Round 5 Results!!
bl5150 - Mercury Falling - Queen of Pain
Ruslan pulling Brent up on the Conception submission may not have been the smartest choice, cause I think I like this better. The storming riff straight up was awesome, love it. Interesting vocals, quite dark and strong. The chorus I didn't find the most catchy or memorable thing I've heard at first, but it grew quickly and I really like the intensity of it and I keep spinning the song, it's quite addictive. Solid instrumental section too. The whole thing reminds me a bit of Borealis, which is a good thing. Nothing new here, but a damn fine song indeed, from what appears to be a solid ass band.
Appeal of Style - 9
Instrumentation and Vox - 9
Structure and Songwriting - 9
Replay Value - 9.5
Would I Purchase - 9
Score - 9.1
Train of Naut and Bolsters - Slash feat. Myles Kennedy - Beneath the Savage Sun
I thought it was a joke when I got this song twice but seems not. Slash I've never rated as a guitarist. I think it's more G'n'R I just never could stand, so I think Slash copped the brunt of that. I just never appreciated his style, and he's overrated as fuck if you ask me. Alter Bridge however has been a band I've followed since the first album and love them and Myles' voice is spectacular, so it's no surprise to see this song and strategically a smart move. I don't think I've heard anything of what Slash and Myles has done, so this was fresh and I didn't really have any expectations. But you know what, this is a fucking great song, Myles is just so good. Don't know if I'd like it as much if he wasn't involved but that's irrelevant, cause he is. The chorus is what carries the song here, very strong and surprising that I like this so much. I was waiting for Slash's solo and the first one was pretty decent and there was nothing overplayed. The second one almost got to that point of overplaying but it was okay, and had some good ideas and licks from Slash actually. Still not a big Slash fan, but he's good here and I might have to check this album out if it's all at this quality. Myles is simply amazing.
Appeal of Style - 9
Instrumentation and Vox - 9.5
Structure and Songwriting - 9
Replay Value - 9
Would I Purchase - 9
Score - 9.1
lowdz - Leatherwolf - The Calling
Fuck yeah, now we're talking. Cool ass name and right away I was bobbing my head. Strong guitar tone straight up and I loved the vocals instantly too. The main riff is strong and ballsy too. The chorus was an instant hit and while nothing overly memorable or over the top, just really well written and flowed beautifully. Everything about this track had me going and even though it's so simple, I love it. Killer solos too which just topped it off. Definitely a band I need to look at.
Appeal of Style - 9
Instrumentation and Vox - 9
Structure and Songwriting - 9
Replay Value - 9
Would I Purchase - 9
Score - 9.0
Evermind - Galahad - Empires Never Last
Ruslan pulls out something different again and I'm gonna say straight up, for some reason, I fucking loved this. This isn't my usual preferred style but something about this track was so original and well done and always had me wanting more. The long Tool like bass intro was appreciated and set things up nicely with the guitars coming in at around the 2 minute mark was fabulous. I must say, the vocals and delivery did throw me at first, but I think it's one of those things you get use to with time. A bit over dramatic, but that's a minor issue and again, I got use to it with the more listens. I just liked the prog elements mixed with the metal elements, it was done really well. The chorus seems arkward but just works. The heavier riffs in the later half were simple and predictable but I have no issues with that. The solo was just the icing on the cake. Unexpected, but I think I need to check these guys out.
Appeal of Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.5
Structure and Songwriting - 9.5
Replay Value - 9.5
Would I Purchase - 9
Score - 9.0
Dr. DTVT - Powerworld - Cleansed By Fire
Seen this name plenty of times, and to be honest I was fully expecting this from Chad. It has the great Mac (RIP) so right away we're off to a good start. The intro instantly reminded me heavily of Mercyful Fates, The Uninvited Guest and it gets me everytime actually, but that's not an issue. Mac sounds great of course and I was kind of surprised by the almost jazzy feel of the choruses and how light on the chorus is, or lack there of. The verse and chorus seem to blend which is an interesting touch. The structure and songwriting here is quite fresh and original. The brilliant solo kicks in which takes things to another level again and is done really well. This didn't blow me away but I really like it and should check them out. Good hard rock.
Appeal of Style - 9
Instrumentation and Vox - 9
Structure and Songwriting - 9
Replay Value - 8.5
Would I Purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.8
Parama - Enslaved - Roots of the Mountain
Uh oh, it's a Parama specialty right here, I'm excited. Right away with the very start of the song I had a bit of a chuckle and wondered what I was in for this time, but the first ten seconds are a misinterpretation of the song IMO. The variety in vocals here is quite cool and holds my interest. I love the Opeth like growls, those sections are ballsy. The cleans are different and a little out of my zone, but I like the melodies, and how it flows into the guitar solo was quite epic. There is so many different styles and original ideas here that I can't help not to like it. Doesn't even feel like 9 minutes either, and given the amount of styles, it flows nicely. Fuck, I might have to look into these guys!!
