bit less brilliant than the first, but it still has Fireflies and Half the World which are wonderful.
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Wow, I didn't expect that score at all. I find it hard to describe and judge too, but I'm frequently listening to it so I can't say for sure is a bad album.
I tried to listen to their album Blood And Chemistry one or two years ago but I wasn't excited about that and I found it good but generic in the few listens I gave to, and maybe I'm not rating Melancholia Hymns so high because I still have them in my mind as a band without much talent.
Matter, Indigo and Curtains are my favourites, but I enjoy every track even if I can't recall the melodies of some songs in the second half of the album.
It's great when the person running the roulette loves an album more than the person who sent it. :lol Not sure what inspired you to send it, but it was... well, inspired. Like I said in my write-up, I can't really explain why I love it so much. It just seems to hit me in exactly the right place.
And yeah the second half is maybe a tiny bit less brilliant than the first, but it still has Fireflies and Half the World which are wonderful.
:lol I would give an 8 or 8.5 probably. I still have to get familiar with Fireflies, but I know Half The World is a great closer. It's still a relatively new album to me, and I listen to new music very rarely these days..
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Wow, I didn't expect that score at all. I find it hard to describe and judge too, but I'm frequently listening to it so I can't say for sure is a bad album.
I tried to listen to their album Blood And Chemistry one or two years ago but I wasn't excited about that and I found it good but generic in the few listens I gave to, and maybe I'm not rating Melancholia Hymns so high because I still have them in my mind as a band without much talent.
Matter, Indigo and Curtains are my favourites, but I enjoy every track even if I can't recall the melodies of some songs in the second half of the album.
It's great when the person running the roulette loves an album more than the person who sent it. :lol Not sure what inspired you to send it, but it was... well, inspired. Like I said in my write-up, I can't really explain why I love it so much. It just seems to hit me in exactly the right place.
And yeah the second half is maybe a tiny bit less brilliant than the first, but it still has Fireflies and Half the World which are wonderful.
:lol I would give an 8 or 8.5 probably. I still have to get familiar with Fireflies, but I know Half The World is a great closer. It's still a relatively new album to me, and I listen to new music very rarely these days..
Ah I adore Fireflies. It's very different of course, but it has such a gorgeous soulful vibe. Bit of a James Blake style, whose stuff I like but don't love. Though when a whole album is like that it gets stale, whereas one thing I love about this album is how it takes these different elements and styles and brings them together in really interesting ways.
EDIT: Oh and I forgot Arp which is also gorgeous. Basically it's just Solemn that's a bit weaker.
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The album got significantly better to me after seeing them live. They do those interlude type of things during their set and make them up pretty much on the spot it seems, since they're different from the ones on the studio version. That made Melancholia Hymns sound a bit more organic than what I first felt like was an alt-rock band forcing themselves to sound prog. But I really feel now that they've just become super interesting, even though in my opinion the album definitely has some flaws. But I'll never stop sending Matter because that song is perfect.
I think I actually prefer Blood & Chemistry as a whole Lorenzo, and my love for that album partially started because Sacred Shapes is just one of the most fun songs I've ever heard live, while my actual favourite song by them, Matter, was kind of disappointing live.
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I will go back to listen to Blood & Chemistry at some time.
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It's okay, that's an artist that I also have to be a bit mean to Parama about.
can i send them in your roulette
I mean, you can. I would not recommend it, but you're allowed to.
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Hell yeah, knew you'd like that record :tup
That Arcane Roots sounds pretty interesting, dunno if giving it a listen or waiting until my album roulette and hoping someone sends it.
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On the subject of the roulette host liking something more than the person who submitted it I think you like odd palace more than me :lol I do like the album on the whole but the singer's voice isn't super my thing, the title track is really damn good though and I do like it overall but, yeah
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Well that's ultimately what roulettes are all about. Not sending your favourite things, but the things you think the host will like most. Which you clearly get, from your two wins recently and your strong performance so far here!
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A shocking twist...
Round Three results, 8-9/11
Results 1-3 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2467835#msg2467835
Results 4-5 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2468062#msg2468062
Results 6-7 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2468186#msg2468186
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Kælling – Lacuna (2017), submitted by TAC
First impression: I was sort of expecting something heavier, but this is nice stuff.
Final opinion: I dig this. I was somewhat expecting something heavier based on the dark album cover and the fact that their name looks a bit like “killing”. But actually this is a nicely varied prog album and it’s interesting that it has three chapters with their own styles. The first chapter is ok, but the album takes a few good-but-not-very-exciting songs to get going. Once the second chapter kicks in with Lackluster, though, there’s some terrific stuff and this and the third chapter are both really strong. The music and particularly the vocals remind me at times of some of Caligula’s Horse’s stuff. I like the blend of that proggy stuff and the more moody hard rock stuff. Then at times it does actually go heavier and make everything a bit more intense. I’ve also learned from bandcamp that this was their debut, which is very impressive. Definitely a promising band! However, I think you must have submitted it by mistake, because you didn’t get 7.5.
Score: 8.0
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Need – Hegaiamas: A Song for Freedom (2017), submitted by Lethean
First impression: A lot of this reminds me so much of another band. But it's got its own distinctive flavour and some really engaging stuff.
Final opinion: Another strong prog metal submission from you! On further listens it was actually a couple of different bands this reminds me of. The music is definitely reminiscent of Beyond the Bridge in a few places. Vocally, the singer sort of reminds of bands like Dissona or Nevermore, with that quite intense and deep voice style of singing. It creates a rather interesting combination, not wholly unique but original enough to do its own thing and do it well. The title track is nice - there's a lovely atmospheric section in the middle, and then the ending, while a little cheesy, is very epic and really quite uplifting, a fitting close to the album. On balance, I slightly prefer the first five songs which are mostly a bit more dynamic exciting. Anyway, solid album all round really.
Score: 8.0
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Ranking so far
1 Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 = 25.5
2= Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 25.0
2= LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + 9.5 = 25.0
4 Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.0 = 24.5
5= Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 = 24.0
5= Jingle* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 24.0
7 Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 23.5
8= Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 23.0
8= TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 = 23.0
-----------------------------------------
? Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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Hegaiamas is 8 yet Mystery is 7? Should've sent you some Need then.
Actually as far as I'm concerned Orvam is even better, so there's that.
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Damn, I have a feeling TAC and I will be fighting for the bottom if Need got an 8 - crap :lol
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Need is really fantastic though. I saw these guys live and they were tight as hell. Ridiculously good.
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*sigh of relief* I'd lost a little bit of confidence there, but so glad you liked it. :) I played that album a ton last year.
I'm curious how you liked/didn't like the second to last track with the talking. I'm not sure why I enjoy it as much as I do. Also curious if you noticed any Fates Warning influences, which I think are strong at times.
Need has been around longer than both bands you mentioned, so ai assume the similarities there are due to common influences.
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Need is really fantastic though. I saw these guys live and they were tight as hell. Ridiculously good.
Yes! I saw them in support of Orvam, and thought they were fantastic. Last year I made a point to catch them opening for Evergrey and they were every bit as good, and by that time I knew the songs better and it was a killer show.
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I was going to listen to ProgPower stuff all day but now I need to listen to Need. :)
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Hegaiamas is 8 yet Mystery is 7? Should've sent you some Need then.
Not sure if you're asking because you consider Mystery as good or better than Need (in which case tastes!) or if you think they're similar (which they're not particularly, other than being prog bands).
Damn, I have a feeling TAC and I will be fighting for the bottom if Need got an 8 - crap :lol
There are two more rounds so you're both still within reach of top 6!
Also remember 7 people were eliminated after round one, so nobody still playing comes bottom. ;)
I'm curious how you liked/didn't like the second to last track with the talking. I'm not sure why I enjoy it as much as I do.
Yeah it's not bad, I often quite enjoy dialogue interludes like that when they're well done. This was a bit on the long side I think, and there were some slightly jarring bits ("Are you high?" seemed really out of tone with everything before it on the first listen), but overall it's pretty good.
Also curious if you noticed any Fates Warning influences, which I think are strong at times.
I hadn't, but now you mention it I can definitely hear that a bit. Definitely an interesting mix of other bands, on which note:
Need has been around longer than both bands you mentioned, so ai assume the similarities there are due to common influences.
Yeah I wasn't suggesting that Need was influenced by those bands, only what the sound reminds me of.
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Need is really fantastic though. I saw these guys live and they were tight as hell. Ridiculously good.
Yes! I saw them in support of Orvam, and thought they were fantastic. Last year I made a point to catch them opening for Evergrey and they were every bit as good, and by that time I knew the songs better and it was a killer show.
I also saw them supporting for Evergrey. Both bands were incredible; there weren't a lot of people for Need set, maybe like 30 or 40 total, and I was the only one who was singing along so the singer kept glancing at me. :lol And everyone in the band and their management, starting from their merch guy (who got really agitated when I walked into the venue in the band's shirt) to the actual band members were so excited to meet their fans. The merch guy gave me a pick and some stickers for free, and the band was happy to chat and sign the ProgPower DVD I bought.
Also apparently there weren't a lot of foreigners at the show, so when I walked to the bar to get a beer during the break between Need and Evergrey, the guy at the bar thought I was associated with the band somehow (probably my three-weeks-unshaven beard gave him a hint) and told me I had to get a permission from the band manager to have a beer. :lol
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(who got really agitated when I walked into the venue in the band's shirt)
I hate/love when that visibly bothers people. Like, if that's all it takes to make you annoyed, omg :lol
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I have no idea why I wrote agitated because I meant to say excited.
I really need to sleep more than five hours a day. :lolpalm:
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Well I think I'm ready to take some risks going forward, so why not? Let's see if I can net me a 9 next round...
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Well I think I'm ready to take some risks going forward, so why not? Let's see if I can net me a 9 next round...
Golly, I don't know if I should be excited or scared. :lol
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Oh boy! Gonna have to be careful with my next pick. I seriously cannot figure this roulette out. :)
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Oh boy! Gonna have to be careful with my next pick. I seriously cannot figure this roulette out. :)
Tastes!
Other than that, not sure there's much to figure out. :lol
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Well, I sent something a bit heavier this time. I'll see how that works out.
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The suffering is real! Rich is making me wait last for my result...... :|
Must mean I'm eliminated. :corn
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Need is really fantastic though. I saw these guys live and they were tight as hell. Ridiculously good.
Yes! I saw them in support of Orvam, and thought they were fantastic. Last year I made a point to catch them opening for Evergrey and they were every bit as good, and by that time I knew the songs better and it was a killer show.
I also saw them supporting for Evergrey. Both bands were incredible; there weren't a lot of people for Need set, maybe like 30 or 40 total, and I was the only one who was singing along so the singer kept glancing at me. :lol And everyone in the band and their management, starting from their merch guy (who got really agitated when I walked into the venue in the band's shirt) to the actual band members were so excited to meet their fans. The merch guy gave me a pick and some stickers for free, and the band was happy to chat and sign the ProgPower DVD I bought.
Also apparently there weren't a lot of foreigners at the show, so when I walked to the bar to get a beer during the break between Need and Evergrey, the guy at the bar thought I was associated with the band somehow (probably my three-weeks-unshaven beard gave him a hint) and told me I had to get a permission from the band manager to have a beer. :lol
Need seem like really nice guys and they hung out with people at ProgPower most of the weekend, and at the Evergrey show too. They totally made the most out of that ProgPower appearance. I remember I'd listened to Orvam once or twice and was on the fence. Their set was so energetic and tight and the singer sounded better than on the album and I think it was a great experience for the crowd as well as for them. On the Evergrey tour, I had a couple friends who saw them in different cities and said they stole the show. I definitely hope to see them back at some point.
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The suffering is real! Rich is making me wait last for my result...... :|
Must mean I'm eliminated. :corn
Mwuahahahaha.
Nah you're good. :biggrin:
Round Three final results
Results 1-3 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2467835#msg2467835
Results 4-5 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2468062#msg2468062
Results 6-7 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2468186#msg2468186
Results 8-9 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2468585#msg2468585
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Phi – Cycles (2018), submitted by Luoto
First impression: I was sort of expecting something less heavy, but this is solid and has quite a lot of groove.
Final opinion: I was already familiar with Phi’s last album, which I liked but didn't love. This one definitely has something a bit more engaging about it. It's a bit heavier, which is more a descriptor rather than inherently good or bad, although I do think it suits them quite well. The production is punchier, and a few of the songs have a nice sense of groove in the riffs. For these reasons, plus a couple of very strong choruses (like in Children of the Rain, which is mostly a strong opener), I do think I like it a little more than Waves of Sound. I still wouldn't say I love it, though. For every section I find really engaging, there's another that I merely find good. So yeah this is very good but it hasn't won me over to being a big Phi fan.
Score: 7.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFI – Sing The Sorrow (2003), submitted by Puppies
First impression: Pretty cool album, surprised at some of the feelings it evoked in me.
Final opinion: Yeah I definitely listened to this album a bit waaaaay back when it first came out, but clearly not enough to remember it and rate it when I joined RYM. So valid, for this roulette, and a really interesting listening experience. On first listen I didn't think I really recognised any of it, but there was something familiar enough about it to really remind me of that time in my life - university days and many “alternative” (ie metal, rock, indie) club nights (can't believe that's actually 15 years ago, I'm so old). On second listen the songs actually sounded really familiar and I was almost able to sing along to some of them (especially Silver and Cold, and Dancing Through Sunday). This brand of emo-tinged pop punk is definitely a product of its time, and the production is a bit dated (and overly compressed). But regardless, it's really enjoyable album helped further by the nostalgia factor.
Score: 8.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranking so far
1 Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 = 25.5
2= Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 25.0
2= LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + 9.5 = 25.0
4 Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.0 = 24.5
5= Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 = 24.0
5= Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 = 24.0
5= Jingle* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 24.0
8= Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 23.5
8= Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 23.5
10= Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 23.0
10= TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 = 23.0
-----------------------------------------
*on probation until round five
Remember, there are two more rounds until the semis. Even KatTAC are only 1 point off top 6 at the moment, so it's all to play for. Once into the semis, scores become irrelevant and it's a knockout.
So with that in mind, hit me with your best stuff for round 4!
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I can't believe sent what I just sent, probably very risky :corn
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I'm starting to wonder if anything is gonna score below 7.5 beyond the first round :lol
I actually don't have anything lined up atm but I'm sure I have a ton of good stuff for you so I'll go find something and send tonight yeah
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Man, I need to step up my game... but even if I get a perfect 10 I'll still be easily outclassed by most everyone else at the rate scores are going :lol Challenge happily accepted! Will send tonight.
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I'm starting to wonder if anything is gonna score below 7.5 beyond the first round :lol
Honestly I was wondering the same thing. The last two rounds have been ridiculously strong. Someone surely has to slip up at some point. :lol
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I'm starting to wonder if anything is gonna score below 7.5 beyond the first round :lol
Honestly I was wondering the same thing. The last two rounds have been ridiculously strong. Someone surely has to slip up at some point. :lol
Here's the thing... after 7ish years of roulette'g, people have a good handle on the tastes of the hosts - especially when one is on v4 like ariich and I are on, and Elite just finished. It's actually not surprising that the stuff we're collectively sending is stuff Rich is finding rather appealing.
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I'm starting to wonder if anything is gonna score below 7.5 beyond the first round :lol
Honestly I was wondering the same thing. The last two rounds have been ridiculously strong. Someone surely has to slip up at some point. :lol
Don't tempt me :lol
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Searching on Ariich's RYM profile I found another band like Katatonia in the first round, which has only two albums rated and both with a good score, but I will send something riskier.
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Honestly, I can't navigate the RYM thingie. That website is f'n maddening.
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Honestly, I can't navigate the RYM thingie. That website is f'n maddening.
bruh. go down to search and type in an artist and then you know whether or not to send them. it's easy :lol
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Honestly, I can't navigate the RYM thingie. That website is f'n maddening.
bruh. go down to search and type in an artist and then you know whether or not to send them. it's easy :lol
Hah, actually that much I can do. But the backspace button doesn't seem to work.
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I'm starting to wonder if anything is gonna score below 7.5 beyond the first round :lol
Honestly I was wondering the same thing. The last two rounds have been ridiculously strong. Someone surely has to slip up at some point. :lol
Here's the thing... after 7ish years of roulette'g, people have a good handle on the tastes of the hosts - especially when one is on v4 like ariich and I are on, and Elite just finished. It's actually not surprising that the stuff we're collectively sending is stuff Rich is finding rather appealing.
This is true. Also within each roulette, I think scores initially increase as people get a handle on what tends to speak well to me, and then taper off again a bit as people run out of stuff to send. :lol We'll see if that happens this time though, so far the average scores for the 11 participants that have been in throughout have been 7.9 for round 1, 8.0 for round 2 and 8.2 for round 3!
I'm starting to wonder if anything is gonna score below 7.5 beyond the first round :lol
Honestly I was wondering the same thing. The last two rounds have been ridiculously strong. Someone surely has to slip up at some point. :lol
Don't tempt me :lol
Interestingly Train is probably in the best position to play it safe for a couple of rounds, but he's apparently going risky anyway. :lol
Searching on Ariich's RYM profile I found another band like Katatonia in the first round, which has only two albums rated and both with a good score, but I will send something riskier.
Very intriguing - feel free to PM me what it was because I have no idea. I think I'll need to change that rule next time I do a roulette. :P
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Sent the album and my longest ever submission comment via PM :lol
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Sent something proggy, dark, and heavy.
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Sent something proggy, dark, and heavy.
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Sent a genre blurring masterpiece :corn
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Sent something proggy, dark, and heavy.
+ 3... though my 'dark' is probably a little lighter than yours's
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scale of darkness: puppies > katt > jingle
though I'll fight puppies for it this round :corn
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I don't know of mine is dark, but it's definitely heavy.
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So this is the dark and heavy round. :metal
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So this is the dark and heavy round. :metal
Apparently so. This could prove a pretty bleak week. :lol
In b4 Sacul send synthpop
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i don't think what i sent is particularly dark, but it can be pretty heavy
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scale of darkness: puppies > katt > jingle
though I'll fight puppies for it this round :corn
I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to update your ranking because I'm pretty sure I've sent the darkest album :corn
train >>>>>>>>>> puppies > katt > jingle
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scale of darkness: puppies > katt > jingle
though I'll fight puppies for it this round :corn
I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to update your ranking because I'm pretty sure I've sent the darkest album :corn
train >>>>>>>>>> puppies > katt > jingle
Train sent Scott Walker's The Drift.
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scale of darkness: puppies > katt > jingle
though I'll fight puppies for it this round :corn
I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to update your ranking because I'm pretty sure I've sent the darkest album :corn
train >>>>>>>>>> puppies > katt > jingle
Train sent Scott Walker's The Drift.
It's banned, sadly.
God it's so miserable that album.
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Train sent a big bowl of dark matter
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scale of darkness: puppies > katt > jingle
though I'll fight puppies for it this round :corn
I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to update your ranking because I'm pretty sure I've sent the darkest album :corn
train >>>>>>>>>> puppies > katt > jingle
Train sent Scott Walker's The Drift.
It's banned, sadly.
God it's so miserable that album.
Then he sent Univers Zero's Heresie?
-
So much for hangmanen suspense.
How did you know??
EDIT: Hey ariich :rollin :-[ :-[
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157007631897590&id=20968822589
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scale of darkness: puppies > katt > jingle
though I'll fight puppies for it this round :corn
I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to update your ranking because I'm pretty sure I've sent the darkest album :corn
train >>>>>>>>>> puppies > katt > jingle
Train sent Scott Walker's The Drift.
It's banned, sadly.
God it's so miserable that album.
I love the Donald Duck part :neverusethis:
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EDIT: Hey ariich :rollin :-[ :-[
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157007631897590&id=20968822589
FFS. :lol :sadpanda:
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I love the Donald Duck part :neverusethis:
*cough*
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Sent Trip Hop!
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Sent Trip Hop!
Is it dark and heavy too?
:neverusethis:
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Sent Trip Hop!
Dacul sent Portishead - Dummy
or Massive Attack - Mezzanine
one of these is right
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Let's find out, because it's time to hang some men.
?: _______ – ______ _____
?: ___ ________ – _____ ___________
?: ____ __ _______ – ______________
?: ____ _ _____ – ________ _____
?: ____ _______ – ____ ____ ___ ___ ____ ____ ____ __
?: ________ – ____ _______ __ ________
?: _____________ – __ ____ ___ _____ _______ ___ ____ ____
?: __________ – ____
?: ___ ____ __ ____ – _______ __ ___ _______
?: _________ – ___
?: ____________ – _ ___ ____________ _____ ___________
Guessed letters:
-
K
-
darn, neither of those fit anywhere :P
fourth from bottom technically could be Portishead but the album name there is too short
gimme A
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#8 is Portishead - Dumm sent by Sacul
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#8 is Portishead - Dumm sent by Sacul
Entirely incorrect.
?: ___ak__ – ______ __a__
?: ___ ________ – _____ ______a____
?: ____ __ __a____ – _a____________
?: __a_ _ A____ – ___a____ _____
?: ____ ___a___ – ____ ____ ___ a__ ____ ____ ____ __
?: ________ – ____ _______ __ ________
?: __________k__ – __ _ak_ ___ ___a_ ____a__ ___ ____ ____
?: __________ – ____
?: ___ _a__ __ ____ – __a____ __ ___ _______
?: A________ – A__
?: ____________ – A ___ ____________ _____ _____a___a_
Guessed letters: KA
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Astronoid - Air sent by Luke
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Astronoid - Air sent by Luke
Entirely correct.
?: ___ak__ – ______ __a__
?: ___ ________ – _____ ______a____
?: ____ __ __a____ – _a____________
?: __a_ _ A____ – ___a____ _____
?: ____ ___a___ – ____ ____ ___ a__ ____ ____ ____ __
?: ________ – ____ _______ __ ________
?: __________k__ – __ _ak_ ___ ___a_ ____a__ ___ ____ ____
?: __________ – ____
?: ___ _a__ __ ____ – __a____ __ ___ _______
twosuitsluke: Astronoid – Air
?: ____________ – A ___ ____________ _____ _____a___a_
Guessed letters: KA
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honestly that'll probably score pretty well with you :lol
no clue on anything else except my own obviously
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T :neverusethis:
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give me the other T :corn
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Alright then
E :)
-
:D
?: _e_ak__ – _t__e_ _ea__
?: _e_ ________ – ___e_ ______at___
?: ____ __ _ea____ – _a____________
?: _ea_ _ A____ – _t_a__e_ ____t
?: ____ T__a___ – T__e ____ __e a__ ___e ____ ____ _t
?: ___e____ – ____ __t____ t_ Ete___t_
?: T____e____ke_ – _e _ake ___ __ea_ _e_eat_ _e_ ____ ___e
?: ____e_t___ – ____
?: T_e _a__ __ T___ – __a_t__ __ t_e _______
twosuitsluke: Astronoid – Air
?: ____e_______ – A _e_ _te_e_______ _____ __e_ta___a_
Guessed letters: KATTE
-
:lol
I like where this is going :heybaby:
-
Astronoid - Air sent by Luke
Damn that's a pretty dark album too :neverusethis:
L
-
Be'lakor - Stone's Reach
someone sending dat melodeath
Zeal & Ardor - Stranger Fruit sent by Trainy
gimme O
also something looks like "From ??? to Eternity"
OH. Hyperomm - From Nothing to Eternity sent by TAC
-
X marks the spot where I am immortalized
Parama how the hell do you know all this :lol
-
also something looks like "From ??? to Eternity"
That's Hyperomm - From Here to Eternity
sent by TAC
Astronoid - Air sent by Luke
Good album
EDIT: Hey ariich :rollin :-[ :-[
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157007631897590&id=20968822589
Well then.. saw them just in time in Romania.
Just so you know, there's a tour through the UK (and literally one date in the Netherlands) in October and apparently that's a farewell tour now.
-
@Katt I've heard/own all those albums I guessed, lol :P
Zeal & Ardor is sitting on my desk atm
-
All correct, jolly good. This could be a quick hangman.
?: Be'lakor – Stone's Reach
?: _e_ _o___o__ – ___e_ ___lo_at_o_
?: _o__ O_ _ea_o__ – _a__________o_
Train of Naught: Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit
?: _olo To_a___ – T__e __ll __e a__ Lo_e __ll ____ _t
TAC: Hyperomm – From Nothing to Eternity
?: T____e__o_ke_ – _e _ake O__ __ea_ _e_eat_ _e_ _ol_ ___e
?: _o__e_t_o_ – _lo_
?: T_e _all o_ T_o_ – __a_to_ o_ t_e _o___o_
twosuitsluke: Astronoid – Air
?: _oo_e___o___ – A _e_ _te_eo__o___ _o___ __e_ta__la_
Guessed letters: KATTELOX
-
Just so you know, there's a tour through the UK (and literally one date in the Netherlands) in October and apparently that's a farewell tour now.
Thanks for the tease..
Saw them last year in the small hall of Paradiso though, one of the best shows of last year. :metal If Nothing Breaks, Nothing Moves is a crazy good live tune and still one of their best.
Give me the S
Ahh, Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It, Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It by Rolo Tomassi, sent by Parmaham?
-
The Fall of Troy - Phantom on the Horizon
I'd guess sent by Elite but he's eliminated :P
We Make Our ??? Beneath Her Cold ???
Sounds like black metal sent by puppies
Oh and Belakor is Luoto
-
We Make Our ??? Beneath Her Cold ???
Too much of this is wrong so I'm not accepting any of it. :P
Everything else is right.
Luoto: Be'lakor – Stone's Reach
?: _e_ _o___o_s – ___e_ __slo_at_o_
?: So_s O_ Seaso_s – _a___s______o_
Train of Naught: Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit
Parama: Rolo Tomassi – Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It
TAC: Hyperomm – From Nothing to Eternity
?: T____e__o_ke_ – _e _ake O__ __ea_ _e_eat_ _e_ _ol_ ___e
?: _o__e_t_o_ – _lo_
?: The Fall of Troy – Phantom on the Horizon
twosuitsluke: Astronoid – Air
?: _oo_e___o___ – A _e_ Ste_eo__o___ So___ S_e_ta__la_
Guessed letters: KATTELOX S
-
Do you accept that whatever it is puppies sent it?
Also, Sons of Seasons
-
No.
Yes.
Luoto: Be'lakor – Stone's Reach
?: _e_ _o___o_s – ___e_ __slocat_o_
?: Sons Of Seasons – _a___s_____co_
Train of Naught: Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit
Parama: Rolo Tomassi – Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It
TAC: Hyperomm – From Nothing to Eternity
?: T_u__e__o_ke_ – _e _ake Ou_ __ea_ _e_eat_ _e_ _ol_ ___e
?: Co_ce_t_o_ – _lo_
?: The Fall of Troy – Phantom on the Horizon
twosuitsluke: Astronoid – Air
?: _oo_e___o__c – A _e_ Ste_eo__o__c Sou__ S_ectacula_
Guessed letters: KATTELOX SUCC
-
Sent Trip Hop!
Is it dark and heavy too?
:neverusethis:
Not yet :neverusethis:
U
-
Double C please
goodnight guys see you tomorrow
-
U
Where could this possibly be going...
Updated above.
-
:rollin
-
Hooverphonic - A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular
;)
-
Conception - Flow
-
gimme the Z
Lethean sent Conception
-
The Fall of Troy - Phantom on the Horizon
I'd guess sent by Elite but he's eliminated :P
Oooooh love that album
Puppies sent it.
