Round 1 Results
Rank #9, 1 point: jingle.boy - Evergrey - Trilogy of the Damned - I promise, this is not about your comments concerning Best of the Best! I appreciate you going out on a limb with this one, but I get the feeling I would have liked this more if I already knew the band/was a fan of theirs. I'm not emotionally invested in the vocalist or the band, so there was never really anything for me to hold on to. Here are my exact notes as I was listening: "ok, waiting for something to happen here - the vocals at the beginning are not my favorite. Then we flow into another serene piano-driven section and more of the same type of vocals. Still waiting for something to happen. Ok, now we are into the third section that reminds me of more of the same." I really wanted to like it, since this is a band I've heard a lot about on the forums but never checked out. I kept waiting for some huge guitar riff or something to break through, something, anything, but ultimately nothing. I have faith that you are going to make a strong comeback in forthcoming rounds.
Rank #8, 2 points: Scorpion - Adagio - Dominate - Well, this is certainly some dark symphonic stuff. Very theatrical. Nice powerful song, and good contrast from some of the others I've received this round. I like the clean vocals layered with the low growls, kind of reminds me of "Wolf" from Iced Earth. Although I'm not a fan of that type of blackish growly vocals when they are by themselves. But the instrumental section does have some redeeming qualities, however. Unfortunately I don't hear a lot that would make me want to keep coming back to it for many listens. The chorus repeats multiple times and gets a bit stale for me.
Rank #7, 3 points: Dark Castle - Kvelertak - Liktorn - Intense intro, wasn't quite expecting that as I hit play. Really dig that early instrumental section, picking up some early-Rush vibes. Unfortunately these screaming vocals are the undoing for me. If I were to dig further into this band, I would have to put them in the Between the Buried and Me section where I listen for the instrumental music and tolerate the vocals. If this song were an instrumental or had different vocals, it might have won the round.
Rank #6, 4 points: kári - 65daysofstatic - Radio Protector - This song edged out the previous one by the thinnest of margins. Really nice instrumental with some cool crescendos of intensity. Kind of reminds me of an instrumental Anathema. However there is just not quite enough going for the song to move it ahead of some of the others.
Rank #5, 5 points: Lolzeez - Return to Forever - Duel of the Jester & the Tyrant - So yes, I have heard of Return To Forever, but the problem is that each time I have tried to listen to them it has just never grabbed me for some reason, even though I adore the work of their individual members. Luckily, this is slightly better than I remember. Maybe my tastes have changed somewhat, I don't know. All of Di Meola's solos are awesome, naturally. But I still don't think the band quite reaches the highs I've experienced with Elegant Gypsy or some of my Elektric Band live recordings. Something awesome will inevitably be followed up with something quirky or weird and I lose interest.
Rank #4, 6 points: Onno - Branford Marsalis Quartet - The Return of the Jitney Man - Nice classical jazz/post-bop number, and whoever the pianist is, he is quite a talent. His nearly 2 minute long solo starting around the 3:30 mark is a beauty and is really the centerpiece of the song. About the only thing missing for me was a strong central theme that brings the entire song together - Branford and the pianist play around with that little dancing, trill-like bit early and reprise at the end, but it doesn't quite hit my sweet spot.
Rank #3, 7 points: MoraWintersoul - Enochian Theory - This Aching Isolation - Cool atmospheric/industrial opening, and I like the build up/suspense through the opening and first verse, nice use of strings in the background. I also like how the "industrial" sound effects have a presence throughout the song. Very emotional vocals, reminds me of Peter Gabriel in spots. Never quite has that moment where I'm blown away, but overall it was a strong song.
Rank #2, 8 points: LieLowTheWantedMan - Gentle Giant - In A Glass House - Ok, that opening grabbed me. This reminds a bit of cross between King Crimson and Dixie Dregs. On the Dregs side it must be the violin and some of the keyboard sounds - also some of the guitar production has a Dregs vibe. Seriously liking this one, although the vocals are just slightly quirky to be off-putting to me at times. Strong entry.
Rank #1, 9 points: Elite - Shadow Gallery - Destination Unknown - Was hoping to get some Shadow Gallery since I've heard so much about them here but never listened to them. Nice opening with piano and vocal, somewhat similar to the Evergrey song, but there is much more of a direction here. This song takes you on a really nice journey. Very strong soaring vocals, although I understand the vocalist passed away? If so that's a shame, he was very talented. So this song had some really WOW moments both vocally and instrumentally, plus the aforementioned journey it takes you on puts this at the top of the class for this round.
Thanks for the musical journey that round, folks. Can't wait for the upcoming rounds. To those that didn't quite finish where you had hoped, don't lose hope! And to those that came out on top this round, you better bring your "A" games again!
Ranking after Round 1
Elite - 9
LieLowTheWantedMan - 8
MoraWintersoul - 7
Onno - 6
Lolzeez - 5
kári - 4
Dark Castle - 3
Scorpion - 2
jingle.boy - 1