Round 10: And The Winner Is....Big Hath:Dave Weckl Band - Transition(8.5/10)This is pretty much what I expected of them and hoped for Right from the get go Dave is in the pocket and the band is playing tight and with incredible musicianship. They feed off each other and at certain times it's ecstacy. Brandon Fields plays his ass off on this album, out of this world.
Best song(s): Wake Up, Group Therapy
Devin Townsend - Ocean Machine: Biomech(7/10)I like some of his work, but this just doesn't stick to me as his other work does. I applaud him for having such a diverse catalogue, but this particular album won't be as well received by me as some of his other albums. It's solid all the way through, but lacks anything that truly sticks to me and makes me want to play it over and over again.
Best song(s): Life
Scorpion: Sigh – In Somniphobia(9.5/10)Oh my, this album destroyed my rectum. They have so much to offer. Saxophone in metal, really avant-garde. I can totally see why someone wouldn't like this, but I can't not like this. They have the same approach to musical ideas as I do, and they make it fun, quirky and enjoyable. Just like with Diablo Swing, the quirkyness itself doesn't make the music great, it's the fact that the quirkyness is well placed inside of musical ideas.
Kamelot – The Black Halo(9/10)Power Metal or Metal in general doesn't get much better than this. Solid all the way through. Tight rhythmic playing, great riffs and overall solid song ideas. The flow of the album should be applauded too, not just story-wise, but musically.
Best song(s): Moonlight, This Pain
YtseBitsySpider: Anthrax – Worship Music(9/10)One of the most solid thrash releases ever. I don't always enjoy thrash, but now I did. Some excellent tracks on here, and headbang-worthy moments.
Best song(s): The Devil You Know, In The End
DGM – In My Mind(8.5/10)A prog metal band with Symphony X vibes. I love this. It doesn't really reach the level of SX's best stuff, but this is extremely solid. I find it hard to say much else about this. It's nothing out of the ordinary really, but it's extremely solid.
Best song(s): Reason. Void
So.... The winner is....
Scorpion!
Overall, I was expecting to be blown away more by these albums, but whatever. When I summarize the entire roulette, I got so much good stuff and I have a long list of shiet to get through now.
Thank you guys for participating!