-
give me I I I I I
-
L
-
Magnisphyricon was sent by Katt.
-
oh and hooverphonic is dacul, that's trip hop i think
-
Just two albums left.
Luoto: Be'lakor – Stone's Reach
?: _e_ _o_izo_s – I__e_ _islocatio_
Kattelox: Sons Of Seasons – Magnisphyricon
Train of Naught: Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit
Parama: Rolo Tomassi – Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It
TAC: Hyperomm – From Nothing to Eternity
?: T_u__e__o_ke_ – _e _ake Ou_ __ea_ _e_eat_ _e_ _ol_ _i_e
Lethean: Conception – Flow
Puppies on Acid: The Fall of Troy – Phantom on the Horizon
twosuitsluke: Astronoid – Air
Sacul: Hooverphonic – A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular
Guessed letters: KATTELOX SUCCZ I
-
nah, one album left
New Horizons - Inner Disolaction
some obscure as heck band from Italy so i'm guessing LC sent it
and the last album is jingle then
-
some obscure as heck band from Italy so i'm guessing LC sent it
and the last album is jingle then
Nope! I figured this shit out
New Horizons is a jingle.band, and LordCost sent: Thumpermonkey - We Bake Our Bread Beneath Her Holy Fire :tup
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Good job, Train! Very well done indeed!
-
:yarr
-
oh yeah thumpermonkey yet again
i should have guessed
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Well done everyone! Here's the finished hangman.
Luoto: Be'lakor – Stone's Reach
Jingle.boy: New Horizons – Inner Dislocation
Kattelox: Sons Of Seasons – Magnisphyricon
Train of Naught: Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit
Parama: Rolo Tomassi – Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It
TAC: Hyperomm – From Nothing to Eternity
LordCost: Thumpermonkey – We Bake Our Bread Beneath Her Holy Fire
Lethean: Conception – Flow
Puppies on Acid: The Fall of Troy – Phantom on the Horizon
twosuitsluke: Astronoid – Air
Sacul: Hooverphonic – A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular
Guessed letters: KATTELOX SUCCZ I
-
This is the first time in a long time that nobody got the D
-
With it we could have made KATTELOX SUCC ZILTOID :neverusethis:
-
:lol :lol
-
oh yeah thumpermonkey yet again
i should have guessed
Yeah Parama, I read you tried to guess mine from the start, it wasn't impossible at the end.
I did not have time to read about Arcane Roots breakup, does someone know the reason? I think you are still able to see one of their last live shows Rich, I sent them in time maybe.
-
to be fair i've never listened to any of their other albums besides sleep furiously :P
-
Yes I know, but I'm sending them frequently and in the end it was a 50-50 call between me and jingle. It was destiny that you should have not guessed it.
-
Round Four first impressions, part 1 of 2
#1 Not really what I’d normally expect from the genre, but there’s a certain sense of fun that makes this rather enjoyable.
#2 This is pretty good. Didn’t wow me on first listen, but there are some cool and unexpected things in there.
#3 Quite a bit of this sounded like it wasn’t doing anything the genre hadn’t been doing for 10-15 years already, but there’s some lovely stuff later in the album so it might grow on me more.
#4 This ranged from “oh god yes this is so good” to “hmm, not sure this is working”.
#5 This is fairly weird stuff. Not really sure what to think so far.
#6 You really weren't wrong in your submission description. This is nice stuff, though a lot of it blurred together a bit on first listen.
-----------------------------------
Not quite so strong as the last couple of rounds so far, based on first listens. Some good stuff definitely, but less of it is really grabbing me so far.
-
#6 You really weren't wrong in your submission description. This is nice stuff, though a lot of it blurred together a bit on first listen.
Since I'm first to respond, I'll squat on this description
-
#2 This is pretty good. Didn’t wow me on first listen, but there are some cool and unexpected things in there.
#4 This ranged from “oh god yes this is so good” to “hmm, not sure this is working”.
#5 This is fairly weird stuff. Not really sure what to think so far.
Mine could be one of these
-
#6 You really weren't wrong in your submission description. This is nice stuff, though a lot of it blurred together a bit on first listen.
Since I'm first to respond, I'll squat on this description
I'll fight you for that one - I think mine is pretty close, and I think several songs do actually blur together on mine, but overall I think it's close. But a couple others might apply too.
I'll check in while I'm down in Atlanta. I already sent my next round's submission which is a really risky choice but I think it'll be very obvious which one is mine :P
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I'll check in while I'm down in Atlanta.
I BLESS THE RAINS DOWN IN AAAAAATLANTA
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I bless the rains
in Atlanta
and Atlanta
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:lol
i'm glad cockroach sympathy never dies
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1,2 or 5 are possibly mine, and I hope it's not #5.
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#6 You really weren't wrong in your submission description. This is nice stuff, though a lot of it blurred together a bit on first listen.
Pretty likely mine, don't worry, more listens will unveil how diverse and nice the record is :P
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Round Four first impressions, part 1 of 2
#1 Not really what I’d normally expect from the genre, but there’s a certain sense of fun that makes this rather enjoyable.
#2 This is pretty good. Didn’t wow me on first listen, but there are some cool and unexpected things in there.
#3 Quite a bit of this sounded like it wasn’t doing anything the genre hadn’t been doing for 10-15 years already, but there’s some lovely stuff later in the album so it might grow on me more.
#4 This ranged from “oh god yes this is so good” to “hmm, not sure this is working”.
#5 This is fairly weird stuff. Not really sure what to think so far.
#6 You really weren't wrong in your submission description. This is nice stuff, though a lot of it blurred together a bit on first listen.
Round Four first impressions, part 2 of 2
#7 Don’t have a strong view on this from first listen. It sounds good, but there’s a lot going on so I’ll need to hear it some more.
#8 More variety than I was expecting, and some brilliant stuff, but also some stuff I felt less convinced by.
#9 This isn't quite like anything else in my collection, but it has a lot of really lovely stuff.
#10 More variety than I was expecting, and it's all pretty good though it'll take more listens to decide how much I like it.
#11 Nice album, enjoyable mix of different influences.
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Any one of those could be mine as well :lol
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Please be merciful
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They all read 7.5.
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People though my snippets were vague... :)
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They all read 7.5.
Correct, everybody gets 7.5, next round.
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They all read 7.5.
Correct, everybody gets 7.5, next round, except Chad who continues his upward trend and gets a 9.0.
Fix'd... amirite?? :neverusethis:
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can we get some first results up in here :corn
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can we get some first results up in here :corn
If you insist.
Round Four results, 1-3/11
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Hyperomm – From Nothing to Eternity (2017), submitted by TAC
First impression: Not really what I’d normally expect from the genre, but there’s a certain sense of fun that makes this rather enjoyable.
Final opinion: In my experience, melodic death metal is generally pretty serious, tending to either focus on the heavy side or going instead for mood. So this album was surprising in a way, as it doesn’t especially do either of those things and instead it’s got a real sense of fun and energy. It actually reminds me quite a lot of early-ish Children of Bodom - maybe not as atmospheric, but with a bit more variety and less reliance on the whole neo-classical metal schtick. As a result, I’m actually digging it more than Bodom - can’t say what staying power it will have, and the novelty might wear off a bit, but I can only rate albums based on my current opinion and right now I’m finding it really enjoyable. It’s also particularly impressive for a one-man band, a very nice example of the opportunity that modern technology provides to talented people who in days gone by probably wouldn’t have had the chance.
Score: 8.0
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The Fall of Troy – Phantom on the Horizon (2008), submitted by Puppies
First impression: Don’t have a strong view on this from first listen. It sounds good, but there’s a lot going on so I’ll need to hear it some more.
Final opinion: This is really different, and so so so much better, than the other album I’ve heard by The Fall of Troy. I thought you were maybe being a bit risky sending this based on how I rated, but now I can see why you felt confident. This is very solid post-hardcore leaning towards full-on metal, with some fierce energy and great instrumental work. Definitely a Mars Volta vibe at times, in some of the quirkier melodic moments. But is also goes pretty intense on occasion. Which I don’t always find they do as well as the tuneful and technical stuff - some of the intense moments are great, but others leave me feeling pretty cold. That’s a fairly minor complaint though. Overall, this is excellent and it’ll definitely prompt me to give some more of their albums a try - grateful for recommendations!
Score: 8.0
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Thumpermonkey – We Bake Our Bread Beneath Her Holy Fire (2010), submitted by LordCost
First impression: This is fairly weird stuff. Not really sure what to think so far.
Final opinion: After your high in the last round, this is rather less successful. It’s not bad at all, but like the Mr Bungle, there’s stuff that just doesn’t work for me really. I often like or even love music that’s quite weird, but obviously weirdness can take different forms and be executed in different ways. The rather discordant oddness that appears on this album and in Mr Bungle at times (and other music of course) really needs to hit me in the right place, but normally it doesn’t. That said, there’s still plenty to like on the album, and even in the bits where the music doesn’t do it for me, the singer has a great voice and a lot of character. At times he has the emotion of Daniel Gildenlow, while at others he has a dark epic style that sounds like the guy from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. There’s actually the occasional similarity with SGM, but without the distinct dark vibe that makes them so engaging (in their best stuff anyway). So yeah, this is good, but I don’t love it.
Score: 7.0
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Ranking so far
1 LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + 9.5 + 7.0 = 32.0
2 Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.5
3 TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.0
-----------------------------------------
? Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 + ? = ?
? Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + ? = ?
? Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 + ? = ?
? Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Jingle* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + ? = ?
? Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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Poor TAC, still not getting the 7.5 he loves so much
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Poor TAC, still not getting the 7.5 he loves so much
Yeah, that's the second time in a row he's accidentally done too well.
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Not sure I'd call getting .5 more than a 7.5 as doing too well. :lol
I tolerate the vocals for the most part on the Hyperomm, but I think musically it's amazing.
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I tolerate the vocals for the most part on the Hyperomm, but I think musically it's amazing.
He's not the best death metal vocalist I've heard, but he's fine. I agree the strength is in the music, which is really enjoyable.
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I'll admit the hyperomm album kinda didn't do it as much for me on revisits but it's still a pretty solid record yeah
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Regarding Fall of Troy; the Ghostship is basically 'objectively' their best record (even though it was released as an EP), but I had 'Manipulator' in my album top 50, because that one means more to me. Their first two (of which you heard Doppelganger) are half good, half bad really, but Doppelganger does contain some great songs. In the Unlikely Event is TFOT not exactly at their best, but the album is more 'slick' and streamlined, which doesn't fully match with the rawer sound on Doppelganger and Manipulator. The band disbanded after In the Unlikely Event, but did a reunion years later, releasing 'OK', which I have never heard.
So, as far as recommendations go:
Manipulator.
In the Unlikely Event if you want the same sound, more streamlined; for rawer stuff go to their first two records.
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I wanted you to publish my result later this time :lol
Two days ago the new Thumpermonkey single called Veldt came out on bandcamp and I wanted to say to you to listen to the new song, maybe it would have helped the score of the album I sent to you, don't know why :lol. But I was busy for work and other things and I didn't find the time to write here.
I think the new album would be more up your alley if it will mantain the same style. The album comes out at the end of October when this roulette is probably finished, so I couldn't sent it anyway, but hopefully in the future I could send them without losing points in almost every roulette :lol
The stuff from Bake and the EP before Bring Me Sun For Breakfast is sometimes nerdy while still really original but can leave you a bit cold, while Veldt central part is really powerful and hit me emotionally when I listened to it for the first time. I'm actually waiting for that song to be released in studio for 4 years, after having seen a live recording of that song during the Tim Smith Benefit Concert in November 2013 :P
I'll leave the link here since I've talked a bit of that song.
https://thumpermonkey.bandcamp.com/album/make-me-young-etc
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Sent my final album. :-[
;D
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Oh man there's only one more round before the semifinals huh
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Well, I'm nothing if not consistent. Glad you enjoyed it.
Regarding Fall of Troy; the Ghostship is basically 'objectively' their best record (even though it was released as an EP), but I had 'Manipulator' in my album top 50, because that one means more to me. Their first two (of which you heard Doppelganger) are half good, half bad really, but Doppelganger does contain some great songs. In the Unlikely Event is TFOT not exactly at their best, but the album is more 'slick' and streamlined, which doesn't fully match with the rawer sound on Doppelganger and Manipulator. The band disbanded after In the Unlikely Event, but did a reunion years later, releasing 'OK', which I have never heard.
So, as far as recommendations go:
Manipulator.
In the Unlikely Event if you want the same sound, more streamlined; for rawer stuff go to their first two records.
This is pretty much how I feel about the rest of The Fall of Troy's albums. I wanted to send Manipulator, as it is also in my top 50 albums, but based on your tastes and how you felt about Doppelganger I went with Phantom instead. Manipulator is where I would go next though. It's so over the top technical and an extremely fun listen. Plus there's some really great sing along/scream along :biggrin: parts.
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Thanks for the extra info on TFOT and Thumpermonkey, I'll definitely check out more of their stuff once the roulette is over (good lord I'm going to have so much music to listen to).
More results you say?!
Round Four results, 4-6/11
Results 1-3 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2470608#msg2470608
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Be'lakor – Stone's Reach (2009), submitted by Luoto
First impression: Quite a bit of this sounded like it wasn’t doing anything the genre hadn’t been doing for 10-15 years already, but there’s some lovely stuff later in the album so it might grow on me more.
Final opinion: OK so this is the biggest grower of the roulette so far. On my first listen it felt to me like a lot of it was only a minor update on what some of the Gothenburg bands were doing in the 90s (so actually I meant 15-25 years ago, damn I'm old). And to an extent I sort of still think that's the case. But with repeat listens, firstly it becomes clear that the quality is very high, and secondly the nuances do actually stand out more. When they go more atmospheric/uber-melodic is the real highlight for me, as they do it so well. The album's close is absolutely wonderful in that regard and already stood out on my first listen. But other songs have great segments like that too, like some of the stuff in Sun's Delusion. My first impression was that this might end up around a 7.5, but it's gained a full point.
Score: 8.5
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Conception – Flow (1997), submitted by Lethean
First impression: Nice album, enjoyable mix of different influences.
Final opinion: I've heard of Conception as I'm a big fan of Østby’s work in Ark and of course Khan from Kamelot, but I've never heard anything by them. I like it. This album doesn't sound nearly as unique or exciting as either of those two bands, but then this album is 20 years old now, so I imagine there are things they did that were pretty new. Certainly the album brings together a nice range of different prog and metal influences. I can almost hear Kamelot’s brand of prog-power metal at times, and there's plenty of classic rock influence too. Some of the softer moments call to mind bands like Pink Floyd, and there's even a dose of 90s grunge on occasion. Overall, I like this a fair bit, but it doesn't excite me enough to beat a 7.5.
Score: 7.5
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Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit (2018), submitted by Train
First impression: This ranged from “oh god yes this is so good” to “hmm, not sure this is working”.
Final opinion: Man, I absolutely ADORE some of this. I definitely feel like you've understood my tastes well, and the musical things that are likely to excite me. The stuff that is basically gospel/spiritual but with a rock/metal edge is so good - brilliant mood and emotion with an intensity that just raises its impact and makes it even more evocative. Gravedigger’s Chant is a perfect example of this, and so early in the album it sets the scene wonderfully. Songs like Servants and Ship On Fire are heavier but similarly get a superb balance and fuse the styles together well, and the closer is great too. Unfortunately, the quality isn't uniformly high throughout. Mostly it's when the all-out black metal comes in that it's quite jarring, the songs that do this don't seem to fuse together so well. Plus, I think I just don't find him particularly good at writing black metal. So it's a bit of a frustrating album really. The good stuff is so so good, and on further listens the rest has become tolerable enough to make it an enjoyable listen overall (and some of the black metal tracks are actually decent, like Row Row). But it's just not consistent enough and the low points do drag it down a bit. Also the couple of synthtronica tracks are cool but totally don't belong on this album.
Score: 7.5
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Ranking so far
1 Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 + 7.5 = 33.0
2 Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 + 8.5 = 32.5
3= Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 = 32.0
3= LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + 9.5 + 7.0 = 32.0
5 Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.5
6 TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.0
-----------------------------------------
? Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + ? = ?
? Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Jingle* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + ? = ?
? Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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Pretty much exactly how I feel about z&a, there's about a half an album's worth of great stuff, a quarter of an album of weird filler, and the rest is solid but not especially effective
Also dammit no results for me yet I'm gonna die :corn
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I had a feeling that could be my first impression line, and the final write-up is also quite expected. Be'lakor are indeed not particularly original, but their music has loads of personality because they virtually never recycle a riff or melody, in addition to the songs being generally longer than those of their peers. It's a big reason why people often find Stone's Reach a serious grower of an album.
By the way, a UK melodeath band named themselves after Countless Skies. Truly a classic song.
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I probably should revisit it sometime since I only really listened to it once
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I can live with that, still glad I was able to show you something different and catch you offguard and apparently got you to really like some of those tunes. Most people I talk to feel that there's too much filler. I think Manuel's album pacing skills are about as random as his combination of genres, I think tunes like Solve + Coagula, The Hermit and The Fool (and even Built on Ashes, the closer, which makes the end of the album pretty lackluster) are completely misplaced and/or unnecessary. That's a big reason this album dropped out of my top 10 and is looking to drop out of the top 15 as well (currently #14), even though it's by far my most played album mostly due to the 5-7 songs I have had in constant rotation pretty much since they released.
I have a good idea of what to send but want to think it over first, I have a pretty busy period coming up so if I don't send this afternoon it will likely have to wait until Sunday. Should be okay right?
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hey what the heck built on ashes is excellent
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Also dammit no results for me yet I'm gonna die :corn
Maybe I'll leave you to the final set, just for kicks. :neverusethis:
I can live with that, still glad I was able to show you something different and catch you offguard and apparently got you to really like some of those tunes. Most people I talk to feel that there's too much filler. I think Manuel's album pacing skills are about as random as his combination of genres, I think tunes like Solve + Coagula, The Hermit and The Fool (and even Built on Ashes, the closer, which makes the end of the album pretty lackluster) are completely misplaced and/or unnecessary. That's a big reason this album dropped out of my top 10 and is looking to drop out of the top 15 as well (currently #14), even though it's by far my most played album mostly due to the 5-7 songs I have had in constant rotation pretty much since they released.
Yeah about half the album is absolutely brilliant.
I have a good idea of what to send but want to think it over first, I have a pretty busy period coming up so if I don't send this afternoon it will likely have to wait until Sunday. Should be okay right?
Of course, no rush. There are two more sets of results to go until round 5 formally starts, which will probably be sometime over the weekend. But obviously people can feel free to send for the next round 5 whenever they're ready.
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#2 This is pretty good. Didn’t wow me on first listen, but there are some cool and unexpected things in there.
#6 You really weren't wrong in your submission description. This is nice stuff, though a lot of it blurred together a bit on first listen.
#8 More variety than I was expecting, and some brilliant stuff, but also some stuff I felt less convinced by.
#9 This isn't quite like anything else in my collection, but it has a lot of really lovely stuff.
#10 More variety than I was expecting, and it's all pretty good though it'll take more listens to decide how much I like it.
these are the ones left & they all sound pretty mixed opinion-wise, great :lol
i barely had a description in my PM so I feel that rules me out of being #6
i sort of expect to be #8 now & that the heavier stuff doesn't do it for you
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Well turns out I made up my mind anyway and sent, expecting at least a solid 6/10 for this one, or maybe even higher!
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Jolly perceptive of you, Parama.
Round Four results, 7-9/11
Results 1-3 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2470608#msg2470608
Results 4-6 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2471022#msg2471022
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New Horizons – Inner Dislocation (2018), submitted by Jingle
First impression: This is pretty good. Didn’t wow me on first listen, but there are some cool and unexpected things in there.
Final opinion: There's lots about this that I like. It's enjoyable and varied prog metal, with strong performances and lots of fun and surprising elements. The symphonic backing in the opener is awesome for example, and there are things like that popping up throughout the album. There are a few things that stop it from being really great for me though. Although it's a lot of fun, I think the writing jumps around a bit too much for my tastes. Like most prog bands when they're starting out, they have a lot of promise and cool ideas, but they really need to refine them more to grab me. I'm also not too keen on the vocals, either the singer's voice (talented enough but I find his phrasing is quite off-putting) or more importantly the vocal lines which rarely have much in the way of good hooks (although there are some really good moments, like Borderlands pt 2). So yeah, solid but not amazing. Also, wtf at your friend saying they sound like Haken. This sounds nothing like Haken. :lol
Score: 7.5
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Rolo Tomassi – Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It (2018), submitted by Parama
First impression: More variety than I was expecting, and some brilliant stuff, but also some stuff I felt less convinced by.
Final opinion: Like the Fall of Troy, this is an absolutely immense improvement on the earlier Rolo Tomassi album I've heard. There are still elements I'm not really a fan of. Mainly, I just don't enjoy most (though not all) of the screamo vocals in the full-on metalcore sections, of which there are a fair few. But this album is much more balanced and varied than what I remember of Cosmology. It's still very schizophrenic in the way it shifts moods from one extreme to the other and everything in between, sometimes very suddenly, but the way it does so mostly feels fresher and more exciting. I don't dislike all the harsh vocals, and some of the heavy stuff is excellent, like in Whispers Among US and Contretemps. And the female singer has a great voice. There are some wonderful moments throughout. But like the Zeal & Ardor album, while the highs are super high and the album is a good listen, the stuff I'm not keen on does hold it back overall.
Score: 7.5
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Sons Of Seasons – Magnisphyricon (2011), submitted by Katt
First impression: You really weren't wrong in your submission description. This is nice stuff, though a lot of it blurred together a bit on first listen.
Final opinion: Yeah, you were definitely right that there are similarities to Kamelot, which are quite striking at times. Especially the dark, theatrical prog-power metal vibe, and occasionally the singer’s voice. But actually I find this more proggy and varied - stylistically, tonally - than Kamelot. I’m actually digging this almost as much as Kamelot’s best stuff, which while not as diverse has a certain character to it that means it stays slightly ahead. But this is really good stuff. Ranges from dark and emotional to really epic and heavy at times. There’s still a bit of a sense of everything blurring together a little, but it’s a solid album nonetheless.
Score: 8.0
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Ranking so far
1 Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 + 7.5 = 33.0
2= Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + 7.5 = 32.5
2= Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 + 8.5 = 32.5
4= Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 = 32.0
4= LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + 9.5 + 7.0 = 32.0
6= Jingle* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + 7.5 = 31.5
6= Puppies* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.5
8= Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 = 31.0
8= TAC* = 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.0
-----------------------------------------
? Luke* = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 + ? = ?
? Sacul* = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + ? = ?
*on probation until round five
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rip my 8's
TAC can we trade :corn
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:lol
Honestly though, the good bits are so good they'd often tempt me to increase the score. But then there'd be a load of stuff I didn't like much and I'd think "nah 7.5 it is".
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I didn't hear the Haken reference either... and FWIW, he is RJ, and he actually said "with a worse singer" - I just didn't want to set that as the tone before you even listened! :rollin
Totally fair assessment, and I'll take the 7.5
Sending my final submission.
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I'm curious about snippet #9. I thought it would have been about my submission but it's not.
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I didn't hear the Haken reference either... and FWIW, he is RJ, and he actually said "with a worse singer" - I just didn't want to set that as the tone before you even listened! :rollin
You cheeky bastard. :lol With this and sending me Lalo's music, I feel like you need a lesson in fair play.
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I didn't hear the Haken reference either... and FWIW, he is RJ, and he actually said "with a worse singer" - I just didn't want to set that as the tone before you even listened! :rollin
You cheeky bastard. :lol With this and sending me Lalo's music, I feel like you need a lesson in fair play.
It's not like you're new at Roulette'g... you know my motto is "Win if you can; lose if you must; but always cheat"
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Managed to get some good listening to the last two albums this afternoon, so can finish the round. Am genuinely pleased at how I've managed to keep on top of these and didn't have to boot out any of the probationary participants.
Round Four final results
Results 1-3 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2470608#msg2470608
Results 4-6 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2471022#msg2471022
Results 7-9 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2471150#msg2471150
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Astronoid – Air (2016), submitted by Luke
First impression: This isn't quite like anything else in my collection, but it has a lot of really lovely stuff.
Final opinion: Gosh, this is quite lovely. It’s definitely difficult to define. You described it as “euphoric post-black metal”, RYM lists them as “Blackgaze, Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Shoegaze”, and I’ve seen all sorts of other descriptions online such as “dream thrash”. I think it speaks a lot to how unique this music is. It’s super energetic, and speed/riff-wise has a lot in common with black metal and speed/power metal, but melodically and harmonically it’s very upbeat and pretty, and the vocals are incredibly light and airy. It’s a really interesting and pleasant mix. I’m not 100% sold on the production, but this is their debut LP and it’s still a pretty good sound. Plus, the style is one that can get away with a slightly muddy mix, as like most post- genres it’s largely about the soundscapes and mood, which are great. It’s not perfect, but it’s a gorgeous listen.
Score: 8.5
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Hooverphonic – A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular (1996), submitted by Sacul
First impression: More variety than I was expecting, and it's all pretty good though it'll take more listens to decide how much I like it.
Final opinion: This seriously doesn’t sound like it’s more than 20 years old (though I realise it’s been remastered really nicely). What a great vibe it has. It starts really nice downtempo trip-hop/electronica, and after a couple of tracks I thought I knew what I was getting, and I was digging it. But then the album goes in all sorts of other directions. Those don’t always work brilliantly - there are couple of psychadelic-ish tracks in the middle (Nr 9 and Sarangi) that aren’t especially interesting for example. But most of the album is great, and the variety keeps it engaging. Like, Revolver is really weird, but it’s also lots of fun and nothing like anything else on the album. I can see myself returning to this a fair bit in future, when the mood takes me towards this style, and I’m keen to check out more of their stuff.
Score: 8.0
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Ranking so far
1 Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 + 7.5 = 33.0
2= Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + 7.5 = 32.5
2= Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 + 8.5 = 32.5
2= Luke = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 32.5
5= Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 = 32.0
5= LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + 9.5 + 7.0 = 32.0
7= Jingle = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + 7.5 = 31.5
7= Puppies = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.5
7= Sacul = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.5
10= Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 = 31.0
10= TAC = 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.0
-----------------------------------------
So, only 2 points between top and bottom of the current standings. This is the last round before the semi-finals, and everyone is capable of getting into the top 6.
Let's do this! Send for round 5 if you haven't already.
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Managed to get some good listening to the last two albums this afternoon, so can finish the round. Am genuinely pleased at how I've managed to keep on top of these and didn't have to boot out any of the probationary participants.
(https://i.imgflip.com/2hgb4l.jpg)
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I think he means earlier than this upcoming round :lol since 5 people are getting the boot after this round regardless
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I think he means earlier than this upcoming round :lol since 5 people are getting the boot after this round regardless
Correct. It would be pretty astonishing if all 5 probationaries make it into the semis!
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I know I know... I'm just being punchy. It's been a long week at work.
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Astronoid - Air sent by Luke
Good album
Astronoid – Air (2016), submitted by Luke
Score: 8.5
Called it.
I could have done so much better in this roulette.
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So much better than being eliminated in the first round?
:neverusethis:
:heart
But yeah you did well in my last roulette, reaching the semi finals and that was with the challenge of themed rounds. So I don't doubt you'd have done pretty well, just wasn't a strong enough first submission unfortunately. Next time!
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I don't like the way those standings look.
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Astronoid - Air sent by Luke
Good album
Astronoid – Air (2016), submitted by Luke
Score: 8.5
Called it.