Appeal of Style - 8
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.5
Structure and Songwriting - 9
Replay Value - 8.5
Would I Purchase - 8.5
Score - 8.5
jingle.boy - Ioannis Anastassakis - Orbital Attempt
Well, a guitar instrumental from Chad, this was a surprise. One would seem that sending me an 8 minute guitar shred fest would automatically get a 10 but being if I don't mind me saying, a somewhat experience and competent guitar player, it would also involve more risk. This was just tough. At times the melodies were awesome and sweet but other times, some of what was going on seemed a bit novice like in terms of playing. Don't get me wrong, it was a pleasure to listen too, but the playing doesn't have the natural flair and personality of your Malmsteens, Vai's, TMac, Becker, Moore etc. It's like a second rate instrumental guitarist to my ears. It sounds like I'm being a prick, but it still does deserve a good score, as I said, the melodies carry it and keep my interest, luckily I just don't have much expectations from stuff like this as I've heard most of it before. It was nice to hear some new guitar instrumental stuff though as it's been a while. It's way too long though, seriously 8 minutes, but kudos to this guy for being able to keep my attention for that long and wanting me to replay it too with what's going on here, that deserves credit. Nothing I haven't heard before though, that's for sure, but solid.
Appeal of Style - 9
Instrumentation and Vox - 8
Structure and Songwriting - 8
Replay Value - 8.5
Would I Purchase - 7.5
Score - 8.2
jjrock88 - Honeymoon Suite - Burning in Love
Another jj classic. Again like most of his submissions, solid, to the point and catchy. Nothing new going on here and certainly nothing overly heavy at all, and in fact very radio friendly for the time, but it's enjoyable. Probably based on what I already have down, I wouldn't look into any of their albums right away but solid nevertheless. Nice vocals, nice solo, solid track.
Appeal of Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 8
Structure and Songwriting - 8
Replay Value - 8
Would I Purchase - 7.5
Score - 8.0
Elite - Toxik - Shotgun Logic
Some old school thrash here that was an interesting listen. Can't say I've ever heard of this band before. This was tough as it was hard to get my head around at first. I think the sharp guitar tone and intensity was really good. I didn't find anything that memorable but still liked it. The breakdown and the guitar solo I must say was unexpected but really took the song to another level which I appreciated, well done. The second half of the solo was excellent too. Pretty standard thrash, but had enough to hold my interest and enjoy the repeated spins.
Appeal of Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.5
Structure and Songwriting - 8
Replay Value - 8
Would I Purchase - 7.5
Score - 8.1
Big Hath - Arion - Shadows
The first time I heard this song, I was quite impressed, but for some reason the more I listened the more it wore off on me. It has a somewhat modern feel mixed with a power metal style, and I'm not that sold on the more modern feel but everything here is performed and done really well. Wasn't that sold on the chorus either but something kept my interest just enough. This was a weird one. Solid but not outstanding, and based on the song, wouldn't check them out at this stage.
Appeal of Style - 8.5
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.5
Structure and Songwriting - 7.5
Replay Value - 8
Would I Purchase - 7
Score - 7.9
TAC - Hibria - Millenium Quest
Hmmm.....this has everything that I should like in a metal song, and I tried many times, but for some reason, this just didn't do it for me. It just seemed very generic and run of the mill. I wasn't a huge fan of the singer either. Production is good, the guitars sound great and these guys can play and the chorus was somewhat catchy, but yeah, I don't know. I can't rate it that low because what is one offer here really is good stuff, I think the last two components just take a hit because I didn't take to it.
Appeal of Style - 9
Instrumentation and Vox - 8.5
Structure and Songwriting - 8.5
Replay Value - 7
Would I Purchase - 6
Score - 7.8
lonestar - Deadly Circus Fire - Threnody
Things with this one seemed promising first off, but something about this tune just didn't click with me. I see these guys are English but I could have sworn they were part of the more modern American scene. Strong and aggresive and I like the Tool like verses too. I don't know, I just didn't find the chorus all that strong or memorable and while everything here is solid, just something that didn't really interest me on a whole.
Appeal of Style - 8
Instrumentation and Vox - 7.5
Structure and Songwriting - 7
Replay Value - 7
Would I Purchase - 7
Score - 7.3
Standing after round 5;
Dr. DTVT - 44.4
bl5150 - 44.4
Big Hath - 43.8
Evermind - 43.7
lowdz - 42.8
jingle.boy - 41.9
TAC - 41.7
jjrock88 - 40.0
lonestar - 38.4
Train of Naut - 38.3
Bolsters - 38.2
Elite - 36.7
Parama - 34.8
Okay last round before 5 get cut. The bottom five need to hope a couple above them fuck up really badly or perhaps take a punt at a bonus band get an extra submission and increase the chances of a good score!
Topic: wolfking's roulette to end all roulettes v. Kip Winger approved! (Read 99867 times)