I could have done so much better in this roulette.
You don't say. I see Need and Be'lakor get 8+ and wonder why the hell I sent neo-prog rock to Rich. On the other hand, I was really busy when this started, so maybe it's for the best.
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I’m not 100% sold on the production, but this is their debut LP and it’s still a pretty good sound.
I've seen it given a DR of 7 (Dynamic Range), which is actually pretty good compared to a lot of what's released these days. Sometimes it might just be the musicians themselves and not turning the knobs behind the table.
Sent something a little different for R5, but I wouldn't call it risky.
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Be'lakor – Stone's Reach (2009), submitted by Luoto
First impression: Quite a bit of this sounded like it wasn’t doing anything the genre hadn’t been doing for 10-15 years already, but there’s some lovely stuff later in the album so it might grow on me more.
Final opinion: OK so this is the biggest grower of the roulette so far. On my first listen it felt to me like a lot of it was only a minor update on what some of the Gothenburg bands were doing in the 90s (so actually I meant 15-25 years ago, damn I'm old). And to an extent I sort of still think that's the case. But with repeat listens, firstly it becomes clear that the quality is very high, and secondly the nuances do actually stand out more. When they go more atmospheric/uber-melodic is the real highlight for me, as they do it so well. The album's close is absolutely wonderful in that regard and already stood out on my first listen. But other songs have great segments like that too, like some of the stuff in Sun's Delusion. My first impression was that this might end up around a 7.5, but it's gained a full point.
Score: 8.5
Just checking this album out. WOW!! This is awesome stuff.
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Be'lakor – Stone's Reach (2009), submitted by Luoto
First impression: Quite a bit of this sounded like it wasn’t doing anything the genre hadn’t been doing for 10-15 years already, but there’s some lovely stuff later in the album so it might grow on me more.
Final opinion: OK so this is the biggest grower of the roulette so far. On my first listen it felt to me like a lot of it was only a minor update on what some of the Gothenburg bands were doing in the 90s (so actually I meant 15-25 years ago, damn I'm old). And to an extent I sort of still think that's the case. But with repeat listens, firstly it becomes clear that the quality is very high, and secondly the nuances do actually stand out more. When they go more atmospheric/uber-melodic is the real highlight for me, as they do it so well. The album's close is absolutely wonderful in that regard and already stood out on my first listen. But other songs have great segments like that too, like some of the stuff in Sun's Delusion. My first impression was that this might end up around a 7.5, but it's gained a full point.
Score: 8.5
Just checking this album out. WOW!! This is awesome stuff.
This album is great. I've heard that other albums from them were heavier so I didn't dig deeper, but this one is in my constant rotation.
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I've got them all saved on Spotify to check out. I'm halfway through this and it's fantastic.
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Got an 8. Still at the bottom. :(
Really happy you enjoyed Magnisphyricon, man. Some great stuff there.
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I don't like the way those standings look.
Join the club. :corn
Sent! TO VICTORY!
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Astronoid - Air sent by Luke
Good album
Astronoid – Air (2016), submitted by Luke
Score: 8.5
Called it.
I could have done so much better in this roulette.
My next submission is also one you undoubtedly like/love, only sent it because I knew you couldn't but I've fallen in love with it recently :heart
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my next submission is probably a bad idea and one i stand behind fully
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my next submission is probably a bad idea and one i stand behind fully
Der Weg einer Freiheit? Or Spectral Lore?
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i'm not completely stupid enough to send ariich black metal :lol
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i'm not completely stupid enough to send ariich black metal :lol
You better send me at least 1 epic black metal album in my upcoming roulette :2metal:
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sure
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Just checking this album out. WOW!! This is awesome stuff.
:tup
This album is great. I've heard that other albums from them were heavier so I didn't dig deeper, but this one is in my constant rotation.
I wouldn't say that. Of Breath and Bone is mixed by Bogren so the sound is maybe a bit punchier, and the style of writing leans more towards songs like From Scythe to Sceptre and Countless Skies. Vessels has a little more atmospheric element to it.
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my next submission is probably a bad idea and one i stand behind fully
Der Weg einer Freiheit? Or Spectral Lore?
i'm not completely stupid enough to send ariich black metal :lol
You recommended Der Weg einer Freiheit once you went out of my last roulette. I gave it 7/10 in my post-roulette ratings.
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Just waitin' on Lethean, LordCost and Lucas.
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i shouldn't have recommended you wilderun because that would've been great to send now
also see i wasn't stupid enough to send DWeF in the roulette itself, and considering i have an even better grasp on your tastes now I'd never consider it :lol
Caligula's Horse – The Tide, the Thief & River's End (Parama)
8.5/10
Very strong prog metal, really enjoyable and dynamic. I thought I'd heard some Caligula's Horse before and not been very impressed, but this is excellent. Will certainly check out more of their stuff.
The Ocean – Pelagial (Parama)
8/10
This is definitely a grower and some really excellent post-metal. Not everything is killer, but I love the layering of the album, and the way that it starts quite light and delicate to reflect being at the surface, and then the music gets heavier and denser as it descends. Clever concept and really well executed.
should've saved these ones as well, from the looks of it, damn :lol
had i known you were gonna run another roulette so soon after your last one I probably would've saved more
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I'd say those two albums have increased by another 0.5 since then as well.
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they're both really great albums
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They are indeed. I've become a huge Caligula's Horse fan and have all their albums now. I still need to dig deeper into The Ocean's stuff too.
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By the way, I'm probably going to save all the results for this round to post them in one go, as they determine who makes the semi-finals. I'll do first impressions in probably a couple of posts like usual, and then I'll think about how to not go silent for a few days. Maybe some out-of-context snippets of final opinions. Happy to take any other ideas as well!
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ready for the torture :metal :metal :metal
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I'll send later today
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I'll send later today
Dude, this is your chance to not be last to submit! :tup
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I hope, sent :P
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He did it!
(https://i.imgur.com/GjU1tSa.gif)
Just waiting for LordCost now, and then we start hangman.
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I sent too now!
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:metal H :metal A :metal N :metal G :metal M :metal A :metal N :metal E :metal N :metal
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Alrighty, let's find ourselves some hung men!
?: __ _______ – ______, ___ _______
?: ______ _________ – ___ ______ ________
?: ________ – _______ ___ _______
?: ________ – __________
?: _________ – ____ __ ___ _____
?: _________ – ___ ____
?: _________ – ________ _ ________
?: _________ – ___ ____ __ __ ______
?: _____ ____ ___ ____ – _______ _ ______
?: ______ ___ – _____-_
?: ____ ____ – ____ __ _____
Guessed letters:
-
Give me your D :metal
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The same band four times!!
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gimme a T!!!
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Give me your D :metal
You want the D from the hung men?
The same band four times!!
I think I'd probably have intervened had that been the case. :lol We did have two people trying to send the same album though, first time since round 1.
?: __ ___d_t_ – ______, ___ _____t_
?: ______ _________ – T__ __d___ _______t
?: ________ – __t____ t__ __d____
?: ________ – ______t___
?: _________ – __d_ __ t__ ___t_
?: _________ – ___ ____
?: ____d____ – ________ _ ____d___
?: ________d – T__ ____ __ __ ______
?: D____ ___d ___ ____ – ______d _ _____d
?: ______ T__ – D__t_-_
?: ____ ___t – D__t __ _____
Guessed letters: DT
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Kepler Ten - Delta-V
I thought Chad was eliminated?
-
You thought incorrectly.
?: __ ___d_t_ – ______, ___ _____t_
?: ______ _________ – T__ __d___ _______t
?: ________ – __t____ t__ __d____
?: ________ – ______t___
?: _________ – __d_ __ t__ ___t_
?: _________ – ___ ____
?: ____d____ – ________ _ ____d___
?: ________d – T__ ____ __ __ ______
?: D____ ___d ___ ____ – ______d _ _____d
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
?: ____ ___t – D__t __ _____
Guessed letters: DT
Parama waits a turn.
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well, I'd guess F if i could guess another letter right now, but :corn
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Yeah that's actually right.
P
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Rx Bandits. Was that a Luke band?
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DTP < DTF, but it'll have to do. :P
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – ______, ___ _____t_
?: ______ _________ – T__ __d___ _______t
?: ________ – __t____ t__ __d____
?: ________ – P_____t___
?: __p______ – __d_ __ t__ ___t_
?: _________ – ___ ____
?: ____d____ – __p_____ _ _p__d___
?: ________d – T__ ____ __ __ __p___
?: D____ ___d ___ ____ – ______d _ _____d
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
?: ____ ___t – D__t __ _____
Guessed letters: DTP
Ruslan waits a turn.
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Euphoreon - Ends of the Earth. Can't remember who sent that to Kade.
Also, R
-
Katt sent Kingcrow / Phlegethon
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Katt sent Kingcrow / Phlegethon
How did you possibly guess the album? :o
Incorrect sender though.
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – ______, __r _____t_
?: ______ _ro______ – T__ R_d___ _o_____t
?: ____o___ – __t____ t__ __d____
?: Kingcrow – Phlegethon
?: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth
?: _or______ – ___ ____
?: ____d_o__ – __p_r___ _ Op__d___
?: ___r____d – T__ ____ o_ __ __p_r_
?: D____ _o_d ___ _o__ – ______d _ __r__d
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
?: ____ _o_t – D__t o_ __o__
Guessed letters: DTP RO
Ruslan waits a turn again.
-
O
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^Updated above.
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gimme dat A
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twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – ______, __r _a___t_
?: _a____ _ro___a__ – T__ Rad_a_ _o___a_t
?: _a__o___ – __t____ t__ _ad____
?: Kingcrow – Phlegethon
?: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth
?: _or_____a – ___ _a__
?: A___d_o__ – __p_r_a_ _ Op__d_a_
?: _a_r__a_d – T__ _a__ o_ a_ __p_r_
?: D____ _o_d ___ _o__ – ______d _ __r__d
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
?: ____ _oat – D__t o_ A_o__
Guessed letters: DTP ROA
Katt waits one turn
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King Goat - Debt of Aeons
F
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Gemini, Her Majesty
gimme the B
-
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – Gemini, Her Majesty
?: _a____ _ro___a__ – T__ Rad_a_ _o___a_t
?: _a__o___ – B_t____ t__ _ad____
?: Kingcrow – Phlegethon
?: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth
?: _or____ba – B__ _a__
?: A___dfo__ – __p_r_a_ _ Op__d_a_
?: Fa_r__a_d – T__ Fa__ of a_ __p_r_
?: D____ _o_d ___ _o__ – B_____d _ __r__d
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
?: King Goat – Debt of Aeons
Guessed letters: DTPROAFB
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Amendfoil - Empyrean & Ophidian sent by parama
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not quite :corn
let's E
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(https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/138/138310.jpg/1000x1000.jpg)
;)
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King Goat - Debt of Aeons
Train sent this
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(https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/138/138310.jpg/1000x1000.jpg)
;)
Katt sent this.
-
Getting there...
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – Gemini, Her Majesty
?: _a__e_ _ro___a__ – T_e Rad_a_ _o_e_a_t
?: _a__o___ – Bet_ee_ t_e _ad_e__
?: Kingcrow – Phlegethon
?: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth
?: _or__eeba – B__ _a__
?: Amendfoil – Empyrean & Ophidian
Kattelox: Fairyland – The Fall of an Empire
?: De___ _o_d ___ _o__ – B_e__ed _ __r_ed
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
Train of Naught: King Goat – Debt of Aeons
Guessed letters: DTPROAFBE
-
Was it Lethean that pre-sent Kingcrow then?
-
Between the ???
-
Between the Madness?
-
oh, vangough sent by lordcost
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All right. :tup
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – Gemini, Her Majesty
?: _a__e_ _ro___a__ – T_e Rad_a_ _o_e_a_t
LordCost: Vangough – Between the Madness
Lethean: Kingcrow – Phlegethon
?: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth
?: _or__eeba – B__ _a__
?: Amendfoil – Empyrean & Ophidian
Kattelox: Fairyland – The Fall of an Empire
?: De___ _o_d ___ _o__ – B_e__ed _ __r_ed
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
Train of Naught: King Goat – Debt of Aeons
Guessed letters: DTPROAFBE
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Luoto is in this roulette so that's where amendfoil came from
Good album tho
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Morcheeba by Sacul?
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twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – Gemini, Her Majesty
?: _a__e_ _ro___a__ – T_e Rad_a_ _o_e_a_t
LordCost: Vangough – Between the Madness
Lethean: Kingcrow – Phlegethon
?: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth
Sacul: Morcheeba – B__ _a__
Luoto: Amendfoil – Empyrean & Ophidian
Kattelox: Fairyland – The Fall of an Empire
?: De___ _o_d ___ _o__ – B_e__ed _ __r_ed
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
Train of Naught: King Goat – Debt of Aeons
Guessed letters: DTPROAFBE
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Hannes Grossmann - The Radial Covenant
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Word from the eliminated (hoping it's allowed, apologising if not): without spoiling the hangman naming it, that Morcheeba album is beyond classy.
-
You can still guess in hangman if you're eliminated :lol
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Hannes Grossmann - The Radial Covenant
This one is Parama then
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yep :metal
going for that delicious 7/10 juice
-
You can still guess in hangman if you're eliminated :lol
Oh, gotcha. Does Evermind know? *shudders*
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Word from the eliminated (hoping it's allowed, apologising if not): without spoiling the hangman naming it, that Morcheeba album is beyond classy.
One of the happiest, most comfy albums I know :heart
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Hannes Grossman is the fucking man, only listened to that album once but of course Alkaloid is great and this is pretty much Baby's First Alkaloid so I have no problem with that. But I'm also going for that sweet 7th of October score!
I totally gave credit to you for that album Elite, and only sent it cause you're out. I actually still haven't dug into Conduit much since I don't remember much from the first listen, but this new one is insanely good.
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of the three hannes grossdude albums i've spun a lot the radial covenant is my favorite but i've only listened to the malkuth grimoire like, twice so far so
plus i feel like ariich would like the style of his solo albums a bit more but they're all good
-
Almost finished!
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – Gemini, Her Majesty
Parama: Hannes Grossmann – The Radial Covenant
LordCost: Vangough – Between the Madness
Lethean: Kingcrow – Phlegethon
?: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth
Sacul: Morcheeba – B__ _a__
Luoto: Amendfoil – Empyrean & Ophidian
Kattelox: Fairyland – The Fall of an Empire
?: De___ _o_d ___ _o__ – B_e__ed _ __r_ed
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
Train of Naught: King Goat – Debt of Aeons
Guessed letters: DTPROAFBE
-
i mean nobody else is guessing letters so
I would like I would like I would like I would like I would like I would like I
-
S
-
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – Gemini, Her Majesty
Parama: Hannes Grossmann – The Radial Covenant
LordCost: Vangough – Between the Madness
Lethean: Kingcrow – Phlegethon
?: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth
Sacul: Morcheeba – Bi_ _a__
Luoto: Amendfoil – Empyrean & Ophidian
Kattelox: Fairyland – The Fall of an Empire
?: Devil Sold His Soul – Blessed & Cursed
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
Train of Naught: King Goat – Debt of Aeons
Guessed letters: DTPROAFBEIS
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Devil Sold His Soul - Blessed & Cursed
-
Yep, updated above.
So just the Morcheeba album and two senders left.
-
Puppies sold his soul and TAC ends his earth?
-
devil sold his soul actually looks kinda interesting going off the RYM page
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Eh, maybe I checked out the wrong songs right now but to me they just sound like standard metalcore, totally not my thing but it's not my roulette so who knows
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My album is good stuff for my fellow symphometal nerds who don't know it. Like really really highly recommended
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Eh, maybe I checked out the wrong songs right now but to me they just sound like standard metalcore, totally not my thing but it's not my roulette so who knows
i haven't actually listened to any of it yet so i have no clue but i'mma check it out sometime
-
Here's the final hangman. First set of first impressions later today.
twosuitsluke: Rx Bandits – Gemini, Her Majesty
Parama: Hannes Grossmann – The Radial Covenant
LordCost: Vangough – Between the Madness
Lethean: Kingcrow – Phlegethon
TAC: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth
Sacul: Morcheeba – Big Calm
Luoto: Amendfoil – Empyrean & Ophidian
Kattelox: Fairyland – The Fall of an Empire
Puppies on Acid: Devil Sold His Soul – Blessed & Cursed
Jingle.boy: Kepler Ten – Delta-v
Train of Naught: King Goat – Debt of Aeons
Guessed letters: DTPROAFBEIS
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Round Five first impressions, part 1 of 2
#1 Not your best submission but I like it still. Kinda weird and kinda cool.
#2 Not your best submission but it's pretty good. Some cracking stuff but some I found a bit meh on first listen.
#3 This is a little different to everything else sent in this roulette. I'm properly digging it. Awesome groove.
#4 I know of this band, but this is not really what I was expecting. Really cool album.
#5 This all sounded fine, but only a couple of tracks really grabbed me on first listen.
#6 Not wholly original and not the best production, but neither of those things seem to stop this from being really strong stuff.
-----------------------------------
This is shaping up to be a strong but somewhat mixed round. Some definite standouts so far. My early thoughts (having not yet listened to everything) are that the battle for the top 6 is definitely on.
-
If it wasn’t my best submission then I am definitely dead
-
I bet on #6
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I'm really hoping for #3 as I think it could apply to mine. Could be being overly optimistic though. I'm just hoping to stay in this thing!
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I doubt mine will go over well, but I wanted to send it because it's quite varied. Lowered expectations. :tup
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All but #4 could theoretically apply to mine since hannes grossmann is not a band (even if technically it's the same band as alkaloid :P)
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If Kepler Ten is in this batch (but I'm betting it isn't), then I'll bet #5. I'll give #2 to Katt... seems like a description for any cheese-filled power metal.
-
I do enjoy the speculation, and the varying degrees of confidence on display (sometimes in the same post).
-
Round Five first impressions, part 1 of 2
#1 Not your best submission but I like it still. Kinda weird and kinda cool.
#2 Not your best submission but it's pretty good. Some cracking stuff but some I found a bit meh on first listen.
#3 This is a little different to everything else sent in this roulette. I'm properly digging it. Awesome groove.
#4 I know of this band, but this is not really what I was expecting. Really cool album.
#5 This all sounded fine, but only a couple of tracks really grabbed me on first listen.
#6 Not wholly original and not the best production, but neither of those things seem to stop this from being really strong stuff.
Round Five first impressions, part 2 of 2
#7 Solid album in a genre that tends to have mixed performance in my roulettes.
#8 This goes pretty intense for the genre at times, more than I tend to enjoy, but there’s something about it that was very engaging on this first listen.
#9 Not sure if I’ll end up loving or just liking it, but your description of this album was absolutely spot on.
#10 This is enjoyable enough, but I’m not sure it’ll end up being any more than that for me.
#11 This could well turn out to be your best submission of the roulette.
-
yep, i have no clue :tup
not #9 as i didn't give much of a description tho
-
I think #9 could be mine, apparently I called it 'epic doom prog, mostly slow-paced metal with super operatic vocals and also lots of doom influences in the harsher vocals' which I think is pretty spot on
I listened to the song Elite used to introduce them to me again yesterday, Conduit, and man if this were a song roulette I would totally send that. It's soo good, probably better than any song on the new one even though I prefer that album as a whole.
-
#2 Not your best submission but it's pretty good. Some cracking stuff but some I found a bit meh on first listen.
#4 I know of this band, but this is not really what I was expecting. Really cool album.
#5 This all sounded fine, but only a couple of tracks really grabbed me on first listen.
#6 Not wholly original and not the best production, but neither of those things seem to stop this from being really strong stuff.
#7 Solid album in a genre that tends to have mixed performance in my roulettes.
#10 This is enjoyable enough, but I’m not sure it’ll end up being any more than that for me.
I'm hoping Fairyland is #7 or at least #6, but I fear it's either a #2, #5, or #10 with extra cheese.
-
I still bet on #6, but it could be also #9 or #10
-
I think I'm trending closer to a #10, but praying for #11. I'll bet 11 is TAC though - it doesn't take much for something to be his "best". :D
-
Harsh. :lol
-
I've decided how round 5 results will be posted. It will be based on each person's ranking based on the cumulative scores.
1st and 11th
2nd and 10th
3rd and 9th
4th and 8th
5th, 6th and 7th
So those who rank highest and lowest will find out sooner, while those who come either just above or just below the qualification line won't find out until the end.
Correct, I'm very cruel.
-
What's the punishment for flaming a DTF moderator guys? Asking for a friend
-
I listened to the song Elite used to introduce them to me again yesterday, Conduit, and man if this were a song roulette I would totally send that. It's soo good, probably better than any song on the new one even though I prefer that album as a whole.
Conduit, the song, is amazing and easily the best on the CD. I was actually a little disappointed with the rest of the album not being *as good* (but good nonetheless), since I bought the album blindly, having only heard the title-track. I have yet to give their new release a listen :)
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What's the punishment for flaming a DTF moderator guys? Asking for a friend
Says the guy going into round 5 in first place.
-
With 2 points ahead of the last place :lol
Conduit, the song, is amazing and easily the best on the CD. I was actually a little disappointed with the rest of the album not being *as good* (but good nonetheless), since I bought the album blindly, having only heard the title-track. I have yet to give their new release a listen :)
I might revisit Conduit though, there's definitely some more good stuff, but I just felt like the title track had everything I loved about the album and the rest of the tracks were just lesser (or less complete) versions of that song. Maybe I would like it more than you after a couple listens though, has happened with other bands sent in my roulette in the past too :corn
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Guess I'll be one of the first to find out :neverusethis:
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11th place boysss :metal
-
I've decided how round 5 results will be posted. It will be based on each person's ranking based on the cumulative scores.
1st and 11th
2nd and 10th
3rd and 9th
4th and 8th
5th, 6th and 7th
So those who rank highest and lowest will find out sooner, while those who come either just above or just below the qualification line won't find out until the end.
Correct, I'm very cruel.
I love it! Just to be clear is this based on the CURRENT cumulative scores, or the cumulative scores AFTER this round is included? I assume the latter, but just asking .... for a friend.
-
Yeah, the latter.
Obviously there will be ties, so ordering will probably be randomised in those cases. If there's a tie straddling 6th and 7th place then I'll obviously need to make a judgement on who to bring through to the semis.
-
base it on the highest individual score (if applicable)
-
If there's a tie straddling 6th and 7th place then I'll obviously need to make a judgement on who to bring through to the semis.
Top 6 + ties... put them on "probation". :lol
-
:lol
I mean, it's paid off superbly as everyone I brought through on probation has sent me some great stuff I wouldn't have heard otherwise.
But no, not for the semi finals. :lol In a sense, the 5 open rounds was a way to try and get lots of music and allow people to try sending different sorts of things. The knockout stage is more to make this a fun and dramatic competition (while hopefully also introducing me to more excellent music). So 6 it will be. If necessary, I'll just make a judgement on the person/people I most want in the semis in the case of a tie.
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:lol
I mean, it's paid off superbly as everyone I brought through on probation has sent me some great stuff I wouldn't have heard otherwise.
But no, not for the semi finals. :lol In a sense, the 5 open rounds was a way to try and get lots of music and allow people to try sending different sorts of things. The knockout stage is more to make this a fun and dramatic competition (while hopefully also introducing me to more excellent music). So 6 it will be. If necessary, I'll just make a judgement on the person/people I most want in the semis in the case of a tie.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/ToMjGpKniGqRNLGBrhu/giphy.gif)
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Just do a sudden death elimination round for the ties :xbones Each person sends 1 song less than 3 minutes long. :biggrin:
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but sudden death wouldn't be eligible for that (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95UT6EbkHzI)
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Just do a sudden death elimination round for the ties :xbones Each person sends 1 song less than 3 minutes long. :biggrin:
and you only listen to each song once.
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I guess the easiest tie-breaker would be the highest round score between participants in question.
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I've just started listening to everything one more time to firm things up. Most albums I feel pretty confident about a rating. Two or three I need another listen to make up my mind, but I'll listen to everything so it's all on a fair and equal basis. Based on tentative initial ratings, we wouldn't have a tie straddling 6th and 7th, so that may not be an issue with any luck. In terms of ordering results for other ties, I might do it based on the rankings after round 4, or if those are tied then in alphabetical order. :P
Depending on how much listening I get in this evening and tomorrow, I should start posting results tomorrow afternoon/evening UK time.
So with that in mind, I'd like to say some general thank yous.
Firstly, thanks to everyone who got eliminated in round one. I've no doubt you'd all have sent me some great stuff if I'd somehow had time to keep you all in, but alas I couldn't. A first round is always quite risky, and all the albums you sent were good, just not as aligned to my tastes as the others. But you all introduced me to stuff that I liked and might never have heard otherwise, so thank you!
And secondly, I'll thank people individually as they get elikini, but before that, I want to thank everyone who's been in since round two. I always see 8/10 as a threshold - the starting point for albums I'm starting to not just like but love, and every single one of you has sent me at least two 8+/10 albums. I'm so glad I kept all 11 of you in, as I'd never have heard all this great music if I hadn't. I also appreciate the way you've all taken risks of one kind or another, which haven't always paid off, but just occasionally they've been superb. So just know that even if you get eliminated this weekend, I've loved having you involved.
Right, that's enough soppy stuff. Now to decide who I'm going to brutally eliminate starting tomorrow.
(https://i.imgur.com/doO8Qu6.gif)
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goodbye cruel roulette world (https://i.imgur.com/wHa3dNC.gif)
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goodbye cruel roulette world (https://i.imgur.com/wHa3dNC.gif)
I'm leaving you today morrow
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I'm feeling the most confident I've felt in this roulette so far. I think I sent RX Bandits in a roulette once before (in home's) but it scored kind of average. Think it'll be more in line with what you like dude.
Bring on the results!
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ready to die :)
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Alright, let's start this.
Round Five (end of group stage) results, 1 & 11
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GROUP STAGE WINNER
Luoto
Round 5 submission: Amendfoil – Empyrean & Ophidian (2016)
First impression: This is a little different to everything else sent in this roulette. I'm properly digging it. Awesome groove.
Final opinion: From your previous submissions, the album art and the fact that these guys are from Finland, I was sort of expecting some atmospheric death metal or similar, so this was quite surprising. It’s basically stoner rock/metal, and doesn’t really sound much like anything else in the roulette, or even in my music collection to be honest. They seem to get compared with Mastodon, and I can see that (especially in the way they use major keys in heavy music, and how it’s sort of proggy), but with a melodic approach closer to Alter Bridge and production that is much more crisp and punchy. In some ways it’s more like Monster Magnet, except heavier and a lot more interesting. Anyway, it’s awesome. Great hooks in most of the songs, and it’s heavy but a lot of the songs have a real groove to them, in a rock’n’roll sort of way. Fantastic energy. Really excellent stuff.
Score: 8.5
Total score = 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.5 = 41.0
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ELIMINATED
Katt
Round 5 submission: Fairyland – The Fall of an Empire (2006)
First impression: This is enjoyable enough, but I’m not sure it’ll end up being any more than that for me.
Final opinion: My opinion of this hasn't really changed much from that first listen. It's a lot of fun, some of it tremendously so. This brand of theatrical, over the top, cheesy (a descriptor, not a criticism) power metal is not easy to get right for my tastes (as you noted from my RYM ratings), and they do a good job overall. My favourite songs are those that have, for want of a better word, a bit of swagger to them. The title track is a great early example of this. If most or all of the album had hit my tastes as well as that, this could have been an 8/10. But most of it, while I enjoy it well enough, I don't find it especially exciting. The theatricality is entertaining but it does get a bit much for me on occasion. You also mentioned the singer in your submission, and I find him a little hit and miss but actually I think it's largely a production issue rather than a vocal one. And when his style is right for the song it works really well. So a good album, but it doesn't do nearly enough for my tastes to be a great one.
Score: 7.0
Total score = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 + 7.0 = 38.0
Ok so you’ve come 11th (but out of 18 remember), but that doesn’t mean that you did badly at all. You sent five very different albums including some good risks and genres that nobody else has sent, and I’ve liked all of them. Thanks particularly for the Toto and Sons of Seasons albums which were great - Toto is a definite purchase and SOS I’ll give some more listens before making a decision. And the others were all solid, the Kings of Leon especially was a nice surprise. Really glad you participated!
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Ranking so far:
1. Luoto = 41.0
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
-----------------------
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. Katt = 38.0
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Welcome to the losers club and to 7.0 club, Katt!
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So if there's no tie for first then the highest score I can get is an 8
And if there is a tie then the highest score is 8.5
The lowest score I could possibly get is a 5.5 though bring it on :metal :metal :metal
Also yeah amendfoil are great can't complain there
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There can be ties, but I won't reveal them until the next tied result is posted.
Obviously that doesn't apply to you, you're getting a 6/10. :neverusethis:
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Group stage win, hell yeah :metal
Amendfoil certainly have an alt-metal thing going on, though I find it somewhat diminished compared to their debut in favour of more stoner-y vibes. I can see the album appeal to a bunch of people here.
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I’m dead.
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I’m dead.
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(https://replygif.net/i/1345.gif)
Not gonna lie, Fall of an Empire is one of my favorite albums ever made by any artist. I fucking love it. And while I knew it was gonna be risky, I didn't think I'd be the first eliminated as a result. Wow.
In the end I'm just really really happy you liked Toto IV (my #1 all-time favorite album), enough to buy it even, as well as Sons of Seasons and KoL. Thanks for letting me play and show you that much, dude. :biggrin: :2metal:
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:metal
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BTW I have to ask, since I'm getting the boot :lol What did you think of the non-metal tracks? The interludes, and the really soft tracks with the female singer? I'm always curious if people hate those or not considering how, uh... "not rocking" they are, and are more cinematic in nature. Look Into Lost Years is partially in a fabricated language just for the sake of the story of the album if I recall correctly. It's part 2 of an overarching story, after all. I hate the word when used as a pejorative but that album gets called 'gay' by so many people just because of the lighthearted nature of some tracks.
The whole album was composed by the keyboardist, just a bit of trivia.
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There were definitely a couple of tracks, I think late on, with a female lead (In Duna is one that stood out) that I really liked. Her voice is great and the songs worked really well.
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Dude... awesome! I thought for sure you were gonna really dislike that. Okay, now I'm satisfied. Good luck folks. :biggrin:
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:lol Not sure why you were so worried about those bits, but glad we're on the same page with them. :tup
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Throwing leads like I'm Ice-T solving crimes and busting rhymes! :metal
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On which note, how about some more results.
Round Five (end of group stage) results, 2 & 10
Results 1 & 11 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473358#msg2473358
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JOINT GROUP STAGE WINNER
Luke
Round 5 submission: Rx Bandits – Gemini, Her Majesty (2014)
First impression: I know of this band, but this is not really what I was expecting. Really cool album.
Final opinion: Well, who'd have thought when you were nearly eliminated in round one that you'd end up joint winning the group stage. I’ve never really listened to Rx Bandits, but I definitely know of them as a ska punk band from back in the day. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that they’ve consistently moved away from that style over the years, even ditching the idea of having a horn section at all, and are now producing really excellent, proggy, soulful indie rock. You were totally right that this album has a mix that works really well for me. While the horn section is gone, it’s actually the punk that went with it while the ska/reggae influences are clearly there and create some great vibes. It’s also ridiculously consistent - there are only a couple of tracks I find a bit filler, but even they’re decent, and the rest are so good. Great album.
Score: 8.5
Total score = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.5 = 41.0
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ELIMINATED
Sacul
Round 5 submission: Morcheeba – Big Calm (1998)
First impression: Not sure if I’ll end up loving or just liking it, but your description of this album was absolutely spot on.
Final opinion: Your description wasn’t lengthy, but it was damn accurate. This is super comfy and feel-good. Kinda surprised I’ve not listened to Morcheeba before, they were pretty big in the UK for a while (probably around the early 2000s from memory, around when I went to uni). It’s just such a nice album, this. Maybe not the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s not supposed to be. It covers a good range of styles - electronic, reggae, soul, pop, acoustic rock, psychedelic - and a nice variety of instrumentation accordingly. But it’s all held together nicely with a gorgeous chill vibe and lovely sound. Her voice is also a big part of that warmth, it’s absolutely perfect for the music. Lovely stuff.
Score: 8.0
Total score = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 39.5
Dude, what a ridiculously consistent performance. Four albums at 8/10, and the lowest ranked person to never score below 7.5. Shame you never managed to excite me enough to get above an 8, but everything you sent was still great. The Flaming Lips is the only one of the five I’m not seriously considering purchasing, the others are all on the cards and the Morcheeba and St Vincent albums in particular. Thanks as well for consistently bring great vibes, you’re the only person whose every submission I’ve been happy to play while spending time with my 6-month-old!
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Ranking so far:
1= Luoto = 41.0
1= Luke = 41.0
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
-----------------------
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. Sacul = 39.5
11. Katt = 38.0
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Changing my name to LAC.
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lol there's a 1.5 point difference between 1 and 10 I'm crying
Everyone can now estimate a 1.5 point range for their score this round, mine is between 7.0 and 8.5 :corn
Incidentally, TAC got at least an 8.5
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Incidentally, TAC got at least an 8.5
Didn't expect Rich to like that album so much to be honest.
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Ranking so far
1 Train = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 + 7.5 = 33.0
2= Parama = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + 7.5 = 32.5
2= Luoto = 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 + 8.5 = 32.5
2= Luke = 7.5 + 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 = 32.5
5= Lethean = 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 = 32.0
5= LordCost = 8.0 + 7.5 + 9.5 + 7.0 = 32.0
7= Jingle = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + 7.5 = 31.5
7= Puppies = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.5
7= Sacul = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.5
10= Katt = 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 = 31.0
10= TAC = 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 31.0
-----------------------------------------
So.... 32 points was the cut line for 6 people, and 39.5 is 10th place. I need an 8.5 or better just to score higher than 10th place. TAC is getting at least an 8.5 this round (edit... ninja'd), and without a 9 or higher, I'm toast. Considering there's only been a single 9, and a single 9.5 out of 44 scores ...
(https://i.gifer.com/GQbS.gif)
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You guys. :lol
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Incidentally, TAC got at least an 8.5
Didn't expect Rich to like that album so much to be honest.
Gee, thanks Luoto. :lol
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There's room on the Weenie Bench for you, Chad. *scoots and pats seat*
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There's room on the Weenie Bench for you, Chad. *scoots and pats seat*
Keep your weenie to your self you sick bastard.
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Incidentally, TAC got at least an 8.5
Didn't expect Rich to like that album so much to be honest.
Gee, thanks Luoto. :lol
He's just cocky because he won the group. :lol
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There's room on the Weenie Bench for you, Chad. *scoots and pats seat*
Keep your weenie to your self you sick bastard.
:heybaby:
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Got excited to get an 8 (yet again)... until I realized I was eliminated :lol
Thanks for having me, rare is the chance I get to send this kind of stuff around here, wished I could have gotten away with more, but I'm just glad I got this far :P. If you don't mind, I have a few post-roulette album recommendations that you might dig.
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Boom!
I'm in this and still kicking it!
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Nervous time :corn
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If you don't mind, I have a few post-roulette album recommendations that you might dig.
Not only do I not mind, I actively encourage it, as I did back in round one. That applies to everyone who goes out at any stage - please feel free to send me other suggestions (either by PM, or wait until the roulette finishes and post in the thread) and I'll check them out and report back once the roulette is over.
Anyway, how about some more results?
Round Five (end of group stage) results, 3 & 9
Results 1 & 11 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473358#msg2473358
Results 2 & 10 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473509#msg2473509
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THIRD PLACE
Train
Round 5 submission: King Goat – Debt of Aeons (2018)
First impression: Not your best submission but I like it still. Kinda weird and kinda cool.
Final opinion: I mean, I know it’s doom metal and all, but good lord this is bleak, miserable music. It’s like if Scott Walker made doom metal. I have to give you credit for finding yet more music that’s unlike anything else I listen to, but that I still like. There’s a dark, theatrical style throughout which, combined with the operatic vocals, works really well to make it all incredibly moody, pretty epic and a little bit weird, all of which is great. I think it’s held back however by being a bit samey - the mood and style never really shifts. Each listen I’m digging it loads at the start, but after a while I start to lose interest. I don’t think there’s any tapering off in quality, I think it just gets too much. The sections I love tend to be those that are a little different - the title track (the first half especially) definitely stands out in that regard, and Psychasthenia is a nice atmospheric instrumental that provides some welcome respite.
Score: 7.5
Total score = 8.0 + 8.5 + 9.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 40.5
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ELIMINATED
Puppies
Round 5 submission: Devil Sold His Soul – Blessed & Cursed (2010)
First impression: This goes pretty intense for the genre at times, more than I tend to enjoy, but there’s something about it that was very engaging on this first listen.
Final opinion: There’s a really good mix of styles on this album. Overall I’d put it very much within post-hardcore, but it goes very intense at times (particularly vocally where it occasionally goes a little screamo/metalcore for my tastes) and very ambient at others. It actually sort of reminds me of Bring Me The Horizon in a number of places. The only minor criticism I’d have (in addition to not digging some of the screamy moments) is that a couple of the songs have sections that get a little repetitive and start to drag. But honestly these are minor gripes. Overall it’s a varied, dynamic and engaging listen, and the half or so of the album that is really strong makes up for the parts that aren’t so interesting to me.
Score: 8.0
Total score = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 39.5
An identical performance to Sacul, but with an almost opposite set of albums. Fantastic consistency and a great set of excellent albums, just none that managed to creep above that 8/10 mark. Enslaved is the one I’m most excited to check out more, but the AFI was a lovely mix of nostalgia and really good music, and the two post-hardcore albums were both really strong and I’ll be exploring those more as well. Thanks for sending such a varied mix of good music!
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Ranking so far:
1= Luoto = 41.0
1= Luke = 41.0
3. Train = 40.5
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
-----------------------
7. ?
8. ?
9= Puppies = 39.5
9= Sacul = 39.5
11. Katt = 38.0
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Still a little room for me to get cut :metal
down to just 8/10 at most though
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Welcome to the losers club and to 7.0 club, Katt!
Amateurs. The 6.5 Lounge is where it's at. Stadler and me sorrounded by splendid out of fashion pop-prog babes.
Firstly, thanks to everyone who got eliminated in round one. I've no doubt you'd all have sent me some great stuff if I'd somehow had time to keep you all in, but alas I couldn't. A first round is always quite risky, and all the albums you sent were good, just not as aligned to my tastes as the others. But you all introduced me to stuff that I liked and might never have heard otherwise, so thank you!
Thank you, good sir. It was fun and instructive.
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First off, pretty on point review of the album I'd say! I have it at 8/10 but on my last listen it did feel a bit more repetitive than ideal. I'm still super hyped about this band but also wanted to hold on to the albums I think you'd like better for the knock-out stages. So since the semi finals are now 6 instead of 4 people, I would go up gainst #4, correct? I look forward to find out who I will be facing :corn
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Nervous time :corn
I hope not to wait for the very last results..
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Nervous time :corn
I hope not to wait for the very last results..
Yeah, that's gonna be a bitch for those two participants.... especially he who finishes 7th.
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First off, pretty on point review of the album I'd say! I have it at 8/10 but on my last listen it did feel a bit more repetitive than ideal. I'm still super hyped about this band but also wanted to hold on to the albums I think you'd like better for the knock-out stages.
Colour me excited.
So since the semi finals are now 6 instead of 4 people, I would go up gainst #4, correct? I look forward to find out who I will be facing :corn
Correct!
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Glad you enjoyed the majority of my albums. Too bad I couldn't break out of the 8/10 groove (or is it a rut :biggrin:)
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sent for round 6
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sent for round 6
Sorry, you'll have to resubmit, The Pussycat Dolls are banned. :neverusethis:
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How'd you know?! :lol
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I have a feeling for music and people who are passionate about it bro, I just know! :metal Just like I know Parama is going to submit Lo!'s "Vestigial" if he makes it through to the knock-out stage
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Wow, talk about dying a slow death...
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Wow, talk about dying a slow death...
I feel like I'm in palliative care. Someone send Jackie!
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Round Five (end of group stage) results, 4 & 8
Results 1 & 11 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473358#msg2473358
Results 2 & 10 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473509#msg2473509
Results 3 & 9 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473593#msg2473593
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JOINT THIRD PLACE
LordCost
Round 5 submission: Vangough – Between the Madness (2013)
First impression: Not wholly original and not the best production, but neither of those things seem to stop this from being really strong stuff.
Final opinion: This is excellent stuff. The lack of originality comes in the form of a really strong Daniel Gildenlow influence in the sound. It often sounds like Pain of Salvation - principally Entropia as it's quirkier than POS had been since then, thought the closer is pure Scarsick. But it also goes into jam-prog territory from time to time, which POS has never touched but Gildenlow has done in TFK and The Sea Within. And yeah, the production is serviceable but not great. Thing is, neither of those things bother me here. The sound is good enough, and actually the rawness works well in the more intensely emotional sections. And the music has enough of its own flavour that it doesn't feel derivative despite the obvious influences. And frankly, the music is just so good for most of the album that it more than compensates for any shortcomings.
Score: 8.5
Total score = 8.0 + 7.5 + 9.5 + 7.0 + 8.5 = 40.5
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ELIMINATED
Jingle
Round 5 submission: Kepler Ten – Delta-v (2017)
First impression: Solid album in a genre that tends to have mixed performance in my roulettes.
Final opinion: As you know from experience, neo-prog (which I’m definitely counting this as) can be pretty hit or (near-)miss for me. But in Kepler Ten you’ve found some where our tastes seem to align pretty well, because I really like this. For me, neo-prog is at its best when it blends old-fashioned prog with modern twists in interesting and exciting ways. This doesn’t go as far as, say, Frost* in embracing modern sensibilities, but it nonetheless mixes together old and new in very enjoyable ways, with some absolutely terrific playing. The lead guitarist, in particular, has some great chops but more importantly real class and charisma in his playing. The standout song for me is definitely Time and Tide, which I absolutely loved on first listen and still do - such a great fusion of neo-prog and Muse influences. And there’s other great stuff too. Some of the more classic rock sounding stuff (like The Stone and moments in other songs) I find slightly bland, though still very competently done and enjoyable enough. Overall, a strong album.
Score: 8.0
Total score = 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 = 39.5
You “beat” Sacul and Puppies on alphabetical ordering! I'm so glad I opened this roulette to people who took part in my last one, and thankful that you weren't deterred from trying again. You've definitely got a good handle on where our tastes align - I really liked everything you sent me, the Ábime especially (which I'd want to purchase anyway, but definitely will to support Lalo) but the Alithia and Kepler Ten albums were also awesome and pretty unique, and are on my “to consider buying” list as well. So with your performance improving all the time, next time I do a roulette you'll win it, right?
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Ranking so far:
1= Luoto = 41.0
1= Luke = 41.0
3= Train = 40.5
3= LordCost = 40.5
5. ?
6. ?
-----------------------
7. ?
8= Jingle = 39.5
8= Puppies = 39.5
8= Sacul = 39.5
11. Katt = 38.0
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that last cut..... it was made for me
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Damn this is tight. Some of the albums I've sent in this roulette would've got me cut a long time ago, in anyone else's :lol
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Wow, talk about dying a slow death...
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I'll take the 8! Still not sure I really have a handle on exactly where our tastes overlap, but I'm glad I found better stuff for you this time around.
Just a shame that I have to endure another shaming at the fingers of TAC for him beating me in another roulette. :lol
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Final group stage results
will be posted tomorrow.
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brb flying over to the UK to kill ariich
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brb flying over to the UK to kill ariich
I think killing a moderator could get you banned from the forum....possibly...
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not if i impersonate him so nobody notices he's missing
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not if i impersonate him so nobody notices he's missing
Dude, your pessimism and lack of punctuation would give you away immediately :lol
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:lol
Although killing a moderator isn't specifically forbidden in the forum rules.
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Ah, loopholes!
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I imagine it would be covered by rule 3: respect your fellow posters. :P
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I hoped for an 8 and got an 8.5, I'm glad you liked it. You can try Warpaint next, which is still a great album, while I'm not familiar with the albums before Between The Madness, and I doubt they are better than this one.
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Damn, sucks that Chad got eliminated, I love that Kepler Ten album. These are some tight scores. :lol
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I imagine it would be covered by rule 3: respect your fellow posters. :P
i'll just have to respectfully murder you then
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Damn, sucks that Chad got eliminated
It sure does!
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#2 Not your best submission but it's pretty good. Some cracking stuff but some I found a bit meh on first listen.
#5 This all sounded fine, but only a couple of tracks really grabbed me on first listen.
#11 This could well turn out to be your best submission of the roulette.
11 is obviously TAC given his 8.5+ mandate
The other two tidbits remaining say basically the exact same thing though so I basically have a general idea of what you think of the album :P out of the two i'm gonna go with #5 out of pessimism as it seems like the slightly weaker one from that writeup
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#2 Not your best submission but it's pretty good. Some cracking stuff but some I found a bit meh on first listen.
#5 This all sounded fine, but only a couple of tracks really grabbed me on first listen.
#11 This could well turn out to be your best submission of the roulette.
11 is obviously TAC given his 8.5+ mandate
All the way to the bank, baby!!
That is cruelty to the elderly if I get dropped tomorrow.
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i mean, if you score like a 9/10 you're basically safe otherwise you'll just end up tied with three other people already cut :P
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i mean, if you score like a 9/10 you're basically safe otherwise you'll just end up tied with three other people already cut :P
Thanks :lol
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hey, that'd be good news for me :neverusethis:
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Results!
Soon. :soon:
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rich, i'm going to sleep in an hour. screw you
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Results in 59 minutes.
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:getoffmylawn:
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Nah not really let's do this.
Round Five (end of group stage) final standings
Results 1 & 11 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473358#msg2473358
Results 2 & 10 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473509#msg2473509
Results 3 & 9 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473593#msg2473593
Results 4 & 8 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2473691#msg2473691
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JOINT FIFTH PLACE
Parama
Round 5 submission: Hannes Grossmann – The Radial Covenant (2014)
First impression: Not your best submission but it's pretty good. Some cracking stuff but some I found a bit meh on first listen.
Final opinion: This was a fairly risky submission (whether you realised it or not), but it's pretty solid. When it comes to heavy music like this I definitely need a decent amount of melody for it to grab me. The death metal bands I love tend to make everything very melodic and/or atmospheric even in the heavy parts, and metalcore bands often throw in some huge choruses. Musically a lot of this sounds more like the latter (plenty of moments remind me of earlyish-BTBAM) but it doesn’t really do the choruses. The album is definitely at its strongest, in my opinion, when it does go melodic. The opening track is absolutely superb, The Voyager is a fun proggy instrumental, and the title track also has some excellent stuff. There’s enough of that for me to like the album quite a bit, but not enough for me to love it. There are whole segments that I just find quite monotonous (like pretty much all of The Sorcerer… meh) and which bring the album down a bit.
Score: 7.5
Total score = 8.5 + 8.0 + 8.5 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 40.0
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JOINT FIFTH PLACE
TAC
Round 5 submission: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth (2018)
First impression: This could well turn out to be your best submission of the roulette.
Final opinion: Dunno how you pulled this off, but your submissions just keep getting better and better, like you're finding where our tastes intersect. This is such great stuff, and a little different to all the other melodic death metal I listen to in subtle ways. It sort of does all the things the genre can do, without relying too much of any of them. It's super melodic and really epic, and also atmospheric in places, but still always heavy and riff-driven. It's proggy in places, rhythmically and structurally, but never in a way that's especially complex or hard to follow. Sort of sounds like a fusion of melodeath and prog with elements of power metal included in a really fun way that creates a huge and engaging sound. It's a mix that could have felt cheesy or bland, but for whatever reason they've done it in a way that hit me just in exactly the right places. There are some great atmospheric moments too, Zero Below the Sun is one of the standouts for me. And Mirrors, which you highlighted, is also excellent. But to be honest it's all great. I loved this on first listen and it's only gotten better as I've got to know it more and little details come out more, especially in some of the great guitar work. One of my favourites and best surprises of the whole roulette.
Score: 9.0
Total score = 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 9.0 = 40.0
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ELIMINATED
Lethean
Round 5 submission: Kingcrow – Phlegethon (2010)
First impression: This all sounded fine, but only a couple of tracks really grabbed me on first listen.
Final opinion: This is a very nice prog album with a good range of ideas and influences, but it doesn't really excite me enough to change my opinion of Kingcrow I'm afraid. Like the other album I've heard by them, it does everything pretty well and ticks all the boxes for me to like it, but nothing jumps about enough to really properly grab me. The vocals and melodies are all good, but the hooks aren't especially strong. The production is clear and competent, but lacks impact for me. Performances are all solid, but not especially noteworthy. There are definitely some standout moments, particularly in the title track, but not enough of them to make me love it.
Score: 7.5
Total score = 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 39.5
It brings me no pleasure at all to have to eliminate you, as you sent me some cracking music and especially after you were doing so well early on (joint 1st after round two!). The last couple of submissions, while still very good, just weren't quite as exciting for my tastes, and you didn't have as much of a buffer as Parama and Train who did the same. But I'm super grateful for those first three submissions especially, with Voyager being the real standout and a definite purchase, but Need was also excellent and you've prompted me to finally explore more of Katatonia's discography.
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Final group stage ranking:
1= Luoto = 41.0
1= Luke = 41.0
3= Train = 40.5
3= LordCost = 40.5
5= Parama = 40.0
5= TAC = 40.0
-----------------------
Eliminated:
7= Lethean = 39.5
7= Jingle = 39.5
7= Puppies = 39.5
7= Sacul = 39.5
11 Katt = 38.0
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Semi finals:
Luoto vs TAC
Luke vs Parama
Train vs LordCost
Semi finals are a knockout, so you could send my my 5th ranked album of the 6 and still progress if your opponent sends the 6th ranked.
In the unlikely event that two people send the same album, obviously one will need to resend of they are opponents, but if they're in different matches then I'll accept it.
So feel free to send whenever you're ready.
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i was already pretty aware you liked melody in your metal, yes :P
i feel the entire album is pretty melodic throughout though but yeah the opener and the title track are easily the standouts
anyways i gotta find some kind of crap to send you now, darnit :corn
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Sent an EP.
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You can try Warpaint next, which is still a great album
:tup great album
I just tried Euphoreon.. not for me :lol can't stand the vocals
Oh and I just sent :corn it's my favourite album of all the ones I have sent so probably 6.0-6.5/10
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Way to go Tim!!! Awesome comeback. It's like Bruins/Leafs circa 2012. :lol
:|
>:(
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All these tight scores make my 1.5 point deficit really noticeable :lol
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You can try Warpaint next, which is still a great album
Oh and I just sent :corn it's my favourite album of all the ones I have sent so probably 6.0-6.5/10
So I can go to the finals with a 7.0, nice ;D
I'm going to risk too, don't worry.
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ELIMINATED
Lethean
Round 5 submission: Kingcrow – Phlegethon (2010)
First impression: This all sounded fine, but only a couple of tracks really grabbed me on first listen.
Final opinion: This is a very nice prog album with a good range of ideas and influences, but it doesn't really excite me enough to change my opinion of Kingcrow I'm afraid. Like the other album I've heard by them, it does everything pretty well and ticks all the boxes for me to like it, but nothing jumps about enough to really properly grab me. The vocals and melodies are all good, but the hooks aren't especially strong. The production is clear and competent, but lacks impact for me. Performances are all solid, but not especially noteworthy. There are definitely some standout moments, particularly in the title track, but not enough of them to make me love it.
Score: 7.5
Total score = 8.0 + 8.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 39.5
It brings me no pleasure at all to have to eliminate you, as you sent me some cracking music and especially after you were doing so well early on (joint 1st after round two!). The last couple of submissions, while still very good, just weren't quite as exciting for my tastes, and you didn't have as much of a buffer as Parama and Train who did the same. But I'm super grateful for those first three submissions especially, with Voyager being the real standout and a definite purchase, but Need was also excellent and you've prompted me to finally explore more of Katatonia's discography.
My work here is done. :)
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Sent! I forgot to add the message in my box, I hope that it has been sent because I don't want to rewrite everything I wrote ;D
Quote my message in your PM reply Rich.
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JOINT FIFTH PLACE
TAC
Round 5 submission: Euphoreon – Ends of the Earth (2018)
First impression: This could well turn out to be your best submission of the roulette.
Final opinion: Dunno how you pulled this off, but your submissions just keep getting better and better, like you're finding where our tastes intersect. This is such great stuff, and a little different to all the other melodic death metal I listen to in subtle ways. It sort of does all the things the genre can do, without relying too much of any of them. It's super melodic and really epic, and also atmospheric in places, but still always heavy and riff-driven. It's proggy in places, rhythmically and structurally, but never in a way that's especially complex or hard to follow. Sort of sounds like a fusion of melodeath and prog with elements of power metal included in a really fun way that creates a huge and engaging sound. It's a mix that could have felt cheesy or bland, but for whatever reason they've done it in a way that hit me just in exactly the right places. There are some great atmospheric moments too, Zero Below the Sun is one of the standouts for me. And Mirrors, which you highlighted, is also excellent. But to be honest it's all great. I loved this on first listen and it's only gotten better as I've got to know it more and little details come out more, especially in some of the great guitar work. One of my favourites and best surprises of the whole roulette.
Score: 9.0
Total score = 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0 + 8.0 + 9.0 = 40.0
Awesome!! Glad you liked it. A year or two ago, I would've missed this album, but I've been opening my ears to harsher vocals, and I am so glad I did. This is a Top 5 2018 album for me. Honestly, I tolerate the vocals, but musically this is so fantastic. melodic, thrashy, epic, atmospheric, and powerful.
OK, I'm through to the next round. Going to have to reread the OP to figure out what I do next, as I am not prepared. :lol
EDIT: Sent my 2018 AOTY. Gonna need something good to go up against Luoto.
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I really don't want to just play it safe and send prog metal but I think my super weird/out there album will be pretty risky. The prog metal albums I am thinking of are really awesome but I can't decide. Think I just need to listen through them all today.
Will send asap
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Honestly, I tolerate the vocals, but musically this is so fantastic. melodic, thrashy, epic, atmospheric, and powerful.
Anytime the word "tolerate" has to be used to describe one's enjoyment of any music, I simply can't comprehend how it can be "top 5" material. There's so much AWESOME music out there that I'm simply not willing to ... tolerate ... just tolerating certain aspects of music.
:dunno:
That's just me though.
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For me, there can be music where a certain element (say, the vocals) isn't quite my thing in and of itself, and where I'd describe that element as tolerable, but where the way it blends in with everything else can still work really well. The Vangough album in round 5 was a good example for me. The production was serviceable but not great, but it didn't hold it back and actually in some particular moments gave it a raw, emotional feel that was fantastic.
TL;DR: I think it's more nuanced than that.
Also nice quotefail.
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Also nice quotefail.
No clue what you're talking about. :biggrin:
If you're gonna quotefail someone, you better quote it for evidence! :lol
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Relistened to my 'weird/out there' submission and I just think the vocals make it too risky. Back to the drawing board... :\
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Also nice quotefail.
No clue what you're talking about. :biggrin:
If you're gonna quotefail someone, you better quote it for evidence! :lol
(https://s8.hostingkartinok.com/uploads/images/2018/09/ea1d8480fd737c13d35f4928506d61e8.png)
:P
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Ruslan is my hero. :heart
Although I could just go in and edit your post if I wanted to make sure there was "evidence", Chad.
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Ruslan is my hero. :heart
Although I could just go in and edit your post if I wanted to make sure there was "evidence", Chad.
ABUSE OF POWERS!!!
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With great power comes great opportunity for mischief.
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I really don't want to just play it safe and send prog metal but I think my super weird/out there album will be pretty risky. The prog metal albums I am thinking of are really awesome but I can't decide. Think I just need to listen through them all today.
Will send asap
play it risky :tup
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I really don't want to just play it safe and send prog metal but I think my super weird/out there album will be pretty risky. The prog metal albums I am thinking of are really awesome but I can't decide. Think I just need to listen through them all today.
Will send asap
play it risky :tup
If I trusted you enough I'd say let's both send black metal....
I'm game
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oh i have no intention of sending anything super risky myself
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Meanwhile, everyone not involved in Luke's and Parama's epic battle has already submitted.
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yeah give me time I've been kinda just winging it so far but now it's serious business time so I need to pick a good one
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It's cool, I was just playing. I'm on holiday at the moment and listening opportunity is limited, so there's honestly no urgent rush.
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So I chickened out and played it safe :lol
Sent a great prog metal debut that I discovered here, of course. It's great and you'll all agree. I'm worried it hasn't been sent already because you've already heard it Rich.
I have back ups on standby.
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Anything not on my RYM, I'm accepting even if it turns out I have actually heard it.
In this case, though, I've never even heard of them.
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instead of making a decision i sent the album i was trying to hold for the last round.
all that means is that i gotta pick something even better for the final round if i make it there
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ho hum, I'm sure you'll have no problem.
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luke i hope you sent some true garbage :tup
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Also, remember that whoever reaches the final will need to send me TWO albums, with points awarded for how different they are to each other.
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oh that's perfect then i already know what the "different" album is gonna be
i also noticed a really surprising hole in the banned list that i never noticed before and that might be my other one
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So how about some hangman?
?: __________ – ____________
?: __________ – ____________
?: ___________ – ____ _____
?: ________ – ____
?: _________ – _ _____ __ ______
?: ____ – ____
Guessed letters:
-
owel - owel sent by train
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How did you possibly guess?
?: __________ – ____________
?: __________ – ____________
?: ___________ – ____ _____
?: ________ – ____
?: _________ – _ _____ __ ______
Train of Naught: OWEL – OWEL
Guessed letters:
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B :corn
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2 Bs.
Or not 2 Bs.
?: __________ – ____________
?: __________ – ____________
?: ___b_______ – ____ B____
?: ________ – ____
?: _________ – _ _____ __ ______
Train of Naught: OWEL – OWEL
Guessed letters: B
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S
Tribulation - Down Below
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You guys are quick.
?: __________ – ___s________
?: __________ – _______s____
?: Tribulation – Down Below
?: _______s – ___s
?: _____s___ – _ _____ __ S_____
Train of Naught: OWEL – OWEL
Guessed letters: BS
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luke i hope you sent some true garbage :tup
I sent something I know for a fact you don't consider as garbage, bring it on.
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TAC sent Tribulation.
O
EDIT: Earthside - A Dream In Static
-
?: __________ – ___s________
?: ______o___ – O______s____
TAC: Tribulation – Down Below
?: _______s – ___s
?: Earthside – A Dream in Static
Train of Naught: OWEL – OWEL
Guessed letters: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
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Fireproven - Omnipresence
Or maybe not because I think it's about 25 minutes long but looks like it fits. :lol
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Luke sent Earthside clearly
I actually considered this one & yeah it's good but I also know ariich isn't a huge fan of instrumentals so I ended up dropping it from my list :P
We shall see
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Well I nearly sent Dum Spiro Spero by Dir en Grey so I think Earthside is a safer bet. I always blow it in roulettes anyway :yeahright
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?: __________ – ___s________
?: Fireproven – Omnipresence
TAC: Tribulation – Down Below
?: _______s – ___s
twosuitsluke: Earthside – A Dream in Static
Train of Naught: OWEL – OWEL
Guessed letters: BSO
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Fireproven - Omnipresence
Or maybe not because I think it's about 25 minutes long but looks like it fits. :lol
Didn't Luoto say he sent an EP?
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On instrumental rock/metal, the thing that tends to bore me slightly is when it sounds like music that is supposed to have vocals but doesn't. Some instrumental music is amazing though when it doesn't sound to me like there's anything missing.
But anyway, I googled this Earthside album (haven't started listening yet) and it seems it has a bunch of guest vocalists.
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Fireproven - Omnipresence
Or maybe not because I think it's about 25 minutes long but looks like it fits. :lol
Didn't Luoto say he sent an EP?
Yep.
So that's one match up and two other albums done, but the other two are nowhere near. Some more letters maybe?
Luoto: Fireproven – Omnipresence
vs
TAC: Tribulation – Down Below
twosuitsluke: Earthside – A Dream in Static
vs
?
Train of Naught: OWEL – OWEL
vs
?
?: __________ – ___s________
?: _______s – ___s
Guessed letters: BSO
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Oh boy. Luoto makes me nervous. Gonna check his album er..EP out.
-
A
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It's the shortest album of the roulette by a good 7 or 8 minutes. Pretty bold for a semi final.
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T
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Damn...Luoto's EP is three songs!!!! Good stuff man, as expected.
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Luoto: Fireproven – Omnipresence
vs:
TAC: Tribulation – Down Below
twosuitsluke: Earthside – A Dream in Static
vs:
Parama:
Train of Naught: OWEL – OWEL
vs:
LordCost:
?: ___a___a__ – ___s__t____t
?: _a___a_s – ___s
Guessed letters: BSOATZXQ
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Z
ready for my album to be #2 of the round and lose because Luke's is #1 :metal
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No Z, or for that matter X or Q. :P
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R
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what about J :metal
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What about
Dreamgrave – Presentiment by Parama
Cardiacs - Guns by LordCost
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welp :lol
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Nicely done!
Luoto: Fireproven – Omnipresence
vs:
TAC: Tribulation – Down Below
twosuitsluke: Earthside – A Dream in Static
vs:
Parama: Dreamgrave – Presentiment
Train of Naught: OWEL – OWEL
vs:
LordCost: Cardiacs – Guns
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I know neither album in the TAC/Luoto match
But I'm definitely rooting for OWEL over Cardiacs :corn
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Guns was not my first choice, but Rich has already listened to Sing To God in the past so I've changed my submission. I'm not confident about the submission but who knows..
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Fuck, that's pretty scary. :lol Cardiacs are probably one of the most controversial bands you could send, and I know Guns struck a chord with me basically instantly.
I have to root for my own album of course, but I wouldn't be mad if I lost to Guns. Besides my own, I only know that album and A Dream In Static but I don't like that album at all apart from 2 or 3 songs (pretty much just the Daniel Tompkins and Lajon Witherspoon tracks and to a lesser extent the first track, and the Soilwork singer one is ok too)
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Like I said I considered that one & I've seen em live and all and they're great but having about half the album be instrumental (and then two of the instrumentals being pretty meh) felt like a risk I didn't want to take :P it's a good album though
Train you might like dreamgrave but also maybe not dunno
Anyways I have a big list of stuff I wanna send whether or not I get cut this round so it barely makes a difference anyways :metal
For what it's worth guns would've gotten rule 6'ed in my roulette if it was eligible/sent, since i literally could not finish it
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I don't know them but they have an album cover with a maze on it, so I am just assuming it is a very epic symphonic progressive metal concept album about being trapped in the maze of life, yes?
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it's proggy melodic death metal mostly
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For what I know about OWEL it seems a band that could do well this round. I read a review on an italian music blog I follow a long time ago and listened to a bit of them at that time.
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I expect they'd probably be up ariich's alley considering all the post-hardcore stuff he sent me last roulette :P it's a pretty good album
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A Dream In Static was the next album to send on my list if I made it through to this round. :corn
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i guess ariich's destiny was..... earth side
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Yea I don't really think of A Dream in Static as an instrumental album. It has guest vocalists on most of the tracks and I don't feel like the actual instrumentals feel like "background music", like I often do with purely instrumental tracks.
Good to know I wasn't the only one who thought of sending it.
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Semi final first impressions, part 1 of 3
#1 This match up seems to be between a reasonably safe submission, and a somewhat risky one. Both are pretty great to be honest. Atter one listen of each, my initial feeling is that the safe bet will have the better staying power, partly because it really taps into my love of a couple of other bands. But then the riskier one was really cool, so anything could happen. Time will tell.
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:corn
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i dunno anything about Luoto and TAC's albums but that could describe OWEL vs. Cardiacs pretty well
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Other than mine, I don’t know anything about anyone’s albums.
I did listen to Luoto’s though.
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Parama: Dreamgrave – Presentiment
:metal :metal :metal
Glad my submissions in Parama’s roulette accomplished something
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I literally just listened to white walls again
Both the albums you made me buy were way more expensive than most albums I get so they better be good ones
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Yeah that really sounds like the matchup between me and LoCo, sounds like it's a close one, as it should!
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Yeah that really sounds like the matchup between me and LoCo, sounds like it's a close one, as it should!
Yes it seems our match. If so, better than I hoped. Maybe Sing To God would have been a good submission too? :\
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Semi final first impressions, part 1 of 3
#1 This match up seems to be between a reasonably safe submission, and a somewhat risky one. Both are pretty great to be honest. Atter one listen of each, my initial feeling is that the safe bet will have the better staying power, partly because it really taps into my love of a couple of other bands. But then the riskier one was really cool, so anything could happen. Time will tell.
Semi final first impressions, part 2 of 3
#2 Both these albums are pretty strong. In both cases, I wasn't entirely convinced at the start, but once they got going they were pretty great for the most part - not amazing and wholly consistent, but solid. This is going to be difficult to decide which one to eliminate.
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Now I'm curious whether you are willing to reveal this much: do you feel right now like the top 3 albums of the round will all advance, or is there a case of 'top 3 album that unfortunately got matched up against an even better one'?
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Bit hard to say at this stage, but there's definitely a chance that an album will be top 3 but not advance due to an unfortunate match up.
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and thus we come to why i don't like tournament-style matches :P
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and thus we come to why i don't like tournament-style matches :P
But the drama is all part of the fun.
Mwuahahahahaha.
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:getoffmylawn:
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Semi final first impressions, part 1 of 3
#1 This match up seems to be between a reasonably safe submission, and a somewhat risky one. Both are pretty great to be honest. Atter one listen of each, my initial feeling is that the safe bet will have the better staying power, partly because it really taps into my love of a couple of other bands. But then the riskier one was really cool, so anything could happen. Time will tell.
Semi final first impressions, part 2 of 3
#2 Both these albums are pretty strong. In both cases, I wasn't entirely convinced at the start, but once they got going they were pretty great for the most part - not amazing and wholly consistent, but solid. This is going to be difficult to decide which one to eliminate.
Semi final first impressions, part 3 of 3
#3 Like match #1, one of these is somewhat riskier than the other, based on my tastes. They both sound pretty solid, but neither wowed me on first listen. One has a nice fusion of two different styles that worked surprisingly well, and was pretty immediately enjoyable but I'm not too sure about its staying power. The other had quite a lot going on so I think I'll need some more listens to get my head round it.
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well then that seals it, me & luke is #2 :lol and i suspect this one is about the Luoto/TAC match but again I don't actually know either album there so who knows
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I still think #1 is about my match.
Guns should not be the one who fuses two different styles and it has not a lot going on to me.
-
But the drama is all part of the fun.
Mwuahahahahaha.
Damn right. :tup
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By the way, here are some fun (if you're as geeky as me) stats from rounds 1-5.
(click to enlarge - the forum automatically squashes it a bit)
(https://i.imgur.com/WCxEUnF.jpg)
Round 3 was the best, while round 4 was the weakest.
LordCost was the least consistent, with a standard deviation of 0.96.
Form changed a lot over the five rounds. Based just on the last two or three rounds only, TAC was joint 1st, which is how he qualified despite being dead last after round 2.
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I've never obtained the same score twice. I hope for an unlikely 9 to continue the trend.
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I like the chart! :tup
Not sure about the snippets. If I'm the #3 one, I just want to say that it DOES have staying power. ;D
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I'll start posting semi final results from tomorrow and should be able to do one a day, so be finished by Thursday night. Thanks for being patient with the slightly slower pace this round - it's not easy to listen to my own music when on holiday with the little one. Getting home tomorrow so pace should return to normal!
In the meantime, I am rather enjoying these semi finals. I'm thinking that for the three losers I'll also run a concurrent 4th place match on the same basis as the final (for any of the three of you who want to take part, but no worries if you don't), as I'm really interested to see what people send. Remember the rule for the final:
- To make the final more of a challenge, and a bit of fun, the two finalists will submit 2 albums each, which will need to be very different in style and tone. As well as the two ratings out of 10, an additional score out of 5 will be awarded based on how different the two albums feel to me, for a maximum total score of 25.
- (EDIT: After the first round, I decided to accept 11 people to round two instead of 8. Therefore 6 will be in the semi final and 3 in the final!)
So with that in mind, all 6 of you should start thinking about what to send in the final to be ready for later this week.
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already have them picked out so :corn
with how long you made me wait last time you better post my results first this time :corn
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Who me? :angel:
-
Here we are, as promised.
Semi final results, 1 of 3
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Luke vs Parama
First impression: Both these albums are pretty strong. In both cases, I wasn't entirely convinced at the start, but once they got going they were pretty great for the most part - not amazing and wholly consistent, but solid. This is going to be difficult to decide which one to eliminate.
Final opinions:
Luke: Earthside – A Dream in Static (2015)
These guys are very impressive and sound extremely accomplished for a new band (particularly considering the strength and stature of the vocalists they worked with). I can only assume they were already fairly established before this particular project. Anyway it's great stuff. I don't consider it an instrumental album at all as half the songs have vocals - other instrumental bands have done similar and it can work well (Olafur Arnalds’ For Now I Am Winter and Long Distance Calling’s TRIPS come to mind). Musically I probably find this stronger than either of those, it's top notch stuff, and the songs are varied, well written and well performed. Where it's not as strong as those other albums, though, is that as an album it doesn't feel particularly coherent to me. The use of different singers contributes heavily to that (I find that vocals play a big part in music's identity), but also the style is quite different in each track. So each song has its own identify but it doesn't feel like the album has one. So yeah, individually the songs are pretty much all awesome and the instrumentals are solid, but I think they'd really benefit from working with the same vocalist(s) across the songs and crafting more of an album.
Score: 8.0
Parama: Dreamgrave – Presentiment (2014)
You described this in the thread as proggy melodic death metal, and while there are for sure clear death metal influences (particularly in the harsh vocals), I'd say this is very much a prog metal album. The blend of influences sort of reminds me of Epica at times, although with a melodic and harmonic approach that I find more appealing. The start of the album isn't all that exciting, but it's OK. However, from halfway through Momento Mori, it suddenly gets really great and stays that way for most of the rest of the album. There's nice variety, with hints of Opeth at times and echoes of Anathema in the glorious final track, but in general the album has a fairly unique feel. There are other moments that are merely decent, but a lot of the album is really good. It's surprisingly fun in the proggier moments, really heavy at times, at gorgeously atmospheric at others. For a debut album, it's excellent and shows a ton of promise.
Score: 8.0
The verdict: There’s so little in this, I’ve really struggled to decide, and annoyed that I chose this pairing to focus on first. I considered whether to take someone through based on who I’m more interested in having in the final, but I can’t decide that way either because I’m really interested in what both of you have to send me. So I gave both albums a further listen and forced myself to decide. And the very slight edge goes to…
Winner: Parama. Congrats on scraping through to the final this time! ;)
Luke, what a brilliant comeback, to go from very nearly getting eliminated in round 1, to topping the table at the end of the group stage and then only missing out on the final by the very narrowest of margins. I’ve loved the variety of stuff you’ve sent me, including styles that nobody else seems to have even considered - I really feel that there’s a great overlap in our tastes. Lots of very likely purchases, particularly the three 8.5s but probably also The King Blues which is a really enjoyable album. I hope you’ll still participate in the 4th-place match!
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w h e w :lol
Not that I'd really complain if I lost to Earthside but yeah I'll try to send my albums for the last round soon, I have one picked out for sure but deciding between a few on the other one
I'm tempted to go with the super risky choice of my current AOTY too but, uuuhh that's a risk no longer worth taking
Also I'm glad I'm not the only one who hears anathema in that last track
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Oh boy!
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Damn son!
I wouldn't want to lose to anyone else. Can't believe I came so close but blew it by such a close margin. I totally agree that we have a massive overlap in tastes and some of the stuff I sent you would've gotten me booted from almost any other roulette.
I'll definitely take part in the 4th place play off, mainly to send you something that will make you regret placing Parama above me :rollin
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okay actually sent just now if I think too hard about it im gonna overthink it and screw up, I'm sure :lol
I'm gonna get a list of like 10 or so albums I felt were too risky to ever consider sending in the context of the roulette but still wanna share anyways too, probably tonight when I get home or something
@Luke hard to say you blew it when we basically tied :lol but tbh if I had been up against any other album this round I don't think I'd have been half as worried, even if I should've been :P and I'm looking to knock ariich's socks right off in this final round with two awesome but risky picks :corn
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The finals are TWO albums each??
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yep, ariich has said as much several times now :P
if you're out of ammo just let luoto take your spot, no worries :)
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yep, ariich has said as much several times now :P
if you're out of ammo just let luoto take your spot, no worries :)
Got plenty, bro.
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Dick jokes over albums.
ROOOOOAAARRRRR!!!
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well, can't wait to beat you again then :tup
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Dude, what's with that?
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i gotta get my cocky arrogant posts out of the way so i can go back to self-deprecating once the final round starts
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By the way, just to make sure it's clear, the 4th place match will have the same rules as the final, so two albums with points awarded for how different they are to each other!
Next results will be up soon, just finishing another listen and doing the write ups.
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guy eating popcorn roadrunner records
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By the way, just to make sure it's clear, the 4th place match will have the same rules as the final, so two albums with points awarded for how different they are to each other!
Oh boy. Well, I just sent my next two albums. Not sure if it'll be for 4th or 1st. Sent something very old and something very new.
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I could have saved Cardiacs for the final and take more points for sure for the diversity of the two albums. My next two albums will be at least rock music. I don't have classical music to send or something unclassifiable like Mr Bungle.
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Semi final results, 2 of 3
Semi final 1 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2476370#msg2476370
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Luoto vs TAC
First impression: Like match #1, one of these is somewhat riskier than the other, based on my tastes. They both sound pretty solid, but neither wowed me on first listen. One has a nice fusion of two different styles that worked surprisingly well, and was pretty immediately enjoyable but I'm not too sure about its staying power. The other had quite a lot going on so I think I'll need some more listens to get my head round it.
Final opinions:
Luoto: Fireproven – Omnipresence (2013)
Another prog metal debut! An EP though this time, and a pretty short one at that and by far the shortest of the roulette (although I note that they do now also have a full-length out). To be honest, I wasn’t really sure about this on first listen. Although it’s short, musically it’s a lot to take in. Some of it is really heavy and intense (particularly with his very aggressive sounding harsh vocals), and the melodies in the clean sections didn’t strike me as especially engaging on first listen. However, you’ve again found something that really grows on me. All three songs have some good hooks once they’ve settled in, and there’s a lot of cool ideas and exciting gear shifts. It’s not perfect, but it’s exciting and dynamic, and especially impressive for a debut.
Score: 8.0
TAC: Tribulation – Down Below (2018)
This is pretty unusual and enjoyable, but it was a pretty risky choice to be honest. It’s a blend of styles that basically sounds like if Motorhead had made black metal. I’m not really much of a Motorhead fan (though they were decent enough) and I seem to find black metal fairly hit and miss, though Puppies did well this roulette with Enslaved. But for whatever reason, it ends up working pretty well for me. The more rock’n’roll songs are a lot of fun and don’t jarr with the black metal vocals too much, and the darker tunes are pretty good, though not amazing. Actually kinda reminds me of Kvelertak (who get described as “black’n’roll”), in the way it blends melodic rock/metal music with harsh vocals that don’t seem to fit but end up creating an entertaining mix. I wouldn’t say I love it though. Same as Kvelertak, as enjoyable as it was on first listen, the novelty wore off a bit by the third and it’s not something I see myself listening to all that often.
Score: 7.5
The verdict: Still a pretty close match up, but a clearer winner this time. After my first listen, I did actually think I may prefer the Tribulation album. It was more immediately enjoyable and the Fireproven just didn’t quite grab me. But I knew the latter needed more listens, and it grew on me a fair bit while the former didn’t. So there we have it.
Winner: Luoto. Congrats on making the final!
Tim, arguably an even more epic comeback than Luke’s, to go from dead last after round 2 and joint last after rounds 3 and 4 to qualifying for the semis was testament to how much good stuff you were sending me. The Euphoreon was the big highlight - one of my favourites from the entire roulette, and a definite purchase for sure. The Kaelling and Hyperomm albums were great too and are on the “maybe buy” list, and everything else was solid. A part of me would have loved to bring you through to the final, but alas it was not meant to be. I hope you’ll take part in the 4th place match!
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All good. I knew I was dead when I checked out the Fireproven. The Tribulation is my AOTY so far, but I may retire it from roulettes because frankly, I think I'm the only one that likes it. :lol I spun it on the way to New Hampshire last weekend and I still really enjoy it.
I already sent my albums for The Loser Round! ;D
Gonna take pride in the fact that while I may not win much, I am always the last standing fogey!
(https://regmedia.co.uk/2018/08/07/oldmanhornsgesture.jpg?x=442&y=293&crop=1)
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Hey, I did like it! Just not as much as the Fireproven in the end. :P
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50% of this roulette's content is basically ariich having to constantly reassure everyone that he still likes albums with a 7.5 score :lol
I've ran out of popcorn today, stop trying to kill me with suspense. Also I'm going to think about and possibly send my entry for the finals like TAC did regardless of which place I will be playing for, it won't affect my decision anyway.
Sidenote: I've been obsessed with Deftones again lately like I am almost every few months and was considering them. Which shows how very bad I still am at judging your tastes cause you rated almost all their albums and pretty much everything is around the 3.0 range :lol
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50% of this roulette's content is basically ariich having to constantly reassure everyone that he still likes albums with a 7.5 score :lol
There are lots of sensitive souls, bless them. :lol But yeah scores have to below a 6.0 really for me to say that I don't like something, which hasn't happened in either of my album roulettes.
I've ran out of popcorn today, stop trying to kill me with suspense. Also I'm going to think about and possibly send my entry for the finals like TAC did regardless of which place I will be playing for, it won't affect my decision anyway.
:tup
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There was like, 1 or 2 albums in the entire roulette that scored below 7.5 after the prelim round so it definitely makes 7.5 not feel particularly good :P
I'm still rocking my perfect average of 8/10 but hopefully my last two submissions raise that :P
Both get 7.5/10 and I get last place corn corn
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Nice! I think the stuff on Omnipresence is a tad more original sounding than on the debut full-length, which somewhat inspired the submission. You shouldn't be disappointed with Future Diary either though.
I pretty much have one of the albums locked down now that I actually made the finals! The other half is a little trickier to decide on.
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it definitely makes 7.5 not feel particularly good :P
Eh..you get used to it.. :lol
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What are yalls album lengths for the last round anyways :corn
one of mine is just over 40, the other just under 60
Together I call them "100 minutes of ariich's hell"
Hangmeme better include the losers' bracket albums too also
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There was like, 1 or 2 albums in the entire roulette that scored below 7.5 after the prelim round so it definitely makes 7.5 not feel particularly good :P
Fair point. There were 7 in the first round obviously, but yeah after that there were only 2. Hey, it's all your faults for sending me so much good music!
Hangmeme better include the losers' bracket albums too also
Assuming everyone takes part then I'll do all 12 albums together.
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ahh, would you like me to change to two absolute crap albums for the last round?
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ahh, would you like me to change to two absolute crap albums for the last round?
I thought you did that already. :neverusethis:
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oh yeah right I sent frontierer by mistake oops
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Sent 97 minutes of music :corn
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I sent the album, and another album
If I don't go down tomorrow in a blaze of glory, I sure as hell will in the finals
..or both!
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I'm definutely rooting for OWEL over Cardiacs, myself :P
Let's make it so hangman for next round can start before this round even ends :corn
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ahh, would you like me to change to two absolute crap albums for the last round?
John Cage and Frontierer :neverusethis:
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oh yeah right I sent frontierer by mistake oops
fool, you're too late
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Ninja'd :corn
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Twelve Foot Ninja'd :neverusethis:
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For the finals or 4th place battle, I have in mind to send a very famous album and an unknown one.
:corn
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Thumpermonkey 2? :neverusethis:
I'm definitely eager to see the results of this round and also the final round hangmeme at the same time :P
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I'm definitely eager to see the results of this round and also the final round hangmeme at the same time :P
That'll require Luke and LoCo to submit in the next couple of hours as that's when results will be. :P
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LukeCost! Don't disappoint us :sadpanda:
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Thumpermonkey 2? :neverusethis:
I'm definitely eager to see the results of this round and also the final round hangmeme at the same time :P
It's not Thumpermonkey but you can guess them. In the end the bands that I like and the other people here don't know are not that many.
I'm thinking about sending two unknown bands and not sending the famous album.. In any case I'm not confident on all three albums :lol
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Both albums I sent aren't really similar to my other submissions this roulette in any way so I'm prepared to crash and burn but I fully stand behind both of them regardless :tup
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Looks like the hangman will have to wait.
Semi final results, 3 of 3
Semi final 1 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2476370#msg2476370
Semi final 2 here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2476815#msg2476815
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Train vs LordCost
First impression: This match up seems to be between a reasonably safe submission, and a somewhat risky one. Both are pretty great to be honest. Atter one listen of each, my initial feeling is that the safe bet will have the better staying power, partly because it really taps into my love of a couple of other bands. But then the riskier one was really cool, so anything could happen. Time will tell.
Final opinions:
LordCost: Cardiacs – Guns (1999)
This was definitely a risk, but actually I really like it. Your previous “quirky” submissions haven’t done especially well (comparatively), and when you tried to send Sing to God and I explained I’d actually heard it before and didn’t remember being too keen, you sent another Cardiacs anyway. And to be honest, I have to admire you for that because this is great. I actually had another listen to Sing to God as well, to see if it’s a matter of my tastes changing since I last heard it and maybe I liked it after all, but no I honestly just don’t think it’s particularly great. There are some superb songs, but others I actually find actively annoying for some reason, and it’s just too long for something so quirky. Not so on Guns. It’s still pretty wacky, but all of the songs are at least enjoyable and some of them are brilliant (particularly in the second half, almost all of which I love), and the runtime makes it a very entertaining listen. This album has also made me realise that Cardiacs is surely a big influence on Orbs, who I also enjoy. I’m hopefully meeting Dan Briggs in December when BTBAM tour so I might well ask him then if I remember!
Score: 8.0
Train: OWEL – OWEL (2013)
Considering my love for The Dear Hunter and The River Empires, it’s not surprising that this folky, proggy and occasionally theatrical indie was right up my alley. On my first listen, I did wonder during the first couple of tracks if it might end up feeling a bit middle-of-the-road. As pretty as the opening stuff is, it takes a little while to get going energy-wise. But the second half of Scales has some great build up, and then Death In The Snow is absolutely wonderful and I was hooked from there. On further listens, the whole thing is pretty amazing. It’s not as hauntingly beautiful as some of the River Empires stuff, and it’s not as thrilling as The Dear Hunter’s best albums, but it fills a great niche somewhere between the two and does everything rather excellently. After a slight dip in performance (although I genuinely appreciate you sending some unique and risky stuff) this is a superb return to form and the highlight of the semi finals.
Score: 9.0
The verdict: Well then, I enjoyed the Cardiacs a lot more than I would have expected based on what I’d heard of their stuff before, but the OWEL album is just wonderful and gets better and better with each listen. Which I suspected might be the case on my first listen. So although LordCost scores the joint-second-best score in the semi finals (although with three other people, in fairness), there could only be really one winner here.
Winner: Train. Congrats!
LoCo, thanks for sending me such a cool variety of music, some of which was incredible. Arcane Roots in particular was the best album of the roulette (unless it’s beaten in the final of course, which isn’t especially likely), and the Rishloo and Vangough were also fantastic. And good on you for sticking with some of the quirky stuff that you love and which didn’t always work brilliantly for me - I’m glad the slightly lower ratings (and the fact that I wasn’t keen on Sing to God) didn’t put you off sending Guns because it’s definitely changed my view of Cardiacs.
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So there we have it. Our finalists are:
- Parama
- Luoto
- Train
And battling it out for 4th place are:
- Luke
- TAC
- LordCost
Looking forward to getting Luke and LoCo’s submissions!
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Nooooot very surprised about the OWEL score, yeah :lol I think it has a few weak tracks but most of it ranges from good to fantastic so
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I'm unlucky in fantasy football when it comes to be against the best team of the week and I have been unlucky here too in the semifinal pairings.. Congrats Dennis!
I was told by Train during its roulette final that Cardiacs reminds him about Orbs, but I'm lazy AF and I didn't check them out apart the one song he sent to me, and I remember I liked it. They have been an influence to Napalm Death, Blur, Radiohead, Mike Patton, Oceansize, Steven Wilson and others I don't remember, but you can find them on wiki. I don't know if you'll like something else by them. Their last EP Ditzy Scene, maybe A Little Man and a House...
After the unexpected Arcane Roots score I started to listen to them more often, thanks for that. It's a unique chain of consequences that won't happen in any other roulette I believe :lol
Sent my last two albums, both of them not famous finally, while you were publishing the results.
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luke!!! free us from this hangmanen-less hell we live in
Maybe I should give cardiacs another shot, dunno
I just was super not into that album when I did try to listen to it, dunno
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Sent the first thing that came to mind.
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That's how you do it :metal :metal :metal
Hang! Em! High!
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Yay! let's go losers!!!
I'm going to bet 100 TAC points that the total Losers Bracket score will be greater than the Finalists Bracket.
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that's just wishful thinking :tup
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No hangman yet, because Luke only sent me one album! :lol
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LUKE ALBUMSENDERRRRR
he's not in the finals anyways just john cage him and let's get this party bus rollin'
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Ok, just sent two totally different albums. This is going to be interesting :lol
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Ok we're good to go. Have at it!
?: ___ ___ ____ – _______ _______ _______
?: _________ – ____
?: ___________ – _____ _ _______
?: ________ – __-___
?: _______ – _______
?: ____________ – _______ __ ____ _____
?: ___ ______ – ___ ____ _____
?: _____ ___ ____ – _______ __ ___ ____
?: _________ – ____ _
?: ______ __ ___ ________ – ___ ________
?: ___ – ___ ___ ______
?: ____ ___ – __ ____ _______
Guessed letters:
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D you in my dreams
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Surprisingly few Ds this round. :eyebrows:
?: ___ ___ ____ – _______ _______ _______
?: _________ – ____
?: ___________ – _____ _ _______
?: ________ – __-___
?: _______ – _______
?: ___________d – ______d __ ____ _____
?: ___ ______ – ___ D___ _____
?: _____ ___ ____ – _d_____ __ ___ ____
?: _________ – ____ _
?: ____d_ __ ___ ________ – ___ ________
?: ___ – ___ __d ______
?: ____ ___ – __ ____ _______
Guessed letters: D
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Woohoo :tup
I'm unlucky in fantasy football when it comes to be against the best team of the week and I have been unlucky here too in the semifinal pairings.. Congrats Dennis!
Thanks dude! Honestly, I did save the album I was most confident in until this knock-out, I play this album all the time and almost everyone seems to enjoy it, and apart from home and Parama I don't think anyone on here listens to them (and I don't think home is active on here anymore) so the chances of this album still being available to send were pretty high.
I was told by Train during its roulette final that Cardiacs reminds him about Orbs, but I'm lazy AF and I didn't check them out apart the one song he sent to me, and I remember I liked it.
Yeah I noticed Orbs draw a lot of influences from Cardiacs when you sent me Guns, especially the vocals. That's a band I refer to when having the discussion with people that you don't have to be a 'technically' good singer to be a singer for a band if your voice fits the music well.
My risk factor is through the roof on this round, I'm sure you'll find one of my albums in this hangmeme pretty quickly :corn
Give me R
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My risk factor is through the roof on this round, I'm sure you'll find one of my albums in this hangmeme pretty quickly :corn
Thanks for the tip :lol
Slice the Cake - Odyssey to the West
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My risk factor is through the roof on this round, I'm sure you'll find one of my albums in this hangmeme pretty quickly :corn
Thanks for the tip :lol
Slice the Cake - Odyssey to the West
Hahaha wow, basically every other album I've heard is very different from this one.
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My risk factor is through the roof on this round, I'm sure you'll find one of my albums in this hangmeme pretty quickly :corn
Thanks for the tip :lol
Slice the Cake - Odyssey to the West
:lol Good start.
?: ___ ___ ____ – _______ _______ _______
?: ________r – ____
?: __r___r____ – _____ _ R______
?: ________ – __-___
?: _______ – _______
?: ________r__d – ______d __ ____ _____
?: ___ ____r_ – ___ D_r_ ____r
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
?: _____r___ – ____ _
?: ____d_ __ ___ ________ – ___ ________
?: ___ – ___ __d ______
?: ____ ___ – __ ____ _r__r__
Guessed letters: DR
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train omg you're screwed :lol
one album title looks like The Dark Tower
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I was gonna say I'm gonna be pretty surprised if someone else wins the 'biggest musical difference' prize unless Parama sent like black metal and pop
and there is fun. - Aim and Ignite so who knows (Parama send that obv)
Roulettes no fun without taking big 77 minute risks every once in a while :corn
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unless Parama sent like black metal and pop
i quite literally did :loser:
it's not a "bonus" of biggest difference though it's an additional score out of 5 everyone gets :lol i'd be really shocked if i didn't get at least 4/5 in that category
like i was considering something like extremities - gaia but felt it'd be too heavy/nonmelodic at points for ariich
but then if that was too heavy, slice the cake is too too too too too too four four four heavy lol
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Fair enough, but Odyssey to the West is also incredibly melodic and has catchy stuff in there too, and it's very epic which seemed to go down well with the Euphoreon album or whatever the band was called :lol I don't think just calling it deathcore does it justice but I'm also the biggest fanboy of that album on this forum
I would also be surprised if I don't get 4 or 5 points for that
Apparently RYM calls fun. "Power Pop", what the hell is that? :rollin
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no clue but i dig it
anyways we'll see what slice the meme gets i guess, i know it's like literally your favorite album so i shouldn't be too surprised you sent it but yeah
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I haven't heard it yet but yeah Dennis described it as deathcore and it's 77 minutes long, so it's pretty likely to be the riskiest submission on the roulette. I wonder if I'll find myself grateful for including this caveat in the OP:
If I'm really not finding myself at all interested after two listens, then even if I have time I reserve the right to give up on it.
But then if it's melodic then I might well dig it. Who knows.
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i mean, train is right in that it is a damn good record, i'll say that much as someone who generally hates deathcore :lol
also nice, rule 6 is catching on :hat
i feel both my picks here are kiiiind of risky but not entirely out of ariich's wheelhouse though, and i like both quite a bit so
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Also:
?: ___ ___ ____ – _______ _______ _______
?: ________r – ____
?: __r___r____ – _____ _ R______
?: ________ – __-___
?: _______ – _______
?: ________r__d – ______d __ ____ _____
?: ___ ____r_ – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
?: _____r___ – ____ _
?: ____d_ __ ___ ________ – ___ ________
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
?: ____ ___ – __ ____ _r__r__
Guessed letters: DR
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i can't guess a letter atm and i don't see anything else atm so i'm probably just gonna go sleep
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I was gonna say I'm gonna be pretty surprised if someone else wins the 'biggest musical difference' prize unless Parama sent like black metal and pop
I'll take that bet!
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H
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The Dark Tower is by Sky Empire and literally came out 2 days ago? According to Spotify they have a total of 1 follower and 16 monthly listeners, at least 2 of which are from Finland... Luoto? :angel:
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gimme dat sweet C
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The Dark Tower is by Sky Empire and literally came out 2 days ago? According to Spotify they have a total of 1 follower and 16 monthly listeners, at least 2 of which are from Finland... Luoto? :angel:
:lol Wow, that is one recent album! But no, not Luoto.
?: _h_ ___ C___ – ___c___ ___c___ ___c___
?: ________r – ____
?: __r___r____ – _____ _ R______
?: Ch_h___c – __-___
?: ____h__ – ____h__
?: ____h_chr__d – ______d H_ ___h _____
?: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
?: _____r___ – ____ _
?: ____d_ __ _h_ ___h____ – _h_ ___h____
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
?: ____ ___ – __ ____ _r__r__
Guessed letters: DRHC
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Chthonic by Luke
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Chthonic by Luke
Bu-Tik. My letter request was in fact exactly for that line to confirm it but you beat me to it :lol
And Sky Empire are from London according to FB
Parama: Xanthochroid - Blessed He with Boils
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:corn
i really do need to sleep now, hope hangmanen is entirely solved before i wake up :tup
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Fields of the Nephilim apparently
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I would love that Xanthochroid album if I could get into the growls/shrieks whatever they are, though I actually like Of Erthe and Axen (Act I) a lot, don't like Act II as much. Maybe I should check out this one again but I remember there were more of those harsh vocals on this one than the latest.
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Checking out that Sky Empire album... the title track alone is longer than the EP I sent :biggrin: They've certainly learned their Dream Theater.
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I think I see
Wintersun - Time I
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?: _h_ ___ C___ – ___c___ ___c___ ___c___
?: ________r – ____
?: __r___r____ – _____ _ R______
twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Bù-Tik
?: ____h__ – ____h__
Parama: Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils
?: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
?: Wintersun – Time I
?: Fields Of The Nephilim – _h_ ___h____
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
?: ____ ___ – __ ____ _r__r__
Guessed letters: DRHC
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e
-
b
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AAAAAAAAAAAAA
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y
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?: _he _ea C__b – ___c__y ___c__y ___c__y
?: _____a__r – ___a
?: Aere__ra__e – __ee_ _ Re_ea_e
twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Bù-Tik
?: ____h__ – ____h__
Parama: Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils
?: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
?: Wintersun – Time I
?: Fields Of The Nephilim – _he _e_h____
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
?: ___y __y – __ ____ _r__ra_
Guessed letters: Dr H C eBay
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Aereogramme - Sleep & Release sent by LC
One band looks like The Sea Club? I duno
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Nah, that's The Tea Club - Quickly Quickly Quickly
Pretty good album
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Good job.
?: The Tea Club – Quickly Quickly Quickly
?: _____a__r – ___a
LordCost: Aereogramme – Sleep & Release
twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Bù-Tik
?: ____h__ – ____h__
Parama: Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils
?: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
?: Wintersun – Time I
?: Fields Of The Nephilim – _he _e_h____
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
?: ___y __y – __ ____ _r__ra_
Guessed letters: DRHCEBAY
Halfway through first listens already. Some interesting stuff. Some less interesting stuff.
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Halfway through first listens already. Some interesting stuff. Some less interesting stuff.
how the hell?
Can you just listen to music all day long at work?
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I mean, I do :P
Already checked out the new riverside (seems solid)
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Halfway through first listens already. Some interesting stuff. Some less interesting stuff.
how the hell?
Can you just listen to music all day long at work?
Usually some or all of the day, depending on what work I'm doing (basically, when I'm just say at my desk working away). Plus around 2.5 hours of commuting. There's no way I'd be able to do an album roulette otherwise. I also listen to pretty much nothing else during my album roulettes. :P
I mean, being halfway through is only 6 albums. That's really not difficult to do in a day.
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for roulettes I only listen at home myself tbh because that's where I can get the best listens
I don't have a long commute myself fortunately :P
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for roulettes I only listen at home myself tbh because that's where I can get the best listens
I don't have a long commute myself fortunately :P
At home and on my commute I can most consistently concentrate on the music, definitely. Sometimes at work I'll find myself very immersed in what I'm doing and not especially take in all the album. Which is part of why I have a 3-listen minimum, and often it's 4 listens. Plus I recognise if after a listen or two I've not really taken something in, and I'll plan the next listen at a time when I can focus on it. It all works pretty well in the end.
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Just noticed some tidbits on the previous couple of pages that for some reason I hadn't noticed and therefore hadn't replied to.
After the unexpected Arcane Roots score I started to listen to them more often, thanks for that. It's a unique chain of consequences that won't happen in any other roulette I believe :lol
That's awesome. I love it when someone sends me something slightly speculative and I end up loving it. After Ruslan sent me Insomnium in my last roulette (probably my favourite of the roulette) I pretty much immediately got their entire catalogue before he did. :lol
Sidenote: I've been obsessed with Deftones again lately like I am almost every few months and was considering them. Which shows how very bad I still am at judging your tastes cause you rated almost all their albums and pretty much everything is around the 3.0 range :lol
I have a strange relationship with Deftones, and my like for them comes and goes a bit. Koi No Yokan is a solid 7.5, and Saturday Night Wrist a 7.0. Everything else seems to have some really strong tracks and then other stuff that just doesn't do it for me AT ALL.
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Give me a T
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OH
trainy sent Gunship - Gunship
Just saw this in your RYM ratings :corn
Yeah you'll get a high score for "wildly different albums" alright
I also dunno how much in ariich's wheelhouse this is but I don't have a good grasp on his taste in electronic music so I can't really comment :P
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I think he'll like it but prob won't give it more than an 8
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I think it's a solid album but the only song I reeeeally like is tech noir
But based on the title track of the upcoming album I'm very hyped for that one
The other singles so far were just solid tho :P
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I think Tech Noir is good but the Carpenter Brut remix is better
I know man, i even wrote that i wish i could send the new one cause Dark All Day is easily their best song. Do they have more than 2 singles out already?
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There's three.
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I think Tech Noir is good but the Carpenter Brut remix is better
lol no it's not
i didn't like any of the remixes tbh they felt way more generic than the standard songs
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I think it's better :corn
But I did ask not to include the remixes because they take away from the album experience and are a bit redundant, not sure if I can request stuff like that but worth a try
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i told ariich not to include the piano cover on the hannes grossmann album and i dunno whether he did or not but he never mentioned it in his review so :lol
but yeah those are obviously bonus tracks and not part of the full album
ariich when you update give me an O
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As I recall, you said to include the piano cover if it helped the score or exclude if it lowered it. :lol As it happens it didn't make any difference really.
But yeah in general I'm happy to go with what people recommend, or if they don't specify then I go with my default which is to exclude bonus tracks. Because Dennis particularly recommended that one remix, I've included that at the end of my Spotify playlist, but not the others, and I didn't include any of the fun. bonus tracks.
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Oh also
?: The Tea Club – Quickly Quickly Quickly
?: ____ta__r – _tta
LordCost: Aereogramme – Sleep & Release
twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Bù-Tik
Train of Naught: Gunship – Gunship
Parama: Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils
?: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
?: Wintersun – Time I
?: Fields Of The Nephilim – The _e_h____
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
?: T__y __y – __ ____ _r__ra_
Guessed letters: DRHCEBAYT
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ariich when you update give me an O
Though I can clearly see Solstafir - Otta now
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Ah yeah missed that one, but yes well done.
?: The Tea Club – Quickly Quickly Quickly
?: Sólstafir – Ótta
LordCost: Aereogramme – Sleep & Release
twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Bù-Tik
Train of Naught: Gunship – Gunship
Parama: Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils
?: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
?: Wintersun – Time I
?: Fields Of The Nephilim – The _e_h____
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
?: To_y __y – __ _o__ _ro_ra_
Guessed letters: DRHCEBAYTO
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Is Tony Sky a thing and if so could the last artist be that?
S ples
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Is Tony Sky a thing and if so could the last artist be that?
Not quite
Luke: Tony Sly
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Luke sent Solstafir
Luoto sent Wintersun
TAC sent Sky Empire
is even one of these right
also give me M
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is even one of these right
Yes :P
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it seems like everyone sent one metal album and one non-metal album so I guess Fields of Nephilim is probably LC's by process of elimination
or if I got TAC sending Sky Empire wrong then switch those two
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Parama makes so many guesses that he's bound to get some right by the law of averages. :neverusethis:
?: The Tea Club – Quickly Quickly Quickly
?: Sólstafir – Ótta
LordCost: Aereogramme – Sleep & Release
twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Bù-Tik
Train of Naught: Gunship – Gunship
Parama: Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils
TAC: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
Luoto: Wintersun – Time I
?: Fields Of The Nephilim – The _e_h___m
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
twosuitsluke: Tony Sly – __ So__ _ro_ram
Guessed letters: DRHCEBAYTOSM
Two albums and three senders to go.
-
LC didn't send Fields of Nephilim then?
I guess Luoto sent Solstafir?
-
LC didn't send Fields of Nephilim then?
I guess Luoto sent Solstafir?
Good, which therefore means...?
Also I feel like the Fields of the Nephilim album title should be easy to work out.
?: The Tea Club – Quickly Quickly Quickly
Luoto: Sólstafir – Ótta
LordCost: Aereogramme – Sleep & Release
twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Bù-Tik
Train of Naught: Gunship – Gunship
Parama: Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils
TAC: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
Luoto: Wintersun – Time I
?: Fields Of The Nephilim – The _e_h___m
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
twosuitsluke: Tony Sly – __ So__ _ro_ram
Guessed letters: DRHCEBAYTOSM
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LC sent the tea club, TAC sent Fields
oka
Otta is only the third best of the three Solstafir albums I own so I'm glad that one was sent and not one of the two before it :P
from what i know of wintersun it seems like a safe enough pick but it's the only album i'm up against i haven't actually heard so i dunno
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Wintersun is like epic metal turned to eleven. It's also the only album from the list that I own. :)
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Yeah, it's my most bombastic submission in the whole roulette. And while it's not talked about much it has a clear Devin Townsend influence, anyone who's more familiar with his work should notice it almost right away in Land of Snow and Sorrow.
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LordCost: The Tea Club – Quickly Quickly Quickly
Luoto: Sólstafir – Ótta
LordCost: Aereogramme – Sleep & Release
twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Bù-Tik
Train of Naught: Gunship – Gunship
Parama: Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils
TAC: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
Luoto: Wintersun – Time I
TAC: Fields Of The Nephilim – The _e_h___m
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
twosuitsluke: Tony Sly – __ So__ _ro_ram
Guessed letters: DRHCEBAYTOSM
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i mean, i could just go on RYM to look up the remaining albums if i really wanted to but i'm lazy/that's no fun :corn
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I ALREADY GAVE YOU A CLUE FOR ONE OF THEM
The other is kinda tricksy though.
-
:lol
Is it... The Nephilim? :lol
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Fields of the Nephilim
the Nephilim
the Nephilim
:lol
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hmm, i'm still not getting it...
-
:lol
I'll complete the last one as it's a bit of a cheat as it includes numbers.
FINAL
Luoto: Wintersun – Time I
Luoto: Sólstafir – Ótta
Train of Naught: Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West
Train of Naught: Gunship – Gunship
Parama: Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils
Parama: fun. – Aim And Ignite
FOURTH PLACE MATCH
LordCost: The Tea Club – Quickly Quickly Quickly
LordCost: Aereogramme – Sleep & Release
twosuitsluke: Chthonic – Bù-Tik
twosuitsluke: Tony Sly – 12 Song Program
TAC: Sky Empire – The Dark Tower
TAC: Fields Of The Nephilim – The Nephilim
Guessed letters: DRHCEBAYTOSM
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Ok I'm enough of the way through first listens to be able to randomise first impressions and give you the first half.
Final round first impressions, part 1 of 2
#1 This is damn epic. Takes elements of two particular bands I like and fuses them together well. I dig it.
#2 This isn't at all what I was expecting, but what an absolute gem of an album.
#3 I like the moody vibe, but that might be about it. A lot of it didn't interest me much and I'm not really a fan of the vocals.
#4 This is certainly very dynamic, but for some reason it didn’t grab me too much on first listen.
#5 This has some amazing stuff. Not yet sure what I think about how it all fits together yet.
#6 This sounded good, although I was a little distracted and much of it didn't grab my attention. Further listens needed.
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1 feels to me like it's either Wintersun or Xanthochroid, and with my luck it'll be the former :corn
3 is mine for sure though :metal or more realistically this is about what i expected ariich to think of slice the cake
we'll sha'll s'ee
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#3 I like the moody vibe, but that might be about it. A lot of it didn't interest me much and I'm not really a fan of the vocals.
:|
I know this is mine. :facepalm:
-
Final round first impressions, part 1 of 2
#1 This is damn epic. Takes elements of two particular bands I like and fuses them together well. I dig it.
#2 This isn't at all what I was expecting, but what an absolute gem of an album.
#3 I like the moody vibe, but that might be about it. A lot of it didn't interest me much and I'm not really a fan of the vocals.
#4 This is certainly very dynamic, but for some reason it didn’t grab me too much on first listen.
#5 This has some amazing stuff. Not yet sure what I think about how it all fits together yet.
#6 This sounded good, although I was a little distracted and much of it didn't grab my attention. Further listens needed.
Final round first impressions, part 2 of 2
#7 Pretty good stuff, though not particularly original and I'm not yet sure about the singer.
#8 I like it. Not the biggest fan of the production, but it’s very moody and atmospheric.
#9 This is a lot of fun although maybe not as unique as I might have expected. I dig it though.
#10 This is really great, right up my alley but not like anything else this roulette. Reminds me of a couple of other bands but pretty different at the same time.
#11 Probably the best thing I’ve heard in this specific genre.
#12 This is very grand. A little on the cheesy side at times, perhaps, but extremely enjoyable.
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yeah, i have no clue :metal
i'm gonna shoot you if #9 is about mine because it is indeed "a lot of fun."
-
i'm gonna shoot you
Sounds like a proportionate reaction.
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i'm gonna shoot you
Sounds like a proportionate reaction.
See, there he goes threatening the moderator again :lol
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don't test me
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/one-minute-meelee-fanon/images/f/f2/Decidueye_%28Kageto_Okami_Damycba%29.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20180521160658)
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I’m dead.
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You literally already lost, you're just playing for 4th place :P
And here I am beating a dead horse
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Parama's emoticon in Indiscipline's:
:deadhorse:
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You calling me a horse?
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You're right, you're not nearly majestic enough to be a horse. More like an angry donkey
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More like an angry donkey
I believe that's the band we're featuring in our weekly album thread right now!
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No that's Arrogant Axolotl
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#12 is probably Wintersun, and several of those could work for Ótta. Most of the first impressions are positive vibes so I'm not really worried :tup
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Should be good to start posting results starting tomorrow.
Order of results, in case not obvious:
6th place
5th and 4th place
---------
3rd place
Runner up and winner
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Ready to die :metal
Do you have a good idea of the winner is by now? :corn
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I guarantee I'll be 6th. Tony Sly will be too generic and Chthonic too extreme :facepalm:
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Do you have a good idea of the winner is by now? :corn
The winner is the thing I have the least good idea of. Partly because I've focused my listening on the 4th place match to start with (as those results come first) but also because, based on what listening I have done, it feels really close.
FEELING TENSE ENOUGH YET?
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I hope I rank better than luke
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Nah, that's The Tea Club - Quickly Quickly Quickly
Pretty good album
I did not comment before because I didn't want to spoil I was the sender of that album, but if you have guessed The Tea Club and Shaolin Death Squad in Elite's roulette I'm worried about having enough music for your roulette :lol. I saw that you have rated a lot of albums on Progarchives and I discovered The Tea Club on that site because that album was the top rated one of 2012, although I've seen now that the album has fallen in the 7th position for that year.
I have no idea if ariich likes or dislikes both albums. I hope one of them is the one described as a gem of an album.
I listened yesterday to Quickly Quickly Quickly and Firebears is now definitely my favourite track, even if I have enjoyed all of them in various periods.
I think the production on the Aereogramme album will be a weak point, but I hope you'll like a lot the ballads like Black Path or In Gratitude.
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I have a better ask, do you have a good idea of who's coming in third yet?
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I have a pretty good idea who's coming in 6th.
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I have a better ask, do you have a good idea of who's coming in third yet?
A pretty good idea.
Anyway, let's do this.
Fourth place match results, part 1 of 2
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6TH PLACE: TAC
Fields Of The Nephilim – The Nephilim (1988)
First impression: I like the moody vibe, but that might be about it. A lot of it didn't interest me much and I'm not really a fan of the vocals.
Final opinion: Eh, you were right to be worried. :lol About half the songs are pretty good. The Watchmen, Moonchild and Celebrate in particular have some nice stuff. There’s a moody vibe throughout that’s pretty cool, in those songs plus a couple of others. In general the songs I like are those where the atmosphere is a bit more evocative, and also where the vocals are clearer. For about half the album, he just seems to mumble away and it really doesn’t do it for me. And unfortunately, even in the half of the album I do like, I don’t find any of it exciting enough to make up for the stuff that I don’t like. Sorry dude, I appreciate you sending something different and introducing me to a band I’ve often heard of but never checked out. I don’t hate it, but this was a bit of a miss.
Score: 6.0
Sky Empire – The Dark Tower (2018)
First impression: Pretty good stuff, though not particularly original and I'm not yet sure about the singer.
Final opinion: Well, you definitely get the award for Newest Album Submitted, given it had only been out a day! And overall it’s a solid debut, although it definitely suffers from sounding far too much like DT (SDOIT/TOT-era especially) a lot of the time. I’ll mostly forgive them - everybody needs to start somewhere - but it’s just too much at times. They would definitely benefit from crafting their own style a bit, or at least using a wider range of influences. The album is at its strongest in a lot of the instrumental passages. The playing is consistently superb, and some of the sections are really well-crafted. Still not desperately original, but really top notch, right up there with bands like DT and Haken who are normally the masters of the prog metal unison. There are also some solid hooks in some places (Sorcerer’s Apprentice has some very memorable melodies in particular) but other vocal sections aren’t nearly as strong. Overall, a promising start for this band, enough to keep me paying attention in future, but they’ll need to do something a bit different if they want to keep my interest.
Score: 7.5
Variety score: 2.5/5
A lower-mid score here. Some differences - as you pointed out, one very old and one very very new, plus Sky Empire is clearly a lot heavier, faster and flashier. But broadly speaking, both are serious rock albums, proggy, and pretty much all in minor keys. In terms of the range of music I listen to, they’re not too different really.
Total score = 6.0 + 7.5 + 2.5 = 16.0
You’ve been on quite a journey in this roulette, Tim. Thanks again for the awesome stuff you sent me - shame the semis and finals couldn’t keep up the momentum you’d built in the group stage!
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Based on how you argumented that variety score I'm expecting about 3.5 :corn
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i'm expecting to score better than TAC
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i'm expecting to score better than TAC
Shouldn’t be too hard. :lol
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Henceforth this roulette shall be renamed The Rise And Fall Of TAC.
-
e n d m e
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Patience young padawan. Tomorrow will be 4th and 5th place. You'll need to wait until Thursday to find out you've come third.
-
:sadpanda: :sadpanda: :sadpanda: :sadpanda: :sadpanda:
Screw the losers bracket nobody cares about their results :neverusethis:
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Henceforth this roulette shall be renamed The Rise And Fall Of TAC.
Well, at lest I kept my streak alive as the Last Standing Fogey. I'm happy with that!
-
Making good progress with more listening, so I think I should be able to post results faster than one a day after all. Watch this space.
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Watch this space.
(https://i.gifer.com/ClRC.gif)
:corn
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Fourth place match results, part 2 of 2
Part 1 (6th place) here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2478556#msg2478556
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5TH PLACE: LordCost
The Tea Club – Quickly Quickly Quickly (2012)
First impression: This sounded good, although I was a little distracted and much of it didn't grab my attention. Further listens needed.
Final opinion: This definitely feels like a grower, and there’s quite a lot to take in. It’s melodic, but the tunes are often slightly unusual. And it’s very proggy/art-rock-esque, so the songs are all rather sweeping, covering lots of different ideas. I’m not surprised I didn’t really take it in on first listen, as it can quite easily drift by in the background. I like it though, lots of really good stuff. Definitely a 70s prog influence, but as you noted in your submission, a modern twist too. Kind of reminds me of bands like The Flower Kings in that way, but bringing in other influences like Pain of Salvation and Radiohead. I’m not sure why you were worried about the vocals, I think they suit the music very well. I was undecided on whether to give this a 7.5 or 8.0, but it’s got better with each listen so I feel it appropriate to give the higher rating!
Score: 8.0
Aereogramme – Sleep & Release (2003)
First impression: This is certainly very dynamic, but for some reason it didn’t grab me too much on first listen.
Final opinion: There’s something quite exciting and dynamic about this album, but at the same time it doesn’t really grab me all that much. There are some great moments for sure, and I like that the album covers so much ground in terms of styles and moods, but those great moments are few and far between and most of it strikes me as good but nothing special. Overall it’s an interesting blend of post-hardcore and Smashing Pumpkins style alt-rock, but what I find quite exciting is the way it moves between a lot of different ideas and influences. I’m sure some people would find the gear-shifts between tracks fairly off-putting, but I quite enjoy them actually. They keep the album unexpected and are done in a way that doesn’t jarr too much. But it’s held back from a higher rating by the individual songs themselves only occasionally doing it for me.
Score: 7.5
Variety score: 2.5/5
Like TAC, there are some obvious differences between these two albums, but overall and in the context of my tastes, they’re not all that distinct really. Two dynamic, proggy rock albums. One goes a lot heavier and is more serious, while the other is lighter and more airy, but they’re both guitar-driven rock albums with similar energy levels to each other.
Total score = 8.0 + 7.5 + 2.5 = 18.0
Dude, thanks again for taking part and sending me lots of good, interesting music. And especially thanks SO MUCH for Arcane Roots!
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4TH PLACE: Luke
Chthonic – Bù-Tik (2013)
First impression: This is a lot of fun although maybe not as unique as I might have expected. I dig it though.
Final opinion: Yeah this is very enjoyable, but it’s a bit… monotone maybe? Props to you for sending Taiwanese black/death/thrash metal (as as you’ll see below, it was good for your variety score) but as much as I enjoy the album, I also find it just slightly disappointing. All the tracks are great, but they’re all basically the same, so on further listens the album gets less interesting as it goes on. Related to this, they also don’t really make any interesting use of the authentic Taiwanese folk instruments they use. There’s the odd short interlude, but otherwise stylistically this could be any western metal band. This wouldn’t bother me if the album had more variety, and the sameyness wouldn’t bother me if there was something more unusual and unique about the style. But the combination of both slightly brings down what would otherwise be an excellent album.
Score: 7.5
Tony Sly – 12 Song Program (2010)
First impression: This isn't at all what I was expecting, but what an absolute gem of an album.
Final opinion: I’ve never really listened to No Use For A Name, but I’m aware of Tony Sly as a punk/hardcore frontman who died due to possible overdose (it was mainly references in the latest NOFX album that prompted me to find out about him). I had no idea that, like Frank Turner, he moved completely away from that and into folk music for his solo work. Obviously this is very American where Turner is very English, and it’s also a lot mellower than most of Turner’s stuff, but otherwise I hear a lot of similarity. Also occasionally reminiscent of Ben Folds’ ballads, only guitar- rather than piano-based. This is very moving, and clearly deals with his own personal struggles in a very sincere way. And even though it’s all pretty laid-back folk music, there’s quite a variety of moods and ideas that keeps it fresh throughout (the short run-time helps too). When it finishes, I just want to put it back on again. It’s really, really lovely stuff.
Score: 9.0
Variety score: 4.5/5
This doesn’t warrant a full 5.0 because it’s certainly possible to be more different than this, but these are still pretty much as different as I would have expected in this roulette. The Chthonic is entirely riff-driven and pretty much non-stop heavy, where the Tony Sly is never remotely harsh, all very delicate and moving. You nailed the theme of the round, without a doubt, though as it happens you’d have achieved fourth place anyway on album ratings alone.
Total score = 7.5 + 9.0 + 4.5 = 21.0
I honestly nearly eliminated you in round one because I was really unsure about being able to manage 11 participants (needlessly, it turned out), but I’m so so glad I brought you through. Such variety of great music I wouldn’t have got from anyone else!
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I'm in the top 3? :neverusethis: wow!
-
Chuffed to finish in 4th but it's kind of bitter sweet. I was toying with sending 12 Song Program earlier in the roulette but thought it'd be a solid 7.5 at best. Wish I'd sent it earlier now as I might actually have been in the running to win this.
Cheers for having me as I'm glad to be able to send this sort of stuff and have it actually score well.
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#1 This is damn epic. Takes elements of two particular bands I like and fuses them together well. I dig it.
#5 This has some amazing stuff. Not yet sure what I think about how it all fits together yet.
#8 I like it. Not the biggest fan of the production, but it’s very moody and atmospheric.
#10 This is really great, right up my alley but not like anything else this roulette. Reminds me of a couple of other bands but pretty different at the same time.
#11 Probably the best thing I’ve heard in this specific genre.
#12 This is very grand. A little on the cheesy side at times, perhaps, but extremely enjoyable.
Alright, I'll take a shot at this:
1: Xanthochroid
5: Solstafir
8: Gunship
10: fun.
11: Slice the Cake
12: Wintersun
Me and Parama likely have higher scores for the difference bonus, but based on this I'm gonna say me at #3, Luoto at #2 and Parama at #1. Feel like fun. could be a solid 9
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Chuffed to finish in 4th but it's kind of bitter sweet. I was toying with sending 12 Song Program earlier in the roulette but thought it'd be a solid 7.5 at best. Wish I'd sent it earlier now as I might actually have been in the running to win this.
For sure I get that. Sending 12 Song Program would have helped in the semi finals, but you came joint top of the group stage so you couldn't have done much more there!
Cheers for having me as I'm glad to be able to send this sort of stuff and have it actually score well.
Which makes me extremely happy - glad to be an oddity in that regard!
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I mean, it seems as though there is a possibility I could place 4th but still have a higher overall score than 1st, 2nd and 3rd?
That would really be a bitter pill to swallow :facepalm:
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1 & 12 are definitely xanthochroid and wintersun but i have a hard time saying which is which, though it hardly matters as they're both pretty positive :metal
congrats luke on winning loss.jpg!!
take your time (posting resuts) (actually no don't)
-
FINAL RESULTS: Third place
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3RD PLACE: Luoto
Wintersun – Time I (2012)
First impression: This is very grand. A little on the cheesy side at times, perhaps, but extremely enjoyable.
Final opinion: I have a bizarre history with Wintersun. I've literally never heard their music before this roulette, but I remember reading about them back when their debut came out and thinking they had a really cool name (they do). Periodically over the last 10+ years I've thought of them and considered giving them a listen, but never got round to it. Anyway I'm really glad to finally hear their music, this is great. Basically the lovechild of Nightwish and Devin Townsend. For sure it's fairly cheesy but in itself I don't consider that a criticism. It's all very bombastic and theatrical and over the top, which is risky as so much can go wrong. But the quality is high and so it's incredibly enjoyable for the bombast. It's also very intricate (I read up on this being the reason it took so long to make) and so repeat listens bring out lots of nice details. Definitely a grower.
Score: 8.5
Sólstafir – Ótta (2014)
First impression: I like it. Not the biggest fan of the production, but it’s very moody and atmospheric.
Final opinion: Yeah I definitely like it, but not as much as I thought I might after that first listen. It has a great bleak, Nordic atmosphere that’s very evocative, and in some of the songs it brings them to life perfectly (the title track for example). But others fall a bit flat for me - not bad by any stretch, just not especially interesting. I don’t know that it’s necessarily the production, which I mentioned in my first impression, because actually it works well in some tracks, I think the others musically just don’t really grab me much. Which is a shame. But it has intrigued me and I think I’ll probably check out at least another album of theirs once I’ve worked through the mass of 8+ rated artists I’ve received this roulette, to see if it speaks to me a little more!
Score: 7.5
Variety score: 3.0/5
A slightly better score than TAC and LoCo, as there’s more variety of tone here. One is very cinematic and energetic, with some fun upbeat moments and heavy ones too, while the other is bleak and more minimalist at times. So a decent effort on the variety front, but they’re not super different in the context of my listening habits. Both rock/metal albums with a folky influence and overlaid with Scandinavian atmosphere.
Total score = 8.5 + 7.5 + 3.0 = 19.0
Alas it is a bronze medal, but a hell of a consistent performance. Not the most varied in terms of style (in the context of the rest of the roulette) but you definitely got a consistently good handle on my tastes and where they overlap with yours. The four 8.5 albums were especially excellent and all likely purchases, but the Omnium Gatherum and Fireproven also interested me enough to definitely want to check out more of their work. Really glad you took part, thanks for the awesome music!
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The final final results will be later today.
Maybe.
Perhaps I'll do a Chad and post the write-ups without the scores first, just to prolong the misery for Train and Parama.
-
Perhaps I'll do a Chad and post the write-ups without the scores first, just to prolong the misery for Train and Parama.
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/cd1470ea6370fc87a658a8d7e31e1d90/tenor.gif?itemid=4350865)
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It's coming to be the theme of mine to be very consistent without many absolute highs (none of my submissions were 9.0 or more). The finals format also bit me in the arse a little, because I had to slightly compromise musical quality to not completely trash the variety score, which wasn't going to be my strong point to begin with.
Oh well, at least I won round robin.
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I didn't have time to comment before but I agree with what you said in the review of Sleep and Release. Maybe with further listens you'll like some more individual tracks, but I had the same impression.
I'm glad you liked The Tea Club, I only sent Firebears previously in an epic round of a roulette and it didn't go well so I did not send them until now
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The finals format also bit me in the arse a little, because I had to slightly compromise musical quality to not completely trash the variety score, which wasn't going to be my strong point to begin with.
For sure, and I can only apologise, but that's ultimately what I was going for really. As you know my own tastes are very varied, and so I wanted to reward that. The way I chose to do it this time was to make it so people could reach the final by being consistently strong even if all in the same style, but that to win the final they'd have to provide some good variety just that once. I've also considered whether I could introduce a variety score in the group stages. So, you know, it could have been worse :P
I'm glad you liked The Tea Club, I only sent Firebears previously in an epic round of a roulette and it didn't go well so I did not send them until now
I like Firebears, but if I was doing a song roulette, I don't know if I'd have rated it on its own quite so highly. One of the strengths of the album for me is the way it covers a few different styles and influences and the other tracks all contribute a lot.
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Wow, I hate Wintersun and hate Time I even more but I legit thought about sending them early on. Damn!
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#1 This is damn epic. Takes elements of two particular bands I like and fuses them together well. I dig it.
#5 This has some amazing stuff. Not yet sure what I think about how it all fits together yet.
#10 This is really great, right up my alley but not like anything else this roulette. Reminds me of a couple of other bands but pretty different at the same time.
#11 Probably the best thing I’ve heard in this specific genre.
1 is still xanthochroid
5 could be slice the cake tbh
10 is fun
11 is gunship?
I dunno lol
Those "variety" points probably pulled most of the weight in this round though haha
I could also see 10 being gunship
I feel it's kind of unlikely either of mine are 11 but I really don't know
Ariich you're killing me here aaahh
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#1 This is damn epic. Takes elements of two particular bands I like and fuses them together well. I dig it.
#5 This has some amazing stuff. Not yet sure what I think about how it all fits together yet.
#10 This is really great, right up my alley but not like anything else this roulette. Reminds me of a couple of other bands but pretty different at the same time.
#11 Probably the best thing I’ve heard in this specific genre.
1 is still xanthochroid
5 could be slice the cake tbh
10 is fun
11 is gunship?
I dunno lol
Those "variety" points probably pulled most of the weight in this round though haha
I could also see 10 being gunship
I feel it's kind of unlikely either of mine are 11 but I really don't know
Ariich you're killing me here aaahh
This sums up my thoughts
Did not expect to make it to top 2 but I would also not be surprised if my album score average is lower than Luoto's and that the album difference is what made me score higher because that will be at least 4.5 I imagine, after seeing Luke's score.
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I think you'll get a 4.5 and not a 5 because both albums are pretty dark in tone, generally speaking
That's like, the only similarity
I also took that into consideration which is why one of my albums is darker in tone and the other is like all major keys the whole way through :lol regardless I still don't expect a perfect 5 on the variety score though but we shall see
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I love everyone's lack of confidence.
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I think I lost
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I think I lost
You should believe in yourself more!
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I love everyone's lack of confidence.
I've never won a roulette and I don't plan to start now
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I've never won a roulette and I don't plan to start now
Then I have good news for you.
FINAL RESULTS
Third place here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=52779.msg2479328#msg2479328
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RUNNER UP: Parama
Xanthochroid – Blessed He With Boils (2012)
First impression: This has some amazing stuff. Not yet sure what I think about how it all fits together yet.
Final opinion: Thank you for contributing to my education in black metal (along with Puppies’ Enslaved submission from round 2). I mean, there’s clearly a range of ideas here, but black metal seems to be at the core of it all. This is a very cool album, in a schizophrenic sort of way. There’s quite a variety of styles and influences, and the way it all fits together doesn’t always quite work for me (most songs have bits I love and bits I’m not so keen on), but it’s never jarring enough to stop this being a strong album overall. And I love how cinematic it is at times, the use of choirs, strings and other effects creating a great atmosphere and some brilliant moments. I also like how they utilise a wide range of vocal styles. There are a few individual parts that are slightly derivative (bits of the title track sound like pure Opeth, for example) but not enough to stop the album from feeling fairly original. It’s all solid stuff, and very impressive for a debut.
Score: 8.0
fun. – Aim And Ignite (2009)
First impression: This is really great, right up my alley but not like anything else this roulette. Reminds me of a couple of other bands but pretty different at the same time.
Final opinion: I listened to Be Calm as part of your EP which beat me in t’other Rich’s roulette and loved it, so I wondered if you’d be brave enough to send me stuff like this. Really glad you did as it’s a great album! Very different to anything else you’ve sent in the roulette (or anyone else really). Be Calm is definitely a highlight but there are a lot of other really strong songs as well. They have a pretty unique style. There are moments that remind me of Queen’s poppy years, and others that sound like a more chilled out Foxy Shazam. Not every track is killer but they’re all at least good fun, and some are great. And in general I love the upbeat, quirky and occasionally theatrical vibe they do a great job of. This also wins the award for Most Appropriate Band Name.
Score: 8.5
Variety score: 4.0/5
In most regards these two albums are clearly very different. One is dark, heavy metal while the other is fun (lol) upbeat pop. Tonally they couldn’t be more different, so definitely a high variety score. The reason it scores just a half point lower than Luke and Train is that there’s something in the way the music is constructed that feels kinda similar to me. I fully appreciate this might just be the way I approach music and everyone else may disagree, but for all the differences, both albums are quite dynamic, theatrical, quirky even, and bring together a range of styles and influences.
Total score = 8.0 + 8.5 + 4.0 = 20.5
So close and yet so far! A part of me would have loved the symmetry of you winning my roulette after I scraped through to victory in yours, but I’m nothing if not fair (and you pipped me to win Elite’s anyway, so I feel we’re even) and Train just edged ahead on subsequent listens. You sent me so much great music (your 8.5s in particular are pretty certain purchases) and have definitely got a better handle on my tastes. Semi finalist last time, finalist this time and with a 0.3 higher average rating. So you'll win next time right?
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WINNER: Train
Gunship – Gunship (2015)
First impression: Probably the best thing I’ve heard in this specific genre.
Final opinion: According to RYM, I’ve listened to precisely zero synthwave albums. Even the wider label of synthpop, which seems to get applied to a lot of different stuff (Alan Parsons? Ulver?!) I’ve heard few albums within, and those that I’d consider vaguely close to Gunship in genre (i.e. not Ulver) I don’t normally rate highly. This is terrific, however. Great vibes - with a nice sense of energy yet really chill as well, and gorgeously atmospheric at times. Some of it reminds me of the poppy end of Everything Everything, in a good way. The Martin Grech collaboration caught me by surprise and I’m not sure his vocals 100% work, but it’s pretty interesting. There’s not a great deal of variety across the album, but there doesn’t need to be as it’s not a long album, and there’s enough to keep it engaging. And actually the consistency of style helps to keep it feeling coherent - it’s definitely a good album experience.
Score: 8.5
Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West (2016)
First impression: This is damn epic. Takes elements of two particular bands I like and fuses them together well. I dig it.
Final opinion: Good lord, this is intense. You described it as “deathcore” which sounded a bit scary although I don't know what it actually means. I’m not sure it’s as heavy as Parama was making out though. I mean, a lot of it is pretty damn heavy, but there’s nothing here that is heavier than some stuff I listen to. Indeed there are a whole load of moments that remind me of a cross between Between the Buried and Me and The Human Abstract. And in terms of balance, ok I do find it gets a bit much in some stretches that are very full-on, but when that happens, it’s inevitably not long before a melodic or even calm section appears and provides the necessary reprieve. In addition to the heaviness, it’s also narratively intense as well. But despite it occasionally getting a bit much (and the album length doesn’t particularly help in that regard), it’s really well balanced overall - good mix of calm moments, clean heavy sections, harsh but still melodic stuff, and then yeah the manic intense stuff, particularly as the album reaches its emotional climax and the character seems to lose his mind. It’s an incredibly immersive and cathartic experience, and the quality is consistently very high throughout.
Score: 8.5
Variety score: 4.5/5
I think to get a 5/5 here, the Gunship would have needed to have been ambient electronica with no vocals. So you weren’t that far off! But yeah these are as different as any roulette submissions really. One is heavy, intense, aggressive, with huge mood swings and really focused on organic sounds. The other is chilled, atmospheric, consistent in tone, very synthy, and generally rather pleasant. Pretty much nailed the theme!
Total score = 8.5 + 8.5 + 4.5 = 21.5
So there we have it - congrats on the victory, you are now bathed in glory forever. There wasn't a huge amount in it in the end, but you did enough. And you do have the highest average score of the roulette, plus the only person to hit 9/10 twice so this feels pretty deserved. Good tactical play as well, holding back some of your strongest stuff for the knockouts! Thanks for all the awesome music and also for totally getting into the spirit of sending me such varied and unusual stuff all with such high quality. I had no idea what to expect when starting this roulette in terms of who would do well, but you dominated from early on and managed to hold on. All hail the great Train of Naught! :hefdaddy
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The end
Thanks again to all 18 people who participated, and also those who didn't but followed and joined in with comments etc. I loved my last album roulette and if anything this one turned out even better after learning from the mistakes of the past in terms of how I set it up. So much fantastic music, and I found it a lot of fun as well.
Here's the final ranking:
1. Train of Naught
2. Parama
3. Luoto
4. twosuitsluke
5. LordCost
6. TAC
7= Lethean
7= jingle.boy
7= Puppies_On_Acid
7= Sacul
11. Kattelox
12= Elite
12= Evermind
12= kingshmegland
12= Nekov
12= romdrums
17= Indiscipline
17= Stadler
And a reminder, it anybody wants to send me additional post-roulette submissions to check out, rate and report back on, I'll be happy to do so. I've got some on my list already. I'll also do another roulette sometime next year, so you can of course hold stuff back to send next time as well. But if you wanted to, say, send a couple of things you thought were too risky to test them out safely, this is your chance!
That's all folks! But I will keep this updated with post roulette submissions, and may also update with any catalogue exploring that I do on my favourite submissions, like last time. I might also post some more fun stats, because I'm cool like that.
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I'm just really glad for Train that he won with Slice the Cake. I've been sending some of my favourite songs/albums/artists in roulettes and more often than not it goes poorly (see Chad's roulette) :lol . Good job Dennis!
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Grats trainy :metal
Do agree that slice the cake is damn good but I wouldn't have sent something that risky myself, haha, glad you liked both the albums anyways
And an extra half point in variety wouldn't have helped me anyways so whatevs :P
New Gunship album is out literally tomorrow btw so you might wanna check that out
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Do agree that slice the cake is damn good but I wouldn't have sent something that risky myself, haha, glad you liked both the albums anyways
Fo sho - like I say if there are others you thought might be too risky, do feel free to send them my way to give you an idea about how well different things might go next time.
And an extra half point in variety wouldn't have helped me anyways so whatevs :P
As it happens, true.
New Gunship album is out literally tomorrow btw so you might wanna check that out
Certainly will do.
Also definitely checking out the other fun. and Xanthochroid albums. With Slice the Cake, while I loved this album because it was finely balanced, I could definitely see myself finding it too much if the balance had shifted or the melodic hooks hadn't been as strong, so I'll check out their previous albums but I feel more cautious about those. :lol
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lol don't check out fun's second album it kinda blows
a few good tracks but a lot of garbage too
there was a precursor band to them you may wanna check out though
also go send in puppies' roulette dammit
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I'll definitely take part in the 4th place play off, mainly to send you something that will make you regret placing Parama above me :rollin
also, nice job luke :lol
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lol don't check out fun's second album it kinda blows
a few good tracks but a lot of garbage too
Hmm, ok I'll probably give it a listen but I'll temper my expectations. Foxy Shazam did that too, very disappointing.
there was a precursor band to them you may wanna check out though
Cool, will do. Name?
also go send in puppies' roulette dammit
I will now that I can dedicate a bit of headspace to it.
I'll definitely take part in the 4th place play off, mainly to send you something that will make you regret placing Parama above me :rollin
also, nice job luke :lol
Yeah Luke beat two of the three finalists. :lol
Also the average ratings are interesting. You came 4th as both Luke and Luoto averaged higher than you. You had better tactics though!
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Yeah I forgot the name but it should be on the related bands page for them
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Congrats Train!
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So basically I actually came second? Based on scores alone?
:censored :censored :censored
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So basically I actually came second? Based on scores alone?
:censored :censored :censored
But wouldn't it have been worse if you'd had the highest overall score? :P
And yeah if it had been simply on scores, you'd probably have come second (although people might have sent different stuff with a different set of rules). But that wasn't the game I'm afraid!
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Yea, it is what it is :lol
I was more annoyed when I blew it in Tomi's roulette. I really enjoyed it dude, I'm thinking because we're both of the same age and from the same country it helped my chances (especially with submissions like The King Blues). I'll definitely take part in your next and follow through this time :tup
Congrats to Train as well :biggrin: smashed it!
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Yea, it is what it is :lol
I was more annoyed when I blew it in Tomi's roulette. I really enjoyed it dude, I'm thinking because we're both of the same age and from the same country it helped my chances (especially with submissions like The King Blues). I'll definitely take part in your next and follow through this time :tup
:heart
Ridiculously I'm looking forward to my next one already, I'm like an addict. :lol But seriously, I have a shitload of new albums by artists *I already listen to* that I've neglected during my roulette, plus probably about 30-40 artists from the roulette I want to explore more, plus like 8 post-roulette submissions to check out. I think my new music fix is pretty full for a good few months. But when it's time, I'll be seeking you out to make sure you take part!
EDIT: Also not sure whereabouts you're based but it'd also be great to catch you at a gig or something at some point.
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You're gonna have more than 8 post roulette submissions once I get home
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I live in Gloucestershire so most gigs I go to are usually in Bristol or Birmingham. I do hit up the odd one in London though. Would definitely be good to catch you at a gig dude.
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You're gonna have more than 8 post roulette submissions once I get home
I like how threatening this sounds.
Thoigh remember how you sent me stuff last time that you then couldn't use this time. Just worth considering.
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I live in Gloucestershire so most gigs I go to are usually in Bristol or Birmingham. I do not up the odd one in London though. Would definitely be good to catch you at a gig dude.
I'm in Herts so pretty much only gig in London as any touring band will pretty much always play there. Lived in Bristol for 7 years though so do find myself back there very occasionally.
If you're down in London though definitely let me know!
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This time I'm only sending the risky stuff I wouldn't think of sending you otherwise :metal
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Can't wait! :metal
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WINNER: Train
Gunship – Gunship (2015)
First impression: Probably the best thing I’ve heard in this specific genre.
Final opinion: According to RYM, I’ve listened to precisely zero synthwave albums. Even the wider label of synthpop, which seems to get applied to a lot of different stuff (Alan Parsons? Ulver?!) I’ve heard few albums within, and those that I’d consider vaguely close to Gunship in genre (i.e. not Ulver) I don’t normally rate highly. This is terrific, however. Great vibes - with a nice sense of energy yet really chill as well, and gorgeously atmospheric at times. Some of it reminds me of the poppy end of Everything Everything, in a good way. The Martin Grech collaboration caught me by surprise and I’m not sure his vocals 100% work, but it’s pretty interesting. There’s not a great deal of variety across the album, but there doesn’t need to be as it’s not a long album, and there’s enough to keep it engaging. And actually the consistency of style helps to keep it feeling coherent - it’s definitely a good album experience.
Score: 8.5
Slice The Cake – Odyssey to the West (2016)
First impression: This is damn epic. Takes elements of two particular bands I like and fuses them together well. I dig it.
Final opinion: Good lord, this is intense. You described it as “deathcore” which sounded a bit scary although I don't know what it actually means. I’m not sure it’s as heavy as Parama was making out though. I mean, a lot of it is pretty damn heavy, but there’s nothing here that is heavier than some stuff I listen to. Indeed there are a whole load of moments that remind me of a cross between Between the Buried and Me and The Human Abstract. And in terms of balance, ok I do find it gets a bit much in some stretches that are very full-on, but when that happens, it’s inevitably not long before a melodic or even calm section appears and provides the necessary reprieve. In addition to the heaviness, it’s also narratively intense as well. But despite it occasionally getting a bit much (and the album length doesn’t particularly help in that regard), it’s really well balanced overall - good mix of calm moments, clean heavy sections, harsh but still melodic stuff, and then yeah the manic intense stuff, particularly as the album reaches its emotional climax and the character seems to lose his mind. It’s an incredibly immersive and cathartic experience, and the quality is consistently very high throughout.
Score: 8.5
Variety score: 4.5/5
I think to get a 5/5 here, the Gunship would have needed to have been ambient electronica with no vocals. So you weren’t that far off! But yeah these are as different as any roulette submissions really. One is heavy, intense, aggressive, with huge mood swings and really focused on organic sounds. The other is chilled, atmospheric, consistent in tone, very synthy, and generally rather pleasant. Pretty much nailed the theme!
Total score = 8.5 + 8.5 + 4.5 = 21.5
So there we have it - congrats on the victory, you are now bathed in glory forever. There wasn't a huge amount in it in the end, but you did enough. And you do have the highest average score of the roulette, plus the only person to hit 9/10 twice so this feels pretty deserved. Good tactical play as well, holding back some of your strongest stuff for the knockouts! Thanks for all the awesome music and also for totally getting into the spirit of sending me such varied and unusual stuff all with such high quality. I had no idea what to expect when starting this roulette in terms of who would do well, but you dominated from early on and managed to hold on. All hail the great Train of Naught! :hefdaddy
Wow! I did not expect this at all man, Slice the Cake in a roulette final might have felt like the biggest risk ever for me in a roulette. :lol Your comments about TAC's knockout album were enough to convince myself I just wanted to send you them because this album is the epitome of extreme metal that is also very grand/epic. Like I said, my favourite album period, so winning a roulette with it is insanely cool. I'm sure you know Novena since you are so invested in Haken and its members, so I was curious if you are actually aware that the growling dude from Novena is actually Gareth Mason, the main composer and vocalist for Slice the Cake I mentioned in my write-up. StC broke up on the same day they released Odyssey to the West and Odyssey to the Gallows (the 30+ minute prequel track to this album you definitely have to check out), but I'm glad he is still putting out music cause that man is a poetic genius in my mind.
I discovered Gunship through the "What album are you listening to?" thread because BH included the cover in his classic 6-album-grid a couple times and it caught my eyes, and Bolsters sent them. They're extremely different from most music I listen to, but got me into synth stuff like M83 big time, and it has its place for sure, especially love listening to it during work.
Thanks for all the congratulations guys. :metal This was my very last roulette for at least a while so I'm glad to go out with a bang.
If you're down in London though definitely let me know!
I am pretty sure the Pelagic Road Fest tour is heading to London soon and I might join them for a couple dates, line-up is Set and Setting/Future Usses/Abraham. If I go I'll let you guys know. If not, come to Berlin damnit!
Also gonna send some of that post-roulette goodness sometime soon
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sent off my laundry list of cool stuff i couldn't/wouldn't send :metal
still have some good ones pocketed for your next roulette, anyways
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I'm sure you know Novena since you are so invested in Haken and its members, so I was curious if you are actually aware that the growling dude from Novena is actually Gareth Mason, the main composer and vocalist for Slice the Cake I mentioned in my write-up. StC broke up on the same day they released Odyssey to the West and Odyssey to the Gallows (the 30+ minute prequel track to this album you definitely have to check out), but I'm glad he is still putting out music cause that man is a poetic genius in my mind.
Cool, wasn't aware of that! Mason does pretty much all the vocals in STC right? Because his clean vocals are also awesome, really powerful and emotive. And yeah I'm very aware of Novena, I know Harrison (and Ross obviously) and I've met Moat once as well. I'm not particularly a fan of their debut, which was decent but lacked something for me. But I'll be following them definitely, they've certainly got promise.
And yeah I read up on STC and Odyssey in particular. Turns out Mason is the lyricist but that the music was mostly written by a guy who wasn't a performing band member, and that Mason and the other band member recorded it and released (with Mason's lyrics) without his permission, which was why they split. Pretty bonkers stuff.
If you're down in London though definitely let me know!
I am pretty sure the Pelagic Road Fest tour is heading to London soon and I might join them for a couple dates, line-up is Set and Setting/Future Usses/Abraham. If I go I'll let you guys know. If not, come to Berlin damnit!
Awesome, never heard of any of those bands, but if you are in London definitely let me know. :metal
Also gonna send some of that post-roulette goodness sometime soon
Woot, thanks! Got plenty to listen to, though it might be a week or two as I'm prioritising new albums by artists I already listen to that I've neglected for the last couple of months.
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I promised to report back on post-roulette submissions. This has taken me a while as most of my listening since the roulette finished has been exploring the catalogues (or parts of catalogues) of the artists from my favourite submissions - everything rated 8.5 and above, which you will recall was rather a lot. I've finished doing that for now, and I'll post some updates on that in due course (and later on I'll also start exploring the 8.0s and probably some of the 7.5s), but now I'm getting cracking on checking out albums that people sent me that weren't part of the roulette. So without further ado...
Post-roulette submissions, part 1
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romdrums: 22 – You Are Creating: Limb1 (2017)
Sent after elimination in round one
Had a bit of a weird journey with this one. After my first listen I thought it was really cool. Then on my second listen I found it a lot less interesting. Not sure why. But then on subsequent listens since then it's got better and better. Really nice alt-rock with lots of great hooks, some groovy basswork and nice use of synths. Staying Embodied and Sum of Parts are especially catchy. So yeah, you should have gone with this for round one, to be honest, but I'm glad you sent it to me still because it's great!
Score: 8.0
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King: For All We Know – Take Me Home (2017)
Sent after elimination in round one
You may have noticed that I'd already rated their debut, and hadn't been overly impressed giving it just 3 stars. It'd been quite a disappointment as I'd hoped for interesting stuff from Kristoffer Gildenlow. This new album is a huge improvement. Some really nice prog mixing old school ideas with some modern twists a la Frost. Unlike Frost, though, there's no real wow factor. It's all solid but none of it is desperately exciting. So sadly it has to settle for that dreaded 7.5, but it's got me more interested in checking out whatever they do next.
Score: 7.5
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TAC: Seven Eyed Crow – Dark Ways to the Sun (2015)
Original submission for round three
You initially sent this for round 3 but quickly replaced it with Kaelling. And that was the right call, because as solid and enjoyable as this is, it would have got you another 7.5. Different genre but as with King's submission above, this is all good but it lacks any wow factor. I've given it a few spins and while it was enjoyable enough while listening, I can't really remember anything about it.
Score: 7.5
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I've just started listening to Sacul's post-roulette submissions, so that will be next, probably in a few days but I'm not holding anything up so it'll take as long as it takes. :P
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TAC: Seven Eyed Crow – Dark Ways to the Sun (2015)
Original submission for round three
You initially sent this for round 3 but quickly replaced it with Kaelling. And that was the right call, because as solid and enjoyable as this is, it would have got you another 7.5. Different genre but as with King's submission above, this is all good but it lacks any wow factor. I've given it a few spins and while it was enjoyable enough while listening, I can't really remember anything about it.
Score: 7.5
I forgot I did that. Yeah, I was really struggling to nail down your tastes. I'm still not sure TBH. :lol
The 7EC is fine, but it was missing something, and that's why I pulled it back.
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Yeah, I was really struggling to nail down your tastes. I'm still not sure TBH. :lol
In fairness, I'm not sure either.
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I promised to report back on post-roulette submissions. This has taken me a while as most of my listening since the roulette finished has been exploring the catalogues (or parts of catalogues) of the artists from my favourite submissions - everything rated 8.5 and above, which you will recall was rather a lot. I've finished doing that for now, and I'll post some updates on that in due course (and later on I'll also start exploring the 8.0s and probably some of the 7.5s), but now I'm getting cracking on checking out albums that people sent me that weren't part of the roulette. So without further ado...
Post-roulette submissions, part 1
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romdrums: 22 – You Are Creating: Limb1 (2017)
Sent after elimination in round one
Had a bit of a weird journey with this one. After my first listen I thought it was really cool. Then on my second listen I found it a lot less interesting. Not sure why. But then on subsequent listens since then it's got better and better. Really nice alt-rock with lots of great hooks, some groovy basswork and nice use of synths. Staying Embodied and Sum of Parts are especially catchy. So yeah, you should have gone with this for round one, to be honest, but I'm glad you sent it to me still because it's great!
Score: 8.0
Glad you dug it! I did lead with a track off of this album in 425's roulette, so I learned fast!
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I promised to report back on post-roulette submissions. This has taken me a while as most of my listening since the roulette finished has been exploring the catalogues (or parts of catalogues) of the artists from my favourite submissions - everything rated 8.5 and above, which you will recall was rather a lot. I've finished doing that for now, and I'll post some updates on that in due course (and later on I'll also start exploring the 8.0s and probably some of the 7.5s), but now I'm getting cracking on checking out albums that people sent me that weren't part of the roulette. So without further ado...
Post-roulette submissions, part 1
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romdrums: 22 – You Are Creating: Limb1 (2017)
Sent after elimination in round one
Had a bit of a weird journey with this one. After my first listen I thought it was really cool. Then on my second listen I found it a lot less interesting. Not sure why. But then on subsequent listens since then it's got better and better. Really nice alt-rock with lots of great hooks, some groovy basswork and nice use of synths. Staying Embodied and Sum of Parts are especially catchy. So yeah, you should have gone with this for round one, to be honest, but I'm glad you sent it to me still because it's great!
Score: 8.0
Glad you dug it! I did lead with a track off of this album in 425's roulette, so I learned fast!
I never could get in to this album. Not sure why. It does receive fairly high praise from most.
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I've just started listening to Sacul's post-roulette submissions, so that will be next, probably in a few days but I'm not holding anything up so it'll take as long as it takes. :P
Don't post results until you love them, even if it takes years :metal
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Post-roulette submissions, part 2: SACULSTRAVAGANZA
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Sacul: DJ Shadow – Endtroducing (1996)
Sent after elimination in round five
There's some nice stuff here definitely, but also some kinda annoying stuff too. Feels like the sort of thing where in a song roulette if you sent me one or two of the best tracks it'd do really well. The chilled atmospheric stuff is mostly really good and surprisingly modern sounding for an 22 year old album. And some of the more upbeat stuff is cool too. But some tracks I find pretty boring or even actively irritating - I'm not really a fan of the DJ-style “channel skipping” type sounds, for want of a better term. So yeah, it's good overall, but not great.
Score: 7.0
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Sacul: Massive Attack – Mezzanine (1998)
Sent after elimination in round five
I remember Massive Attack from my teen years. They're one of those moody late 90s trip hop groups that I heard stuff by but never really got into (the other big one being Portishead). I think I definitely appreciate the style more now than I did then when my listening habits were less broad, genre-wise. There's lots to like here. Still not sure I love it though. Like the Seven Eyed Crow album in my last update, it's all solid stuff while I'm listening, but I couldn't tell you anything about it afterwards.
Score: 7.5
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Sacul: Burial – Untrue (2007)
Sent after elimination in round five
This feels like it should be so much my thing, it's totally a style of electronica that I dig. Similar sounds and approaches to Maribou State in particular, and some other influences I can't quite put my finger on. But there's something lacking. It's like, the vibes are amazing, but there isn't really anything on top of the vibes. It's great having it on in the background, but every time I pay attention there isn't really anything interesting happening. So it's very nice stuff, but I can't see myself putting it on unless I want some background music with no risk of distracting me.
Score: 7.5
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Sacul: Refused – The Shape of Punk to Come (1998)
Sent after elimination in round five
To be honest I wasn't very keen on this on first listen. It felt like the punk/hardcore stuff didn't have much in the way of hooks, and the other stuff seemed like a bit of a jumbled mess. But damn what a grower. I was enjoying it a lot more after a couple of further listens, and so read up on the album. Understanding what they were doing with it definitely helped me appreciate it, although in a way I'm glad it was already growing on me by that point. Closer to post-hardcore than anything else really, and it's raw but it's also exciting and unpredictable. Just goes to show that unless you actually hate something, it's always worth giving it a chance.
Score: 8.0
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Next up will be one album from Luke (his initial 4th place match submission before he realised he was meant to send 2 albums), and then I'll start making my way through the Paramarathon.
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Dacul Attack
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I was obsessed with Endtroducing.... in the summer of 2015 for some reason, despite having already been familiar with the record before that. I think it still sounds modern because DJ Shadow didn't really try to pursue any particular genre, but to rather explore the possibilities of sampling - it has the Guinness Record for being the first album fully composed with samples. You should check out the tracks Six Days and Blood on the Motorway from his second album The Private Press if you want to avoid the annoying stuff :P
I'll admit that Mezzanine is quite a grower - took me a few years but I feel now I'd put it in my top 15 :metal . I just can't get enough of that thick atmosphere, the pulsating beats, and the great hooks.
I get you about Untrue, it's kind of hard to find people that really like it. I personally love the unique atmosphere it has - some people have called it an album of 'ghosts' since Burial did sample many of his late 90s, early 2000s, childhood and teenage's songs. Overall it evokes a strong feeling of nostalgia with the distorted vocals, the broken beats, and the layers of vinyl grain and pads. It was the first proper electronic album I listened to, and at a time in which I only knew Skrillex and crappy brostep/EDM, it confused the shit out of me :lol . But with time I ended up revisiting it over and over, and it's sitting on my top 5 right now.
Yeah Refused was another grower to me, and it's certainly a mess, but what a beautiful mess it is - it's a shame they got so much shit and broke up back then. I have to explore the rest of their catalogue.
Thanks for listening to some of my favorite records and giving your thoughts on them :D
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Endtroducing is a landmark record. I don't listen to it often, but I always enjoy it when I do. It is THE plunderphonics record.
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I loooove Endtroducing, didn't know that about the first fully composed with samples fact, that's mindblowing. Building Steam with a Grain of Salt is my absolute favourite hip-hop song.
Review my albums :angry:
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Endtroducing is a landmark record. I don't listen to it often, but I always enjoy it when I do. It is THE plunderphonics record.
I loooove Endtroducing, didn't know that about the first fully composed with samples fact, that's mindblowing. Building Steam with a Grain of Salt is my absolute favourite hip-hop song.
:metal
Since I Left You by The Avalanches goes total nuts in terms of sampling tho - around 3500 are estimated to be in that record, and it's pretty fun. Might send it in your roulette, Puppies, since I've got nothing to lose :P
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Since I Left You is grreeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaatt
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Review my albums :angry:
I'm going through in order of when they were sent. So I've got like 17,000 albums from Parama before I get to yours.
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I can't even remember what album I sent you so this will be interesting :corn
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I just checked and I sent 3 albums:
Parius - The Eldritch Realm
Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare (really curious about this one)
Cult of Luna - Vertikal (this is like one of my favourite albums ever but I wouldn't ever send it during the actual roulette cause it's kinda risky)
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Keep forgetting to update this thread! Here's Luke's, and Parama's first update will be soon.
Post-roulette submissions, part 3: A Quick Luke
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Luke: Ihsahn – Arktis (2016)
Original submission for 4th place match
Damn dude, you should have sent this for the semi-final and you’d have beaten Parama with black metal. Well, ok not wholly black metal, lots of proggy elements too, but it’s clearly black metal based. I really like it, and indeed it scores better than any black metal that’s actually been sent in a roulette. It’s helped a lot by Ihsahn’s vocals - raspy black metal vocals don’t always do it for me but his are good, and his clean singing has great character (plus some top notch guest performances). And the music is really exciting at times too - there are a couple of duds for me, but most of the tracks are great and the album is helped by the really strong stuff being spaced nicely throughout the album. And I love how there’s atmospheric, moody stuff interspersed throughout - Crooked Red Line is a particular favourite in that regard (dat sax solo!).
Score: 8.5
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:soon:
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Glad you liked it dude :metal
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Post-roulette Paramarathon part 1: Too... pop?
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Parama: Lorde – Melodrama (2017)
Sent after the roulette was over
This ended up being your only “too pop” album as you sent me the Julia Holter in my last roulette. I like this more than that though, and it's definitely not too poppy. Lorde is obviously a big name but I've never heard her stuff. It's great though. Very reminiscent of Regina Spektor at times (especially in the piano songs), who's one of my absolute favourite pop artists. This album doesn't have the richness and variety of Regina's best albums, but it's comparable with her last couple. A few tracks aren't particularly interesting but they're all pleasant, and overall this is a really nice album.
Score: 8.0
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even after the roulette's done...... 8's all the way down
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even after the roulette's done...... 8's all the way down
That's what you think...
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oh i know for sure just looking at some of the other stuff i sent you, there are a few that are gonna get really great (read: low) scores but idc :corn it's why i didn't send these during the roulette proper
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Well yeah I guess part of the whole point was to send me stuff you weren't confident of and thought was too risky. I've listened to about half so far and some of it is rather good though (like the Lorde).
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emphasis on "some"
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Narrator: It was just the Lorde.
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Post-roulette Paramarathon part 2: Too... instrumental?
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Parama: El Drugstore – Plague Ship (2013)
Sent after the roulette was over
I don't think the issue here is “too instrumental” so much as “too annoying”. I get the style they're going for and I can completely see why you'd dig it, but it's not really for me and I think it's an area where our tastes diverge. Not that it's bad - in fact there's some pretty good stuff from time to time. The album starts pretty well but it gets samey pretty quickly, and there are long stretches that sound like a (talented for sure) garage band but without any interesting hooks. I don't dislike instrumental music at all - for “band music” like jazz, rock and metal, I have 18 albums rated 4.5 stars. But it's true that I tend to me more picky. This album feels too samey, and not enough of it interests me.
Score: 6.0
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Parama: Poly-Math – House of Wisdom / We Are the Devil (2017)
Sent after the roulette was over
Whereas this is much better crafted, more varied and works well as instrumental music. It's a very nice blend of prog/math metal with post-rock/post-metal elements. Some nice build ups and great energy. It still occasionally suffers from sounding more accompaniment than feature, but most of the album is pretty strong and there's a nice variety throughout to keep it interesting. The post-metal vibe also works in its favour - the atmospheric stylings and crescendos keep the music pretty engaging even when not much is happening. Turned out to be a bit of a grower too. Good stuff.
Score: 8.0
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plague ship would probably rank in my top 20 albums of all time so i'm glad you hated it :metal
but nah i totally get why you wouldn't like it, it's... niche
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plague ship would probably rank in my top 20 albums of all time so i'm glad you hated it :metal
Hey if I actually real-world hated it, it would have got a 3/10 at best.
But yeah by roulette standards I pretty much "hated" it.
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Post-roulette Paramarathon part 3: Too... heavy?
A preface to this section, which you called “too… heavy?”. I don't think any of these are too heavy, in the sense that there's nothing on them that makes me think “this is too extreme for me”. But as you know I'm quite picky if there isn't the right balance or level and type of melodic approach in there, and to varying degrees these albums all suffer a bit from not quite doing it for me in that regard.
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Parama: Exist – Sunlight (2013)
Sent after the roulette was over
Well, I don't hate it, but I don't love it either, which is possibly the most disappointing result for you. In a way, I wish I liked this more, because it has some very cool moments. Some of the jazz metal stuff is pretty unique (to me anyway) and there's the odd nice melodic moment. But overall, I'm not a huge fan. A lot of it I just find a little boring, the heavier material in particular just not really doing it for me at all. Even among the stuff I like more, some of the jazzy bits feel like meander too much, and a lot of the melodies are not very interesting.
Score: 6.5
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Parama: Mithras – On Strange Loops (2016)
Sent after the roulette was over
This is good but there's still something lacking. They have an interesting and unusual harmonic approach which I kind of dig, but I don't feel like it really goes anywhere. It's pretty heavy instrumentally and the vocals are all harsh, so generally I need a good sense of melody. And a lot of it is sort of melodic I guess, but I don't really find any of it very tuneful, if that distinction makes any sense. After a while it all kind of blurs into one. I'm not sure it's right to say that I find it “too much”, at least in terms of heaviness, but it does stick pretty relentlessly with one style that never quite does it for me.
Score: 7.0
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Parama: Cryptodira – The Devil's Despair (2017)
Sent after the roulette was over
I'd say this is my favourite of the three. There's a real Opeth vibe in some of the heavy bits, some cool proggy stuff peppered throughout, and some good atmospheric sections. However, while it's pretty consistently solid throughout (certainly once it gets a few tracks in), it never manages to reach greatness territory. The heavy stuff doesn't quite get me headbanging or fistpumping, and most of the melodic and atmospheric stuff lacks the hooks to really grab me. Even my favourite songs here, like Gods of Epicurus and Longing Belonging, are probably an 8/10. So yeah, I like it but I think you're right that it's just outside my wheelhouse, as the phrase goes.
Score: 7.5
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EDIT: Oh yeah, just one more Paramarathon update, then Train of Naught, and then I'll probably provide some thoughts on what I've been digging into in terms of artists' discographies.
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I think the Shining album would've gone in this category btw :P
I told you to listen to that one too I think?
But yeah I'm not super surprised by any of these, there's a reason I didn't sent any of these to you during the roulette
The next set should be interesting too because it's more me trying to get a feel for what kind of stuff you like in a certain genre I was hesitant to send :corn
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Yeah you mentioned the Shining album in one of the albums from the final category, so I've grouped it there. Haven't actually heard it yet. But yeah it does mean your categories have ended up with 1, 2, 3 and then 4 albums in them.
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shining belongs in this group more than the last one but sure :metal
Looking forward to those last reviews, anyways
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Post-roulette Paramarathon part 4/4: Too... black metal?
Another preface: this roulette has been extremely educational for me in terms of black metal, which I never had anything against but looking at my RYM ratings it seems that there hadn't really been anything in the past that really did it for me. Between Puppies sending Enslaved and then a bunch of top notch post-roulette submissions from you and Luke, I think we're getting a better idea of what I like in the genre.
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Parama: Fen – Winter (2017)
Sent after the roulette was over
So yeah I can see why you considered what's basically a single 75-minute black metal song to be pretty risky for the roulette itself. It does go on a bit long, I'm not sure there's enough variety of style or tone to keep it sufficiently interesting for me. That said, there's plenty to like. The more ambient post-rock stylings in particular work nicely. I do find myself losing interest though, and I think something either shorter or more varied would keep me more engaged and wanting to listen again.
Score: 7.0
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Parama: White Ward – Futility Report (2017)
Sent after the roulette was over
Another post-roulette 8.5 for black metal, what is going on? This is excellent stuff, a really great and unique blend of black metal and jazz. The production is top notch and between that and the music itself there's a wonderful moody aura throughout that makes it incredibly gripping. I really like the saxophonist as well, his style adds so much to the vibe of the music. I even toyed with giving this a 9, but some of the more straightforward sections are a little dull, but overall it's a great listen.
Score: 8.5
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Parama: Khonsu – Anomalia (2012)
Sent after the roulette was over
You described this as catchy black metal, and I get what you mean. It's a very nicely balanced album and definitely on the more accessible end of black metal, which suits me well. Both musically and vocally it's quite varied, with some intense and tonally dark metal kept in good balance with more melodic and almost ethereal stuff. Some of the tuneful stuff is really gorgeous and the vocalist has a great versatility. The final track in particular is really nice.
Score: 8.0
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SPECIAL BONUS ENTRY:
Parama: Shining – Blackjazz (2010)
Sent after another post-roulette submission was rejected because you sent it in my last roulette and you were compelled to still send me 10 albums, gosh this is a long explanation
OK yeah I can see why you say this fit better in the previous category. While it's got black metal (and indeed jazz) elements it's undoubtedly industrial metal at its core. And it's absolutely bonkers. But it's also a lot of fun. It's not surprising there's a cover of 21st Century Schizoid Man, as right from the start I thought this was what King Crimson would sound like if they did industrial metal. It's a bit relentlessly wacky but I dig the style and the way they clearly really embraced jazz for this album.
Score: 7.5
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actually surprised fen scored that low but the rest i'm :metal about
now i'm totally ready to send black metal in ariich v3 heck yeah
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Yeah I'll admit on my first listens I though the Fen would score higher. It's good, it's just too long and drags too much.
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i don't disagree tbh, but it's like. the de facto 8/10 for me. liked it on every listen i've given it. nothing more. never grown on me. it's a good sound and that's about it
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That description is more like a 7 for me. Maybe a 7.5 depending on how much I like it on each listen. An 8.0 is the threshold at which point I start REALLY liking something. Hopefully that provides some useful context for my ratings and how much I like most of what I've been getting sent in roulettes.
Anyway, looking forward to more black metal next time. :metal
Final post roulette update will be the three albums Train sent, probably next week.
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i suppose i'm underselling it, i come back to it regularly even like a year and a half later so :lol
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Futility Report and Blackjazz are great! Although I prefer International Blackjazz Society :metal
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As far as Fen is concerned, I consider Carrion Skies and Epoch to be their best albums. I do like Winter, but it's a bit too long for what it is.
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i've tried to get into other fen albums but they haven't grabbed me as much, personally
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The End, Again: Post-Roulette Train of Naught?
Your roulette win was not only due to the general act of sending me lots of great music (which you weren't alone in doing) but also exerting fantastic judgement, which you nailed. These three albums are all very good, but you were right to be cautious as two scored the same as your lowest roulette entries and the Parius is only 0.5 better.
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Train: Parius – The Eldritch Realm (2018)
Sent after the roulette was over
Yep, this is indeed extremely similar to your first round submission (a little more refined perhaps)! Nothing wrong with that though, and hey, you intentionally kept your submissions extremely varied in the roulette. Again a strong BTBAM vibe, mixing intense metal with some proggy/techy ideas and a nice dose of theatricality. Just like The World Is Quiet Here, this is mostly really great stuff with some moments that are less interesting. The short run time does keep it focused and fun though. Very solid album overall.
Score: 8.0
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Train: Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
Sent after the roulette was over
Yeah Arctic Monkeys are (or were anyway) really big in the UK so I've always been aware of them and heard one or two songs before. None of it really interested me enough to check out a whole album. Now I have done, and it's cool, but it didn't blow me away or anything. There are a couple of songs I really enjoy loads (D is for Dangerous especially, and Do Me a Favour gets really good). The rest is all pretty cool, but for such a popular album, I'm surprised at how unmemorable most of it is.
Score: 7.5
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Train: Cult Of Luna – Vertikal (2013)
Sent after the roulette was over
You're right that this has very little in common with Mariner. I like this more overall. It's got a greater amount of variety and experimentation of style that works well, and the production is really top notch and creates a huge sound. It's definitely very competent post-metal. I still don't love it though. It's pretty monotone in mood and I think more in the way of melody would work better for me, and some of the moody ambient sections go on a bit. The big epic, Vicarious Redemption, is absolutely brilliant in the last few minutes, but a lot of the stuff leading up to it I find fairly boring.
Score: 7.5
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That wraps up everything that was submitted. Thanks again to everyone, you're all amazing. :heart
I mentioned before about some updates from exploring artists' catalogues. I might do this at some point, or alternatively I might do it as a recap whenever I get round to my next roulette, though that probably won't be for quite a while now as this one was absolutely epic for my music discovery.
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the parius album is p. swell but i'm mostly just a huge fan of that last track, which is fantastic
btw the best cult of luna album is somewhere along the highway no contest